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August 2009 News Watch 1. HHS Secretary Sebelius to Speak at AACN’s Fall Meeting 1. HHS SECRETARY SEBELIUS TO SPEAK AT AACN’S FALL MEETING AACN is pleased to announce that Kathleen Sebelius, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, has accepted our invitation to be a featured speaker at AACN’s upcoming 40th Anniversary Celebration in November (see item #2 below). Secretary Sebelius will present during the Government Affairs Committee session scheduled for Tuesday, November 3 from 9-10am (barring any unforeseen conflicts). Make plans now to join us for a stimulating discussion on healthcare reform and other nursing issues on the national agenda. See http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Conferences/09Fall.htm. 2. PLAN NOW TO ATTEND AACN’S 40TH ANNIVERSAY CELEBRATION Anticipation is building for AACN's 40th Anniversary Celebration and Fall Meeting planned for October 31-November 3, 2009 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Washington, DC. AACN member deans and associate deans are invited to join us for this special event that will honor the contributions all member schools have made to AACN's success over the years. Highlights will include presentations by Ken Bain, the award-winning author of What the Best College Teachers Do, photographic artist Chris Jordan, and Charles "Chic" Thompson, an academician and former Walt Disney employee who will present an engaging and humorous talk on creativity in academe. Fun is also on the agenda with a live performance by the Capitol Steps, and anniversary reception and champagne toast, a photo history from AACN member schools, and other festivities. Program details are posted online at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Conferences/09Fall.htm. **Please note that deans may bring multiple associate deans as guests for this special event. The early registration and hotel reservation cut-off date is October 7, 2009. Deans are encouraged to make reservations early as the hotel will likely sell out quickly. 3. NEW DATA SHOW THE ECONOMY’S IMPACT ON THE FACULTY SHORTAGE Since 2000, AACN has collected data from member schools of nursing to assess the current state of the nurse faculty shortage. The survey collects data on budgeted, but unfilled full-time faculty positions by rank, tenure, and level of teaching. This year, AACN opened the Faculty Vacancy Survey to both member and non-member schools to enhance our understanding of this issue. This year, 803 faculty vacancies were identified at 554 nursing schools with baccalaureate and/or graduate programs across the country (70.2% response rate). Besides these vacancies, schools cited the need to create an additional 117 faculty positions to accommodate student demand. The 2009 data show a national nurse faculty vacancy rate of 6.6%, a decrease from 2008 when the vacancy rate was 7.6%. Most of the vacancies (90.6%) were faculty positions requiring or preferring a doctoral degree. The drop in the faculty vacancy rate this year is due in part to the downturn in the economy. Similar to patterns recorded in the overall nursing workforce - see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Media/pdf/TalkingPoints.pdf - fewer faculty are retiring during these tough economic times, and many schools have weathered budget cuts and hiring freezes which makes it difficult to grow their faculty pool. Survey respondents also reported having more difficulty this year finding faculty with the appropriate degree preparation to teach. To review the 2009 survey findings, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/IDS/pdf/vacancy09.pdf. On August 3, 2009, AACN and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) announced that 52 schools of nursing will receive funding through the RWJF New Careers in Nursing Scholarship Program (NCIN), which was launched last year to address the national nursing shortage and increase the diversity of nursing professionals. In this second round of awards, scholarships in the amount of $10,000 each will be awarded to 700 nursing students entering accelerated programs during the 2009-2010 academic year. “AACN applauds the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for making it possible for hundreds of new students to enter nursing school during these tough economic times,” said AACN President Fay Raines. “With sources of financial aid dwindling in the wake of the recession, schools of nursing are extremely grateful to have access to funding that will enable individuals from diverse backgrounds to fulfill their dreams of becoming a nurse.” For complete details, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Media/NewsReleases/2009/RWJFawards.html. 5. CCNE CONSTITUENTS ELECT NEW BOARD MEMBERS The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) has successfully completed its 2009 election process. CCNE distributed ballots to 526 institutions – all with baccalaureate, master’s, and/or DNP degree programs holding accreditation by CCNE – to be cast in the elections for the CCNE Board of Commissioners and Nominating Committee. Valid ballots were returned by 263 institutions, resulting in a 50% response rate. Elected to the CCNE Board were Dr. Linda Caldwell, Chair at Curry College (MA), as the representative for deans; Dr. Cynthia Flynn Capers (incumbent), Professor and Coordinator of Academic Leadership Initiatives at The University of Akron (OH) and Dr. Carol Ledbetter (incumbent), Professor at the University of North Florida (FL), as the representatives for faculty; Dr. Deborah Schofield, NP Clinical Program Manager and Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland Medical Center, as representative for practicing nurses; Ms. Ellen Ceppetelli, Director of Nursing Education at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (NH), as the representative for professional consumers; and Dr. Carl Middleton, Vice President at Catholic Health Initiatives (CO), representative of Public Consumers. CCNE Nominating Committee members for 2010 include Dr. Joanne Singleton (chair), Pace University (NY); Dr. Beverly Foster, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (NC); Barbara Higgins, Husson College (ME); Dr. Judith Karshmer, University of San Francisco (CA); and Dr. Pamela Simmons, Northwestern State University of Louisiana (LA). More information about the election results will be available at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/accreditation/. 6. NIH HOSTS WEBINAR FOR GENETICS/GENOMICS FACULTY CHAMPIONS Healthcare interventions are being influenced by the unprecedented work elucidating the genetic/genomic basis of health, illness, disease risk, and treatment response. As such, new knowledge being gained about genetics and genomics influences the entire health care continuum and the profession of nursing. On September 25 from 8am-3pm EST, National Institutes of Health (NIH) will host the Genetic/Genomic Faculty Champion Workshop, which is being held via webinar and will cover:
Participants will learn more about the Essential Nursing Competencies and Curricula Guidelines for Genetics and Genomics, which were established by consensus in 2005 and form the basis for the genetic and genomic content integrated into the revised AACN Baccalaureate Essentials. Information about the meeting including the agenda, speakers and how to access the webinar can be found at: http://web.ncifcrf.gov/events/facultychampion/default.asp. The webinar will be limited to the first 500 participants. This program is sponsored by the Bureau of Nursing of the Health Resources Services Administration, the National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, and the National Cancer Institute, NIH. 7. CALL FOR ABSTRACTS ISSUED FOR 2010 CNL SUMMIT Building on the success of last year’s event, the next Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) Summit is planned for January 21-23, 2010 at the Town and Country Resort and Convention Center in San Diego, CA. AACN is currently seeking abstracts that illustrates programs, courses, initiatives, case studies, or evaluation findings that showcase the impact of the CNL on outcomes of care. The planning committee is particularly interested in abstracts and case studies that demonstrate the impact the CNL is making on patient outcomes in practice at the microsystems level as well as the role of the CNL in a time of major healthcare reform. Other suggested topics include: CNL-led practice innovations, linking the CNL to major national quality and safety initiatives, making the business case, sustaining the CNL in the healthcare system, the CNL role in diverse clinical settings, CNL curriculum models, and evaluating the CNL impact in education and practice. For complete details on submitting an abstract, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Conferences/10CNL.htm. Please direct questions to Horacio Oliveira, CNL Project Coordinator, at holiveir@aacn.nche.edu or 202-463-6930, ext.250. 8. BECOME A CNL CERTIFICATION EXAM ITEM WRITER The Commission on Nurse Certification (CNC) is seeking volunteers to serve as item writers in 2010. As an item writer, you will develop test questions for the multiple choice or simulation sections of the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) Certification Examination. All item writers will be trained to write items and collaborate with Applied Measurement Professionals, Inc. (AMP), the contracted testing agency for the certification exam. Item writers must adhere to the guidelines provided by AMP, make every effort to meet all deadlines, update existing items as assigned, and participate in scheduled meetings. Multiple choice item writers are expected to meet with testing experts via conference calls and the internet, and write a minimum of 10 items. Simulation item writers are expected to participate in a face-to-face meeting in June or July at AMP headquarters in Kansas (expenses paid), and write one simulation item. For more information on becoming an item writer, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/CNC/itemwriter.html. 9. NEW QSEN EDUCATION CONSORTIUM SECTION ADDED TO THE WEB AACN is pleased to announce that new information is now available on the AACN Web site detailing Phase III of the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) initiative funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Earlier this year, AACN announced that the Foundation had awarded the organization $2.45 million to support the third phase of QSEN, which entails launching a national initiative to better prepare nurse faculty to teach quality and safety content. Faculty are invited to visit http://www.aacn.nche.edu/qsenec to learn more about this train-the-trainer project that is modeled after successful programs launched in the areas of geriatric nursing and end-of-life care. More details about upcoming faculty development institutes will be posted online this fall. 10. FEEDBACK NEEDED ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH COMPETENCY SURVEY The West Virginia Rural Health Research Center is conducting a study to develop and validate an environmental health competency guide for rural primary care providers. Working with a group of experts, the center has developed a draft list of core environmental health competencies needed in order for primary care providers to offer sound health care in rural communities. The next step is to evaluate the competencies for content validity, completeness, and clarity. Project leaders are seeking feedback on the draft competency list from environmental health, public health, primary care, rural health, and other stakeholders. The survey will take approximately 20-25 minutes to complete and is completely anonymous. See http://wvrhrc.hsc.wvu.edu/survey. Please feel free to pass along this link to colleagues who should also provide their feedback. Contact Matthew Armistead if you encounter any technical issues with the survey: marmistead@hsc.wvu.edu. For more information about the West Virginia Rural Health Research Center, visit http://wvrhrc.hsc.wvu.edu or call 304-347-1348. 11. REGISTER NOW FOR UPCOMING AACN CONFERENCES THIS FALL The Baccalaureate Education Conference will be held November 19-21, 2009 at the Westin Chicago River North, Chicago, IL. The theme is Quality in Health Care: Changing the Culture Through Baccalaureate Nursing Education. This annual conference offers undergraduate faculty a forum to explore issues of particular interest and share ideas and successful strategies with colleagues. This year’s conference emphasizes quality and safety in patient care and how baccalaureate education makes a difference in patient outcomes. Plenary and concurrent sessions address issues of particular importance to nurse educators in the current climate of quality and showcase numerous national speakers. Abstract and poster presentations enable discussion in smaller groups. The deadline for abstract submissions is September 25. The hotel cutoff is October 27, and the deadline for early conference registration is November 7. For conference details and registration information, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/conferences/09Bacc.htm. The fall Executive Development Series (EDS) will be offered at the Westin Chicago River North, Chicago, IL, on November 18-19, 2009, immediately preceding the Baccalaureate Conference. The popular EDS is designed for new and aspiring academic leaders as well as for faculty members who want to improve their leadership skills for a variety of positions within the nursing academic unit. This year’s theme is Administering Complex Academic Organizations, and topics include self-assessment of leadership and coaching skills; the use of systems theory in identifying and resolving organizational issues; strategies for collaborating and partnering to advance the nursing program; practical budget management approaches; and guidelines for faculty personnel management challenges. The interactive nature of the conference offers opportunities for academic leaders to think about challenges in new ways and seek solutions with colleagues. The EDS and Baccalaureate Education Conference are held consecutively, enabling participants to attend both events. For conference details and registration information, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/conferences/09Bacc.htm. 12. SPECIAL CONFERENCE DISCOUNT AVAILABLE TO AACN MEMBERS In an effort to be responsive to schools of nursing during these tough economic times, AACN is pleased to offer a reduced rate on conferences taking place in FY 2010 (July 2009-June 2010). Representatives from AACN member institutions will receive a deep discount on our regular conference fees ($399) when signing up in advance for at least three conferences. Through this offer, schools would pay $999 to register for three AACN conferences in advance. Signing up early for additional conferences would be at the reduced rate of $359 per conference. Schools wishing to pursue this offer do not need to identify the registrant for each conference in advance. That information can be sent to AACN closer to the time of the conferences. Members wishing to take advantage of this offer must complete the form found online at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Conferences and return it to AACN by September 30, 2009. The discount is not available through online registration. Please direct any questions about this opportunity to AACN Conference Coordinator Erica Turner at eturner@aacn.nche.edu. 13. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ANNOUNCES WORKFORCE GRANTS In July, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced that $220 million in competitive grant funds are available to prepare individuals for careers in health care and other high-growth fields. As a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, this funding will be available to nursing, allied health, long-term care, and health information technology. Approximately $25 million of the funds will be awarded to projects serving communities impacted by automotive industry restructuring. The Department of Labor intends to fund 45-65 grants ranging from approximately $2 million to $5 million. Specifically, for nursing education institutions, the DOL “is interested in academic strategies that help incumbent workers advance from an ADN to the bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) since many RNs with an ADN find it beneficial to enter bachelor’s programs to prepare for a broader scope of nursing practice.” The application deadline is October 5, 2009. For more information, see http://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm. 14. REGIONAL MEETINGS SET FOR THE MASTER’S ESSENTIALS AACN’s Task Force on The Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing is moving forward with its charge to develop a document that delineates the outcomes that should be acquired upon graduation from a master’s-level nursing program. 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. For more details, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/regionalmeetings.htm. 15. WATCH FOR AACN’S ANNUAL SURVEY IN SEPTEMBER The 2009 AACN Annual Survey of institutions with baccalaureate and higher degree nursing programs will commence on September 8 and close Friday, October 30. Information collected from the survey will be incorporated into the nation's premier database on trends in nursing school enrollments and graduations; student and faculty demographics; and faculty and deans' salaries. Participation in this survey is vital to AACN's mission to advance professional nursing education, research, and practice. We appreciate the effort required to complete the Annual Survey; and we will provide participating schools with free copies of the data reports to which they contribute information. All nursing programs affiliated with the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) are reminded to complete the survey to satisfy CCNE's annual reporting requirement. If your school does not receive the survey materials, please contact Christine Tracy, AACN's Research and Data Coordinator, at ctracy@aacn.nche.edu. 16. AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY OFFERS NURSING SCHOLARSHIPS The American Cancer Society, the largest not-for-profit funding source for cancer research and training, is pleased to invite applications from graduate nursing students for the following programs:
For more information, contact Program Director Virginia Krawiec at 404-329-7612 or Ginger.Krawiec@cancer.org. For a full description of all American Cancer Society funding opportunities, see http://www.cancer.org/research. 17. LATEST AFTERCOLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP WINNER ANNOUNCED AACN is pleased to announce the latest recipients of the AfterCollege-AACN Scholarship, which was created to support students seeking baccalaureate and graduate degrees in nursing. All four students have expressed an interest in giving back to the profession as nurse educators, and all are poised to be future nurse leaders. Please join us in congratulating the following scholarship recipients:
For more details on this scholarship, see http://go.aftercollege.com/events/AACN/2006/index.cfm. 18. TWO ELNEC CONFERENCES STILL ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS IN 2009 Mark your calendars! Faculty interested in enhancing their expertise in end-of-life nursing care are invited to join us for one of the two remaining ELNEC train-the-trainer courses this year. Though space is limited, seats are still available in upcoming programs, including ELNEC-Critical Care in Washington, DC on October 23-24; and ELNEC-Pediatric Palliative Care in Memphis,TN on October 16-17. For more information and/or to register for these courses, visit http://www.aacn.nche.edu/ELNEC. 19. AACN ISSUES A CALL FOR NOMINATIONS AACN's Nominating Committee has issued a Call for Nominations for candidates to fill five Board seats and two committee vacancies. The committee will choose the slate of candidates at the 2009 Fall Semiannual Meeting based on nominations and the committee's deliberations. The positions under consideration are President-Elect, Secretary, Board Member-at-Large (3 vacancies), and Nominating Committee (2 vacancies). Nominations must be received by October 30, 2009. For complete details, see http://www.aacn.nche.edu/MemberServices/CallforNominations.htm. 20. 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.
21. MEMBER NEWS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND AWARDS
22. AACN OUTREACH AND ADVOCACY UPDATE On August 20, GA staff participated on a call with Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education and Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services, to discuss the roles academic institutions including schools of nursing will have in preparing campuses for the H1N1 flu season. Information and resources for schools and students preparing for this year’s flu season can be found at http://www.flu.gov and http://www.ed.gov/index.html. Earlier this month, government affairs staff launched AACN’s Policy Beat, a monthly e-newsletter covering the latest information on nursing education and research policy. The first edition focused on healthcare reform; the Medicare Graduate Nursing Education Program, and Title VIII Appropriations. It can be viewed at http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Government/npb/09Aug.pdf. This newsletter will be distributed at the middle of the month through Capwiz, and will contain information that is valuable to AACN members, including faculty and students. Please encourage your students and faculty to sign up for this publication by joining our grassroots network here: http://capwiz.com/aacn/mlm/signup. 23. OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES TO CONSIDER
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