NADONA

Criminal background checks have not been found to significantly limit the quantity or quality of candidates for nursing home jobs, a top nursing home advocate says. A recent government survey of nursing home administrators paints an accurate picture of what once was forecast as a contentious issues, LeadingAge Director of Advocacy Information Barbara Gay told McKnight's Wednesday.

The National Association of Directors of Nursing / Long Term Care late Friday announced its new leadership slate for the coming year. Robin Arnicar was elected president in electronic balloting that concluded in late December. In addition, the Cincinnati-based group removed the "interim" label and named Sherrie Dornberger its executive director.

The Regional Geriatrics Medical Conference of the Year is being held through Sunday at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in Lake Buena Vista, FL. Jointly sponsored by the American Medical Directors Association and local chapters of AMDA, ACHCA, NADONA and the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, the conference features nearly two dozen educational sessions. Major geriatric diseases, illnesses and risks found in nursing home and assisted living residents will be targeted.

"Believe in your magic!" is the theme of the 24th annual conference for the National Association Directors of Nursing Administration / Long-Term Care, which takes place Saturday through Wednesday in Kissimmee, FL. Attendees will explore hands-on caregiving and policy issues directly affecting today's LTC nurses, with multiple continuing education tracks available. MDS 3.0, culture change, human resources, wound care, infection control, a "DON Boot Camp" and "Documentation tips to keep you out of jail" are key topics that will be addressed.

Provider groups are applauding the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' proposed accountable care organization regulations, which would allow nursing homes to participate.

The nation's top organization for long-term care nurse managers will hold its annual meeting Saturday through Wednesday in Atlanta. Upcoming changes to the Minimum Data Set, as well as major management and treatment issues will be major topics among the dozens of educational sessions offered.

Directors of nursing are going to be told from Saturday to Wednesday that they "can do whatever they put their mind to" at the annual meeting of the National Association Directors of Nursing Administration / Long-Term Care, organizers say. Themed "Mission Possible," the meeting takes place in Phoenix and will feature workshops focusing on Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) surveys, culture change and Quality Indicator Surveys (QIS). The keynote speaker will be LeAnn Thieman, co-author of "Chicken Soup for the Nurses Soul."