On Oct. 31 (an ironic coincidence?) a report from the Office of inspector General frighteningly said Medicare paid some $23 million in benefits for more than 17,000 dead people in 2011. And my husband...
Test and tests and tests… there’s failure here
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Mar 01, 2022
Let’s face it. Unless you’re the character Sheldon from the show “The Big Bang Theory” or “Young Sheldon,” most of us really hate to take tests. So, those of us in this profession got a little...
Ignoring the old impulses
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Apr 18, 2017
So, I have this song from Disney’s animated film “Frozen” stuck in my head. The part of the song that goes, “Let it go, let it go …” See, that’s how I feel about...
Excessive citation?
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Apr 16, 2019
A man was recently charged with animal cruelty after abandoning his pet fish Oscar. Yep, you read that right, a fish. Not some exotic fish in expensive tanks, but a fish in a bowl. The guy had been evicted...
Nurse, will you hear me?
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Jan 27, 2015
There was a recent New York Times op-ed piece titled “Doctor, Shut Up and Listen.” Basically, it took you through a case about a woman who was having symptoms of a rapid heartbeat and feeling...
Three wishes
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Jul 18, 2023
This year’s annual NADONA conference was typical in all the good ways — but also extra special in an important way everyone can appreciate.
Honor thy mother and father
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Jul 11, 2011
My Mom’s biggest fear is that she will get Alzheimer’s disease and become a burden to me. If Mom would ever realize that fear, I would do everything to ensure that I honored her. I know what...
Quality does not equate to staffing mandates
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Oct 10, 2023
I recently returned from the AHCA/NACL national convention and expo, one of my favorite conferences of the year. One reason why it’s a favorite is the recognition of quality in our profession. There...
And the winners are …
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Oct 15, 2013
The Frontline Health Workers Coalition and Save the Children are launching the second annual REAL Awards, a very special awards program designed to develop respect and appreciation for health workers for...
Getting nurses to rethink rehospitalization
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Oct 15, 2019
Shouldn’t we avoid transferring people to the hospital if we can treat them in place? Come on, nurses, stop, take a breath, put on your nurse’s thinking cap.