TENTH ANNUAL HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE NURSES ASSOCIATION CLINICAL PRACTICE FORUM
Please join us and the exceptional faculty for the Tenth Annual Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) Clinical Practice Forum, taking place on Friday, September 30, and Saturday, October 1, 2016, at a historic location, the Omni William Penn Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
This conference will provide state of the science information related to the practice of palliative nursing, which includes case presentations with interactive discussions. The Clinical Practice Forum focuses on current hospice and palliative care issues for both registered nurses and advanced practice nurses. There will be evidence-based presentations related to pain and symptom management, communication, regulations, and other related issues.
Highlights for this year's forum include the following:
* Opening plenary from Nessa Coyle, on the "State of the Art and Science of Palliative Nursing: 30 Year Journey to the Present."
* Viewing and discussion with director Carolyn Jones on her film, "American Nurse." Ms Jones will also give a closing plenary titled "American Nurse and HOPE."
* A presentation on Innovations in Meeting the Needs of a Community, focusing on work done with specialized populations. Presenters have worked with Hispanic, Lacota, and other populations.
* Other presentations include end-stage organ failure, hot topics in bioethics, moral distress, and using telehealth to assess palliative wound care.
* Welcome celebration and reception for networking.
* Exhibits and poster presentations.
* 12.5 Continuing Nursing Education contact hours available to those attending the whole conference.
In addition, back by popular demand, both the Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (ACHPN) and Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN) Certification Review Courses will be presented at two separate all-day preconferences on Thursday, September 29, 2016.
This year's forum is also about anniversaries, and we have several aligning together for this year's event. Not only is it the 10th anniversary of the HPNA Clinical Practice Forum, it is also the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA). In addition, our forum location at the Pittsburgh Omni William Penn Hotel is celebrating its 100th anniversary, in a city that's marking the 200th anniversary of its official incorporation. We anticipate that there may be anniversary cake available at some point during the forum.
For more information about the Tenth Annual Clinical Practice Forum, and to find out how to register, please visit our Web site at http://www.goHPNA.org under "education" and "conferences."
HPNA PARTICIPATING IN UPCOMING VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
The HPNA has once again teamed up with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) to present a Virtual Conference titled "Challenges on the Front Lines: Effective Approaches to Complex Cases." All three organizations have partnered together once again for this unique conference, which delivers quality educational content directly to the attendees online.
The conference runs this year from Tuesday, August 9, to Thursday, August 11, and there is always room for last-minute attendees. Standard rates will apply through August 4. Visit the conference Web site at http://www.nhpco.org/education/2016-virtual-conference to register and for more detailed information. Be sure to click on the HPNA Member Registration link when you sign up.
HPNA DEBUTS A NEW CAREER WEB SITE
The HPNA is launching a new online career center and interactive job board this summer, which will give the organization an easy-to-use and highly targeted resource for online employment connections.
Both members and nonmembers can use this new career center. Employers can post jobs online, search for qualified candidates based on specific job criteria, and create an online resume agent to e-mail qualified candidates daily. They also benefit from online reporting that provides job activity statistics.
For job seekers, the career center provides access to employers and jobs in hospice and the specialty of palliative care. In addition to posting resumes, job seekers can browse and view available jobs based on their criteria and save those jobs for later review if they choose. Job seekers can also create a search agent to provide e-mail notifications of jobs that match their criteria. A link to the career center can be found at the top of the HPNA Web site at http://www.goHPNA.org.
UPCOMING END-OF-LIFE NURSING EDUCATION CONSORTIUM DATES SPONSORED BY HPNA
The HPNA and the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) are once again presenting a series of train-the-trainer educational events for 2016, and our next two courses are coming up this July. We are presenting two separate courses, an ELNEC Core course as well as an ELNEC Pediatric Palliative Care course, on Tuesday, July 26, and Wednesday, July 27, at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel and Suites in beautiful Charleston, South Carolina. Other courses this year include an ELNEC Core course on October 18 to 19 in Orlando, Florida.
For more information on our ELNEC collaborations, visit our Web site at http://www.goHPNA.org under "education" and "ELNEC Train-the-Trainer." Remember, this ELNEC Pediatric Palliative Care course is the only ELNEC pediatric course sponsored this year by HPNA.
Grants are also available through the HPNF that will help with some of the costs for attending these programs. Visit http://www.goHPNA.org under "education" and "conference scholarships" for more detailed information.
14TH ANNUAL LEADERSHIP WEEKEND COMING UP
The national office is busy preparing for the 14th Annual HPNA Leadership Weekend, taking place this year from Friday, July 22, to Sunday, July 24, 2016. This dynamic event is designed for attendees from our HPNA chapters to share information about the integrated chapter model, problem solve with other chapter and group representatives, develop leadership skills, and enhance personal communication techniques. Event activities also present an invaluable opportunity to meet and personally interact with the HPNA Board of Directors, national leaders within the specialty, and other leadership groups within the organization.
For additional information about the chapter program or about membership, please visit our website under the "leadership" heading at http://www.goHPNA.org.
CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE 2017 AAHPM/HPNA ANNUAL ASSEMBLY
Planning continues for the next AAHPM/HPNA Annual Assembly, to be held in Phoenix, Arizona, from February 22 to 25, 2017. The 2016 Annual Assembly in Chicago set records for both the number of overall participants and the total number of nurses attending, and we believe that Phoenix, Arizona, in February would be a great location to build upon our record numbers.
The upcoming calls for proposals will be as listed below, with the final call during October.
* July 5 to August 2: Call for scientific papers and posters
* October 3 to November 1: Call for case submissions
All proposals must be submitted to the AAHPM via the http://www.aahpm.org Web site.
COMMON QUESTION: WHAT IS THE HPNA FELLOWS PROGRAM?
In support of HPNA's mission of Advancing Expert Care in Serious Illness, the HPNA Board of Directors initiated the Fellow in Palliative Care Nursing (FPCN) program, intended for our members who are nursing leaders in education, leadership, advanced practice, and research. This would include organization or agency executives, chancellors and deans, hospital chief executives and vice presidents of nursing, nurse consultants, and researchers and entrepreneurs. Designation as an FPCN recognizes the individual's accomplishments within the nursing profession, however FPCNs also have a responsibility to continue to engage with other health care leaders in enhancing and promoting the specialty of palliative nursing. Once approved by the HPNA Board of Directors as an FPCN, the applicant is awarded the credential Fellow in Palliative Care Nursing or FPCN.
More information about the HPNA Fellows program can be found on our Web site under the "leadership" heading at http://www.goHPNA.org. Applications for the program are now being accepted, and the application deadline is September 2, 2016.
HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CREDENTIALING CENTER EXAMINATION SCHEDULE FOR 2016
Below are the testing windows and application dates for the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC) certification examinations for 2016. Applications for the September 2016 testing window are now being accepted. The paper application deadline is July 15, whereas online applications are accepted until August 15. To apply online or to download the candidate handbook for any certification, visit our Web site at http://www.goHPCC.org under the "certification" tab.
EXAMINATION VOUCHERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE
The HPCC has worked together with PSI Services-Applied Professionals, Inc, the testing company that manages our certification examinations, to create a voucher program for those purchasing exams.
Third parties will now be able to purchase examinations by paying the full examination fee in advance and receive a voucher code for the purchasers to disperse to examination candidates. Those candidates will be able to input the voucher code when applying for their individual examinations in lieu of providing payment.
This program is available immediately. For more information on how to purchase multiple certification examinations, please see the informational document on our Web site at http://www.goHPCC.org, under "certification," or contact us directly either by e-mail at mailto:[email protected] or by telephone at 412-787-1057.
HPCC RECERTIFICATION
If you are due to renew your certification, visit the HPCC Web site at http://www.goHPCC.org under "certification." Choose your credential and the "recertification" tab to learn about your requirements and options for renewal.
If Hospice and Palliative Accrual for Renewal (HPAR) is an option for your certification, please note that various enhancements of professional development activities have been incorporated into the HPAR process for all certificants. This should provide more opportunities to demonstrate continuing competence. All HPAR submissions, whether online or paper, have a due date of 8 weeks before the date of expiration of the certification. Those submitting HPAR in 2016 have until October 31, 2016, to collect points and complete and submit their recertification requirements without an additional fee.
HPCC CANDIDATES: TAKE A SELF-ASSESSMENT EXAMINATION IN PREPARATION FOR YOUR CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION
Self-assessment examinations (SAEs) are learning tools available as Web tests on the Internet. They serve as practice tools to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a candidate who is interested in the certification and recertification process in hospice and palliative nursing. The six SAEs listed below are currently available:
* Hospice and Palliative Advanced Practice Registered Nurse SAE (APRN SAE)
* Hospice and Palliative Registered Nurse SAE (RN SAE)
* Hospice and Palliative Pediatric Registered Nurse SAE (Pediatric Nurse SAE)
* Hospice and Palliative Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse SAE (LP/VN SAE)
* Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant SAE (NA SAE)
* Hospice and Palliative Care Administrator SAE (ADM SAE)
To learn more or to take the examination, visit our Web site at http://www.goHPCC.org and click "self-assessment exams" under "certification" and "resources." A portion of the cost of the SAE is donated to the HPNF, in support of hospice and palliative nurses.
SHARE YOUR STORY AS A CERTIFIED NURSE WITH A FREE APP
You know these facts. But do your patients and their families know?
* Certified nurses have demonstrated their knowledge through a rigorous examination, a process that includes qualifying by meeting practice or education eligibility criteria and then maintaining their credential through reassessment of that knowledge throughout their career.
* Certified nurses choose to seek certification, where they demonstrate their expertise, knowledge, and commitment.
* National certification is the only way to have nursing specialty knowledge validated by an impartial third party.
* Certified nurses must maintain their core specialty knowledge base and keep up with the changes in health care through ongoing targeted education and continuing competence assessments.
The HPCC was pleased to help promote some of these points as a part of the 2015 national consumer awareness campaign-"Certified Nurses Are Everywhere!" This national public service announcement endeavor encompassed broadcast and cable television, Internet advertisements, and transit advertisements in major designated market areas across the country and helped promote the importance of certification.
As a continuation of this message, 2016 brings the introduction of a new campaign, titled "Certification Is Transformational." The same organizations worked together to create an app that gives certified nurses the opportunity to share. Nurses can talk about how certification has affected their nursing career, enhanced collegial and interprofessional relationships, improved the ability to effect change in the workplace, and provide opportunities to serve as an advocate for quality and safe patient care.
The video stories that will be connected by the app will be shared on a video wall, social media, and on a variety of certifying organizations Web sites. Some of the stories will be edited into 1 cohesive message for the "Certification Is Transformational" message. So take a moment to download the app and share a story about how becoming certified has helped transform your career and has impacted your life.
The Certified Nurses app is free and available through iTunes and Google Play. Visit our Web site at http://www.goHPCC.com under "advocacy" to find out more.
HPCC 2016 ITEM WRITER WORKSHOP
Learn more about item writing by attending the following workshop, "Secrets of Competency Testing: Writing Items for Hospice and Palliative Certification Exams." The HPCC, with expert assistance from PSI Services-Applied Measurement Professionals, Inc, 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 3-part course. The first two parts must be done online, whereas the third and last part is a live webinar. The third session is offered three times throughout the year. The next live webinar for part three is scheduled for Monday, October 24, 2016, from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM, ET.
HPCC CERTIFICATION PINS
Honor yourself or your certified nursing team members with a certification pin. The certification pins are available for purchase for all certificants! Wear your credential with pride! To order, please visit our Web site at http://www.goHPCC.org and click under "certification" and the "resources" tab, or click "shop" to purchase the pins. You can also call the national office at 412-787-1057 for further information.
HPNF FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGNS
The HPNF has been running two campaigns recently to raise funds for hospice and palliative nurses. Our annual HPNF appeal drive began in May in support of National Nurses Week, whose theme this year is "Culture of Safety." In addition, HPNF has been supporting HPNA's 30th Anniversary with a "$30 for 30" campaign, asking for gifts of $30 or whatever is possible to support the anniversary. You can find out more about both campaigns through the HPNF Web site at http://www.goHPNF.org.
In addition, HPNF has teamed up with AmazonSmile to raise additional support. When someone shops on AmazonSmile from any Amazon account using the custom link available through our Web site at http://www.goHPNF.org, Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible AmazonSmile purchases back to HPNF. Check out the HPNF Web site for more details.
APPLICATIONS FOR SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS, AND AWARDS ARE OPEN!
The HPNF has given financial assistance to many attendees of our conferences and educational programs, including the Annual Assembly, Virtual Conference, ELNEC classes, ACHPN and CHPN certification review courses, and for certification and recertification costs. There are a few opportunities that are still available for 2016, including the list below:
* Clinical Practice Forum Conference Scholarships-There are 10 scholarships available for this forum in Pittsburgh at the end of September. You can find more information for this under "education" and "conference scholarships" on our Web site. The application deadline for these scholarships is August 1, 2016.
* ACHPN and CHPN Certification Review Scholarships-There are 20 scholarships available for either the ACHPN or CHPN certification review courses being held in conjunction with the Clinical Practice Forum. More information on these is under "education" and "conference scholarships" on our Web site. Deadlines for these are August 1, 2016.
* ELNEC Scholarships-These are for registration and travel for attendees to any of the HPNA-sponsored ELNEC classes throughout 2016. There are opportunities still available for the October program in Orlando, Florida. Deadlines for this scholarship is October 1, 2016.
* Certification Scholarships-These are for those who are seeking HPCC certification or recertification and 60 scholarships. Visit "certification" on our Web site for more information. Application deadlines will be on the first of every month.
There are plenty of opportunities available for hospice and palliative nurses to attend the programs that can help advance expert care in our field. Visit http://www.goHPNF.org for details, eligibility criteria, and application materials for all of our upcoming scholarships, grants, and awards.
HPNF NEEDS YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS
To bring you these scholarships, grants, and awards, HPNF needs your support. Visit our Web site at http://www.goHPNF.org, where you can research our giving opportunities and donor circles. Or type in the following URL, https://www.hpnf.org/donate.aspx, to make your gift now. Thank you!