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January
2007 News Watch
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.
The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and AACN
are conducting a joint survey on the opportunities and challenges
facing nurse faculty as well as student capacity issues at schools
of nursing. Led by Dr. Patricia Benner from the University of California-San
Francisco, this work is being conducted as part of the Foundation's
three-year study on teaching and learning in nursing. Questions
focus on the transition from the classroom to the practice setting,
faculty expectations and teaching loads, faculty role satisfaction,
and student capacity limitations within schools of nursing. The
survey will remain open until March 15, 2007. See http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=191492951341.
For more information about this effort, contact rrosseter@aacn.nche.edu.
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 nurse 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 first institute has
been extended to March 5, 2007. For additional information, contact
202-463-6930 or gnecsupport@aacn.nche.edu.
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is seeking
nominations for candidates to run for election to its Board of Commissioners
and Nominating Committee. CCNE is a nationally recognized accrediting
organization whose scope is baccalaureate and higher degree nursing
programs in the U.S. and its territories. Three positions on CCNE's
13-member Board are open, including two representatives of chief
nurse administrators (e.g., deans or equivalent) of CCNE-affiliated
or accredited nursing programs; and one representative who is actively
engaged, as his/her primary professional role, in the practice of
nursing. Each term is for three years. CCNE is also seeking nominations
for candidates to serve on its Nominating Committee. Four one-year
term positions are available. Nominations must be postmarked no
later than February 16, 2007. For more details on making a nomination,
see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/accreditation.
5.
GLOBAL ALLIANCE ON NURSING EDUCATION & SCHOLARSHIP TAKES SHAPE
In December 2006, representatives of the Global Alliance on Nursing
Education and Scholarship (GANES) met in Sydney, Australia to discuss
the progress of this alliance and identify next steps. The meeting
was chaired by Jill Macleod Clark, past chair of the Council of
Deans and Heads of UK University Faculties for Nursing and Health
Professions. Other GANES founding organizations in attendance included
AACN, the Council of Deans of Nursing and Midwifery (Australia/New
Zealand) and the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN).
At the meeting, the group refined its mission, purposes, and governance
structure. Representatives developed specific agreements that will
allocate responsibility for organizational oversight and management
of GANES activities. The founding members will serve as the executive
committee with each organization serving a two-year term. CASN agreed
to be the lead coordinator for GANES which includes serving as the
fiscal agent for this alliance. The group will seek approval from
each organization to provide an initial start-up contribution of
$5,000 Canadian to develop a reserve fund for future activities.
Each GANES member organization was given a set of charges for the
next few months to begin forward progress. AACN agreed to develop
public relations materials that will be used to disseminate information
about the alliance as the group seeks international recognition
and additional members. An abstract submitted by GANES to the International
Council of Nurses (ICN) will be used as an additional mechanism
for dissemination, and the first effort to add members will be rolled
out at a forum sponsored by GANES at ICN for interested nursing
education organizations.
6.
NURSING LEADERS
STRIVE FOR GLOBAL NURSING EDUCATION STANDARDS
In December, more than 30 international
experts in nursing and midwifery assembled in Bangkok, Thailand
to begin developing global education standards to address patient
safety and quality of care issues. During the three-day meeting,
led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Sigma Theta Tau International
(STTI), representatives from WHO, nursing schools and organizations
developed key elements for proposed standards in critical areas
including: admission criteria, development requirements, content
components, and nursing and midwifery faculty and graduate qualifications.
AACN was one of the sponsoring organizations for the WHO/STTI meeting
and did provide a financial contribution to this effort. Dr. Jean
Bartels, nursing dean from Georgia Southern University and past
AACN president, represented the association at this meeting. For
more information, see http://www.nursingsociety.org/media/who.html.
7.
APPLICATIONS
AVAILABLE NOW FOR MINORITY FACULTY SCHOLARSHIPS
The California Endowment-AACN Minority Nurse Faculty Scholarship
program provides up to $18,000 in financial support to students
pursuing a graduate degree in nursing as well as student mentoring
and leadership development components to facilitate academic success.
Though students receiving support may attend classes at any school
of nursing, students must return to their home state of California
after graduation to assume a teaching role at a California institution.
The schools where scholarship recipients will be attending classes
are required to offer a match of some portion of the student's tuition.
Applications are available to students seeking funding for the 2007-2008
academic year. See http://www.aacn.nche.edu/CAEawardApp.pdf.
Applications must be submitted by June 1, 2007.
8.
AFTERCOLLEGE
PARTNERS WITH AACN TO OFFER SCHOLARSHIPS/RESOURCES
AACN and AfterCollege, a leading career network specializing in
healthcare recruitment at the college and alumni level, have formed
a strategic partnership to provide scholarships and access to job
opportunities by AACN member institutions. Through this collaboration,
AACN will award scholarships to nursing students pursuing baccalaureate
and graduate degrees at affiliated schools. AfterCollege will enable
students to research relevant job opportunities from its nationwide
network of employers through Job Resource Centers available on nursing
schools' Web sites and through an exclusive Job Resource Center
on the AACN site. For details on the scholarship, see http://go.aftercollege.com/events/AACN/2006/index.cfm.
9.
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. Sessions include clarifying master's
education, implementing evidence-based practice, facilitating critical
thinking and decision making, and balance in the faculty role. See
complete program and registration details at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/conferences/07Masters.htm.
10.
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.
11.
NURSING
ADVANCEMENT PROFESSIONALS HOST 2007 CONFERENCE
"Building Your Advancement Program: A Toolkit for Success"
is the theme of the Nursing Advancement Professionals (NAP) Network's
2007 Conference set for March 16-17, 2007. The ninth annual event
will be held at the Fairmont hotel in Washington, DC. The conference
is designed for development officers, public relations and marketing
professionals, deans of colleges of nursing and academic leadership.
The NAP Conference is an excellent opportunity to gain critical
information to enhance your college of nursing and to network with
fellow colleagues. For a description of program topics and to register,
see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Conferences/07NAP.htm.
12.
SCHOLARS
PROGRAMS SEEKS APPLICATIONS FROM GRADUATE NURSING STUDENTS
The annual Paul Ambrose Health Promotion Student Leadership Symposium
will take place on June 21-24, 2007 in Washington, DC. This prestigious
symposium engages graduate nursing, medical, physician assistant,
and PharmD student leaders in building new visions and models for
health professions education. The program features skills-based
leadership education and training in content areas such as community
organizing, project planning, policy advocacy, health literacy,
and health care finance and delivery. Following the symposium, students
are required to complete a health promotion/disease prevention education
project in their institution or community with the help of a faculty
mentor. Applications are due April 13, 2007. See http://www.atpm.org/meetings/symposium/PA_Symposium.htm.
13.
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
FUNDS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS
The American Cancer Society, the largest not-for-profit funding
source for cancer research and training, invites scholarship applications
from master's degree students enrolled in programs with demonstrated
integration of cancer nursing content. Awards are made for up to
two years in the annual amount of $10,000. The application deadline
is February 1, 2007. To submit an online application, see https://v2.ramscompany.com.
For more details including policies and instructions, see http://www.cancer.org/research.
14.
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.
15.
AHRQ PRESENTS AUDIO NEWSCASTS
ON HEALTH CARE RESEARCH
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is offering
a new service to help keep consumers informed of the Agency's latest
health care research findings, news, and information. Called Healthcare
411, this audio newscast features a synopsis of the latest findings
and information on current health care topics. Go to http://www.healthcare411.org
to hear the newscasts through your computer or download them to
a portable digital player such as an iPod®. The first audio
newscast was a Special Report with AHRQ Director, Dr. Carolyn Clancy,
answering questions about health care quality. She discussed preventive
care, medical errors, and what people can do to ensure they get
quality health care. Regular newscasts include short audio reports
on a variety of AHRQ-supported research and always include an interview
with one of the researchers.
16.
HELP AACN ADVOCATE FOR YOUR SCHOOL
Periodically AACN government affairs staff request the names and
contact information for your school's lobbyists. Our goal is to
provide your federal advocates with information on nursing education
and research and to serve as a resource on these issues. In addition,
AACN staff will work to cultivate new advocates who will promote
our legislative initiatives in Congress. Please forward contact
information for your lobbyists to AACN Government Affairs Director
Debbie Campbell at dcampbel@aacn.nche.edu.
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.
- New York University's College of Nursing has announced the names
of 20 Fellows who will participate in the second annual Leadership
Institute for Black Nurses. The goal of the institute is to empower
nurses who seek career advancement in education, research, and
administration. "This program was established in keeping
with a long tradition of commitment to black nursing leadership,"
says Dr. Terry Fulmer, dean of the College of Nursing. "Through
education and mentorship, the institute serves as a resource to
assist nurses who have shown great potential as health care leaders
and seeks to expand the opportunities available to them."
See http://www.nyu.edu/public.affairs/releases/detail/1386.
- In response to the nurse faculty shortage, Tennessee Governor
Philip Bredesen and state health officials launched a campaign
on January 22 to raise funds for a scholarship program that would
help current RNs earn graduate degrees needed to teach nursing.
The Graduate Nursing Loan Forgiveness Program - which the governor
signed into law in 2006 - calls for $1.4 million in funding to
pay for 100 RNs to return to school to complete graduate programs.
After graduation, nurses receiving support would be expected to
teach in an undergraduate nursing program in Tennessee for four
years. See http://www.tennesseeanytime.org/governor/Newsroom.do?id=1.
- With approval by the State Board of Education, Boise State University
will begin offering a master's level nursing program in fall 2007.
Students may earn either a master of nursing or master of science
in nursing degree, with an emphasis in public health. The program
is designed to advance the careers of nurses already in the field,
and will also prepare more nurses for teaching positions at Idaho
universities. In a show of collaboration and support, Boise State
University has also signed an agreement with Idaho State University
to better coordinate the delivery of graduate nursing programs
to Idaho students. See http://nursing.boisestate.edu/news/index.shtml.
18.
MEMBER NEWS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND AWARDS
- Dr. Marcia Maurer, Dean of Nursing at Southern Illinois University
Edwardsville (SIUE) along with Dr. Donna Hartweg, Dean of Nursing
at Illinois Wesleyan University, were appointed by Governor Rod
Blagojevich to the inaugural Illinois Center for Nursing Advisory
Board. The Center is a new legislative initiative signed into
law in July 2006. The Board is charged "to help determine
future healthcare demand and develop adequate supply of well-trained
nursing professionals." Governor Blagojevich also enacted
legislation to fund nurse capacity expansion and Nurse Faculty
Development. Dr. Kay Gaehle, Assistant Professor at SIUE, is one
of 15 nurses to receive a $10,000 fellowship award for faculty
development. Dr. Gaehle will use her fellowship to enhance her
expertise in oncology nursing in preparation of SIUE launching
an oncology specialty as part of its FNP program.
- Dr. Jeanette Lancaster, AACN President and dean of the University
of Virginia School of Nursing, was invited by the Virginia Secretaries
of Education and of Health and Human Resources to serve on a statewide
Healthcare Workforce Task Force. The task force will work to increase
the number of nurses and nursing faculty through a new program
that combines resources from both state and federal government
sources to fund grants for this purpose. "Forces are now
converging to put into place solutions to our existing and growing
nursing shortage," said Dr. Lancaster. "Policymakers
and representatives from higher education, business and health
systems management all recognize that we can't fully address the
nursing shortage until we fix the nursing faculty shortage."
See http://www.nursing.virginia.edu/press/release.asp#1.
- The San Francisco State University School of Nursing has received
the largest gift from an individual in the school's 50-year history.
The $296,000 gift, made by the estate of William "Ray"
Tobias Jr. and his wife Jacquelyn Hawkins Tobias, will be used
to create an endowed scholarship fund for both undergraduate and
graduate nursing students who have an interest in oncology or
cardiovascular nursing. "Mr. and Mrs. Tobias' generosity
and vision will enable us to offer financial support to our students
for generations to come," said Andrea Boyle, associate professor
and interim director of the School of Nursing. See http://www.nursing.sfsu.edu.
- Earlier this month, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
School of Nursing hosted a celebration in honor of its 25th anniversary.
"We have reached a milestone with 25 years of excellence
in providing quality nursing education accompanied by a strong
commitment to serving our surrounding communities," said
nursing school dean Dr. Alexia Green. "This anniversary celebration
is important to not only reflect upon our past but also to look
to the future." See http://www.ttuhsc.edu/son.
- On January 22, Chamberlain College of Nursing announced that
it received approval from the Ohio Board of Regents to establish
a new campus in Columbus and will begin offering classes in March
2007. "Ohio needs increased access to high-quality nursing
education, and we look forward to serving the Columbus community
and the state of Ohio," said Susan Groenwald, president of
Chamberlain College of Nursing. "The expansion of Chamberlain
programs will allow us to help communities throughout Ohio respond
to the critical and growing shortage of nurses." See http://www.chamberlain.edu/press.html.
- The Foreign Educated Physician to Nursing (FEPN) program, an
initiative pioneered by Florida International University College
of Nursing & Health Sciences (FIU CN&HS) in Miami expanded
to Tampa with the beginning of Spring semester classes on January
8, 2007. FEPN is the nation's first-ever education program to
transform foreign-educated physicians into nurses through a fast-track,
specialized curriculum. Financial support from Hospital Corporation
of America (HCA) West Florida will provide funding for local faculty,
full scholarships for up to 15 students, and long-distance technology
equipment for real-time videoconferencing delivery of the program
from Miami to students in Tampa. See http://chua2.fiu.edu/Nursing.
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing
will lead a team investigating the impact of California's minimum
nurse staffing law on nurse-to-patient ratios, hospital financial
performance, quality of care and nurse wages. The $1.2 million
study is funded by a grant from the Agency for Healthcare Research
and Quality to Dr. Barbara Mark, the Sarah Frances Russell distinguished
professor of nursing systems at UNC-Chapel Hill and the study's
lead investigator. "Nurses make important contributions to
ensuring hospital patients receive high quality care, but it is
not clear whether legislating minimum levels of nurse staffing,
as has been done in California, will really assure the best care
for patients," Mark said. See http://www.unc.edu/news/briefs/2007/011707.htm.
19.
AACN OUTREACH AND ADVOCACY UPDATE
- On January 5, AACN staff attended a meeting sponsored by the
American Council on Education. Attendees discussed the "100
Hours" schedule for the 110th Congress, the FY 2007 Continuing
Resolution, the FY 2008 Presidential Budget, and the potential
reauthorization of the Higher Education Act.
- Over January 4 and 5, staff attended numerous Hill meetings,
briefings, and swearing-in receptions in the House and Senate.
This marked the start of the 110th Congress where legislative
priorities, resolution of the FY 2007 funding, and outlook for
FY 2008 budget and appropriations were discussed.
- On January 4, staff attended the Health Professions and Nursing
Education Coalition (HPNEC) meeting to discuss strategies to inform
new and old congressional staff on the funding needs for health
professions and nursing education. See http://www.aamc.org/advocacy/hpnec.
20.
OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES TO CONSIDER
- The Public Health Service Commissioned Officers Foundation for
the Advancement of Public Health is sponsoring Global Health Summit
II: "Improving Global Health and Safety Through Diplomacy"
on June 3, 2007 at the Duke Energy Convention Center in Cincinnati,
OH. Building on the findings of the 2005 Global Health Summit,
the 2007 meeting will explore the role of health diplomacy in
global health enhancement and safety. One of the primary targets
of the event will be to identify effective strategies for increasing
the capacity of health professionals, as well as academia, the
media, the uniformed services, legislators and other opinion makers,
to contribute to the positive results of health diplomacy. See
www.coausphsconference.org/related/globalhealthdiplomacy.cfm.
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
offers unique field experiences at the U.S.-Mexico Border for
students enrolled in graduate nursing, medical, public health,
and other health professions degree programs. Several times each
year, 7 to 15 students from accredited schools are invited to
study in either Laredo/Nuevo Laredo or Harlingen/Matamoros for
a 4-week period. Participants will learn from dozens of health
practitioners in clinics and hospitals, researchers, community
health workers, and front-line public health workers on both sides
of the Border. Students will explore cultural differences that
impact health care practice and learn about community-based research.
For complete details, see http://steer.uthscsa.edu.
- The Center for the Advancement of Evidence-based Practice at
the Arizona State University College of Nursing and Healthcare
Innovation is hosting its 8th annual national conference on Evidence-based
Practice on February 22-23 in Phoenix. The theme of the conference
is Translating Research into Best Practice with Vulnerable Populations.
More than 300 healthcare professionals from across the nation
and world are expected to attend. See http://nursing.asu.edu/news/pr/ebpconf.htm.
- Entries are now being accepted for the New York Academy of Medicine
Student Essay Prize, awarded to the best unpublished essay by
a graduate student in a nursing, medical, pharmacy, or public
health program in the United States. Essays should address topics
in the history of public health or medicine as they relate to
urban health issues. The winner will receive $500, and the winning
essay will receive an expedited review for possible publication
in the Journal of Urban Health. Essays must be received by March
30, 2007. For details, see http://www.nyam.org/grants/studentessay.shtml.
If you would like to have your email removed from the distribution
list, send an email to lspicer@aacn.nche.edu
with the subject "UNSUBSCRIBE NEWS WATCH".
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