A Day in the Life of a Case Manager

Ever wonder what a day in the life of a case manager may look like? We’re part nurse, therapist, record keeper, educator, advocate, planner, cost-saver, coordinator, and resource wrangler—and that’s all before lunch. On any given day, we’re also detectives, doctor whisperers, motivational speakers, medical interpreters, and, somehow, the glue holding a care plan together. […]
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image of two nurses chatting, one has a blank stare

“Wait… What’s That Again?” — Closing Knowledge Gaps for Confident Bedside Care

The Scenario: Code Brown and the Mysterious Tube It’s 6:37 a.m. You’re on hour 11 of a 12-hour night shift. You walk into Room 204, and Mr. Lewis—your sweet-but-complex post-op patient—is tangled in a sea of tubes. Suddenly, a tech yells: “Hey, do you know what this drain is connected to? It’s leaking!” And in […]
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8 Summer Reads for Nurse Educators – Jennifer’s Picks!

Smart Summer Reads for Nurse Educators: A Professional Development Reading List

As nurse educators, we pour our energy into developing others—building the next generation of nurses through clinical instruction, curriculum design, and professional mentorship. But while we’re shaping future professionals, it’s easy to forget that our own growth matters too. Summer is the perfect season to hit pause, refresh your mind, and rekindle your passion for […]
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Smarter Learning Paths banner showing a laptop and text promoting new healthcare LMS features for CE goals at CareerSmart.

Smarter Learning Paths: New Healthcare Learning Management System (LMS) Features to Support Your CE Goals

At CareerSmart Learning, we recognize that healthcare professionals are often pressed for time, juggling demanding careers with the need to stay certified and up-to-date. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce our new Curriculum Pathways and an upgraded course categorization system—now live in your healthcare LMS! Log in to your CareerSmart learner dashboard to see this […]
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An embroidered-style image shows a smiling older Black male patient holding a smartphone in a hospital bed, with a smiling Hispanic nurse beside him. Musical notes and red stitched hearts float around them. Text reads: "From the Heart – 5 Tips to Elevate HCAHPS Scores Through Memorable Patient Care."

From the Heart: 5 Tips to Elevate HCAHPS Scores Through Memorable Patient Care

It Started with Mr. Jenkins… It was a rainy Tuesday when Mr. Harold Jenkins, an 82-year-old retired jazz musician, was admitted to the hospital with shortness of breath and chest pain. He wasn’t thrilled to be there, and his furrowed brow said as much. But something happened over the next few days—something that would prompt […]
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Heart with rainbow colors and an EKG line, promoting LGBTQ+ inclusive care for older adults in long-term care.

Caring with Pride: Supporting LGBTQ+ Older Adults in Long-Term Care

LGBTQ+ older adults have often spent a lifetime navigating stigma, discrimination, and exclusion—experiences that can significantly impact their well-being as they age. In long-term care settings, it’s essential that we provide environments that are not only safe but also affirming and respectful of every individual’s identity. By increasing awareness and strengthening cultural competency, care professionals […]
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Graphic with bold text: “Flip the Script on Aging.” A logo at the bottom right corner reads “Older Americans Month” with the URL acl.gov/oam.

Let’s Promote Inclusive Practices in Long-Term Care Settings

May is Older Californians Month.  This year’s theme is “Flip the Script on Aging.”  It focuses on “transforming how society perceives, talks about, and approaches aging. It encourages individuals and communities to challenge stereotypes and dispel misconceptions” (ACL, 2025). The Growing Impact of an Aging Population According to the Administration for Community Living (ACL), approximately […]
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National Hospital Week: Why Investing in Professional Development Strengthens Hospital Systems & Improves Patient Care

National Hospital Week (May 11–17, 2025) is more than a celebration—it’s a call to action for hospital leaders. As we honor the dedication of healthcare professionals under the American Hospital Association’s theme #WeAreHealthCare, this is a powerful time to reflect on how strategic investments in professional development directly bolster system performance, employee engagement, and patient […]
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