West Virginia Nurse
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
WEST VIRGINIA NURSE “Nurses working together for a healthy West Virginia” The official publication of the West Virginia Nurses Association Quarterly publication distributed to approximately 19,600 RNs & LPNs in West Virginia. April, May, June 2020 Volume 23 • No. 2 Inside: PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Executive Director’s Message ......... 2 Greetings Colleagues, been measured) and to report on a yearly basis actual daily Conferences and Meetings ........... 4 The World Health nurse-to-patient assignments with acuity being measured. Organization (WHO) has The data will be studied in order to better understand the Chad Hott, DNP, APRN, Recognized designated 2020 as the “Year nursing shortage and what can be done to help correct the with AANP Award ............... 5 of the Nurse and Midwife” in problem. Call for Applicants to Serve on the WV order to “advance nurses’ and The bill was introduced in both the House of Delegates Board of Examiners for Registered midwives’ vital position in and the Senate. It was assigned to committees in both transforming healthcare around chambers. However, despite all our work, it was not added Professional Nurses ............... 5 the world.” YNM also honors the to an agenda. Future of Nursing WV Update ......... 6 200th anniversary of Florence WV Center for Nursing 2020-2021 Nightingale’s birth. What’s Next for the Bill? Scholarship Application Due Dates .. 7 The WHO recognizes Joyce Wilson We met with legislators as well as with the WV Hospital midwives as crucial elements Association. We changed some of the language of the bill Call for WVNA Board Nominations . 8 in maternal and infant care, a key link in addressing in order to address some of their concerns, but the session AANP Advocate State Award for preventable and unacceptably high maternal and infant ended before the bill could make it onto the floor for a vote. Excellence ................... 8 death rates in some countries. The legislative process is almost always tedious, and Membership Application ......... 9 In the U.S., the ANA has designated 2020 as The Year of it takes time and energy. Our bill did not become law this the Nurse, which includes all nurses: including staff nurses, year, but we still consider our efforts a success. We have Membership Update ............. 9 APRNs, nurse executives, and nurse educators. You can visit investigated the concerns that were raised, and have new 2020 WVNA Policy Day https://anayearofthenurse.org/ for more info. information going forward that will make the next version Poster Presentations ........ 10-11 In 1877, Florence Nightingale wrote, “May your new year of this bill stronger. We have raised awareness to the Highlights from WVNA’s 2020 be a year of progress.” She was talking about advances problem of the nursing shortage, and we know that we can in nurses’ training and education. It’s fun and interesting find a solution. Policy Summit ............... 11 to look back and see what nursing used to be like. It’s also We have developed a plan to continue working on this WVNA Legislative and exciting to see how far we have come. Thanks to Florence’s important legislation during the interim legislative session. Policy Leaders, part 2 ......... 12 vision and understanding that knowledge is power, nursing We are planning to meet with – and gain support from – has become a profession of highly trained and educated 43 Years in the NICU ................ 12 other nursing organizations. We also plan to meet with the leaders in health care. WV Hospital Association again. Transitions: From Student to Not only do we care for the sick and their families, we When it passes, this legislation will empower bedside Politically Active Nurse ......... 13 educate the public and promote healthy lifestyles. We also nurses – our nursing colleagues who make up our majority Legislative Update ................. 14 help to write policy that guides our practice. of nurses – to make decisions on behalf of their patients. It Four Nurses Running for Office in will give them the support they need to stay in the job they Legislative Season love and were called to do. West Virginia ................... 14 The WVNA was very involved in the 2020 West Virginia What I’ve Learned About legislative session from January to March. We followed WVNA, WVN-PAC, and the Political Process Nurse Advocacy ................ 15 several health-related bills, wrote letters of support for Over the years of working with legislators, WVNA some, opposed some, or remained neutral. has gained respect and a good reputation through grit, Most of our energy was spent on a bill that we wrote, steadfastness, and professionalism. Legislators often reach “The Patient Safety and Transparency Act,” HB 4799/SB 715. out to us for advice on bills pertaining to health care. (HB = House Bill; SB = Senate Bill.) The bill’s lead sponsor This is an election year, and after the primary in May, the was House of Delegates Majority Leader Amy Summers, RN; WVN-PAC will begin its work of candidate endorsement. the other sponsors were delegates Joe Ellington, MD; Tom We need your help in this area. First, if you are not a Fast; Barbara Fleischauer; and Assistant Majority Whip Dean member of WVN-PAC, please consider becoming a Jeffries. member. The cost is $25/year. The purpose of the bill is to give bedside nurses You can send your $25 check to: WVN-PAC, PO Box Presort Standard a voice in the way patient assignments are made. US Postage 213, Scott Depot, WV 25560 Assignment committees would be formed in each Each WV House of Delegates and each WV Senate PAID hospital. 51% of the committee membership would Permit #14 candidate who wins in the primary election will be sent Princeton, MN be made up of bedside nurses. Assignments would a questionnaire to fill out and return. The WVN-PAC current resident or 55371 be made according to acuity in order to make committee then reviews all of them to decide who we will patients and nurses safer. support. Some will be asked to give an interview. The bill also assures that nurses would be If there is a candidate in your district that you feel properly trained to a unit before being assigned to would be an advocate for nursing, please let us know. We work there. can reach out to them and encourage them to fill out the Finally, the bill requires hospitals to post daily questionnaire and possibly do an interview with them. projected nurse-to-patient ratios (after acuity has President’s Message continued on page 3 Page 2 West Virginia Nurse April, May, June 2020 Executive Director’s Message Add your VOICE with membership: West Virginia Nurse Official Publication of the WVNA is the professional nurses’ West Virginia Nurses Association association in West Virginia P.O. Box 1946 | Charleston, WV 25327 Phone: 866.986.8773 or 866.WVNURSE Email: [email protected] Julie Huron, BSH, LNHA / Executive Director Announcing the New WVNA Nursing Conference Keeping with 2020 as the Year of the Nurse, this Webpage: www.wvnurses.org There’s something special is the year that WVNA will change format and begin that happens at our WVNA hosting two nursing events each year. This fall we Published quarterly every January, April, July and October for the West Policy Day event every year, will kick off the WVNA Nursing Conference on Oct 1 Virginia Nurses Association, a constituent member of the American and I love it! It is an event for and 2 at Canaan Valley Resort and Conference Center Nurses Association. nurses to re-connect, to meet in Davis, WV. October is a great time to visit Canaan The opinions contained herein are those of the individual authors and do new members, and to meet Valley, and we are going to continue the discussion not necessarily reflect the views of the Association. future nurses. Nurses get the on Working Together for a Healthy Workplace. chance to have breakfast with Our Membership Assembly will take place the day WV Nurse reserves the right to edit all materials to its style and space requirements and to clarify presentations. our West Virginia legislators. prior, on September 30, 2020 from 1 pm – 5 pm, But something more is and we hope you stay over and attend our Nursing WVNA Mission Statement inspiring me this year. Conference. The mission of WVNA is to empower the diverse voice of nurses in all At the Nursing Conference, you can get your settings toward unified focus of nursing knowledge, skill, and ability to Julie A. Huron promote the health & well-being of all West Virginians, through education, Nurses Running for Office needed CE before the end of October when you legislation, and health policy. As 2020 is the Year of the Nurse with the American renew your nursing license, and have a great time Nurses Association (the World Health Organization catching up with your nursing friends. Registration WVNA Executive Board has titled it the Year of the Nurse and Midwife – and and Sponsor / Exhibitor rates are also available on our President: Joyce Wilson [email protected] President-Elect: Vacant position we appreciate our WV midwives so much), it is also website, and the room rates are great at $93/night. Vice President: Lori McComas Chaffins [email protected] the year that we have four nurses running for office The event registration link is WVNA 2020 Nursing Treasurer: Brenda Keefer [email protected] in West Virginia! I think this is fantastic! The WVN- Conference, or see our website. Bring your family and Secretary: Jon H. Casto [email protected] PAC hosted a legislative breakfast at the WVNA Policy join us in the beautiful mountains of West Virginia Immediate Past President: Toni DiChiacchio [email protected] Summit, and we held a panel discussion with the during the fall colors! District Leader Representative: nurses running for office.