Certification Resources
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NurseJournal.org’s Nurse Practitioner Career Guide
List of Online Nurse Practitioner Schools in Florida
Family Nurses Practitioner Programs Guideline
How to Become a Pain Management Nurse Practitioner
Nurse Practitioner Program Guides
Nurse Practitioner Residencies & Fellowships by Specialty
NP Continuing Education: General CME, plus CE by Specialty
Nurse Practitioner Requirements
Guide to Evidence-Based Nursing Practice for NP’s
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Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) provide basic medical care to the sick, injured, and disabled under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) and doctors. The LPN/LVN profession only requires you to obtain a diploma, certificate, or associate degree from an accredited nursing program; these typically take one or two years. The term ‘LPN’ is most frequently used to describe these professionals, though some states prefer to call them LVNs.
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CNA Career Paths
Ask any nursing professional where they began their career, and odds are, they’ll say they started as a CNA. Certified nursing assistant experience provides an essential foundation of patient care skills—so no matter where a nursing assistant ends up, they use their CNA skills for the rest of their career.
Being a CNA is a rewarding healthcare position with a wide range of job opportunities in a variety of work settings and patient populations. Once you begin your journey as a CNA, you have several paths to advancement in healthcare, depending on your career goals.
This page explains:
Where you can work as a CNA
Career options in related fields
How you can advance your nursing career
The differences between CNAs, LPNs, and RNs
The advantages of each nursing pathway
Go to CNA Career Paths Premier Nursing Academy .org
Find CNA Classes
FIND CNA CLASSES NEAR YOU: PRACTICE TESTS, TRAINING MATERIALS & RESOURCES
What is a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)?
A certified nursing assistant has the responsibility for serving the needs of their patients while under the supervision of a licensed nurse. Certified Nurse Assistants are the liaison between the patient and the licensed nurse. The CNA’s primary responsibility is to take care of the patient’s personal and healthcare needs as well as communicate critical information about the patient’s health. A CNA may work in various healthcare facilities such as hospitals, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, or even personal homes. The work is fast-paced, and CNAs must have a strong work ethic to be successful.
Top Nurse
Top Nurse is the only website that provides all the information related to CNA. We have made an honest effort to provide our visitors with comprehensive and up-to-date information about this profession.
If you are thinking of starting a nursing career, nurse aide is an ideal profession, to begin with. But before starting any profession it is important to have detailed knowledge about the pros and cons of the field so that you can make the right choice. The Top Nurse on various topics posted here will give you a perfect idea about the various aspects of the CNA profession.
Top Nurse
Top Nurse is the only website that provides all the information related to CNA. We have made an honest effort to provide our visitors with comprehensive and up-to-date information about this profession.
If you are thinking of starting a nursing career, nurse aide is an ideal profession, to begin with. But before starting any profession it is important to have detailed knowledge about the pros and cons of the field so that you can make the right choice. The Top Nurse on various topics posted here will give you a perfect idea about the various aspects of the CNA profession.
NurseJournal
NurseJournal has a wealth of career and education resources that can help you succeed in nursing.
Trending Nursing Topics
Get a pulse on the latest trends and news in nursing through our curated selection of articles.
Accredited Nursing Programs
At NurseJournal, we partner with trusted, accredited online schools. Everyone deserves to succeed in a career they love. Online learning is flexible, convenient, and cost effective.
Visit NurseJournal Nursing Careers
Edsmart ~ Fast Track LPN Programs Online
If you are thinking about becoming an LPN/LVN, also known as a Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse, (the job duties are the same for both LPN and LVN.
However, Vermont, California, and Texas have chosen to use the term “LVN”) you have several educational options.
You can spend a couple of years attending a regular brick-and-mortar college earning a degree, or you can choose to take an accelerated LPN/LVN program.
By taking a fast-track online LPN program, you will save yourself the hassle of having to drive to the school and be there at a set time. Moreover, you can graduate with a certificate after attending courses for 6 to 12 months.
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From the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES
Infection Prevention, Control & Immunizations
Infection Control: This facility task must be used to investigate compliance at F880, F881, F882, F883, F885, F886, F887, and F888. For the purpose of this task, “staff” includes facility employees (regardless of clinical responsibilities or resident contact), licensed practitioners, adult students, trainees, and volunteers; and individuals who provide care, treatment or other services for the facility and/or its residents, under contract or by other arrangement. The infection prevention and control program (IPCP) must be facility-wide and include all departments and contracted services. If a specific care area concern is identified, it should be evaluated under the specific care area, such as for pressure ulcers, respiratory care, catheter care, and medication pass observations which include central lines, peripheral IVs, and oral/IM/respiratory medications.
Entry and screening procedures as well as resident care guidance have varied over the progression of COVID-19 transmission in facilities. Facilities are expected to be in compliance with CMS requirements and surveyors will use guidance that is in effect at the time of the survey. Refer to QSO memos released at: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-Certification/SurveyCertificationGenInfo/Policy-andMemos-to- States-and-Regions.
Read and Download Infection Prevention, Control & Immunizations task for compliance at F880, F881, F882, F883, F885, F886, F887, and F888.
Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC- 22) Certificate of Mastery Program
NEW Oct 2022 Compliance deadline
Get your Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC- 22) Certificate ***Mastery Course required to sit for IP-BC****
NADONA Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC- 22) Certificate of Mastery Program (15 Session) – Online Course
The IPAC Program is a Certificate of Mastery Program that yields an official certificate and either 15 hours (live) or 22 contact hours (online). Awarded CEs are nursing CEs.
The Mastery class is a prerequisite to be eligible to sit for the NADONA Infection Preventionist Board Certification. The IPAC program is designed to cover all the components of a well-rounded Infection Control Program and the role of the Infection Preventionist.
The IPAC program was specifically designed to meet the new regulations regarding Infection Control and the Infection Preventionist.
Awarded CEs are nursing CEs.
STEP 1: Purchase IP-BC Mastery Class and complete
Purchase the course here: https://nadonauniversity.org/
STEP 2: Sit for the IP-BC Certification Exam
Purchase the Certification Exam here: https://nadonauniversity.org/
Join the NADONA IP Committee Today!
The Infection Prevention Committee is a dedicated group of Infection Preventionists working in the long-term care (LTC) and post-acute care arena. Its primary objective is to provide a platform for education, resources, mentoring, and peer support to empower Infection Preventionists and promote their essential role within the LTC community. The committee’s structure includes elected officers who make informed decisions regarding educational focus areas and resource allocation. As an integral part of NADONA, the committee operates in accordance with NADONA’s bylaws, upholding the organization’s mission and core values.
Vision:
To establish the National Association of the Directors of Nursing Administration in Long-Term Care (NADONA) Infection Prevention and Control Committee (IPC) as a leading force in fostering a culture of infection prevention and control throughout the post-acute care continuum, ultimately promoting the health and well-being of residents and staff.
Mission:
The NADONA IPC is dedicated to the advancement and the enhancement of infection prevention and control best practices in post-acute care through education and engagement with IP stakeholders.
Why join? …. Membership Benefits
All NADONA Membership benefits (except state chapter membership)
Plus
Receive Mentoring from Professional Infection Preventionists
Receive our Quarterly IP Newsletter filled with articles, updates, new products for the IP
Exclusive Monthly Online IP Member ONLY Computer side Chats – Opportunity to ask questions, discuss topics, general peer conversation, attended and hosted by NADONA staff
Quarterly IP Webinars – Outside speakers presenting on hot topics and new rules/regulations
Quarterly meetings (3 virtual meetings and one in person meeting at the national NADONA conference
Get “The Director” NADONA’s quarterly journal will have an IP Section dedicated to the Infection Preventionist
Quarterly board meetings (Includes officers of the IP Committee)
Participate in Scholarships
Exclusive Webinars (Contact Hours and without Contact hours)
Receive Discounts on Certification Courses and Exams
Get Discounted price on Registration for NADONA Conference
View Exclusive Resources on NADONA website for MEMBERS ONLY
Receive LTC Publications like Chamberlain College of Nursing
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From the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
WHAT IS QAPI?
QAPI is the merger of two complementary approaches to quality management, Quality Assurance (QA) and Performance Improvement (PI). QA and PI combine to form QAPI, a comprehensive approach to ensuring high quality care. Both involve seeking and using information, but they differ in key ways:
QA is a process of meeting quality standards and assuring that care reaches an acceptable level. Nursing homes typically set QA thresholds to comply with regulations. They may also create standards that go beyond regulations. QA is a reactive, retrospective effort to examine why a facility failed to meet certain standards. QA activities do improve quality, but efforts frequently end once the standard is met.
PI (also called Quality Improvement – QI) is a proactive and continuous study of processes with the intent to prevent or decrease the likelihood of problems by identifying areas of opportunity and testing new approaches to fix underlying causes of persistent/systemic problems. PI in nursing homes aims to improve processes involved in health care delivery and resident quality of life. PI can make good quality even better.
Read the QAPI News brief Volume 1
Read the QAPI News brief Volume 2
From The Lake Superior Quality Innovation Network
QAPI Written Plan
Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) is a data driven and proactive approach to quality improvement. All members of an organization, including residents, are involved in continuously identifying opportunities for improvement. Gaps in systems are addressed through planned interventions with a goal of improving the overall quality of life and quality of care and services delivered to nursing home residents.
The QAPI plan will guide your organization’s performance improvement efforts. The QAPI regulation requires a written plan. This plan is a framework for an effective, comprehensive, data driven program that focuses on the indicators that reflect outcomes of care and quality of life. The plan will assist your organization in achieving what you have identified as the purpose of QAPI in your organization. The QAPI plan also is intended to be a living document that your organization will continue to review and revise. Your written QAPI plan will be made available to a state agency, federal surveyor, or CMS upon request. It reflects the way your organization has developed, implemented, and maintained your quality program.
PI (also called Quality Improvement – QI) is a proactive and continuous study of processes with the intent to prevent or decrease the likelihood of problems by identifying areas of opportunity and testing new approaches to fix underlying causes of persistent/systemic problems. PI in nursing homes aims to improve processes involved in health care delivery and resident quality of life. PI can make good quality even better.
Download the PDF ~ QAPI Written Plan How-To Guide
From the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Guide for Developing Purpose, Guiding Principles, and Scope for QAPI
Use these step-by-step instructions to create a separate document that may be used as a preamble to your QAPI plan.
Use these tools to establish the purpose, guiding principles and scope for QAPI in your organization. The team completing this worksheet should include senior leadership. Taking time to articulate the purpose, develop guiding principles, and define the scope will help you to understand how QAPI will be used and integrated into your organization. This information will also help your organization to develop a written QAPI plan.
Read More and download: QAPI step-by-step instructions
Read More and download: QAPI At a Glance
Read More and download: QAPI 5 Elements
Read More and download: QAPI Self Assessment Tool