|
May 2006
News Watch
In honor of National Nurses Week, AACN member schools were invited
to post free faculty vacancy announcements on our Web-based Faculty
Career Link resource for the month of May. To date, 84 nursing schools
in 36 states have taken advantage of this opportunity, and more
than 256 positions are now posted online at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/CareerLink/May/ads.htm.
In addition to vacancy announcements, Faculty Career Link features
information for nurses considering teaching careers, including a
nurse educator career profile, listings of academic programs that
prepare faculty, financial aid opportunities, and links to faculty
development programs. For more information about Faculty Career
Link or to place an announcement, please contact Ayesha Pathak,
AACN’s Webmaster, at apathak@aacn.nche.edu.
Applications are now available for the new California Endowment-AACN
Nurse Faculty Scholarship Program. The California Endowment awarded
a generous grant to AACN to establish a scholarship program to support
underrepresented racial and ethnic minority students in California
and to provide mentoring for these students to assume faculty and
leadership roles. Scholarships will be for $18,000 per year, and
schools will be required to offer a match of some portion of the
student's tuition. Though students receiving support may attend
graduate programs at any school of nursing, students must return
to their home state of California after graduation to assume a faculty
position at a California institution. Applications are available
online at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/CAE-AACN%20Award%20App.pdf
and must be completed by June 16, 2006. NOTE: Applicants receiving
funding from other sources that also include a post-graduation teaching
commitment cannot complete these obligations concurrently. For more
information, please contact Project Coordinator Annie Alesandrini
at anniea@aacn.nche.edu.
3.
APPLY NOW FOR A 2006 GERIATRIC NURSING CURRICULUM AWARD
Applications will be accepted through June 2 for the 2006 Awards
for Baccalaureate Education in Geriatric Nursing, an initiative
of The John A. Hartford Foundation Institute for Geriatric Nursing
in partnership with AACN. Now in its 9th year, this awards program
was created to recognize model baccalaureate programs with a strong
focus on gerontological nursing. Awards are presented to nursing
programs that exhibit exceptional, substantive, and innovative baccalaureate
curricula in this subject area. Besides the award for Infusing Geriatrics
into Nursing Curriculum, categories also include Geriatric Faculty
Member, Stand Alone Geriatric Course, and Clinical Settings in Geriatric
Nursing. Reviewers will be looking for models of excellence, which
may be showcased to inspire other schools to "gerontologize"
their own programs. Programs may be large or small, new or well
established. See http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Education/Hartford/pdf/BaccAwardApp06.pdf.
After four years of grant funding, the Leadership in Academic Nursing
Program, a highly popular executive development program, is now
self-sustaining. This program is designed to develop and enhance
leadership skills of new and emerging administrators in baccalaureate
and graduate nursing programs. Those eligible to apply include member
school faculty leaders who are (1) in mid-to-upper level positions
who aspire to lead academic nursing organizations; and (2) new to
the role of chief academic administrator of baccalaureate or graduate
nursing programs. The year long program provides participants with
a focused assessment experience, a range of content and exercises
related to successful academic leadership, and the opportunity to
establish networks of mentors and peers. For more details, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Education/LANP.htm.
Application deadline is June 5, 2006.
5.
LEADERSHIP CHANGES AT THE DIVISION OF NURSING
On May 9, Elizabeth Duke, PhD, chief administrator of the Health
Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), announced a number
of changes in HRSA’s leadership positions, including changes
at the Division of Nursing. Annette Debisette, DNSc, ANP, RN, has
been named director of the Division of Nursing with former director
Denise Geolot, PhD, RN, assuming a new role as director of the Center
for Quality. Kerry Nessler, MS, RN, will be the first Director of
the new Office of Commissioned Corps Affairs reporting directly
to the HRSA Administrator. All of these new assignments take effect
on May 15, 2006.
6.
FREE WEBINAR
OFFERED ON STUDENT BACKGROUND CHECK COMPLIANCE
On June 28 at 3:30pm EST, CertifiedBackground.com, AACN’s
partner in the recently launched criminal background check service,
will offer a free educational Web seminar (or Webinar) designed
to take the confusion out of background check compliance. This Webinar
will take you through the background check process as it relates
to colleges and universities in compliance with state and national
regulatory bodies. Topics will include JCAHO compliance issues,
policies of some major hospitals, choosing a background check, and
establishing a drug testing program. If you wish to participate,
register at the following link http://www.meetingbridge.com/seminar/?7353027.
Please direct questions to Wendy Keever at 888-723-4263, x7155,
wlkeeve@castlebranch.com.
7.
MINUTES
FROM THE SPRING MEETING POSTED ONLINE
In an effort to facilitate communication with members, minutes
from the like-schools informal discussions and concurrent Dialogue
with the Board sessions held at AACN’s Spring Annual Meeting
are now posted on the Web in the Members’ Only section at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/MembersOnly/index.asp.
These minutes summarize the discussions held by institutional members
in the following four categories” Small Schools, Academic Health
Centers (AHCs), Public Schools without an AHC, and Private Schools
without an AHC. Going forward, AACN will post this information after
each AACN meeting held in October and March.
8.
JOIN AACN’S NEW PUBLIC NURSING SCHOOLS LISTSERV
Following the Spring Annual Meeting, AACN has created a new listserv
specifically for public nursing institutions without an academic
health center. AACN members at like institutions recognized the
need for a mechanism to discuss key issues as well as changes in
healthcare and nursing education. This listserv is meant to facilitate
discussions and encourage the sharing of information. If you are
interested in joining this listserv, contact Membership Assistant
Horacio Oliveira at holiveira@aacn.nche.edu.
9.
PLAN
NOW TO ATTEND THE 2006 SUMMER SEMINAR IN WYOMING
The 2006 Summer Seminar will be held July 23-26, 2006 at the Snow
King Resort in Jackson Hole, WY. The theme, Resilient Leadership
in Times of Change and Transition: Responding to the New 'Normal'
for Academic Nursing, speaks to the various challenges in the academic
nursing setting and the need for new leadership strategies. This
year's seminar focuses on increasing the ability to positively approach
change, transitions, and ambiguity, all while avoiding burnout.
Session facilitators Drs. Carole Leland and Rob Williams, both internationally
known leadership development consultants, will help you explore
strengths and talents you may not have known you possess, find new
ways to view old issues, and deal more effectively with faculty
in times of change. Each day has a distinct theme regarding The
Art of Leadership: Mastery of Self, Mastery of Relationships, and
Mastery of Action. Topics include assessment of personal styles
in several leadership dimensions, your values on leadership and
"followership", dealing with conflict and improving communications
in times of rapid change, and "traps" in your leadership
style that can limit flexibility. Deans, directors, associate deans,
program coordinators, and other leaders at all levels of nursing
higher education will benefit from this activity. School teams are
particularly encouraged to attend and strategize pragmatic approaches
to leadership development. Brochures will be mailed shortly, and
complete information is available now at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/conferences/06SumSem.htm.
10.
RESPONSES NEEDED TO SIMULATION SURVEY
AACN member schools recently were sent an electronic survey regarding
their use of simulation technology for teaching and learning. Please
complete this four-question survey so AACN can compile information
on the most current simulation methods being used by member schools.
Another copy of the survey can be requested by emailing Ayesha Pathak
at apathak@aacn.nche.edu.
11.
DEADLINE APPROACHES FOR TWO FEDERAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Please note that the May 26 deadline is fast approaching for two
grant funding opportunities offered through the federal Division
of Nursing:
- Nursing
Scholarship Program: This program provides scholarships
to qualified nursing students in exchange for at least two years
of service at a health care facility with a critical shortage
of nurses. Preference is given to qualified applicants with the
greatest financial need who are enrolled full-time in an undergraduate
nursing program. See http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/nursing/scholarship.
- Nurse Faculty Loan
Program: Through this program, the Secretary of Health
and Human Services enters into an agreement with schools of nursing
to create a student loan fund to increase the number of qualified
nursing faculty. Institutions make loans from the fund to students
enrolled in an advanced degree nursing program with an education
component that will prepare them to teach at a school of nursing.
Loan recipients who complete the degree program may cancel up
to 85% of the loan in exchange for service as full-time nurse
faculty. See http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/dsa/flrp.
12.
CALL
FOR PUBLIC POLICY INTERNS
The AACN Policy Internship offers student nurses the opportunity
to gain first-hand experience in the process of policy formation.
Students are placed with various AACN directors with experience
in health or education policy. Internships are designed in collaboration
with the student based on the student’s goals and objectives.
For more information, visit the AACN Web site: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Government/GAInternship.htm
or contact Gene Throwe at gthrowe@aacn.nche.edu
or 202-463-6930, ext. 237.
13.
ENROLL NOW IN AACN’S
LEADERSHIP NETWORKS
Enrollment is now underway for nursing school faculty and staff
wishing to participate in one or more of AACN’s seven Leadership
Networks. The networks provide a forum for nursing school faculty
and staff to connect with colleagues nationwide while engaged in
professional development activities and resource sharing. Working
through the networks, peer professionals share best practices and
success stories, sharpen leadership skills, and take full advantage
of AACN resources. The networks include Organizational Leadership,
Instructional Leadership, Research Leadership, Practice Leadership,
Business Officers of Nursing Schools, Nursing Advancement Professionals,
and Graduate Nursing Admissions Professionals. The annual membership
fee is $100 per person per network. Faculty and staff may participate
in multiple networks, and schools may send more than one representative
to each network. For more details, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Networks
or contact Beth Aronson, Membership Services Manager, at baronson@aacn.nche.edu.
14.
FNINR PLANS 20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
The Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research (FNINR)
is pleased to announce that this year’s Nightingala celebration
in Washington, DC is planned for October 11 from 6-10pm. As NINR
celebrates two decades of nursing research, investigators from around
the country will come together to look back at where we started
20 years ago, assess the current body of research, and then imagine
nursing research in the year 2026. Cokie Roberts, senior news analyst
for National Public Radio and political commentator for ABC News,
will deliver the keynote address. More than 1,000 researchers, deans,
faculty, members of Congress and corporate leaders are expected
to attend. For details including sponsorship opportunities, see
http://ninr.nih.gov.
15.
ELNEC
HOSTS UPCOMING COURSES THROUGH NOVEMBER 2006
Using a train-the-trainer format, the End-of-Life Nursing Consortium
(ELNEC) project is a national education initiative to improve end-of-life
care through nursing education. Six courses are planned this year,
including:
- ELNEC-Graduate, June 21-23, Pasadena, CA
- ELNEC-Pediatric Palliative Care, August 2-4, Anaheim, CA
- ELNEC-Oncology, September 13-15, Pasadena, CA
- ELNEC-Core, October 12-14, Washington, DC
- ELNEC-Oncology, November 8-9, Pittsburgh, PA
- ELNEC-Critical Care, November 13-15, Pasadena, CA
For more details, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/ELNEC/Upcomingtrainings.htm.
16.
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.
- Maryland’s Health Services Cost Review Commission awarded
seven nursing institutions grants totaling $6 million over five
years as part of the first round of funding in the state’s
newly launched Nurse Support Program. This unique venture teams
hospitals and colleges to create partnerships to address the critical
shortage of nurses. The projected outcomes of this first round
of funding include increasing undergraduate nursing enrollments
by 500 students and graduate nursing enrollments by an estimated
250-300 students. Of the 26 proposals submitted, awards were given
to Coppin State University, University of Maryland and Villa Julie
College among other recipients. For more information, see http://www.mhec.state.md.us/Grants/NSPII/NSPII.asp.
17.
MEMBER NEWS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND AWARDS
- The American Red Cross’ Greater Miami and Florida Keys
Division honored Dr. Divina Grossman, dean of the School of Nursing
at Florida International University, with the 2006 Spectrum Health
Care Award. This award recognizes outstanding women whose efforts
have made significant contributions to the quality of life in
South Florida. Dr. Grossman, the first nursing school dean to
receive this honor, was presented with the award in April. See
http://chua2.fiu.edu/Nursing/D_HOME_ANNOUNCE/Red%20Cross%20Award.htm.
- On May 8, Medical University of South Carolina officials appointed
Dr. Carolyn Jenkins as The Ann Darlington Edwards Endowed Chair
in Nursing. This Endowed Chair, the first and only endowed chair
of nursing in South Carolina, was funded through private donations,
and is named in honor of Mrs. Ann Edwards, former first lady of
South Carolina and MUSC, and a retired nurse. “We are excited
to be appointing the very first nursing endowed chair in South
Carolina and are particularly pleased that it honors the contributions
of Mrs. Ann Edwards to both nursing and the state,” said
Dr. Gail Stuart, Dean of the College of Nursing. See http://www.musc.edu/nursing.
- Healthcare workforce and outcomes researcher Linda Aiken has
won the William B. Graham Prize for Health Services Research,
formerly the Baxter International Foundation Prize for Health
Services Research. Dr. Aiken, director of the University of Pennsylvania's
Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research, will receive the
$25,000 award in June at the annual meeting of the Association
of University Programs in Health Administration.
18.
AACN OUTREACH AND ADVOCACY UPDATE
- AACN staff attended the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
2006 Excellence in Nursing and the Advancement of Nursing Programs
Award Ceremony. Held on May 9, this event honored six VA nurses,
nominated by their peers, for outstanding service to both veterans
and the Department. For information on nursing at the VA, visit
http://www1.va.gov/nursing.
- On May 8, AACN staff attended a briefing by ACT, Inc. highlighting
the findings from its “Ready for College and Ready for Work:
Same or Different?” study. ACT recommends a single academic
program for all high school students to prepare them for either
college or workforce training. The data demonstrated that the
math and reading skills required to succeed in workforce training
are comparable to those necessary for the first year of college.
To view the report, see http://www.act.org/path/policy/pdf/ready_to_succeed.pdf.
- AACN government affairs staff attended a congressional briefing
on safe patient handling and movement hosted by the American Nurses
Association on May 8. Presenters outlined the scientific basis
for using assistive equipment and devices for patient handling
tasks. Incorporating the effective use of such tools not only
lowers the incidence of musculoskeletal injury among nurses, but
also ensures safety, comfort, and dignity for patients. For more
information, visit http://www.nursingworld.org/handlewithcare.
- On May 1, AACN government affairs staff briefed 80 undergraduate
and graduate students and five nurse faculty from Bloomsburg University
(PA) at AACN offices. Students learned about the appropriations
process and federal government nursing education and research
programs. A representative from the American Nurses Association
spoke to the students about nursing practice issues. If you would
like to bring your students to Washington to learn more about
health policy, contact Gene Throwe, Government Affairs Assistant,
at 202-463-6930, ext. 237 or gthrowe@aacn.nche.edu.
- On April 27, AACN staff discussed the Politics of Generating
Policy at the 4th National Conference of State Nursing Workforce
Leaders in Jersey City, NJ. The conference focused on data resources,
information collection, and data gaps to help drive change in
nursing care delivery. Conference proceedings will be posted online
at http://www.njccn.org.
- On April 26, AACN staff attended a briefing entitled “The
Economics of Health Care and Its Impact on Patient Access”
hosted by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America
(PhRMA). Topics discussed by the panel included factors driving
health care spending and a comparison of the strengths and weaknesses
of the Canadian and American health care systems.
19.
OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES TO CONSIDER
- Unlocking the Potential of Nursing, a new resource guide designed
to help grantmakers working at the local level address the nursing
shortage, was developed by Dr. Ed O'Neil, Beth Mertz and Jenny
Vance from the Center for the Health Professions at the University
of California-San Francisco. This guide was prepared with support
from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and The Johnson
& Johnson Campaign for Nursing's Future. To download the report,
use the search engine found at http://www.rwjf.org.
- On May 31-June 1, the Plexus Institute will host a conference
titled “Complexity Science: Knowledge, Learning & Resources
that Advance Nursing Education, Practice & Leadership”
at The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ.
Several Institute of Medicine reports have suggested the redesign
of the health care system for the 21st Century through attention
to complexity science. Nursing leaders and others will share how
complexity science informs their insight, research and practice
and how it adds to their resources for creating the future. For
complete details, see http://www.plexusinstitute.org/NewsEvents/Conferences/show.cfm?id=128.
- Sponsored by the Institute at the Center for Health Policy Research
and Ethics at George Mason University, the 14th Annual Washington
Health Policy Institute is scheduled for June 5-9, 2006 in Arlington,
VA. Policy issues and themes of particular importance at the institute
include changes in Medicaid; stemming the growth of the uninsured;
health workforce shortages; and public policy and budget shortfalls.
See http://hpi.gmu.edu.
- On June 15 and 16, the Association of Teachers of Preventative
Medicine will present a conference on “Interprofessional
Approaches to Teaching Clinical Prevention and Population Health”
in Washington, DC. This program is designed to improve prevention
and public health education by providing an interactive forum
for representatives from different disciplines to advance communication,
collaboration, and partnerships. For complete details, see http://www.atpm.org/meetings/2006/registration.html.
If you would like to subscribe to receive News Watch each month,
please e-mail apathak@aacn.nche.edu.
|
