2026 Care Initiatives Director of Nursing (DON) Leadership Scholarship
Scholarship applications are open.
Seven scholarships are available. Applications are due by May 31.
These scholarships, made possible by Care Initiatives, are for assistant directors of nursing (ADONs) and directors of nursing (DONs) who are employed by an IHCA member facility and interested in attending the American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN) Director of Nursing Services (DNS-CT) Program held in December 2026.
About AAPACN DNS-CT Program
Dec. 7-10 | Contact Hours: 22.5
This program will provide attendees with a greater understanding of post-acute care with proven strategies. Attendees will learn how to excel during surveys, apply a team approach to quality improvement that honors resident preferences and leverages staff skills, protect residents with risk management plans, prevent burnout and minimize facility turnover, complement your nursing expertise with strong management skills and more.
Course Topics:
- Leadership and Management
- Risk Management
- Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement
- Human Resource Management
- Survey Readiness
- Survey Management and Enforcement
- Compliance and Ethics Essentials
- Essential Business Skills
- Minimum Data Set and Medicare Process Essentials
- Care Management and Surveillance Systems
Scholarship Criteria and Information
Applicants for this scholarship must meet all the criteria listed below to qualify:
Work as an ADON, DON or RN for an IHCA member facility in good standing at the time of application and at the time the scholarships are awarded.
Additional Details
If the applicant is an RN, they must be actively pursuing training for future anticipated ADON or DON duties, as approved/confirmed by their manager.
Be able to attend the course (Monday, Dec. 7 - Thursday, Dec. 10).
Submit a complete application form, including an essay and letter of recommendation, by May 31, 2026.
These scholarships are generously made possible by Care Initiatives.
2026 Scholarship Timeline
- April 15 | Applications Open
- May 31 | Applications Close
- July 31 | The IHCA Foundation Board of Directors will judge qualified applications. Applicants will be notified of the results by the end of July.
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