November 2012 Volume 21 • Number 4 Nevada RNFORMATION THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NEVADA NURSES ASSOCIATION www.nvnurses.org Free to All Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, & Nursing Students in Nevada: Quarterly Circulation 30,000 NEVADA NURSE CARRIES OLYMPIC TORCH Dr. Debra Toney, Las Vegas NNA member, was chosen to carry the Olympic torch! NNA LAUNCHES HEALTHY NURSE INITIATIVE The goal is to empower and motivate Nevada nurses to give priority to their own personal health, safety, and wellness. Nurses Campaign Activity Night Page 6 Focus this issue: The 2012 NNA Legislative Candidate Presort Standard US Postage PAID Questionnaire is presented, along Permit #14 Princeton, MN current resident or 55371 with articles about nurses becoming involved in the political process. Page 2 • Nevada RNformation November, December 2012, January 2013 NNA Mission Statement Editorial Board The Nevada Nurses Association promotes professional nursing practice through continuing education, community service, nursing leadership, and Editor: Margaret Curley, RN, BSN [email protected] legislative activities to advocate for improved health and high quality health care for citizens of Nevada. John Buehler Garcia, RN, BSN Kaylene Opperman, BA, BSN, CLNC Eliza J. Fountain, RN, BSN Betty Razor, RN, BSN, CWOCN NNA State Board of Directors Wallace J. Henkelman, Ed.D, MSN, RN Denise Rowe, MSN, RN, FNP-C Mary Baker Mackenzie, MSN, RN Kathy Ryan, MSN, RN-BC Janice Muhammad RN, CNM, MS [email protected] . President John Malek, PhD, MSN, FNP-C Debra Toney, PhD, RN Scott Lamprecht, DNP, MSN, RN [email protected] . President-Elect Janice Muhammad, RN, CNM, MS Christy Apple Johnson Denise Ogletree-McGuinn, RN, MS, MEd, APN, PNP student member [email protected] . Vice-President Are you interested in submitting an article for publication Nicola Aaker, MSN, MPH, RN, CNOR, PHCNS-BC [email protected]. .Secretary in RNFormation? Please send it in a Word document to us Pam Johnson, RN, BSN [email protected]. Treasurer at [email protected]. Our Editorial Board will review Kathy Ryan, MSN, RN [email protected]. Director at Large the article and notify you whether it has been accepted for Mary Brann, DNP, MSN, RN [email protected] . .Director at Large publication. Articles for our next edition are due by September 1, Susan Growe, MSN/Ed, RN, OCN, [email protected]. Director at Large 2012. Sandy Olguin, MS, RN [email protected]. President, District 1 If you wish to contact the author of an article published in Elizabeth Fildes, EdD, RN, CNE, CARN-AP RNFormation, please email us and we will be happy to forward [email protected]. President, District 3 your comments. Betty Razor [email protected]. Legislative Co-Chair www.nvnurses.org Published by: Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc. For advertising rates and information, please contact Arthur L. CONTINUE Davis Publishing Agency, Inc., 517 Washington Street, PO Box 216, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613, (800) 626-4081, sales@aldpub. com. NNA and the Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc. THE CARE reserve the right to reject any advertisement. Responsibility for errors in advertising is limited to corrections in the next issue or refund of price of advertisement. DISCHARGED ISN’T THE Acceptance of advertising does not imply endorsement or approval by the Nevada Nurses Association of products advertised, the advertisers, or the claims made. Rejection LAST WORD. RECOVERY IS. of an advertisement does not imply a product offered for Kindred understands that when a patient is discharged from a advertising is without merit, or that the manufacturer lacks traditional hospital they often need post-acute care to recover integrity, or that this association disapproves of the product or completely. Every day we help guide patients to the proper care its use. NNA and the Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc. shall not be held liable for any consequences resulting from setting in order to improve the quality and cost of patient care, purchase or use of an advertiser’s product. Articles appearing and reduce re-hospitalization. in this publication express the opinions of the authors; they do not necessarily reflect views of the staff, board, or membership of NNA or those of the national or local associations. 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To apply visit our website at: www.nnmc.com or call Human Resources at 775.356.4085 for further information November, December 2012, January 2013 Nevada RNformation • Page 3 In this issue focus 5 NNA Legislative Committee in Action 7 6 Nurses CAN 10 NNA 2012 Candidate Questionnaire 14 Check It Out: Make Your Voice and Your Vote Count 14 What is Oral Chemo Parity? 16 Promoting Healthcare articles 7 Healthy Nevada Nurses Initiative 7 PTSD Apps Now Available 16 We Need a National Nurse for Public Health 17 Saint Mary’s Mission Outreach & HAWC Community Health Centers Partner 18 Prevention Important in Fight Against Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders professional practice 7 15 Baby Boomers and Hepatitis C 15 Registered Nurses as Care Coordinators student corner 19 Healthy Nurses, Healthy Nation 19 Transitioning from Student to RN….and Back Again 10 regular features 4 Message from President Janice Muhammad 8 District 1 President’s Report 8 District 3 President’s Report 9 Letter to the Editor NNA Member, Debra Toney, Carries Olympic Torch 6 Las Vegas nurse, Debra Toney, was honored for her achievements and lifetime of service to the people of Nevada and was given the opportunity to carry the Olympic Torch. She shares her experience with us. Page 4 • Nevada RNformation November, December 2012, January 2013 Message from the President Janice L. Muhammad, BSN, MS, RNC, CNM President, Nevada Nurses Association Dear Members and Colleagues, growth and financial success. In the most genuine way, I am honored to have served with you to Grant funding and revenue advance the profession of nursing. I have been fortunate to have served generating sources are key to with some amazing individuals in our state association. In this last message, sustaining needed programs. I humbly pass the baton and reflect on my last year in office. The Continuing Education As NNA President, developing relationships, increasing membership and and Professional Practice sustaining excellence in nursing, were central to my platform. As a presence, Committee is evolving as the NNA continues to build beneficial relationships with key stakeholders one of the key providers of throughout the state and its districts. Tracking data has shown dues paying continuing education. Web membership increase. Many refuse to settle for complacency, and seek platform updates will allow for ways to improve safety and quality in nursing practice and find inspiration a more agile offering of web- that fuels their passion for excellence. NNA involvement allows nurses based learning for the state opportunity to share their frustrations and dreams and realize what they required Bioterrorism training would like to achieve professionally. as well as other courses. There The times have been challenging, yet still hold promise. Transformation is excitement in the growing and ideas have emerged resulting in the necessity to change. The ANA interest to reactivate District House of Delegates was retired in June 2012, therefore the scope and role 4 which lies geographically in of a new governance model is coming forth. The Executive Board and Board the northeast region of the state. District 1 due north, and District 3 in of Directors have worked to provide leadership through strategic planning. the South each have dynamos as leaders working to bring value to their These dedicated officers and directors consistently consider ways to sustain constituents. The District’s programming, activities, and endeavors such as NNA’s future and relevancy. As change agents, the Board of Directors have the Initiative for the Future of Nursing and E-Mentoring project support the been committed to strive to increase what Member’s expect for value in profession in significant ways. return for their membership. Over the last two years, NNA has had several accomplishments. Autonomous practice is still an aim, yet gains towards the goal were Nonetheless, there is much more to achieve. I am optimistic that our state realized through collaborative efforts. The requirement for national association’s future is bright. The NNA is on the move! Yet the market certification as a validation of knowledge and expertise in advance practice penetration for NNA is improving at nearly 3 percent. Similar to other specialty areas was signed into law during the 2011 legislative session. The national organizations, NNA membership represents a small fraction of the statue will aid to ensure high quality care for Nevadans.