President Carter Visits with Emory Nursing Students
2/28/05
On February 24 2005, former President Jimmy Carter praised nurses as "the epitome of the highest level of moral values" for their dedication to others. Carter spoke to about 100 Emory University nursing students, detailing the impact his mother, Lillian, made as a nurse and the impact the students could make in health care in Georgia and abroad.
Named after President Carter's mother, the Lillian Carter Center for International Nursing enhances the impact of nursing globally through targeted international academic exchanges, partnerships, fostering scholarship, forums to explore issues relating to the global supply, demand, distribution and quality of the nursing workforce worldwide and increasing access to training and education.
Read press release at www.nursing.emory.edu/nursing/
news_and_events/news/2005/2005_CarterRelease.pdf.
Latest OJIN Information Resources Column: Google Extends its Reach
2/25/05
Do you find yourself doing more and more Google searches to find information? Barbara Schloman’s latest Information Resources column, "Google Extends its Reach," appearing in the Online Journal of Issues in Nursing (OJIN) explains two major projects recently announced by the Google search engine, Google Scholar, and the Google Web Library. These projects have the potential to further change how we seek information. Google Scholar is a tool for finding scholarly literature in the form of articles, books, abstracts, theses, or technical reports. The Google Web Library will digitize millions of books now only available through select libraries and make them available to all via the Internet. These efforts signal more changes in the role the online information environment will play for professionals and consumers, including health care providers. Read column...
New Look for The Center for Ethics and Human Rights
2/24/05
The Web site of ANA's Center for Ethics and Human Rights has been re-designed. The new look and structure provides easier access to the valuable information to be found on this site. In addition to The Code of Ethics for Nurses, visitors will find information addressing the complex ethical and human rights issues confronting nurses today.
Visit the Center for Ethics and Human Rights Web site.
Survey of Nurse and Patient Perceptions of Health-related Privacy
2/24/05
Duke University Nursing Informatics graduate students are conducting an online survey to learn more about nurse and patient perceptions of health-related privacy. There are two surveys -- the nurse/healthcare provider survey and the healthcare consumer survey. Because nurses are both providers and consumers of health care, nurses may complete both surveys.
For Nurse Survey:
www.duke.edu/~sdm12/Survey/Nurse_privacy_survey.html
For Health Care Consumer Survey:
www.duke.edu/~sdm12/Survey/Health_care_consumer_privacy_survey.html
"Handle With Care" Featured at George Washington University School of Public Health
2/23/05
On January 26, 2005, ANA's "Handle With Care" campaign was featured as a weekly seminar at the George Washington University School of Public Health. This was an opportunity to directly inform and promote ANA's health and safety initiative addressing the prevention of back injuries and other work-related musculoskeletal disorders among members of the academic public health community. A principal component of the campaign is to raise awareness among leaders in the healthcare industry and frontline nurses of the injury risks associated with manual patient handling and the impact on the nursing shortage, as well as to discuss program and technology solutions that serve to prevent injuries secondary to patient handling. For more information contact Butch de Castro at Bdecastro@ana.org.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Awareness Month
2/23/05
The American Nurses Association (ANA) has once again joined with the over 35 members of the Coalition to Prevent DVT in a united effort to raise awareness of this serious medical condition among consumers, healthcare professionals, policy-makers and public health leaders by sponsoring DVT Awareness Month, a campaign to bring DVT into the public eye on a national and local level, which will once again be held in March, 2005.
DVT is a common but serious medical condition that occurs when a thrombus (blood clot) forms in one of the large veins, usually in the lower limbs, leading to either partially or completely blocked circulation that may result in a pulmonary embolism (PE). According to the American Heart Association, up to two million Americans are affected annually by DVT. Of those who develop PE, a potentially fatal complication of DVT, up to 200,000 will die each year, which is more than those who will die from breast cancer and AIDS combined. Yet, most Americans (74 percent) have little or no awareness of DVT, according to a national survey sponsored by the American Public Health Association (APHA). Among those who are aware of DVT, more than half (57 percent) are not able to name any common risk factors or pre-existing conditions that can lead to the development of this condition. For more information about DVT, please visit www.preventdvt.org.
Flu Cases Spike; CDC Advises Persons in High-Risk Groups to Seek Shots
2/22/05
With influenza season reaching its peak, as is evidenced by reports of flu cases causing overcrowded emergency rooms in many areas, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends people at high-risk for serious complications from the flu seek vaccinations from their health care provider or local health clinics. About 3.5 million doses of flu vaccine are still available to the public this flu season, according to the CDC. For details on the issue, see ANA's flu backgrounder.
California Governor Withdraws Proposal to Eliminate Board of Nursing
2/18/05
The American Nurses Association (ANA) called California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's decision to pull back his proposal to eliminate the Board of Registered Nursing a victory for nurses and patients. The governor withdrew his controversial proposal yesterday.
Read Press Release | Testimony [PDF]
Deadline for Nurse Loan Repayment Extended
2/18/05
The deadline for nurses with outstanding student loans to apply for the Nurse Education Loan Repayment Program has been extended to March 18, 2005. Through this program, nurses can have up to 85% of their outstanding loans paid by the Federal government. For fiscal year 2005, Congress has allocated $31 million for nursing loan repayments and scholarships. Last year, HRSA awarded 857 loan repayments. Please go to http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/nursing/loanrepay.htm for more information.
AAMN Foundation Scholarships for Men
2/17/05
The American Assembly for Men in Nursing (AAMN) Foundation and Johnson & Johnson's Campaign for Nursing's Future have partnered to offer this new $1,000 scholarship program for male students pursuing professional nursing education programs. Established in 2004, these scholarships are intended to supports male students who are seeking a pre-RN licensure or graduate degree in nursing.
Applicants must submit an application with supporting documentation and already be enrolled at an accredited institution. Deadline is April 1, 2005. Please go to www.aamn.org/aamnfoundationscholarships.htm for further information and application materials.
Lamar Nursing Students Earn Top Honors on National Exam
2/17/05
Lamar University in Texas has received a commendation from the Board of Nurse Examiners, honoring the university and its bachelor's-degree nursing students for their high pass rate on the national licensing exam. The board honored Lamar after its students received a 92.5 percent pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. Read more at http://www.lamar.edu/news/story.asp?ID=943.
ANA Comments on AIA Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospital and Health Care Facilities
2/17/05
On January 31, 2005, ANA's Center for Occupational and Environmental Health submitted comments to The American Institute of Architects for its current revision of its Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospital and Health Care Facilities. The primary focus of ANA's comments referred to the need to accommodate for ergonomic solutions for patient handling needs. Recommendations were made to include language in the guidelines that referred to ceiling-mounted lifts and enough space for the use and movement of portable, mobile lifting equipment. In addition, comment on the need to install flooring that does not hinder the pushing and pulling of wheeled equipment, such as medication carts and patient beds, was also made. For more information contact Butch de Castro at Bdecastro@ana.org.
New Look at the Old Series: Cognitively Impaired Older Adults
2/16/05
Research shows that cognitively impaired older adults hospitalized for acute illness or surgery are at risk for:
prolonged hospital stays; increased complication rates; delayed rehabilitation; increased mortality; increased readmission, and
poor outcomes. Despite the risks involved, cognitive impairment in older adults often goes undetected by health professionals and caregivers. Complicating the issue, and influencing the care and recovery of these individuals, is the capacity of their caregivers whose understanding of the situation may be incomplete and whose own needs during and after hospitalization are often not fully understood or addressed.
Are you interested in better understanding what you can do to identify older adults with cognitive impairment and ease their transition from the acute care setting? Read the fourth article in a continuing American Journal of Nursing (AJN) series called A New Look at the Old at www.nursingcenter.com/library/JournalArticle.asp?Article_ID=541520.
Illness and Medical Bills Cause Half of All Bankruptcies
2/16/05
In 2001, 1.458 million American families filed for bankruptcy. Medical problems contributed to about half of all bankruptcies, involving 700,000 households in 2001, according to a study published by the journal Health Affairs. Families with children were especially hard hit--about 700,000 children lived in families that declared bankruptcy
in the aftermath of serious medical problems.
The study, carried out jointly by researchers at Harvard Law School and Harvard Medical School, and supported by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is the first in-depth study of medical causes of bankruptcy.
Read more on study at http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/content/full/hlthaff.w5.63/DC1.
ANA Leads Effort to Increase Budget for Nursing Programs
2/15/05
Health Groups Ask Congress to Make Nurse Workforce Development a Priority
In a letter to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the U.S. House and Senate Budget Committees, a group of 11 national health organizations, including ANA, asked the new Congress to make funding for nurse workforce developments programs a priority in the fiscal year (FY) 2006 budget. The budget proposal, submitted by the Bush administration last week, included a $1 million cut in these programs, including the Nurse Reinvestment Act.
Calling the Act a triumph of bipartisan efforts to address the growing nurse shortage, the letter said current funding levels are failing to meet the needs of an aging nursing workforce and the impending health needs of the baby boom generation. The Nurse Reinvestment Act became law in 2002 but must be refinanced each year. Read letter...
ANA and RISNA Collaborate to Promote Safe Patient Handling among Rhode Island Healthcare Leaders
2/15/05
On January 18, 2005, ANA presented its "Handle With Care" campaign as part of a Rhode Island Healthcare Leaders Meeting arranged and hosted by the Rhode Island State Nurses Association (RISNA) in Providence. This was an opportunity to directly inform and promote an ANA-RISNA joint effort to advocate for safe patient handling and the prevention of back injuries among nursing personnel within the states. A principal goal of the meeting was to raise awareness among major decision-makers so they could embrace the idea of establishing "no manual lift" policies throughout hospitals and healthcare systems within the state. Areas discussed included the risk of injury associated with manual patient handling and the impact on the nursing shortage, as well as the success of program and technology solutions that serve to prevent injuries secondary to patient handling. Leading the meeting were RISNA President Sylvia Weber, MS, RN, CS and Executive Director Pamela McCue, MSN, RN. For more information contact Butch de Castro at Bdecastro@ana.org.
National Nursing Association Releases Cardiovascular Health for Women Resources
2/14/05
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in American women - killing six times as many women as breast cancer. Women's health care professionals are aware of these facts, but many of their female patients are not. To assist nurses and other health care providers in reducing their patients' risk for cardiovascular disease, the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) has developed several professional education resources, including a new presentation package on CD-ROM, an Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline, a Clinical Practice Monograph, and a workshop led by an AWHONN Consultant.
For more information on resources and purchasing, go to www.awhonn.org/awhonn/?pg=872-16810.
What's a Portfolio? Growing Credentialing Innovation Illustrated in New ANA Title
2/11/05
Co-published with the International Society of Nurses in Genetics (ISONG), Genetics Nursing Portfolios describes the development of the GNCC credentialing program. The book shows how to assemble and use a portfolio to verify competency in a specialty. To date, the GNCC has found this approach to be a cost-effective and accurate method of credentialing genetics nurses. More...
ANA Applauds Bill Prohibiting Use of Forced Overtime Among Nurses
2/10/05
ANA today hailed the Safe Nursing and Patient Care Act of 2005, a bill introduced by Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) and Rep. Steven LaTourette (R-OH) that would strictly limit the practice of forcing nurses to work overtime.
The proposed legislation would address the current nurse staffing crisis in the U.S. by strictly limiting mandatory overtime among nurses, a dangerous practice that has contributed to a recent exodus of nurses from the nation's hospitals and a decline in safe, quality patient care. More...
In Honor of Black History Month MFP Salutes Dr. Mary Starke Harper
2/10/05
Dr. Mary Starke Harper is a pioneer in mental health and substance abuse nursing. She is a clinical psychologist, a sociologist, and a nurse who was employed with the Federal Government for more than 60 years. Dr. Harper was a major force behind the implementation of the National Fellowship Program in psychiatry, psychology, social work, sociology, and nursing, which enabled more than 8,000 minority scholars to attain their doctorate degrees. More...
Let ANF Help You Celebrate Valentine's Day!
2/09/05
When shopping online for that special someone, remember to go through Buy for Charity. Simply log on to www.buyforcharity.com and designate the American Nurses Foundation as your charity. Up to 35% of your purchase from over 100 merchants will go directly to support ANF programs of research and education that lead to better patient care.
President's FY 2006 Budget Cuts $1 Million from Nurse Workforce Development Programs
2/08/05
The American Nurses Association is disappointed with the funding levels for programs to enhance the recruitment and retention of nurses in President Bush’s proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 budget. The President’s budget was submitted to Congress on Feb. 7.
Read Press Release | White House Budget Submission [PDF]
ANA Supports Further Investigation Into Prisoner Abuse
2/08/05
ANA has sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld supporting further investigation into possible actions of health care professionals in the abuse of detainees at U.S. detention and interrogation facilities. ANA is not aware of any specific situations that have involved registered nurses (RNs); however, it is concerned about the possible role that RNs or other health care professionals may have played in this abuse. The ANA's Code of Ethics for Nurses and other ANA policies condemn violations concerning issues of health and human rights and guide the role of U.S. registered nurses in providing services.
Read letter to Secretary Rumsfeld [PDF]
The Code of Ethics is available on line at: http://nursingworld.org/ethics/ecode.htm
Nominations Due April 30 for IOM Award
2/08/05
The Institute of Medicine is accepting nominations for the twentieth annual Gustav O. Leinhard Award. The award, a medal and $25,000,
recognizes individuals for outstanding achievement in improving health care services in the US. Support for the award is provided by an endowment established by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. For more information, go to: www.iom.edu/lienhard.
Tsunami Relief - Project HOPE: Thank you! No more resumes needed
2/07/05
According to Project HOPE, they have contacted all the health care professionals needed to fulfill the staffing requirements for the second rotation tentatively scheduled to depart on February 28. At this point, is it unclear if a third rotation will be necessary. Given this, Project HOPE will keep the current resumes that they have on hand and are no longer in need of additional resumes. The response to this call for action has been wonderfully overwhelming. Thank you! Project HOPE will be sending a thank you letter to all who submitted a resume.
If you have additional questions, please contact Cheryl Peterson at cpeterso@ana.org or 301-628-5089.
For additional tsunami help info: http://nursingworld.org/news/disaster/tsunami.htm
New OJIN Topic: Partnerships and Collaboration: What Skills Are Needed?
2/07/05
The January 31, 2005 Online Journal of Issues in Nursing (OJIN) topic is "Partnerships and Collaboration: What Skills Are Needed?" The five articles included offer strategies to enhance collaborative efforts and partnerships. The articles discuss values and key behaviors required for effective collaboration, review research evidence, present the Salmon Line technique to assist individuals to increase interdisciplinary practices, and discuss collaboration and partnerships in the context of utilizing new technology. Read this topic...
2003 Survey Found Over 1 Million People Recently Used Stimulants Non-Medically
2/04/05
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) today released data showing that an estimated 1.2 million persons ages 12 or older used methamphetamine or prescription stimulants non-medically in the past month in 2003. The data show that 378,000 Americans met the diagnostic criteria for dependence on or abuse of stimulants in the past year.
Key points found: stimulants most often abused are methamphetamine, prescription diet pills, Ritalin and Dexedrine; dependence on or abuse of stimulants was most prevalent among young people 12-25; and past month stimulant use was highest in the West, significantly higher than in the Midwest, Northeast, or South.
Read highlights of the 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health report on stimulant use at at www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k5/stimulants/stimulants.htm.
Save on Flowers for Valentine's Day from Kabloom
2/04/05
Friends of ANA can save up to 15% on bouquets, long stem roses and more. Get the details.
Nursing Textbooks & Educational Materials for India and Sri Lanka
2/03/05
The India Society of HealthCare Administrators (ISHA) is seeking used nursing textbooks to replenish those lost in the earthquake and tsunami disaster. Nursing schools, libraries and individual nurses in clinics, hospitals, have lost their
ready-reference resources entirely. ISHA has been charged with the task of finding textbooks for nursing students, nursing supervisors, and administrators to use. ANA encourages all to help. Interested hospital libraries, individual nurses, and nursing schools, should contact:
Rabi`a Graney, PhD, RN
President
International Consulting Institute for Nursing
30 Pilot Street, Suite 3 K
City Island, New York 10464 USA
rabiagraney@aol.com
Dr. Graney can assist with the mailing instructions.
Dr Ashok Sahni - Nurse Text Book Project
Professor and Hony. Executive Director
Indian Society of Health Administrators (ISHA)
Baba's Gyan Sarovar
3009, 2nd Main
17th Cross, K R Road
Banashankari IInd Stage
Bangalore - 560 070
India
Ph: 25555410, 25574297
Fax: 080 - 25574297
E-mail: ashoksah@blr.vsnl.net.in
Web site: www.ishaindia.com
Save on Dell Computers
2/03/05
ANA is pleased to announce a new benefit. ANA members and NursingWorld site visitors can now receive 5%-10% off purchases of Dell Computers. To take advantage of this valuable offer,
visit Dell's Web site.
National Nurses Week Preparations Underway
2/02/05
The time is fast approaching to recognize all that nurses do for their patients and communities. National Nurses Week is celebrated each year from May 6th – May 12th. The theme for National Nurses Week 2005 is...
Nurses: Many Roles, One Profession
ANA supports and encourages National Nurses Week celebrations through state and district nurses associations, other specialty nursing organizations, educational facilities, and independent health care companies and institutions. For more information, or to order commemorative merchandise, please visit: http://www.nursingworld.org/pressrel/nnw.
ANA Asks HHS to Include APRNs in New Check-Up Initiative
2/02/05
Noting that Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) deserve greater recognition, ANA President Barbara Blakeney joined the Center for Nursing Advocacy (an organization dedicated to protecting the image of nursing) in sending a letter to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson asking HHS to consider changing the name of the department's "Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day" campaign to one that would not exclude APRNs.
In her letter, Blakeney suggested changing the campaign slogan to "'Take a Loved One for a Health Check-Up Day' or a similar catchy phrase" as a solution. "A modest change such as this one would ensure that the campaign's name adequately reflects the fact that it includes nurses," as was indicated in the news release announcing the program, Blakeney wrote. [Read letter]
In addition, Blakeney pointed out that APRNs provide the bulk of care in underserved areas and to "the same minority populations that the campaign also targets" and that altering the campaign to include them would further serve to enhance nursing's image and perhaps even help solve the nation's ongoing nursing shortage. To send a similar letter through the Center for Nursing Advocacy, see http://www.nursingadvocacy.org/news/2004dec/07_hhs.html.
CDC Announces New Strategies to Promote Continued Influenza Vaccination
2/01/05
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that it will immediately release 3.1 million doses of flu vaccine in the government's emergency reserves to vaccine maker sanofi pasteur (i.e., formerly Aventis Pasteur) for distribution and sale to health care providers. The agency said it also will make limited amounts of flu vaccine normally reserved for low-income and Native American children under the Vaccine for Children program available to state health departments for use by others where demand for the vaccine for program-eligible children has been met. Read complete announcement at www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r050127.htm.
Press Releases
