February 2002 News Watch

    1. Annual Enrollment and Graduations Report Released
    2. Call for Abstracts Issued for the Faculty Practice Conference
    3. President’s FY 2003 Budget Maintains Funding for Nursing Programs
    4. Deadline This Friday for Hartford Scholarship Grants
    5. Join Us for AACN’s Annual Meeting and Development Officers Meeting
    6. Complete the Member Expertise Survey Today
    7. Discover New Opportunity Alerts Online
    8. Introducing the AACN Leadership for Academic Nursing Fellows
    9. Register Now for Master’s Education and Faculty Practice Conferences
    10. Bioterrorism Bills Move in Congress
    11. Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing Offers Free Online Course
    12. Share With Us Your Spring Enrollment Experiences
    13. Help AACN Advocate for Your School
    14. Internship Opportunities in Patient Education Available
    15. ELNEC Course Expanded to Meet the Demand
    16. Marketing Opportunities and Resources to Consider
    17. Member News and Announcements
    18. AACN Outreach and Advocacy Update

1. Annual Enrollment and Graduations Report Released

AACN is pleased to announce that the annual survey results have been published in a complete data report, “2001-2002 Enrollment and Graduations in Baccalaureate and Graduate Programs in Nursing.” We would like to thank the 548 schools who participated in the survey and supplied data which is essential to moving AACN’s mission and advocacy efforts forward. All schools that submitted enrollment and graduation data were sent a copy of the report. To order additional copies, please see our Publication Catalog. AACN’s 2001 Annual Report is also available and may be downloaded from the Web.

2. Call for Abstracts Issued for the Faculty Practice Conference

AACN is currently soliciting abstracts for this year’s Faculty Practice Conference to be presented in Chicago on April 18-20, 2002. To support the conference theme of “Confronting Controversies in Faculty Practice,” abstracts should describe successful initiatives or approaches in one of the following areas: 1) Nursing faculty practice models, settings, and partnerships OR 2) Combining academic and practice roles. The abstract should include background information and a description of the innovation, evaluation methods (if appropriate), and summary recommendations. Abstracts should describe original, unpublished work and can include work in progress. Abstracts may be considered for 25-minute podium presentations or poster presentations. Abstracts must be received by mail no later than March 1, 2002. Click here for additional details and abstract guidelines.

3. President's FY 2003 Budget Maintains Funding for Nursing Programs

The FY 2003 budget proposed by President Bush provides $99 million in nurse training programs including $15 million for the Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program (NELRP), an increase of $5 million. The NELRP repays the education loans of clinical nurses who agree to work in designated public or nonprofit health facilities that face a critical shortage of nurses. Nursing programs have level funding, but other HRSA health professions programs (Title VII) were totally eliminated. All health professions programs were funded at $278 million in FY 2002 and slated for a drastic cut to $110 million in FY 2003 in the President’s budget. The FY 2003 budget request also includes a $44 million increase for the National Health Service Corp, which supports health providers serving in rural and inner-city areas that lack adequate access to care. See the HHS news release at www.hhs.gov/news for details.

4. Deadline This Friday for Hartford Scholarship Grants

AACN and The John A. Hartford Foundation of New York are participating in a joint effort to improve the quality of health care for older Americans. Through a grant funded by Hartford Foundation, competitive scholarship funds are available to nursing schools looking to expand capacity in their existing geriatric advanced practice nursing programs. A Request for Proposals has been issued for the “Creating Careers in Geriatric Advanced Practice Nursing” grant and is now posted on AACN’s Web site. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. EST on February 15, 2002. For more information, contact Joan Stanley at jstanley@aacn.nche.edu.

5. Join Us for AACN’S Spring Annual Meeting and Development Officers Meeting

AACN’s Spring Annual Meeting will be held on March 23-26, 2002 at the Washington Monarch Hotel in Washington, DC. Built around the theme, "Preparedness for Survival," sessions will focus on issues impacting nursing education today and the leadership role of the dean. Click here for conference and registration details. Note that the room block at the hotel is filling up quickly. Please make your reservations as soon as possible. Reservations made after March 1 will be at the full rate.

The Development Officers of Nursing Schools will hold their annual meeting on March 22-23, 2002, in Washington, DC. The meeting will feature programs on survey strategies for development activities, growing a volunteer board, women as donors, finding value in events and stewardship as cultivation. Click here for more information.

6. Complete the Member Expertise Survey Today

The Member Expertise Survey is now being conducted to assess deans' areas of expertise and interest in participating in AACN activities. Information collected in this very brief survey will be used to make upcoming committee and task force appointments. The information is also used to identify individuals to give congressional testimony, handle media inquiries, serve on national panels, and assist the Nominating Committee with their work in developing the slate of candidates for the annual election. We strongly encourage all members to participate. If you completed the survey last year, you are not required to re-enter your information unless your interests/expertise have changed. Please go to Members Only and login with your school code. If you have any questions or have misplaced your school code, contact Jamie Martin at jmartin@aacn.nche.edu.

7. Discover New Opportunity Alerts Online

AACN strives to keep our members informed about new sources of grant funding, scholarships, and fellowships. New Opportunity Alerts have just been added to our Web site including new grant opportunities from AHRQ, HRSA, ANA, the Indian Health Service, and the Office of Adolescent Pregnancy Programs. Find out more by visiting the Opportunity Alerts section of the Web.

8. Introducing the AACN Leadership for Academic Nursing Fellows

AACN is pleased to announce the Fellows for the 2002 Leadership for Academic Nursing Program. Supported by the Helene Fuld Health Trust, the program is designed to enhance the leadership capabilities of individuals aspiring to lead academic nursing organizations and those new to the role of chief academic administrator of baccalaureate or graduate nursing programs. The year-long program will provide participants with a focused assessment experience, a range of content and case studies related to successful leadership, and the opportunity to establish networks of mentors and peers for the development of lasting partnerships. A list of the 2002 Fellows is available online.

9. Register Now for Master's Education and Faculty Practice Conferences

The Master's Education Conference will be held February 21-23, 2002 at Amelia Island Plantation, Florida. Supporting the theme “Contrasts and Decision Points: Innovative Models for Master’s Education,” the conference will examine the various models in use for master’s education in nursing. Deans, program directors, and faculty who are involved in master’s education in nursing are encouraged to attend.

The Faculty Practice Conference will be held April 18-20, 2002 at the Westin Michigan Avenue in Chicago. A new preconference is scheduled for Thursday, April 18 that will explore the theme “Business Principles for Faculty Practice in Academic Nursing Centers.” The day-long preconference offers practical tips and techniques for establishing a successful academic nursing center. Beginning Thursday evening, the conference, “Confronting Controversies in Faculty Practice,” will offer plenary, poster, and abstract sessions around selected controversial questions.

10. Bioterrorism Bills Move in Congress

In December, the House of Representatives passed the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Response Act of 2001 (H.R. 3448). This bill, sponsored by Reps. Billy Tauzin (R-LA) and John Dingell (D-MI), authorizes $2.9 billion to improve the ability of the nation to prevent, prepare for, and respond to bioterrorism and other public health emergencies. In addition, the Senate passed its $3.2 billion bioterrorism authorization bill, the Bioterrorism Preparedness Act of 2001 (S.1715). Sponsored by Sens. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Bill Frist (R-TN), the bill seeks to develop a coordinated plan for addressing bioterrorism and builds on the efforts of last year’s Public Health Threats and Emergencies Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-505).

11. Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing Offers Free Online Course

The Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing is now offering a free Gerontological Nursing Certification Review Course online. This self-paced course examines the fundamental knowledge about care of the older adult that registered nurses must master to be certified as a Gerontolgical Nurse by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The course offers a summary of key clinical information and issues central to caring for the highly specialized needs of older adults. It also reviews the financial, social, political, and cultural issues that affect nursing care for the elderly. The course is free; a small fee of $100 is charged for CEU credits. For more information, visit www.hartfordign.org and see the “What’s New” section.

12. Share with Us Your Spring Enrollment Experiences

AACN has received numerous inquiries from schools and the media concerning spring enrollments which have increased dramatically in different parts of the country. Boston College and the University of Missouri at St. Louis have both reported application levels up more than 30% since January. North Park University in Chicago has reported a record-breaking enrollment in its MSN program. Let us know what your enrollment experiences have been this past semester (up, down or the same) so we can get a more complete picture of what is happening nationwide. Please email feedback to rrosseter@aacn.nche.edu.

13. Help AACN Advocate for Your School

AACN would like to extend our grassroots lobbying and educational efforts to your school's Washington, DC-based lobbyists or government affairs representatives. We are looking to coordinate initiatives and open new lines of communication. AACN wants to ensure that your local representatives receive our print and electronic newsletters by adding them to our distribution lists. We would also like to double our effectiveness by sending them our Action Alerts and supporting information on AACN's solutions to resolve the nursing shortage. Please send contact information for your local government affairs staff to Gene Throwe at gthrowe@aacn.nche.edu.

14. Internship Opportunities in Patient Education Available

AACN serves as an institutional board member for the National Council on Patient Information and Education, a group concerned with national-level issues of consumer safety and education about prescription and over-the-counter medications. Another board member, Consumer Health Information Corporation in McLean, Virginia, is offering senior and graduate nursing students the opportunity to apply for a summer internship in the area of medication-related patient education. Projects vary each year and students will gain experience in learning how to meet FDA regulations on patient education. The deadline for the 2002 summer internship is March 15. For details, see http://www.consumer-health.com/career_opps/2000_internship.htm.

15. ELNEC Course Expanded to Meet the Demand

The End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) presented its final course for undergraduate faculty under the current grant last month to a record number of attendees. Though initially planned for 125 participants, demand for seats was so high that the course was expanded to accept 158 nurse educators. Since January 2001, 840 nurse educators have been trained in the ELNEC curriculum at 8 courses held around the country. College and university-based nursing continuing educators are invited to apply for the June 20-22, 2002 course to be held in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The application deadline is March 22, 2002. For details, click here.

16. Marketing Opportunities and Resources to Consider

From time to time, AACN will share information about marketing opportunities and discounted resources that may be of interest to members.

**P.K. Data, Inc. is conducting a nationwide study of young people ages 12-17 to explore how they perceive nursing as a profession, why they have that perception, who and what influences them when thinking about a future career, and specifically what schools of nursing and professional organizations could do to attract new students. The firm is looking for schools interested in providing funding support. For information, contact Patricia Conary at (770) 931-9677, pconary@pkdata.net, or visit www.pkdata.net/PKData/Nursing.htm.

**Commercial director Jamie Sterba is seeking interest in and funding for a Public Service Announcement for the promotion of nursing education. This 35mm spot will be available for television broadcast, recruiting, and fundraising. For information, contact ettenes@earthlink.net or 310-322-5668.

**Detective Steve Walton, a 23-year law enforcement veteran, has just released First Response Guide to Street Drugs, a 78-page field guide on the most commonly encountered street drugs. This handy reference includes a detailed symptoms chart and an overview of safety issues nurses must be aware of when handling patients under the influence of illicit drugs. Nursing school staff, nursing students, and nurses are entitled to a 25% discount off the regular price. For details, contact (877) 255-1166, dopeondope@shaw.ca or visit www.dopeondope.com. Be sure to specify your nursing affiliation.

17. Member News and Announcements

**On January 22, Linda Hodges, EdD, RN, dean of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Nursing, hosted a forum at her school on the nursing shortage featuring Sen. Tim Hutchinson (R-AR). An overflowing crowd of students, nurses, and nurse educators attended the event which featured an update on nursing shortage legislation and advocacy efforts. Dr. Hodges was praised by the Senator for her work in leading the campaign to secure federal support for nursing education.

**In January, Janet Rodgers, PhD, RN, dean of the University of San Diego Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science, was elected to the Scripps Health Board of Trustees. Dr. Rodgers is the first woman and the first nurse to take the helm at Scripps, a not-for-profit, community-based health care delivery network in San Diego.

18. AACN Outreach and Advocacy Update

**Last week, Johnson & Johnson launched a nationwide, multimedia campaign to promote careers in nursing in light of the nursing shortage. The campaign includes paid television commercials, a recruitment video, a Web site, and brochures which will soon be mailed to schools across the country. AACN members and staff who serve on the campaign’s advisory board include AACN Board member Cynthia Flynn Capers, PhD, RN, dean of The University of Akron College of Nursing; May L. Wykle, PhD, RN, FAAN, FGSA, dean of Case Western Reserve University School of Nursing; and AACN Executive Director Polly Bednash. For more details, visit www.discovernursing.com.

**The NINR 15th Anniversary Symposium, which was held last October, will be broadcast by the ResearchChannel. Check the following URL for times and topics: www.researchchannel.com/programs/nih/ninr/15thAnniv.html.

**On January 15 and 16, AACN hosted the winter meeting of the TriCouncil for Nursing at its Washington, D.C. offices. The Tri-Council, consisting of representatives from AACN, ANA, AONE, and the NLN, met to identify legislative priorities for the coming year.

**On January 16, AACN staff attended the National Advisory Council for Nursing Research meeting that addressed existing NINR research and proposed areas of grant opportunities. Later that day, staff attended a briefing by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) on the topic of assessing payment adequacy and Medicare payments to hospitals.

**On January 28, AACN staff and other members of the Federation of Associations of Schools of the Health Professions (FASHP) attended a briefing with the Acting Administrator of HRSA, Dr. Betty Duke, to discuss the reauthorization of Title VII and VIII programs.

**On January 30, the AACN Governmental Affairs staff attended an expert panel discussion regarding the Title VIII funding allocation project. The event was sponsored by George Mason University’s Center for Health Policy Research and Ethics and is the second phase of the congressionally mandated project.

**On February 1, AACN Government Affairs staff attended a meeting with staff of the Senate Special Committee on Aging chaired by Sen. John Breaux (D-LA) to discuss an upcoming hearing on gerontology.

**On February 2, AACN staff joined Kate Hull, Staff Director of the Senate Subcommittee on Aging, Health Education, Labor and Pensions Committee in presenting the federal legislative update to the Council on Collegiate Education for Nursing of the Southern Regional Education Board in Atlanta.

**On February 4, AACN staff attended a press conference held by Tommy Thompson, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Secretary Thompson outlined the fiscal year 2003 budget for HHS. The HHS budget funds the Division of Nursing under the Health Resources Services Administration and the National Institute of Nursing Research that comes under the National Institutes of Health.

**On February 12, AACN staff attended the Association of Academic Health Centers launch event for a national initiative to raise public awareness and reduce the rolls of the millions of uninsured in America. For more details on this initiative, visit www.ahcnet.org.


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