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September
2005 News Watch
AACN applauds the efforts of nursing schools nationwide
to accommodate the 3,000 nursing students and faculty displaced
by Hurricane Katrina. More than 110 schools representing 38 states
and the District of Columbia have made arrangements to accept students
on an expedited basis, provide housing when possible, and offer
nurse faculty opportunities to teach while their home institutions
in New Orleans and the surrounding area remain closed. The listing
of nursing schools providing assistance to students and faculty
is available online at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/HurricaneRelief.htm.
This resource also includes links to other relief efforts and volunteer
options.
AACN applauds a recent report from the National
Academy of Sciences (NAS) that calls for nursing to develop a “non-research
clinical doctorate” to prepare expert practitioners who can
also serve as clinical faculty. This recommendation supports AACN’s
position statement adopted in October 2004 which recognizes the
practice doctorate as the terminal degree in nursing practice. AACN
also supports the recommendations related to doubling the number
of nurse scientists and increasing the number of productive research
years for nurses prepared in PhD, DNSc and similar doctoral programs.
This report was supported by a grant between the National Academy
of Sciences and the National Institutes of Health with additional
support from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
On August 18, AACN’s Task Force on the Essentials
of Nursing Education for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) released
a draft version of the “DNP Essentials” for public review
and comment. This document is available online at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/DNP/pdf/Essentials.pdf.
AACN invites practicing nurses, faculty, employers, graduate students
and other stakeholders to learn more about the national movement
toward the DNP and discuss the draft Essentials at a series of regional
meetings held September 2005 through January 2006. Representatives
from AACN's DNP task forces will share details about their work
and provide forums for attendees to give feedback and discuss related
issues. The following conferences are scheduled:
- September 14-15, Simmons College, Boston,
MA
- September 29-30, Saint Louis University,
St. Louis, MO
- November 3-4, Emory University, Atlanta,
GA
- December 8-9, University of Texas Health
Science Center, Houston, TX
- January 12-13, University of San Diego,
San Diego, CA
To register, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/DNP/RegConf.htm.
4.
NEW FUNDING
AVAILABLE FOR RESEARCH-FOCUSED DOCTORATES
AACN is pleased to announce that nursing has been
designated by the U.S. Secretary of Education as an "area of
national need" under the Graduate Assistance in Areas of National
Need (GAANN) program within the Higher Education Act. As a result
of this AACN-led lobbying effort, new funding is now available to
nursing schools offering PhD programs. AACN is grateful to Reps.
Jon Porter (R-NV), Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), and their colleagues
in the House for supporting this amendment as well as to Sen. Barbara
Mikulski (D-MD) and her colleagues in the Senate for their legislative
efforts.
On August 29, the U.S. Department of Education issued
a call for applications to schools seeking GAANN funding in FY 2006.
Schools of nursing are invited to apply for funding to offer fellowships
to graduate students with excellent academic records who demonstrate
financial need and plan to pursue a PhD program. Application deadline
is November 14, 2005. For application and guidance information,
see http://www.ed.gov/programs/gaann/applicant.html.
For details about GAANN, visit http://www.ed.gov/programs/gaann/index.html.
5.
AACN TO MEET REGULARLY WITH NACNS
LEADERSHIP
In August, AACN staff met with the leadership
of the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS)
to discuss issues of mutual interest and potential mechanisms for
ongoing dialogue. Those attending for NACNS were Executive Director
Christine Filipovich and President-Elect Dr. Kelly Goudreau from
the Portland VA Medical Center; AACN was represented by Drs. Polly
Bednash and Joan Stanley along with CNL Implementation Task Force
Chair Jolene Tornabeni. Noted CNS Dr. Judith Spross from the University
of Southern Maine also attended the meeting. The two groups have
agreed to meet regularly to discuss emerging issues and identify
areas of potential collaboration.
6.
MONSTER
HEALTHCARE AND AACN OFFER FACULTY SCHOLARSHIPS
The Monster Healthcare-AACN Nursing Faculty Scholarship
is designed to increase the number of doctorally-prepared nurse
educators needed to expand student capacity in entry-level nursing
programs. Students enrolled in either a Baccalaureate to PhD or
a Doctor of Nursing Practice program are eligible to apply. Five
scholarships in the amount of $25,000 will be awarded in Fall 2005.
Students will be expected to use this money to cover living expenses
which will allow the student to attend school full-time. In addition
to providing scholarship funds, Monster Healthcare will provide
students with part-time jobs (a minimum of 10 hours a week) to enhance
the students' clinical experiences and give award recipients health
benefits while enrolled in school. Upon graduation, students will
be expected to serve in a teaching capacity at a nursing school
for a minimum of one year for every year scholarship monies were
received. Application deadline is September 30.
7.
DR. LINDA BERLIN RETIRES AFTER 15 YEARS WITH AACN
Dr. Linda Berlin, AACN’s Director of Research
and Data Services, has announced her retirement following 15 years
of dedicated service to our organization. Dr. Berlin has been the
driving force behind making AACN’s annual survey on baccalaureate
and graduate nursing programs the nation’s premiere databank
on enrollment and graduation statistics. Her astute analysis of
trends related to the aging of the nurse faculty population helped
to shape the national agenda and focus attention on the faculty
shortage. Please join us in thanking Dr. Berlin for her remarkable
contributions to AACN and professional nursing education by contacting
her at lberlin@aacn.nche.edu.
Last week, Dr. Di Fang, formerly with the Association
of American Medical Colleges, assumed the role of AACN’s Director
of Research and Data Services. He will be overseeing this fall’s
annual survey and working to satisfy member data and research requests.
Dr. Fang can be reached at dfang@aacn.nche.edu.
8.
FREE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
WORKSHOPS OFFERED FOR HRSA GRANT PROGRAMS
On September 9, the Health Resources and Services
Administration (HRSA) announced an upcoming series of workshops
addressing grant opportunities from the Division of Nursing. Meetings
will review all existing programs, including the Advanced Education
Nursing Program, Nurse Education, Practice and Retention Grant Program,
Nursing Workforce Diversity Program, Advanced Education Nursing
Traineeship, and Comprehensive Geriatric Education Program. Participants
will learn about the specific intent of the legislation, network
with other applicants, and register for focused technical assistance.
Those involved in writing grant applications and implementing projects
are encouraged to attend. Workshops will be offered as follows:
- Washington, DC, September 27-28, 2005
- Seattle, WA, October 3-4, 2005
- Phoenix, AZ, October 7-8, 2005
- Chicago, IL, October 17-18, 2005
- Atlanta, GA, October 21-22, 2005
For more details, see http://www.psava.com/nursingworkshop.
Advanced registration is required.
9.
AACN
REPRESENTED ON MODERN HEALTHCARE’S 2005 POWER LIST
In late August, Modern Healthcare Magazine posted
the Top 100 Most Powerful People in Healthcare for 2005, and congratulations
go to AACN Executive Director Polly Bednash for making the list
at #36! This marks the third consecutive year that Polly has made
the power list and her highest ranking to date. She was ranked 48
in 2003 and 52 in 2004. Other nursing leaders on the list include
Barbara Blakeney from the American Nurses Association and Pamela
Thompson from the American Organization of Nurse Executives.
10.
CNL
SPOTLIGHT: FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY
AACN is dedicated to highlighting the work of the
education-practice partnerships participating in the Clinical Nurse
Leader (CNL) demonstration project. CNL partnerships are in place
in 35 states and involve 92 schools of nursing and 180 practice
sites. For details on this initiative to improve health care quality
and patient safety, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/CNL.
SEPTEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Earlier this summer, Florida Atlantic University’s
(FAU) Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing was awarded a $815,000
HRSA grant to support the school’s CNL partnerships with 11
separate practice sites. Dr. Rose O. Sherman, director of FAU’s
Nursing Leadership Institute, has begun a grounded theory study
on “Factors that Influenced the Decision of Chief Nursing Officers
to Promote the Participation of their Healthcare Agencies in the
Clinical Nurse Leader Project.” The results of this study involving
one-hour interviews with CNOs participating in the CNL initiative
will be shared with AACN members once completed. FAU started its
first CNL courses this fall. For details, see http://nursing.fau.edu/newnursingsite/graduate/cnl.html.
11.
FALL
SEMINANNUAL MEETING PLANNED FOR OCTOBER 22-25, 2005
AACN’s Fall Semiannual Meeting will be held
October 22-25, 2005 at the Fairmont hotel in Washington, DC. The
theme “Taking the Helm of Nursing Education: Navigating Uncertain
Waters” will allow participants to consider the future of nursing
education. Leaders from other national organizations will share
their perspectives in the opening session; a respected nurse executive
describes characteristics and needs of the practice setting; the
Delaware Study is considered as an analytical tool for nursing;
informal sessions allow colleagues from like schools to converse
about important issues; and members have the opportunity to discuss
in detail the CNL and DNP initiatives. The meeting closes with three
past AACN presidents sharing their views about the future of nursing
education. Other highlights include:
- Cathy Rick, RN, CNAA, FACHE, Chief Nursing
Officer with the Veterans Health Administration, was selected
by the AACN Board to receive the 2005 McGovern Award. Her award
and presentation are scheduled for October 23 at 5:15pm.
- The new Organizational Leadership Network will
hold its first meeting on Saturday morning, October 22. Network
members may register for a special program and business meeting
to be held during breakfast. Participants are encouraged to become
active leaders and shape the direction of this group.
Hotel reservations for the Fall Meeting have
unexpectedly exceeded the room block. We are working with several
nearby hotels to secure the best possible rate for those who still
need rooms. Please consult the AACN Web page for the latest information.
NOTE: Each dean/director is invited to bring one associate/assistant
dean to the meeting as a way to familiarize these senior academic
leaders with content and issues they will find useful to enhancing
education at their institutions. A reduced rate is offered for this
representative. Deans must be registered in order for the associate/assistant
dean to attend.
12.
NIH OFFERS $35,000 IN ANNUAL STUDENT
LOAN REPAYMENT
Applications are now being accepted for the loan
repayment programs 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 biomedical and
behavioral research. Participants must possess a doctoral-level
degree, devote 50% or more of their time to research funded by a
domestic 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 for Clinical Research, Clinical Research for Individuals
from Disadvantaged Backgrounds, Contraception and Infertility Research,
Health Disparities, and Pediatric Research. Applications must be
received by December 1, 2005.
13.
AACN
SPONSORS JCAHO CONFERENCE ON HEALTH PROFESSIONS EDUCATION
AACN is serving as a sponsoring organization for
the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organization
(JCAHO) conference titled "Transforming Health Care Professional
Education: Core Competencies, Microsystems and New Training Venues"
on September 14-15 at the Hyatt Rosemont in Chicago. Attendees will
gain insights into changes in health professions education that
are centered on implementing the IOM's five core competencies. Presenters
will discuss innovations in education and practice that can be applied
to enhance patient safety, health outcomes, professional satisfaction,
and efficiency. All will be encouraged to contribute to recommendations
for improving education and practice.
14.
WATCH FOR AACN’S ANNUAL SURVEY IN SEPTEMBER
Later this month, AACN will distribute the
2005 Annual Survey of institutions with baccalaureate and higher
degree nursing programs. Information collected from the survey will
be incorporated into the nation's leading database on trends in
nursing school enrollments and graduations; student and faculty
demographics; and faculty and deans' salaries. Participation in
this survey is vital to AACN's mission to advance professional nursing
education, research, and practice. We appreciate the effort required
to complete the Annual Survey; and we will provide participating
schools with free copies of the data reports to which they contribute
information. All nursing programs affiliated with the Commission
on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) are reminded to complete
the survey to satisfy CCNE's annual reporting requirement.
15.
SPANISH
VERSION OF “OLDER ADULTS” PUBLICATION AVAILABLE
The John A. Hartford Foundation Institute for Geriatric
Nursing is pleased to announce that a Spanish language version of
the publication “Older Adults: Recommended Baccalaureate Competencies
and Curricular Guidelines for Geriatric Nursing Care” is now
available. Originally published by AACN and the Hartford Foundation
in July 2000, this work defines the clinical competencies necessary
for baccalaureate nursing graduates to provide high-quality care
to older adults and their families. The publication also suggests
content and teaching strategies in 14 core competency areas and
recommends steps for incorporating these concepts throughout the
nursing curriculum.
16.
AACN SPONSORS “REMAKING
AMERICAN MEDICINE” SERIES ON PBS
AACN has signed on as a National Partner to
support “Remaking American Medicine™ … Health Care
for the 21st Century,” a four-hour primetime television series
intended for broadcast on PBS in April 2006. The series is being
produced by the award-winning filmmaking company Crosskeys Media®
and will focus on advances in improving the quality of health care.
Major themes to be explored in the series include providing chronic
disease care that is efficient, effective and centered on the needs
of the patient; transforming acute care to ensure patient safety;
involving local communities in efforts to improve health care for
everyone; and adopting new technologies that ensure the delivery
of safer and more effective care.
17.
SUPPORT THE NATIONAL
COVERING KIDS & FAMILIES CAMPAIGN
AACN is once again a supporting organization for
the national Covering Kids & Families Campaign. As part of this
effort, thousands of activities will take place across the country
in September to inform working families about the availability of
low-cost and free health care coverage through Medicaid and the
State Children’s Health Insurance Program. Covering Kids &
Families provide free planning guides and materials, including a
Back-to-School Action Kit and free fliers, bookmarks, posters and
stickers. See http://www.coveringkidsandfamilies.org/communications/materials.
AACN encourages our members to use these materials to help spread
the word in their own communities. Thank you for your help in connecting
uninsured kids with the health care coverage they need.
18.
NINR PRESENTS THE 2005 NIGHTINGALA
ON OCTOBER 11
The Friends of the National Institute of Nursing
Research will host the 2005 Nightingala in Washington, DC on Tuesday,
October 11 from 6-10pm. This year, the theme is “Nursing Research:
Advancing the Health of America,” and the evening’s events
will focus on gerontological nurse researchers and the impact that
they have had on our nation’s health. Not only will Bill Novelli,
CEO of AARP, serve as the keynote speaker, but the evening will
feature ten renowned investigators whose work has had a significant
affect on individuals in this age group.
19.
NOMINATIONS
NEEDED FOR 2006 AACN BOARD ELECTIONS
AACN’s Nominating Committee has issued a Call
for Nominations for candidates to fill five Board seats and two
committee vacancies. Chaired by Dr. Timothy Gaspar from Winona State
University, the committee will choose the slate of candidates at
the 2005 Fall Semiannual Meeting based on nominations and the committee’s
deliberations. The positions under consideration are President-Elect,
Secretary, Board Member-at-Large (3 vacancies), and Nominating Committee
(2 vacancies). Please note that only deans or directors of nursing
programs can be nominated. Nominations must be received by 5pm on
October 22, 2005.
20.
CALL
ISSUED FOR AACN PUBLIC POLICY INTERNS
AACN welcomes intern Carmen A. Davis for the fall
semester. A BSN student at Fayetteville State University, Ms. Davis
is participating in the University of North Carolina in Washington
program and is working with the Government Affairs staff on advocacy
and health policy issues. The AACN Public Policy Internship offers
student nurses the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in
the policy formation process. Students are placed with various AACN
staff with experience in health policy, quality/patient safety,
nursing education, geriatric nursing, or end-of-life care. Internships
are designed in collaboration with each student based on her or
his goals and objectives. For details, http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Government/GAInternship.htm
or contact Gene Throwe at gthrowe@aacn.nche.edu
or 202-463-6930, ext. 237.
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.
- Northern Michigan University (NMU) School of Nursing
and Marquette General Health Care Systems (MGHS) were awarded
$1.9 million dollars for their Accelerated Healthcare Career Training
proposal. The proposal, authored by Dr. Kerri Durnell Schuiling,
provides funding to support accelerated educational formats for
registered and practical nurses in NMU's School of Nursing. Additionally,
preceptor education will be offered to 70 RNs with BSN degrees
who are currently working at MGHS and interested in becoming clinical
associates for students in the accelerated programs. Most of the
didactic courses will be offered in an online format and clinical
experiences will be taught using a combination of an RN preceptor
and an NMU faculty member.
- The
Osteopathic Heritage Foundation in Columbus, OH awarded $991,000
in funding to five area colleges of nursing as a continuation
of its healthcare workforce initiative. The awards to the nursing
programs at The Ohio State University, Mount Carmel College of
Nursing, Columbus State Community College, Otterbein College and
Capital University are intended to help increase student capacity,
primarily by preparing more instructors and equipping training
facilities. For details on specific awards and the Foundation’s
commitment to nursing, see http://www.osteopathicheritage.org/fund_award_aug_05_2.htm.
22. MEMBER NEWS, ANNOUNCEMENTS,
AND AWARDS
- The University
of Tennessee Health Science Center is pleased to announce
that their newly approved DNP-PhD program is now accepting students.
This program combines the best of both the practice (DNP) and
research doctorates (PhD) for those unique individuals who wish
to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to assume research
and practice leadership roles. For more details, see http://www.utmem.edu/nursing
or contact Dr. Mona Newsome Wicks at 901-448-6125 or mwicks@utmem.edu.
- The Center for Hispanic Studies in Nursing and
Health at The
University of Texas at Arlington is sponsoring “Travel,
Study, Learn,” a one week study tour and cultural immersion
experience in the “City of Eternal Spring”. This program
was designed for practicing nurses, health professionals, students
and faculty who wish to begin or refine Spanish language skills
and learn about Mexican culture and health first hand. The program
includes intensive Spanish language and culture study; round-trip
transportation from Mexico City to Cuernavaca; field trips to
hospitals, local cultural and historical sites; a welcome reception;
lodging and food with a Mexican family; and a Spanish language
certificate from the Universidad Internacional. In addition, special
conferences provide information on the Mexican health care system,
traditional medicine and selected values and beliefs about health
and illness. For complete details, see http://www.uta.edu./nursing/sontsl.htm
or contact Dr. Wendy Barr at 817-272-5376 or barr@uta.edu.
- On September 30 and October 1, 2005, the School
of Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania, together with the
Hartford Centers of Geriatric Nursing Excellence at Penn and University
of Iowa, will host a national “Geropsychiatric
Nursing: State of the Future” conference at the Rittenhouse
Hotel in Philadelphia. The program comprises a series of commissioned
white papers and commentaries on the state of nursing geropsychiatric
science development, curriculum design, and practice models followed
by dialogue with a panel of senior thought leaders and a poster
session. Attendees will also work to develop consensus on where
the field needs to go over the next ten years and identify strategies
and an action plan for getting there.
- The South Carolina state legislature allocated
$1.5 million to the Medical
University of South Carolina College of Nursing to create
a state-of-the-art simulated clinical laboratory. The funds will
be used to renovate 11,000 square feet in the college for this
new initiative.
- The
College of New Rochelle School of Nursing was awarded a $25,465
grant from The Promise of Nursing for New York School Grant Program
administered by the Foundation of the National Student Nurses
Association. During the 2005-2006 academic year, funds will be
used to help improve both student retention and nursing exam pass
rates by enhancing and strengthening student learning through
the purchase and use of advanced multimedia learning tools.
23. AACN OUTREACH AND ADVOCACY
UPDATE
- On September 13, AACN Government Affairs staff
attended the National Advisory Council for Nursing Research meeting.
Topics discussed included the strategic plan (2006–2010)
for the National Institute
of Nursing Research and a review of the HIV/AIDS research
portfolio.
- On August 16, AACN Government Affairs staff met
with the two recipients of the postgraduate David
A. Winston Health Policy Fellowship for 2005-2006, Maya Alvarez
from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and Jay Khosla
from Virginia Commonwealth University, as part of their orientation
to the national health policy arena.
24. OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES
TO CONSIDER
- The Robert
Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is sponsoring free informational
workshops to share new research and innovative practices for advancement
of the frontline workforce in health care. “Frontline Workforce
Development: Promoting Partnerships and Emerging Practices in
Health and Health Care” will be held in three locations across
the country: September 15 at the University of Maryland in Adelphi,
MD; September 22 at the Crowne Plaza San Francisco International
Airport; and September 28 at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in
Kansas City, MO.
- The Fogarty
International Center/Ellison Overseas Fellowship Program is
a one-year clinical research training experience for graduate
level U.S. students in the health professions. This opportunity
is for highly motivated individuals to experience mentored research
training at top-ranked NIH funded research centers in a diverse
group of countries, including Bangladesh, Botswana, Brazil, China,
Haiti, India, Kenya, Mali, Peru, Russia, South Africa, Tanzania,
Thailand, Uganda, and Zambia.
- A Call for Papers has been issued for the third
international All
Together Better Health conference coming to the Imperial College
London on April 10-12, 2006. The steering group invites offers
of papers, posters and workshops from colleagues around the world
based on examples of interprofessional policy, practice, education
and research. Proposals must be submitted by November 15.
- The Office of Disease Prevention and Health
Promotion, within the Department of Health and Human Services,
is soliciting comments on proposed revisions to the Healthy
People 2010 objectives. This “Midcourse Review,”
conducted at the midpoint of the decade, is the process through
which the Healthy People 2010 objectives are reviewed by HHS,
the lead agencies for the Healthy People focus areas, and other
experts, to assess the data trends during the first half of the
decade, consider new science and available data, and make changes
that ensure that Healthy People 2010 remains current, accurate,
and relevant. Written comments must be submitted via the Internet
by close of business on September 15, 2005. The proposed revisions
to Healthy People 2010 objectives can be viewed and commented
on at http://www.healthypeople.gov/data/midcourse.
If you would like to subscribe to receive News Watch each month,
please e-mail apathak@aacn.nche.edu.
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