This is my last President's message, and it is hard to believe that a year has gone by. I want to thank the Board of Directors, committees, task force groups, and all who have made this past year a successful one. A very special thank-you goes to our executive director, Melinda Mercer-Ray, MSN, RN, who has been instrumental in our continued growth as an association.
I am looking forward to the annual conference to share the great work that has been occurring over the past year with NACNS. I have walked in the footsteps of many great leaders of NACNS, who laid the foundation for today. Thanks to these past leaders for their insight, assistance, and support this past year.
I reflected on my incoming president address from last year's conference and wanted to recap where we have been. The tagline I used for this speech was: Vision, Value, and Voice. Reflecting on our vision, NACNS continues to be strong. We have accomplished many initiatives this past year. When I think of vision, clinical nurse specialists will continue to be part of the healthcare team and even the leaders in the transformation of how care will be delivered with a focus on quality care and cost savings.
It is critical that clinical nurse specialists are involved with Accountable Care Organizations. The healthcare in our nation is continuing to transform, and NACNS will continue to have the vision to make sure that clinical nurse specialists are part of this transformation. The NACNS Board of Directors implemented 2 task forces this past year on the Women's Health Competencies and Individual/Family Across the Lifespan Competencies to align with the APRN Consensus Model. Another important task force that was initiated this year was in response to the July 2012 Report, "The Mental Health and Substance Use Workforce for Older Adults: In Whose Hands." Implementing these task forces is vital to the clinical nurse specialist in the future as the APRN Consensus Model continues to be implemented.
The sharing of the value of the clinical nurse specialist is a priority for NACNS. Our healthcare system is changing before our eyes both in our own work environments and as a nation. It is imperative that we continue to share the value of the clinical nurse specialist both within the nursing community and the community at large. Clinical nurse specialists need to be a part of the healthcare team in medical homes by assisting with transitions in care and management of chronic diseases within our specialty areas. Clinical nurse specialists bring innovation to the healthcare team, save or improve patient lives/quality of patient lives, prevent errors/adverse events, and save healthcare dollars. I challenge each of you to think of a project or initiative that you have been a part of this past year-did you share the value that as a clinical nurse specialist you brought to the team? Did you share the value of better patient outcomes or increased quality of life for the patient? Did you share the organizational savings by assisting staff with evidence-based practice implementation? Did you share the value to the organization of your role with patient safety? We need to share, as clinical nurse specialists, this information to all levels within the organization. Clinical nurse specialists also need to share with the community at large how we are meeting the needs of the public. As an administrator, I frequently see great presentations showing the positive outcomes of clinical nurse specialist practice, but many times we do not share the cost savings associated with our work. Cost savings could be in quantifying a reduction in infections, complications, or prevention of readmissions. Now more than ever, we need to share our value with the ever-evolving healthcare climate. Third-party payers, healthcare organizations, and our patients will be looking for both quality and cost-effectiveness. This is the time to share our story in how clinical nurse specialists impact quality and cost. This past year, 2 task forces were formed to look at transitions of care and outcomes/cost savings of clinical nurse specialists in hopes to create an increased awareness of the value.
The voice of NACNS continues to be the voice for clinical nurse specialists-our membership, both for practice and education. This past year, I was afforded many opportunities to speak on behalf of NACNS and be the voice for our members. The Board of Directors also established and maintained relationships with key stakeholders and collaborated with other nursing organizations. The board of directors in conjunction with the Legislative and Regulatory committee continued to advocate for clinical nurse specialists; through the 2011-2012 Legislative and Regulatory Agenda, a new toolkit was developed, "Starter Kit for Impacting Change at the Government Level," and a fact sheet of clinical nurse specialist practice/barriers for use with policymakers.
Another area NACNS was the voice for clinical nurse specialists was within the education committee and their continued work on developing resources for the clinical nurse specialist education criteria. NACNS shared at the 11th Annual Summit information surrounding the APRN Consensus Model and its impact or the potential for impact on clinical nurse specialists. Topics that were covered during this summit were the state's efforts to implement the APRN Consensus Model, Grandfathering and Property Rights, CNS Population-Based Competencies, Elements in Education, and Elements in Certification. NACNS continues to be the voice for clinical nurse specialists.
The NACNS Board of Directors accomplished many things this past year by continuing to have the vision, value, and voice for clinical nurse specialists. This year had been an exciting and busy year for NACNS. It was an honor and pleasure to serve the membership of NACNS. I look forward to seeing many of you at the annual conference in San Antonio, Texas: "The CNS: Leading Innovations for Healthcare Change."
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST NEWS
NACNS is accepting nominations for volunteer committee appointments. Help advance our mission to enhance and promote the unique, high-value contribution of the clinical nurse specialist to the health and well-being of individuals, families, groups, and communities and to promote and advance the practice of nursing by volunteering to serve on one of our committees:
* Affiliate Advisory
* Education
* Legislative/Regulatory
* Membership
* Practice
* Research
* 2014 Conference Planning *NEW*
There is a new opportunity to participate: the 2014 Conference Planning Committee. We encourage anyone with an interest in helping to plan the 2014 conference consider participating in this crucial committee. Visit the NACNS homepage for the volunteer form and information.
NACNS 2013 Annual Conference-The CNS: Leading Innovations for Healthcare Change
The NACNS 2013 Annual Conference, March 7 to 9, 2013, will be here before you know it! We hope you plan to join us in San Antonio, Texas, for a conference full of education, networking, and fun. For more information on the conference as well as exhibit and sponsorship opportunities, visit the NACNS Web site.
NEWS FROM OUR AFFILIATES
California Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists
Congratulations to our California Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists members who obtained the following achievements during 2012.
* Lianna Ansryan, podium presentation at NACNS "Jewels of Precepting: Pearls of a Successful Preceptorship Program"
* Hildy Schell-Chaple received San Francisco Business Times Health Care Hero Award, completed PhD from UCSF School of Nursing, Excellence in Advanced Practice Nursing Award-UCSF Med Center, American Thoracic Society (ATS) General Travel Award, poster presentation at ATS International conference and SCCM Critical Care Congress Annual Scientific Award & Research citation finalist
* Jacqueline Close graduated from USD in May, PhD in nursing, emphasis on delirium in the hospitalized older adult. She also published twice, "Delirium: Opportunity for Comfort in Palliative Care" (J Hosp Palliat Nurs. 14(6):386-394) and "Innovation Pilot Study: Acute Care for Elderly Unit-Promoting Patient-Centric Care" (HERD. 5(3):90-96)
* Audrey Cochran, a special congratulations and thank you for continuing to represent CNSs; at 80 years old, she renewed her GCNS-BC certificate and is continuing to collect CEUs for her next one. She maintains her own business of consulting with families as they endeavor to keep their elders out of nursing homes and work 1 day a week in an obstetrics/gynecology office using biofeedback and education in ADLs to help ladies, many of them elderly, to regain bladder control without drugs or surgery
* Jennifer Mc Farlane developed Atrial Rhythms chapter of AACN's new online ECG course and wrote an article for Critical Care Nurse (4/12 issue) on defibrillation in obese patients and also an article (12/12 issue) on blood pressure measurement in obesity
* Paddy Garvin-Higgins received APN of the Year Award for Association of Rehabilitation Nurses
* Cecilia Gray, copresented 2 posters at the Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing (WOCN) Society Annual Conference: (1) "Comparing Efficacy of Active Leptospermum Honey" and (2) "Using a Hydrocellular Foam Dressing With Silicone Adhesisve as Part of a Comprehensive Pressure Ulcer Prevention Plan: Results From Five US Hospital ICUs"
* Elisa Jang was featured in Advance for Nurses Special Feature section called, "Celebrating Nurses in Northern California," for the work she has done in developing an Evidence-Based Practice Fellowship Program at North Bay Healthcare and coauthored an article that was published in Collaborative Case Management journal on patient safety "North Bay Healthcare Takes STEPPS to Improve Communication, Teamwork"
* Ann Mayo was appointed to the Medical Advisory Board, Glennor Memory Care Center, and to the Masonic Homes of California Advisory Board-Long-term Care Nursing Care Initiative. She also became a member of the American Nurse Foundation Nursing Research Grant committee. journal manuscript reviewer for Clinical Nurse Specialist-The Journal for Advanced Nursing Practices, International Journal for Health Quality
* Norma McNair completed PhD from UCLA School of Nursing
* Patti Radovich became a member of the AACN Research Grant Review Panel, Society of Critical Care Medicine Congress Research Poster Review Panel. Patti copresented a poster titled "Participation in Research Collaborative One Site's Experience", and coauthored "Risks Related to Patient Bed Safety" in the Journal of Nursing Care Quality, August 2012.
* Marilyn Shirk, podium presentation at NACNS "Increasing Nurses' Ability to Address Ethical Issues in Practice Through Unit Ethics Champion"
* Elizabeth Shruth presented "Cardiovascular Risk Prediction Tools in Women With STEMI Undergoing PCI at the Women's Health Conference in Washington, DC. She also presented "Use of Risk Scoring Tools to Determine Risk of Secondary Cardiac and Non Cardiac Events During Hospitalization for STEMI in a Cohort of Women" at the Sigma Theta Tau International Nurse Research Conference in Brisbane, Australia, August 2012. Lastly, she presented "Ambulating Mechanically Ventilated Patients: Early Mobility in the ICU" at the High Sierra Critical Care Conference in Nevada
* Melissa Stebel presented 2 podium presentations, one on Pediatric Codes and one on Simulation, at the National Emergency Nurses Convention
* Margaret Talley obtained Advanced Practice Wound Care Certification
Submitted by Margaret Talley, PhD, RN, CWCN-AP
Association of Central Florida Clinical Nurse Specialists
The Association of Central Florida Clinical Nurse Specialists meets on the 5th Wednesdays for networking and educational offering. Our affiliate has a Facebook page for messages and meeting notices and provides the option of teleconferencing during the meeting. We are currently conducting a survey of Florida clinical nurse specialists to make our affiliate better meet the needs of the clinical nurse specialists in Central Florida.
Submitted by Barbara Hatfield, MS, CNS, OCN, CEN
Illinois Branch Clinical Nurse Specialists
Congratulations to our Illinois Branch Clinical Nurse Specialist who obtained the following achievements during 2012:
* Nancy Nozicka, MS, APN, CNS, CEN, presented (with Bev McLaughlin-Weaver, MS, RN, NE-BC) a podium and poster titled "Nursing Strategies to Facilitate Diagnosis in ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients" at the Emergency Nurses Association Annual Conference in San Diego.
* Karen Mahnke, MSN, APN, CNS-BC, CWON, assumed the role of Manager Nursing Excellence for Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital, Lake Forest, Illinois. In this role, Ms Mahnke will oversee the ANCC Magnet redesignation activities for the hospital.
* Laura Meller, MS, APN, CNS-BC, led a multidisciplinary team at Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital to a successful redesignation of TJC Primary Stroke Center in August 2012.
Submitted by Karen Mahnke, MSN, APN, CNS-BC, CWON
VIRTUAL VA NATIONWIDE CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST GROUP
Kathi Ellstrom, PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, pulmonary clinical nurse specialist at Loma Linda VA Healthcare System, presented a poster abstract with Lennard Specht, MD, and Susan Hall, MD, titled "High Prevalence of Bone Disease Referred for Pulmonary Rehabilitation," at the annual American Thoracic Society International Conference.
Submitted by Tanya Williams, MSN, APRN, CCNS-BC
MEMBERS NEWS
Board member Anne Hysong, MSN, APRN, CCNS, coauthored with Maureen Cahill, MSN, APN, CNS, AOCNS, Moving Forward With Role Recognition for Clinical Nurses Specialist. Together they discuss the lack of role recognition of the clinical nurse specialist in 10 jurisdictions and what will need to occur to move forward to full consensus. The article was featured in the Journal of Nursing Regulation (3(3):47-50).
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]