INTERACTIVE CLINICAL PRACTICE FORUM
Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association's (HPNA's) annual Clinical Practice Forum, now in its seventh year, will be held during October 3 to 5 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. "Integration of Palliative Care Concepts: Neurological Conditions," is a mix of preconferences, certification preparation courses, poster presentations, and educational sessions and case studies presented by content expert speakers. Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association contacted the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses to collaborate on this conference. As a result of the effort, American Association of Neuroscience Nurses members Michele Grigaitis, DNP, FNP, CNRN, and Kate Spierling, MSN, RN, CRNN, are among those presenting.
Preconference opportunities begin with breakfast at 7 AM on Thursday. This year's tracks will include certification courses for registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses, a morning interactive workshop, and multiple afternoon topics. The conference formally opens with a reception Thursday evening, including the poster presentations and exhibitors.
On Friday, the president of the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association, Barbara Head, PhD, RN, CHPN, FPCN, ACSW, will deliver the keynote speech titled, "YOU Leading the Way," celebrating nurse leadership and presenting the challenge of further advancement in hospice and palliative care. Interactive, dynamic presentations will fill out the schedule, focusing on the integration of palliative care concepts with neurological conditions.
On Saturday morning, 2 in-depth case studies will be discussed. Closing remarks will follow.
Pittsburgh is one of the world's great cities, and there's no better time to visit than when the fall foliage is in full color. The conference home will be the Sheraton Station Square Hotel, which is Pittsburgh's only riverfront hotel. Adjacent to shops, restaurants, and nightclubs, and close to the downtown corporate and retail centers, the hotel is only a short walk from the Station Square Dock, where a collection of premier riverboats offers sightseeing, dining, and dancing cruises along Pittsburgh's 3 rivers. The hotel is also near the historic Monongahela Incline.
The deadline for the discounted registration rate of $299 per member and $399 per nonmember is September 3, 2013. Preconference options will be an additional charge varying by track. Group registration (of >3 individuals from the same organization) is available at a $50 discount per registrant. Registration is easy to arrange online at http://www.hpna.org (see the Announcements on the right side of the page). Contact Nancy Lynn at 412-787-9301 or mailto:[email protected] with questions. We hope to see you there.
2013 HPNA RESEARCH SCHOLARS
The HPNA is pleased to announce its 2013 Research Scholars. Caitlin Brennan, a postdoctoral fellow with the Cleveland Veterans Affairs, and James Dionne-Odom, a doctoral student at Boston College, will be attending their first Kathleen Foley Palliative Care Retreat. Jay Horton from New York University will be a "returning" HPNA Scholar. Caitlin's research focuses on measuring nursing acuity in the palliative care setting as an important prerequisite for risk adjustment in quality and safety research. James is in the data-collection phase of his dissertation, where he seeks to model the psychological processes of surrogate decision making at the end of life using cognitive task analysis. Jay will be presenting a poster at the retreat with data from his dissertation study of the association of treatment intensity and palliative care services among elderly patients with serious illness. This year's retreat will be held at the Cavallo Point Lodge in Sausalito, California, on October 22 to 24, 2013.
UPDATING OUR LOGO
Moving forward with addressing membership value the HPNA Board conducted a survey specific to our brand and image. Our chapter leaders, Fellows, Approved Educators and other identified stakeholders were invited to participate. An outcome of the survey summary discussion by the HPNA Board led to the modification of our logo with inclusion of a tag line (see below). This logo was officially released earlier this summer and is being integrated into all materials over the next few months.
NEW E-LEARNING COURSES
Our e-learning courses, which are now free to members, are expanding to include new offerings covering perinatal bereavement and inpatient palliative care units. These courses provide resources for nurses moving into these areas of expertise as well as support for experienced professionals wanting to enhance their clinical knowledge base.
Perinatal Bereavement, presented by Rana Limbo, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN, features clinically relevant information for professionals who care for families grieving the death of their baby. Topics include effective communication strategies, photographs of meaningful keepsakes, an explanation of various types of perinatal loss, and parent stories. Ideas for self-care and resources for ongoing competency development complete the presentation.
The "Inpatient Palliative Care Unit-How (and Why) Does It Work?" presented by Patrick Coyne, MSN, APRN, FAAN, and Clareen Wiencek, PhD, CNP, ACHPN, discusses the benefits and barriers to starting a palliative care unit and includes the clinical, financial, operational features and quality improvement processes that promote sustainability of acute care-based palliative care.
For access to these new courses, just log into the HPNA Web site, and select "Member Benefits." Then choose "E-learning" and find your topic. Happy learning!
HPNA ANNOUNCES 2 NEW PEDIATRIC BOOKS
Conversations in Perinatal, Neonatal & Pediatric Palliative Care and Pediatric Life-Limiting Conditions
* Edited by Kathie Kobler, MS, APN, PCNS-BC, CHPPN, Conversations in Perinatal, Neonatal & Pediatric Palliative Care includes 26 chapters written by experts in pediatric care in a question-and-answer format. Topics include the principles of pediatric palliative care, talking with children about death, perinatal/neonatal loss and grief, and starting a pediatric palliative care service.
* Edited by Verna Hendricks-Ferguson, PhD, RN, Pediatric Life-Limiting Conditions covers 12 clinical and psychosocial vital areas of pediatric palliative care also written by experts in pediatric care. Topics include brain tumors, HIV/AIDS, palliative care in the neonatal intensive care unit, and communicating with parents.
These are companion books to HPNA's other pediatric titles: Core Curriculum for Hospice and Palliative Pediatric Nurse and Just in Time Guide: A Primer for Pediatric Palliative Care in the Home.
* Edited by Gina Santucci, MSN, RN, APRN-BC, the Core Curriculum for Hospice and Palliative Pediatric Nurse addresses palliative care for the pediatric patient and his/her family, with attention to pain and symptom management, care at the time of dying, and bereavement as well as the interdisciplinary team, ethical considerations, and collaborative practice.
* Edited by Jody Chrastek, MSN, RN, CHPN, and Donna J. Eull, MBA, RN, CHPN, the Just in Time Guide: A Primer for Pediatric Palliative Care in the Home is a pocketbook with information on what children can understand at their age, making the most of your team, and what to expect on the first visit, and childhood development tables including one on children's understanding of death by age and age-appropriate symptom management tools. Just in Time Guide is intended to be used in conjunction with the book Pediatric Pain and Symptom Management Algorithms for Palliative Care by Dr Linda Wrede-Seaman, also available from HPNA.
Nurses and other interdisciplinary team members who are new to pediatric and/or palliative care and those who are experienced will find these books valuable. Sample pages can be viewed at http://www.hpna.org/SpecialtyShoppe.aspx under the specific title.
ARE YOU FULLY UTILIZING THESE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES?
In review of the services our members find most helpful to their practice, the Patient/Family Teaching Sheets have consistently been among the most utilized Web resources. Developed through the Education Advisory Team by our member volunteers, newly written resources are noted in the HPNA e-newsletter and posted on the Web site as they are released.
* HPNA Patient/Family Teaching Sheets are developed specifically for distribution to patients and their families. Currently there are 30+ HPNA Patient/Family Teaching Sheets, and most are translated into both Spanish and Mandarin Chinese.
* HPNA TIPs Sheets are developed specifically for the nursing assistant with information related to caring for hospice and palliative patients and their families. These documents provide an explanation of the topic, tips on appropriate nursing assistant interventions, and information about observations to report to the nurse.
* HPNA Quick Information Sheets provide a brief overview of a particular condition/disease process, common signs and/or symptoms, interventions for quality of life, and observations that are to be reported to the hospice/palliative team. Several current titles include "Veterans Death Benefits," "Pediatric Pearls," and "Prevention of Pressure Ulcers."
The complete listing of HPNA Patient/Family Teaching Sheets, HPNA Quick Information Sheets, and HPNA TIPs Sheets are posted under the Education/Education Resources menu on http://www.hpna.org. Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association has streamlined the online ordering process for inclusion of your organization's logo on these items. The order form is located on the Web page for each of these resources. Our goal is to retain the professional look of these resource documents as they are distributed by your staff to their patients.
DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS
Reminder: The deadline for applications for FPCN (Fellow in Palliative Care Nursing) credential is September 3, 2013. Providing this recognition is a way for HPNA to support excellence in the areas of education, management, advanced practice, and research. Applicants for recognition as a fellow should be current HPNA members with 5 years of active participation who are licensed as a registered nurse and currently engaged in leadership that advances the field of palliative nursing. Contact Karen Michael at 412-787-9301 for more information and to submit your application. Recipients will be recognized at the 2014 AAHPM/HPNA Annual Assembly in San Diego, California, and listed under the "Leadership" section of the HPNA Web site.
EXPRESSIONS FEATURES THE INSPIRATIONAL WORKS FROM HPNA MEMBERS
HPNA Expressions is very inspiring, and I feel privileged to be part of such a wonderful organization and profession.
-Quote from a current member of HPNA
Have you written a poem or story about palliative nursing and would like to share it with other HPNA members? Have you written a narrative that depicts hospice and palliative nurses? The HPNA National Office would like to hear from you!
All HPNA members have an opportunity to feature their creative works through HPNA's online journal, Expressions. In Expressions, HPNA members' creative works are posted in an electronic publication for viewing on the HPNA Web site. You can read the entire Expressions publication on the HPNA Web site at http://www.hpna.org.
If you would like your personal work featured, please send your submission to the Director of Membership, Chad Reilly, at mailto:[email protected] in the National Office. You can also mail your creative works to the HPNA National Office, One Penn Center West, Suite 229, Pittsburgh, PA 15276.
NATIONAL BOARD FOR CERTIFICATION OF HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE NURSES DECEMBER TESTING
Examination applications for the December 2013 testing window will be accepted beginning September 1, 2013. The paper application deadline is October 15, and online applications are accepted until November 15, 2013. Advanced practice registered nurses must apply using the paper application.
To apply online or download the Candidate Handbook, visit our Web site, http://www.nbchpn.org.
NEW CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION NOW AVAILABLE
The National Board for Certification of Hospice and Palliative Nurses (NBCHPN) is proud to announce that the certification examination for perinatal loss care professionals is now available. This examination is designed for professionals working in a health care role that provides care to individuals experiencing perinatal loss that covers the content in the test content outline. Successful candidates will be granted the CPLC (Certified in Perinatal Loss Care) credential and may renew their certification every 4 years.
The Candidate Handbook containing the eligibility criteria and detailed content outline of the information covered on the examination is available by visiting our Web site, http://www.nbchpn.org. Please contact the National Office at mailto:[email protected] or 412-787-1057 for more information about this examination.
NBCHPN CERTIFICATION TACKETTES
Honor your certified nursing team members with a tackette (pin). They are available for purchase for all certificants! To order, please visit our Web site at http://www.nbchpn.org and look under the "Recognition" tab, or call the National Office at 412-787-1057.
NBCHPN EMPLOYER SUPPORTER PROGRAM
The NBCHPN Employer Supporter Program was initiated in 2001. The purpose of the program is to acknowledge those employers who demonstrate sustained support for the certification of their staff.
Agencies are asked to send in a form annually, reporting on the ways they support certification. The information shared with the National Office staff during the past year revealed a wide range of support and recognition the agencies provide to registered nurses, pediatric registered nurses, licensed practical/vocational nurses, nursing assistants, advanced practice nurses, and administrators. These include financial support, formal recognition, and professional activities.
The Employer of the Year Award recipient is selected from active members of this program. The award is presented annually during the NBCHPN Certification Recognition Luncheon at the AAHPM/HPNA Annual Assembly.
Currently, there are 117 employers that have acknowledged that they support NBCHPN certification. The complete listing of agencies is available on the NBCHPN Web site, http://www.nbchpn.org under the "Employer Information" section.
If your agency is interested in becoming a member of the NBCHPN Employer Supporter Program, please contact us at mailto:[email protected] or 412-787-1057.
NBCHPN 2013 ITEM WRITER WORKSHOP
Learn more about item writing by attending the workshop "Secrets of Competency Testing: Writing Items for Hospice and Palliative Certification Exams." The NBCHPN, with expert assistance from Applied Measurement Professionals of Olathe, Kansas, offers a unique opportunity for you to make a direct contribution to developing the certification examinations. Individuals who have a strong knowledge base in hospice and palliative care are welcome. Expertise in item writing or test development is not required.
The workshop is offered as a free 3-part course; the first 2 parts must be done online; the third and last part is a live webinar. The next live webinar for part 3 is scheduled for Wednesday, October 30, from 10:30 AM to noon ET.
Upon completion of all 3 courses and the posttest and evaluation, you will receive 3.5 contact hours, or 10 points for your recertification using HPAR. Nursing assistants will receive a certificate of participation.
Full details are posted at http://www.nbchpn.org under "Resources."
ANNOUNCING NEW OPPORTUNITIES FROM HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE NURSES FOUNDATION
After deliberative review, the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation (HPNF) Board of Directors approved a measure to increase scholarship and award offerings for 2013 with unanimous vote. The HPNF Board is committed to continuing its efforts to help financially support professional development opportunities for HPNA members and NBCHPN certificants. The specific increases for 2013 include the following:
* provide $5000 Gold Sponsorship to 2013 HPNA Clinical Practice Forum (this is a new offering by HPNF!)
* increase Individual Education Doctorate/PhD award to $3000, from $500
* increase number of Individual Education Doctorate/PhD awards to 2, from 1
* increase Individual Education Masters award to $2000, from $500
* increase number of Individual Education Masters awards to 2, from 1
* increase Individual Education Bachelors award to $1500, from $500
* increase Individual Education Associates award to $750, from $500
* increase number of HPNA-Conference Scholarships to attend 2014 AAHPM/HPNA Annual Assembly to 10, from 5
The work each of you does is profound, and HPNF wants to provide resources to assist you. The foundation is committed to providing you, the HPNA member and NBCHPN certificant, with scholarships for education, conferences, and certification along with nursing research grants and leadership awards. Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation is dedicated to raising funds toward this end and depends on the generous spirit of JHPN readers. We are reaching out to you and asking that you consider making a donation to the HPNF 2013 Annual Fund Drive so that we may continue our support of your professional development. Please visit http://www.hpnf.org/DONATE NOW, or call 412-787-9301, and we will personally assist you.
Congratulations to the awardees of the first round of 2013 HPNF scholarships, grants, and awards! Awardees are listed at http://www.hpnf.org. The recipients of the 2013 Chapter Education Grants were presented at the HPNA Leadership Weekend at Saturday's dinner on July 20th. The purpose of these grants is to support the education and membership expansion projects of the selected chartered chapters. Also announced at the dinner were the Star Chapter Awards, given to all of the many chartered chapters and provisional groups who supported HPNF through donations during the past year. You can find all Chapter Grant and Star Chapter Award recipients recognized on the HPNF home page, http://www.hpnf.org.
Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation is looking forward to seeing many of you at the HPNA Clinical Practice Forum, October 3 to 5, 2013. Foundation staff will be available to provide information about its scholarship, grant, and award opportunities as well as about its fund raising and giving circles. The 2013 A Key 2 Your Heart cases will be available for purchase, as long as inventory lasts. These is always a favorite keepsake!
Leading Through Giving!
~ Please remember HPNF in your will and estate planning. ~