The Nursing Insider: April 2006
Current News Past News

Launch of "Removing the Barriers" - An Online Self-study Course
04/28/06
The Mautner Project, the national lesbian health organization, is very excited to announce its launch of Removing the Barriers as an online self-study course for providers. It is the first national cultural competency curriculum addressing the unique challenges of women who partner with women in accessing quality healthcare. The online course is an overview of our more intensive experiential trainings, developed in contract with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since 1997, Mautner Project has trained over 4,000 providers nationally in Removing the Barriers, including hundreds of providers with the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection program. The on-line course offers 2 continuing education credits (CME, CNE, CEU). To access the self-study module, go to: www.corexcel.com/rtb/

"One Size Does Not Fit All," says ANA; Nurses Back Massachusetts Patient Safety Act (S. 1260)
04/27/06
The Patient Safety Act (S.1260) will allow Masachusetts nurses to determine the safest staffing ratio for the patient in each unit within each hospital. According to the American Nurses Assocation (ANA), this approach will protect patients by creating a public accountability process for establishing safe registered nurse staffing levels.

"ANA joins the Massachusetts Association of Registered Nurses (MARN) in supporting Senator Richard Moore's (D-Uxbridge) proposed legislation because it holds hospitals accountable for appropriate nurse staffing, and requires frontline nurses to be an integral part of the staffing decision-making process," said ANA President Barbara Blakeney, MS, RN. Go to Press Release...

The Center’s First Audioconference on Legal Basics a Success! Second Seminar Airs May 18
04/26/06
On April 25 at 2:00 p.m. EDT, nurses from various healthcare facilities dialed in on conference room speaker phones to listen to the first of the legal seminar series “The Legal Aspects of Delegation”. Feedback from participants on the seminar content was very positive. Participants also loved the convenience of not having to leave their offices to attend the seminar and earning valuable CE credits.

Participants from many of these same facilities have already signed up for the second seminar “The Legal, Professional and Ethical Aspects of Patient Safety” on Thursday, May 18 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. ET. Nurses at other healthcare facilities are registering daily. Registrations will be accepted up until one hour before seminar begins at 2:00 ET.

For more information and to register, go to: www.nursingworld.org/can/tools/legalconf.htm or call 1-800-685-4076. E-mail questions to woldu.woldu@centerforamericannurses.org.

New NLN Position Statement Promotes Mentoring to Help Address Serious Shortage of Nurse Faculty
04/25/06
Expand mentoring programs “across the career continuum” and address the continuing nurse faculty shortage, advocates the National League for Nursing (NLN) in a recently published position statement.

Mentoring of Nurse Faculty makes a strong case for the effect mentoring relationships can have on the recruitment and retention of qualified nurse educators. “What is essential throughout the nurse educator’s career,” the NLN position statement maintains, “is interaction with individuals who can continually support, guide, teach, and challenge them.” The position statement describes a variety of mentoring models for early-, mid-, and late-career nurse faculty. Read Press Release: www.nln.org/newsreleases/mentoring_faculty.pdf

"Science and Regulating Chemicals" - 2nd in Chemical Policy: Issues and Strategies Series
04/24/06
The ANA, in partnership with Health Care Without Harm, is presenting a series of five one-hour conference calls titled, Chemical Policy: Issues and Strategies to educate nurses and others. The second in this series, "Science and Regulating Chemicals," will be held Thursday April, 27 at 11 a.m. ET. This session will be presented by Daryl Ditz of the Center for International Environmental Law, and Ted Schettler, Science Director for the Science and Environmental Health Network. There will be 1.2 CEs offered for participation in this call.

To register for Session 2, please go to: www.nursingworld.org/rnnoharm/chempolicyreg.htm

Joint Commission Shifts To Unannounced Surveys And Certification Reviews
04/24/06
Beginning this year, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (Joint Commission) is rolling out a new process for conducting all types of on-site accreditation surveys and certification reviews on an unannounced basis. This major policy change applies to all of the more than 15,000 health care organizations it accredits or certifies. View this news release online at: www.jointcommission.org/NewsRoom/NewsReleases/jc_041706.htm

ANA Launches New Career Search Service for Nurses in Partnership with HEALTHeCAREERS Network
04/21/06
The American Nurses Association (ANA) has joined HEALTHeCAREERS Network to create a customized career-search posting and application service for nurses and other health care workers. This new career center, which promises to be North America’s largest pool of nursing jobs and qualified nursing candidates, is accessible through ANA’s Web site via www.nursescareercenter.com. Read Press Release

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Online Continuing Education Series
04/21/06
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) at the National Institutes of Health has added two new chapters to its Online Continuing Education Series, launched in Fall 2005. This series is a free resource for health care professionals to learn more about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) topics, while earning Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits or Continuing Education Units (CEU).

Leading CAM experts deliver the new video lectures on the following topics:

• Integrative Medicine - Prospective medicine and role of integrative medicine in it
• Spirituality - An examination of the historical interrelationship between spirituality and health

Take advantage of the new lectures and continue to benefit from the other six chapters on CAM topics offered.

The series is available on nccam.nih.gov/videolectures. If you have any questions or would like more information, please call 888-644-6226.

Urge Your U.S. Senators to Oppose S. 1955
04/20/06
Urge your U.S. Senators to oppose S. 1955, a bill that would take away the states' autonomy to regulate health insurance, and would thwart years of state efforts to make sure that consumers have adequate health care coverage. ANA is deeply concerned about the impact of S 1955 on APRN practice, patient access to primary and preventative care, and the cost of insurance for those most in need. A vote is expected in early May. Get more information and contact your Senators...

April 25 is the Last Day to Sign up for the "The Legal Aspects of Delegation" Audioconference - Earn Valuable CE Credits
04/20/06
The Center for American Nurses announces the first in a series of audio conferences to air on April 25 at 2:00 p.m. EST. Participants can sign up as late as one-hour before the audio conference. A number of facilities have already signed up to provide their nurseswith this basic legal information on how to handle everyday legal issues affecting their work environment.

“The Legal Aspects of Delegation”
Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET.

“The Legal, Professional and Ethical Aspects of Patient Safety”
Thursday, May 18, 2006 - 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET.

All that is required is a meeting room, a speakerphone and LCD projector (optional). Pay only one site connection fee for an UNLIMITED number of staff. Get the details...

Health Care's Enviromental Leaders Receive Nation's Top Honor
04/19/06
Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E) recognized a groundbreaking 190 hospitals, health systems and health care organizations for outstanding achievement in reducing waste, virtually eliminating mercury, and improving environmental performance. This impressive number of award winners – more than double that of previous years – is the latest indication of the growing emphasis the health care field is placing on its environmental impact.

Read the Press Release.

Taking Precautionary Action: Roadmap for Success
04/18/06
The First National Conference on Precaution, "Taking Precautionary Action: Roadmap for Success", will be held June 9th - 11th, 2006, at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD. This one-of-a-kind event will bring together people working on toxics, nuclear waste, disease prevention, pesticides, worker safety, and many other issues. It features over 35 workshops and strategy sessions.

For more information please go to www.besafenet.com

Multi-state Mumps Outbreak
04/17/06
The state of Iowa has been experiencing a large outbreak of mumps that began in December 2005. As of April 12, 2006, 605 suspect, probable and confirmed cases have been reported to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) (IDPH, unpublished data). CDC Health Advisory

Information for Healthcare Professionals | Spotlight for the Public

6th US-Russian Nursing Conference Cruise on the Russian Waterways
04/17/06
You Can Be Part of this Exciting Cruise Conference:
The opportunity to learn together and build collaborative relationships highlights the theme of the 6th US – Russian Nursing Conference: Building Connections for a Global Nursing Community scheduled August 1-16, 2007. More...

American Assembly for Men in Nursing 31st Annual Conference - Call for Abstracts
04/14/06
“Men in Nursing: Leading Men to Healthier Lives” is the theme of the 31st annual conference of the American Assembly for Men in Nursing. The annual conference will be held October 20-21, 2006 and is being hosted by the University of Portland School of Nursing, Portland, Oregon. Edward Thompson is this year's keynote speaker. AAMN is currently accepting submissions for presentations/posters for the conference. Deadline for submissions is May 15, 2006. For more information regarding the conference itself or details regarding abstract submission, please visit AAMN's website at www.aamn.org/conference.htm.

The Center's Audioconference Seminar on “The Legal Aspects of Delegation” Airs April 25
04/13/06
The Center for American Nurses (Center) is offering two legal seminars. The 2006 seminar series is designed to give nurses basic legal information on how to handle legal issues affecting their work environment:

“The Legal Aspects of Delegation”
Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET.

“The Legal, Professional and Ethical Aspects of Patient Safety”
Thursday, May 18, 2006 - 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET.

Both seminars are presented by Janet Nally Barnes, JD, RN, Executive Director of Clinical Compliance and Risk Management for Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. The American Nurses Association is providing the nursing education contact hours. ANA is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the ANCC Commission on Accreditation, and approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider CEP 6178.

Nurse leaders from hospitals nationwide are registering various sites within their facility so that groups can take these courses together. All that is required is a meeting room, a speakerphone and LCD projector (optional). Pay only one site connection fee for an UNLIMITED number of staff.

Pricing	Series: 2 Seminars	One Seminar
Center Members	$110	$60
ANA Member/Non Center Member	$130	$70
Nonmembers of Center or ANA	$160	$85

More info and registration...

Senators Send Letter Asking for $175 Million in FY '07 Nurse Education Funding
04/13/06
More than half of the U.S. Senate (54 senators) have signed on to a letter to Sen. Alan Specter (R-PA), chairman of the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Committee, and Tom Harkin, ranking member of the subcommittee, asking for $175 million to fund Title VIII nursing education and workforce development programs for Fiscal Year (FY) 2007.

The letter noted that America's demand for new and replacement nurses will grow by 29 percent between 2004 and 2014 -- to 1.2 million -- and that the current funding levels of $150 million for Title VIII programs "fail to meet the rising need for registered nurses," especially when coupled with cuts to other programs.

A shortage of registered nurses (RNs) was reported by 72 percent of hospitals in 2004, according to the American College of Healthcare Executives. "This scarcity of RNs has put the lives of patients at risk," the letter noted. Moreover, the Health Resources and Services Administration turned away 82 percent to applicants for the Nurse Education Loan Repayment Program and 98 percent of applicants for the Nursing Scholarship Program because of "a lack of funding"in FY 2005. "Despite the difficult fiscal environment, Congress must do more to address this crisis," the senators wrote. Read letter | More... | Info on House version...

JCAHO Surveyor Opportunities
04/12/06
The Joint Commission (JCAHO) currently has opportunities for intermittent Disease Specific Care Reviewers in the fields of chronic kidney disease and inpatient diabetes. The selected candidates will evaluate implementation of clinical practice guidelines, review organization specific performance measurement data, and evaluate compliance with Joint Commission disease-specific care standards, policies, and protocols in disease management programs throughout the United States.

Qualified chronic kidney disease candidates must be Certified Nephrology registered nurses. Bachelor’s degree is required (Master’s degree preferred) with a minimum of 3 years experience in the management of renal patients National Kidney Foundation’s (K/DOQI) stages I-IV.

Qualified inpatient diabetes candidates must be Certified Diabetes Educators and registered nurses. Master’s degree is required with at least 3 years experience in treating inpatient diabetes and implementing inpatient diabetes programs.

In addition, five years of recent clinical experience, with 2 years in case management and 2 years of demonstrated responsibility for program oversight, decision-making, management and improvement are required. Disease-specific care/disease management experience which demonstrates knowledge of the DSC industry including trends, performance measures and performance improvement activities is required. Strong analytical, organizational, communication and interpersonal skills and ability to interpret data using statistical tools are required. Must be available to work a minimum of 2 consecutive days per month for nationwide travel.

Interested candidates should submit a resume or CV with cover letter outlining management and Joint Commission experience by email to: skjobs@jcaho.org.

InSTEP With NURSES Four-Week Challenge Is On
04/11/06
Walking – it’s one of the most popular and widely recommended forms of exercise. Nurses – they are trusted, compassionate and qualified professionals. What do you get when you combine the two? “InSTEP with Nurses,” a fun walking program being held April 17 to May 12 to help nurses keep fit while supporting the American Nurses Foundation (ANF) and its work for nurses. And this is where you – as a nurse – step in...

ANA Contributes $192,000 to Nurses Affected by Hurricane Katrina
04/10/06
The American Nurses Association (ANA) announced its contribution of $192,000 to the American Nurses Fund (ANF) to help nurses adversely affected by Hurricane Katrina. The ANF is disbursing 100 percent of these funds to three state nurses associations in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.

“The need for assistance, and particularly services that nurses provide, continues and is significant,” said ANA President Barbara A. Blakeney, MS, RN. “On behalf of the ANA Board of Directors, I am pleased that we could make this contribution to help nurses in need.” More...

“Nurses: Strength, Commitment, Compassion” - Adequate Nurse Education Funding, Safe Staffing and Patient Safety Are Among Focuses of National Nurses Week 2006
04/07/06
The American Nurses Association (ANA) has announced the theme of National Nurses Week 2006, “Nurses: Strength, Commitment, Compassion.” This special week honoring nurses is celebrated annually from May 6, also known as National Nurses Day, through May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. More...

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George Washington University Offers New Online MSN Program
04/07/06
The George Washington University is pleased to announce a new Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) online degree program. This program will prepare strong clinical and administrative nurse leaders to address the growing challenges of healthcare delivery systems. This distance education program creates a community of learners from across the country. The program affords busy adult learners the opportunity to pursue a formal academic degree. Graduate nursing students can currently select from the following five fields of study: Clinical Research Administration, Nursing Leadership and Management, End-of-Life Care Nursing, Adult Nurse Practitioner, and Family Nurse Practitioner. Find out more...

ANA and Health Care Without Harm to Present Chemical Policy: Issues and Strategies
04/07/06
The ANA in partnership with Health Care Without Harm will present a series of five conference calls to educate nurses and others on:

• Chemical policy issues
• Efforts and strategies to institutionalize chemical policy into law in various states.

Each session will be offered for one contact hour. If you are unable to attend any of these sessions, they will be available on nursingworld.org at a later date.

Iron USA 2006 - Free Registration for Nurses
04/06/06
Iron USA 2006, a seminar hosted by Iron Disorders Institute (IDI), is open to the public, representatives of our government health agencies, public interest groups and members of IDI.

Iron USA 2006, will be held May 18-19 at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Lister Hill Auditorium in Bethesda, Maryland. This year's focus is on "Achieving Iron Balance in Men and Women with Hemochromatosis". Patients and physicians will have an opportunity to gain cutting edge information about hemochromatosis and to ask questions of experts in this field.

Iron Disorders Institute (IDI) would like to extend an invitation of free registration for nurses, especially those who work in or near the Bethesda MD area. Registration is free but you must register to reserve a seat: e-mail full name to pclark@irondisorders.org or register online at: www.irondisorders.org/Conference/ConferenceReg.asp.

For more information on this seminar, go to Iron USA 2006 website: www.irondisorders.org/Conference/Conference.asp

ANA’s Response to NCSBN’s Vision Paper on Advanced Practice Nursing
04/05/06
The American Nurses Association (ANA) appreciates the opportunity to review the National Council of State Boards of Nursing's (NCSBN) draft document, Vision Paper: The Future of Regulation of Advanced Practice Nursing. ANA and the profession of nursing have long had great interest in such regulation as demonstrated by ANA’s convening two national APRN stakeholder meetings, with a third scheduled for June 2006. To read ANA response ANA members must create an online account at Members Only. Members already registered on the Members Only site can log on and access the comments.

ANA CNPE Position Statement Review
04/04/06
The ANA Congress on Nursing Practice and Economics is seeking comments on the following position statements: Risk and Responsibility; Education of Nurse Managers: Promoting Positive Outcomes for Patients and Nurses; and School Nurses: Providing Safe Health Supervision and Care for Children in the School Setting. More...

US Dept. of Transportation Seeks Advanced Practice Nurses for Survey
04/04/06
As part of the preliminary research being conducted for development of the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME) program, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is in the process of identifying 5,000 medical examiners who currently perform physical examinations for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers to complete a survey that will help define the role of the medical examiner. This includes 1,000 from each of the following professions: Advanced Practice Nurses, Doctors of Chiropractic, Doctors of Osteopathy, Medical Doctors, and Physician Assistants. If you currently perform these examinations, please volunteer to take part in this important survey by providing the information requested on the web page. Please encourage your colleagues who perform CMV driver physical examinations to participate, as well. The target deadline for identifying the 5,000 participants is June 15, 2006.

For more information and to apply go to: www.nrcme.fmcsa.dot.gov/.

APON Call for Public Comment - Scope and Standards of Pediatric Oncology Nursing Practice
04/03/06
The Association of Pediatric Oncology Nurses (APON) has announced its call for public comment on the draft Statement on the Scope and Standards of Pediatric Oncology Nursing Practice. The draft document can be accessed at: www.apon.org.

Please note that you are directed to forward your comments to APON executive director Louise Miller at lmiller@connect2amc.com by Friday, April 21st. Typographical and grammatical corrections will be made in the final copyediting prior to publication – they are seeking comments related to content.

ANA seeks Nominations for ICN’s 2007 International Achievement Award
04/03/06
The International Council of Nurses (ICN), in conjunction with the Florence Nightingale International Foundation (FNIF), is pleased to announce the competition for the 2007 International Achievement Award. more...

Challenge yourself... Change a Community! Nurses For America
04/03/06
Exciting new program links nurses with highly sought after opportunities. Nurses for America-AmeriCorp connects nurses with the chance to do ground-breaking work in underserved communities within the United States. The program will be challenging but will also be rewarding in a way you could never have imagined. The nurses will be mentored and in addition to their competitive salary/benefits, nurses are eligible for student loan deferment and/or an educational award of $9,450 for their two years service.

Nurses for America sites include: Washington, D.C.; Virginia; Maryland; Alameda County, California; Laredo and San Antonio, Texas; St. Louis, Missouri; and East St. Louis, Illinois.

For more information call Melissa Kanaya, Project Coordinator: 202-687-7932 or visit our website www.nursesforamerica.org to find out how you can make a difference with underserved, vulnerable, resilient communities.

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