Mandy and Gwen are joined by Erin Thompson of Aspire for More with Erin, a national senior living leadership consultant, for an engaging conversation on how assisted living nurses can enhance their impact on others. Being seen, valued, heard and successful requires nurses to use practical emotional intelligence tools to manage any situation they are in, but must start with themselves first. Self awareness and empowerment creates opportunies for career growth through effective collaboration and problem solving within an assisted living community.

Key Takeaways:

• Time Management is Essential for Effective Leadership
• Create a Culture of Communication with Families
• A Proactive Mindset is the First Step to Creating a Proactive Life Journey
• A Nurse's Role in the Sales Process is Servant Leadership
• Know the Limits of Your Control, and Help Others Control What They Can

This episode of Nurse to Nurse, hosts Mandy Curtis and Gwen Wilburn meet up with Josh Allen, of Allen Flores Consulting Group, a seasoned nurse leader in the assisted living sector. They discuss the evolution of nursing roles in assisted living, the challenges faced by nurses today, and the importance of leadership and regulatory knowledge. Josh shares insights from his extensive experience, emphasizing the need for preparation of nurses entering the field and the significance of work-life balance.

Key Takeaways

• The role of assisted living nurses has evolved significantly over the years.
• The complexity of resident acuity is underscoring the importance for nurses within assisted living, both as clinicians and as leaders.
• Understanding regulations is key to effectice practice in assisted living.
• Nurses who pursue certifications, such as AALNA's C-AL, show their dedication and accomplishments in assisted living nurse practice.
• There is an abundance of opportunities for nurses to grow their careers within this space.

In this episode of Nurse to Nurse, guest Maria Moen, SVP of Innovation & External Affairs at MyDirectives, lays out the framework of how advanced care planning is an essential cornerstone of personal health decision making for older adults. She also provides practical advice on ensuring advanced directives are validly executable and how they may be applied differently across the healthcare spectrum.


Key Takeaways

• Advanced care planning enables residents to take charge of their healthcare decisions, fostering independence and dignity.
• Nurses play a vital role in initiating and guiding discussions, making it essential to develop strong communications skills.
• Staying informed about frameworks and best practices in advanced care planning helps nurses support their residents effectively.
• Regularly incorporating advanced care planning into care plans ensures that residents' preferences are honored and that they feel valued in their decision-making process.

This episode of Nurse to Nurse is sponsored by Abena North America, your source for Advanced Incontinence Care Solutions. AbenaUSA.com

Hosts Mandy Curtis and Gwen Wilburn share a lively conversation with Sara McVey, CEO of Sequoia Living. Sara discusses how Sequoia Living leveraged the unity fostered during the COVID-19 pandemic to cultivate a culture of teamwork, continuous learning and mutual appreciation. Discover how this supportive environment empowers nurse leaders to thrive both professionally and clinically.

Key Takeaways

• Effective, Authentic Communication Between Leaders and Their Teams is a Valuable Asset
• Encourage Nurses to Celebrate the Small Wins by Finding Joy in Their Achievements
• Continuous Education and Personal Growth Through Lifelong Learning Enhance Leadership Skills and Effectiveness

This episode of Nurse to Nurse is sponsored by Abena North America, your source for Advanced Incontinence Care Solutions. AbenaUSA.com

In this episode, Mandy Curtis and Gwen Wilburn sit down with Dr. Liz Jensen, the Clinical Director at Direct Supply's Innovation and Technology Center. They delve into the transformative role of technology in assisted living, emphazing the crucial involvement of nurses in both the development and implementation of these advancements. Tune in to gain valuable insights and practical advice for nurse leaders on how to effectively embrace and utilize technology in their settings.

Key Takeways

• Nurses must play an active role in the development and implementatin of technology to ensure it truly supports their needs and enhances patient care.
• It's essential to avoid overloading with technology without a clear understanding of its purpose and impact. Implementing technology with a well thought out plan and regular evaluations is crucial.
• Nurse leaders should approach new technologies with curiosity and openness, advocate for those that improve patient care and address any concerns or burdens technology may introduce.

Nurse to Nurse by AALNA is sponsored by TIM - a world leader in adult incontinence management systems.

In this episode of Nurse to Nurse, Mandy Curtis and Gwen Wilburn interview Linda Novak, a Nurse Consultant with PharMerica, about medication management in assisted living communities. They discuss the challengs and best practices for medication administration, the impact of polypharmacy on older adults, and the role of a a pharmacy nurse consultant in mitigating medication risks. Linda emphasizes the importance of education, accountability, and building a strong team to ensure safe medication practices.

Nurse to Nurse by AALNA is sponsored by TIM - a leading provider of clinically proven incontinence management solutions for older adults.

On this episode of Nurse to Nurse, Mandy and Gwen are joined by JoAnne Carlin, Senior Vice President of Clinical Risk for Marsh McClennan Insurance Brokers to discuss common clinical risks encountered in assisted living and how nurses can effectively identify and address them. JoAnne emphasizes the importance of a culture of safety and how it benefits the entire team, not just residents. She also discusses the concept of acuity creep and provides advice on managing higher acuity with maintaining resident safety. JoAnne highlights the significance of a growth mindset in nursing leadership and suggests ways to foster growth and development within teams.


Nurse to Nurse by AALNA is sponsored by TIM - a leading provider of clinically proven incontinence management solutions for older adults.

In this episode of Nurse to Nurse, Mandy and Gwen talk with Rebecca Adelman, founder of Adelman Law Firm, about legal considerations in assisted living. Rebecca emphasizes the importance of risk awareness, documentation and assessments in daily practice. She also highlights the need for effectice communication and setting realistic expectations with residents and their families. Rebecca mentions recent legal developments, including increased oversight, infection control, and emergency preparedness regulations. Rebecca encourages nurses to stay informed about state regulations and to prioritize education and training.

Nurse to Nurse by AALNA is sponsored by TIM - Total Incontinence Management, a leading provider of a clinically proven incontinence management program for older adults.