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November
2006 News Watch
After a two-year, consensus-building process, AACN
members voted to endorse the "Essentials of Doctoral Education
for Advanced Nursing Practice" or "Doctor of Nursing Practice
(DNP) Essentials" on October 30, 2006. Schools developing a
DNP are encouraged to use this document which defines the curricular
elements and competencies that must be present in a practice doctorate
in nursing. See http://www.aacn.nche.edu/DNP/pdf/Essentials.pdf.
To further assist schools in navigating the approval process and
launching a DNP program, a new DNP Roadmap report and tool kit have
also been posted online. See http://www.aacn.nche.edu/DNP/pdf/DNProadmapreport.pdf
and http://www.aacn.nche.edu/DNP/toolkit.htm.
2.
FOLLOW-UP FROM THE FALL SEMIANNUAL MEETING
A near record number of deans and associate deans
convened in Washington in late October for AACN's Fall Semiannual
Meeting. As a follow-up to the meeting, please note:
- The winners of the 2006 Awards for Baccalaureate
Education in Geriatric Nursing were presented at the meeting to
deans and faculty from Old Dominion University, Johns Hopkins
University, University of Missouri-Columbia and the University
of Minnesota. Read the press release online at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Media/NewsReleases/2006/HartAwards.htm.
- AACN Government Affairs staff appreciates all
attendees who made visits to their members of Congress while in
Washington for the Fall Meeting. If you have not yet submitted
your Congressional Debriefing Sheet, please do so online at http://aacn.nche.edu/Surveys/CDB.nsf/gac?OpenForm.
If you met with your members of Congress when you returned home,
please let us know how those meeting went by submitting on online
sheet as well. If you need the information from the lobbying packets
that was available at the Fall Meeting, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Government/SMLP/SMLP.htm.
3.
HARTFORD FOUNDATION
ISSUES A NEW CALL FOR PROPOSALS
The John A. Hartford Foundation is soliciting grant
applications for the creation of up to five new Hartford Centers
of Geriatric Nursing Excellence. The goal of this new initiative
is to increase the number of high quality geriatric nursing faculty
to better prepare nurses to care for our nation's rapidly aging
population. This goal will be accomplished by supporting Centers
of Geriatric Nursing Excellence at schools of nursing whose central
mission is preparing qualified geriatric master's or doctorally
trained nursing educators who will teach at all levels of academic
nursing programs. Letters of Intent must be submitted online by
December 4, 2006. For complete details, see http://www.jhartfound.org/cgne%5Fcfp.
In response to enthusiastic member suggestions,
AACN will offer a new Faculty Development Conference aimed at helping
nurses transition to faculty roles in baccalaureate and higher degree
programs. Scheduled for February 8-10, 2007 at the Sheraton Suites
in Houston, TX, the conference is designed for those new to the
faculty role and/or those who would like to gain more self-confidence
in teaching. Reflecting the theme "Transition to Teaching,"
program sessions will address issues of concern to the new faculty
member, learner-centered teaching, creating an active learning environment,
clinical teaching and evaluation, and anticipating an academic career.
Three time frames are reserved for concurrent sessions during which
participants can choose topics according to their own needs and
interests. For details, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/conferences/07FacultyDev.htm.
5.
NEW
REPORT ON STATE LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES PUBLISHED
In addition to federal efforts to address the
nursing shortage, many state initiatives have been launched to increase
the number of new nurses entering the workforce and pursuing faculty
careers. These efforts generally center on the creation of new legislation
to remove financial barriers to pursuing a nursing degree, mostly
at the graduate level, and often result from a collaborative push
by representatives from both the education and practice communities.
To assess the work underway at the state level, AACN's Government
Affairs Committee conducted a survey of the nation's senior nursing
colleges and universities. Findings from this survey have been compiled
in a new Issue Bulletin titled "State Legislative Initiatives
to Address the Nursing Shortage." In addition to success stories,
the bulletin also includes a list of resources to help nurses advocate
for legislation in their home state. See http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Publications/pdf/StateInitiatives10-06.pdf.
6.
DOCTORAL
EDUCATION CONFERENCE RETURNS TO CAPTIVA ISLAND
The Doctoral Education Conference will be held January 24-27, 2007
at the South Seas Island Resort, Captiva Island, Florida. The theme,
"Doctoral Study: Developing Nursing Leaders for the Future"
offers multiple opportunities to explore the uniqueness of this
level of nursing education. Program sessions include "Achieving
Balance Among Research, Teaching, and Service" and "The
Doctoral Degree and Nursing Leadership". All other activities
are informal discussions or concurrent sessions, enabling participants
to pursue topics of particular interest. In response to suggestions
from previous participants, the conference includes two breakout
sessions that differentiate between the concerns of research and
practice doctoral programs. The Research Leadership Network offers
a special afternoon session for Network members and guests. Bring
a team of faculty as well as family to combine conference activities
and enjoyment of a beautiful recreational setting. See http://www.aacn.nche.edu/conferences/07DocConf.htm.
7.
WINNERS
ANNOUNCED FOR LYDIA'S-AACN SCHOLARSHIPS
AACN is pleased to announce the latest recipients of the Excellence
in Academics Nusing Scholarships. Lydia's Professional Uniforms,
a leading supplier of apparel for health professionals, has joined
with AACN to offer this scholarship for students in the junior year
of a baccalaureate nursing program. Through this partnership, Lydia's
is providing $5,000 in competitive scholarship monies to two eligible
nursing students in fall and spring semesters. Congratulations go
to Amanda Lee from South Dakota State University College of Nursing
and Chimezie Iwanyanwu from Texas Woman's University for winning
this semester's awards. For details on this program, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Media/NewsReleases/2004/04LydiasScholarship.htm.
8.
NURSING
FACULTY FELLOWSHIPS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE FNSNA
The Foundation of the National Student Nurses Association (FNSNA)
is pleased to announce applications for the Promise of Nursing Regional
Faculty Fellowship are now available. Funding for these nursing
faculty fellowships is raised at the Promise of Nursing galas sponsored
by The Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing's Future. Registered
nurses enrolled in post-graduate education programs in preparation
for a nurse educator role may be eligible for awards up to $7,500
for tuition, academic fees and books for the 2007-08 academic year.
To obtain an online application, visit http://www.nsna.org/foundation/scholarships/pon_fellowship.asp.
Applications are due by Friday, March 9, 2007. For more information,
contact the FNSNA at (718) 210 -0705 or nsna@nsna.org.
9.
LAST CALL FOR SCHOOLS TO PARTICIPATE IN AACN'S ANNUAL SURVEY
Thanks to all institutions that have completed AACN's Annual Survey
of Nursing Programs. The deadline to complete the survey was November
3, 2006. Schools still wishing to submit their data are encouraged
to contact AACN at surveysupport@aacn.nche.edu
or by calling 202-462-6930, extension 236.
10.
MASTER'S
EDUCATORS GATHER IN ALBUQUERQUE
The Master's Education Conference will be held February 22-24,
2007 at the Hyatt Regency Albuquerque in Albuquerque, New Mexico
with the theme "Master's Nursing Education: Variations on a
Theme". Program, concurrent, poster, and abstract sessions
allow participants to meet a variety of professional needs and pursue
personal areas of interest. Program sessions include clarifying
master's education, implementing evidence-based practice, facilitating
critical thinking and decision making, and balance in the faculty
role. Abstracts are solicited for poster and podium presentations,
and the deadline for submission is December 14. See complete program
and registration details at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/conferences/07Masters.htm.
11.
ELNEC PLANS
PRE-CONFERENCE ON FEBRUARY 21 & 22
The ELNEC-Graduate curriculum will be presented at a special pre-conference
immediately prior to the Master's Education Conference described
above. Since some faculty members teach in both undergraduate and
graduate programs, the ELNEC-Core curriculum via CD-Rom will also
be available. Though both curriculums are similar, there will be
a break-out session to review case studies that are appropriate
for your current teaching needs. For more information and/or to
register, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/ELNEC/07Courses.htm.
Seating is limited, so register early.
12.
HRSA
SEEKS COMMENTS ON BIOTERRORISM TRAINING AND CURRICULUM
The Department of Health and Human Services, Healthcare Resources
and Services Administration (HRSA) is seeking comments regarding
the Bioterrorism Training and Curriculum Development Program (BTCDP)
from its previous awardees. HRSA is calling for comments specific
to the preparedness training of healthcare providers, the effectiveness
of the program and the outcomes of BTCDP. Written comments are due
by January 2, 2007. For more information, see http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/E6-19087.htm
or call Susan Queen at (301) 443-1129.
13.
AACN PARTICIPATES IN CONFERENCE
ON PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATION
AACN staff participated in the Consensus Conference on Undergraduate
Public Health Education funded by the Josiah Macy, Jr. Foundation
on November 7 and 8. This historic conference for the first time
brought together leaders in public health, arts and sciences, and
health professions education. The conference developed plans to
fulfill the Institute of Medicine's recommendation that "…all
undergraduates should have access to education in public health"
to improve the nation's health. Participants agreed that undergraduate
public health education should result in an "educated citizenry"
prepared to address public health challenges from AIDS to aging
and avian flu to the cost of health care. Draft reports and recommendations
from the conference are available at http://www.teachprevention.org
(see "recent uploads") and are open for comment until
December 11.
14.
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,
2006. See http://www.lrp.nih.gov.
15.
HEALTH AFFAIRS SEEKS
POLICY PAPERS ON THE FUTURE OF NURSING
"Health Affairs" is a leading policy journal that is
widely read in federal, state and private policy circles. Editors
have a strong interest in promoting a better future for nursing
and are looking to for articles on policy-related issues such as
the shortage of nurses; the work environment; the sociologic, political
and economic issues around nursing; nursing as it relates to patient
safety and quality; and the education conflicts that divide the
nursing community and dilute its political power. For more details
on submitting a journal article, see http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/ha
or contact founding editor John Igelhart at jiglehart@projecthope.org.
16.
INTERNATIONAL
FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM SEEKS APPLICANTS
The FIC/Ellison Overseas Fellowship Program offers an exciting
one-year clinical research training experience for graduate level
U.S. students in the health professions. Those selected will 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. Open to doctoral nursing
students, this program is sponsored by the NIH's Fogarty International
Center in partnership with The Ellison Medical Foundation, the NIH
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and the NIH
National Institute on Drug Abuse. Application deadline is December
8. For details, see http://www.aamc.org/students/medstudents/overseasfellowship.
17.
CNL CERTIFICATION EXAM ENTERS PILOT STAGE
The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) Certification Advisory Committee
is moving forward with the development of the CNL Certification
Examination. The purpose of the exam is to create a unique credential
for graduates of master's and post-master's CNL programs. The exam
will be piloted in December 2006, and the first regular administration
will commence in Spring 2007. The web-based test will have two separate
components, multiple choice and simulation/case-based items, and
will be administered at the individual schools. Thirteen institutions
that have participated in the CNL initiative will administer the
certification exam which will be taken by more than 100 CNL graduates.
18.
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.
- Carrying out a goal set by Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich
to stem the state's nursing shortage, officials from his administration
opened the Illinois Center for Nursing in Springfield on November
2. The Center is responsible for assessing the current supply
and demand for nurses in Illinois and developing a strategic plan
to ensure that the state can educate, recruit and retain nurses.
The center's advisory board will also work with state, regional
and local businesses and governments to provide support for programs
to expand opportunities for nurses in the state. See http://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/PressReleasesSearch.cfm.
- On October 23, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell unveiled
two workforce development initiatives that will increase the number
of nurse educators and expand clinical education opportunities
for the growing student nurse population. The $4 million "Loaned
Faculty" initiative provides funding so health care employers
and nursing education providers can loan qualified teachers to
nursing schools experiencing faculty shortages. The "Clinical
Education" expansion initiative provides $3 million in grants
to help nursing schools and health care providers expand clinical
education opportunities for the growing number of nursing students
in the state. See http://www.state.pa.us/papower/cwp/view.asp?A=11&Q=457355.
19.
MEMBER NEWS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND AWARDS
- The New York University College of Nursing has received a generous
grant of $100,000 from HIP Health Plan of New York to continue
its Leadership Institute for Black Nurses, now in its second year.
The program, conceived by Dr. Yvonne Wesley, an alumna and adjunct
associate professor of nursing, and Dean Terry Fulmer, helps black
nurse managers to both envision and achieve career goals in administration,
education, and research. It was founded not only to advance black
nurses' careers but also to address the extreme disparities in
health between African-Americans and other groups in the United
States. See http://www.nyu.edu/public.affairs/releases/detail/1291.
- Dr. Cynthia Teel, associate professor and assistant dean at
the University of Kansas School of Nursing division of primary
care, was one of 20 nurses in executive nursing systems/administration
leadership roles nationwide selected as a 2006 Robert Wood Johnson
Executive Nurse Fellow. "It's a great honor to have been
selected," Teel said. "This highly competitive program
is an incredible opportunity to develop critical leadership skills,
work with a nationally recognized team of coaches and instructors
from within the health care industry, and benefit from collaborating
with nursing and health care leaders throughout the country."
See http://www.kumc.edu/news/publish/article_00819.shtml.
- The University of Maryland School of Nursing has been named
a Center of Excellence in Simulation Education by Laerdal Medical,
an international manufacturer of medical devices such as stethoscopes
and automatic defibrillators, as well as interactive computer
and patient simulators for educating health care professionals.
The School of Nursing was chosen for this prestigious honor because
of its leadership, education, and research initiatives in simulation
learning. See http://nursing.umaryland.edu/e-marketing/e-news/laerdal.htm.
- According to a study published in the November issue of "Pediatrics,"
a program designed to help parents care for their premature infants
in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can lead to healthier
babies and parents, and save more than $2 billion in U.S. healthcare
costs annually. The study, lead by Dr. Bernadette Melnyk, dean
and Distinguished Foundation Professor in Nursing at Arizona State
University's College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation, shows
that an educational-behavioral program called Creating Opportunities
for Parent Empowerment can improve the mental health of parents
and decrease the length of stay in the NICU by four to eight days
for premature infants. See http://nursing.asu.edu/index.htm.
20.
AACN OUTREACH AND ADVOCACY UPDATE
- On November 14, AACN staff attended a Health Professions and
Nursing Education Coalition (HPNEC) meeting. The members recapped
the mid-term election and discussed strategies to advocate for
Health Professions Education (Title VII) and Nursing Workforce
Development (Title VIII) programs in the remaining days of the
109th Congress and the upcoming 110th Congress. For more information
on HPNEC, see http://www.aamc.org/advocacy/hpnec.
- On November 9, AACN staff attended a Town Hall Meeting regarding
the National Institute of Health Reauthorization, hosted by the
American Association for the Advancement of Science. Members of
the health care community shared their perspectives on the National
Institutes of Health Reform Act of 2006 (H.R. 6164). Discussions
focused on the future direction of this House-passed bill. To
learn more about H.R. 6164, use the search engine found at http://thomas.loc.gov.
- On November 3 and 4, AACN President Elect C. Fay Raines presented
at the mid-year conference of the National Student Nurses Association.
Dr. Raines updated attendees on AACN's initiatives and presented
a session on the DNP and CNL to almost 200 nursing students. Special
thanks go to Dr. Laurie Jowers Ware from the University of West
Georgia and Mr. Clay Hysell from the University of Virginia who
participated in the AACN panel discussion and fielded questions
from interested students.
- On October 25, staff attended a seminar that forecasted the
upcoming mid-term elections which was hosted by Pharmaceutical
Research and Manufacturers of America. Stuart Rothenberg, editor
and publisher of "The Rothenberg Political Report,"
was the guest speaker and provided the audience with his mid-term
election predictions. To see the Political Report online, visit
http://rothenbergpoliticalreport.blogspot.com.
21.
OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES TO CONSIDER
- The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has issued a call for proposals
for a second round of funding through its Interdisciplinary Nursing
Quality Research Initiative (INQRI). This program was launched
to generate, disseminate and translate research to improve the
quality of care provided in hospitals. Funding will support interdisciplinary
teams of scholars to address gaps in knowledge about the relationship
between nursing and health care quality. Deadline to submit a
proposal is December 13, 2006. For details, see http://www.rwjf.org/applications/solicited/cfp.jsp?ID=19710.
- The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation is accepting applications
for the 2007 Barbara Jordan Health Policy Scholars Program. Operated
in partnership with Howard University, the Scholars Program brings
talented African American, Latino, American Indian/Alaska Native,
and Asian/Pacific Islander college seniors and recent graduates
to Washington, D.C., for placement in congressional offices to
learn about health policy. Through the nine-week program (May
21-August 3, 2007), scholars gain knowledge about federal legislative
procedure and health policy issues, while further developing their
critical thinking and leadership skills. The application deadline
is 5pm on December 15, 2006. See http://www.kff.org/about/jordanscholars.cfm.
- 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 aspire
to help lead and shape the U.S. health care system. The three-year
fellowships allow participating nurses to remain in their current
positions while they gain the experiences, insights, competencies
and skills necessary to advance in executive leadership positions
in a health care system that is undergoing unprecedented change.
The program is designed to give nursing and nurses a more influential
role across many sectors of the economy. Applications are due
February 1, 2007. See http://www.rwjf.org/applications/solicited/cfp.jsp?ID=19730.
- On March 5-9, 2007 in Washington, DC, the American College of
Nurse Practitioners will present a Public Policy Institute for
Health Professionals. Take advantage of this opportunity to network
and discuss current health care policy, legislation, and practice
issues that are critical to advancing Nurse-Manager and APN roles
while meeting with a multidisciplinary group health professionals.
For more information, contact 703-740-2529 or policyinstitute@acnpweb.org.
- Sponsored by the Institute at the Center for Health Policy Research
and Ethics at George Mason University, the 15th Annual Washington
Health Policy Institute is scheduled for June 4-8, 2007 in Arlington,
VA. Participants will learn about how policy is made, how problems
drive action, the federal budget process, challenges facing the
U.S. healthcare structure, how to conduct a meeting with policymakers
and other key advocacy skills. See http://hpi.gmu.edu.
If you would like to have your email removed
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