December 2015 • Volume 26, Number 10
Nursingmatters www.nursingmattersonline.com
INSIDE: What if …
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New WNC program
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Celebrations
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CONTRIBUTED
Volunteers give out newborn kits at the Ngarenaro Health Center — Karen Maternity Ward birthing center in Arusha, Tanzania. From left are Trisha Helland, Karen Klemp, Nancy Comello, Amy Martin and Jane Krogstad.
Reach out to the smallest MADISON WI PERMIT NO. 1723
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Tamar Meyers
CONTRIBUTED
Amy Martin, RN, gives supplies to a mom with her newborn baby.
For some mothers, receiving tiny hats and booties is a routine part of a new baby. For other new mothers, though, the clothing is a necessity for their infant’s survival. This is a lesson Karen Klemp, a neonatal Intensive Care Unit nurse, has learned firsthand. Klemp and her husband, Rick, founded an organization to, among other initiatives, send teams to teach infant resuscitation in developing countries. While on a trip in Tanzania, Karen Klemp learned that hypothermia is a leading cause of death for newborns. Though the Tanzanian government mandates that birthing centers provide supplies to new mothers, the task is difficult for financestrapped clinics. This past year the organization began an initiative to help mothers welcome their new babies and possibly keep them alive. Volunteers created almost 1,000 bags of clothes, blankets and other
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Nursingmatters is published monthly by Capital Newspapers. Editorial and business offices are located at 1901 Fish Hatchery Road, Madison, WI 53713 FAX 608-250-4155 Send change of address information to: Nursingmatters 1901 Fish Hatchery Rd. Madison, WI 53713 Editor........................................... Kaye Lillesand, MSN 608-222-4774 • kayelillesand@gmail.com Managing Editor................................... Julie Belschner 608-250-4320 • jbelschner@madison.com Advertising Representative...................Andrew Butzine 608-252-6263 • abutzine@madison.com Recruitment Sales Manager.......................Sheryl Barry 608-252-6379 • sbarry@madison.com Art Director...........................................Wendy McClure 608-252-6267 • wmcclure@madison.com Publications Division Manager.................. Matt Meyers 608-252-6235 • mmeyers@madison.com Nursingmatters is dedicated to supporting and fostering the growth of professional nursing. Your comments are encouraged and appreciated. Email editorial submissions to klillesand@sbcglobal.net. Call 608-252-6264 for advertising rates. Every precaution is taken to ensure accuracy, but the publisher cannot accept responsibility for the correctness or accuracy of information herein or for any opinion expressed. The publisher will return material submitted when requested; however, we cannot guarantee the safety of artwork, photographs or manuscripts while in transit or while in our possession.
EDITORIAL BOARD Vivien DeBack, RN, Ph.D., Emeritus Nurse Consultant Empowering Change, Greenfield, WI Bonnie Allbaugh, RN, MSN Madison, WI Cathy Andrews, Ph.D., RN Associate Professor (Retired) Edgewood College, Madison, WI Kristin Baird, RN, BSN, MSH President Baird Consulting, Inc., Fort Atkinson, WI Joyce Berning, BSN Mineral Point, WI Mary Greeneway, BSN, RN-BC Clinical Education Coordinator Aurora Medical Center, Manitowoc County Mary LaBelle, RN Staff Nurse Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital Milwaukee, WI Cynthia Wheeler Retired NURSINGmatters Advertising Executive, Madison, WI Deanna Blanchard, MSN Nursing Education Specialist at UW Health Oregon, WI Claire Meisenheimer, RN, Ph.D. Professor, UW-Oshkosh College of Nursing Oshkosh, WI Steve Ohly, ANP Community Health Program Manager St. Lukes Madison Street Outreach Clinic Milwaukee, WI Joyce Smith, RN, CFNP Family Nurse Practitioner Marshfield Clinic, Riverview Center Eau Claire, WI Karen Witt, RN, MSN Associate Professor UW-Eau Claire School of Nursing, Eau Claire, WI © 2015 Capital Newspapers
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Christmas spirit: Give to others The Christmas spirit. What is it? Isn’t it about giving? And isn’t it about giving of one’s self rather than “things” What an opportunity the nursing profession gives us! It is all about giving of ourselves for others who need to heal or stay well. In the recent Miss Kaye Lillesand America contest, Miss Colorado, a professional nurse, as her talent portion gave a five-minute monologue on what it meant to her to be a nurse. She spoke about a particular
patient and how caring had made a difference in that man’s life. Instead of a gown she wore scrubs and a stethoscope. When Joy Behar of “The View” questioned why a nurse was wearing a stethoscope, it really raised the ire of the nurses of this country. It resulted in a meaningful Facebook post called “Show me your Stethoscope.” Nurses from all over the country have been telling their stories on Facebook. It has been a great opportunity to be a voice for nursing and to tell non-nurses what nursing is all about. The one consistent theme that runs through all the stories is the significance of caring for others and how nurses are energized by patients
appreciating that care. Nursing embodies the spirit of Christmas. So this Christmas instead of thinking, “What ‘thing’ can I get for this person,” why not think, “What beautiful, caring thing can I do for this person?” Give a gift of yourself. You will be so glad you did! Editor’s Note: Miss Colorado, Kelley Johnson, will be the luncheon speaker at the NURSINGmatters EXPO in February. Please be sure to register! See ad on page 8.
Darkness Descends on Wisconsin Jay Heck Common Cause in Wisconsin
Editor’s Note: You probably have heard me say this before. “What happens in the Legislature impacts what happens at the bedside!” Current examples of this include • Look what is happening to school nursing with all the cuts to the education budget; • Look at what is happening to public health nursing with all the legislation impacting air, water, food and road quality; • Look what is happening to mental health nursing with all the cuts to the mental health budget. How can we promote healing and wellness without governmental support for its citizens? The situation in our state is bad enough under existing conditions, but with the recent bills passed regarding the Government Accountability Board and campaign-financing transparency, the potential for our own Wisconsin “Tammany Hall” with all its corruption and abuse of power is imminent. – See the Common Cause article below. Nurses, it’s time to become REALLY involved and advocate for our citizens and our profession! Regarding Wisconsin Assembly Vote on Assembly Bills 387 and 388 The corrupt status quo in Wisconsin not only prevailed (this past month), it triumphed completely. The majority party in the State Assembly and the State Senate moved Wisconsin far back into the past, vanquishing more than 100 years of transparency and sensible limits on
special-interest political money – reforms which, in part, date back to the governorship of Robert M. LaFollette Sr. The destruction of the nine-year-old, non-partisan Government Accountability Board was based on completely discredited charges, false premises, character assassination and outright falsehoods. The enactment into law of both the Government Accountability Board destruction – AB 388 – and campaign finance deform – AB 387 – measures, in combination with the recently enacted law to exempt political crimes from being investigated under the state’s John Doe process, all combine to allow political corruption to take root and flourish in Wisconsin. In secret. Legislative Democrats and Republican state Sen. Rob Cowles of Green Bay deserve citizen thanks for opposing the campaign-finance deform legislation. Legislative Democrats and Republican state Rep. Todd Novak of Dodgeville, Rep. Warren Petryk of Eleva and Rep. Travis Tranel of Cuba City deserve thanks for opposing the Government Accountability Board-destruction measure. This will be remembered as one of the saddest and darkest days in Wisconsin history, at the end of one of the most horrendous months in our state’s 167year history, when honest, accountable and transparent state government was systematically dismantled in favor of hyper-partisan political advantage, retroactive decriminalization and revenge. The sun will rise again in our state. But we will all need to pull together to make that happen.
WHAT IF ...
What is Reflexology? Brenda Zarth
Reflexology is a form of bodywork that focuses primarily on the feet. The underlying theory behind Reflexology is that there are “reflex” areas on the Brenda Zarth feet and hands that correspond to specific organs, glands and other parts of the body. It’s based on the premise that all nerves of the spinal cord connect from the top of the head to the feet. The toes reflect the head; the ball of the foot reflects the heart and chest; the arch of the foot the liver, pancreas and kidney; etc. Early practitioners believed that applying pressure to these reflex areas could promote health in the corresponding organs through energetic pathways. Dr. William H. Fitzgerald, an ear, nose and throat physician, introduced this concept in 1915. Eunice Ingram, a physiotherapist, further developed it in the 1930s into what is called Reflexology. More recently,
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December • 2015
Reprint in a series written by Signe Cooper and introduced by Laurie Glass in Nursingmatters
Helen Creighton 1914-1995
Nurse defined legal responsibilities at the UW- Milwaukee School of Helen Creighton was a wellNursing, she was named a distinknown nurse attorney before guished professor in 1978. she joined the faculty of the A prolific author, Creighton University of Milwaukee School wrote on the legal aspects of of Nursing in 1969. Although she nursing and on cardiovascular was not the first nurse attorney nursing. She published more in the country, she did more than than 300 articles, including a any other to sensitize nurses to monthly column in “Supervisor their legal responsibilities. Helen Creighton Nurse� – later titled “NursShe was born in Pittsburg, ing Management� – for many Pennsylvania, on March 7, 1914, years. Her popular book, “Law Every the daughter of Dr. Lawrence CreighNurse Should Know,� first published in ton and Maud McCutcheon Creighton. 1957, was revised four times. She also Broadly educated, at the age of 18 Creighco-authored with Catherine Armington ton received an AB from Waynesburg “Nursing of People with Cardiovascular College in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. She Problems.� She was frequently sought was later awarded an MA in social studies as a speaker at national meetings and from the University of Michigan in Ann conferences, both in this country and Arbor. From 1933 through 1937 she taught abroad. Her manner was somewhat in public schools in Pennsylvania, and brusque, but her audience was attentive then earned her Juris Doctor degree from to her important message. George Washington University Law School Creighton served as a visiting proin Washington, D.C. She was admitted to fessor at several schools of nursing and the bar in 1943. as a consultant to many institutions. For After several years as a practicing attorher unique contributions to nursing, she ney, she entered Georgetown University received numerous citations, commenSchool of Nursing in Washington, D.C., dations and awards. She was elected a receiving a diploma in 1953 and a BSN Fellow in the America Academy of Nursthree years later. Her Masters in Nursing ing in 1977. The next year she received an was from St. Louis University, with a spehonorary Doctor of Humane Letters from cialty in cardiovascular nursing. Georgetown University for pioneering Creighton was a staff nurse for the legal aspects of nursing nationally and Washington, D.C., Visiting Nurse Assointernationally. That year she also received ciation for a year before being appointed a citation for meritorious service from to the faculty of Georgetown University President Ronald Reagan. School of Nursing where she served from The UW-Milwaukee School of Nursing 1954 to 1959. She then joined the faculty honored her beginning in 1979 through its at the University of Southwestern Louannual Helen Creighton Day. isiana at Lafayette, where she remained Helen Creighton died Feb 19, 1995. for nearly 10 years. Appointed professor
Reflexology
continued from page 2 Dr. Jesus Manzanares established the neurophysiological basis of Reflexology. His work has demonstrated that deposits that are being rubbed out on the feet have a higher nerve fiber and vascular element than similar-appearing hypodermis-level deposits. His research has further defined the communication pathways involved in Reflexology. Visit www.manzanaresmethod.com to learn more about his work. I went to Reflexology because I was frustrated with my asthma and my dependence on inhalers. My chest felt congested most of the time, with a constant awareness of decreased lung capacity. I had been trying to exercise but I needed to be able to breathe better to exercise. My body felt disconnected. I really wanted this treatment to work. As my therapist was rubbing on my feet I tried to figure out what organ connection she was rubbing on, based on the sensations in my body. I could identify when she hit the zone for my lungs because I inadvertently took a deep breath that seemed free of restriction. I could tell when she was working on my pelvis because I would have a muscle spasm ripple through my abdomen. It felt like an internal stretching or flexing of unknown muscles and tissues, an unwinding of a knot. With each session I became more aware of the internal workings of my body. I always left a session feeling very relaxed
like I had just had a warm internal shower – relaxed and content but revitalized. In one session my therapist was rubbing on the inside edge of my foot in a new area, and she said, “I just went to a seminar and learned something new; did you have a trauma 12 years ago, maybe a car accident?â€? I said, “No, never been in a serious car accident.â€? As soon as the words were out I felt propelled into the past, and I was sitting in my car white-knuckling the steering wheel, feeling like I wanted to scream, driving to work at 10:30 p.m., very unhappy with my life. I was thinking, “My stress level is at a 9.5/10 and I don’t know how to fix it.â€? I was frustrated and disappointed in myself. “Why couldn’t I deal better with my situation?â€? I was working 50 to 60 hours a week, rotating days and nights. My husband was unemployed and we were remodeling our house. I had three small children plus a foster child; six people were sleeping in two rooms. I suddenly realized that anyone in that situation would have probably felt stressed. I was not deficient for having a hard time dealing with it. I could suddenly appreciate that anyone might feel out of control in this situation. As I “forgaveâ€? myself for my feelings of inadequacy, the dream evaporated and so did the stress. Poof; it was gone. I felt overexposed and raw, but cleansed. My therapist was unaware of where my mind had been and the stress that had been
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Assistant Professor of Nursing Predolin School School of of Nursing Nursing at at Edgewood Edgewood College College announces announces the theopening openingfor for The Henry Predolin full-time tenure tenuretrack trackfaculty facultypositions positionsbeginning beginningwith withthe theacademic academicyear year2015-2016. 2014-2015. two full-time Responsibilitiesinclude includeteaching teachingatatthe theundergraduate undergraduateand andgraduate graduate(MSN (MSNand andDNP) DNP)levels. levels. Responsibilities Graduate concentrations concentrationsinclude includeNursing NursingAdministration Administrationand andLeadership. Leadership. Graduate Qualifications: • Earned PhD in Nursing (preferred), or doctorate in related field with a Master’s degree in Nursing; DNP may be considered • Eligible for RN licensure in the State of Wisconsin • Evidence of teaching, scholarly and community services potential • Knowledge and skills in contemporary practice issues related to the AACN Essentials • Demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion, and multicultural competence
To Apply: Send a letter of application, resume, and references to: Edgewood College Human Resources – APN1 1000 Edgewood College Drive Madison, WI 53711 www.edgewood.edu E-mail: humanresources@edgewood.edu Equal Opportunity Employer
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December • 2015
WCN begins recognition program
The 2011 Institute of Medicine Future of Nursing Report recommends that 80 percent of nurses have a BSN by the year 2020. Of all nurses licensed in Wisconsin, 44.1 percent hold baccalaureate degrees and another 11.7 percent are prepared with a master’s degree or higher. Many organizations in Wisconsin are working to facilitate advancing nursing degrees in our state A program from the Wisconsin Center for Nursing now recognizes these efforts. As co-lead for the Wisconsin Action Coalition and as part of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation State Implementation Program grant award – Wisconsin Nursing LEADs the PACC: Partnerships
Reflexology
continued from page 3 released. She was still rubbing my feet. I’ve been told that Reflexology can open nerve connections, remove blockages and improve sluggish communication between the brain and internal organs. I’ve been told we can store emotional dilemmas in our connective tissue, like scar tissue or a cyst, so we don’t need to maintain it in the forefront of our minds. In my mind I can imagine that Reflexology can find these scars or cysts and free them – at a time when
in Action for Community Care – the Wisconsin Center for Nursing has teamed with the Wisconsin Organization of Nurse Executives to develop a unique recognition program for those organizations striving to advance nursing education. The program committee was led by Judith Hansen, MS, RN, Wisconsin Center for Nursing executive director, and included Wisconsin Organization of Nurse Executives members: • Peggy Ose, MSN, BSN, RN, FACHE, vice-president of Patient Services and chief nursing officer at Aspirus Riverview Hospital in Wisconsin Rapids; • L aura Hieb, MBA, BSN, RN, NE-BC,
we are safe in our current situation and have the ability to realize that it’s okay to let them go. Reflexology leaves behind an increased awareness of who I am and an increased connection to the internal workings of my body. It feels like I’ve checked in with my organs and tissues and fine- tuned the electrical system of my body. Visit www.integratedreflexologistsofwi. org to find a Reflexologist in your area. Email BrendaZarth@gmail.com or visit brendashealthplan.blogspot.com to give comments.
chief nursing officer, Bellin Health System; and • Steve Rush, PhD, RN, vice-president Workforce & Clinical Practice, Wisconsin Hospital Association. Organizations taking part in the program will be known as LEAD Organizations, “Leading by Example to Advance Degrees.” The program will focus on recognizing those organizations which are taking positive steps toward, or making progress on, BSN completion as part of the Institute of Medicine goal for 80 percent BSN by 2020. Emphasis is being placed on process, strategies and commitment to advancing nursing education. There is no expectation or requirement for participants to achieve 80 percent by 2020, but rather to recognize critical efforts and provide opportunity to engage with other organizations in a common cause, as well as to share key learnings and successful strategies. Many efforts are underway in Wisconsin; nurses are encouraged to be part of the learning environment. Every organization, large
Nursingmatters
or small, has something to contribute to advancing nursing. Participants will be recognized in various ways. A dedicated webpage on the Wisconsin Center for Nursing website at www.wisconsincenterfornursing.org will highlight the organization and a leader who can serve as a contact person, along with details of efforts to advance nursing education. The organizations will also be identified in national reports to Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. To be recognized for efforts to advance nursing education, submit a brief summary – 300 words or less – on an organization’s approach. Include a name and contact information, the link to the organization’s website, and if possible, a photograph of a key leader in the initiative. Submitting organizations will be added to the gallery of LEAD organizations on the Wisconsin Center for Nursing website. Email info@ wicenterfornursing.org to submit applications. Contact Judith Hansen at 414-8016877 for more information.
Bellin embraces 2020 challenge Bellin Health System and Bellin College are the first to be recognized as “Leading by Example to Advance Degrees” organizations as part of a new Wisconsin Center of Nursing recognition program. The organizations conducted an analysis of current staff-education levels; the data on attrition rates, expected retirements and addition of new RNs were calculated. Utilizing this information, Bellin Health Chief Nursing Officer Laura Hieb determined that by elevating 100 existing nurses with diplomas or associate degrees in nursing to a BSN level, by requiring a retention commitment of two to four years, plus by mandating any new-hire nurses with associate degrees Laura Hieb to have a bachelor’s degree within five years, Bellin would achieve the Institute of Medicine’s recommendation that 80 percent of the nursing workforce be BSN or higher by 2020. Currently, 58 percent of the 900-plus nurses in Bellin Health System have a BSN or higher degree. Collaboration with the college began in an effort to achieve the institute’s recommendation metric, with a series of focus groups were held regarding interest in the creation of a BSN-completion program. Feedback from the focus groups and a high interest from the nursing staff determined that tuition assistance covering 70 percent of the costs would make the program feasible. Having nurses
contribute 30 percent created incentive to stay engaged in the program. Tuition rates were adjusted to be commensurate with that of state colleges. Once this was achieved, the curriculum was built and accreditation for a two-year BSN Completion Program was awarded. The program will accept cohorts of 20 students annually during the next five years to reach a total of 100 students. A return-on-investment was calculated based on cost of turnover and impact of retaining new BSN nurses. Utilizing the current attrition rate and calculating $50,000 per nurse, the retention requirement potentially assists the system in decreasing turnover costs by $1 million per 20 nurses retained. The mandated retention would come at a time of increased retirements, thereby creating a financial win for the organization. The cohorts will complete projects on improvement work within the organization. This creates a double win: a win for the employee in value-added work, and a win for the organization in focused energy on key initiatives. The first cohort was selected by Hieb and Bellin College after a rigorous application process; the program began in fall 2015. Bellin College professors worked closely with the Bellin leadership team to craft a 30-credit nursing curriculum closely aligned with “BSN Essentials,” as well as with the strategic direction of the Bellin Health System and its vision of helping people in the region become the healthiest in the nation. Visit www.wisconsincenterfornursing. org for more information.
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December • 2015
U.S. Senate recognizes nursing importance CONTRIBUTED
Amy Martin, RN, has help from her daughter Chloe while packing newborn kits.
CONTRIBUTED
Volunteers put together newborn kits to send overseas.
Smallest
continued from page 1 supplies. A group of more than 40 volunteers gathered this past month for the latest packing event, shedding layers of coats as they warmed up at the Prairie Athletic Club in Sun Prairie. They stuffed bags, choosing clothing from tables piled with stacks of hats, onesies and blankets. One of the volunteers was at the event because of his firsthand experience. John Nyimbo, visiting from Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, said he wants to help prevent infant fatalities in his homeland. Many packing participants, like Amy Martin, were local nurses. Martin works in the Meriter Hospital neonatal ICU with Karen Klemp; she has traveled to Tanzania to teach infant resuscitation and other skills. Martin said she was struck by watching new mothers arrive at the clinic, forced to bring along their own labor supplies. Often all the clinics could provide was a bed sheet. “It was pretty eye-opening,� Martin said. Dave Comello, an occupational therapist, has also visited Tanzania. He said the experience spurred him to do more. “Once you meet these people and their families, it really motivates you to put substance to the caring,� he said. The kits are distributed in backpacks that can also double as diaper bags. They contain supplies mandated by the Tanzanian government along with some extra gear. The organization sends the bags to Tanzania in large containers or with other organizations traveling to other countries — as long as they go to mothers in need. Nancy Comello, an Edgewood College
CONTRIBUTED
Karen Klemp shows 300 completed new-baby kits.
nursing instructor, has taken bags to Guatemala. She’s currently working on a project to train midwives in dealing with birth complications and infant resuscitation. She said midwives will distribute the bags to mothers in need. Karen Klemp said packing events have brought in families, individuals and middle school or high school volunteers. “It’s a simple way to help babies survive,� she said. “It’s a simple way that the community can get involved.� Each bag contained a pair of flip-flops, which First Choice Insurance Solutions agents Nicole and Bret LaBuwi collect in yearly drives. According to Karen Klemp, many mothers enter and exit hospitals barefoot. Nicole LaBuwi came to the packing event with her children; she said participating has helped teach them lessons about service. “It helps our kids understand the needs of others, instead of just themselves,� she said. Brooke, her 10-year-old daughter, said the bags are important, “so babies can get what they should have.� At the event, the LaBuwis and other volunteers carefully pulled items out of piles and carried them around the tables. Karen Klemp said she has been struck by the care that participants put into packing each bag. “(It’s) almost like they have a specific baby in mind,� she said. Volunteers also write a personal message on each bag – “happy birthday baby� was a popular one from the younger participants. Klemp said her organization’s mantra is “breathing life into the next generation.� This addresses the physical side – the
organization’s infant-resuscitation programs – but also the spiritual aspects. “It shows kindness on behalf of anyone who participates,� she said. “It’s a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.�
There are more than 250 nurse-managed health clinics throughout the nation that serve as a medical home for more than 3 million people in underserved rural and urban settings. Nurse-led clinics managed by advanced practice nurses were honored across the nation in November through a Senate resolution. The resolution officially marked Nov. 8-14 as National Nurse-Managed Health Clinic Week. U.S. Senate Resolution 303, co-sponsored by Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee and Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon launches a national campaign to bring awareness to nurse-managed health clinics and the vulnerable communities they serve. Nurse-managed health clinics play a pioneering role in health care innovation by testing new modalities of primary health care and offering clinical training sites for the next generation of providers. National Nurse-Managed Health Clinic
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Bellin College will help you take your career to the next level! Master of Science in Nursing program Family Nurse Practitioner Nurse Educator NEW! Family Nurse Practitioner Â
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December • 2015
Nursingmatters
Marquette University: 2015 honors and grants achieved by staff Honors: Diane Dressler, M.S.N., C.C.R.N., clinical assistant professor – awarded the 2015 Teaching Excellence Award. Marilyn Frenn, Ph.D., C.N.E., A.N.E.F., F.T.O.S., professor – awarded the 2015 Way Klingler Teaching Enhancement Award. Norah Johnson, Ph.D., R.N., C.P.N.P., A.P.N.P., assistant professor – awarded the Julie Lathrop Nursing Research Award, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. Donna McCarthy, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N., interim dean and professor – awarded the Distinguished Service Award, Midwest Nursing Research Society.
Grants: Marianne Weiss, D.N.Sc., R.N., professor – awarded $675,000 for “READI – Readiness Evaluation and Discharge Interventions: Implementation as a Standard Nursing Practice for Hospital Discharge,” American Nurse Credentialing Center, with Dr. Kathleen Bobay and Dr. Ronda Hughes. Leona VandeVusse, Ph.D., R.N., C.N.M., F.A.C.N.M., associate professor – awarded $237,299 for “Marquette University – Nurses Supporting Families to Improve Maternal and Infant Outcomes,” Health Resources and Services Administration. Margaret J. Bull, Ph.D., R.N., professor – awarded $100,000 for “Preparing Faculty Scholars in Nursing,” Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Senate
continued from page 5 Week recognizes the capacity of nurse-led clinics to provide accessible, high-quality and affordable health services to patients who would not otherwise have access to care. To further underscore the revolutionary impact of nurse-led care nationally and globally, the National Nursing Centers Consortium – a national nonprofit organization supporting nurse-led care as a solution to health care disparities – held its annual conference Nov. 12-13 in Philadelphia. The conference focused on the sustainability of nurse-managed health clinics and the future of nurse-led care. The National Nursing Centers Consortium serves as an incubator for innovative nurse-led community-based programs. As part of its conference, the consortium highlighted the kickoff of two major initiatives with support from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and The Rita and Alex Hillman Foundation. The “Transforming Clinical Practices” initiative is one of the largest federal quality-improvement programs of its kind; the National Nursing Centers Consortium will be supporting nurse practitioner
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“With a known shortage of primary-care physicians, advanced-practice nurses, nurse practitioners and nurse-managed health clinics are vital to ensuring access to high-quality and affordable health care for millions of people.” Tine Hansen-Turton, chief executive officer of the consortium
involvement in this critical initiative. Hillman funding will support the consortium and Widener University in a collaboration to create a community-integrated “Public Health Nursing/Legal Partnership,” serving the health and social needs of low-income mothers and babies in Philadelphia. Both these major initiatives recognize the importance of nurse-led care and further enable the consortium to fulfill its mission by enabling nurse-managed health clinic leaders to transform practices and better address the social determinants of health. “With a known shortage of primary-care physicians, advanced-practice nurses, nurse practitioners and nurse-managed health clinics are vital to ensuring access to high-quality and affordable health care for millions of people,” said Tine Hansen-Turton, chief executive officer of the consortium. “This resolution, in addition to our annual conference, initiates a national dialogue to bring awareness to the innovative ways that nurse-led care closes gaps in care, lowers costs, and is creating a future in which access to primary and preventive care is a reality for everyone.” Amy Barton, chairman of the board at the consortium, said, “Nurse practitioners who serve as primary-care providers in the nurse-managed health clinics are now the face of primary care in our country. We are glad to see national attention brought to the evolving role of nurse-led care. And the fact that it is happening during our national conference focusing on the sustainability of nurse-managed health clinics makes this week all the more special.” Visit www.nncc.us for more information. The National Nursing Centers Consortium is a 501©(3) non-profit member association that advocates for advanced-practice nurses as primary providers of health care and serves as an incubator for innovative, replicable, community-based health education and outreach programs.
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December • 2015 BOOK REVIEW
The Nurses – A Year of Secrets, Drama and Miracles with the Heroes of the Hospital Lara is a superstar nurse battling her way back from a near-ruinous prescription-drug addiction that led her to steal meds from her own ER. Juliette is outspoken but compassionate, a fierce advocate for her patients. Sam is a new nurse struggling to find her way in a gossipy mean-girl climate she likens to “high school, except for the dying people.” Their extraordinary experiences are supported by investigative essays, including interviews with hundreds of other nurses who share their stories about everything from sex in the hospital – Robbins’ survey of nurses found that 87 percent of respondents know nurses who have slept with colleagues – to the “code of silence” within their sisterhood. Other topics include: • Doctors behaving badly: Doctors’ behavior toward nurses – i.e. throwing scalpels at them or berating them – affects patients. Nationwide, 63 percent of cases resulting in patients’ unanticipated death or permanent disability can be traced back
Editor’s Note: It would be a good idea for nurses to read this book before they are peppered with questions from their nonnurse friends. Award-winning journalist and New York Times best-selling author Alexandra Robbins presents a gripping, in-depth examination of the nursing subculture with her newest work of investigative journalism, “The Nurses.” This lively, fast-paced narrative will entertain, shock Alexandra Robbins and inform as it takes readers behind the scenes, revealing life-saving, titillating and jaw-dropping insider secrets known only to those who’ve worn scrubs. “The Nurses” follows four real RNs in different hospitals throughout one year: Molly is funny, well-loved and confident enough to quit a longtime job after her hospital ramps up its antinurse policies.
to communication failures such as this type of common disruptive behavior. • Violence in the workplace: Patient assaults on nurses are rampant, but hospitals discourage nurses from reporting them. According to the Emergency Nurses Association, nine out of 10 nurses were assaulted at work in the past three years. • Nurse-on-nurse bullying: Sabotage, hazing and a culture of nurses “eating their young.” • Don’t be sick in July and other secrets: Why patients aren’t treated equally, even during Code Blues; how patients and families can get better hospital care; secret VIP rooms and treatment; when doctors and nurses bet money on patients; what you don’t know about your doctor; and more. • How hospitals trick patients: Robbins’ investigation found that twothirds of low-performing hospitals scored higher than the national average on the key survey question upon which hospitals’ Medicare reimbursements are based. Hospitals are sacrificing patient health for patient “satisfaction.”
“The Nurses” by Alexandra Robbins 369 pages Published by Workman Publishing Company Available on Amazon as hardback or digital • Why nurses are heroes: The public has no idea just how crucial, skilled and self-sacrificing nurses truly are – and that their jobs are so complicated, exhausting and rewarding – because TV shows have it wrong. “The Nurses” is a brilliantly told narrative providing readers with critical takeaways that could save their lives or ensure better hospital care for themselves and their families. Robbins’ skills as both storyteller and reporter are on full display as she gives voice to the millions of nurses who until now have been ignored or muzzled. Doctors are given the glory, but nurses are the heroes. After reading “The Nurses,” you will never view healthcare in the same way again.
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Nursingmatters
Expo 2016 Education: the Basis for Value, Vision and Voice of nursing
SavE ThE DaTE Tuesday, February 23 exhibiTion hall aT The
allianT energy CenTer Madison, Wi
Keynote Speaker: Barbara Nichols, PhD Luncheon Speaker: Miss Colorado, Kelley Johnson
SpeakerS I VendorS I networkIng RegiSteR in advance ~ Limited Space!
Complimentary luncheon sponsored by
For more information contact: Matt Meyers 608-252-6235 mmeyers@madison.com