I had the privilege to recently attend the 37th annual National Association of Directors of Administration in Long Term Care (NADONA/LTC) conference. I love going to this gathering as I not only get to...
Laughter — thoughts on truly the best medicine
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Jun 04, 2024
We’ve all heard it: “Laughter is the best medicine.” And I tend to agree with that for the most part. I mean, after surgery, I prefer something a little stronger and, honestly, laughing right after...
Pleading the Fifth
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Aug 16, 2022
We all know that political and notable figures of all kinds have the ultimate “out” available when being asked questions of substance by authorities. They can just invoke the Fifth Amendment. That’s...
Ode to The Annual Survey (‘The DON Blues’)
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Nov 27, 2018
Oh, annual survey,You stress me so,No matter how we prepare,I’ll dread you, though … Despite skills labs, process reviews,And competency checksFor some reason at survey timeI fret a big hex I’ve...
Trying to reason with hurricane season
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Aug 29, 2023
I’m here in Florida trying to prepare for this hurricane we are supposed to get as I write this. You know, you can do your best to prepare but as you’re scurrying about, knowing it’s hurricane season,...
Why grease the squeaky wheel?
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Sep 21, 2021
We all know the expression; the squeaky wheel gets the grease. But why? Why do we do that in long-term care? We all have those squeaky residents or families that just are NEVER happy. But have you thought...
The fault in our (5) stars
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Sep 19, 2014
So, let me start off by saying that I am sure a lot of us have our own rating systems. For example, my sisters and I have a tissue-box rating system for tearjerker books and movies. The book the “Fault...
Ring out the old, ring in the new
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Jan 03, 2023
I am having a hard time believing another year has gone by. Lord, it’s scary how fast time flies the older I get. Though to be honest, I sure want to put COVID, a zillion surveys, and negative government...
Burnout equals HAIs and higher costs
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Aug 06, 2013
A team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania used a survey tool called the Maslach Burnout Inventory to analyse nurse burn out, or what they defined as a “burnout nurse”. Now, if...
Just say NO — to giving in to patients
By
Jacqueline Vance, RNC, CDONA/LTC
Jul 09, 2014
I’m just going to say it: Nurses in long-term care are really guilty when it comes to giving in to patients who want non-clinically necessary treatment. You know what I mean.