Master the Challenges of Being a DNS
AADNS’s comprehensive Director of Nursing Services—Certified Prep Courses take you step-by-step through the management skills and knowledge needed to be successful in your career as a nurse leader. All courses have been updated and reflect all 2017 updates from CMS.
The DNS-CT credential is perfect for directors of nursing services, nursing home administrators, vice presidents of clinical services, and other long-term care professionals with management responsibilities.


NOTE: To receive the member price, you must join AADNS as a paid member. Trial members are not granted discounts on educational products. If you're unsure of your member status or if you would like to join, please give us a call at 844.796.9634.
Leadership & Management for the Nurse Leader (CE: 4.0 hours)
- Understand the difference between a leader and a manager and know what skills are necessary to be effective at both
- Learn concepts important to building a foundation for quality care: systems of care, evidence-based approach, performance benchmarks, resident-directed care, and standards of practice
- Implement strategies for time and workload management
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Risk Management for the Nurse Leader (CE: 4.0 hours)
- Understand the basic framework for an effective risk-management program
- Find out how to determine risk severity and occurrence probability and learn at least five ways to minimize risk
- Identify at least five strategies that can help mitigate adverse outcomes when incidents occur
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Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement for the Nurse Leader (CE: 3.75)
- State four facility quality assessment and assurance (QAA) requirements under the federal regulations
- Describe facility processes necessary for achieving competitive Quality Measure scores
- Detail how to proactively institute quality assurance activities to assist in enhancing the Five-Star rating
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Human Resource Management for the Nurse Leader (CE: 4.0 hours)
- Identify basic employment principles and workforce planning principles
- Operationalize applicable labor laws in a long-term care facility
- Identify HR strategies to enhance management and supervision of staff
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Survey Readiness 24/7/365 for the Nurse Leader (CE: 3.75 hours)
- Describe the difference between Appendix P and Appendix PP of the State Operations Manual and explain each section
- Understand how the seven tasks associated with the standard survey process can help facility staff prepare for a standard survey
- Describe at least five components that are necessary when setting priorities to maintain or regain compliance
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Survey Management and Enforcement for the Nurse Leader (CE: 4.0 hours)
- List the elements required by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to complete an acceptable plan of correction for deficiencies cited during survey
- Identify several means to devising and implementing an effective plan of correction
- Understand how to effectively refute discrepancies found in the statement of deficiencies using the informal dispute resolution process
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Quality Indicator Survey Essentials for the Nurse Leader (CE: 4.0 hours)
- List differences between the Quality Indicator Survey (QIS) and the Traditional Survey
- Differentiate between Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the QIS process
- Discuss ways in which the QIS survey tools can be used in quality assurance/quality improvement activities
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Essential Business Skills for the Nurse Leader (CE: 4.0)
- Implement an effective strategic planning process
- Utilize principles of fiscal management and departmental budgeting
- Promote professional development strategies to enhance the nursing profession
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MDS and Medicare Process Essentials for the Nurse Leader (CE: 5.0)
- Understand the goals as outlined by CMS for MDS 3.0
- Identify key concepts the nurse leader should consider to ensure an effective MDS/RAI process
- Describe factors to ensure effective Medicare Part A systems
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Care Management and Surveillance Systems for the Nurse Leader (CE: 4.0)
- Describe principles and processes for clinical surveillance of nursing systems
- Apply principles of the nurse-patient relationship to affect quality care outcomes
- Utilize evidence-based practice to drive clinical systems
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The DNS Certification Examination is sold separately.

