DNS-CT - Ten-Course Set - Online + PDF

Enjoy easy one-click ordering of our popular Director of Nursing Services - Certified (DNS-CT) certification program! This ten-course set contains the required courses along with a PDF complement that contains all course content for offline learning. Also included in the set are in-lesson resources and all final exams necessary to obtain the DNS-CT designation.

Courses include:

  • Leadership & Management for the Nurse Leader
  • Human Resource Management for the Nurse Leader
  • Care Management and Surveillance Systems for the Nurse Leader
  • Essential Business Skills for the Nurse Leader
  • Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement for the Nurse Leader
  • Survey Readiness 24/7/365 for the Nurse Leader
  • Survey Management and Enforcement for the Nurse Leader
  • Compliance and Ethics Essentials for the Nurse Leader
  • Risk Management for the Nurse Leader
  • MDS and Medicare Process Essentials for the Nurse Leader

You must pass the DNS-CT Certification Examinations with a score of 80% or better to earn the DNS-CT certification.


Product Data Disclaimer
Failure to complete all required product components before the product expiration date may result in permanent deletion of data pertaining to the product, including but not limited to product progress and exam results. Product expiration dates can be found on your learner dashboard.

AAPACN’s learning management system is designed to reset progress data when completion requirements are unmet, allowing learners to repurchase/restart educational content.

  • Contains 4 Component(s), Includes Credits

    One of ten parts of the DNS-CT certification program. Includes educational content to prepare for the exam (both in online format and a PDF download for reference) and includes the associated exam.

    Upon completion of the Care Management and Surveillance Systems for the Nurse Leader course, the participant will be able to:

    • Describe principles and processes for clinical surveillance of nursing systems
    • Conduct root-cause analysis of clinical and managerial problems
    • Direct person-centered care
    • Apply principles of the nurse-patient relationship to effect quality care outcomes
    • Utilize evidence-based practice to drive clinical systems
    • Provide systematic oversight of nursing services

    The course was written by Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA.

    3.55 contact hours will be awarded for this continuing nursing education activity. Learners must complete the entire education activity and associated evaluation to receive the contact hours. No partial credit will be awarded. Contact hours will be awarded for this activity until February 9, 2026.


    Product Data Disclaimer
    Failure to complete all required product components before the product expiration date may result in permanent deletion of data pertaining to the product, including but not limited to product progress and exam results. Product expiration dates can be found on your learner dashboard.

    AAPACN’s learning management system is designed to reset progress data when completion requirements are unmet, allowing learners to repurchase/restart educational content.

  • Contains 4 Component(s), Includes Credits

    One of ten parts of the DNS-CT certification program. Includes educational content to prepare for the exam (both in online format and a PDF download for reference) and includes the associated exam.

    Upon completion of the Compliance and Ethics Essentials for the Nurse Leader course, the participant will be able to:

    • Describe the roles of the compliance officer and the compliance committee
    • Demonstrate knowledge of the seven basic compliance elements developed by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for inclusion in a compliance program and explain the requirements of the CMS Final Rule of September 28, 2016, for a compliance and ethics program
    • List several topics for inclusion in a nursing facility code of conduct
    • Investigate an allegation of noncompliance
    • Explain the importance of MDS accuracy and upcoding-prevention strategies
    • Understand OIG expectations for record keeping and self-disclosure
    • Discuss commonalities between the mandatory Affordable Care Act standards and the OIG compliance guidance

    5.57 contact hours will be awarded for this continuing nursing education activity. Learners must complete the entire education activity and associated evaluation to receive the contact hours. No partial credit will be awarded. Contact hours will be awarded for this activity until June 1, 2026.


    Product Data Disclaimer
    Failure to complete all required product components before the product expiration date may result in permanent deletion of data pertaining to the product, including but not limited to product progress and exam results. Product expiration dates can be found on your learner dashboard.

    AAPACN’s learning management system is designed to reset progress data when completion requirements are unmet, allowing learners to repurchase/restart educational content.

  • Contains 4 Component(s), Includes Credits

    One of ten parts of the DNS-CT certification program. Includes educational content to prepare for the exam (both in online format and a PDF download for reference) and includes the associated exam.

    Upon completion of the Essential Business Skills for the Nurse Leader course, the participant will be able to:

    • Implement an effective strategic planning process;
    • Utilize principles of fiscal management and departmental budgeting;
    • Describe how post-acute care is impacted by the current healthcare environment;
    • Apply principles of informatics and technology management to LTC;
    • Identify strategies for marketing and public relations for the nursing department;
    • Detail the components of contingency planning for emergency management;
    • Promote professional development strategies to enhance the nursing profession.

    The course was edited by Marianna Kern Grachek, MSN, RN, NHA, FACHCA, DNS-CT.

    Chapters were written by:

    • Joanne L. Smikle, PhD
    • J. Scott Hale, MBA
    • Amy Stewart, BSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA
    • John F. Sheridan, MHSA
    • CC Andrews, MS
    • Linda Winston, MSN, RN, BS, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-CT
    • Marianna Kern Grachek, MSN, RN, NHA, FACHCA, DNS-CT
    • Mary Rita Hurley, RN, MPA

    5.38 contact hours will be awarded for this continuing nursing education activity. Learners must complete the entire education activity and associated evaluation to receive the contact hours. No partial credit will be awarded. Contact hours will be awarded for this activity until March 15, 2026.


    Product Data Disclaimer
    Failure to complete all required product components before the product expiration date may result in permanent deletion of data pertaining to the product, including but not limited to product progress and exam results. Product expiration dates can be found on your learner dashboard.

    AAPACN’s learning management system is designed to reset progress data when completion requirements are unmet, allowing learners to repurchase/restart educational content.

  • Contains 4 Component(s), Includes Credits

    One of ten parts of the DNS-CT certification program. Includes educational content to prepare for the exam (both in online format and a PDF download for reference) and includes the associated exam.

    Upon completion of the Human Resource Management for the Nurse Leader course, the participant will be able to:

    • Identify basic employment principles and workforce planning principles;
    • Operationalize applicable labor laws in a long-term care facility;
    • Create and communicate a personal and organizational vision and mission;
    • Calculate staffing patterns using budgeted hours per patient day;
    • Apply principles of employee evaluation and performance management;
    • Identify HR strategies to enhance management and supervision of staff.

    The course was written by Denise Winzeler, BSN, RN, LNHA, DNS-MT, QCP-MT.

    3.72 contact hours will be awarded for this continuing nursing education activity. Learners must complete the entire education activity and associated evaluation to receive the contact hours. No partial credit will be awarded. Contact hours will be awarded for this activity until March 28, 2026.


    Product Data Disclaimer
    Failure to complete all required product components before the product expiration date may result in permanent deletion of data pertaining to the product, including but not limited to product progress and exam results. Product expiration dates can be found on your learner dashboard.

    AAPACN’s learning management system is designed to reset progress data when completion requirements are unmet, allowing learners to repurchase/restart educational content.

  • Contains 4 Component(s), Includes Credits

    One of ten parts of the DNS-CT certification program. Includes educational content to prepare for the exam (both in online format and a PDF download for reference) and includes the associated exam.

    Upon completion of the Leadership and Management for the Nurse Leader course, the participant will be able to:

    • Understand the difference between a leader and a manager and know what skills are necessary to be effective at both;
    • Explain basic styles of leadership and when each style is most effective;
    • Create and communicate a personal and organizational vision and mission;
    • Explain concepts important to building a foundation for quality care: systems of care, evidence-based approach, performance benchmarks, resident-directed care, and standards of practice;
    • Identify interpersonal skills that leaders and managers use to build relationships with and motivate team members;
    • Implement strategies for time and workload management;
    • Supervise, delegate, and handle performance problems in a way that builds on the strengths of each team member and improves individual and team performance.

    The course was written by Charlotte Eliopoulos, RN, MPH, PhD, DNS-CT.

    4.92 contact hours will be awarded for this continuing nursing education activity. Learners must complete the entire education activity and associated evaluation to receive the contact hours. No partial credit will be awarded. Contact hours will be awarded for this activity until October 15, 2024.


    Product Data Disclaimer
    Failure to complete all required product components before the product expiration date may result in permanent deletion of data pertaining to the product, including but not limited to product progress and exam results. Product expiration dates can be found on your learner dashboard.

    AAPACN’s learning management system is designed to reset progress data when completion requirements are unmet, allowing learners to repurchase/restart educational content.

  • Contains 4 Component(s), Includes Credits

    One of ten parts of the DNS-CT certification program. Includes educational content to prepare for the exam (both in online format and a PDF download for reference) and includes the associated exam.

    Upon completion of the MDS and Medicare Process Essentials for the Nurse Leader course, the participant will be able to:

    • Understand the goals as outlined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0
    • Identify key concepts the nurse leader should consider to ensure an effective MDS/Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) process
    • Understand how MDS 3.0 fits into person-centered care and quality monitoring
    • Recognize MDS 3.0 timing and scheduling requirements
    • Describe the steps to foster effective interview assessments with MDS 3.0
    • Identify highlights of MDS items by section
    • Describe the Care Area Assessment (CAA) process
    • Describe the connection between MDS 3.0 items and Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) case-mix groups
    • Describe factors to ensure effective Medicare Part A systems
    • Understand the negative repercussions of inaccurate MDS coding

    The course was written by Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA and Jane Belt, MS, RN, QCP, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA.

    4.18 contact hours will be awarded for this continuing nursing education activity. Learners must complete the entire education activity and associated evaluation to receive the contact hours. No partial credit will be awarded. Contact hours will be awarded for this activity until December 4, 2026.


    Product Data Disclaimer
    Failure to complete all required product components before the product expiration date may result in permanent deletion of data pertaining to the product, including but not limited to product progress and exam results. Product expiration dates can be found on your learner dashboard.

    AAPACN’s learning management system is designed to reset progress data when completion requirements are unmet, allowing learners to repurchase/restart educational content.

  • Contains 4 Component(s), Includes Credits

    One of ten parts of the DNS-CT certification program. Includes educational content to prepare for the exam (both in online format and a PDF download for reference) and includes the associated exam.

    Upon completion of the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement for the Nurse Leader course, the participant will be able to:

    • Understand the components of a quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI) program and federal requirements for these programs
    • Describe the value of root-cause analysis in determining causative factors
    • Explain the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle
    • Illustrate techniques and methods that can be used in performance improvement efforts
    • State four facility quality assessment and assurance (QAA) committee requirements under federal regulations
    • Name four types of clinical data that should be evaluated by the QAA committee on a routine basis
    • Apply Quality Measure (QM) scores to practice
    • Detail how proactively instituted QAPI activities can assist in enhancing a facility’s Five-Star rating and QMs used in various programs

    The course was written by Alexis Roam, MSN, RN-BC, CPHQ, QCP-MT, DNS-MT.

    2.42 contact hours will be awarded for this continuing nursing education activity. Learners must complete the entire education activity and associated evaluation to receive the contact hours. No partial credit will be awarded. Contact hours will be awarded for this activity until January 9, 2027.


    Product Data Disclaimer
    Failure to complete all required product components before the product expiration date may result in permanent deletion of data pertaining to the product, including but not limited to product progress and exam results. Product expiration dates can be found on your learner dashboard.

    AAPACN’s learning management system is designed to reset progress data when completion requirements are unmet, allowing learners to repurchase/restart educational content.

  • Contains 4 Component(s), Includes Credits

    One of ten parts of the DNS-CT certification program. Includes educational content to prepare for the exam (both in online format and a PDF download for reference) and includes the associated exam.

    Upon completion of the Risk Management for the Nurse Leader course, the participant will be able to:

    • Understand the basic framework for an effective risk-management program
    • Explain five functions of risk management
    • Explain at least three strategies nurse leaders can use to identify potential and actual risks
    • Define how to determine risk severity and occurrence probability
    • Identify at least five ways to minimize risk through resident and family partnerships
    • Identify at least five strategies that can help mitigate adverse outcomes when incidents occur

    The course was written by Charlotte Eliopoulos, RN, MPH, PhD, DNS-CT and Alexis Roam, MSN, RN-BC, DNS-MT, QCP-MT.

    6.81 contact hours will be awarded for this continuing nursing education activity. Learners must complete the entire education activity and associated evaluation to receive the contact hours. No partial credit will be awarded. Contact hours will be awarded for this activity until January 9, 2026.


    Product Data Disclaimer
    Failure to complete all required product components before the product expiration date may result in permanent deletion of data pertaining to the product, including but not limited to product progress and exam results. Product expiration dates can be found on your learner dashboard.

    AAPACN’s learning management system is designed to reset progress data when completion requirements are unmet, allowing learners to repurchase/restart educational content.

  • Contains 4 Component(s), Includes Credits

    One of ten parts of the DNS-CT certification program. Includes educational content to prepare for the exam (both in online format and a PDF download for reference) and includes the associated exam.

    Upon completion of the Survey Management and Enforcement for the Nurse Leader course, the participant will be able to:

    • List the elements required by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to complete an acceptable plan of correction for deficiencies cited during survey;
    • Identify several means to devising and implementing an effective plan of correction;
    • Describe the four levels of severity and three levels of scope that are assigned to deficiency citations;
    • Describe at least five criteria facility staff can employ to construct a sound plan of correction;
    • Define immediate jeopardy and explain several methods used to create credible compliance for I and J citations;
    • Understand how to effectively refute discrepancies found in the statement of deficiencies using the informal dispute resolution process.

    The course was written by Jan Bennet, RN, NHA.

    3.22 contact hours will be awarded for this continuing nursing education activity. Learners must complete the entire education activity and associated evaluation to receive the contact hours. No partial credit will be awarded. Contact hours will be awarded for this activity until May 19, 2025.


    Product Data Disclaimer
    Failure to complete all required product components before the product expiration date may result in permanent deletion of data pertaining to the product, including but not limited to product progress and exam results. Product expiration dates can be found on your learner dashboard.

    AAPACN’s learning management system is designed to reset progress data when completion requirements are unmet, allowing learners to repurchase/restart educational content.

  • Contains 4 Component(s), Includes Credits

    One of ten parts of the DNS-CT certification program. Includes educational content to prepare for the exam (both in online format and a PDF download for reference) and includes the associated exam.

    Upon completion of the Survey Readiness 24/7/365 for the Nurse Leader course, the participant will be able to:

    • Understand how the tasks associated with the standard survey process can help facility staff prepare for a standard survey
    • Identify the structured framework and criteria needed to successfully develop and update facility policies and procedures
    • Explain at least five methods for gathering information that can be used to determine facility compliance with federal regulations
    • Describe at least five components that are necessary when setting priorities to maintain or regain compliance
    • Identify at least three methods that can be used to promote staff member accountability

    The course was written by Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA.

    4.18 contact hours will be awarded for this continuing nursing education activity. Learners must complete the entire education activity and associated evaluation to receive the contact hours. No partial credit will be awarded. Contact hours will be awarded for this activity until October 13, 2026.


    Product Data Disclaimer
    Failure to complete all required product components before the product expiration date may result in permanent deletion of data pertaining to the product, including but not limited to product progress and exam results. Product expiration dates can be found on your learner dashboard.

    AAPACN’s learning management system is designed to reset progress data when completion requirements are unmet, allowing learners to repurchase/restart educational content.