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NADONA
The National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration
Since 1986, the National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration in Long Term Care have been THE leading advocate and educational organization for DONs, ADONs and RNs (in management positions and/or serving as Director of Nursing Services, Nurse Administrator, VP of Clinical Services, Consultants, Nurse Educators, MDS Nurses, Staff Development, Transitional Care Nurse, Infection Prevention Nurses or any RN that has previously served in a role equivalent to DON or ADON) in Long Term Care (LTC). NADONA was founded by dedicated LTC professionals, and our board of trustees still consists of LTC professionals. We understand your daily challenges, and are here to provide you with the tools you need for professional success.
"NADONA is committed to providing our membership with the tools needed to be successful. We are here to help you."
Sherrie Dornberger
1986
NADONA/LTC founded
NADONA/LTC founded in St. Louis, MO with 40 original members from 13 states.
Capitol Hill
NADONA/LTC establishes ongoing presence on Capitol Hill, giving legislators the “real story”.
1987
Nationally-recognized NADONA/LTC Certification Exam is created – by DONs, for DONs.
Added Credibility and professional esteem are enjoyed by more than 5000 members in 2004.
National Confrence
First national conference held in Orlando, FL.
1988
Toll-free Reference & Research Library for Directors of Nursing is complete.
It’s your own personal research assistant at your fingertips.
1989
First DON of the Year awarded at annual conference.
We recognize the best in our profession annually.
1990
Thousands of Members!
Membership reaches 1000 members in 25 states.
1991
NADONA/LTC’s first scholarship is awarded at annual conference.
More than $15K is given annually to our members.
1993
Debut of The Director Journal.
The first professional journal published exclusively for DONs in LTC.
1996
Debut of Standards of Practice For Directors of Nursing.
The first publication of its kind for DONs in LTC.
1997
www.nadona.org is launched Academy of Fellows established.
Fellows oversee and review certification exam and process.
1999
Mentor for Members hotline launched.
Dial 1.800.374.9554 and receive professional advice and insight from a LTC veteran.
2000
Circle of Excellence established.
NADONA/LTC’s first National recognition program for deficiency-free facilities. This comprehensive online resource for members has tripled in content since its launch.
New Office
NADONA/LTC moves into new offices.
2001
Coalition of Geriatric Nurse Organizations
NADONA/LTC becomes a member of the CGNO (Coalition of Geriatric Nurse Organizations).
2002
OSHA
OSHA partners with NADONA/LTC in national program launch.
Top 5
Top 5 nursing home corporations bring their DONs to NADONA/LTC.
Membership
Membership reaches 5500, representing 30 states and Canada.
2003
Online Certification
Launch of online certification program NADONA/LTC Online University is founded.
New President
Sherrie Dornberger elected President.
FACDONA
Inauguration of the NADONA/LTC Fellows program (FACDONA).
Advancing Excellence in America’s Nursing Homes
Advancing Excellence in America’s Nursing Homes is a two-year, coalition-based campaign concerned with how we care for elderly and disabled citizens. NADONA/LTC was part of the steering committee for a broad range of stakeholders in quality long-term care that provide ongoing strategy development, guidance and in-kind support for the campaign.
2006
20th Anniversary in St. Louis, MO.
Ed McMahon keynotes the Annual Conference in St. Louis, MO.
LTCPLC develops Core Competencies in LTC
NADONA joins LTCPLC with AMDA, ASCP and ACHCA (Long term care professional leadership council), LTCPLC develops Core Competencies in LTC.
Annual Conference Record
20th Annual Conference, Las Vegas sets record-breaking attendance.
2007
Johnson and Johnson
Johnson and Johnson Image of Nursing, Andrea Higham keynotes annual conference in Las Vegas, NV
Transition
- Transition in management.
- Development of the Assisted Living Certification exam.
- IOM Report on re-tooling for Aging in America.
- LPN Certification development.
- Certifications are now “online”.
2008
Partnership
Mature Health Communications partners with NADONA for event planning.
Eldercare
NADONA joins Eldercare workforce alliance
Keynote Speaker
Karyn Buxam keynotes annual conference in Nashville, TN.
Honorary Member
Marianna Kern Grachek was named the Honorary Member of the Year.
PharMerica
PharMerica sponsors NADONA Stephanie Carroll scholarships to honor nurses for “Nurses Week”.
Phase 2
Phase 2 of Advancing Excellence begins.
Diabetic Certification
Grant received to develop Diabetic Certification exam for LTC nurses.
The Director
Mature Health partners with NADONA on “The Director”.
2009
Pioneer Network
Pioneer Network founded and funded by the commonwealth to explore nursing’s role in culture change – 16 culture change competencies were announced.
Keynote
LeAnn Theiman keynotes annual conference in Phoenix AZ.
Honorary Member
Pharmerica Corporation was named Honorary Member of the Year.
Certified DON
Certified DON (CDONA) exam is updated.
06/2010
Diabetic Certification exam goes live online with modules (study guide) and exam.
2010
10/5/10
IOM Future of Nursing report, leading change, advanicng health released.
10/2010
Electronic voting is implemented for National Board election.
5 Year Goals
NADONA/LTC re-establishes 5 year goals based on the IOM report.
Gina Kaurich resigns
Gina Kaurich resigns as Executive Director.
Advancing Excellence incorporates.
Advancing Excellence incorporates. NADONA becomes Charter Member.
Greg Risberg
Greg Risberg keynotes conference in Atlanta, GA.
Sarah Jerro
Sarah Jerro, MA, RN was named Honorary Member of the Year. Sarah is NADONA/LTC’s Lead Nurse Planner.
Gwen Stewart
Gwen Stewart, NC, was named Nurse Administrator of the Year.
DON Field Guide
DON Field Guide for LTC Nursing becomes available to assist studies for the CDONA exam.
Corporate Partners program
Establishment of the Corporate Partners program.
NADONA Certification Review
NADONA Certification Review given at National conference.
Signature Health Care
Signature Health Care registers all nurses to take the Diabetic exam.
2011
Poster presentations
Poster presentations are incorporated into the annual conference.
Sherrie Dornberger
Sherrie Dornberger appointed Interim Executive Director by the NADONA Board.
Debbie Afasano
Debbie Afasano keynotes Annual Conference in Kissimmee, FL.
Leah Klusch
Leah Klusch was named Honorary Member of the Year.
Monthly E-newsletter
Monthly E-newsletter developed to keep members up-to-date with news.
NCCDP
NCCDP offered at July conference and supported by the Wallerstein Grant.
Certified Dementia Practitioners
Members become Certified Dementia Practitioners.
Master Trainers developed
Master Trainers developed to teach live boot camps and certification programs nationwide.
2012
Sherrie Dornberger
Sherrie Dornberger appointed Executive Director by the NADONA Board.
Robin Arnicar
Robin Arnicar is elected President.
Medscape
Partnered with Medscape and AMDA for CE Dementia programs.
Lisa Thomson
Lisa Thomson keynotes annual conference in Nashville, TN.
Tina Magazine
Tina Magazine, GOJO, was named Honorary Member of the Year.
Accreditation From American Nurses Credentialing Center
The National Association Directors of Nursing Administration in Long Term Care Earns Accreditation From American Nurses Credentialing Center.
$20,000 in scholarships
NADONA/LTC awards $20,000 in scholarships with sponsorship by PharMerica.
Purdue Pharma
Purdue Pharma sponsors one year of the E-newsletter
Sarah Jerro
Sarah Jerro, Lead Nurse Planner and the Nurse Planners were successfully awarded the ability to provide CE’s.
2013
NABs Administrator Board
NABs Administrator Board awards NADONA sponsor status for awarding an increasing number of NAB credits to members.
Wallerstein Grant
Wallerstein Grant is awarded 5,000 to cover conducting the CDP course as a pre-conference training program through the NCCDP
CADDCT training
The CADDCT training took place as a per-con at the Annual Conference, provided by NCCDP.
Dan Cohen
Dan Cohen, Executive Director of Music and Memory was the keynote speaker in Las Vegas, NV.
Dr. Richard Stefanacci
Dr. Richard Stefanacci was named Honorary Member of the Year.
Amanda Kistler
Amanda Kistler, NC, was awarded Nurse Administrator of the Year.
Robin Arnicar
Robin Arnicar starts her second term as NADONA/LTC President.
PharMerica
PharMerica continues sponsorship of $20,000 for the Stephanie Carroll scholarship program.
Standards of Practice guidelines
Committee appointed to revamp and update the NADONA/LTC DON Standards of Practice guidelines, chaired by Nancy Beecham.
2014
Viewed by over 20,000 readers
The quarterly issue of The Director is viewed by over 20,000 readers per quarter. It is hosted on the NADONA website and at the Nurses Lounge, NADONA’s partner, which is social media for nurses.
Disneyland
Conference was convened in Disneyland, Anaheim, CA.
New Staff
NADONA/LTC adds a staff member.
Dr. Nimalie Stone
Dr. Nimalie Stone was awarded the Honorary Member of the Year.
Angela Littke
Angela Littke, NC was awarded the Nurse Administrator of the Year.
NADONA's Annual Conference
NADONA’s Annual Conference is June 5th-10th, at the Hyatt Regency Downtown, Atlanta, GA
Sherrie Dornberger
Executive Director, Sherrie Dornberger is appointed to the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
2015
New Office
NADONA/LTC relocates to larger office suites In Springdale Ohio
The Director New Editor Named
Dr. Hudson Garrett named Editor of “The Director” NADONA’s peer reviewed quarterly journal
2016
2016 Conference Austin Texas
JW Marriott June 24 – 29, 2016