“Nursing is viewed as the most trusted and caring profession,” said PSNA Chief Executive Officer Betsy M. Snook, MEd, BSN, RN.  “Yet nurse-on-nurse bullying is a reality. Not only does it affect morale and professional self-esteem, but it jeopardizes patient care. Dr. Dellasega’s session ‘Spite in White’ equips nurses with tools to recognize relational aggression and promote change.”

For more than 25 years, Dr. Dellasega has been working as a researcher, counselor, teacher and nurse practitioner. She is the author of six books including When Nurses Hurt Nurses, a book about recognizing and overcoming the cycle of bullying. As a professor of humanities in the College of Medicine and professor of women’s studies at The Pennsylvania State University, Dr. Dellasega is actively involved in medical education, conducts research on psychosocial issues and leads community outreach efforts. She has appeared as an expert on national and local television and radio shows and in print including: The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Gayle King Show, Redbook, The Philadelphia Inquirer and Girl Scout Leader.

This year’s Summit also features a series of continuing education sessions on issues ranging from standards of a healthy workplace, post-traumatic stress disorder and creating a respectful work environment.  Attendees can earn up to 5.7 contact hours from the Summit with additional contact hours awarded for the practice showcase.

Registration is now closed. Visit www.panurses.org/summit2013 for a schedule of events, session details and a DeSales campus map.

“Tavenner’s nursing expertise, along with her public and private sector experience, will enable her to continue providing the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) with the leadership needed to guide our health care system during this time of great change,” says ANA President Karen A. Daley, PhD, RN, FAAN. “CMS is an agency that touches the lives of all Americans, through the Medicare, Medicaid, and children’s health insurance programs and other vital functions. With this confirmation vote, CMS is getting a superb leader who understands the need to expand patient access to high quality health care.”

Tavenner joined CMS in February 2010 and became acting administrator in December 2011. Tavenner’s confirmation marks the first time CMS has had a permanent administrator since Mark McClellan resigned in 2006.

This bill now heads to the Governor’s desk where we expect him to sign it into law. Thank you to our members that wrote, called and advocated on behalf of this important piece of legislation.

The Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act of 2013 (H.R. 1821), crafted with input from ANA, has sponsors from both political parties who co-chair the House Nursing Caucus – Reps. David Joyce (R-OH) and Lois Capps (D-CA), a nurse.

“Nurse staffing has a direct impact on patient safety. We know that when there are appropriate nurse staffing levels, patient outcomes improve. Determining the appropriate number and mix of nursing staff is critical to the delivery of quality patient care,” said ANA President Karen A. Daley, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Federal legislation is necessary to increase protections for patients and ensure fair working conditions for nurses.”

Research has shown that higher staffing levels by experienced RNs are linked to lower rates of patient falls, infections, medication errors, and even death.

And when unanticipated events happen in a hospital resulting in patient death, injury, or permanent loss of function, inadequate nurse staffing often is cited as a contributing factor.

The bill would require hospitals to establish committees that would create unit-by-unit nurse staffing plans based on multiple factors, such as the number of patients on the unit, severity of the patients’ conditions, experience and skill level of the RNs, availability of support staff, and technological resources.

The safe staffing bill also would require hospitals that participate in Medicare to publicly report nurse staffing plans for each unit. It would place limits on the practice of “floating” nurses by ensuring that RNs are not forced to work on units if they lack the education and experience in that specialty. It also would hold hospitals accountable for safe nurse staffing by requiring the development of procedures for receiving and investigating complaints; allowing imposition of civil monetary penalties for knowing violations; and providing whistle-blower protections for those who file a complaint about staffing.

ANA backed a similar staffing bill in the last Congress. This version includes requirements that a hospital’s staffing committee be comprised of at least 55 percent direct care nurses or their representatives, and that the staffing plans must establish adjustable minimum nurse-to-patient ratios.

Additionally, ANA has advocated for safe staffing conditions for the nation’s RNs through the development and updating of ANA’s Principles for Nurse Staffing, and implementation of a national nursing quality database program that correlates staffing to patient outcomes.

To date, seven states have passed nurse safe staffing legislation that closely resembles ANA’s recommended approach to ensure safe staffing, utilizing a hospital-wide staffing committee in which direct care nurses have a voice in creating the appropriate staffing levels. Those states are Connecticut, Illinois, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, and Washington.

For more information on ANA’s safe staffing legislative efforts, please visit www.RNAction.org.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) announced that Pennsylvania will be one of only 20 states to be part of a new $3 million initiative, the Future of Nursing State Implementation Program. The program is designed to help states prepare the nursing profession to address our nation’s most pressing health care challenges — access, quality and cost.

The program bolsters efforts already underway in 50 states and the District of Columbia — the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action — to transform health care through nursing and meet the challenges stemming from an aging and more diverse population. A joint initiative of AARP and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Campaign for Action is working to implement the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) evidence-based recommendations on the future of nursing. The Campaign provides a voice and a vehicle for nurses at all levels to lead system change to improve care for patients and families by collaborating with business, consumer, and other health professional organizations.

“This grant is designed to spur progress in Pennsylvania, which already is doing impressive work to transform nursing education, practice and leadership,” said Susan B. Hassmiller, PhD, RN, FAAN, RWJF senior adviser for nursing and director of the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action. “The Foundation is committed to helping states build a more highly educated, diverse nursing workforce that will improve health outcomes for patients, families, and communities.”

The initiative will provide two-year grants of up to $150,000 to 20 state-based Action Coalitions that have developed or made substantial progress toward implementing the IOM recommendations. The grant also calls for states to obtain matching funds. Grants were announced today in 19 other states:

Colorado

Connecticut

“Our focus on meaningful outcomes that will truly transform health care in Pennsylvania was a key factor in being selected,” said Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA) Chief Executive Officer Betsy M. Snook, MEd, BSN, RN.  “We are part of a powerful movement working to shape the future of health care for all Americans. The Pennsylvania Action Coalition is grateful for this support, which will strengthen our work.”

PSNA noted that the Pennsylvania Action Coalition plans to focus on strengthening baccalaureate nursing education, identifying articulation mechanisms for registered nurses to advance in their education, enhancing the racial/ethnic and gender diversity of the nursing workforce, and developing a nursing workforce database.

The Center to Champion Nursing in America (CCNA), an initiative of AARP, the AARP Foundation and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, serves as the national program office for the Future of Nursing State Implementation Program.

“This new program will help Action Coalitions get the strategic and technical support required to advance their goals,” said Susan Reinhard, PhD, RN, FAAN, senior vice president of the AARP Public Policy Institute and CCNA chief strategist. “Our hope is that with this support, Pennsylvania will be even more effective in improving health outcomes for patients, families, and communities.”

About the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action: The Pennsylvania Action Coalition is part of the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action, a joint initiative of AARP and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), working to implement the Institute of Medicine’s evidence-based recommendations on the future of nursing. The Campaign includes Action Coalitions in 50 states and the District of Columbia and a wide range of health care professionals, consumer advocates, policy-makers, and the business, academic, and philanthropic communities. The Center to Champion Nursing in America, an initiative of AARP, the AARP Foundation and RWJF, serves as the coordinating entity for the Campaign, as well as the national program office for the Future of Nursing State Implementation Program. Learn more at www.campaignforaction.org.

About the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health care issues facing our country. As the nation’s largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to health and health care, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, measurable, and timely change. For 40 years the Foundation has brought experience, commitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those it serves. When it comes to helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, the Foundation expects to make a difference in your lifetime. Follow the Foundation on Twitter (www.rwjf.org/twitter) or Facebook (www.rwjf.org/facebook).

About AARP: AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment security and retirement planning. We advocate for consumers in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world’s largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP VIVA, a bilingual news source.  AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates.  The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org. 

About PSNA: The Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA) is the non-profit voice for nurses in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Representing more than 209,000 nurses, the Association works to be essential in advancing, promoting and supporting the profession of nursing to improve health for all in the Commonwealth. PSNA is a constituent member of the American Nurses Association. www.panurses.org

The PSNA New to Practice Task Force is a group designed to ease the transition of nursing students into professional practice and to serve as the premiere interactive professional resource for RNs practicing nursing for less than five years. It is a venue for the exchange of ideas and to provide information on professional development, education and workplace issues.

“PSNA is committed to meeting the professional needs of nurses in Pennsylvania and we invite graduating nursing students to participate in this valuable NCLEX presentation,” stated PSNA Chief Executive Officer Betsy M. Snook, MEd, BSN, RN. “We believe the PSNA New to Practice Task Force is just one more way that we can support the professional development of the nurses in our Commonwealth.”

The NCLEX review session will be presented by Kaplan Nursing. This year’s Summit also features a series of continuing education sessions on issues ranging from nurse-on-nurse bullying, innovative treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder, standards of a healthy workplace and creating a respectful work environment.  Attendees can earn up to 5.7 contact hours from the Summit with additional contact hours awarded for the practice showcase.

Please visit www.panurses.org/summit2013 for a schedule of events, session details and to register.

“Safe staffing legislation ensures that nurses and administrators collaborate to determine the appropriate nurse staffing levels on a given hospital unit without mandating specific ratios,” said Betsy M. Snook, MEd, BSN, RN. “Challenges of a growing nursing shortage have resulted in fewer nurses who are working longer hours and caring for sicker patients. This legislation is simple commonsense.”

In addition, PSNA awarded “Standing With Nurses” white lab coats to Representative Jim Cox (R-129) and Representative Pamela DeLissio (D-194) for actively supporting nurses during their tenure in the legislature.

PTSD is a prevalent, disabling anxiety disorder. This presentation will discuss a new exposure-based therapy known as accelerated resolution therapy (ART) that incorporates use of eye movements administered in a brief treatment period. ART is designed to minimize anxiety and body sensations associated with recall of traumatic memories, and to replace distressing images with favorable ones.

“PTSD is an epidemic in our country and nurses must prepare themselves to recognize and treat patients suffering from this disorder,” said PSNA Chief Executive Officer Betsy M. Snook, MEd, BSN, RN. “This session offers an alternative to traditional PTSD treatments such as lengthy therapy sessions or extended use of prescription medications.”

An advanced registered nurse practitioner for 16 years, Lt. Col. Rossiter received her undergraduate degree at the University of Alabama. Upon graduation she was commissioned in the United States Army Nurse Corps where she served on active duty for four years, including deployments to Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and to Central America. She currently serves in the U.S. Air Force (USAF) Reserves as an individual mobilization augmentee (IMA)  where she is the IMA to the USAF chief nurse and adjunct faculty at the Graduate School of Nursing at the Uniformed Service University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland – the nation’s only federal/military health science university. In her civilian role, she is a faculty member and coordinator of graduate nursing simulation at the University of South Florida College of Nursing. Rossiter also serves as the USF CON military liaison and was instrumental in the development of the “Introduction to Military and Veteran Health” course. 

This year’s Summit also features a series of continuing education sessions on issues ranging from nurse-on-nurse bullying, standards of a healthy workplace and creating a respectful work environment.  Attendees can earn up to 5.7 contact hours from the Summit with additional contact hours awarded for the practice showcase.

Online registration is now open with pricing available for PSNA members, non-members and nursing students. Please visit www.panurses.org/summit2013 for a schedule of events, session details and to register.

The Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA) is the non-profit voice for nurses in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Representing more than 208,000 nurses, the Association works to be essential in advancing, promoting and supporting the profession of nursing to improve health for all in the Commonwealth. PSNA is a constituent member of the American Nurses Association (www.panurses.org).