Being a Director of Nursing Services (DNS) is one of the most demanding roles in aging services. They’re accountable for clinical outcomes, regulatory compliance, staff performance, and resident care, often all before lunch. Whether you’re brand new to the position or have years of experience under your belt, having a clear, structured understanding of exactly what the role requires can make the difference between constantly reacting to problems and confidently leading a well-run nursing department.

That’s exactly what LeadingAge WA’s DNS Excellence Program delivers, but don’t take our word for it—a recent participant’s feedback captures why it’s valuable for new and seasoned DNSs alike.

Clarity on What the Role Actually Requires

One of the standout benefits participants highlight is how the program breaks down the DNS role into clear, actionable pieces. As one recent attendee put it, the course ensures “a new DNS knows exactly what they are responsible for, what their role is, and what CMS and State Surveyors are looking for and what is needed to be in compliance with the state and federal regulations.”

For someone stepping into the DNS role for the first time, that kind of clarity is invaluable. Rather than learning the job through trial and error—or worse, through a difficult survey—participants leave with a concrete understanding of expectations from day one.

A Genuine Refresher for Experienced DNSs

The program isn’t just for those new to the role. Even DNSs with years of experience find real value in revisiting the fundamentals. As this participant, who has served in the role for over three years, shared, much of the content served as “a great refresher as well as to ensure that you are doing the things that you are supposed to be doing.”

In a role where it’s easy to get pulled into daily fires and lose sight of the bigger systemic picture, having dedicated time to step back and confirm you’re still building the right foundation is a benefit in itself.

Access to Resources Many DNSs Don’t Know Exist

A recurring theme in participant feedback is discovering tools and resources they didn’t know were available—resources that can make an enormous difference in day-to-day operations. This included:

• HEALWA — a database of trainings, including an RN toolkit

• INTERACT — care pathways and change-in-condition prompt cards

• A variety of managerial tools — sharing of tools that have been collected over the years that have been proven to work

On that last point, one participant noted that while they already knew about some of the resources, they previously found it “daunting” to search them out, and it was so nice to have them provided. A small but meaningful discovery that saves time and frustration down the road.

Understanding the Whole Department, Not Just Your Piece of It

The program also breaks down the responsibilities of every role within the nursing department and how the DNS’s responsibilities connect to and oversee each of them. This systems-level view helps DNSs see not just their own to-do list, but how their leadership shapes the performance of the entire department.

As the participant summarized, “It’s all about systems and refining those systems… creating those systems for the desired outcomes.” That mindset shift—from completing individual tasks to building durable, repeatable systems—is one of the most valuable takeaways a DNS can bring back to their community.

Standout Sessions

Among the many topics covered, two sessions stood out as favorites:

• Clinical Leadership — transitioning from a clinical role into leadership, including delegation and setting expectations

• Balancing Priorities and Stress — establishing systems versus simply completing tasks

Both sessions speak directly to the hardest part of the DNS transition: moving from being a hands-on clinician to being a leader who builds systems, delegates effectively, and manages stress sustainably.

The Bottom Line

Whether you’re a new DNS looking to understand exactly what’s expected of you, or an experienced DNS who wants a refresher and a reminder of the tools available to you, LeadingAge WA’s DNS Excellence Program offers real, practical value. It combines regulatory clarity, resource discovery, leadership development, and systems thinking into one comprehensive experience, helping DNSs not just survive the role, but thrive in it.

If you’d like to learn more, reach out to Annie Zell, VP of Consulting and Member Solutions, at azell@leadingagewa.org.