Wednesday, October 22, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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7:30 AM - 5:00 PM | Wheeler Enter a room of tranquility to relax and decompress throughout the conference. We will supply coloring books, essential oils, and light music to encourage our nurses to unwind. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7:45 AM - 9:00 AM | Salon C/D | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
9:05 AM - 10:15 AM | Salon C/D Health care is changing at a rapid pace with new regulations, clinical standards and expectations along with new reimbursement models. Lead. Inspire. Action. Leading in today’s health care world requires energy that focuses on creative engagement and inspiring collaboration within an organization. This engaging session will provide Directors of Nursing with an overview of what is happening in the SNF world, an overview of emerging trends, and how to prepare for those changes. There are opportunities amidst the changes and challenges ahead. Clinical leaders will learn key leadership strategies to stay on top of the changes with successful outcomes. Learner Objectives:
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10:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Salon A/B Rebecca Ogden, Remedi SeniorCare Julie Herron, Remedi SeniorCare One of your staff members has just reported to you a potential controlled substance drug diversion as well as signs of impairment of the suspected nurse. You know that diversion is a multifaceted problem with far-reaching consequences but are unsure of the next steps. Instead of being scared of how you are going to handle the diversion, learn how you and your facility can understand its prevalence, methods, and impact, and implement comprehensive detection, prevention, and reporting strategies. Learner Objectives:
| Davidson Elizabeth Rudolph, Jurex, LLC Vital information for today’s nurses. This presentation clearly describes the ten traps that lead to nursing malpractice and addresses the ways to avoid them. Case examples are analyzed and discussed with ample time for questions and answers. Learner Objectives:
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12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Salon C/D | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM | Salon A/B Kasey Meyer, AHI Integrative Health and Wellness Recognize, Respond, Reduce Risk: A Communication Guide for De-Escalation equips caregivers and staff with essential skills to identify signs of mental health distress, respond effectively using proven de-escalation strategies, and reduce risk through collaborative support and self-care. Participants will learn how to recognize early warning signs of emotional or behavioral escalation, avoid common “trigger words” and apply calm, clear communication to defuse situations. The session also emphasizes the importance of peer support and emotional regulation for staff, helping create a safer and more supportive environment for both residents and caregivers. Learner Objectives:
| Davidson Elizabeth Rudolph, Jurex, LLC Nurses and clinicians have been criminally prosecuted for medication errors and negligence leading to patient deaths. Listen to the lessons from these cases and learn strategies to reduce liability in your nursing practice. A must for every nurse. Learner Objectives:
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2:45 PM - 3:45 PM | Salon A/B Niki Wheeler, State of Michigan Veterans Homes Courtney Tweedale, DMVA Veterans Homes Jennifer Manning, Michigan Veteran Homes "You Can't Scare a Nurse"- Especially When Caring for Veterans! Caring for veterans in a nursing home setting is both an honor and a unique challenge that draws on the very best of a nurse's skill, compassion, and resilience. From navigating complex medical conditions to understanding the lasting impact of military service, nurses become advocates, caregivers, and trusted companions to those who have served our country. Join us for a powerful discussion on how trauma-informed, veteran-centered care can transform outcomes and deepen your professional purpose. Because when it comes to caring for heroes- you're exactly who they need. Learner Objectives:
| Salon C/D Elizabeth Rudolph, Jurex, LLC A dynamic presentation providing targeted strategies for accuracy and compliance in charting. Electronic Health Records are discussed in detail. Evidence-based documentation examples are explored. Learner Objectives:
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4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Salon A/B Kasey Meyer, AHI Integrative Health and Wellness Communication Strategies for Mental Health and TBI Support provides long-term care professionals with essential tools to recognize, respond to, and manage the unique communication needs of residents living with mental health conditions and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Participants will learn trauma-informed communication and de-escalation techniques that promote resident dignity, reduce agitation, and enhance safety during challenging interactions. Learner Objectives:
| Salon C/D You've received an order to administer IV therapy to your resident. As your mind swims with thoughts about catheter gauge, the solution to infuse, and finding a suitable vein, consider this unnerving and frightening fact: complications from what you are about to do could be the basis for a nursing negligence lawsuit. Instead of being scared about infusion therapy, learn how you and your facility can appropriately minimize your risks of being sued and prevent having to meet your resident in court. Learner Objectives:
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Thursday, October 23, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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6:45 AM - 5:00 PM | Wheeler Enter a room of tranquility to relax and decompress throughout the conference. We will supply coloring books, essential oils, and light music to encourage our nurses to unwind. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7:00 AM - 8:30 AM | Grand Foyer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Salon A/B | Salon C/D | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
9:15 AM - 10:15 AM | Salon A/B Jennifer Bender, PDI Healthcare Are you spooked by enhanced barrier precautions? Don't be! In this session, we will go over the evidence behind these new(ish) precautions, talk about why they are so important, and even discuss strategies to help facilitate their implementation at your facility. Learner Objectives:
| Salon C/D Nicole Shannon, Michigan Elder Justice Initiative Cheryl Howlett, State of Michigan Tammy McMullen, State of Michigan Scaring a nurse is one of the hardest things to do, but there are some subjects that certainly put a "chill" down their spine if not fully prepared. One of them is relationships and intimacy in nursing home residents. This session is intended to help nursing home facilities and staff learn a few ways in which this subject can be approached with success in their facility. Learner Objectives:
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10:30 AM - 11:30 AM | Salon A/B | Salon C/D Victoria Burlew, Lebenbom & Rothman Consulting Does the SNF QRP Program send a shiver up your spine? Is this program the vampire sucking the blood out of your bank account? Never fear! This session arms you with the wooden stake of understanding the components and the silver bullets of QA monitoring. Go away prepared to protect your home and your SNF QRP Quality Measures! Learner Objectives:
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11:30 AM - 12:45 PM | Salon A/B | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
12:45 PM - 1:15 PM | Salon A/B | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1:15 PM - 2:15 PM | Salon A/B Adria Thompson, Be Light Care Consulting Providing essential care to individuals with dementia who resist help can be one of the most complex challenges in healthcare. This session examines why refusals happen, including the role of anosognosia (a true lack of awareness), and offers practical, person-centered strategies to reduce conflict while maintaining dignity. Through real-world examples and creative problem-solving approaches, participants will gain the tools and confidence to navigate even the most daunting care scenarios, because no matter how tricky things get, experienced caregivers know you can’t scare us that easily. Learner Objectives:
| Salon C/D Amy Lee, Coretactics, Inc. CMS mandates that a resident be free from abuse, neglect, misappropriation and exploitation. In response to allegations of this type, skilled nursing facilities are required to report, investigate, protect the alleged victim, take corrective actions if needed and have evidence that the alleged violation was thoroughly investigated. This program will review pertinent regulatory requirements and discuss non-compliance survey related issues that can result in negative public perception and heavy financial penalties. Participants will recognize practical approaches to use when conducting a thorough investigation, gain access to investigative tools for immediate implementation and have takeaway resources their teams can use to incorporate data into their QA&A Program to ensure regulatory compliance. Learner Objectives:
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2:30 PM - 3:30 PM | Salon A/B Candice Miller, The Peplinski Group, Inc. Long Term Care can be a scary setting as a charge nurse if you are unaware of all the challenges it faces. This presentation will provide education to develop a charge nurse. Tips and tricks will be provided, as well as the required skills to navigate the LTC setting and how to develop effective charge nurses. Individuals will walk away saying "you can't scare a nurse" even in LTC! Learner Objectives:
| Salon C/D Jeremy Holloway, University of Toledo | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3:30 PM - 5:30 PM | Davidson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7:30 PM - 10:30 PM | Salon A/B
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Friday, October 24, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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7:30 AM - 11:00 AM | Wheeler Enter a room of tranquility to relax and decompress throughout the conference. We will supply coloring books, essential oils, and light music to encourage our nurses to unwind. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7:30 AM - 1:00 PM | Wheeler Experience this hands-on floral design experience that combines the joy of creating with the beauty of flowers. Create your own bouquet and take it home with you to enjoy! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Salon C/D | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
9:00 AM - 10:15 AM | Salon C/D David Donahue, State of Michigan This session will provide Directors of Nursing with key updates on the current state of state surveys, the Top 10 most common citations in Michigan, and what DONs need to know about CMS regulations related to those citations. Learn how to better prepare for surveys, avoid common pitfalls, and access essential CMS tools and resources. Learner Objectives:
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10:30 AM - 11:30 AM | Salon C/D | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM | Salon C/D Are you in the House of Horrors surrounded by F-tags, CDC guidelines, Certified Medication Aides and more? Are your windows draped with cobwebs of survey rumors so you cannot clearly see the regulations? Let this session guide you out of that house and into the full moon! Learn the major changes to the Ftags - and how surveyors are applying these. Discover what CDC is saying now about COVID, flu, etc. And talk about the success of using medication aides to assist your nurses. Learner Objectives:
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2025 Convocation Highlights!
Thursday Night Halloween Party!

Join us for an unforgettable night where resilience meets revelry! Our “You Can’t Scare a Nurse” themed reception is your chance to let loose and celebrate the strength, spirit, and sense of humor that only a Director of Nursing can bring. Enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres, a hosted bar, and hit the dance floor with DJ Casey, one of Michigan’s top party pros spinning tracks all night long.
Don’t miss our epic Costume Contest, with prizes in three fun categories:
- Costume Most Likely to Go Viral – Think TikTok trends, memes, and total showstoppers
- Most Unrecognizable – Who vanished into their character so well we had to double-check their badge?
- Best Costume on a Budget – Because creativity > cost
It’s going to be a blast — full of laughter, dancing, and memories you’ll be talking about until next year. Come dressed to impress, scare, or surprise — just don’t come in scrubs!
Friday Morning BYO Bouquet Bar!

Before you head home, stop by our BYO Bouquet Bar and treat yourself to a little beauty and self-care — you’ve earned it! Create your own custom floral arrangement from a gorgeous selection of fresh blooms, thoughtfully sponsored by NexCare WellBridge.
Pick your favorites, mix and match colors, and build a bouquet that’s uniquely you. It’s our way of saying thank you for all the heart, strength, and dedication you bring to long-term care — and a beautiful reminder to take a little joy with you when you go.
First come, first served — don’t miss it!