December
2002 News Watch
1.
New Editor Named for Journal of Professional
Nursing
2. Updated Evaluation Criteria for NP Programs
Released
3. Professional Nursing Network Goes Live
4. Register Now for the Doctoral Conference
in January
5. Join Us in Florida for the Master’s
Education Conference
6. Association of Critical-Care Nurses
Releases New Report
7. Indian Health Services Announces Loan
Repayment Program
8. New Issue Bulletin Focuses on Strategic
Partnerships
9. Secretary’s Award Program Continues
in 2003
10. Health Affairs Hosts Forum on the
Nursing Shortage
11. New Resources Available for Nurse
Educators
12. Hartford Institute Hosts Summer Seminar
in July
13. Master’s Preconference Focuses
on Geriatric Nursing
14. Register Online for the First Graduate
ELNEC Course
15. New Partnerships and Grant-Funded
Initiatives
16. Member News, Announcements and Awards
17. AACN Outreach and Advocacy Update
1.
NEW EDITOR NAMED FOR JOURNAL OF PROFESSIONAL NURSING
AACN
is pleased to announce that Ellen Oshansky, DNSc, RN,
Professor and Chair of the Department of Health and Community
Systems at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing,
has been named the editor of the Journal of Professional
Nursing (JPN). Dr. Oshansky, who received her Doctorate
in Nursing Science from the University of California,
San Francisco, is a recent graduate of the Leadership
for Academic Nursing Program sponsored by the Helene Fuld
Health Trust and AACN. She is a women's health care nurse
practitioner and recently completed a post-graduate program
at Duquesne University to become a clinical specialist
in psychiatric-mental health nursing. Her research focuses
on women, infertility, and depression. Now in its 19th
year, JPN is AACN’s scholarly journal that presents
observations by nursing leaders on the diverse roles of
baccalaureate- and graduate-prepared nurses, as well as
insightful columns on clinical, legislative, regulatory,
ethical, and other concerns of vital interest to nursing
educators, researchers, and practitioners. Dr. Oshansky
replaces Eleanor Sullivan, PhD, RN, FAAN, who will finish
her term as editor on December 31, 2002.
2.
UPDATED EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR NP PROGRAMS RELEASED
For
the first time since 1997, the National Task Force on
Quality Nurse Practitioner Education (NTF) has revised
and updated the landmark document “Criteria for Evaluation
of Nurse Practitioner Programs.” The National Organization
of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) and AACN reconvened
and co-chaired the NTF. These criteria represent the collective
work of eleven organizations dedicated to maintaining
the quality of nurse practitioner education and offers
an important resource for those involved in the preparation,
licensing, and credentialing of nurse practitioners. In
combination with accreditation standards for graduate
programs and for specialty areas, the criteria provide
a basis for evaluating the quality of nurse practitioner
programs. To download this document, click
here.
3.
PROFESSIONAL NURSING NETWORK GOES LIVE
Last
month, AACN launched the Professional Nursing Network™,
a new Web-based resource designed to match nurses prepared
at the baccalaureate and graduate levels with employers
that value their education. The Network, found online
at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/pnn,
builds on the work of a White Paper released earlier this
year on the “Hallmarks of the Professional Nursing
Practice Environment” by helping nurses find employers
that recognize and reward education. To date, over 120
employers are listed on the Network from 37 states. Among
the institutions featured are 22 members of the University
HealthSystem Consortium and 10 magnet hospitals. We encourage
your institution to link directly to the Network to better
assist your students in career planning. If you need assistance
setting up this link or have other questions, contact
rrosseter@aacn.nche.edu.
4.
REGISTER NOW FOR THE DOCTORAL CONFERENCE IN JANUARY
AACN’s
2003 Doctoral Education Conference will be held January
29–February 1, 2003 at Sundial Beach and Tennis Resort
in Sanibel Island, Florida. The theme “Seeking Clarity
in the Complexities of Doctoral Education” offers
various opportunities for deans, doctoral program directors,
and directors of research to address a variety of topics
including recommendations for the future of doctoral education,
federal funding targeted to doctoral preparation, and
the faculty shortage. Concurrent sessions will focus on
Web-based doctoral education; doctoral program characteristics,
progression markers, and admission requirements; and accelerated
models of BSN to PhD programs. The deadline has passed
for the hotel conference rate, but rooms may be available
at the regular rate. Conference registration at the lower
rate continues until January 8. For details, click
here.
5.
JOIN US IN FLORIDA FOR THE MASTER’S EDUCATION CONFERENCE
AACN’s
2003 Master’s Education Conference will be held February
27–March 1, 2003 at the Amelia Island Plantation,
Amelia Island, Florida. The theme is “Focusing the
Kaleidoscope of Master’s Education in Nursing: Valuing
the Variety of Patterns and Colors.” Nationally recognized
speaker and author Dr. Tim Porter-O'Grady will discuss
controversial recommendations for re-thinking master's
education. Other topics include learner-centered program
development, online strategies, teaching cultural competence,
and the realities of preparing and using faculty at the
master's level. Attendees may join special interest groups
that will encourage dialogue on topics such as building
a new program, the clinical doctorate, innovative partnerships,
second-degree students, new AACN/CCNE standards for nurse
practitioner education, and how best to incorporate mental
health content. Registration deadlines are January 29
for the hotel and February 27 for the conference. For
additional information or to register for this conference,
click
here.
6.
ASSOCIATION OF CRITICAL-CARE NURSES RELEASES NEW REPORT
The
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses has released
a white paper on the benefits that specialty certification
for nurses brings to the public, employers and nurses.
Titled "Safeguarding the Patient and the Profession:
The Value of Critical Care Nurse Certification,"
the report puts forth a call to action for anyone who
can influence and will benefit from certified nurses'
contribution to patient care. The data in the report supports
the growing body of evidence that proves having the right
skill mix and number of qualified nurses is necessary
for good patient care. See www.aacn.org
for complete details.
7.
INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE ANNOUNCES LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM
The
Indian Health Service (IHS) has announced its FY 2003
competition for the loan repayment for health professions
students, including nursing students. Pending final appropriations
action by Congress, it is anticipated that $11.9 million
will be available to support approximately 298 competing
awards averaging $40,000 per award ($20,000 each year
for two years). Applicants receiving FY 2003 awards are
required to begin full-time clinical practice at an approved
Indian health program site no later than September 30,
2003. For more information, see http://www.ihs.gov/jobscareerdevelop/DHPS/LRP/TOC.asp.
8.
NEW ISSUE BULLETIN FOCUSES ON STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
Nursing
colleges and universities across the country are searching
for creative ways to increase the number of registered
nurses in response to the growing shortage. Budgetary
constraints, a limited pool of nursing faculty, insufficient
clinical sites, and a lack of scholarship monies are barriers
to expanding student capacity and meeting the projected
demand for nurses. To overcome these obstacles, nursing
institutions are collaborating with clinical partners
and other stakeholders in an effort to build student capacity
and satisfy mutual needs. AACN’s latest Issue Bulletin,
titled “Using Strategic Partnerships to Expand Nursing
Education Programs,” explores how nursing schools
are using these partnerships and other collaborative ventures
to build student capacity, fill faculty slots, and serve
other needs. The Issue Bulletin may be accessed online
by clicking
here.
9.
SECRETARY’S AWARD PROGRAM CONTINUES IN 2003
AACN
received word last month that the Secretary's Award for
Innovations in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
would continue in 2003. This award recognizes creative
strategies in health promotion advanced by students of
nursing and other health professions. The program is sponsored
by HRSA's Bureau of Health Professions in collaboration
with the Federation of Associations of Schools of the
Health Professions, and is coordinated by FASHP-member
AACN. This year, award applications may be accessed online.
Watch for more details on the 2003 awards program in upcoming
editions of News Watch.
10.
HEALTH AFFAIRS HOSTS FORUM ON THE NURSING SHORTAGE
AACN
staff attended a December 4 briefing titled "Doctor
Dilemmas, Nurse Dilemmas: New Perspectives on the Health
Care Workforce of the Future” in Washington, DC.
Sponsored by the Alliance for Health Reform in coordination
with Health Affairs, the briefing addressed the nationwide
and regional shortages of specialty physicians and nurses
and the unique aspects of the health care system that
are creating disparities in the health care workforce.
For more information and a list of resources, see http://www.kaisernetwork.org.
11.
NEW RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR NURSE EDUCATORS
**The National Cancer Institute (NCI), the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services(CMS), and the National
Asian Women’s Health Organization (NAWHO) invite
you to take part in a nationwide outreach effort to increase
awareness about early detection of breast cancer among
women of Asian and Pacific Islander descent in the United
States. Asian and Pacific Islander women are less likely
to have a mammogram than other groups of women in the
U.S. Please help promote the message of early detection
of breast cancer by distributing the “Do It for Yourself,
Do It for Your Family” Asian-language brochures.
Copies of the brochure are available free of charge (up
to 1,000 of each language) in English, Chinese, Tagalog,
and Vietnamese by calling NCI’s Cancer Information
Service at 1-800-4-CANCER or visit NCI’s website
at http://cancer.gov/cancerinfo/breasthealth.
**The
Oregon Center for Nursing recently created a new advertisement
and poster to attract more men into nursing. Terry Misener,
PhD, RN, dean of the University of Portland is featured
in the ad. To download a copy of the ad or to order a
poster, see http://www.oregoncenterfornursing.org.
**“Fighting
for Our Future” is a new documentary and companion
book that serve as vital resources for nursing students,
oncology nurses, and patients. These materials offer an
intimate and comprehensive journey into the lives of young
women courageously battling breast cancer. This is the
only survival guide for young women, their medical team,
and loved ones and serves as the definitive place to find
practical information and inspirational stories on the
range of issues young women face--from diagnosis and treatment
to recovery and recurrence. “Fighting for Our Future”
identifies the gaps in research that exist, while passionately
discussing how young women with breast cancer emotionally,
spiritually and psychologically approach the rest of their
lives. The documentary made its worldwide premiere on
Lifetime Television this fall; the book is published by
McGraw Hill. To find out more, see http://www.fightingforourfuture.com.
**The
National Environmental Education & Training Foundation,
in partnership with the Agency for Toxic Substances and
Disease Registry, has published a snapshot series of nurses’
environmental health activities in education, practice,
and research. “Nurses and Environmental Health: Success
Through Action; Illustrations From Across the Nation”
is a concise resource book intended to garner additional
support for advancing nursing involvement in environmental
health. To download a copy, see www.atsdr.cdc.gov/EHN.
12.
HARTFORD INSTITUTE HOSTS SUMMER SEMINAR IN JULY
The
Hartford Institute at New York University (NYU) is pleased
to offer an opportunity for geriatric nurse researchers
to participate in a scholars and fellows program. Scholars
and fellows will attend a week-long, intensive, summer
seminar at NYU from July 7-11, 2003. Fellows receive $5,000
to attend and are supported with five additional weeks
of mentoring. The goals of the program are to foster successful
programs of gerontologic research with significant implications
for practice, to assist in the refinement of a significant
research program, and to hone specific research skills
to gain a competitive edge for funding. To be eligible,
individuals must have completed an accredited doctoral
degree, academic affiliation with an accredited sponsoring
institution, demonstrated potential for outstanding gerontologic
research with opportunity to pursue research in the future
and the recommendation of a senior faculty member. Application
deadline is January 13, 2003. For more information, an
application and sample schedule, see the What’s New
section on the following Web page: http://www.hartfordign.org.
13.
MASTER’S PRECONFERENCE FOCUSES ON GERIATRIC NURSING
EDUCATION
On
February 27 from 12:30-3:00pm, AACN will host a free session
on “Geriatrics and the Advanced Practice Curriculum”
as a preconference highlight to the annual Master’s
Education Conference (see item #5 above). The John A.
Hartford Foundation Institute for Geriatric Nursing, in
collaboration with AACN, is pleased to offer a special
opportunity for APN faculty. This pre-conference addresses
models of care for the older adult for APNs; APN competencies
and the latest resources for integrating geriatrics into
APN curriculum; approaches to recruiting and retaining
GCNS and GNP students; and developing the leadership skills
of APNs caring for older adults. Program leaders will
share their own strategies and successes. Participation
is limited to 100 participants; pre-registration is required.
For details, click
here.
14.
REGISTER ONLINE FOR THE FIRST GRADUATE ELNEC COURSE
With
funding provided by the National Cancer Institute, the
End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium will offer the
first training for faculty in graduate nursing programs
on June 19-21, 2003 in Pasadena, CA. Training is available
to full- or part-time graduate faculty with an interest
in end-of-life care and integrating end-of-life care knowledge
and skills within graduate degree nursing education. Applications
are due by January 15, 2003. For complete details, see
here.
15.
NEW
PARTNERSHIPS AND GRANT-FUNDED INITIATIVES
Below
are new partnerships and initiatives launched by members,
corporate citizens, philanthropies, and government sponsors
that effectively increase student capacity, add new nursing
faculty, increase student diversity, address the nursing
shortage, and enhance the way education is delivered.
**Intermountain
Health Care, a Utah hospital management firm, has contributed
$2 million to seven of the state's nursing schools to
bolster the ranks of future registered nurses, medical
technicians and other health care workers. Funds will
also be used to enable RNs to return to school and pursue
careers as nursing faculty. Among the schools receiving
assistance are Brigham Young University, University of
Utah, and Weber State University.
**The
College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN was awarded $1.8
million from the U.S. Department of Education to integrate
sophisticated clinical software computer systems throughout
its health science programs, including nursing. This innovative
five-year project will result in the school serving as
a national model for health care educators.
16.
MEMBER NEWS, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND AWARDS
**Marquette
University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee have
joined with two clinical partners – Aurora Healthcare
and Covenant Health Care – to create the Wisconsin
Nursing Redesign Consortium. These organizations are collaborating
to support the development of new models of nursing work
in Wisconsin as a major remedy for the emerging nursing
shortage. Read more at http://www.marquette.edu/nursing/wnrc/.
**The
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
and the Academic Center for Evidenced-Based Practice are
co-sponsoring the 2003 Second Annual Summer Institute
on Evidence-Based Practice on July 10-12, 2003. Major
topics related to evidence synthesis, translation, implementation,
and impact of evaluation of clinical practice changes
will be addressed. See http://www.acestar.uthscsa.edu
for more details.
**Texas Christian University’s College of Health
and Human Science has established a School of Nurse Anesthesia
that will enable students to earn a Master of Science
in Nurse Anesthesia. Applications for the 28-month, full-time
degree program are being accepted now.
**P.
J. Maddox, EdD, RN, has been appointed to serve a five-year
term as Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Science
at George Mason University in Virginia. Dr. Maddox has
served as Interim Dean since Rita Carty, PhD, RN, FAAN,
stepped down earlier this year.
17.
AACN OUTREACH AND ADVOCACY UPDATE
**On
December 4, AACN staff participated in a meeting with
the Administrator of the Bureau of Health Professions,
Kerry P. Nesseler, RN, MS. The meeting was organized by
the Federation of Associations of Schools of Health Professions
and focused on the upcoming reauthorization of Title VII
and VIII of the Public Health Service Act.
**On
December 10, staff attended a meeting titled “National
Issues Briefing: Rising Hospital Costs, the Value Quandary”
sponsored by U.S. News and World Report and BlueCross
BlueShield Association. The briefing featured an expert
panel consisting of such people as Thomas A. Scully, Administrator,
Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Michelle
Hood, CEO of St. Vincent Healthcare.
