The holiday season is just upon us and I want to wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season!
The past few months, the Board of Directors has been extremely busy. The Board has been looking at many new initiatives/opportunities and starting to think about planning for the coming year. The Board met on October 25 and 26 for a face-to-face meeting at our upcoming conference site, San Antonio, Texas. This is a very important meeting as the agenda will include strategically and financially planning for the coming year, reviewing our current status, and discussion of the upcoming conference. We will also discuss updates on the committees and task force work that is continuing to occur and look at timelines and outcomes expected from these groups.
The 2012 NACNS Summit this year was held in Washington, DC, on July 24. This summit is an important format for dialogue on CNS issues, concerns, and sharing an organizational update.
This year, we were fortunate to have several panel discussions on the agenda, which centered on the APRN Consensus Model. The summit was well attended, and notes and resources from the speakers are available on the NACNS Web site. I wish to express my thanks to everyone who joined us for the summit and the presenters:
* A State's Efforts to Implement the APRN Consensus Model: Maureen Cahill, NCSBN; Carol Manchester, NACNS and State of Minnesota; and Anne Hysong, NACNS and State of Georgia
* Grandfathering and Property Rights-What Are the Issues in CNS Grandfathering?: Maureen Cahill, NCSBN; Winifred Carson, JD; Martha Lavender, NCSBN; Anne Hysong, NACNS and State of Georgia
* CNS Population-Based Competencies (Women's Health and Individual/Family Across the Lifespan): Catherine Ruhl, AWHONN; and Rachel Moody, NACNS
* Advancing the APRN Consensus Model-Elements in Education: Patti Zuzelo, NACNS Past President
* Advancing the APRN Consensus Model-Elements in Certification: Diane Thompkins, ANCC; and Carol Hartigan, AACNCC
I am looking forward to our Annual Conference, CNS: Leading Innovations for Health Care Change in San Antonio, Texas, on March 7 to 9, 2013. The sharing of colleagues' innovative ways you have influenced, implemented, and changed healthcare is one of the many benefits of the conference. As our world evolves, it becomes more important to network with colleagues and learn from each other. I am hoping to see many of you there.
This journey as your President continues to move quickly, but has been extremely rewarding. I encourage you to reflect on how you can assist in serving NACNS. It is an honor and privilege to serve you, the members of NACNS.
NEWS FROM OUR AFFILIATES
California Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists
Elizabeth Scruth, PhD(c), MN, MPH, RN, CCNS, CCRN, presented her research at the 23rd International Nursing Research Congress-Sigma Theta Tau in Brisbane, Australia, on August 2: "Use of Risk Scoring Tools to Determine Risk of Secondary Cardiac and Noncardiac Events During Hospitalization for ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction."
Submitted by Elizabeth Scruth, PhD(c), MN, MPH, RN, CCNS, CCRN
Saturday, October 27, 2012, CACNS held their annual all-day conference titled "The CNS as a Change Agent for Strategic Transformation." Keynote Speaker Jan Fulton, associate professor, Indiana University, presented "The Remarkable Journey of Clinical Nurse Specialist in the United States."
Other prominent speakers in attendance included our President Celia Gray, CNS from Los Angeles County-University of Southern California, Elizabeth Augusta, MSN, RN, LNCC, CPHQ, CPHRM, from Los Angeles County Health Services: HCAHPS Measures and CNS impact. Garret Chan, PhD, GCNS-BC, from University of California, San Francisco, reviewing scope of practice issues for the CNS in California, Peggy Kalowes, PhD, RN, CNS, FAHA, director of nursing research, Long Beach Memorial, presenting strategies to engage APNs in research, and Linda Urden, DNSc, RN, director of the Master's and International Programs at the University of San Diego, concluded the day with "Sustaining Magnet Status."
Submitted by Margaret Talley, PhD, RN, CNS
Ann Mayo, DNSc, RN, FAAN, of Hahn School of Nursing and Health Sciences at the University of San Diego, was featured in the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing for her work in dementia nursing care: "Use of the Functional Activities Questionnaire in Older Adults With Dementia. Try This: Best Practices in Nursing Care to Older Adults; Dementia Series (D13)." New York: The Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing.
Submitted by Tanya D. Williams, MSN, RN, CCNS-BC
MONTANA ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST
The Montana Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists is a statewide organization of clinical nurse specialists engaged in practice and nursing education. Members are committed to advancing the CNS role through education, scholarship and service.
In August, Rebecca Echeverri, MN, ACNS-BC, and a group of medical volunteers spent 2 weeks in Kenya with International Medical Relief, providing needed health services to local residents. International Medical Relief provides short-term medical missions for volunteer doctors, nurses, dentists, and other medical and nonmedical professionals following disasters and in areas where healthcare is limited or difficult to obtain.
Linda Torma, PhD, APRN, GCNS-BC, received notice that she was approved for funding by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Dr Torma is a clinical specialist in gerontological nursing whose research explores the influence of protective factors such as resilience and exercise on overall health and impact of chronic pain in older adults.
Submitted by Charlene A. Winters, PhD, APRN, ACNS-BC
Northeast Florida Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists
The Northeast Florida Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists meets monthly. Although this affiliate is new, the members have been very busy with efforts to increase the visibility of the CNS role in Northeast Florida. Thanks to local vendors, meetings have been informative and interactive with presentations of evidence-based practices that clearly articulate the impact of a CNS within an organization.
The University of North Florida has been very supportive of the affiliate as their graduate CNS program continues to grow. Congratulations to our new CNSs: Amanda Sharp, Deirdre Shoemake, Kara Hollins, and Shelli Craig and to clinical nurse specialist Marion Mann for completing her DNP.
Member Dina Cuppett-Ross is enrolled in the Georgetown University online program for Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner/Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist. She has also been selected to join a cohort for the MSN in Nursing Leadership.
Jane Myrick has recently published her first article in the June/August 2012 issue of MEDSURG Nursing Journal entitled "Blood Pleurodesis: Thoracotomy Patients and Air Leaks." Anyone interested in attending future meetings may contact Jane Myrick at [email protected].
Submitted by Jane Myrick, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC
Elizabeth Scruth, PhD(c), MN, MPH, RN, CCNS, CCRN, presented her research at the 23rd International Nursing Research Congress-Sigma Theta Tau in Brisbane, Australia, on August 2: "Use of Risk Scoring Tools to Determine Risk of Secondary Cardiac and Noncardiac Events During Hospitalization for ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction."
Submitted by Elizabeth Scruth, PhD(c), MN, MPH, RN, CCNS, CCRN
TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST
The Texas Clinical Nurse Specialist Affiliate would like to send a "BIG" Texas Welcome to our NACNS Members. We are looking forward to hosting the NACNS conference convention. We will be in beautiful San Antonio-a city rich with history, good food, and lots of top tourist attractions. Strolling the River Walk area from the convention hotel is a visitor favorite-it is lined with restaurants, patios, galleries, and shops. The city is filled with culturally significant arts, museums, and architecture. The largest Mexican market in the United States is nearby. Family members can enjoy the famous Alamo, the San Antonio Zoo (ranked in the top 10 nationally by Parents magazine), the Japanese Tea Garden, or major theme parts like SeaWorld San Antonio or Six Flags Texas.
Given the size of the state of Texas (almost 900 miles east to west), our organization functions "virtually," and our officers and Board of Directors conduct the majority of business by conference calls and committee work. A unique camaraderie exists between the leaders who are actively engaged in representing their members. This year, our annual meeting will be folded into the NACNS national conference, so we hope to see many of our members in attendance to welcome YOU! If you would like to know more about our organization and resources for our members, please visit us at the Texas Clinical Nurse Specialists Web site at http://txcns.enpnetwork.com/.
Submitted by Sharon D. Horner, PhD, RN, FAAN
VIRTUAL VA NATIONWIDE CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST GROUP
Dr Kelly A. Goudreau, DSN, RN, ACNS-BC, nurse executive at the White City (OR) VAMC, was inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN) in a ceremony in Washington, DC, on October 13, 2012.
Melissa Hutchinson, MICU/CCU, CNS for the VA Puget Sound (Seattle, Washington) VAMC, was elected Secretary of the Board for AACN for 2012-2013.
Submitted by Kathleen Dunn
WASHINGTON ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST
The Washington Affiliate of NACNS has continued to work with the Nursing Commission (our state regulatory board) to advocate for inclusion of clinical nurse specialists in the state's advanced practice rules. Following receipt and approval of an exemption to the current rule moratorium, the Nursing Commission recently concluded a series of public workshops to gather feedback regarding desired rules. Clinical nurse specialists who were unable to participate can still submit written feedback. Those who are interested in obtaining information regarding the Washington Affiliates feedback and request to the Nursing Commission can contact Heather Schoonover, MN, RN, PHCNS-BC, at [email protected] for additional information.
The Nursing Commission has shared that it plans to take the feedback received from the public workshops to the commission staff members who will be involved in drafting the rules. These draft rules will then go to the ARNP subcommittee, then a formal recommendation will go to the Nursing Commission. The anticipated date for a public hearing regarding the draft rules is March 2013. Upon conclusion of the public hearing, the Nursing Commission will vote to adopt the rules, reject the rules, or send the proposed rules back for revision.
Submitted by Sharon Hoover, MN, RN, PHCNS-BC
MEMBERS NEWS
Jackie Close, PhD, RN, GCNS-BC, gerontology CNS at Palomar Health and NICHE coordinator, successfully completed her PhD dissertation "Documentation: Delirium in the Hospitalized Older Adult," at the University of San Diego in May 2012.
ICONS Definitions
The Interagency Collaborative on Nursing Statistics (ICONS) "promotes the generation and utilization of data, information, and research about nurses, nursing education, and nursing workforce." http://iconsdata.org common definitions can be used in nursing research allowing for comparison of findings across many studies. When definitions differ from study to study, it may be inappropriate to combine findings from multiple research studies in order to generate evidence for practice. Clinical nurse specialists conducting research can use and refer to ICONS definitions when writing their research proposals. And, CNSs conducting evidence-based practice projects should be confirming that the definitions of terms used in the literature are in alignment with a common definition for each term and if not should identify this issue as a weakness in their critique of the literature. NACNS has been a member organization of ICONS since 2006. Questions regarding ICONS can be referred to Ann M. Mayo, RN, CNS, FAAN. Dr Mayo is the NACNS representative to ICONS and current ICONS Chair ([email protected]).
CALL FOR NEWS ITEMS
If you have information you want to share about yourself, your NACNS peers, or your affiliate/affiliate peers, please send the news item to Tanya D. Williams at [email protected]. News items for the 2013 January/February issue are due by October 17, 2012.