2008 Annual Assembly
More than 2000 hospice and palliative caregivers met in Tampa Bay, Florida from January 30 to February 2, 2008 for the 2008 AAHPM/HPNA Annual Assembly. Highlights for HPNA included the following:
* Awarding the Leading the Way Award to Dr. Jeanne Beneliol.
* Awarding the Distinguished Career Achievement Award to Dr. Betty Davies.
* Awarding the Distinguished Researcher Award to Karin Kirchhoff, PhD, RN, FAAN.
* Awarding the Outstanding Research Abstract to Suzanne Prevost, RN, PhD.
* Awarding the Innovation in End-of-Life Nursing Care to Kelley Scott, BSN, RN, CHPN.
* Awarding the Ruby Jones Nursing Hero Award to LuJan Meketi, RN.
* Awarding the Marion Ryan Artistry Award to Kathy Meyer, RN, CHPN.
* Awarding 7 new chapter charters to
[white circle] Florida FunCoast
[white circle] Long Island (NY)
[white circle] Triad (NC)
[white circle] North Carolina Foothills
[white circle] Greater Delaware Valley
[white circle] Greater Milwaukee (WI)
[white circle] Southeastern Pennsylvania
* Recognizing 199 volunteers for the work they provided to advance our organization.
* Providing preconference education to 283 nurse attendees-a record number.
* Participating in the many fund-raising opportunities provided by the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation (HPNF) that included a jewelry auction, a Wall of Honor, and the availability of the Key to Heart Boxes-a great start for HPNF, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2008.
* Participating with more than 250 of our colleagues at the certification luncheon held by our sister organization, the National Board for Certification of Hospice and Palliative Nurses (NBCHPN). NBCHPN gave the CHPLN of the Year award to J. Sue Bloodnick, LPN, CHPLN(R) and the CHPN of the Year award to Marilyn Berwick, RN, CCM, CHPN(R).
All who attended would agree that it was a great conference! The presenters and posters were outstanding, and the content was the best ever. Networking is unbelievable. It is definitely the place to get connected! Mark your calendars for the 2009 AAHPM/HPNA conference to be held March 25-28, 2009 in Austin, Texas. We would love to see you there.
2008 Clinical Practice Forum
Caring for People Who Are Not Like Me
Friday, September 5 and Saturday, September 6, 2008
Hilton Hotel, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
This course is designed for practicing hospice and palliative RNs and any other professional nurses who care for patients with life-limiting illnesses interested in improving the cultural care of their patients. The purpose is to demonstrate best practices in caring for end-of-life patients from different cultural and religious groups. The conference starts with Stephanie Myers Schim, PhD, RN presenting "Stepping Toward Culturally Congruent Clinical Practice" and ends with Pam Dalinis, MA, BSN, RN presenting "It's Not Just About Religion and Culture." During the conference, nurses actually meet with persons who are well versed in the needs of persons from many cultures.
Two 4-hour preconferences are being offered the morning of Friday, September 5, 2008:
* Dementia Care: Understanding the Diagnosis.
* Embracing the Diversity and Upholding the Dignity.
* Meeting the Spiritual Needs of People Who Are Not Like Me.
To register or obtain more information, visit http://www.hpna.org or call 412-787-9301.
New HPNA Educational Products
Hospice and Palliative Interactive Learning Resource: Generalist Nurse
The "Hospice and Palliative Interactive Learning Resource: Generalist Nurse" is an interactive learning activity for any nurse who cares for persons with life-limiting illness in any setting. Using an outline framework, this tool is a resource regarding the essential information on hospice and palliative nursing. The Resource's interactive design allows users to navigate through the program in a manner that best fits their needs. Using Adobe Reader 7.0, the Resource is designed for agencies to place on their intranet for all staff to use. It can be purchased by calling 412-787-9301 or via the HPNA Web site at http://www.hpna.org. Cost: $250.00.
Advanced Practice Palliative Nursing: A Guide to Practice and Business Issues
As the specialty of Advanced Practice Hospice and Palliative Nursing evolves, so does the need for tools and mechanisms to help persons entering the field. Many APNs are new APNs in practice rather than new practitioners to the specialty. The decision was made to develop this toolkit that an Advanced Practice Hospice and Palliative APN can use as a reference for business practice issues. It serves not only as a check list but also as a way to get a sense of the issues, the requirements, and the considerations of practice. In particular, it is written by APNs who are in the specialty and have knowledge and expertise to help guide the practice of our colleagues from novices to experts. This item is available for purchase from HPNA online or by calling the National Office at 412-787-9301. Cost is $30.00 for HPNA members and $35.00 for nonmembers.
HPNF 2007 Award Recipients
Individual Education Scholarship
Evelyn Bollinger, RN, BSN
Lisa Church, RN, MSN
Linda Judge-McRae, MDiv, RN, CHPN
Chapter Education Grants
Dallas Area HPNA
Florida West Shores HPNA
Texas Midwest Chapter HPNA
West Central Florida HPNA
Certification Examination Scholarships
Nancy Aycock, RN, BSN, OCN, CHP
Kathleen Broglio, MN, ANP-CS, ACHPN
Carla Jolley, ARNP, MN, CS, AOCN, CHPN
STTI/HPNF Research Grant
Sanghee Kim, RN, MSN
2007 PDIA Nursing Leadership Award
Jan Jahner, BA, BSN, CHPN
2008 PDIA Nursing Leadership Award
Marianne Matzo, PhD, APRN-BC, FAAN
Annual Member Appeal 2008
HPNF is 10 years young in 2008! With the generous individual support of members and friends, HPNF steadily continues its mission to promote quality end-of-life care by supporting research, education, and public awareness of hospice and palliative nurses. Our tenth year, as always, holds promise and surprise and-with your support-continued growth. The annual member campaign is the largest single fundraiser we promote each year. Watch for your letter to arrive in late spring. Please be generous with your response. Each gift, regardless of size, is important to the success of this campaign.
HPNF Scholarships and Grants
We offer more than 20 scholarships and grants annually. However, they are not all awarded because we do not have applicants for every category. Please consider applying for one of our awards or encourage your colleagues, friends, and staff members to do so. Find all the information on our Web site (http://www.hpnf.org) or by calling 412-787-9301. Help us spread the word!
HPNF Research Grants
The HPNF Certification Research Grant was instituted in 2007 and is perhaps least familiar of all the awards that HPNF offers. As part of its mission to advance the practice of hospice and palliative care, HPNF is pleased to offer funding to support much-needed research in the area of certification. The purpose of the HPNF certification grant is to conduct research related to certification of nursing personnel. Proposals on the impact of certification on end-of-life care are being solicited. Pilot and/or developmental research may be submitted for the grant of up to $7,500. This grant is made possible through a donation from the National Board for the Certification of Hospice and Palliative Nurses, and 1 award is available each year. Proposals are due on or before June 1; funding date is September 1. For further details, please visit the HPNF Web site at http://www.hpnf.org.
The STTI/HPNF End-of-Life Nursing Care Research Grant is offered to encourage qualified nurses to contribute to the advancement of nursing care through research. One grant of up to $10,000 is awarded annually. Deadline for applications is April 1. For further details about this joint grant, including more about eligibility criteria and application submission, visit the STTI Web site at http://www.nursingsociety.org/research/grant_hpnf.html.
New "Key to Your Heart" Case Available
HPNF currently offers two styles of "Key to Your Heart" gift cases. These gift items were selected for HPNF as a special fundraising project. Part of your donation helps to fund our wide variety of educational and research opportunities for nurse-members, which range from scholarships for nursing assistants to advanced research in palliative care.
You can choose the 2007 case, which has a larger, lattice-work style in turquoise and gold tones, or a smaller, lavender case, each for a $20.00 donation. Both cases feature butterflies on the top and come with their own matching gift box. Orders for Key to Your Heart cases may be made by phone (412-787-9301) or online (http://www.hpnf.org). Shipping is included. The pastel color scheme of the 2008 style sings "spring!" Order several today!
Computer-Based Testing Has Begun
The first testing window for the NBCHPN(R) now offers all examinations through computer-based testing (CBT). Please obtain a current copy of the candidate handbook for updated information regarding policies, procedures, application/testing windows, and deadlines. For further information regarding CBT, please contact the National Office at 412-787-1057 or online at http://www.nbchpn.org.
NBCHPN(R) Announces the 2008 Certificant of the Year Award Recipients at Certification Recognition Luncheon
The National Board for Certification of Hospice and Palliative Nurses presented the 2008 Certificant of the Year Awards during the Certification Luncheon held on January 31, 2008 at the Annual Assembly of AAHPM and HPNA in Tampa, Florida.
Marilyn Berwick, RN, CCM, CHPN(R), is the 2008 recipient of the Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse of the Year Award (CHPN(R)). "She really 'gets it' when it comes to the philosophy and practice of end-of-life care, and she is undaunted by the barriers which often cause others to surrender rather than continue their advocacy efforts. She is an encourager to both her colleagues and her patients," said Barbara Head, PhD, RN, CHPN(R), ACSW, Research Director of the Interdisciplinary Program for Palliative Care and Chronic Illness at the University of Louisville. Ms. Berwick is employed by Passport Health Plan as a case manager for members eligible for state Medicaid benefits. She is certified in hospice and palliative nursing and case management. Marilyn is a nursing professional with more than 35 years of progressive experience with major medical and hospital facilities.
J. Sue Bloodnick, LPN, CHPLN(R), is the 2008 recipient of the Certified Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurse of the Year Award (CHPLN(R)). "She serves as mentor, advocate, and educator for patients, families, and the healthcare team with her passion and dedication to the mission and philosophy of palliative care services. Joan has impacted the quality of living for so many persons and provided dignity at the end of life for others," said Eileen Roberto, RN, CHPN(R), Coordinator of Palliative Care Services at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip, New York. Joan has been a licensed practical nurse with 14 years' experience in the adult patient care setting, including intensive care, acute coronary care, and palliative care.
Exciting News for NBCHPN(R): Examination Accreditations
NBCHPN(R) is proud to announce that they have successfully fulfilled the American Board of Nursing Specialties accreditation requirements for the advanced certified hospice and palliative nurses program and fulfilled the reaccreditation requirements for the certified hospice and palliative nurses program. Both accreditations are valid through February 2012.
NBCHPN(R) has successfully fulfilled the accreditation requirements of the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), which is the accreditation body for the National Organization for Competency Assurance for the Certified Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurse (CHPLN(R)) Exam. Achievement of this accreditation was accomplished by demonstration of compliance with the 21 standards established by the commission. Our nursing assistant examination, CHPNA, is also accredited through the NCCA. Both accreditations are valid through April 2010.
2009 Call for Nominations
If you (or someone you know) are certified, interested in serving your profession, and committed to end-of-life care, you may want to consider applying for a position on the NBCHPN(R) Board of Directors or 1 of the 5 Examination Development Committees. The NBCHPN(R) welcomes applications for available positions for the Board of Directors and the 5 Examination Development Committees for 2009. If interested, please contact the National Office at 412-787-1057, via fax at 412-787-9305, or via e-mail at [email protected] for an application packet. Applications are also available on our Web site (http://www.nbchpn.org). Completed application packets are due by June 1, 2008.
Great care is taken to select candidates from both hospice and palliative care backgrounds who represent various geographic areas of the country and have clinical, management, and academic expertise. It is important that a sufficient number of qualified individuals apply to ensure the ongoing leadership for the certification process and accomplishment of the goals of the organization.
Certification Tackettes
Available for purchase from the National Office.
To order, please visit our Web site (http://www.nbchpn.org) or call the National Office (412-787-1057).