United Against the Flu is a collaborative effort by several national health care organizations and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to amplify the importance of getting vaccinated, especially this flu season.

Did you know that approximately 380,000 Americans were hospitalized due to the flu in 2012, and more than 30 million were affected by flu-related illnesses, according to the CDC? In addition to symptoms including sore throat, aches and fever, the flu can lead to serious health complications such as pneumonia.

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The Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA), representing more than 218,000 registered nurses in the Commonwealth, will be hosting a winter coat drive through January 16, 2015. Spearheaded by PSNA’s Young Nurse Professionals group, the coat drive will help to ensure that no one goes without a warm coat this winter. Donations will be delivered by the Young Nurse Professionals group to the Caring Cupboard, Palmyra at the end of January.

PSNA will be collecting new or clean, like-new items including coats, scarves, hats and gloves. Donations can be sent or delivered to PSNA headquarters at: 3605 Vartan Way, Suite 204, Harrisburg, PA 17110.

“It is our goal to provide warm coats to community members who are in need. Optimum health cannot be achieved when basic needs are not met — such as weather appropriate clothing,” stated PSNA’s Young Nurse Professionals Chair Lisa Hostetter, BSN, RN-BC. “Additionally, nurses are role models. Our charitable presence can encourage and engage the participation of fellow community members.”

“PSNA is proud to support this important initiative led by our new-to-practice RNs,” stated PSNA CEO Betsy M. Snook, MEd, RN, BSN. “It is the group’s mission to be active in their community and this is a valuable project that all of our nurse colleagues can support.”

PSNA is pleased to announce the unveiling of our Young Nurse Professionals group. Young professionals have a clear vision of their ideal work setting, community and future. As you know, they also have a heavy work schedule, leaving them just a few hours of free time. This group is a simple, fun solution to using their time to advance their careers! With the Young Nurse Professionals, they can build a community of peers, discuss career-related concerns, provide insight into the needs of new RNs and make their community a better place to live.

Now we need your help as we work to build a team of new nurse colleagues. Are you — or do you know — a young RN that:

• Feels passionate about active volunteerism?
• Understands the importance of career networking?
• Desires to expand their professional horizons?

Interested RNs can contact PSNA headquarters at communications@psna.org. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Event Line Up

Warm Coat Drive — Learn more here.

The Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA), representing more than 218,000 registered nurses in the Commonwealth, will be hosting a winter coat drive through January 16, 2015. Spearheaded by PSNA’s Young Nurse Professionals group, the coat drive will help to ensure that no one goes without a warm coat this winter. Donations will be delivered by the Young Nurse Professionals group to the Caring Cupboard, Palmyra at the end of January.

PSNA will be collecting new or clean, like-new items including coats, scarves, hats and gloves. Donations can be sent or delivered to PSNA headquarters at: 3605 Vartan Way, Suite 204, Harrisburg, PA 17110.

“It is our goal to provide warm coats to community members who are in need. Optimum health cannot be achieved when basic needs are not met — such as weather appropriate clothing,” stated PSNA’s Young Nurse Professionals Chair Lisa Hostetter, BSN, RN-BC. “Additionally, nurses are role models. Our charitable presence can encourage and engage the participation of fellow community members.”

“PSNA is proud to support this important initiative led by our new-to-practice RNs,” stated PSNA CEO Betsy M. Snook, MEd, RN, BSN. “It is the group’s mission to be active in their community and this is a valuable project that all of our nurse colleagues can support.”

PSNA members are encouraged to attend the Annual Business Meeting on December 5, 2014. The meeting will be held from 10 – 11 am at the Giant Community Center, 2300 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, 17110.

The Nursing Foundation of Pennsylvania (NFP) has joined #GivingTuesday, a first of its kind effort that will harness the collective power of a unique blend of partners — charities, families, businesses and individuals — to transform how people think about, talk about and participate in the giving season. Coinciding with the Thanksgiving Holiday and the kickoff of the holiday shopping season, #GivingTuesday will inspire people to take collaborative action to improve their local communities, give back in better, smarter ways to the charities and causes they support and help create a better world.

Taking place December 2, 2014 — the Tuesday after Thanksgiving — #GivingTuesday will harness the power of social media to create a national moment around the holidays dedicated to giving, similar to how Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become days that are, today, synonymous with holiday shopping.

“We believe in the future of the nursing profession,” stated NFP President Elizabeth Walls, MBA, MSN, RN. “The NFP’s mission is to ensure nurses for tomorrow through grants and scholarships for study and research. These scholarships are the result of the dollars that have been gifted to the NFP. To continue the good work of the Foundation, we rely on donations such as these. #GivingTuesday is a valuable opportunity for friends of the nursing profession to take a moment during the holiday season and sponsor the future of nursing.”

Seeing an opportunity to channel the generous spirit of the holiday season to inspire action around charitable giving, a group of friends and partners, led by the 92nd Street Y (92Y), came together to find ways to promote and celebrate the great American tradition of giving. Thought leaders in philanthropy, social media and grassroots organizing joined with 92Y to explore what is working in modern philanthropy and how to expand these innovations throughout the philanthropic sector. The concept gained steam, and with the help of the United Nations Foundation and other founding partners, more than 10,000 organizations have joined the movement and are providing creative ways people can embrace #GivingTuesday and collaborate in their giving efforts to create more meaningful results.

“It’s been a privilege to work with remarkable leaders all over the country building a movement around #GivingTuesday,” said Henry Timms, 92Y’s Executive Director. “This initiative has truly been crowdsourced by some of the smartest and most connected minds among the next generation of philanthropists and entrepreneurs.”

“#GivingTuesday is a counter narrative to Black Friday and Cyber Monday because it reminds us that the spirit of the holiday giving season should be about community and not just consumerism,” said Kathy Calvin, CEO of the UN Foundation. “The most meaningful gift we can give our children, loved ones, friends and neighbors is the commitment to work together to help build a better world.”

Those who are interested in joining the NFP’s #GivingTuesday initiative can visit www.thenfp.org/ donate. For more details about the #GivingTuesday movement, visit the #GivingTuesday website (www.givingtuesday.org), Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/GivingTuesday) or follow #GivingTuesday (https://twitter.com/GivingTues) and the #GivingTuesday hashtag on Twitter.

The NFP ensures nurses for tomorrow. The official registration and financial information of the NFP may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free within Pennsylvania, 800-732-0999.  Registration does not imply endorsement. www.thenfp.org

The Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA) is the non-profit voice for nurses in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Representing more than 218,000 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).

#GivingTuesday is a movement to celebrate and provide incentives to give. It will culminate with a global day of giving on December 2, 2014. This effort harnesses the collective power of a unique blend of partners — charities, families, businesses and individuals — to transform how people think about, talk about and participate in the giving season. #GivingTuesday will inspire people to take collaborative action to improve their local communities, give back in better, smarter ways to the charities and causes they celebrate and help create a better world. #GivingTuesday will harness the power of social media to create a global moment that is dedicated to giving around the world. www.givingtuesday.org

On November 13, 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a travel alert (Level 2) for Mali following reports of a cluster of Ebola cases in Bamako, Mali, that were linked to a man who had become sick in Guinea and traveled to Bamako, Mali. CDC is working with the government of Mali, the World Health Organization (WHO), and other partners to control further spread of Ebola in Mali. In addition, CDC is working with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to expand enhanced entry screening at U.S. airports and post-arrival monitoring of people whose travel originates in Mali.

The purpose of this HAN Advisory is to inform public health officials and the public of the following additional precautions taken to reduce the risk of Ebola cases entering the United States from Mali:

• Effective Monday, November 17, people arriving into the United States whose travel began in Mali are subject to the same enhanced entry screening activities, including health and Ebola exposure assessments that are already in place for travelers from Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
• All travelers entering the United States from Mali are subject to the 21-day active post-arrival monitoring and movement protocols now in effect for travelers from Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, with twice-daily temperature and symptom checks in coordination with state or local public health authorities.

Background: CDC is working closely with other U.S. government agencies, WHO, ministries of health, and other international partners in a global emergency response to the current epidemic of Ebola in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. Beginning in October 2014, a series of actions were taken to reduce the risk of air travelers with Ebola entering the United States undetected, particularly if they are symptomatic. Almost all travelers from Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone to the United States are now routed though one of five airports (New York JFK, Newark, Washington-Dulles, Chicago-O’Hare, and Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson) where enhanced entry screening is conducted by DHS and CDC. All travelers are evaluated according to their risk level of exposure to Ebola while they had been in Guinea, Liberia, or Sierra Leone. Travelers also undergo active post-arrival monitoring, which means that those without fever or symptoms consistent with Ebola (e.g., muscle pain, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting), and who are not considered as high risk and allowed to travel to their final destination are followed up daily by state and local health departments for a period lasting 21 days from the date of their departure from West Africa. People who are symptomatic are isolated and medically evaluated. CDC is providing assistance with active post-arrival monitoring to state and local health departments, including information on travelers arriving in their states, and upon request, is providing technical support, consultation, and funding.

Since November 10, CDC has been working with WHO and other partners in response to reports of a cluster of Ebola cases in Bamako, Mali. The cluster of cases in Bamako is linked to a man who had traveled to Bamako after becoming sick in Guinea. Public health authorities in Mali and Guinea are actively investigating a number of confirmed cases of Ebola in Mali in recent days. CDC has deployed a team of experts to Mali to assist in the investigation and control efforts. On November 13, CDC released a travel alert (Warning, Level 2) recommending that travelers to Mali protect themselves by avoiding contact with the blood and body fluids of people who are sick because of the possibility such persons may be sick with Ebola.

As a further precaution, CDC and the DHS have added Mali to the list of nations (i.e., Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone) for which enhanced screening and active post-arrival monitoring measures will be taken.

Precautionary Measures Implemented: Effective Monday, November 17, people arriving in the United States whose travel began in Mali are subject to the same enhanced entry screening activities, including health and Ebola exposure assessments, which are already in place for travelers from Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.

In addition, all travelers entering the United States from Mali are subject to the 21-day active post-arrival monitoring and movement protocols now in effect for travelers from Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, with twice-daily temperature and symptom checks in coordination with state or local public health authorities.

DHS will work with the airlines to ensure re-routing for the few travelers from Mali not already scheduled to land at one of the five airports in the United States (New York JFK, Newark, Washington-Dulles, Chicago-O’Hare, and Atlanta Jackson-Hartsfield) that are already performing screening on passengers from Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.

For More Information: For additional information about the Ebola epidemic in West Africa, visit CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protects people’s health and safety by preventing and controlling diseases and injuries; enhances health decisions by providing credible information on critical health issues; and promotes healthy living through strong partnerships with local, national, and international organizations.

ANA calls for stronger collaboration between RNs and their employers to reduce the risks of nurse fatigue for patients and nurses associated with shift work and long hours, and emphasizes strengthening a culture of safety in the work environment in a new position statement.

The new law regarding mandatory continuing education of child abuse for health care licensee reporters in Pennsylvania will take effect in 2015. The Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA) has created resources for registered nurses in the Commonwealth. The PSNA Department of Government Affairs and the PSNA Department of Professional Development have partnered to create education for   licensed nurses as well as nursing students preparing to graduate. This education is currently under review for approval by the State Department but should be released by January 2015 when the new law takes effect. To learn more, contact PSNA Director of Professional Development Dr. Aislynn Moyer at amoyer@psna.org.

Since 2011, the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA), representing more than 218,000 registered nurses (RNs) in the Commonwealth, has had the pleasure of spearheading the Pennsylvania Action Coalition. After four years of focused work to create comprehensive health care change, the Coalition has grown into a successful network of professional colleagues. To maintain the Coalition’s evolving initiatives, PSNA announces that effective January 1, 2015, the oversight and management of the PSNA co-lead position will be assigned to the National Nursing Centers Consortium (NNCC), Philadelphia.

“PSNA is honored to have played a lead role in the movement to maximize the contributions of the nurses who deliver health care in our state and nation. We look forward to seeing this campaign continue to thrive with the leadership of the NNCC,” stated PSNA Chief Executive Officer Betsy M. Snook, MEd, BSN, RN. “After a successful year with 14 pieces of legislation having passed the General Assembly, PSNA will continue to advocate on behalf of all nurses in the Commonwealth. In September 2014, we launched the Pennsylvania Young Nurse Professionals, a group that encourages new RNs to build a community of peers and discuss career-related concerns. In addition, PSNA will continue to lead the discussion on medical cannabis, an issue that is at the forefront in our Commonwealth. As always, we are committed to our patients, the public and to collaborating with other health professionals to promote efforts determined to meet health needs and to shape health policy.”

PSNA was selected as the Coalition co-lead by the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action, coordinated through the Center to Champion Nursing in America (CCNA), an initiative of AARP, the AARP Foundation and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). With the leadership of PSNA, the Coalition has garnered support from organizations including Geisinger Health System, AARP, Capital BlueCross and the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing. Statewide meetings were held to discuss health care reform and health care goals based on the Institute of Medicine’s 2010 recommendations. PSNA also spearheaded the development of collaborative work groups to support the multi-faceted work of the Coalition, such as the PA Coalition for the Advancement of Nursing Education, PA Congress of Nursing, Alliance for Advanced Practice Nurses and multiple governmental agencies. Likewise, nine regional action coalitions (RACs) were created across the State to ensure that the recommendations translate into actions that result in improved patient-centered care. With PSNA’s guidance, these RACs have succeeded in getting more RNs into leadership positions at the state level. Additionally, PSNA and the Coalition were focused on: increasing the number of nurses with a bachelor of science through seamless articulation models; increasing the diversity of the nursing workforce through the work of the nursing diversity council; and developing nurse residency programs throughout the Commonwealth.