LAS VEGAS, BABY!!
NANN's annual educational conference "Embracing the Power of Change: Advancing, Leading, and Learning" will be held on September 19 to 22 in exciting Las Vegas. This nationally renowned conference will feature
* an opening keynote address by John Nance, pilot, safety expert, and author of Why HospitalsShould Fly;
* an in-depth symposium on the "Golden Hour" by Robin Bissinger, PhD, RN, NNP-BC, highlighting important nursing interventions for the critical first hour of life;
* sessions on core content for certification;
* a stimulating lineup of sessions in RN, management, advanced practice, and review tracks;
* preconference workshops on NICU certification review, the S.T.A.B.L.E. Cardiac Module, palliative care, pharmacology, and the late preterm infant;
* a procedural skills laboratory (back by popular demand)-a hands-on learning experience for advanced practice nurses, to include umbilical arterial catheter insertion, chest tube placement, and lumbar puncture;
* the Faces of Neonatal Nursing Photo Contest; and
* a closing keynote address by Rick Kirschner-"Bringing Out the Best in People (Even at Their Worst)."
Also, Vegas offers something for every taste. Get ready for fun!! For more information, visit http://www.nann.org.
GREAT NEW PRODUCTS FROM NANN
Transport Guideline
Rapid advances in neonatal care, technologies, and regionalization of neonatal services have improved care and outcomes for at-risk newborns. Access to tertiary care is available, made possible through the efforts of neonatal transport teams that facilitate interhospital transfer of critically ill newborns. Neonatal transport medicine has evolved in recent decades, and neonatal transport teams need up-to-date information on evidence-based clinical care practices and ways to ensure patient safety throughout the transport process.
Research from related areas and best practices established by experts in the field of neonatal transport were used to create a new guideline, Neonatal Nursing Transport Standards: Guideline for Practice, being released by NANN in 2010. This is a must-have resource for all nurses involved in neonatal transport. For information on how to get your copy of this vital new publication from NANN, visit our Web site at http://www.nann.org.
Other Valuable Resources Coming From NANN in 2010
* RNC (registered nurse, certified) review course-An Internet-based, modular, comprehensive review course.
* Understanding Clinical Research: A Guide for the New Researcher-An introductory guide to reviewing, evaluating, and conducting research that includes material on literature evaluation and a continuing education component.
* Competencies and Orientation Tool Kit for Neonatal Nurse Practitioners-A valuable tool kit that will help neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs) to assess their practice and identify their own learning needs and will help preceptors and staff educators both to determine the learning needs of NNP students and new NNPs and to evaluate the continued competence of experienced NNPs.
* Resource Guide for Cardiac Care in the NICU and accompanying quick reference guide-A handy resource that includes common medications, dosages, and tips on bedside care.
Visit http://www.nann.org for product-ordering information.
HEALTH POLICY AND ADVOCACY
The Health Policy and Advocacy Committee of NANN and NANNP has been extremely busy during the 111th US Congress. Although it sometimes seems that global healthcare reform is the only item on the congressional agenda, other issues that affect neonatal nursing practice and neonates have arisen at both state and federal levels.
Issues of Interest
The committee is responding to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services requirement that only a physician can direct respiratory care services. Although this rule allows advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) in all specialties to write respiratory care orders, it also mandates that the "responsible doctor of medicine or osteopathy must cosign the order." For APRNs in the 15 states that still require a physician-APRN relationship of "supervision or collaboration," this requirement presents a significant impediment to providing prompt and appropriate care. For the NNPs practicing in those states, this ruling causes significant duplication of work, complicated workflows, and unnecessary redundancy. The NNPs caring for critically ill infants in the NICU can write hundreds of respiratory orders a day, depending on the size of the unit and the acuity level of the patients. Following The Joint Commission's support of this requirement, the committee made this issue a priority. A sample letter of concern was sent to NANN's advocacy e-mail discussion group, along with information about where to send letters of concern.
The committee has also initiated grassroots campaigns in response to several US House and Senate bills introduced this session, including bills about fighting antimicrobial resistance, researching endocrine disrupters, and establishing an Office of the National Nurse. For more information about these "calls to action," please visit the NANN Web site and click on the Advocacy button on the right side.
State Liaisons
We are in the process of identifying a NANN or NANNP member from each state to serve as a liaison to our committee. The state liaison (SL) is a volunteer who has a strong interest in advocacy, health policy, and legislative issues. The SL will monitor and share information about current or pending legislation of interest at the state level and act as liaison to the Health Policy and Advocacy Committee. The SL need not have previous experience in health policy and advocacy. For more information about this role or to express your interest, please contact committee members Joyce Stein ([email protected]) or Katie Malin ([email protected]).