01.
New Study Confirms Link Between Education and
Patient Outcomes
02. AACN Examines the Impact of Education on
Nursing Practice
03. NQF Seeks Input on Nurse Performance Measures
Project
04. Apply Now for the 2004 Leadership for Academic
Nursing Program
05. Johnson & Johnson to Receive 2003 Corporate
Citizen Award
06. CCNE Constituents Elect New Board Members;
New Officers Selected
07. FY 2004 Appropriations Update
08. Third CampusRN-AACN Scholarship Recipient
Selected
09. Deadline Approaches for AACN’s Annual
Survey
10. Respond Now to the FASHP Student Diversity
Efforts Survey
11. CCNE Amends Accreditation Standards
12. 2003 Baccalaureate Conference Coming in
November
13. Hartford Institute Offers Program Session
on Dementia
14. Executive Development Series Tailored
to Nurse Faculty
15. Nursing Overseas Seeks Volunteers for
New Projects
16. Expert Gerontology Nurse Wins 2003 MacArthur
Award
17. Plan Now to Attend the Doctoral Education
Conference
18. New ELNEC Award Winners Announced
19. Attend the 2004 Nursing Advancement Professionals
Conference
20. First Oncology ELNEC Course to Be Offered
21. Encouraging Innovation in Health Promotion
& Disease Prevention
22. New Partnerships and Grant-Funded Initiatives
23. Member News, Announcements and Awards
24. AACN Outreach and Advocacy Update
25. Opportunities and Resources to Consider
1.
NEW STUDY CONFIRMS LINK BETWEEN EDUCATION AND PATIENT OUTCOMES
AACN
applauds a landmark research study released last month which
found that surgical patients have a "substantial survival
advantage" if treated in hospitals with higher proportions
of nurses educated at the baccalaureate or higher degree
level. In the study, Dr. Linda Aiken and her colleagues
at the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Health Outcomes
and Policy Research found that patients experienced significantly
lower mortality and failure to rescue rates in hospitals
where more highly educated nurses provide direct patient
care. The methodologically sound study, titled “Educational
Levels of Hospital Nurses and Surgical Patient Mortality,”
appeared in the September 24, 2003, issue of the Journal
of the American Medical Association (JAMA). In response
to the few challenges to her findings, AACN asked Dr. Aiken
to prepare talking points to address specific claims and
confirm her findings. These talking points are posted online
at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Media/TalkingPoints.htm.
2.
AACN EXAMINES THE IMPACT OF EDUCATION ON NURSING PRACTICE
In support
of the new study by Dr. Aiken, AACN released a new fact
sheet on the “Impact of Education on Nursing Practice”
which outlines the growing support for a more highly educated
nursing workforce. The fact sheet examines the three educational
paths to RN licensure, explores differences in entry-level
nurses and discusses the benefits of differentiated nursing
practice. In addition to AACN, nurse executives, federal
agencies, the military, leading nursing organizations, health
care foundations, magnet hospitals, and minority nurse advocacy
groups also recognize the unique value that baccalaureate-prepared
nurses bring to the practice setting. Download the fact
sheet at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/EdImpact.
3.
NQF SEEKS INPUT ON NURSE PERFORMANCE MEASURES PROJECT
Earlier
this month, the National Forum for Health Care Quality Measurement
and Reporting (NQF) released a draft of the “National
Voluntary Consensus Standards for Nursing-Sensitive Performance
Measures” for public review and comment. The product
of a consensus-based process, the report recommends 13 measures
for evaluating the quality of nursing care. AACN is concerned
that RN education was NOT identified as a performance measure,
particularly in light of the new study by Dr. Aiken. AACN
is preparing a response, and we encourage members to respond
individually to NQF by October 31, 2003. For details, see
http://www.qualityforum.org.
4.
APPLY NOW FOR THE 2004 LEADERSHIP FOR ACADEMIC NURSING PROGRAM
Applications
are now being accepted for AACN’s 2004 Leadership for
Academic Nursing Program. Supported by the Helene Fuld Health
Trust, this 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 a baccalaureate or graduate nursing program.
The year-long program provides 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 or peers. A total of 60 Fellows
will be selected to participate in this program. Application
deadline is December 4, 2003. For more details including
an application form, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Education/fuld.htm.
5. JOHNSON & JOHNSON TO RECEIVE
2003 CORPORATE CITIZEN AWARD
AACN
is pleased to announce that the 2003 Corporate Citizen Award
will be presented to Johnson & Johnson (J&J) at
the Fall Semiannual Meeting in Washington, DC on October
26, 2003. This new honor recognizes outstanding contributions
that private companies and organizations make in support
of professional nursing education, practice and research.
AACN will present this award to J&J in recognition of
the Campaign for Nursing’s Future, a multimedia promotional
effort to renew interest in nursing careers. The Executive
Director of the J&J Campaign, Nancy Lewin, will be present
to accept the award. For more details, see http://www.discovernursing.com.
6.
CCNE CONSTITUENTS ELECT NEW BOARD MEMBERS; NEW OFFICERS
SELECTED
The
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) has successfully
completed its 2003 elections process. CCNE distributed ballots
to 374 institutions – all with baccalaureate and/or
master’s degree programs holding accreditation or preliminary
approval by CCNE – to be cast in the elections for
the CCNE Board of Commissioners and the CCNE Nominating
Committee. The election results are as follows: representing
deans, Dr. E. Jane Martin, West Virginia University; representing
faculty, Dr. Mary Margaret Mooney, Tri-College University
Nursing Consortium (ND); representing faculty, Dr. Richardean
Benjamin-Coleman, Old Dominion University (VA); representing
practicing nurses, Ms. Patricia Eisenberg, Community Health
Network (IN); representing professional consumers, Dr. Mary
Ann McGinley, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (PA);
and representing public consumers, Dr. Donald R. Mattison,
National Institutes of Health.
At its
October 2-3 meeting, the CCNE Board of Commissioners elected
its officers as follows: Dr. Mary Margaret Mooney, Tri-College
University Nursing Consortium, Chair; Dr. Lynn M. Babington,
Health Services Partnership of Dorchester, Vice Chair; Dr.
Donald R. Mattison, National Institutes of Health, Treasurer;
and Dr. Jill B. Derstine, Temple University, Secretary.
The officers of the Board constitute the CCNE Executive
Committee. Each term is for one year beginning January 1,
2004.
7.
FY 2004 APPROPRIATIONS UPDATE
Negotiations
over the House and Senate versions of the Labor, Health
and Human Services, and Education (L-HHS) Appropriations
bill (H.R. 2660) are temporarily stalled, while Congress
negotiates the $87 billion supplemental appropriations bill
to fund reconstruction in Iraq and Afghanistan. Staff level
negotiations over the L-HHS bill have been going on since
early September, but conferees have yet to meet formally.
The appropriators are still waiting for a signal from the
congressional leadership on how to address the issue of
changing overtime pay rules, and this issue must be resolved
before the bill can pass. Appropriations staffers are optimistic
that the L-HHS bill can be completed as a stand-alone measure
by next week. The remaining appropriations bills that have
not been taken up by the Senate will be wrapped into an
omnibus spending package.
8.
THIRD CAMPUSRN-AACN SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT SELECTED
In September,
AACN and CampusRN awarded the third scholarship through
a recently created program designed to support nursing education
at the baccalaureate and higher degree levels. Taha Abdelwahhab,
a graduate student at the University of California-San Francisco,
was chosen to receive a $2,500 scholarship to finish an
MSN program for non-nursing graduates. Taha is currently
a mental health counselor for San Mateo County who is transitioning
into nursing. After completing the MSN program, he plans
to advance his studies as a Mental Health CNS and Adult
NP. He has a special interest in becoming a nurse educator
and conducting cultural competency trainings. Taha received
his undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University
of California-Davis. For details on the scholarship program,
see http://aacn.campusrn.com/scholarships/scholarship_rn.asp.
9.
DEADLINE APPROACHES FOR AACN’S ANNUAL SURVEY
The
deadline for nursing schools to complete AACN’s Annual
Survey is November 3, 2003. Participation in the survey
is vital to AACN's mission to advance professional nursing
education, research, and practice. Accurate data are crucial
to our lobbying efforts on behalf of nursing education and
to the visibility we give to all member institutions through
the media. All participating schools will receive complimentary
copies of the data reports to which they contribute information.
Nursing programs affiliated with the Commission on Collegiate
Nursing Education (CCNE) are reminded to complete the survey
to satisfy CCNE's annual reporting requirement. For assistance
in completing the survey, contact Janis Stennett at surveysupport@aacn.nche.edu
or (202) 463-6930, ext. 236.
10.
RESPOND NOW TO THE FASHP STUDENT DIVERSITY EFFORTS SURVEY
Through
our affiliation with the Federation of Associations of Schools
of the Health Professions (FASHP), AACN is participating
in a new initiative to increase diversity within the health
professions. FASHP is currently conducting a survey to identify
programs that effectively recruit and retain individuals
from underrepresented groups into nursing and other heath
professions programs. Survey results will be used to evaluate
the current status of diversity programs, learn more about
best practices in promoting diversity, and aid in the development
of future programs. Schools are encouraged to share information
about their diversity programs by completing the online
survey at https://services.aamc.org/fashp.
Surveys must be submitted by October 31, 2003.
11.
CCNE AMENDS ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
At its
October meeting, CCNE’s Board of Commissioners approved
an amended version of its “Standards for Accreditation
of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing Programs.” The
revised Standards document reflects improved consistency
in the use of terminology, clarification of intent, and
the elimination of redundancy. Importantly, the revised
Standards also identify specific sets of professional nursing
guidelines that programs must use as the foundation for
curricula. Programs hosting a CCNE on-site evaluation and/or
submitting a report to CCNE after January 1, 2005, will
be required to use the revised Standards. CCNE will offer
assistance to these programs in their preparations for accreditation
activities. The revised Standards, posted online at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/accreditation,
will be distributed to all CCNE affiliated programs next
month.
12.
2003 BACCALAUREATE CONFERENCE COMING IN NOVEMBER
The
2003 Baccalaureate Education Conference will be held November
16-18, 2003 at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter, with
the theme "Leadership in Baccalaureate Education: Focusing
on Students, Faculty and the Curriculum." Topics include
legal myths and facts for faculty; encouraging student leadership
opportunities; faculty leadership roles and responsibilities;
and curriculum design to maximize leader development. The
closing session will be presented by Dr. Susan Murphy, co-author
of the book “In the Company of Women: Turning Workplace
Conflict into Powerful Alliances.” Poster and abstract
presentations showcase many creative and successful initiatives
of baccalaureate programs across the country. For conference
details, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Conferences/bacc03brochure.htm.
For questions, contact Kelly Piringer at kpiringe@aacn.nche.edu
or (202) 463-6930, ext. 242.
13.
HARTFORD INSTITUTE OFFERS PROGRAM SESSION ON DEMENTIA
In response
to last year's popular session on "Gerontologizing
Your Curriculum", the John A. Hartford Foundation Institute
on Geriatric Nursing will offer another session in conjunction
with the Baccalaureate Education Conference on November
17, 2003 from 4:15-5:30pm. Open to all faculty seeking to
bolster courses or clinical experiences in the care of older
adults, this session will explore evidence-based best practices
from nationally known experts in the area of dementia. All
participants will receive complimentary materials on CD-ROM
($100 value), including the most current information and
teaching strategies related to dementia. For registration
information, click
here.
14.
EXECUTIVE DEVELOPMENT SERIES TAILORED TO NURSE FACULTY
The
popular Executive Development Series (EDS) is designed for
faculty who aspire to leadership positions within the nursing
academic unit. For the first time, EDS is offered November
15-16, 2003 in conjunction with the Baccalaureate Education
Conference so that a larger group of faculty can take advantage
of this excellent leadership opportunity. The March 2003
Executive Development Series was so highly evaluated that
the program and speakers will be repeated in November. Within
the theme "Management Tips for Leaders of Schools of
Nursing," the program focuses on dealing effectively
with budget challenges, maintaining individual scholarship,
and managing faculty development. The combined Baccalaureate
Education Conference/Executive Development Series brochure
has been mailed. For details and registration information,
see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Conferences/eds03brochure.htm.
For questions, contact kpiringe@aacn.nche.edu
or (202) 463-6930, ext. 242.
15.
NURSING OVERSEAS SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR NEW PROJECTS
Nursing
Overseas is seeking nurse educators with a minimum of a
master’s degree for short-term volunteer assignments
in Cambodia, India, Tanzania and Uganda. Volunteers are
needed to serve as clinical educators and mentors; train
senior nursing staff in surgical nursing, newborn care,
and emergency nursing; and collaborate with nurse faculty
in advanced clinical, academic and research competency,
curriculum development, educational technology and nursing
informatics. Assignments vary in length with only a one-week
time commitment required in some instances. For more details,
contact the HVO Program Department at (202) 296-0928 or
visit http://www.hvousa.org.
16.
EXPERT GERONOTOLOGY NURSE WINS 2003 MACARTHUR AWARD
An expert
on aging and cancer at the University of Pennsylvania School
of Nursing has been awarded a $500,000, no-strings-attached
grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
Dr. Sarah Kagan, a gerontology clinical nurse specialist
who has devoted her career to studying the special needs
of elderly cancer patients, was one of 24 scientists, artists,
writers and advocates given the "genius" award.
Award recipients are chosen on the basis of the originality
and creativity of their work. When asked what this honor
means to her, Dr. Kagan responded: “I hope it brings
great visibility to nurses who dedicate their lives to working
with older adults-both those who conduct research but especially
those nurses who daily put their clinical expertise to work
by caring for older adults with cancer."
17.
PLAN NOW TO ATTEND THE DOCTORAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE
After
several years of growth, AACN’s Doctoral Education
Conference has outgrown the facilities at Sanibel Island
and will be relocated to the South Seas Resort at Captiva
Island, Florida on February 4-7, 2004. Reflecting the theme
“Sharing Successes in Doctoral Education,” sessions
will focus on faculty productivity; links between National
Institute of Nursing Research center grants and doctoral
programs; federal funding for doctoral education; institutional
and center programs that address faculty development; and
innovative models of doctoral education. At the enthusiastic
recommendation of previous participants, opportunities for
informal dialogue have been expanded. Brochures will be
mailed the last week of October. At the same time, conference
and registration information will be available at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Conferences/confsche.htm.
For questions, contact kpiringe@aacn.nche.edu
or (202) 463-6930, ext. 242.
18.
NEW ELNEC AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
At AACN’s
Baccalaureate Education Conference on November 18, 2003,
eleven nurses will be recognized for their outstanding work
to implement the curriculum developed by the End-of-Life
Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) into their nursing
practice and teaching responsibilities. The winners are:
*Joy
Buck, MSN, RN, Shenandoah University, Winchester, VA
*Maureen Daws, MS, RN, Binghamton University, Binghamton,
NY
*Suzy H. Fletcher, RN, DNSc, Indiana State University, Terre
Haute, IN
*Ann Marie Kelly, BSN, Catholic Memorial Home, Fall River,
MA
*Madeline Lambrecht, EdD, RN, University of Delaware, Newark,
DE
*Kathleen McClain, MSN, Emergency Nurses Association, Des
Plaines, IL
*Barbara Richards, MSN, Florida Hospital Waterman, Eustis,
FL
*Katie Schatz, RN, American Association of Critical-Care
Nurses, Aliso Viejo, CA
*Stephanie M. Schim, PhD, RN, Wayne State University, Detroit,
MI
*Ingrid Sheets, MS, RN, Dominican University of California,
San Rafael, CA
*Laura Williams, BSN, Saint Joseph’s Hospital, Atlanta,
GA
For
more information on the winners and their accomplishments,
visit www.aacn.nche.edu/ELNEC/ELNECAward.htm.
19.
ATTEND THE 2004 NURSING ADVANCEMENT PROFESSIONALS CONFERENCE
The
sixth annual Nursing Advancement Professionals Conference
will be held March 26-27, 2004 at the Fairmont Hotel in
Washington, DC with the theme "A New Era for Nursing:
Raising Money in a Time of Heightened Awareness." Sessions
are tailored to address the special challenges encountered
by nursing advancement professionals and this conference
offers an excellent opportunity to network with colleagues.
Details about the conference program will be available in
November.
20.
FIRST ONCOLOGY ELNEC COURSE TO BE OFFERED
On February
19, 2004, 60 oncology nurses will arrive in Pasadena, CA
to begin the first three-day conference to explore ways
to improve end-of-life care for oncology patients and their
families. Two oncology nurses from each chapter of the Oncology
Nursing Society (ONS) across the United States will be selected
to attend the course. This training project builds on the
core curriculum developed by the End-of-Life Nursing Education
Consortium (ELNEC) that was originally funded by the Robert
Wood Johnson Foundation. By June 2008, 240 oncology nurses
will have completed this train-the-trainer course. This
program is funded by a generous award from the National
Cancer Institute (NCI) to the City of Hope Cancer Center,
with support from AACN and ONS.
21.
ENCOURAGING INNOVATION IN HEALTH PROMOTION & DISEASE
PREVENTION
For
twenty years, students in various health professions have
had the opportunity to explore creative ways of promoting
health and preventing disease through their involvement
with the Secretary’s Award for Innovations in Health
Promotion and Disease Prevention. Students in twelve different
disciplines are eligible to enter this competition: Nursing,
medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry,
pharmacy, podiatry, public health, allied health, health
administration, and health education. Both single discipline
and interdisciplinary awards are made. Student authors of
the first, second, and third place winning papers and their
advisors are brought to Washington, DC to participate in
the Secretary’s Award ceremony and reception. This
awards program is a collaborative effort between the Department
of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the Health Resources
and Services Administration (HRSA), and the Federation of
Associations of Schools of the Health Professions (FASHP).
Watch for more details to be posted on AACN’s Web site.
22.
NEW PARTNERSHIPS AND GRANT-FUNDED INITIATIVES
In this
section, AACN spotlights 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.
**On
September 30, 2003, New Hampshire Governor Craig Benson
launched the Nurse Bridge Program to address the state’s
severe nursing shortage. One component of this new initiative
is the Nurse Educators Program which provides registered
nurses with graduate degrees needed to serve as nurse educators.
The Nurse Educators Program will be conducted at the University
of New Hampshire, offer six graduate credits, and cost nothing
to the taxpayer. See http://www.state.nh.us/governor/pr_09_30_03_ga.html.
**The
University at Buffalo School of Nursing received a $1 million
HRSA grant to expand the school’s offerings in adult
care nursing and to increase the number of nurse educators.
Funds will be used to institute an Adult Clinical Nurse
Specialist master’s degree program and a 15-credit
Advanced Certificate in Nursing Education for master’s-prepared
nurses.
**The
Maryland Council of Deans and Directors of Nursing Programs
has approved a new articulation program that will make it
easier for nurses to pursue advanced degrees without the
loss of credits. The program, the Maryland RN to BSN or
RN to MSN Articulation Model, will guarantee RNs wishing
to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing
a minimum of 30 upper division nursing credits when they
enter a four-year college or university program. Full implementation
of the models will be completed by fall 2004.
**The
College of Nursing at Marquette University in Milwaukee
received a $1.2 million HRSA grant to launch a new doctoral
program to prepare nurse educators and develop scholars
to study vulnerable populations. Funding will also be used
to increase the number of faculty from underrepresented
populations.
23.
MEMBER NEWS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND AWARDS
**Dr.
Harriet Feldman, dean of Pace University’s Lienhard
School of Nursing, has written a new book on the escalating
nursing shortage in America titled “The Nursing Shortage:
Strategies for Recruitment and Retention in Clinical Practice
and Education.” In the book, Dr. Feldman offers practical
and pioneering solutions for averting this crisis and features
proven case models that can be used in a variety of health
care environments. The book may be purchased through Amazon.com.
**Dr.
Linda Norman, Senior Associate Dean for Academics at the
Vanderbilt University School of Nursing (VUSN), has been
named a visiting professor with Bournemouth University in
England. Dr. Norman visited Bournemouth in early October
to address nursing students about “The Future of the
Global Nursing Workforce, a U.S. Perspective.” VUSN
has established a relationship with Bournemouth University
under a program funded by a FIPSE-EU grant to increase awareness
of the challenges facing nurses worldwide.
**On
September 24, 2003, Dr. Joan K. Austin, distinguished professor
and director of Indiana University School of Nursing’s
Center for Enhancing Quality of Life in Chronic Illness
(CEQL), received the Emily Holmquist Lifetime Achievement
in Nursing Award. A leading researcher in the area of child
and family adaptation to pediatric epilepsy, Dr. Austin
was honored for her commitment to nursing education and
research.
**The
Vanderbilt University School of Nursing has been awarded
two separate grants to deliver online emergency preparedness
programs to healthcare professionals around the country.
The first grant, totaling $759,589, is from the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services’ Bioterrorism Training
and Curriculum Development Program, and the second grant
is from The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality in
the amount of $1,090,145. Funding will allow VUSN to offer
online educational programs specifically designed to meet
the established competencies for all nurses in emergency
preparedness.
24.
AACN OUTREACH AND ADVOCACY UPDATE
**On
October 20, 2003, AACN President-Elect Jean Bartels presented
testimony before the Sullivan Commission on Diversity in
the Healthcare Workforce in Chicago. Dr. Bartels focused
on the need to diversify the nurse faculty population and
discussed several successful programs that have been launched
around the country to remove barriers to graduate level
nursing education.
**On
October 7, 2003, AACN Executive Director Polly Bednash presented
testimony before the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Capital Assets Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES)
Commission on the role of academic affiliates in the CARES
program. The CARES Commission is studying the current and
future health care needs of veterans and is looking to realign
the department's capital assets to meet those needs. AACN
was asked to present testimony along with the Association
of American Medical Colleges.
**On
October 3, 2003, Debbie Campbell, AACN’s Director of
Government Affairs, presented “Negotiating the Hill:
Tips for Legislative Success” at the Illinois Association
of Colleges of Nursing Fall Retreat.
**On
October 2, 2003, AACN President Kathleen Ann Long presented
an overview of nursing issues at the first meeting of the
Health Care Professional Education Nursing Roundtable convened
by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
(JCAHO). Topics covered by the group include the need for
education reform, obstacles that discourage change, and
potential strategies to bring about innovation. JCAHO organized
this roundtable to focus on the four health professions
that it deemed as the most important in improving patient
care: Nursing, medicine, pharmacy, and health care administration.
**On
October 2-4, 2003, the Association of Academic Health Centers
(AHC) hosted its semiannual meeting with sessions focused
on faculty shortages across the health professions, including
nursing. AACN’s representatives to the AHC are Dr.
Catherine Lynch Gillis from Yale University, and AACN Board
Secretary Dr. Dorothy Powell from Howard University.
**On
September 30, 2003, AACN staff attended a meeting with the
White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to discuss
the Bush Administration’s perspective on completing
FY 2004 appropriations; the budget process for FY 2005;
and the evolving use of the Program Assessment Rating Tool
(PART), the evaluation process for HHS programs. The Coalition
for Health Funding coordinated this meeting. For more information
on OMB, visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb.
**On
September 27, 2003, Dr. Polly Bednash presented at the Nursing
Education and State Policy Conference convened by the National
Council of State Legislatures with support by HRSA. This
workshop focused on the challenges and opportunities for
nursing education to address state nurse workforce needs
in five states with significant nurse shortages—California,
Georgia, Indiana, Texas and Utah. Discussions centered on
successful approaches for expanding the capacity of nursing
education and addressed workplace retention efforts.
**On
September 24, 2003, AACN staff attended a meeting of the
National Commission on VA Nursing. The purpose of the commission
is to provide advice and make recommendations to Congress
and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs regarding legislative
and organizational policy changes to enhance the recruitment
and retention of nurses. The commission is expected to release
a final report in May 2004. For more information on the
National Commission on VA Nursing, see http://www.va.gov/ncvan.
25.
OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES TO CONSIDER
**On
November 6-9, 2003, the University of Kansas School of Nursing
and the MU Sinclair School of Nursing will host the 30th
Annual National Conference on Professional Nursing Education
and Development. Programmed around the theme “Continuing
Competence: Where Education and Practice Meet,” the
conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center
in Kansas City, MO. The conference includes five preconference
topics, more than 100 concurrent sessions and roundtable
discussions, an open forum, exhibits and a barbecue dinner
with jazz music and a city tour. Continuing education credit
is available. For complete details, see http://www.kuce.org/kumc/nec.
**The
Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students program contributes
to the diversity of health professions students and practitioners.
This HRSA program provides funding to eligible health professions
and nursing schools to be used for scholarships to students
from disadvantaged backgrounds who have financial need for
scholarships and are enrolled, or accepted for enrollment,
as full-time students at eligible schools. Application deadline
for the 2004-2005 academic year is December 17, 2003. For
details, see the "Student Financial Aid Guidelines"
at http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/dsa/weblinks.
For questions, contact Andrea Castle at (301) 443-1701,
Angie Lacy at (301) 443-5353, or Christine Parks at (301)
443-8272.
**On
February 20-22, 2004, the University of Phoenix will rally
educators nationwide to address emerging trends in higher
education at a conference titled “The Future Reloaded.”
Presented at the Wyndham Phoenix Hotel, this event will
draw thought leaders from all sectors of education interested
in exploring a range of topics including new approaches
to how students are served; the structure of faculty work;
cross-institutional collaboration; and regulatory partnerships.
More information is available online at http://www.phoenix.edu/trends2004.
**Community-Campus
Partnerships for Health has been funded by the W.K. Kellogg
Foundation to convene a Commission on Community-Engaged
Scholarship in the Health Professions. This new advisory
body will take a leadership role in creating a more supportive
culture and reward system for health professions faculty
involved in community-based participatory research, service-learning
and other forms of community-engaged scholarship. For more
details, see http://futurehealth.ucsf.edu/ccph/kellogg3.html.
**The
Association of Teachers of Preventive Medicine (ATPM), in
collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, announces
training opportunities within the Fellowship, Internship,
and Residency Rotation programs. Each of these programs
offers unique opportunities that provide training in prevention
policy, research, and practice to public health professionals
at various stages in their careers. For more information,
visit ATPM's Web site at http://www.atpm.org
and click the "Career Development/Training" link.
**On
November 9-10, 2003, the National Nursing Centers Consortium
will present the Best Practices in Nurse-Managed Health
Centers Annual Conference 2003 in Baltimore, MD. Sponsored
by HRSA, the conference will feature dynamic panel and poster
presentations that examine how nurse-managed health centers
address and eliminate health disparities. See http://www.nationalnursingcenters.org.
