Event Registration

AAPACN Director of Nursing Services-Certified (DNS-CT) Certification Virtual Workshop

Live Access Only

The workshop will not be recorded. Registration grants you live access only.

Description

Take your leadership and management talents to the next level with a preparatory workshop for AAPACN’s Director of Nursing Services—Certified (DNS-CT®) certification. Earning this credential validates your expertise, gives you the advantage among your peers, and helps you improve quality, communication, and resident care throughout your facility. The DNS-CT credential from AAPACN shows that you have the leadership and management skills and knowledge to excel as a DON. Certification indicates that you have met nationally recognized standards of expertise for directors of nursing services in long-term care, that you are up to date with the rules and regulations, and that you can lead and nurture your team.

This workshop covers the following content:

• Leadership and Management
• Risk Management
• Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement
• Human Resource Management
• Survey Readiness 24/7/365
• Survey Management and Enforcement
• Compliance and Ethics Essentials
• Essential Business Skills
• MDS and Medicare Process Essentials
• Care Management and Surveillance Systems

Course Completion
Your workshop registration includes access to the 10 DNS-CT certification exams. To earn the credential, you must be an RN and pass the final exams with a score of 80% or higher. You will have one year from the date of the workshop before your exams expire.

Accreditation Statement
American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN) is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Continuing Education Hours

The DNS-CT certification workshop is approved for 22.5 CEs.

Schedule

December 1-4, 2025
8:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Workshop Pricing

AAPACN Members: $843 per person
Non-AAPACN Members: $1,061 per person
AAPACN Membership + Workshop: $1,011 per person

Speakers

Barbara A. Bates, MSN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT has 42 years in Gero-Psychiatry and LTC nursing experience, holding management and administration positions at the Rochester Psychiatric Center as well as the director of nursing position at a NYS Veterans Home. Mrs. Bates has a Master’s of Science in Nursing, specializing in Nursing Education, is certified in MDS 3.0, and is a master teacher for the DNS-CT and QCP certification programs through AADNS. Currently, she provides educational programs in MDS, CAAs and care plans, PRI, behavior management, and QAPI for SUNY Albany School for Public Health statewide and MDS Consultants, Inc. Mrs. Bates also completes comprehensive chart audits and onsite compliance program reviews for MedNet Compliance, Inc. and has spoken nationally for Health Information Network, AANAC, AADNS, and Pioneer Network. She formerly worked for LeadingAge NY providing onsite consultation, training, and completing mock surveys. Recently, she was a facilitator in the Customer Satisfaction Training grant project for NYSFA, which focused on enhancing satisfaction in various LTC facilities in NY state. She was also a facilitator for the Gold STAMP program to reduce pressure ulcers in NYS and a facilitator for the implementation of the Medical Director/Attending Physician Guidelines. Previously, Mrs. Bates was the senior educator for the Foundation of LTC, providing instruction in Exceptional Care Planning, which focused on streamlining care plans and enhancing person-centered care. Currently, she is the Chairperson of the DON-EAP committee for AADNS and volunteers for the NYS Surrogate Decision Making Committee, which is a Governor-appointed position. Mrs. Bates enjoys spending her free time with her 2 daughters and their families and traveling.

Linda J. Winston, RN, MSN, BS, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-CT, RAC-CTA has a diversified background in the long-term care setting, including staff nurse, supervising nurse, nurse educator, nursing administrator, and for 16 years, director of nursing. Her areas of expertise are current survey and certification process; quality assurance and performance improvement; resident assessment; clinical approaches, including the improvement and prevention of skin alterations and prevention of falls and root cause analysis; and implementation of systems. Linda has a master’s degree in nursing with a focus on education, and works as a nurse consultant/educator with a focus on skilled nursing. She holds certifications from AADNS and AANAC. She is a master trainer for the American Association of Directors of Nursing Services’ certification programs, the Director of Nursing Services–Certified (DNS-CT) and QAPI Certified Professional (QCP) In addition to being an Independent Consultant/Educator, Linda is the Senior Advisor & Executive Trainer at MDS Consultants. Previously, as coach in the School of Public Health University of Albany’s GoldSTAMP Program, she has worked to improve the prevention and care of pressure ulcers across healthcare settings and has also worked as a per diem second nurse planner. She has experience with conducting mock surveys, QAPI, Compliance and Ethics, mentoring and coaching, and building systems. As an outstanding leader in implementing new systems as well as leading teams through change, Linda has been recognized with several awards, including Duquesne University’s Alumni Award; New York State’s Commissioner’s Award (as a team member); and, she received recognition from the National Guard and Reserve as a Patriotic Employer, from the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

Cancellation Policy

The Parties are not responsible for any fees incurred due to cancellations or postponements. Participant cancellations must be submitted in writing via email to [email protected]. Participants who are unable to attend may send a substitute in their place. Cancellations received more than thirty (30) business days prior to the start date of the workshop will receive a full refund. Cancellations received fourteen to thirty (14-30) business days prior to the start date of the workshop will receive a full refund, minus a two-hundred-and fifty-dollar ($250.00) processing fee, of which two-hundred and twenty-five dollars ($225.00) is paid to Training Partner and twenty-five dollars ($25.00) is paid to Association. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received thirteen (13) business days or less prior to the start date of the Training Workshop except for emergencies or a visit from state surveyors. State surveyors must be present in the Participant’s building in order for the Participant to receive a refund. Neither Party shall issue a refund for any Participant’s withdrawal due to weather unless the Training Workshop is cancelled.