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Hi! I was just hired to be the RN for a brand new ALC. It opened 2 weeks ago and has 4 residents. I am hired specifically to be the nurse at the ALC, but actually work for the clinic which holds the contract to provide RN coverage. My position is 20 hr/wk, 11.5 at the ALC and 9.5 at the clinic, to assist with case management. I will be given my intro tour of the facility tomorrow, but the RN from the clinic who has been 'covering' the RN duties while waiting for the position to be filled, told me today, that right now there is a great need to implement a nursing assessment tool and a tool for tracking client nursing notations, etc. There is apparently a computerized 'Service Plan', but the interim nurse told me it was not adequate for nursing assessment needed for admission. What should be standard on intake nursing assessment forms and evaluations? What type of form is used for following the clients daily, weekly, etc? Any info that anyone might have on how to organize an ALC so that it will run smoothly and document the care given, esp from the nursing point of view would be very welcome. I have the AALNC Scope and Standards, my state statutes, as well as infection control guidelines....what would be the priorities. I understand (again, from my conversation with the interim nurse) that the CNAs (1/8-hr shift) are intellegent, eager but not very experienced. Please offer your words of wisdom from the depths of your experience....tell me how you would go about launching this facility so the nursing care is as state of art as the facility is....I have >30 years experience as a nurse, but haven't worked in ALC or in LTC facilities. Thanks in advance, Cheri

I live in a very small community that is opening a new (only) ALC soon. The part time RN job will be contracted to a local native health clinic and the position (20 hrs/wk) is advertized. Apparently, 2-3 hours/day will be spent at the center, and the rest of the time will be spent at the clinic where the RN will be involved in case management or other duties. The projected patient census is up to 10, with anticipation of 5 admissions with opening. The ALC has an independent administrator and board, but nursing services are to be provided by contract....I am guessing that on the new-hire off days, the clinic will 'cover' the ALC with a clinic RN. The clients will have low acuity and only require minimum help with ADL. In your experiences, is it reasonable to run a small facility with an RN in attendence for 2-3 hours/day? Thanks!

Hi Sunzzi, The very best of luck to you as you sit the exam! Thanks for the info you provided....do you know anything about the Kaplan certificate program? Before I get to the "exam" stage, I need to work as a case manager, and do to that, I think I need an entry-level certificate...is this correct? If you have time to respond, I would look forward to hearing from you! Again, best of luck with the upcoming exam!

Hi, I can't really help, because I am in almost the same situation that you are in, and I really need a friendly nurse that knows case management to help me sort thru info and learn how to become a case manager. How do you like the Kaplan course? How long is it? I live in a pretty remote location, Haines, Alaska, so would have to do something online. Let me know what you are thinking, now that you have another few weeks under your belt, so to speak. thanks so much for sharing.