This is a night to celebrate! We’ve saved your seat at our 110-Year Anniversary Celebration. For over a century, nurses have built an unblemished reputation that’s earned us the trust of the colleagues we serve alongside. We are the mortar that holds together a standard of care that’s second to none. In these 110 years, we’ve won and maintained the confidence of the people we serve. The evening will begin with a cocktail reception followed by our guest speaker, Gloria Donnelly, PhD, RN, FAAN, Dean and Professor of Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions. After a seated dinner, we will honor our 2013 award recipients and the Nursing Foundation of Pennsylvania’s 2013 scholarship recipients.
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The Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA), representing more than 212,000 registered nurses in Pennsylvania, thanks Governor Corbett for bringing nurses to the table as he unveils his HealthyPA initiative. This initiative focuses on providing quality, accessible and affordable health care to the residents of Pennsylvania.

In May 2013, PSNA was a driving force in the passage of SB 5, Community-Based Health Care Programs, paving the way for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to receive grant funding to provide greater access to health care services for underserved citizens. We continue to collaborate with other health care organizations to promote APRNs practicing to the full extent of their education. Through the Pennsylvania Action Coalition, PSNA works to meet the Institute of Medicine’s recommendations set forth by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the AARP to develop and implement long-term sustainable solutions to the health care challenges where nurses are essential partners in providing intraprofessional care. In addition, PSNA advocates for safe staffing legislation (HB 1631), which will focus on patient safety and quality of care. 

“As the HealthyPA Initiative unfolds,” states PSNA CEO Betsy M. Snook, MEd, BSN, RN, “PSNA is committed to supporting provider-neutral language and the inclusion of all registered nurses at decision-making tables. PSNA has long championed that the full contributions of nurses and nursing are essential to the delivery of high-quality, patient-focused care. We thank the Governor for recognizing the value of registered nurses in transforming health care in the Commonwealth.”

It is with great sadness to hear of the passing of Representative Dick Hess. Rep. Hess was the epitome of a public servant.  The citizens of the 78^th Legislative District elected Rep. Hess to the State House in 1987. He served 26 years total. Rep. Hess introduced Lyme Disease Prevention legislation, was a co-sponsor of Safe Nurse Staffing and was chairman of the Transportation Committee. His voice on issues impacting the Commonwealth will be sorely missed. Please keep Rep. Hess’s family, friends, staff and colleagues in your thoughts and prayers.

PSNA has now posted its Position Statement titled “Patients’ Safe Access to Therapeutic Marijuana.” History has documented the use of marijuana (cannabis) in medical settings since 28^th century BCE China, and it was first introduced to the Western world in the early 19^th century (Johnson, 2013).  It was quickly adopted by health care professionals to treat various problems such as nausea, chronic pain and psychological disorders, and it was widely accepted in the United States until the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 (Johnson, 2013).  Since that time, it has undergone a complicated past of federal regulation regarding its use recreationally and medicinally. PSNA members can access the Statement here.

PSNA’s 2013 Elections are now open. PSNA members will receive an e-mail with voting instructions. To view a list of candidates, click here.

The Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA), representing more than 211,000 registered nurses in Pennsylvania, and the PSNA Environmental Health Committee will hold a Summit titled “Sustaining a Healthy Future: Ecocentric Nursing in a Local and Global Environment.” This premiere event will be held at The Desmond Hotel & Conference Center, Malvern on October 18, 2013. This conference focuses on utilizing research and evidence to support changes in our health care delivery system, including programs developed to promote sustainability and health in our local and global environments.

We welcome our keynote speaker, Vital Smarts Master Trainer in Crucial Conversations David Nelson. His session, “Creating Lasting Change in the World Around You: Be an Influencer,” assists professional nurses in recognizing factors contributing to human behavior. This session will arm attendees with tools to create lasting change within their organizations.

This year’s Summit features a series of continuing education sessions on issues ranging from contaminants in our waterways, how to create a sustainable environment, green teams, and lessons in communicating environmental risk. Attendees can earn up to 6.0 contact hours from the Summit with additional contact hours awarded for the practice showcase.

Online registration is now open with pricing available for PSNA members, non-members and nursing students.  Visit www.panurses.org/fallsummit2013 for a schedule of events, session details and to register.

The Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA) is the non-profit voice for nurses in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Representing more than 211,000 nurses, the Association works to be essential in advancing, promoting and supporting the profession of nursing to improve health for all in the Commonwealth. PSNA is a constituent member of the American Nurses Association (www.psna.org).

Register today for the Fall  meeting of the Pennsylvania Nursing Congress on Practice, Education and Policy to be held at Central Penn College. What role will nurses play in our ever-changing health care system? The Nursing Congress can only begin to answer this question with the help of your expertise. On September 25, we will begin the journey of infusing change into our health care system. The Nursing Congress, made up of PSNA, organizational affiliate members and guests, will hear from The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid on changes impacting patients and nurses, and collaborate on advocacy efforts related to the nursing profession. Be a part of this exciting time in health care by reserving your seat today.

Representative Mauree Gingrich (R-101) has introduced non-ratio safe staffing legislation, House Bill 1631. Watch our video update for details on this important bill. 

On Tuesday, August 13, 2013 Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett will hold a ceremonial bill signing for SB 5, Community-Based Health Care Clinics, at 2 pm at the Crozer Keystone Health System, Clark Center Lobby.  SB 5, sponsored by Senator Ted Erickson (R-26), provides for the establishment of the Community-Based Health Care Program within the Department of Health, paving the way for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) – certified registered nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists and certified registered nurse anesthetists – to receive grant funding to provide greater access to health care services. These bills were passed in the House by a vote of 195-0 and the Senate by a vote of 49-0.  Governor Corbett signed the bill into law on May 21, 2013 (Act 10 of 2013).

The Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA), representing more than 211,000 registered nurses in Pennsylvania, supported SB 5 and the inclusion of APRNs within the legislation. APRNs open, manage and maintain clinics across the Commonwealth. In today’s changing health care environment, APRNs deliver high-quality and cost-effective primary care, and reduce overall health care costs by expanding and improving access to the underserved and uninsured. PSNA has been invited to stand with the Governor during the ceremonial bill signing.

“PSNA thanks Governor Corbett and the General Assembly for working to improve health care access and services for Pennsylvanians,” stated PSNA Chief Executive Officer Betsy M. Snook, MEd, BSN, RN. “We are proud to stand alongside the Governor during these transformative times in health care.” 

The Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Health Planning announces the release of Community-Based Health Program RFA 67-26. Applications and Information can be found here. Applications Due:  Wednesday, September 4, 2013. Instructions: Go to the website.  (www.emarketplace.state.pa.us)  Click the box named “Solicitations”.  In the box named “Solicitations#” type 67-26.  Click “Search”.  Scroll down to bottom of page click “67-26”.  Scroll down to bottom of page and click on RFA 67-26.pdf to download the RFA. Be sure to download the Budget Template and save it to your computer by clicking on Appendix C – Budget (Matching Funds) RFA 67-26.xlxs .

Community-Based Health Care Program funds grantees to expand and improve health care access and service, reduce unnecessary utilization of hospital emergency room services and encourage collaborative relationships among community-based health care clinics, hospitals and other health care providers.

Eligible applicants may apply for:

Category 1 Funding:

The development of a new community-based health care clinic.

Category 2 Funding:

The expansion of primary health services at an existing community-based health care clinic.

Category 3 Funding

The addition or expansion of prenatal, obstetric, postpartum or newborn care services at an existing community-based health care clinic.

Category 4 Funding

The development of alternative health care delivery systems at an existing community-based health care clinic which improve services and access to reduce hospital emergency room utilization equivalent.

Category 5 Funding

The implementation of collaborative relationships to enhance transitions of care for patients to ensure timely follow up for health care clinic patients seen in or admitted to the hospital and to develop referral mechanisms to establish a health clinic medical home for patients seen in the hospital and specialty clinics.