ADVANCING EXPERT CARE STRATEGIC PLAN AND CAMPAIGN
The Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association, the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation, and the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center have joined forces to transform the care and culture of serious illness.
Three national nursing organizations have announced a collaborative effort to transform the care and culture of serious illness in the United States. Together, the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA), the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation (HPNF), and the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC, formerly known as National Board for Certification of Hospice and Palliative Nurses [NBCHPN]) launched a $5 million campaign aimed at increasing the number of certified hospice and palliative nurses, advancing research into best practices of hospice and palliative care, elevating palliative nursing leadership at the local and national levels, and enhancing nursing competence through certification.
In addition to unveiling the Campaign, it was also announced that the 3 organizations strengthened their strategic alignment by adopting a shared mission and vision statements. The shared mission statement of the 3 organizations is "advancing expert care in serious illness," whereas the shared vision is "to transform the care and culture of serious illness." These singular mission and vision statements formed the foundation for the strategic planning of the Advancing Expert Care Campaign.
The singular mission and vision was also a major impetus behind the NBCHPN's decision to change its name to the HPCC. Since expansion of certification programs over the past 12 years has extended specialty certification to all members of the nursing team and to professionals in other disciplines, the change to HPCC reflects the broader certificant base. In addition to offering opportunities for future growth in credentialing programs, the new HPCC name represents an ongoing commitment to synergy and collaboration with HPNA and the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation (HPNF). While HPCC has always been strategically aligned with HPNA and HPNF, it just wasn't obvious to the broader healthcare community. The new name and new acronym - HPCC - fits well with HPNA and HPNF, allowing the three organizations to create a stronger brand identity. It is important to note that the new HPCC name does not alter the significance or validity of the current credentials, and that each of the 7 certification programs' names and credentials remain unchanged.
"Three organizations, one common mission, and one shared vision-at no time has a strategic alignment been more critical," said Sally Welsh, the chief executive officer of HPNA, HPNF, and HPCC. "As the number of families impacted by serious illness continues to grow, the role of hospice and palliative nurses is becoming increasingly important in the delivery of health care. For those patients battling serious illness, hospice and palliative nurses serve as key leaders in both care delivery and care coordination. It is our goal to not only increase the number of nurses who specialize in hospice and palliative care, but also improve upon the high level of hospice and palliative care that already exists."
The goal of the Advancing Expert Care Campaign is to transform the care and culture of serious illness through 6 core strategies: (1) ongoing evaluation and research into the educational needs of hospice and palliative professionals; (2) the design of programs, courses, and curriculum to advance expert care in serious illness; (3) advancing research into best practices of hospice and palliative care while supporting and developing palliative nurse researchers; (4) the development of nursing leadership programs at the local and national levels; (5) enhancing nursing competence through certification; (6) the creation of programs to support and increase the number of nurses and other professionals certified in hospice and palliative care; and (7) ongoing research into the correlation between nursing certification and patient outcomes.
"There is a perfect storm brewing," said Jennifer Gentry, the president of HPNA. "With the aging baby-boomer population, the number of people with serious illness is growing, and there will soon be a critical shortage of hospice and palliative professionals. Our ability to adequately care for patients with a serious illness could soon become a critical issue, which is why HPNA, HPNF, and HPCC decided the time was right to jointly tackle this issue with such an ambitious campaign."
By designing and offering education for hospice and palliative nurses and other professionals that takes into account changes in the health care delivery model, advances in technology, and shifting patient demographics, HPNA, HPNF, and HPCC will not only create more skilled hospice and palliative professionals, but also grow the number of certified caregivers who can help close the gap in what could be a critical shortage of professionals.
"Our goal is to develop and offer programs to increase the number of nurses and other staff who are certified in hospice and palliative care, as well as the level of professional competence," said Kathy Kobler, the president of HPCC. "These 3 organizations are going to take the lead in developing and implementing programs that support palliative nursing leaders who will help transform the care and culture of serious illness from the bedside to the national level. We also want to identify opportunities to enhance the recruitment and retention of these nurses."
The number of certified hospice and palliative nurses needed to provide care for this growing population is increasing. Currently, there are approximately 13 000 nurses certified in hospice and palliative care by HPCC. As part of the Advancing Expert Care Campaign, the 3 organizations plan to develop and implement strategies to collect palliative nursing workforce data to better understand and fulfill the need.
"We know there is a shortage today of certified hospice and palliative nurses," said Jane Sidwell, the president of HPNF. "The Advancing Expert Care Campaign will fund needed education, research, advocacy, and leadership programs that will help us attract more nurses into this profession while retaining those nurses who have already chosen to specialize in this field, which, in turn, will help us avert a health care crisis in the near future."
With the announcement of the Advancing Expert Care Campaign and shared mission and vision statements, the HPNA, HPNF, and HPCC also launched a joint Web site: http://www.AdvancingExpertCare.com. Contributions to the Campaign can be made directly on the Web site.
HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE NURSES ASSOCIATION WELCOMES INCOMING BOARD MEMBERS
The HPNA is pleased to announce the following new members of the Board of Directors; these 2 individuals will begin a 3-year term in January 2015:
Joseph F. Ebberwein, MPS, BBA, is a principal in Longitudinal Health in Savannah, Georgia, a consulting and solutions company providing health care organizations with evidence-based strategies for managing high-risk, high-cost patients in their homes utilizing virtual and interventional care teams. His appointment to the board as a non-RN member, supported by the member approval in 2013 of a by-law change, is a direct outcome of the competency-based evaluation of board member skills needed for optimal governance. Mr Ebberwein worked as a certified public accountant in public accounting until joining THA Group in Savannah in 1995, where he served in multiple financial, operational, and strategic roles. THA Group is a continuum of in-home health care companies (certified home health, palliative care program, nonprofit hospice, life-care assistance services, and chronic care management) and an industry leader in the integration of telehealth to improve clinical outcomes and reduce overall cost of care. During his tenure at THA Group, Mr Ebberwein obtained a master's degree in pastoral studies and applied his learnings as vice president of THA Group's nonprofit hospice, to integrate spiritual care into the palliative home-care model. He has published and presented nationally on topics specific to telehealth, chronic care cost management strategies, and transformation of care delivery models in the shift from volume- to value-based care.
Donna L. Morgan, BSN, RN, CHPN, CHPCA, is senior vice president of Clinical Operations/chief operating officer for Columbus Hospice and Columbus Hospice of Alabama. She has 26 years of nursing experience, with the last 19 years in hospice and palliative care. She is also currently president of the Georgia Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, as well as chair of the Education Committee, and previously served for 5 years on the administrator certification examination development committee for the HPCC. Focused on evidence-based hospice and palliative care, provided by educated, experienced, and certified staff, Donna has worked collaboratively at the state level to write rules and regulations related to hospice and palliative care and participated on a federal level to educate providers when hospice conditions of participation were rewritten. She is a frequent presenter especially on topics related to compliance.
HPNA ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT
The Annual HPNA Membership Meeting will be held on Friday, February 27, 2015, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the 2015 American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM)/HPNA Annual Assembly.
HPNA BOARD OF DIRECTORS SEEKS NOMINATIONS
The HPNA Board Development and Leadership Committee is seeking nominations (including self-nominations) for individuals to serve on the Board of Directors for a 3-year term to begin January 2016. Full application details are available on the HPNA Web site. The application deadline is Monday, February 2, 2015.
HPNA WELCOMES 6 NEWLY CHARTERED CHAPTERS
On July 19, the HPNA Board of Directors formally recognized 6 new chapters at the 2014 HPNA Leadership Weekend, conducted in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The newly chartered chapters honored during the event included the following: Northeast Oklahoma, Northwest Georgia, Northeast Florida, Monterey Bay (California), Central Alabama, and West Michigan. There are nearly 50 HPNA chapters across the United States!
Congratulations to each new chapter of HPNA on this wonderful achievement. For a full listing of HPNA chapters and additional information regarding the HPNA chapters program, please visit http://www.gohpna.org.
IT'S A WRAP: 2014 HPNA LEADERSHIP WEEKEND
During the month of July, HPNA successfully held its 12th Annual Leadership Weekend event in Pittsburgh. This dynamic event was designed for attendees to share information about the integrated chapter model, problem solve with other chapter/group representatives, develop leadership skills, and enhance personal communication techniques. Event activities also presented attendees an invaluable opportunity to meet and personally interact with the HPNA Board of Directors.
This year, HPNA welcomed more than 100 attendees and featured nationally renowned speakers and experts, including keynote speaker Dr Betty Ferrell! Several educational sessions and presentations were recorded and are now available to view on the HPNA Web site. HPNA looks forward to the next Leadership Weekend in summer 2015!
NEW PUBLICATION: PALLIATIVE CARE FOR PEDIATRIC LIFE-LIMITING ILLNESSES NOW AVAILABLE!
HPNA recently released pediatric palliative care, titled Palliative Care for Pediatric Life-Limiting Illnesses. Designed to be a guide for nurses and other clinicians with limited or no pediatric clinical experience, the publication will assist its readers to plan and provide nursing to children during palliative care (diagnosis through end of life). In addition, the book is organized to disseminate pediatric nursing knowledge by expert pediatric clinicians from a variety of clinical settings about the palliative care support of children.
It describes tenets related to recommended communication practices, addresses concepts related to spiritual care, and discusses theories related children's understanding of death and the palliative care needs of infants receiving care in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Readers will find discussion of the palliative care needs for children diagnosed with brain tumors with a poor prognosis, with cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, transformed human immunodeficiency virus; leukemia, and spinal musical atrophy (SMA), as well as children with traumatic brain injury.
Order now within the HPNA Shop at http://www.gohpna.org ($65 for member, $80 for nonmember).
HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CREDENTIALING CENTER 2015 TESTING SCHEDULE
HPCC, formerly known as the NBCHPN, announces that the 2015 computer-based testing schedule is the same as 2014. The four 2015 testing windows are March, June, September, and December. The testing schedule with application deadlines and instructions are posted in the Candidate Handbook, which is available on our new Web site, http://www.gohpcc.org, under "Continuing Competence."
HPCC CERTIFICATION RENEWAL FOR 2015
The 2015 Hospice and Palliative Accrual for Renewal (HPAR) information is available and posted on our Web site, http://www.gohpcc.org, under "Continuing Competence." Renewal by HPAR is an option is for the Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN), Certified Hospice and Palliative Pediatric Nurse (CHPPN), Certified Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurse (CHPLN), and Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Administrator (CHPCA).
All Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurses (ACHPNs) must renew their certification through the ACHPN HPAR process in the year they are due to renew.
New submission deadlines: All 2015 certification renewals utilizing HPAR must be received in the National Office between January 1 and October 31, 2015, for the standard fee. (Applications received between November 1 and December 31, 2015, will be assessed an additional fee).
CHPNs and ACHPNs will now use an online platform called LearningBuilder for their applications. Each certificant will have an individualized learning plan in which they record their professional development activities. The Situational Judgment Exercise (SJE), an open book activity that has been a required component of the ACHPN HPAR, is now included in the CHPN HPAR. This exciting new opportunity offers many enhancements to the recertification process including ease of entry, dropdown boxes to assist with information, online payment and submission, and easy connection to the review team for any questions. An online user guide is available to assist certificants as they navigate through the LearningBuilder platform. Details are at http://www.gohpcc.org.
CHPPNs, CHPLNs, and CHPCAs will continue to mail paper applications and will find Continuing Education (CE) tracking helpful to keep track of professional development activities. A transcript is initiated and provides you with a list of all courses you have started and/or completed. All course information is provided, including status, start and finish dates, and test scores. Included in the transcript are all the professional development categories required for the HPAR process.
As well as tracking your records through CE tracking, the Web site offers real-time online access to courses through several nursing organizations and health care professional organizations, including HPNA. You have the ability to study, test, and receive continuing education contact hour credit all in 1 visit. To access CE tracking, go to http://www.gohpcc.org and find "Resources."
If you have any questions about the HPAR process for any of our programs, please contact us at mailto:[email protected] or call 412-787-1057.
HPCC SAVE THE DATE!
HPPC will host its Annual Certification Recognition Event during the 2015 AAHPM/HPNA Annual Assembly, to be held February 25 to 28 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The luncheon program will include a keynote speaker and the presentation of certification awards. Preregistration is required for this event. For more information or to register, visit http://www.gohpcc.org.
DID YOU KNOW?
"Gifts" for Nurses Who Are Always Giving of Themselves!
~ HPNF Scholarships, Grants & Awards ~
For HPNA members, HPNF announces the availability of 10 Conference Scholarships to the 2015 AAHPM/HPNA Annual Assembly in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Yes, 10! Give yourself the gift of a nationally renowned and highly acclaimed professional conference being held in the historic location known as the City of Brotherly Love. Application deadline for these competitive scholarships is December 1, 2014. During the 2015 AAHPM/HPNA Annual Assembly, the winner of the 2015 HPNF/Project on Death in America Nursing Leadership Award will be revealed!
For HPCC certificants, HPNF announces the availability of 7 Certification Scholarships. Did you earn your HPCC certification or recertification in June or September 2014? If so, you are eligible to apply for these competitive scholarships of fee reimbursement. Application deadline is December 1, 2014. Don't miss out on this gift to yourself!
A wonderful gift is awaiting an RN who is a member of the Oncology Nursing Society. HPNF offers the Judy Lentz Scholarship for the Advancement of Palliative Care in Oncology Nursing. This opportunity was created in 2012 to honor the retired chief executive officer in recognition of her passion and lifelong dedication to oncology nursing and palliative care. In addition to a 1-year HPNA membership, this scholarship offers conference registration and travel expenses to the 2015 AAHPM/HPNA Annual Assembly in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! Application deadline is December 1, 2014.
HPNF is proud to support HPNA members and HPCC certificants by offering these opportunities and more. Forty-five scholarships, grants, and awards were offered in 2014.
Support HPNF as it advances expert care in serious illness. Your gift, no matter what size, toward HPNF scholarships, grants, and awards makes a difference! Visit http://www.gohpnf.org and select DONATE NOW.
To advance expert care in serious illness
~ Please remember HPNF in your will and estate planning ~