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April 2009 News Watch 1. Regional Meetings Set for Generalist Master’s Essentials
1. REGIONAL MEETINGS SET FOR GENERALIST MASTER’S ESSENTIALS AACN’s Task Force on the Essentials of Master’s Education for Advanced Generalist Nursing Practice is moving forward with its charge to develop a document that delineates the competencies that should be acquired upon graduation from a master’s program for advanced generalist nursing. Chaired by Dr. Joanne Warner from the University of Portland, the task force will use a consensus-building process to complete this work. Stakeholders will have multiple opportunities to review and provide feedback on the draft Master’s Essentials as it develops. AACN members, faculty, students, practicing nurses, and representatives of other organizations are invited to provide input at regional meetings planned for the following locations: Baltimore, MD, October 8-9, 2009; Chicago, IL, November 18-19, 2009; San Diego, CA, January 20-21, 2010; and New Orleans, LA, February 24-25, 2010. Complete details will be posted on the AACN Web site within the next two weeks. 2. NEW DATA ON THE UHC-AACN RESIDENCY PROJECT RELEASED The latest data from the UHC-AACN Residency Project, a long-term collaborative effort between the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) and AACN, show that the turnover rate of residency program graduates declined for the fifth consecutive year. With 54 residency sites active in 25 states, the retention rate of first-year baccalaureate graduates was on average 94.4% at residency sites, which is significantly higher than the national average. Nurses completing the residency also reported higher levels of confidence, competence, and perceived ability to organize their work and communicate. For the latest information and data on this national effort focused on improving nurse retention, read the latest edition of the Successful Transitions newsletter online at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Education/pdf/UHCnewsletter.pdf. 3. LISTEN LIVE TO DR. POLLY BEDNASH AT MAYO CLINIC SYMPOSIUM AACN CEO Polly Bednash was invited to present at the National Symposium on Medical and Health Care Education Reform sponsored by the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN on April 27 and 28. The Mayo Clinic Department of Education and Mayo Clinic Health Policy Center (HPC) are convening nationally-known leaders in healthcare education to develop recommendations that will transform education to best facilitate healthcare reform. Dr. Bednash will participate in a panel discussion titled “Licensure, Accreditation and Certification: Achieving Harmonic Resonance,” which will address how healthcare providers should be taught and their learning outcomes measured. The event will be streamed live over the Web beginning Monday, April 27 at 8am CT. Dr. Bednash’s presentation is scheduled for April 27 at 10am CT. See http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthpolicycenter. 4. AACN LAUNCHES ONLINE STIMULUS FUNDING RESOURCE To provide guidance to nurse educators and researchers looking for new sources of funding in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), AACN has developed an online resource to help link stakeholders with the latest available information. This resource includes direct links to federal agencies and offices of interest to nurse educators, including the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Labor, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). AACN has also created a fact sheet titled Funding Opportunities for Colleges of Nursing through the American Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act that features details on specific funding opportunities related to the Healthcare Workforce, Nursing and Health Research, Higher Education, State Assistance, and Health Information Technology. See http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Government/StimulusIndex.htm. 5. DR. CONNIE DELANEY APPOINTED TO NATIONAL HIT POLICY COMMITTEE On April 3, Dr. Connie Delaney, dean of the University of Minnesota School of Nursing, was appointed to the Health Information Technology (HIT) Policy Committee within the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Dr. Delaney, a noted expert in nursing informatics, was nominated to this national post by AACN. The committee is charged with making policy recommendations related to the nation's health information technology infrastructure. Recently elected to the AACN Board of Directors, Dr. Delaney is the only nurse on the committee and the only member designated to represent the research community. "AACN is confident that Dr. Delaney’s strong background in informatics and her impressive leadership skills will make her a valuable asset to the new Health Information Technology Policy Committee," said AACN President Fay Raines. "As the only nurse on the committee, she will help to ensure that the nation’s largest group of healthcare providers has a voice in making policy recommendations that will impact how care is delivered across settings.” See http://www.gao.gov/press/health_it_committee2009apr03.pdf. Make plans now to participate in the prestigious Leadership for Academic Nursing Program (LANP). The LANP fellowship gives prominence to a cadre of competitively selected leaders within AACN member schools. Given the shared concern about the future of nursing education and the need for thoughtful succession planning, creating a strong group of academic leaders is vitally important. Past LANP Fellows have called this educational opportunity "life changing", and many fellows have gone on to impressive academic promotions. The 2009 fellowship year will begin with a seminar in Kansas City, MO, on August 2-6, 2009. The application deadline is May 29, and final notifications will be sent by June 5. Please share this opportunity with members of your faculty in mid- to upper-level leadership positions. Complete information is found at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Education/LANP.htm. 7. GANNETT LECTURESHIP AWARD PRESENTED TO DR. BETTY FERRELL At the Spring Annual Meeting in March, AACN was pleased to present Dr. Betty Ferrell, research scientist at the City of Hope National Medical Center, with the 2009 Nursing Spectrum/Gannett Foundation Lectureship Award. This honor recognizes individuals selected by the AACN Board of Directors who have made noteworthy contributions to higher education and/or health care. A long-time AACN collaborator, Dr. Ferrell is an internationally recognized leader in oncology nursing who serves as the principal investigator of the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) project. She has focused her clinical expertise and research in pain management, quality of life, and palliative care; has over 300 publications in peer-reviewed journals and texts; and is currently the principal investigator of a study funded by the National Cancer Institute on “Barriers to Pain and Fatigue Management.” For more information on Dr. Ferrell and her important work on behalf of nursing, see http://www.cityofhope.org/directory/people/ferrell-betty/Pages/default.aspx. 8. HPNA RECOGNIZES THE ELNEC TEAM AS 2009 FELLOWS On April 1, the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) announced the 2009 Fellows in Palliative Care Nursing (FPCN), which include several leaders with the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC). The Fellows program is intended for HPNA members who are nursing leaders in education, management, advanced practice and research. Eligible applicants include association executives; chancellors and deans; hospital chief executives and vice presidents for nursing; nurse consultants; and researchers and entrepreneurs. Among the 15 Fellows inducted this year were Pam Malloy, AACN’s ELNEC Project Director; Dr. Betty Ferrell and Rose Virani with The City of Hope National Medical Center, AACN’s partner in the ELNEC Project; and long-time ELNEC trainers Patrick Coyne and Dr. Marianne Matzo. For more details, see http://www.hpna.org. 9. AACN CEO AND MEMBER DEANS ATTEND WHITE HOUSE REGIONAL FORUMS To underscore the importance of nursing education in the national discussion on healthcare reform, AACN CEO Polly Bednash attended a White House Regional Forum on Health Reform in Greensboro, NC on March 31. The White House invited Dr. Bednash to the hearing to represent the interests of professional nursing education and research. “Dr. Bednash’s invitation to this White House Forum is a critical step toward elevating the importance of supporting nursing education in the national dialogue about health reform,” said AACN President Dr. Fay Raines. “We cannot have meaningful national debates on innovations in healthcare delivery without the participation of nurse educators.” Along with Dr. Bednash and representatives from other national nursing organizations, nurse educators at the forum included Dr. Barbara B. Synowiez, Chair of the University of North Carolina-Pembroke Department of Nursing; Dr. Vincent Hall, Director of the Western Carolina University School of Nursing; Dr. Patricia Chamings, Dean of the North Carolina A&T State University School of Nursing; Dr. Lorna Harris, Chair of the North Carolina Central University Department of Nursing; and Dr. Phyllis Horns, Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences at the East Carolina University. In the first regional forum held March 12, 2009 in Michigan, Dr. Kathryn May, Dean of the School of Nursing at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, had the opportunity to represent nursing education. She questioned Melody Barnes, White House Director of Domestic Policy, on the need for a reinvestment in traineeships and facility investment grants for nursing schools. Joining Dr. May at this forum was Dr. Teresa L. Thompson, Dean of the College of Nursing and Health at Madonna University who also contributed to this important discussion. The White House is seeking comments from all stakeholders on innovations related to health reform. To send your comments or suggestions to policymakers, see http://www.healthreform.gov. 10. NEW FACT SHEETS POSTED ON FACULTY FUNDING AND DNP PROGRAMS AACN fact sheets are created to keep member deans, faculty, and students abreast of the latest developments on a variety of issues impacting nursing education. In response to many requests from prospective faculty, AACN has published a new fact sheet on Funding Resources for Future Nurse Educators, which explains what funding opportunities are available through schools of nursing as well as federal, state, and private programs. A fact sheet on The Doctor of Nursing Practice also has been developed to explain the need for the practice doctorate, efforts to sustain momentum toward the DNP, and the latest related data. To access these fact sheets and others which touch on the nursing shortage, diversity, accelerated programs, degree completion programs, and the impact of nursing education on outcomes, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Media/FactSheets/FactSheets.htm. The Commission on Nurse Certification (CNC) has launched an online job bank dedicated to showcasing Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) positions. Employers and recruitment agencies have an opportunity to post positions of interest to CNLs and to reach the most qualified candidates. Job seekers may utilize this service free of charge to learn about vacancies. Positions will be posted for two months at a flat rate of $199. Advertisers must submit a CNC Job Bank registration form per job announcement. Posting deadline is the 15th of the preceding month of the job posting. To place and ad or for more information, contact CNC Director Tracy Lofty at tlofty@aacn.nche.edu or see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/CNC. Please note the Spring/Summer 2009 issue of The CNL Bulletin is now available at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/CNC/pdf/BulletinSpr.pdf. This publication features latest news and information on the CNL initiative and the CNL Certification Program. Articles in this issue include a recap of the 2009 CNL Summit; the CNL Steering Committee’s Statement on Post-Master’s CNL Certificate Programs; and CNL Recertification among other news. 12. ADVERTISE FACULTY VACANCIES FOR FREE IN MAY In honor of the upcoming National Nurses Week (May 6-12), AACN is offering member schools an opportunity to post free faculty vacancy announcements on our Web-based Faculty Career Link in May 2009. In addition to position announcements, Faculty Career Link features information for nurses considering teaching careers, including a nurse educator career profile, financial aid opportunities, and links to faculty development programs. To take advantage of this offer, email the text of your announcement to Communications Coordinator Laura Guetter at lguetter@aacn.nche.edu by Tuesday, April 28. You may send the ad copy in the body of an email or as an attachment in Word. In addition to the text, announcements may include a graphic image (such as your school logo), a link to your institution's Web site, and email links for more information. 13. VA ANNOUNCES NEW NURSING ACADEMY SITES On April 9, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced the establishment of five new partnerships with schools of nursing through the VA Nursing Academy initiative. The VA Nursing Academy expands learning opportunities for nursing students at VA facilities and funds faculty development of VA staff who will fill teaching positions at partner schools. Five nursing schools will form new partnerships with five VA medical centers and join the Academy this year, including Pace University, University of Alabama-Birmingham, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Waynesburg University, and Western Carolina University. “The expanded role of the Department of Veterans Affairs in the education of nurses will ensure the department has the nurses needed to continue our world-class health care for Veterans,” said Dr. Linda D. Johnson, director of VA Nursing Academy. “The VA Nursing Academy expands the teaching faculty, improves recruitment and retention, and creates new educational and research opportunities.” See http://www.va.gov/oaa. 14. FRIENDS OF NINR ANNOUNCES DATE FOR 2009 NIGHTINGALA The Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research invite you and your colleagues to save-the-date for the 2009 NightinGala to be held October 13, 2009 in Washington, D.C, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. Additional details about the event and registration information is available at http://www.fninr.org. Please note that tables of ten are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, contact Susan H. Dove, Deputy Director of the Friends of NINR, at sdove@wsba.com. 15. IOM SEEKS NOMINATIONS FOR GUSTAV O. LIENHARD AWARD The Institute of Medicine is accepting nominations for the 24th annual Gustav O. Lienhard Award through June 5, 2009. The award, which includes a medal and $25,000, recognizes individuals for outstanding achievement in improving healthcare services in the U.S. This award honors individuals whose creative or pioneering efforts have appreciably improved personal health services as opposed to the science base of health care. To encourage a wide range of candidates, no eligibility limits are placed on the education and profession of individuals who may be nominated; however, their achievements should be national in scope. The award will be presented at the IOM's Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. on October 12, 2009. To learn more, see http://www.iom.edu/Lienhard. Support for this program is provided by an endowment established by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. As the national voice for baccalaureate and graduate nursing education, AACN is committed to advancing our mission by presenting at national meetings and collaborating with a variety of organizations. Recent presentations include:
17. HEALTHY PEOPLE CURRICULUM TASK FORCE RELEASES NEW FRAMEWORK The Healthy People Curriculum Task Force, which includes AACN as a member, has revised the Clinical Prevention and Population Health Curriculum Framework. This framework is the first structured and comprehensive curriculum agenda for integrating clinical prevention and population health into the education of students across the health professions. The academic community is encouraged to apply this framework to curriculum design, evaluation, and accreditation efforts. “The task force believes future generations of health professionals need to understand the critical importance of population health and clinical preventive services in the health care system” stated Task Force Co-Facilitator Richard Riegelman, MD, MPH, PhD. “As health care reform efforts increase the focus on prevention, the system that educates practitioners must stand ready to prepare students for a changing environment.” The framework and accompanying news release are available at http://www.aptrweb.org/about/taskforce.html. 18. NCP RELEASES NEW GUIDLEINES FOR QUALITY PALLIATIVE CARE The National Consensus Project for Quality Palliative Care (NCP) is pleased to announce the release of the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care, Second Edition, which serves as a national blueprint for optimal palliative care. This updated version reflects the continued advancements in palliative care since the first printing of the original guidelines five years ago. “The implications of these revisions are far-reaching and immensely important to the palliative care field,” said Dr. Betty Ferrell, NCP Chairperson. “Serving as a strong foundation for new and existing palliative care programs, the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care, Second Edition will assure consistency and the highest level of care.” This document can be viewed and downloaded free of charge at http://www.nationalconsensusproject.org/Guidelines_Download.asp. 19. APNA SEEKS APPLICATIONS FOR NURSING STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS The American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the 2009 APNA-Ortho-McNeil Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC Student Scholarship Program. Nursing students are invited to apply, and deans/directors of nursing schools are invited to nominate one or more students with an interest in psychiatric mental-health nursing for this award. The program is open to both graduate and undergraduate nursing students. The application deadline is June 1, 2009. For details, see http://www.apna.org/files/public/2009_Janssen_Application.doc. 20. NOMINATIONS NEEDED FOR CHEROKEE INSPIRED COMFORT AWARDS Cherokee Uniforms is now accepting nominations for its annual Inspired Comfort Awards program that celebrates nurses for their tireless work and dedication. “The nominations for the Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award tell the remarkable stories of healthcare professionals who go far above and beyond to deliver the best possible care to people in need,” said Michael Singer, president and CEO of Cherokee Uniforms. “We are proud to honor those who demonstrate the most commendable qualities of healthcare professionals every day.” Nominations may be submitted for practicing APRNs, RNs, and LPNs; students enrolled in schools of nursing; and other healthcare professionals. A panel of nurse leaders, Cherokee professionals, and former award recipients will choose winners who best meet the program’s criteria: exceptional service, sacrifice and innovation. Nominations are due May 31, 2009, and winners will be announced in September. See http://www.CherokeeUniforms.com. 21. 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.
22. MEMBER NEWS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND AWARDS
23. AACN OUTREACH AND ADVOCACY UPDATE
24. OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES TO CONSIDER
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