The Official Publication of the Colorado Nurses Association Quarterly circulation approximately 67,000 to all RNs, LPNs, and Student Nurses in Colorado Volume 112 • No. 3 August 2012 American Nurses Association Executive Director’s Column House of Delegates Approves Organizational Transformation Colorado Appeals Court Rules in Changes aimed at streamlining governance Support of Governor’s Opt Out and enhancing policy development Fran Ricker, RN, MSN SILVER SPRING, MD–Nurses participating in the American Nurses Association’s House of Delegates (HOD) took action to update and streamline Colorado Nurses Association and the Colorado governance of the association to more quickly address pressing issues and Association of Nurse Anesthetists were elated in July better meet the needs of nurses. These decisions represent significant change following a critical ruling by the Colorado Court of in the association’s governance structure. Appeals. Both nursing organizations had participated During the HOD sessions held on June 15 and 16 in National Harbor, as interveners in the critical lawsuit regarding Md., about 450 voting delegates from ANA’s constituent and state nurses physician supervision of CRNA’s under Medicare’s associations (C/SNAs) and Individual Member Division (IMD) approved Conditions of Participation. Colorado Hospital several measures that reflect the association’s focus on updating its Association also was an intervener aligning to support governance structure and processes. These measures are part of a larger and the Opt Out. continuing effort to position ANA and its C/SNAs to serve members and the On July 19, 2011 the Colorado Court of Appeals profession at large. Changes will go into effect at various times. announced its decision in the case of Colorado National and state association leaders have been engaged in extensive Medical Society vs. Hickenlooper that delivery of dialogue for months about how to streamline policy development processes, anesthesia by a CRNA without physician supervision Fran Ricker clarify ANA’s purposes and functions, simplify governance, and revise is acceptable under Colorado law. This pertains to ANA’s current membership model as well as how to better integrate state and Medicare requirements, which do allow the state Governor to “opt/out” of national operations. the requirement after consultation with the state boards of medicine and “I applaud the wisdom and leadership of the House,” said ANA President nursing. Karen A. Daley, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN, who was elected to her second term Opposing parties in the lawsuit against the Governor were Colorado during the meeting. “The transformational changes approved by the House Medical Society and Colorado Society of Anesthesiologists. demonstrate the strong commitment of a broad coalition of leaders who came _______________________________________________________________________ together with unity of purpose and a focus on serving members and the profession,” she said. The following summary authorized by CNA Legal Counsel, Linda Siderius “These changes are aimed at creating a preferred future for ANA and provides the case overview: charting a new course that will make ANA a stronger advocate for registered nurses and create an organization that is relevant and responsive to Ambulatory surgical centers, hospitals, and critical access hospitals members,” said Daley. must fulfill certain conditions of participation to receive Medicare reimbursement. One specific condition is that certified registered During the HOD meeting, nurse delegates voted to: nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) must be supervised by a physician when • Retire the House of Delegates, Congress on Nursing Practice and administering anesthesia. However, a state may choose to opt out of this Economics, and the Constituent Assembly and replace them with a particular physician supervision requirement if the Governor of the state Membership Assembly and Professional Issues Panels: Comprised of so chooses. On September 27, 2010 former Governor Bill Ritter, Jr. exercised representatives from ANA’s constituent and state nurses associations, the opt-out, allowing CRNAs to administer anesthesia without physician its organizational affiliates, and the IMD, the new Membership supervision for all critical access hospitals in Colorado and fourteen Assembly will serve as ANA’s governing and voting body. The specifically identified rural general hospitals. Assembly will elect, advise, and direct the ANA Board of Directors In Colorado v. Hickenlooper, the key issue in the case was whether on emerging environmental trends as well as determine policy and Colorado law allowed Governor Ritter to opt out of this specific positions for the association. The new body will meet annually as requirement, and allow CRNAs to administer anesthesia without physician opposed to the previous biennial HOD meeting schedule. Nurse Executive Director continued on page 8 American Nurses Association continued on page 4 Presort Standard US Postage INDEX PAID Permit #14 Princeton, MN Executive Director’s Column ............. 1 2012 Colorado Nurses Convention ....... 6-7 current resident or 55371 Colorado Nurse’s Association President ..... 2 2012 Convention Delegate Report .......... 8 The Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Clinical RNs Lead Quality Improvement .... 9 American Association for Men in District & Committee Reports ......... 10-15 Nursing (RMAAMN) .................. 3 In Memory ........................... 16 Colorado State Board of Nursing ........... 4 Membership Applications ............ 17-18 Nurses as Leaders: Needed Now More Than Ever! ........................... 5 Page 2 • Colorado Nurse August, September, October 2012 Colorado Nurses Association President... Colorado Nurse Mary M. Ciambelli during the Constituent Assembly and House Official Publication of Delegates and her work continues to evolve. COLORADO NURSE (ISSN-8750-846X) is published 4 times I hope this issue of She will be communicating the various future annually, February, May, August, and November, by the Arthur L. the Colorado Nurse finds operational changes at the Colorado Nurses Davis Publishing Agency, Inc. for the Colorado Nurses Association, you healthy, happy and Association to our membership as they unfold. 2170 South Parker Road, Suite 145, Denver, CO 80231, a constituent member of the American Nurses Association. safe from wildfires. As I I also wish to thank my fellow volunteer elected write this article in June, Subscription may be purchased for $20 per year, $35/2 years, $25 leaders who were members and alternate members per year for foreign addresses. the air is full of smoke, of the 2012 Colorado delegation: Phyllis Graham For advertising rates and information, please contact Arthur L. Davis anxiety, grief and hope. Dickerson, Alma Jackson, Carole Mutzebaugh, Publishing Agency, Inc., 517 Washington Street, PO Box 216, Cedar Many of us are currently Pam Spry, Paula Stearns, Tanya Tanner and Falls, Iowa 50613, (800) 626-4081, [email protected]. CNA and the facing the threat of Eve Hoygaard. They fulfilled their duties with Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc. reserve the right to reject multiple losses-homes, thoughtfulness, professionalism, and a sense any advertisement. Responsibility for errors in advertising is limited to corrections in the next issue or refund of price of advertisement. family, neighbors, beloved of humor. Carol O’Meara (current secretary of pets, working animals, Acceptance of advertising does not imply endorsement or approval Mary Ciambelli the Board of Directors) is the Chair of the ANA by the Colorado Nurses Association of products advertised, the wildlife, and the beautiful Bylaws Committee and presided over countless advertisers, or the claims made. Rejection of an advertisement does environment that we love. For those who have hours of committee meetings, hearings and large not imply a product offered for advertising is without merit, or that suffered personal losses during the 2012 fire portions of the House of Delegates. Carol’s efforts the manufacturer lacks integrity, or that this association disapproves of the product or its use. CNA and the Arthur L. 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I believe of the Governmental Affairs and Public Policy in this publication express the opinions of the authors; they do not that we will become stronger, wiser, and more committee was present performing duties for necessarily reflect views of the staff, board, or membership of CNA or those of the national or local associations. compassionate as we cope with these personal and the ANA-PAC (Political Action Committee) and Material is copyrighted 2012 by the Colorado Nurses Association environmental crises. being an official observer of the proceedings. and may not be reprinted without written permission from CNA. This column is the second in a series of three Finally, I want to acknowledge all past presidents, Editor: Kasey Grohe, MS, RN, CNE reflecting on the 2012 Nurses Week theme former delegates, and former executive directors Consulting Editor: Fran Ricker, MSN, RN of advocating, leading, and caring. I find it who have participated in past American Nurses particularly appropriate