The Alliance for Excellence in Hospice and Palliative Nursing is Launching a Public Awareness Campaign
The Alliance for Excellence in Hospice and Palliative Nursing Board of Trustees, which consists of presidents and a second representative from each of the three sister boards (HPNA, NBCHPN, and HPNF), met on March 29, 2008 with seven invited guests and conducted a facilitated discussion regarding the future of palliative nursing (including hospice care and bereavement care). The outcomes were exhilarating. To read more about the "talking points" and the white paper from this summit, visit the Web site http://www.TheAllianceForExcellence.org.
Even more exciting is that a documentary, an educational commercial segment for use regionally, nationally, and internationally through the Voice of America, is being developed in conjunction with the National Medical Report through VisionMedia regarding the work of the alliance. The video will be distributed to more than 40 million households and 1 million members of AARP, will be used by public television in all 50 states, and will be available to you, our members, in the fall of 2008.
There is much work to do in our future. Continuing to build partnerships with the participants of the summit and other potential partners is an important part of our future progress.
2008 HPNA Clinical Practice Forum
"Caring for People Who Are Not Like Me"
September 5-6, 2008
Hilton Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
What do nurses need to learn in order to incorporate sensitivity into their daily practice of the unique religious and/or cultural needs of the patient and their family members? For patients from diverse cultures, quality of care means culturally appropriate care. Make your plans to attend this dynamic conference that focuses on the challenges of caring for individuals when differences in culture, languages, beliefs, attitudes, and practices may differ from yours.
Jane Sidwell, MSW, RN, CHPN(R) President, president of HPNA, will initiate this conference by welcoming all attendees. The keynote address entitled "Stepping Toward Culturally Congruent Clinical Practice," by Stephanie Myers Schim, PhD, RN, will follow. The attendees will then have the opportunity to visit the "International Neighborhood," where more than 20 different ethnic and religious representatives will provide an insight as diverse neighbors. To end the day, a reception will be held while the participants have the opportunity to visit the exhibits.
On Saturday, September 6, a continental breakfast will be offered before the attendees participate in another interactive session identified as "Diversity Circles." Healthcare professionals will facilitate communication on the care of persons with life-limiting illness specific to the diverse groups represented. Conference participants will visit seven different tables during this session.
The afternoon session on "Applying Cultural Competence in a Case Study with Complex Identities" will demonstrate the role of cultural competence and its influence as it paves the way for culturally responsive approaches to care delivery. The conference concludes with a presentation by Pam Dalinis, MA, BSN, RN, entitled "It's Not Just About Religion and Culture."
To further enhance the clinical practice forum experience, consider attending a preconference workshop on September 5! Select from the following: "Dementia Care Understanding the Diagnosis, Embracing the Diversity, and Upholding the Dignity" or "Meeting the Spiritual Needs of People Who Are Not Like Me." Register online at http://www.hpna.org. Early registration is until July 31, 2008.
Discounts will be given to HPNA members. Discounts will be given for online registration. A block of rooms for a special rate is reserved at the Pittsburgh Hilton Hotel. Make your reservations early. Continuing Nursing Education hours will be awarded. Network with other healthcare professionals in your field of practice.
Please take note of the following: We are encouraging you to make your hotel and travel reservations early. The Pittsburgh Steelers Football team will be playing the season opener that weekend, and the Steelers fans will be coming in to support their team.
Educational Products
HPNA Practice Drivers
HPNA Practice Drivers help you keep up-to-date on evidence-based practice. They are summaries of research articles on a variety of clinical topics. Each article is succinctly summarized to give you just the information you need to practice. After the article summaries is a list of practice points that lists the "take to practice" points from the articles. A collection of three topics is summarized each quarter and placed on a flash drive. Each summary is in a PDF file that can be printed and shared with colleagues.
The winter 2008 topics are as follows:
* Enteral feeding in patients with neurogenic dysphagia
* Management of terminal secretions
* The use of opioids and sedation at end of life
The spring 2008 topics are as follows:
* Cancer-related constipation
* Cancer-related depression
* Cancer-related fatigue
Compendium of Treatment of End-Stage Noncancer Diagnoses
The compendium is a series of seven books edited by Patrick J. Coyne, MSN, APRN, BC-PCM, FAAN, that is designed to serve as a resource in constructing an appropriate plan of care for individuals and their families who experience these diseases. These modules examine the incidence of each disease process, the pathophysiology of the illness, appropriate assessment techniques, and treatments as the disease progresses. The modules further define the psychosocial implications. They specifically question the potential ethical, economic, and research implications as related to each specific disease process.
The seventh compendium, Neurological Disease and Trauma, is now available. The other books are as follows:
* Dementia
* Heart Failure
* Hepatic
* HIV/AIDS
* Pulmonary
* Renal
Bringing them together as a collection is the most cost-effective way to add these outstanding resources to your library. Visit http://www.hpna.org or call 412-787-9301 for more information.
The Power of 10!
The Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation (HPNF) has set a lofty but attainable goal of 10% of the membership donating to the foundation in 2008. This is to celebrate our 10th anniversary! We need 920 people to reach that goal! (Last year, we had 412 donors; your donation is needed to reach this goal.) Hospice and palliative nurses give expert care through their caring hands and loving hearts each day on the job. The suggested amount for new or recent donors to the foundation is $50 or $100-the power of 10 times the caring of those capable hands. However, any donation amounts are welcome-smaller or larger gifts all make an impact on the work of the foundation. The amount is up to you!
Since our beginning in 1998, the foundation has had as its mission the promotion of quality end-of-life care by supporting research, education, and public awareness of the hospice and palliative nurse. The foundation was created as the 501(c)(3) charitable arm of the HPNA so that donations by individuals and corporations alike are tax deductible. All gifts donated to the HPNF go directly to support hospice and palliative nurses across the country.
The future of hospice and palliative nursing is in your hands. If you have already made your 2008 contribution, thank you-you know you are making a difference for the future! If you have been waiting for a special reason to donate to the HPNF, please consider donating today and be counted among the 10%. Please make your power of 10 donation of $50 or $100 today!
Here are three ways to donate to HPNF:
Telephone: 412-787-9301
Online: http://www.hpnf.org
Mail (return the appeal letter received by mail in April or find a mail-in form on the announcements page at http://www.hpnf.org)
Indicate that you are responding to the annual member appeal.
Key to Your Heart
Gift cases may be ordered by telephone, online, or through the mail with the order form from http://www.hpnf.org. Each case is available for a $20 donation-postage included. There are two styles to choose from, two gifts to give. The 2007 Blue Butterfly case is in limited supply. However, the supply of beautiful Lavender 2008 cases is ample for spreading the word and work of the foundation. These decorative hearts make an ideal friendship gift or a hostess thank-you for summer travels! Pictures of both are available at http://www.hpnf.org. Order some to have on hand. Be ready to put a smile on your friend's face!
The HPNF Raises Funds
The HPNF raises funds year-round. The results of this fundraising show in the following ways: scholarships for HPNA members, research grants to advance the science, educational project grants for HPNA chapters, support of HPNA programs, and Leading the Way awards.
New Certification Examination!
The NBCHPN hospice and palliative care administrator certification is available for the September 2008 testing window. Eligibility requirements and examination overview and the role delineation study information for our upcoming hospice and palliative care administrator examination are available on our Web site, http://www.nbchpn.org, under the "Admin" tab at the top of the home page. The candidate handbook is updated and includes the administrator certification exam information.
What are the eligibility requirements for the hospice and palliative administrator certification exam? Candidates who apply for the administrator certification examination provide confirmation from their supervisor (with the exception of the CEO, who self-verifies) that they have fulfilled the eligibility requirements of the equivalent of 2 years of full-time hospice and palliative administrative work in the past 3 years that covers the content in the administrator test content outline.
How do I apply for the hospice and palliative administrator certification examination? The candidate handbook and written application for the administrator are available online at our Web site, http://www.nbchpn.org, and can be accessed by clicking the "Admin" tab or by calling the testing agency, Applied Measurement Professionals, at 1-888-519-9901. Candidates may also apply online for the examination through http://www.nbchpn.org. Faxed applications are not accepted, and deadlines are strictly enforced.
What credential is associated with passing the hospice and palliative administrator certification examination? NBCHPN awards certification and the permission to use the certification mark CHPCA (certified hospice and palliative care administrator) are granted to those who successfully pass the hospice and palliative administrator certification examination.
Employer Supporter Program
In 2001, NBCHPN initiated an employer supporter program that has been committed to providing recognition on an annual basis for those who continue their efforts. Currently, more than 200 employers have acknowledged that they support certification through NBCHPN. Our Employer of the Year award, launched in 2006, acknowledges an agency that demonstrates sustained support and dedication to the certification process. To become part of the employer supporter program, e-mail NBCHPN at [email protected] with the following information:
* Contact information and name of the person in your organization to whom acknowledgment should be sent
* Full mailing address of organization
* State how your organization supports certification (eg, study groups, reimbursement for passing the examination, salary differentials). Include levels as applicable (APRN, RN, LP/VN, NA).
Employer supporter program benefits include a wall certificate for display, acknowledgment on the NBCHPN Web site, http://www.nbchpn.org, under the "Employer Information" tab, eligibility to receive the Employer of the Year award, and a certification newsletter.