Research conducted by AHCA/NCAL earlier this year shows that SNFs that employ at least one American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Board certified RN also, on average, performed higher on SNF VBP performance. The average 2017 SNF VBP performance score across the nation was 34.4. For SNFs with at least one RN who has been ANCC Board certified in gerontological nursing, the average SNF VBP performance score was 44.2. The net result is that these SNFs get higher Medicare Part A reimbursements.
The AHCA/NCAL 2019 research also found that SNFs with at least one ANCC Board certified RN also experienced:
- Fewer survey deficiencies
- Fewer IJ citations
- Lower rehospitalization rates
- Lower rates of off-label use of antipsychotics
- Higher CMS 5-Star ratings
The ANCC offers certification in gerontological nursing – the gold standard in demonstrating clinical excellence in geriatric patient care. ANCC is the world’s largest and most prestigious nurse credentialing organization and a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association. Less than one percent of America’s RNs are board certified in gerontological nursing.
To help RNs prepare for the certification exam, AHCA/NCAL offers an online course called Gero Nurse Prep. RNs who complete the course earn 30 nursing contact hours and experience a 96% pass rate on the ANCC certification exam on the first try. Gero Nurse Prep students see a whopping 24 percent average increase between their pre- and post-test scores.
Gero Nurse Prep is flexible. RNs study online at their own pace and have one year from the time they enroll to complete their Gero Nurse Prep coursework.
Gero Nurse Prep is on sale through November 30! Save $100 off the regular registration fee by using promo code RNHERO (all caps). AHCA/NCAL Gero Nurse Prep provides tremendous value at this AHCA/NCAL member $590 sale price. That’s less than $20 per contact hour for outstanding nursing education that makes a measurable difference on so many fronts. For RNs interested in pursuing Board certification through ANCC, there is an additional and separate cost of $395.
To learn more about Gero Nurse Prep and ANCC Board certification, watch this video. For an even deeper dive into competent geriatric nursing, listen to this free AHCA/NCAL webinar “Competent Geriatric RNs – The New Driver of Financial Performance.”
