Managing Workplace Negativity A Level II Online Module

January 28 - February 25, 2013 (4 weeks)

This Level II module of NHPCO’s Hospice Manager Development Program is a four-week online learning module. 

Module Description

The ability to manage workplace negativity is a key skill for hospice managers. Working in an environment where there is negativity, poor attitude, apathy, frustration and related issues adds stress and breeds dissatisfaction. In the hospice environment, where the work itself is very emotionally charged, it is vital that managers are competent in understanding, identifying and addressing workplace negativity. Unless intervention occurs, workplace negativity can lead to poor morale and lack of trust in the overall organization, its goals and significantly impact employee and volunteer retention. Equally important, negative employees are incapable of providing the exceptional quality of care that is the hallmark of hospice and palliative care. This module will provide hospice managers with key information about negativity in the workplace and, more importantly, intervention skills to manage it.  

Module Objectives

Upon completion of this module, participants will be able to:

• Discuss the dynamics of workplace negativity;
• Identify the impacts of workplace negativity;
• Discuss behaviors that create problems and negativity in the workplace;
• Identify strategies for overcoming workplace negativity;
• Develop and refine approaches for coping with workplace negativity.

Module Structure

The module will be instructor-facilitated and is conducted online over a period of four weeks. During this time you will read online articles, complete assignments and take part in ongoing online discussions.  You can expect to spend 2 – 4 hours per week in these activities.

Participants will determine their own schedules for completing the course work; online learning does not require that you be in a classroom at a set time, which is a perfect arrangement for busy hospice managers! Completion of the module does require, however, that you participate in weekly assignments and post them by designated dates.

Faculty: Judith Skretny, MA

Judith A. Skretny has more than 25 years of experience working in the field of end-of-life care.  Her interest in thanatology began in 1984 as a graduate assistant for what was then an innovative course called “Death and Dying in Contemporary Thought”.  Because of that experience, Judith says she was “hooked” and found what would be the focus of her professional life and her passion.

Judith has functioned in many capacities over the course of her career. Most recently, Judith was Vice President of the Center for Excellence in End-of-Life Education Research and Practice at The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care in Buffalo, New York. In that capacity, Judith helped to create Hospice University, a comprehensive program of education and training built on a corporate university model.  She has developed and taught courses in management, leadership, communication, stress management, conflict management and change management among others. She also developed the organization’s Palliative Care Institute.

For ten years, Judith was Executive Director of the Life Transitions Center, a community grief counseling agency. In that capacity she helped create extensive programs of education for the community on grief and bereavement. In 1991 Judith began a support group for Companion Animal Loss and continues to provide support to those who have lost a beloved pet or to those who deal with survivors of pet loss.

Judith has taught Death and Dying courses at both Canisius College, and at SUNY at Buffalo.  She is a frequent guest lecturer in the Western New York community and has presented for the New York State Hospice Association as well as for NHPCO. As a lecturer for CMI Education Institute, Judith presented a full day seminar on “Working with the Seriously Ill and Dying”.

In addition to acting as faculty for the MDP Level 1 program, Judith facilitates online courses for NHPCO.

Module Requirements

A minimum of 75% participation in module assignments is required for successful completion of the module toward the Level II Designation of the Hospice Manager Development Program.  There are weekly assignments and deadline dates that require participants’ attention and participation each week.

Participants desiring continuing education credit (see below) must complete 100% of the module assignments to be awarded continuing education hours.

All module participants must complete and pass the final test with a score of 80% or higher for successful completion of the module for the Hospice MDP and for continuing education credit for nurses and social workers.

Continuing Education:

Continuing education credit is available for nurses and social workers who complete this module and pay required fees (see Module Fees) for continuing education.

Nurse: NHPCO is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

NHPCO designates this activity for a maximum of 8 contact hours.  Nurses should claim only the contact hours commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Accredited status by ANCC refers only to continuing nursing education and does not imply endorsement of any commercial product discussed in conjunction with this activity. 

Social Worker: This module has been approved for social workers by the National Association of Social Workers (provider number 886414158) for 8 continuing education hours for social workers who complete 100% of all module assignments.

Module Fees:

The module fee is $95. There is an additional $25 fee for nurses and social workers requesting continuing education credit.

Late Registration Information-

Please note: Due to administrative constraints, if you are registering less than 2 business days prior to the  module start date, there is a late fee of $25. Late registrations are processed only over the phone; call NHPCO’s Solutions Center   at 800/646-6460. Please have credit card information ready for phone registrations. 

Registration Cancellation Policy

All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing to conferences@nhpco.org. A $25 processing fee will apply to all cancellations. Cancellations made on the day the module starts or afterward are not eligible for a refund.

Register Online