PSNA seeks a part-time director of professional development. The successful candidate will hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in nursing, a master’s degree and at least three years of CE experience. We prefer experience with online education, program development and project management. Occasional travel required. The main office is located in Harrisburg, PA. Send resume and names of three references to Karen Reinert at kreinert@psna.org. Salary commensurate with experience and skill level. PSNA is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.

The President, Board of Directors and Staff of the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association wish you a bright and delightful holiday season! We look forward to serving nurses in 2014! Click here to see our digital year-in-review.

The Nominating Committee of the ANCC Board of Directors currently seeks nominations for appointments to the Commission on Accreditation, Commission on Magnet Recognition, and Commission on Pathway to Excellence, which serve as the governing bodies for their respective ANCC programs. Appointments will be made by the ANCC Board of Directors in April for terms of office to begin July 1, 2014 and end June 30, 2018.

The submission deadline of the completed nomination packets is Friday, February 28, 2014.  Notifications will be mailed to nominees by May 2, 2014. Note: Interested applicants may apply to more than one commission if qualified for the listed vacancy. Selections will be to only one commission.

Complete information regarding the available positions on each commission and the nomination instructions are located at:  http://www.nursecredentialing.org/CallforCommissioners .

Please note: Registered nurses who are appointed to the Commission must be full members of ANA throughout their tenure. Full membership is ANA & State membership or ANA Only membership. See this link for a description of ANA membership categories. http://www.nursingworld.org/joinana.aspx

Commission on Accreditation (COA)

1. Is seeking an individual from one of the following groups: ANA constituent members, nursing specialty organizations, colleges and universities, healthcare facilities, federal nursing services, professional education organizations and maintains a foreign residence or has international experience.
2. Questions regarding the duties as a member of the Commission on Accreditation may be directed to: Kathy Chappell, MSN, RN, Director, Accreditation Program at Kathy.Chappell@ana.org  or call 1-301-628-5231; toll-free 1.800.284.2378, select Option 4 and ask for extension 5231.

Commission on Magnet Recognition (COM)

1. Is seeking one 1 registered nurse who is currently a nurse executive with current or previous experience at a Magnet^®-recognized facility.
2. Is seeking 1 registered nurse serving in an advanced practice role within an organized nursing service.
3. Questions regarding the duties as a member of the Commission on Magnet may be directed to: Christina Dobson, Assistant Director, Magnet Program Development at Christina.Dobson@ana.org or call 1-301-628-5258; toll-free 1.800.284.2378, select Option 4 and ask for extension 5258.

Commission on Pathway to Excellence (COPE)

1. Is seeking one 1 registered nurse serving in the long-term care practice environment
2. Questions regarding the duties as member of the Commission on Pathway to Excellence may be directed to: LaVerne Smalls, Pathway Program Specialist at LaVerne.Smalls@ana.org, or call 301-628-5219; toll-free 1-800-284-2378, select Option 4 and ask for extension 5219.

The public continues to rate nurses as the most trusted profession, according to this year’s Gallup survey that ranks professions based on their honesty and ethical standards.

“Nurses are on the front lines of health care. We advocate on patients’ behalf whether we are at the bedside or in the boardroom,” said American Nurses Association President Karen A. Daley, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Patients understand that nurses are committed to improving the quality of their care, and this poll reflects the high regard they have for the profession.”

Registered nurses are increasingly being recognized as leaders in transforming the health care system to meet the burgeoning demand for prevention, wellness and primary care services with a focus on improving quality and managing costs. In addition to their clinical expertise, they are being sought out to serve in a variety of new roles, such a care coordinators and wellness coaches, and in leadership roles.

As millions of Americans are able to access health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act, ANA and its constituent and state nurses associations will continue to advocate for measures that will allow the public to benefit fully from nurses’ skill and expertise.

For the past 12 years, the public has voted nurses as the most ethical and honest profession in America in Gallup’s annual survey. This year, 82 percent of Americans rated nurses’ honesty and ethical standards as “very high” or “high,” a full 12 percentage points above any other profession.

Nurses consistently capture patient and public trust by performing in accordance with the Code of Ethics for Nurses that supports the best interests of patients, families and communities.

December 9th is a National Day of Action on Safer Chemicals. What if we told you that just 60 seconds of your time could have a big impact? Thousands of people from across the country are calling Congress to ask for STRONG laws on toxic chemicals. We need you to call too. Please call your Senators today. Click here for contact information.

A sample message:

“Hi my name is _______ and I am a nurse. I am very concerned about toxic chemicals in consumer products, the places we live and work and their impact on the health of my patients, family, and community. I’m calling Senator ___________ to ask him/her to make sure that reform of our toxic chemical laws is REAL. The bill before the Senate, the Chemical Safety Improvement Act – as drafted – does not have my support. Reform must be real and protect pregnant women, children and hot spot communities. I urge Senator _____ to stand up for REAL reform of our toxic chemical laws.”

Phone calls are very important way for your Senators to know how you feel. In short: Your calls work. Let your Senators know that in order to win your support for reform, it must meet the recommendations of the mainstream medical community.

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced $55.5 million in funding awarded in FY 2013 to strengthen training for health professionals and increase the size of the nation’s health care workforce.

“These grants and the many training programs they support have a real impact by helping to create innovative care delivery models and improving access to high-quality care,” Secretary Sebelius said.

More than 270 grants will address health workforce needs in nursing, public health, behavioral health, health workforce development, and dentistry.  The grants are managed by HHS’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

A majority of the funding, $45.4 million, will support nursing workforce development in the following areas:

• Increasing the number of nurse faculty ($22.1 million) — provides low-interest loans to nurses to train to become faculty and loan cancellation for service as faculty.
• Improving nursing diversity ($5.2 million) — expands educational opportunities for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, including racial and ethnic minorities who are underrepresented among registered nurses.
• Increasing nurse anesthetist traineeships ($2.2 million) — supports nurse anesthetist programs to provide traineeships to licensed registered nurses enrolled as full-time students in a master’s or doctoral nurse anesthesia program.
• Promoting interprofessional collaborative practice ($6.7 million) — brings together interprofessional teams of nurses and other health professionals to develop and implement innovative practice models for providing care.
• Supporting advanced nursing education ($9.2 million) — funds advanced nursing programs that support registered nurses in becoming nurse practitioners, nurse midwives and other practice nurses.

Funding also supports training of doctoral-level psychologists to address the behavioral health needs of vulnerable and underserved populations ($2.4 million);  accredited residency programs in preventive medicine and public health ($3 million); and four health workforce research centers ($1.4 million) to improve understanding of both local and national health workforce needs.

An additional $3.1 million will help state designated dental health professional shortage areas develop and implement innovative programs to address dental workforce needs. States must match at least 40 percent of the grant funding or provide equivalent support.

“These grants cover a wide spectrum of health workforce needs,” said HRSA Administrator Mary K. Wakefield, Ph.D., R.N.  “From diversity to dentistry – all are critical to achieving a skilled workforce now and in the future.”

For a list of grant awards, go to www.hrsa.gov/about/news/2013tables/healthprofessions.  More information on HRSA’s activities to strengthen the nation’s health professions workforce  is available at HRSA Health Professions Programs.

The ANA Nominations and Elections Committee is seeking nominees for a slate of candidates to be presented to the ANA Membership Assembly at its June 13-14, 2014 meeting at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC. The following positions will be elected in 2014:

ANA Board of Directors

• Officers

• President (2.5 year term: June 14, 2014 – December 31, 2016)
• Vice President (1.5 year term: June 14, 2014 – December 31, 2015)
• Secretary (2.5 year term: June 14, 2014 – December 31, 2016)
• Treasurer (1.5 year term: June 14, 2014 – December 31, 2015)

• Director-at-Large Position

• One (1) Director-at-Large, Recent Graduate (1.5 year term: June 14, 2014 – December 31, 2015)

Nominations and Elections Committee 

• Three (3) member positions (2.5 year term: June 14, 2014 – December 31, 2016)

ANA places high priority on diversity and seeks to encourage/foster increased involvement of minorities and staff nurses at the national level.

Nominations for the initial slate must be submitted to leader@ana.org by 5:00pm Eastern Time on Friday, February 7, 2014. If insufficient nominations are received, a second Call for Nominations will be conducted. Nominations will also be accepted from the floor of the Membership Assembly.

Preparation of Nomination Materials

1. READ the roles and responsibilities for your position of choice to ensure that they match your interests, experience, and qualifications.
2. ENGAGE in a voluntary self-reflection of your leadership and governance competencies  if you are interested in seeking election to the ANA Board of Directors to a) determine the degree to which you possess the competencies that have been deemed important to serve successfully and effectively and b) identify competency areas that you may wish to develop more fully before seeking election to the ANA Board of Directors.
3. SELECT a Campaign Manager and an Election Observer and provide their contact information where requested in the nomination packet.
4. COMPLETE AND SIGN required nomination materials in the nomination packet. Electronic signatures will be accepted or the nominee may fax the signature page to 301-628-5343; attention Christopher Etienne.

Nominees for the ANA Board of Directors must also submit the following additional documents, which are included in the nomination packet.

• Conflict of Interest Statement
• Financial Interest Disclosure Form
  • Committee Preference

• SUBMIT the completed nomination packet to leader@ana.org  by 5:00pm Eastern Time on Friday, February 7, 2014. Please note:

• Forms that are incomplete, handwritten, faxed, or submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.
• All materials must be submitted in a single packet with the exception of the faxed signature page.
• Biographical information will be posted in the campaign area for qualified candidates who are nominated from the floor of Membership Assembly during the nomination period.

• REVIEW the ANA Election Manual.

MAKE NOTE of the 2014 meeting dates should you be elected to serve on ANA’s Board of Directors. All meetings will be held at the ANA Headquarters, unless otherwise noted.

June 25                              BOD Conference Call – alternate/emergency (2:00pm – 5:00pm)

July 14 – 18                       New ANA President Orientation (tentative dates)

July 23 – 24                       BOD Face-to-Face Orientation – Part One (full day)

July 25                               BOD Face-to-Face Meeting (9:00am – 1:00pm)

August 4 – 6                      New ANA President Orientation (if needed)

Sept 10                              BOD Orientation Conference Call – Part Two (noon – 2:00pm)

Sept 10                              BOD Executive Committee Conference Call (2:15pm – 5:00pm)

Sept 24                              BOD Conference Call – alternate/emergency (2:00pm – 5:00pm)

Oct 22                               BOD Conference Call – alternate/emergency (2:00pm – 5:00pm)

November 11                    BOD Face-to-Face Committee Meetings (11:00am – 5:00pm)

November 12                    BOD Face-to-Face Meeting (9:00am – noon)

November 12                    BOD Orientation Face-to-Face – Part Three (1:15pm – 3:00pm)

November 12                    BOD Face-to-Face Meeting (3:15pm – 5:30pm)

December 10                      BOD Conference Call – Budget focused (2:00pm – 5:00pm)

If you have any questions regarding the elections, please send an email to leader@ana.org.

Thank you.

Maureen Thompson, MA CAE

Director, Leadership Services

American Nurses Association

Maureen.thompson@ana.org

301-628-5041

Nurses across the State have expressed concerns about unsafe staffing levels and overtime. PSNA currently has Safe Staffing legislation, HB 1631, to address the issues of staffing within individual organizations using nurse-led staffing committees. Learn more about Safe Staffing here or call us to discuss this legislation.

The PSNA Legislative Day will be held on Monday, March 31, 2014. Plan to join us in Harrisburg! Registration will open in January.

ANA’s Home Health Nursing Scope and Standards Revision Workgroup seeks public comment on the draft document Home Health Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice available at this link. Please focus your review on the content and clarity of this professional document. Download draft document (also located at the link) and submit your comments and recommendations via the online form by 5:00 pm ET on Dec. 11. Contributions from RNs, APRNs, nursing students, patients, families, caregivers and other stakeholders are most welcome so please share this announcement with others. For technical questions, please contact npp@ana.org. ANA appreciates your time and review of this important document.