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February 2007 News Watch 1. AACN’s Spring Annual Meeting Planned for March 17-20 1. AACN’S SPRING ANNUAL MEETING PLANNED FOR MARCH 17-20Nursing school deans and directors are encouraged to attend AACN’s Spring Annual Meeting coming March 17-20, 2007 to the Fairmont hotel in Washington, DC. Reflecting the theme “Responding to Challenges and Opportunities in Nursing Higher Education,” sessions will expose participants to a variety of topics ranging from community college-based baccalaureate programs, developing an accelerated program, grant writing, and the economics of nursing education. Highlights include Susan Dentzer, Health Correspondent with The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, who will present the annual Nursing Spectrum/Gannett Foundation Lecture, and Dr. Patricia Benner who will update attendees on the Carnegie Foundation’s three-year study on nursing education. See http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Conferences/07spring.htm. **NOTE: Presentations from AACN’s recent Doctoral and Faculty Development Conferences are now posted in the Member’s Only section of the AACN Web site at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/MembersOnly/SpkrPrsnts.asp. 2. BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF FLORIDA TO RECEIVE AACN AWARDAt its January meeting, the AACN Board of Directors selected Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) to receive the 2007 Corporate Citizen Award. This honor recognizes outstanding contributions made by organizations in support of professional nursing education, practice and research. Nominated by the Florida Association of Colleges of Nursing, BCBSF was selected in recognition of the organization’s many programs that benefit public and private baccalaureate and higher degree nursing programs in Florida. Between 2003 and 2006, BCBSF’s support, when combined with state matching dollars and other private funds, has provided more than $24 million for student recruitment, scholarships, professorships, clinical facilities, and other special projects. This award will be presented at the Spring Annual Meeting on Sunday, March 18 at 5pm. 3. AACN RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS AWARD FOR THE ELNEC PROJECTThe International Association of Hospice and Palliative Care (IAHPC) has selected AACN to receive the 2007 Annual University Award in recognition of the End of Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC). The University Award is designed to provide recognition to universities and institutions which have made significant contributions to the palliative care education of nurses and physicians, and to bring these programs to the attention of policy makers and other academic institutions. In bestowing the award, IAHPC stated: “The American Association of Colleges of Nursing is a model of excellence and through the End of Life Nursing Education Consortium, it has been able to effectively and successfully train nurses around the country on the needs of patients with advanced, progressive conditions.” See http://www.hospicecare.com. 4. NEW STUDY CONFIRMS LINK BETWEEN NURSE EDUCATION AND MORTALITY RATES In the January 2007 issue of the Journal of Advanced Nursing, a new study validates the findings of Dr. Linda Aiken and others that baccalaureate-prepared nurses have a positive impact on lowering mortality rates. A research team from the University of Toronto and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences in Ontario, Canada, studied 46,993 patients admitted to the hospital with heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and blood poisoning. The authors found that: "Hospitals with higher proportions of baccalaureate-prepared nurses tended to have lower 30-day mortality rates. Our findings indicated that a 10% increase in the proportion of baccalaureate prepared nurses was associated with 9 fewer deaths for every 1,000 discharged patients." Led by researcher Ann E. Tourangeau, the study is titled “Impact of hospital nursing care on 30-day mortality for acute medical patients.” See http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2006.04084.x.5. APPLY NOW FOR A GERIATRIC NURSING FACULTY DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE AACN is now accepting online applications for the upcoming Faculty Development Institutes offered through the Geriatric Nursing Education Consortium (GNEC). GNEC is an innovative national initiative to enhance geriatric content in senior-level baccalaureate courses. Administered by AACN, this program provides nursing educators with the skills, knowledge and resources needed to ensure that the "best geriatric practices" are imbedded in baccalaureate curricula and subsequently in the clinical care provided by newly educated nurses. Using a train-the-trainer approach, nurse faculty attending the GNEC institutes are expected to serve as leaders and mentors by sharing their new expertise with colleagues. This program is generously funded by The John A. Hartford Foundation. The first three institutes are scheduled for June 27-29, 2007 in Portland, OR; October 3-5, 2007 in Atlanta, GA; and February 27-29, 2008 in San Antonio, TX. To apply, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Education/Hartford/gnec.htm. Please note that the deadline to apply for the Portland Institute has been extended to March 12. 6. APPLICATIONS FOR NELRP FUNDING DUE MARCH 9 The Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program (NELRP) provides loan repayment of up to 60% of outstanding student loans to qualified nurses who agree to work in eligible health care facilities for two years. Participants may be eligible to work a third year and receive an additional 25% of the qualifying loan balance. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is now accepting applications for this program through March 9, 2007. For an application and guidance information, see http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/nursing/loanrepay.htm.7. NEW FUNDING AVAILABLE THROUGH DOL’S HIGH GROWTH TRAINING INITIATIVE On February 16, the Department of Labor (DOL) released a grant solicitation under the High Growth Job Training Initiative focused on the long-term care workforce, including RNs. Schools of nursing are eligible to apply for these grants in partnership with other entities. Applications are due by April 5, 2007. A Webinar for prospective applicants will be held for this grant competition on March 5, 2007. For more details, see http://www.doleta.gov/sga/sga.cfm. 8. NATIONAL SAMPLE SURVEY OF REGISTERED NURSES RELEASED Earlier this month, HRSA’s Bureau of Health Professions released “The Registered Nurse Population: Findings from the March 2004 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses.” The report includes data comparisons from all seven sample surveys conducted from 1980 through 2004, and contains information on the educational background of RNs, practice specialty areas, employment settings, position levels, job satisfaction and salaries, geographic distribution, and personal demographics. The report shows that the RN population in the United States grew by almost 8% between 2000 and 2004 to a new high of 2.9 million. In terms of the highest level of education, the nursing population breaks down as follows: 13.0% hold graduate degrees; 34.2% hold baccalaureate degrees; 33.7% hold associate degrees; and 17.5% hold diplomas. To order a copy online, visit http://ask.hrsa.gov. 9. AACN REACTS TO THE PRESIDENT’S FY08 BUDGET PROPOSAL Earlier this month, AACN released a statement expressing its concern that proposed cuts to nursing education programs contained in President Bush's FY 2008 budget request would reverse the progress made by federal legislators to address the nation's nursing shortage. The President has requested a 30% reduction in funding for Nursing Workforce Development Programs (Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act), which includes the elimination of Advanced Education Nursing Programs. The President's budget is also calling for a steep decrease in funding for Health Professions Education Programs (Title VII) which would endanger the nation's ability to provide necessary health care services, especially to vulnerable populations. For more details, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/FY08BudgetRequest.htm. 10.NAP, GNAP AND BONUS LEADERSHIP NETWORKS HOST UPCOMING CONFERENCES Three of AACN’s seven Leadership Networks are hosting conferences this season, including:
11. ANNOUNCING THE 2010 INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE NURSE AACN urges all members, colleagues, faculty, student and alumni networks to visit NightingaleDeclaration.net, a Website introducing both this personal Declaration and United Nations Resolutions for an International Year of the Nurse[2010] and a UN Decade for a Healthy World [2011-2020]. To encourage the adoption of these resolutions by the UN General Assembly in 2008 and 2009, millions of nurses devoted to the health of all humanity are invited to sign the Declaration. These signatures will show a worldwide commitment by nurses, other health workers and concerned citizens to help build a grassroots-to-global foundation of support for these UN Resolutions and an 'Action Plan' to implement them locally, nationally and internationally. Initial sponsors include the American Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau International, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, University of Minnesota School of Nursing, Decision Critical, Inc., and Nurse-Theorist Dr. Jean Watson. For details and to sign this Declaration, go to http://www.nightingaledeclaration.net. 12. NEW DATA WAREHOUSE ON NURSE MANAGED HEALTH CENTERS CREATED The Institute for Nursing Centers has produced the first National Data Warehouse Annual Aggregate Survey Report: 2004/2005. Both clinical and financial data are presented based on 29 participating Nurse Managed Health Centers (NMHCs) across the country that provide primary care services. The survey was designed based on a national consensus process with leaders in the field of NMHCs, primary care informatics, and other stakeholders. The report is useful for: Comparing populations served, productivity, financial practices, academic mission, and more; planning for a nurse managed health center; and informing health care policy, especially around services for vulnerable populations. Visit http://www.nursingcenters.org to view a free summary of the report titled “Institute for Nursing Centers: Report from the Data Warehouse.” 13. 2007 HOT ISSUES CONFERENCE ON CLINICAL SIMULATION Join colleagues April 22-24, 2007 at The Westin Tabor Center in Denver, CO for a conference dedicated to "Stepping Up to Clinical Simulation". Many member schools use simulation in their programs, varying in type and sophistication from relatively basic equipment to top-of-the-line technology. During gatherings of academic leaders and faculty, simulation is a recurrent theme, particularly issues surrounding how to fund and staff this innovative approach to instruction. This conference offers an excellent opportunity to discuss the trend toward simulation as well as pragmatic aspects of resourcing, selecting, utilizing, and maintaining simulation facilities and equipment. Two popular vendors will offer sessions describing their products and services for faculty who are still considering approaches. Program, concurrent, poster, and discussion sessions offer multiple opportunities for participants to obtain practical advice, learn successful strategies, and ask questions. For full details on abstracts, program, and registration, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Conferences/07HotIssuesConference.htm. 14. WIDE VARIETY OF ELNEC COURSES OFFERED IN 2007 The End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) is offering a variety of train-the-trainer courses in 2007 for nurse educators across settings. In addition to the Core, Graduate, and Pediatric Palliative Care programs, ELNEC will offer programs this year in two new curriculum areas: Critical Care and Geriatrics. For a complete schedule of upcoming courses, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/ELNEC/07Courses.htm. For more information on ELNEC, contact Project Director Pam Malloy at pmalloy@aacn.nche.edu. 15. PRESENTATIONS POSTED ONLINE FROM CANCER SURVIVORSHIP SUMMIT Last fall, AACN was asked to participate in a national stakeholders’ summit at the National Academy of Science titled “Coming Together to Improve Care: Nursing Responds to the IOM Report on Cancer Survivorship.” At this important gathering, participants identified, discussed, and prioritized strategies to expand and enhance the role of public health agencies and practitioners in cancer survivorship. PowerPoint presentations from that meeting are now posted on the AACN Web for members to review at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/MembersOnly/index.asp. 16. SUMMER SEMINAR OFFERS HELP WITH “MANAGING DIFFICULT PEOPLE” Academic leaders and faculty at all levels will benefit from this conference at the Marriott Portland City Center, July 22-25, 2007. Executive consultant Dr. Virginia Bianco-Mathis will help participants improve general and advanced communication skills; examine pragmatic approaches to dealing with difficult people and holding difficult conversations; design and implement infrastructure and administrative solutions that can ameliorate problems; and master the subtle art of coaching to elicit maximum effectiveness in others. Program and registration information is available online at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Conferences/07HotIssuesConference.htm. 17. 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.
18. MEMBER NEWS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND AWARDS
19. AACN OUTREACH AND ADVOCACY UPDATE
20. OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES TO CONSIDER
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