Course Content
Module 1 — Medication Administration / MAR / TAR Documentation
Frequency: Upon hire and annually
0/1
Module 2 — Change of Condition / SBAR / Physician Notification
Frequency: Annual
0/1
Module 3 — Skilled Documentation for Medicare Residents
Frequency: Annual
0/1
Module 4 — Wound Assessment and Pressure Injury Prevention
Frequency: Annual
0/1
Module 5 — Fall Assessment and Neuro Checks After Fall
Frequency: Annual
0/1
Module 6 — Pain Assessment and Pain Management
Frequency: Annual
0/1
Module 7 — Anticoagulants, Insulin, Opioids, and High-Risk Medications
Frequency: Annual
0/1
Module 8 — Controlled Substance Handling and Reconciliation
Frequency: Annual
0/1
Module 9 — Psychotropic Medications and Gradual Dose Reduction
Frequency: Annual
0/1
Module 10 — Infection Surveillance and Antibiotic Stewardship
Frequency: Annual
0/1
Module 11 — UTI Criteria, Respiratory Infection, and Sepsis Recognition
Frequency: Annual
0/1
Module 12 — Tube Feeding / G-Tube Care
Frequency: Competency on hire and annually
0/1
Module 13 — Oxygen Safety and Respiratory Care
Frequency: Annual
0/1
Module 14 — IV Therapy / PICC / Midline Care
Frequency: Competency before assignment
0/1
Module 15 — TPN Training
Frequency: Competency before assignment if facility accepts TPN residents
0/1
Module 16 — Dialysis Resident Care
Frequency: Competency before assignment if accepting hemodialysis residents
0/1
Module 17 — Hospice, Palliative Care, and Comfort Medications
Frequency: Annual
0/1
Module 18 — Advance Directives, DNR, POLST, and Code Status
Frequency: Annual
0/1
Module 19 — Incident Investigation and Root-Cause Documentation
Frequency: Annual
0/1
Private: Nurse RN/LPN Training

Code status and advance directives must be verified, honored, and communicated. Illinois POLST is voluntary and intended for patients at risk for life-threatening clinical events due to serious life-limiting medical conditions, including advanced frailty. The IDPH POLST form states that with significant change in condition, new orders may need to be written.

The IDPH POLST form includes orders for CPR/DNAR, medical interventions, medically administered nutrition, signatures, and practitioner authorization. It also states that POLST can be changed, reviewed periodically, and that verbal/phone consent and verbal/phone orders may be acceptable with follow-up signature according to policy.

Nurse Responsibilities

  • Verify code status on admission, readmission, transfer return, and change in condition.
  • Ensure POLST/DNR documents are available and match orders.
  • Notify supervisor/provider if documents conflict.
  • Communicate code status during SBAR, EMS transfer, and shift report.
  • Never assume code status.
  • Follow facility emergency response policy.