1.
AACN ENDORSES POSITION STATEMENT ON PRACTICE DOCTORATE
In a historic move to help shape
the future of nursing education and practice, AACN adopted a new position which
recognizes the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree as the highest level of
preparation for clinical practice. At the Fall Semiannual Meeting held October
25, 2004, AACN member institutions voted to move the current level of preparation
necessary for advanced nursing practice roles from the master's degree to the
doctorate level by the year 2015. Read the position statement on the Web at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/DNP/pdf/DNP.pdf.
To help members and stakeholders understand this action, AACN has issued a press
release and a Frequently Asked Questions sheet. See http://www.aacn.nche.edu/DNP/DNPFAQ.htm
and http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Media/NewsReleases/DNPRelease.htm.
2.
PRESENTATIONS FROM FALL SEMIANNUAL MEETING POSTED ONLINE
Hundreds
of deans and associate deans gathered in Washington, DC last month to attend the
Fall Semiannual Meeting which marked AACN's 35th anniversary as the only national
organization dedicated solely to the advancement of baccalaureate and higher degree
nursing programs. Meeting participants were treated to provocative program sessions
on the importance of advocacy, a keynote address from this year's John P. McGovern
award winner Dr. Linda Aiken, an "Innovations in Action" showcase, and
an afternoon of lobbying on Capitol Hill. See http://cornyn.senate.gov/slides/photo32.cfm
for a photo of our Texas deans meeting with Senator John Cornyn (R-TX). Please
also note:
*Speaker presentations from the fall meeting are
now posted on the AACN Web site at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/MembersOnly/index.asp.
*During
his presentation on "Diversity as a National Policy Issue," Speaker
Tom Perez mentioned an article he prepared on "Assessing Medical School Admissions
Policies" in relation to Supreme Court decisions on affirmative action. This
publication, which is relevant to nursing schools as well, may be accessed at
http://www.aamc.org/diversity/focuson.htm.
**Advocacy
guru Stephanie Vance conducted two sessions during the meeting on communication
techniques that AACN members can use while advocating on Capitol Hill and in state
legislatures. Her PowerPoint presentations may be downloaded at http://www.advocacyguru.com/aacn.htm.
**Several
deans were honored for their outstanding advocacy efforts this year and named
new AACN Grassroots Stars. These individuals make lobbying visits in Washington
and at home; testify before Congress; write letters and make phone calls to congressional
offices and encourage their faculty and students to do so. AACN would like to
congratulate Dr. Janet Allan, University of Maryland; Dr. Daisy Cruz-Richman,
SUNY Downstate Medical Center; Dr. Jane Williams, Rhode Island College; and Dr.
Sandra Ferketich, University of New Mexico. For a complete list of stars, see
http://www.aacn.nche.edu/government/legislativestrategies/grassrootsstars.htm.
3.
AACN RECEIVES FUNDING TO LAUNCH SIMULATION PROJECT
AACN
has received new funding to investigate the use of simulation technology to assess
the competency of graduating nurses and enhance education quality. Funding provided
by the Helene Fuld Health Trust will be used to study and validate a simulation-based
training and assessment tool adapted specifically for nursing by Simulis, a leading
developer of simulation-based learning systems. "AACN is committed to ensuring
that new nurses are well prepared to practice in today's increasingly complex
healthcare system," said AACN President Jean E. Bartels. "Through this
new venture, we will explore how online learning technologies can be used to measure
clinical competency among baccalaureate nursing program graduates." Read
more online at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Media/NewsReleases/SimTechRelease.htm.
4.
NEW INTERDISCIPLINARY QUALITY INITIATIVE TAKES SHAPE
AACN
has been approached by Partnerships for Quality Education (PQE), a national initiative
of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, to join with the Association of American
Medical Colleges' Institute for Improving Clinical Care in a collaborative venture
called ACT II or Achieving Competence Today. ACT II will test whether a multidisciplinary
group of medical residents and nursing students can, in active collaboration with
senior management in their academic institutions, become effective agents for
improving care. The project will give participants the skills needed to identify
and solve system problems that will lead to better and safer clinical care. "AACN
applauds the PQE for engaging both nursing and medicine in this important quality
improvement initiative," said AACN President Jean E. Bartels. "By focusing
on graduate students, the PQE is effectively providing the practice leaders of
tomorrow with the experience and skills needed to be catalysts for enhancing patient
care." Watch for updates as the ACT II project progresses.
5.
DEADLINE APPROACHES FOR AACN LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
With funding provided by the Helene Fuld
Health Trust, AACN is requesting applications through November
19 for the fourth offering of our executive leadership institute
for new and aspiring deans. The Leadership for Academic Nursing
Program encompasses an assessment and evaluation of leadership
skills, opportunities for strategic networking and case study
development, consultation to achieve long-term goals, and identification
of key partnerships. See http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Education/fuld.htm
for an application and more details. AACN is also seeking experienced
deans to serve as mentors for the 2005 Fellows. To find out more
about becoming a mentor, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Education/FuldRFM.htm.
6.
CAPITATION LEGISLATION INTRODUCED TO ASSIST NURSING EDUCATION
Nursing
champions, Reps. Nita Lowey (D-NY) and Lois Capps (D-CA) introduced new federal
legislation that addresses the well reported waiting lists of students occurring
in schools of nursing across the nation. The Nurse Education, Expansion, and Development
Act of 2004 (H.R. 5234) would authorize capitation or formula grants for graduate,
baccalaureate, and associate degree programs to hire and support faculty, purchase
new equipment, build learning labs to expand infrastructure. The grants would
provide a dollar amount per students enrolled in a school of nursing. Given the
late date of introduction, it will not be considered during the lame-duck session
of the 108th Congress; however, Reps. Lowey and Capps are committed to reintroducing
the legislation and facilitating its consideration in the 109th Congress. For
a synopsis of the bill, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Government/LegislativeStrategies/NEEDBillSynopsis.htm.
7.
CNL TALKING POINTS AND FAQS AVAILABLE ONLINE
At
AACN's Fall Semiannual Meeting, several deans requested talking points and a Frequently
Asked Questions sheet to answer questions about the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)
initiative. These resources are available online at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/CNL/TalkingPoints.htm
and http://www.aacn.nche.edu/CNL/FAQ.htm.
NurseZone, an online community for nurses, recently published on article about
the ongoing work of the CNL education-practice partnerships. The article is posted
on the Web at http://www.nursezone.com/job/MedicalNewsAlerts.asp?articleID=13088.
8.
2004 WINNERS SELECTED FOR ANNUAL HARTFORD AWARDS
AACN,
in collaboration with the John A. Hartford Foundation Institute for Geriatric
Nursing, is pleased to announce the winners of the 2004 Awards for Exceptional
Baccalaureate Curriculum in Gerontologic Nursing. Presented at AACN's fall meeting,
awards were given to five schools of nursing this year:
Outstanding
Faculty Member in Gerontological Nursing Award
Beth Barba, PhD, RN, University
of North Carolina at Greensboro
Infusing Geriatrics into
the Curriculum Award
Valparaiso University
Clinical
Settings in Geriatric Nursing Award
St. Cloud State University
Stand-Alone
Baccalaureate Geriatric Course Award
Duke University and University of
Rhode Island
Now in its seventh year, this national awards
program was created to recognize model baccalaureate programs in nursing with
a strong focus on geriatric nursing. Read the winning abstracts online at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Education/Hartford/index.htm.
9.
SALARY SURVEY SHOWS BSN GRADUATES EARN HIGHER SALARIES
Released
last month, the results from Nursing2004's annual salary survey of registered
nurses show a sharp increase in salaries this year, particularly for nurses with
BSN degrees. Based on more than 1,700 responses, the average annual income in
2004 was $54,574. Besides showing an increase of $4,900 from last year, this figure
is more than $10,000 above the average salary reported in 2001. The survey also
found that salaries were differentiated by level of education. The average annual
income for BSN-prepared nurses was $56,900, almost $6,000 more than AD-prepared
nurses ($51,100). Compared to 2003, these salaries reflect a 9.5% increase for
BSN nurses and a 6% increase for AD nurses. See the full story, including salaries
for nurses with graduate degrees, in the Current Issue section found at http://www.nursing2004.com.
10.
SIGMA THETA TAU OFFERS CAREER RXCEL FOR STUDENTS &
FACULTY
The Honor Society of Nursing,
Sigma Theta Tau International offers CareeRxel for Students™ and CareeRxel
for Faculty™, among its seven-course CareeRxel Series™. CareeRxel for
Students is an innovative, six-session, online course that guides the student
through a self assessment, goal development and development of a career plan.
CareeRxel for Faculty is a unique, online career-advising tool where faculty learn
how to advise students in creating environments that put them on the path to high
performance and high fulfillment careers. All CareeRxel Series courses provide
continuing education credit and are accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing
Center. To learn how you can accelerate your career or the careers of those you
teach, go to http://www.careerxel.com.
11.
RECRUIT NURSE EDUCATORS VIA AACN'S FACULTY CAREERLINK
AACN's
online Faculty CareerLink is a comprehensive resource for nurse faculty vacancies
and information on careers in nursing education. In addition to listing hundreds
of faculty vacancies over the past few months, this section includes a nurse educator
career profile, lists of academic programs that prepare faculty, financial aid
opportunities for graduate study, and links to faculty development programs. For
more information, visit Faculty CareerLink at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/CareerLink.
To place an ad for December, contact Communications Assistant Ayesha Pathak at
apathak@aacn.nche.edu.
12.
NIH OFFERS $35,000 IN ANNUAL STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT
Applications
are now being accepted for the loan repayment programs (LRP) offered by the National
Institutes of Health (NIH). These programs will repay up to $35,000 of qualified
educational debt for health professionals pursuing careers in clinical, pediatric,
contraception and infertility, or health disparities research. Participants must
possess a doctoral-level degree, devote 50% or more of their time to research
funded by a non-profit organization or government entity (federal, state, or local),
and have educational loan debt equal to or exceeding 20% of their institutional
base salary. The five NIH Loan Repayment Programs are the Clinical Research LRP,
Clinical Research for Individuals from Disadvantaged Backgrounds LRP, Contraception
and Infertility Research LRP, Health Disparities LRP, and Pediatric Research LRP.
Applications must be received by December 15, 2004. For more details including
an online application, see http://www.lrp.nih.gov.
13.
BECOME A BARBARA JORDAN HEALTH POLICY SCHOLAR
The
Barbara Jordan Health Policy Scholars Program brings talented African American,
Latino, Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian/Alaska Native college seniors
and recent graduates to Washington, D.C., where they work in congressional offices
and learn about health policy. The Kaiser Family Foundation established the Scholars
Program to expand the pool of students of color interested in health policy. Through
the nine-week program (May 24 - July 29, 2005), scholars gain knowledge about
federal legislative procedure and health policy issues, while further developing
their critical thinking and leadership skills. Candidates are selected based on
academic performance, demonstrated leadership potential and interest in health
policy. Scholars receive approximately $5,000 in support, which includes a stipend,
daily expense allowance, airfare and lodging. Applications are due January 7,
2005. For details, see http://www.kff.org/docs/topics/jordanscholars.html.
14.
AACN HIGHLIGHTS STATE GRASSROOTS LIAISON PROGRAM
AACN's
Government Affairs Committee (GAC) would like to welcome members of its State
Grassroots Liaison Program. There are one or two Liaisons in each state. Liaison
work with the GAC and AACN staff to: a) coordinate AACN member visits to their
Senators during the AACN Fall and Spring annual meetings; b) mentor less experienced
Deans/Directors/Chairs in Capitol Hill visits; c) keep the GAC and AACN staff
informed of state legislative issues related to nursing education and research;
d) monitor their state for new or reopened nursing programs; e) advise the GAC
on educational needs of the AACN membership; and f) serve in the role for 2 years
with the possibility of reappointment. Click here to see the State Grassroots
Liaisons listed by state: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Government/LegislativeStrategies/StateGRPrg.htm.
15.
APPLY NOW TO THE 2005 RWJ EXECUTIVE NURSE FELLOWS PROGRAM
The
Robert Wood Johnson Executive Nurse Fellows Program is an advanced leadership
program for nurses in senior executive roles in health services, public health
and nursing education who aspired to lead and shape the U.S. health care system.
The three-year program allows Fellows to remain in their current positions while
developing the skills necessary to lead a health care system undergoing unprecedented
change. The fellowships are open to senior-level nurses who hold executive positions
in health services organizations, public health organizations and systems, and
nursing education. Up to 20 fellowships will be awarded in this grant cycle. Applications
are due by 3pm EST on February 1, 2005. For additional information, see http://www.rwjf.org/cfp/executivenursefellows.
16.
AACN JOINS WITH THE ASSOCIATION OF GENERAL AND
LIBERAL STUDIES
Dr. Joan Stanley,
AACN's Director of Education Policy, has been asked to serve on the Association
of General and Liberal Studies (AGLS) Executive Council. This request grew out
of AACN's participation in the AAC&U Project on Assessment and Accreditation.
AACN is pleased to be able to continue to work with others in higher education
focused on liberal education, particularly as it relates to the preparation of
individuals in nursing. Next year's AGLS Conference will be held jointly with
the Association of Integrative Studies on October 6-9, 2005 in Fairfax, VA. A
call for papers will be sent out with submissions due April 30, 2005. For more
details, see http://www.bsu.edu/web/agls.
This conference is an excellent opportunity for nursing education to share what
is being done in the areas of values and character development, integrative learning
in study abroad programs, partners for learning off-campus, integrating interdisciplinary
challenges with changing student demographics, cultivating student leaders, and
change in assessing interdisciplinary learning in diverse student populations.
17.
DATES AND LOCATION CHANGE FOR 2005 DOCTORAL EDUCATION
CONFERENCE
Due to damage caused by the recent
hurricanes in Florida, the 2005 Doctoral Education Conference will be held January
19-22 at the renowned Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego, CA. The theme is "Bold
Directions: Innovative Pathways to Doctoral Education in Nursing." Detailed
program information is posted on the Web site at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Conferences/05DoctoralConf.htm.
**Doctoral Conference Call for Abstracts: In a departure
from the usual conference format, one session will consist of poster presentations.
On Friday, January 21, 2005, from 8:30-10:00 a.m., participants will view posters
on the subject of "Accelerated BSN-to-PhD Programs". Please encourage
colleagues to submit abstracts that showcase fast-track, innovative programs that
move students more quickly to graduation. The Call for Abstracts is posted at
http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Conferences/pdf/05DoctoralCFA.pdf.
Abstracts are due December 1, 2004.
18.
ABSTRACTS SOLICITED FOR MASTER'S EDUCATION CONFERENCE
The
Master's Education Conference is scheduled for February 17-19, 2005 at the US
Grant Hotel in San Diego, CA. The conference theme is "On the Horizon in
Master's Education: Teaching, Research, and Practice." Abstracts are being
solicited for poster and podium presentations that describe innovative initiatives
congruent with the theme. Abstracts are due December 10, 2004. For details, see
http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Conferences/pdf/MastersCall04.pdf.
19.
SHOWCASE STUDENT INNOVATIONS WITH A SECRETARY'S AWARD
The
brochure, flyer and application for the 2004-2005 Secretary's Award for Innovations
in Health Promotion are now posted online at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/SecretarysAward.
The deadline for students to turn their papers to their faculty sponsor is February
7, 2005. Significant cash awards are given to the winners in both single discipline
and interprofessional entries. Last year, nursing had 3 winners! For more information
and suggestion for writing an excellent paper, see the Web site or contact Pam
Malloy at pmalloy@aacn.nche.edu.
20.
HEALTH ACTION AIDS CAMPAIGN LOOKS TO NURSING FOR SUPPORT
The
Health Action AIDS campaign mobilizes health professionals around support for
a comprehensive U.S. response to global HIV/AIDS. The campaign develops ways for
health professionals to educate decision-makers about the global need and to support
their colleagues fighting AIDS around the world. Health professionals have the
capacity to be an enormously powerful voice in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and
the Health Action AIDS campaign seeks to make this collective voice realized and
effective. "Advocacy is a skill that nursing students can take with them
for the rest of their career," said Linda Thompson, Dean and Professor of
Nursing at the Oakland University School of Nursing. "Advocacy involvement
is a necessary way to teach nurses the skills to influence political action and
also teach them political engagement. This is one of the reasons that I'm supporting
the efforts of Health Action AIDS." To learn more about the campaign and
the ways nurses and nursing students can get involved, visit http://www.healthactionaids.org.
21.
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.
- The
Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation awarded two grants totaling $5.5 million to
San José State University's School of Nursing for programs to increase
the number of new nursing graduates and to educate additional nursing faculty.
"Not only will this program assist the local nursing shortage by increasing
the number of new nursing graduates each year," said Jayne Cohen, director
of the School of Nursing. "It will also increase the number of potential
nurse leaders and educators who are academically prepared to begin graduate level
study. These students will be able to take advantage of the nursing educators
for tomorrow program, also funded by the grant." For details, see http://www.sjsu.edu/news/news_detail.jsp?id=950.
- HCA's
MidAmerica Division has joined with Belmont University (TN) in a new educational
partnership to address the growing shortage of nurses in Tennessee. HCA has committed
$7.5 million toward the construction of a College of Health Sciences which will
house the school's Nursing, Occupational Therapy and Social Work programs. This
unique partnership will also create a new nursing consortium intended to help
meet the needs of Middle Tennessee for highly educated nursing professionals.
See http://forum.belmont.edu/umac/archives/2004/10/hcas_midamerica_1.html.
22.
MEMBER NEWS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND AWARDS
- In
2003, the University of Missouri (MU) presented the prestigious Manuel T. Pacheco
Leadership Award to Dr. Rosemary T. Porter, the dean of the MU Sinclair School
of Nursing at the University of Missouri-Columbia. This award recognizes Dr. Porter's
outstanding leadership and vision that has helped the faculty and staff of one
of the smallest schools on the Columbia campus to set and accomplish lofty goals.
"Dean Porter is being recognized for this honor because of her capacity to
build consensus, to empower her faculty and staff, to shape and advocate the vision
and mission of the school, and align the processes of the school to achieve its
vision and mission," said Stephen Lehmkuhle, the University of Missouri system's
senior vice president for academic affairs.
- Two
of the largest nursing schools in Missouri have agreed to change their names to
end confusion about their locations. The Jewish College of Nursing and Allied
Health will change its name to the Barnes-Jewish College of Nursing and Allied
Health, while the Barnes College of Nursing and Health Studies at the University
of Missouri-St. Louis will now be known as the University of Missouri-St. Louis
College of Nursing and Health Studies. The new names will go into effect on January
1, 2005. Plans for the future of Barnes-Jewish College of Nursing and Allied Health
include re-engineering its educational programs to ultimately provide only baccalaureate
and higher level instruction consistent with the high standards set by Barnes-Jewish
Hospital, Washington University Medical Center and BJC Health Care.
23.
AACN OUTREACH AND ADVOCACY UPDATE
