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April 2008 News Watch 1. New Officers Assume Roles on the AACN Board of Directors
1. NEW OFFICERS ASSUME ROLES ON THE AACN BOARD OF DIRECTORS C. Fay Raines, PhD, RN, dean of the College of Nursing at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, assumed the role of AACN President on March 31, 2008 during the Spring Annual Meeting. “As we move forward on several fronts to improve the quality of patient care and transform professional nursing education, I am grateful for this opportunity to serve AACN as President and help lead this important work,” said Dr. Raines. Also new to the Board are Kathleen Potempa, DNSc, RN, FAAN, dean of the University of Michigan School of Nursing, who was elected to serve as AACN’s President-Elect; Timothy Gaspar, PhD, RN, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Winona State University, who was elected Board Member-at-Large; and Juliann G. Sebastian, PhD, RN, CNS-BC, FAAN, dean of the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Nursing, who was elected Board Member-at-Large. Re-elected to serve a second term on the Board were Jane Kirschling, DNS, RN, dean of the University of Kentucky College of Nursing who will continue on the Executive Committee as Secretary, and Board Member-at-Large Martha Hill, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. Read more online at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Media/NewsReleases/2008/FRaines.html. **AACN’s Nominating Committee is currently looking for candidates to fill five seats on the Board of Directors and two seats on the Nominating Committee. Nominations must be received by October 18, 2008. For complete details, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/MemberServices/CallforNominations.htm. 2. AACN MEMBERS ENDORSE PREFFERED VISION FOR NURSE FACULTY On March 31, 2008, AACN members voted to endorse a new position statement which addresses the desired education level and role responsibilities for faculty teaching in baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs. In January 2007, the AACN Board developed a set of recommendations for full- and part-time nurse faculty, clinical instructors, and preceptors. The Board moved to create this document in response to the national conversation about the appropriate utilization and educational preparation of nurse educators. After receiving feedback from members, the Board transitioned the document into a position statement which was approved by a majority of the AACN members present at the Spring Meeting. Titled The Preferred Vision of the Professoriate in Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing Programs,the statement may be accessed at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Publications/positions. 3. HIGHLIGHTS FROM AACN’S 2008 SPRING ANNUAL MEETING Well over 300 deans and directors from AACN member schools attended the 2008 Spring Annual Meeting which ended on April 1. Below are some highlights and follow-up items from the meeting.
4. GANES ISSUES CALL FOR ABSTRACTS FOR INAUGURAL CONFERENCE The Global Alliance on Nursing Education and Scholarship (GANES) is pleased to announce that the group’s inaugural conference will be held October 1-3, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario. This convening of nurse educators from around the world will bring together leaders in education and policy to debate the 5. AACN HOSTS MILITARY NURSE SHORTAGE BRIEFING ON CAPITOL HILL On April 8, 2008, AACN hosted a Military Nurse Shortage Briefing in the U.S. Capitol Building in collaboration with Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD). Moderated by AACN Executive Director Dr. Polly Bednash, a distinguished panel of nurse leaders presented their unique perspectives on the military nurse shortage, including Major General Gale Pollock, Deputy Surgeon General for Force Management and Chief of the Army Nurse Corps; Colonel Linda Kisner, Director of Air Force Nursing Services at Headquarters Air Force, Office of the Surgeon General; Captain Kathleen Pierce, Deputy Director of the Navy Nurse Corps, Bureau of Medicine; and Dr. Kathryn Lothschuetz Montgomery, Associate Dean, Organizational Partnerships, Outreach and Clinical Enterprise at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. This event was attended by Congressional staff from both the House and Senate and featured thoughtful conversation with the audience. For more information, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Government/pdf/MilitarySummary.pdf. 6. AACN’S ANNUAL SURVEY DATA REPORTS NOW AVAILABLE AACN has conducted a successful assessment of enrollments, graduations, and salaries in schools of nursing with an 86% response rate to the 2007 annual survey. Between 2006 and 2007, enrollment increased in all types of baccalaureate and higher degree nursing programs, including entry-level baccalaureate programs (+5.4%); RN-to-baccalaureate programs (+11.5%); master’s programs (+11.7%); and research-focused doctoral programs (+0.9%). Despite this upward trend, 40,285 qualified applications were turned away from nursing schools nationwide due primarily to a lack of available seats and a shortage of faculty. Within this total, 3,361 qualified applications to graduate programs were turned away. The data reports may be purchased through the AACN Web site. All schools that contributed data to these reports will receive complimentary copies. To purchase copies, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/IDS/datarep.htm. 7. NEW BOOK ON MASTERING THE TEACHING ROLE PUBLISHED AACN is pleased to announce that Dr. Barbara Penn, AACN’s Director of Member Education, has published a new book titled Mastering the Teaching Role: A Guide for Nurse Educators. Featuring insights from 40 leaders in nursing education, including many AACN member deans, this handy reference provides guidance for nurses looking to assume teaching positions and for current faculty looking to enhance their preparation to teach. The book features special sections on teaching adults, evaluating students and learning, classroom and clinical teaching, recurrent themes in nursing education, and flourishing in the faculty role. AACN members are entitled to a 15% discount on the book price. To purchase copies, contact 800-323-3555 and be sure to mention that you are an AACN member to receive the discount. For more information, see http://www.fadavis.com/online_store/catalog/catalog_detail.cfm?publication_id=2389. 8. NURSE FACULTY LOAN PROGRAM SEEKS APPLICATIONS Administered by the federal Division of Nursing, the Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) provides funds to eligible schools of nursing that offer advanced education nursing programs to prepare graduates to serve as faculty in a school of nursing. NFLP funds must be used to provide loans to students enrolled full-time and part-time in an eligible advanced degree program in nursing (master's or doctoral) at the school. Loan recipients must complete the education program and, following graduation, may cancel up to 85% of the NFLP loan over a consecutive four-year period while serving as full-time nurse faculty at a school of nursing. Approximately $7,860,000 is available in FY 2008 to fund an estimated 150 NFLP schools. Application deadline is May 13, 2008. See http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/nflp/default.htm. 9. JOIN AACN IN SAN FRANCISCO FOR THE SUMMER SEMINAR Coming July 20-23, 2008 to the Hyatt at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, the 2008 Summer Seminar offers guidance on Building and Leading High-Performing Teams: Essential Skills for Nursing Academic Leader. Although nurse educators typically have much experience working with groups, they may lack specific insights and skills that are pivotal to full success as team leaders. This year's Summer Seminar focuses on the personal development of academic leaders into skilled team leaders who can garner support from team members to accomplish the important and increasingly complex work of nursing education. Join a nationally recognized executive consultant, Lisa K. Nabors, MEd, PCC in three interactive, practical morning sessions designed to increase your ability to build, lead, evaluate, and guide teams. Learn specific approaches to maximize your effectiveness as a leader. Share successful strategies with colleagues and take away ready-to-use tools. For complete program and registration details, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/conferences/08SumSem.htm. 10. TWO NEW REPORTS ON THE NATIONAL NURSING SHORTAGE RELEASED AACN works to keep members updated on the latest news and data related to the national nursing shortage. Please note the following developments:
For more information, visit AACN’s Nursing Shortage Resource found at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Media/shortageresource.htm. 11. LEARN ABOUT QUALITY AND SAFETY IN CLINICAL MICROSYSTEMS On June 25-27, 2008 in Oakbrook Terrace, IL, the Joint Commission Resources will sponsor a conference titled Quality and Safety in Nursing Education: A Clinical Microsystems Approach. This visionary conference is designed to help academic and clinical practice partners deepen their understanding of quality and safety issues, learn and apply clinical microsystems techniques, and strengthen nurses’ readiness to respond effectively to these issues. Sessions weave together theory, research-based practices, and experiential learning to help educators and clinicians identify and improve how quality and safety issues are addressed in current curricula as well as nursing practice. Attendees will learn about high-performing organizations that have successfully applied microsystems thinking to reduce risk and errors, streamline productivity, and thoroughly prepare the next generation of nurses. Dr. Joan Stanley, AACN’s Senior Director of Education Policy, will be a featured speaker. See http://www.jcrinc.com/28497 12. SHOWCASING GRADUATES OF AACN’S “CREATING CAREERS” INITIATIVE The AACN Geriatric Nursing Education Web site has begun showcasing the accomplishments of graduate from Creating Careers in Advanced Practice Nursingprogram. Creating Careers was launched in 2001 to increase the number of advanced practice nurses (APNs) specializing in gerontology. Seven graduates have been interviewed to date, and their individual narratives spotlight outstanding professional achievements as geriatric APNs. Each graduate emerges as a talented leader who is driven by passion for gerontology nursing. Additionally, these reports disseminate the grant's successes to prospective students, practicing nurses, project investigators, deans and faculty. See http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Education/Hartford/ShowcasingScholars.html. 13. APPLY NOW FOR A GERONTOLOGICAL NURSING EDUCATION AWARD AACN, in collaboration with The John A. Hartford Foundation Institute for Geriatric Nursing, is now accepting applications for the annual Awards for Excellence in Gerontological Nursing Education. Schools and programs of nursing that offer baccalaureate or graduate degrees and demonstrate a strong commitment to geriatric nursing are encouraged to apply. Applicant programs may be large or small, new or well-established. Only one entry per award category per school will be permitted. The following are the four NEW award categories: Baccalaureate-Level Curricular Innovation; Advanced-Practice-Level Curricular Innovation; Geriatric Nursing Faculty Champion; and Outstanding School of Nursing Communications. For details on the 2008 awards, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Education/Hartford/pdf/AwardApp.pdf. Applications must be received by May 1, 2008. Please direct questions to Debbie Latimer at dlatimer@aacn.nche.edu. 14. IOM RELEASES REPORT ON IMPROVING HEALTH CARE FOR OLDER ADULTS On April 14, 2008, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a new report calling for bold initiatives to educate all health care providers to provide enhanced geriatric care. Titled Retooling for an Aging America: Building the Health Care Workforce,the IOM Committee on the Future Health Care Workforce for Older Americans concluded that nurses and other health care professionals should be required to demonstrate competence in basic geriatric care. The committee is calling on all health profession schools to expand course work and education in the treatment of older individuals. To attract more people into careers as geriatric specialists, the IOM is recommending an increase in salaries for these providers since current compensation lags behind counterparts in other fields. The committee set a target date of 2030 — the year by which all baby boomers will have turned 65 or older — for the necessary reforms to take place. For more information or to order a copy of this report, see http://www.iom.edu/CMS/3809/40113/53452.aspx. 15. APPLY NOW FOR A GERONTOLOGY-FOCUSED FACULTY INSTITUTE To enhance faculty development in geriatrics, the Geriatric Nursing Education Consortium (GNEC) is offering a series of regional training institutes. Administered by AACN with funding by The John A. Hartford Foundation, GNEC is an innovative national initiative to enhance geriatric content in senior-level baccalaureate courses. Institutes provide 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, faculty are prepared to lead their colleagues in “gerontologizing” senior-level curricula as well as teaching and mentoring students in the care of older adults. The next three institutes are scheduled for October 14-16, 2008 in St. Louis; April 1-3, 2009 in San Diego and June 24-26, 2009 in Philadelphia. The application deadline for the St. Louis Institute has been extended to June 30, 2008. There is no registration fee or tuition. Up to two applicants from a baccalaureate school of nursing are eligible for a stipend to help defer travel expenses. For more information or to apply, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/gnec.htm. 16. FINAL BACCALAUREATE ESSENTIALS REGIONAL MEETING PLANNED The AACN Task Force on the Revision of the Essentials for Baccalaureate Nursing Education is working to define the expected competencies of graduates of baccalaureate nursing programs with input from many stakeholders. The latest version of the revised Essentials is posted online at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Education/pdf/BEdraft.pdf. This document will be discussed at the final regional meeting scheduled for April 24-25 in Boston. The meeting will give stakeholders the opportunity to review and provide feedback regarding the Essentials, including program outcomes. Deans and directors from AACN member institutions, faculty, practice partners, and representatives of other healthcare and education organizations are invited to attend. See http://www.aacn.nche.edu/BACEssentMtg.htm. 17. WIDE VARIETY OF ELNEC COURSES PLANNED FOR 2008 The End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) offers a variety of train-the-trainer courses for nurse educators across settings. Five courses remain in 2008, including Core and Super Core programs in addition to specialty sessions focused on Critical Care and Pediatrics. For a complete schedule, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/ELNEC/CourseSchedule.htm. Please note that the Critical Care course on April 21-23 offers free registration for California nurses, including nursing faculty, thanks to the generous support of the Archstone Foundation. Registration for the ELNEC-Geriatrics course on May 5-7 is now closed. For more information, contact ELNEC Project Director Pam Malloy at pmalloy@aacn.nche.edu. 18. USPHS INACTIVE RESERVE CORP SEEKS FACULTY EXPERTISE The U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corp is seeking faculty from all health care professions to join the Inactive Reserve Corp (IRC). This cadre of highly trained people will assist in a flexible manner with the USPHS. Two types of short tours are available to officers: Standard Short Tours (calls to active duty not to exceed 120 days) and Intermittent Tours (calls to active duty for repeated, short durations; not to exceed five consecutive days). Besides supporting ongoing peacetime programs, IRC personnel may be utilized to meet staffing needs of agency programs during periods of national disasters or national security threats. IRC personnel may be deployed to provide orientation, career guidance, give referrals to prospective officers, and facilitate recruitment activities. For details, contact LCDR Timothy Jiggens at 301-443-4847 or Timothy.Jiggens@hhs.gov. 19. NEW FINANCIAL BENCHMARKING SURVEY LAUNCHED In response to many requests from member schools, AACN launched the Financial Benchmarking Survey earlier this week to collect data which will help member schools compare their financial performance with peer institutions. Participating schools can generate standard benchmarking reports for free using an online tool. Fees will be charged for more complex reports. Schools will need to complete both the Benchmarking Survey and the Faculty and Doctoral Student Roster Survey before financial benchmarking reports can be generated. To participate in this survey, members must visit http://ids.aacn.nche.edu and use the school’s member ID as both the login name and password for both surveys. Please refer any questions to surveysupport@aacn.nche.edu. 20. APNA PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS TO GRADUATE NURSING STUDENTS The American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the 2008 APNA-Ortho-McNeil Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC Graduate Student Scholarship Program. Deans and directors of nursing schools are invited to nominate one or more graduate students with an interest in psychiatric mental-health nursing from their school for this award. The application deadline is May 12, 2008. For complete details, see http://www.apna.org/files/public/2008_Application.doc. 21. HEALTHY PEOPLE CURRICULUM TASK FORCE SEEKS COMMENTS The Healthy People Curriculum Task Force, convened by the Association for Prevention Teaching and Research, is currently revising the Clinical Prevention and Population Health Curriculum Framework. To ensure broad stakeholder input, the task force invites feedback on the current framework from all stakeholders. This framework represents the first structured and comprehensive curriculum agenda for integrating clinical prevention and population health into the education of students across health professions. The task force is working to meet the Healthy People 2010 goal of increasing the teaching of health promotion and disease prevention in health professions programs. Feedback will be used to inform the revision process which will be completed by late 2008. Responses are needed by April 25, 2008. See http://www.aptrweb.org/CPPH_Framework. 22. 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.
23. MEMBER NEWS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND AWARDS
24. AACN OUTREACH AND ADVOCACY UPDATE
25. OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES TO CONSIDER
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