Diane Palu-McArthur

My odyssey began back in 2001 when I stepped into the world of LTC as a Social Services Director in a vibrant 120-bed facility in Aurora, Colorado. Fresh out of college with a Bachelors of Science in Social Work from Chadron State College, I initially treaded cautiously. However, it didn't take me long to discover my true calling—caring for the elderly. From that moment on, I've worn many hats, each one a testament to my unwavering love for the geriatric population.

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My heart swells with love and dedication when it comes to caring for the individuals I serve. With my proven leadership skills, I bring my team together, ensuring we provide the utmost care. Sharing the wealth of knowledge and experiences I've gathered over the years has become my joy, helping others avoid the same pitfalls I encountered.

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My unwavering focus and drive are simple—making a difference in the lives of those we serve, treating each individual with the utmost respect and dignity.

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During my time in Aurora, I had the privilege of exploring various departments, working closely with corporate staff and NHAs, unraveling the intricate world of LTC. I left an indelible mark, catching the eye of my first NHA, who tapped me to become the Director of Quality of Life in a cozy rural facility in Brush, Colorado. Here, I dove deep into various departments, gaining a profound understanding of the MDS / RAI process, even working closely with corporate staff and the company attorney. I helped prevent the closure of this facility, leading it to a remarkable low deficiency annual survey within just three months of clearance—clearing over 30 tags with the DNS and a minimal IDT team.

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During this time, I set my sights higher, aspiring to become a Nursing Home Administrator, eager to make an impact on a grander scale. I was offered a role as a Business Office Manager in a 120-bed facility in Fort Morgan, Colorado, with hopes of gaining a comprehensive view of LTC operations. However, destiny had other plans, offering me the opportunity to teach financial aspects of the EHR – PointClickCare as a subcontracting consultant. Given my extensive MDS experience, I later became a Subject Matter Expert on clinical modules, working as both a subcontractor and with PointClickCare directly, until the day I decided it was time to pursue nursing school.

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In 2014, I proudly graduated from the LPN program and continued my educational journey, becoming an RN in July 2015 at Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Throughout my nursing program, I continued working with PointClickCare and later transitioned to a floor nurse, restarting my career path. Swiftly, I ascended to a MDS role, eventually becoming a Resident Care Management Director in a bustling 120-bed facility in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Later, I transferred to serve as a DNS in a sister facility in Casper, Wyoming, overseeing another 120-bed facility.

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My tenure as a Director of Nursing was marked by numerous awards and accolades from Mountain Pacific Quality Health of Wyoming, as my team and I transformed our facility into a proud 5-star building, earning only one Ftag in the 2019 annual survey. We actively participated in the Wyoming Culture Change Coalition start-up process, embodying the spirit of positive change.

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Recently, I took on a consultancy role in California, preventing a facility from closing by implementing the same successful systems and processes that had worked wonders in my previous rural 58-bed facility in Newcastle, Wyoming. Along the way, I achieved my NHA license and RAC-CT certification, further solidifying my expertise.

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Today, I'm immersed in Health Informatics work, collaborating with several SNF and Senior Living communities across the U.S. to configure and train EHR systems. As I pursue my educational goals to become a Nurse Practitioner dedicated to the geriatric population, I'm committed to making every moment count.