The Alaska Nurse - Vol. 58 No. 4 - November 2008

The Official Publication of the Alaska Nurses Association Circulation 10,000 to every Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse and Student Nurse in Alaska

Volume 58 • No. 4

November 2008

Nurses “Hold the Keys” to Improving Health of the Nation At the annual Alaska Statewide Nurses’ Conference October 10, 2008, keynote speaker Rhonda Richtsmeier, MN, RN, NEA-BC addressed nurses who gathered in Anchorage at the Captain Cook Hotel for the two day meeting. Ms. Richtmeier, Chief of Public Health Nursing for the State of Alaska, writes, “It was a wonderful conference with excellent, expert speakers addressing the issues of interpersonal violence, environmental health, and emergency preparedness. These are key issues, of particular importance to the health and safety of all Alaskans, and issues that we as nurses are confronted with no matter what our area of practice. Nursing is a great profession—in size, in scope, in vision, and in influence. Winston Churchill noted that, “The price of greatness is responsibility.” I truly believe that nurses hold the keys to improving the health of the nation, and that nurses have both the potential and the responsibility to have enormous impact on the transformation of health and healthcare in America. I ask each of you to think about those nuggets of new information or perspective you gained at the Conference and envision how you might join together with other nurses in your place of employment, your specialty area, your community, and across Alaska to take action to

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Alaska Nurse Practitioners Celebrate

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Going Organic

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Rhonda Richtsmeier, MN, RN, NEA-BC, Chief, Public Health Nursing, SOA, and Robert Wood Johnson Executive Nurse Fellow. positively impact these important health and safety issues. Imagine the influence we can have if Alaska’s nurses join together with one voice to advocate for and take action on issues such as these that impact all of us! “ Continued on page 3

Inside This Issue Holiday Greetings from the Executive Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Nurses in the News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Alaska Nurse Practitioners Celebrate . . . . . . . 6 General Assembly Makes Substantial Bylaws Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Going Organic

AaNA General Assembly Resolutions 2008 . . 8 August 2008 Nursing Graduates . . . . . . . . . . . 9

by Patricia M. Hogan BSN, RN Consider the foods you consumed today.

Were pesticides used in their production?

Did these foods promote health or were they detrimental to your health and the public’s health? Are you aware of the effects of pesticides may be having on our bodies, the bodies of infants, and our elders? Before I attended the 2008 State Public Health Nurse Conference, I really didn’t pay much attention to where my food was grown, who produced it, or if pesticides were used on the food. Generally, the main criterion for my food purchases was what I could get for the cheapest price. I was not aware of the benefits of organic foods available in Alaska.

Going Organic. What does that mean?

The words organic farming mean more than farming without the use of synthetic pesticides or genetically modified organisms.

Organic farming emphasizes a holistic farm management approach in which crop rotations and animals play an integral role to the system. The key characteristics of organic farming are:

Nures in the News

Patricia Hogan is a Public Health Nurse and President of the Board for Family Promise of Mat-Su, a program that provides housing for homeless families.

• long-term soil fertility through the management of organic matter; • slow-release nutrient sources such as composts and crop residues; • biological nutrient sources such as nitrogen ‘fixing’ crops; • cultural practices such as natural predators, crop rotations, and manual weed control; • avoiding highly intensive livestock production by ensuring animals have sufficient space to meet their needs; and • being mindful of off-farm impacts such as biodiversity and sedimentation.1 Continued on page 11

Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Letter to the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Membership Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

The AaNA Vision Empowering Alaska nurses to be dynamic leaders, powerful in both the health care and political communities.

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• Page 2 • Alaska Nurse

november 2008

Author Guidelines for the Alaska Nurse The editorial committee welcomes original articles for publication. Preference is given to nursing and health related topics in Alaska.

Authors are not required to be members of the Alaska Nurses Association.

Format and Submission Articles should be Word documents in 10 or 12 point font, single or double spaced.

There is currently no limit on the length of the article. Include the title of the article and headings if applicable. Author’s name should be placed after the title with credentials, organization/and or employer and contact information. Authors must identify potential conflicts of interest, whether of financial or other nature and identify any commercial affiliation if applicable.

All references should be listed at the end of the article. Pictures in black and white or color are encouraged and may be sent

as a jpg. file, as an email attachment or on disc. Photographs sent to the Alaska Nurse will become property of the AaNA. We hope that we will be sent copies, not originals and prefer emailed files. Photos should be provided with a caption and photo credit info and be high resolution. Be sure to spell check, grammar check and second check the article, any website addresses, references or phone numbers. It is recommended you have a colleague review your article before submission.

Prepare the article as a WORD document and attach it to an email to editor@aknurse. org. If you do not have WORD, try pasting the text of the article directly into the body of the email. You may also mail the article on disc to Editor, AK Nurse, Alaska Nurses Association, 3701 East Tudor Road Ste 208, Anchorage, AK 99507. If you have any questions email the Editor, Lynn Hartz at lhartz@alaska.com.

An official publication of the Alaska Nurses Association, 3701 East Tudor Rd., Ste. 208, Anchorage, AK 99507. Tel: 907/274-0827. Web site: www.aknurse.org. Published quarterly.

Materials may not be reproduced without written permission from the Editor. Views stated may not necessarily represent those of the Alaska Nurses Association.

Editor: Lynn E. Hartz, MSN, FNP lhartz@alaska.com AaNA Board of Directors President: Debbie Thompson BSN, RN Vice President: Nancy C. Davis, MSN, RN Secretary: Diana Robinson, RN Treasurer: Donna Phillips, BSN, RN

Holiday Greetings from the Executive Director Debbie Thompson, BSN Interim Executive Director Alaska Nurses Association In serving as the AaNA Interim Executive Director and Labor Program Director I have learned a lot about myself, have broadened my perspective about our Association, the programs that we offer, and I have grown in ways I have yet to fully understand. I am learning that nurses really can do anything that they set their minds to.

With determination and people around to help, we can and do change the way others feel and think.

One of the big goals for the Association at large was to increase our presence across the entire state. We have worked hard to get out to those areas outside of Anchorage and let the nurses know that we support them and rights to practice safely. We have worked hard to update our website and data processing systems and will be putting in a new system to collect our dues. It seems that we are changing by leaps and bounds.

As I look back on the last few months, I have to tell you that this Association has faced unexpected changes that none of us wanted.

In moving through this process of change in Executive Directors we have grown, strengthened our Association and our processes and have kept the good of the Association in front of us.

We were able to do the tough job of getting the business, the finances and our Association protected. Now we are on the road to growth and expansion. With the help many of you that have

helped these last few months, we will continue to move forward with a strong single voice speaking in unison for the safe patient care. We will again go to the legislature with our Banning Mandatory overtime Bill and push hard to reduce the long hours for all nurses. We will continue to make working conditions and wages for nurses the best they can be and represent nurses on a variety of fronts. As we move forward together, we will become the single strong voice that builds nursing into the powerhouse we know we can be.

Together, we continue to offer CEs, publish our newsletters, revamp and update our website. We have increased our presence in the political arena by increasing the number and types of nurses who attended our annual Nurse Fly-In to Juneau last February. It is our goal to have even more nurses present this year. We have increased the nursing presence with media spots and ads during nurses week. We are giving nurses a place where their needs come first. We will continue to encourage discussion of sensitive issues that are important to nurses and our profession. As we look back at our last year and forward to this New Year, lets start to move mountains one step at a time; put nurses own needs and safety first; and then concentrate hard on making the people of Alaska’s right to safe patient care the goal.

Happy Holidays to you all and a Joyous New Year!

Directors: Labor Council (designee): Susan Walsh, RN Greater Alaska Director: Shelley Burlison, RN Staff Nurse Director: Kathleen A. Gettys, BSN, BA, RN Rural Director: Jennifer Straight, RN Director at Large: Carolyn S. Adkins, MS Paul T. Mordini, RN Shirley LaForge, RN Joe Peacott, RN Pat Senner, MS, RN, ANP AaNA Labor Council Chair—Donna Phillips, BSN, RN Vice-Chair—Kathleen Gettys, BSN, BA, RN Secretary—Karen Friedl, MSN, RN Treasurer—Jenni Hancock, RN Directors—Joshua Meals, RN Directors—Mary Stackhouse, RN Directors—Megan Orien, RN PAMC BU Rep.—Cindy Price, RN Soldotna BU Rep.—Velinda Albrechta-East, RN Ketchikan BU Rep.—Susan Walsh, RN UAN Delegate—Joshua Meals, RN Affiliate Organizations: Alaska Chapter of the American College of Nurse Midwives Alaska Home Health and Hospice Association Alaska Nurse Anesthetists Association Alaska Nurse Practitioner Association Alaska School Nurses Association Forensic Nurses Association, Alaska Chapter Executive Director: Debbie Thompson, BSN, RN, CNOR Advertising Rates Contact—Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc., 517 Washington St., P.O. Box 216, Cedar Falls, IA 50613, 800-626-4081. AaNA and the Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc. 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.

November 2008

ALASKA NURSE • PAGE 3 •

Nurses “Hold the Keys” to Improving Health of the Nation Continued from page 1 Gary Krieger, MD, MPH, DABE, DTM&H, medical toxicologist.

Krieger, one of a four-member panel on mining and environmental health presented “A Tale of Two Cities;” impacts of mining in the developing world; Zambia and Indonesia.

Aaron Werham MD, MS, a panel-member on Mining and Environmental Health is leading an effort to integrate public health concerns into the federal environmental impact statement (EIS) process in partnership with Alaska native tribes and communities.

A four-member panel on mining and environmental health successfully brought together experts in environmental geochemistry, health policy analysis and public health. Lori Verbrugge, Ph.D., Environmental Public Health Program Manager in Epidemiology for the State of Alaska presented the role of the environmental public health program as it relates to mining in Alaska. Verbrugge’s team provides blood lead surveillance, hair mercury biomonitoring , consultations on contaminated sites and health assessments for new, large-scale projects. Kendra Zamzow, Ph.D., the Alaska representative for the Center for Science in Public Participation, spoke on abandoned, currently operating and proposed mines in Alaska and compared some of the environmental health risks seen in abandoned mines in Nevada.

Alaska Nurses Association Executive Director Debbie Thompson, Professional Practices Chairperson, Kay Lahdenpera and Legislative Committee Chairperson, Pat Senner putting on their “political hats” after Pat Senner’s talk on “Nurses and Political Action.”

The theme of the conference, “Nurses Wild About Alaska” carried over into an Octoberfest evening sponsored by the AaNA Labor Council.

The celebration was free to student nurses and meant to encourage interaction and mentoring between experienced nurses and students. With free food, no-host bar and a live band, the evening was a successful mix of about 50% students and 50% nurses. (It was also fun!)

Left to Right. Katie Dunn, Mary McCone and Melissa Lowther, nursing students at UAA, Anchorage enjoy the Octoberfest evening. The orange cardboard “necklaces” were used later to match student nurses with their RN mentors.

On the left, Donna Phillips, AaNA Labor Council Chairperson with guest speaker for the Octoberfest evening, Joan Craft, RN, Vice President of the United American Nurses Executive Council, AFL-CIO.

On Sunday, October 12, the AaNA General Assembly met. The meeting was chaired by interim AaNA Executive Director and President Debbie Thompson. Substantial bylaws changes were made (see related article on page 7). Four resolutions were passed (see related article on page 8) and election results for the association were announced.

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November 2008

Nurses in the News

Pearce Feaster

Boutwell Anna Boutwell, BSN, RN, was awarded the Alaska Nurse Practitioner Association (ANPA) Education Grant for 2008. Boutwell is from Soldotna and enrolled in her first year of the Family Nurse Practitioner program at UAA, Anchorage. She plans to specialize in diabetes care and provide services and support to Kenai Penninsula residents when she has concluded her training. An educational grant is awarded annually by the ANPA to a graduate student in recognition of their dedication, effort and commitment to complete a Nurse Practitioner program. Recipients are selected based on academic achievement and planned contribution to the nursing profession.

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Cathy Feaster, Women’s Health Nurse Health Practitioner, retired from the Municipality of Anchorage, Department of Health & Human Services on September 30, 2008. She initially worked as a nurse practitioner in the Family Planning Clinic providing direct clinical services and community education on reproductive health topics. Cathy became the Program Manager when Kay Lahdenpera retired. The STD and Family Planning clinics merged in 2000 to become the current Reproductive Health Clinic. Cathy has been a strong advocate for the development and advancement for the RHC staff. She supported career ladders for non licensed staff, the expanded role for public health nurses in providing STI evaluation and treatment and the nurse practitioner-conducted Colposcopy Clinics. Ms Feaster has been a nurse practitioner since 1980 but her total nursing career spans 40 years.

“Retirement can best be summarized in the words of a song created by the RHC staff.

They wore 'Mickey Mouse' ears made from oral contraceptive dial packs, while they made music by clacking speculums and shaking pill bottles.” says Feaster. Cathy will be trading grant writing, lines of people at her door with problems, too many meetings, budget reports, upset clients, and work related travel for more time listening to accordion music played by her husband, playing with her St. Bernard's (2), knitting, reading and gardening. In time Cathy says she will explore Parish nursing and "fun" volunteer opportunities.

She declares after working for nearly 40 years she's ready for a rest!

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Trollan Constance Trollan, ANP, received the Alaska Nurse Practitioner Association (ANPA) 2008 Nurse Practitioner of the Year Award. Trollan was recognized for her leadership in the profession and excellence in clinical practice. Trollan owns the Wellspring Integrative Medical Center in Juneau; a private nurse practitioner practice that employs midwives, physicians, massage therapists and counselors to provide care for patients with an emphasis on the whole person. Ms. Trollan was also honored for her work with Project Hope in Romania where she worked to re-establish professional nursing after the fall of communism.

Trollan made multiple trips to Romania during the 1990’s and wrote at the time “Caring is the essence of nursing—to help another in the process of becoming, to care for someone or something apart from oneself.” She is past president of the Alaska Nurses Association.

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Gov. Sarah Palin Governor Sarah Palin and Fred Pearce, PhD are the joint recipients of the 2008 American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Nurse Practitioner Advocate for Alaska.

Governor Palin has demonstrated leadership in addressing access to healthcare in Alaska and understanding of the integral role that NPs play in Alaska healthcare. Governor Palin appointed a Nurse Practitioner to chair her administration's Transition Advisory Team for the Department of Health and Social Services, and appointed two NPs to the fourteen member Alaska Healthcare Strategies Planning Council in 2007.

Dr. Pearce, a telehealth research at the University of Alaska Anchorage, has been a consistent proponent of the unique contributions of NPs in providing healthcare. As Principal Investigator for an NLM telemedicine contract, he contracted with an NP to participate in system design including essential components of the user interface and database. He continues to support the role of NPs in developing new healthcare technology. Dr. Pearce has been an advocate of NP practice including emphasizing the role of NPs as the main drivers of implementing changes in technology.

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Continued on page 5

Go to aknurse.org Judd Connie Judd, MS, ANP, has been recognized as the 2008 American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Nurse Practitioner of Excellence for Alaska. NP Judd provides comprehensive psychiatric care at Advanced Medical Centers of Alaska at their Wasilla office. She is commended for her knowledge, clinical skill and compassion for her patients.

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For online CE Nursing News Alaska nursing links And more!

November 2008

ALASKA NURSE • PAGE 5 •

Nurses in the News Continued from page 4

Cathy Giessel, Chairperson, Alaska State Board of Nursing Cathy Giessel, MS, ANP, FAANP, was elected as a Director at Large for the Board of Directors of National Council of State Boards of Nursing., at its annual meeting in August.

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) is a not-for-profit organization whose membership comprises the boards of nursing in the 50 states, the District of Columbia and four U.S. territories.

NCSBN, composed of Member Boards, provides leadership to advance regulatory excellence for public protection. Ms. Giessel serves as the Chair of the Alaska Board of Nursing.

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RNs Joshua Meals and Joe Peacott man the AaNA booth at the Alaska State Fair.

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Nurses gathered at a “Champions for Alaska Health Professionals” reception for State Senator Bettye Davis (D) District K and Representative Berta Gardner (D) House District 24 on October 24th. Senator Davis is a major sponsor of health-related legislation and has worked with the Alaska Nurses Association on legislation to ban mandatory overtime and mandatory call for nurses.

Representative Gardner is a staunch supporter of nursing. Senator Davis is seated in the wingchair with Representative Gardner standing to her immediate right.

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November 2008

Alaska Nurse Practitioners Celebrate Annual Conference Combines Education and History The annual Alaska Nurse Practitioner Association (ANPA) conference was held in Anchorage at the downtown Marriott.

Approximately 173 participants enjoyed three days of continuing education offerings covering 34 clinical subjects. Over 600 Advanced Nurse Practitioners are licensed in Alaska, though less than 500 have Alaskan addresses. Therefore, the 173 practitioners attending probably represented well over 30% of the ANPs in the state.

In addition to celebrating the 25th ANPA educational conference, Dianne Tarrant, ANPA President, made arrangements for a commemorative plate, special award and historical panel on day two of the conference to honor the 25th year of nurse practitioners achieving independent practice and independent prescriptive privileges through regulatory changes. A permanent poster exhibit celebrating Alaska Nurse Practitioners, “A History of Firsts,” will be completed in 2009.

Gail McGuill RN, NEA-BC was one of the four member historical panel and was recognized with a special Visionary Award. McGuill was Executive Administrator of the Alaska State Board of Nursing from 1980 to 1994 and oversaw most of the landmark legislation and regulations that affected nurse practitioner practice in the state during that time. That included regulations that resulted in independent practice and independent prescriptive privileges for nurse practitioners; the authority to prescribe controlled drugs and third party reimbursement for nurse practitioner services. These regulatory changes made it possible for nurse practitioners to open their own practices and expand the access of health care services to Alaskans across the state. She was recognized for her vision of what nurse practitioners could and should achieve as health care providers and her outstanding leadership and legacy to the nurse practitioners of Alaska.

Ms. McGuill is currently the Chief Nursing Officer for the Rural Region of eight hospitals and Park City Medical Center of Utah.

Barb Berner EdD, FNP and Kitty Wellman, PNP, FNP demonstrate apparel at the ANPA “store.”

This year practitioners were able to buy ANPA logo-gear through Land’s End as well as at the conference.

Gail McGuill RN, NEA-BC, (left) accepts Visionary Award from Lynn Hartz FNP-BC representing the Alaska Nurse Practitioner Association (ANPA).

Left to right. Dianne Tarrant, past 2008 President displays the 2008 commemorative plate with Martha Herriott, the new ANPA President and new officers Maggie Fitzgerald, Treasurer, and Kathryn Sexson, Secretary. Not pictured, Maggie Barnett, President-elect.

November 2008

ALASKA NURSE • PAGE 7 •

General Assembly Makes Substantial Bylaws Changes – Allows state-only membership option – Enables AaNA to represent non-nurses in collective bargaining

by Joe Peacott AaNA Board of Directors

At our annual General Assembly in Anchorage on October 12, the Alaska Nurses Association (AaNA) approved a number of changes to our bylaws. Attendees passed amendments that will allow a state association-only membership option, enable AaNA to organize and represent non-nurses for purposes of collective bargaining, make it easier for members to convene and attend meetings, and allow for mail ballots on bylaws amendments.

National Nursing Politics and Alaska Nurses’ Response Perhaps the most important changes were those that will alter our state association’s relationship with the American Nurses Association (ANA).

Under the new bylaws, membership in the ANA will no longer be automatic when one is a member of the AaNA. Instead, people will be offered the choice of either state-only membership or joint AaNA/ANA membership.

The reasons for this change can be traced to developments on the national level between the ANA and the United American Nurses/AFL-CIO (UAN), the national labor affiliate of the AaNA. Although the UAN was once part of ANA, several years ago the UAN become an independent organization, with a contractual relationship with ANA. A portion of the dues collected from nonunion members of AaNA went to ANA and part of the dues from labor members was split between the two national organizations according to a formula these groups agreed to.

In July, the ANA decided not to renew its contract with UAN. In line with this decision, ANA has also changed its dues structure and is demanding that a higher percentage of labor

members’ dues go to ANA, while these members are still required to pay dues to UAN as well. This would result in an involuntary dues increase, with no clear benefit to the members affected.

In light of these changes, attendees at the General Assembly believed it was in the interests of AaNA, both fiscally and ethically, to allow individual members of the state association to choose whether they wish to be members of ANA. The AaNA has not voted to disaffiliate from the ANA. AaNA members will still be free to join ANA if they so choose, and AaNA will continue to collect ANA dues from members of both associations and will forward these dues to ANA. But it was time to allow our members to make this choice on an individual basis, allowing them to weigh the pros and cons of ANA membership and decide for themselves if it is right for them.

Representation of Non-Nurses Other amendments were passed to enable the AaNA Labor Program to form bargaining units that include members who are not RNs. Labor members have been working toward this goal for a number of years now and have been supported in this project by the association as a whole. Resolutions authorizing us to move forward in this area were passed at the General Assemblies in 2006 and 2007. This year the bylaws were changed so that non-nurses can be members of AaNA bargaining units, and these members will have representation on the AaNA Labor Council, which provides direction for the Labor Program.

The reason union AaNA members felt this was so important is that it will strengthen the position, not only of the non-RN health care workers we hope to represent, but also of the nurses in workplaces where union membership is available to more of our coworkers. The more people who are union members in a workplace, the more strength

front-line staff have in disputes with management, whether the issue is just compensation or matters of professional practice. Throwing in our lot with our workplace colleagues will stand us in good stead in our attempts to improve both working conditions and the quality of patient care we are all able to provide.

Other Bylaws Changes The other amendments passed at the General Assembly, while less newsworthy and controversial, are important to making it easier for the association to conduct business. Requirements for notice of special meetings have been shortened and resolutions and bylaws amendments can be submitted at any time, including at General Assemblies and special meetings. All amendments to the bylaws, whenever submitted, will now require a standard two-thirds majority for passage. Quorum rules related to representatives from District Nurses Associations were changed, members can now attend General Assemblies and special meetings by telephone or other electronic means, and votes on amendments can now be conducted by mail. These changes were implemented to allow business to be done in the real world setting, where it is often difficult for people to attend meetings in person, especially in a state as large as Alaska.

The amendments passed on October 12, taken as a whole, will allow the AaNA to go forward with its work of representing nurses wherever they work or live in the state of Alaska, as well as allowing us to form alliances with our nonRN coworkers to further our common interests.

And by allowing individual members of AaNA to choose what relationship they wish to have with ANA, our state association can continue to serve our members in a fiscally responsible way.

• Page 8 • Alaska Nurse

November 2008

Alaska Nurses Association General Assembly Resolutions 2008

The General Assembly, representing the membership of the Alaska Nurses Association, passed four resolutions at its meeting October 12, 2008 in Anchorage. The resolutions give guidance for the legislative committee and AaNA lobbyists as well as providing a written document reflecting AaNA values, ethics and positions on current issues.

1. Priorities for the 2008 Alaska Legislative Session Be it resolved that the following will be legislative priorities for the Alaska Nurses Association for the coming year: • Banning Mandatory overtime excessive work hours for nurses;

and

• Strengthening public health nursing; • Maintaining support for the University of Alaska’s School of Nursing; • Working to increase health insurance coverage for all Alaskans; • Protecting the Title of Nurse for those who have met the criteria currently established by the Board of Nursing; • Working to improve the work environment of nurses, including working for safe staffing levels and safe patient handling.

• Working to improve access to nursing education at all levels.

• Maintain the integrity of the Nurse Practice Act. • Working to maintain the independent practice of Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Midwives and Nurse Anesthetists.

• Addressing other issues affecting nursing and the public health directed by the Board.

2. AaNA Support to Eliminate Mandatory Overtime Whereas, the shortages of available and experienced nurses has increased the use of mandatory overtime in US health care facilities to solve staffing problems; and Whereas, this practice is pushing nurses beyond their capacity to work safely and to provide appropriate, quality care for their patients, is eroding job satisfaction and is further contributing to the difficulties in recruitment and RETENTION of nurse; and Whereas, studies have found the likelihood of making an error is 3 times higher when nurses work shifts lasting 12.5 hours and longer; and Whereas, other studies have found that working more than 12 hours a day increases the injury hazard rate by 37% and working more than 60 hours a week increases the injury hazard rate by 23%; and Whereas, health care facilities in Alaska are using mandatory overtime or mandatory call on a regular basis to staff their facilities; and Whereas, nurses are capable of determining their capacity to work beyond their predetermined, regular work schedules and expected to exercise their critical judgment in determining their ability to provide safe patient care.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska Nurses Association will continue to support legislation that would ban mandatory overtime for nurses.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Alaska Nurses Association will continue to educate nurses about the hazards of working excessive hours, both in terms of patient safety and nurse safety from injuries as well as increasing the grassroots efforts of nurses telling their stories to their legislators.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Alaska Nurses Association work in collaboration with employers to identify ways to staff their facilities without the use of mandatory overtime or mandatory call and extended work hours beyond 14 hours and to have a reporting mechanism to measure the success of the above.

3. Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response Whereas Alaska is at the crossroads for human, bird and mammal migrations making it prone to exposure to new and deadly diseases and; Whereas Alaska has historically suffered many severe natural disasters and international tensions and threats of terrorism remain high, and; Whereas the Alaska Nurse Alert System has expanded to include over 400 nurses from around the state and has become more credible in various professional communities within the state; Be it resolved that for the coming year a priority for the Alaska Nurses Association will be to educate and mobilize nurses to become prepared for a disaster and work with the Alaska Nurse Alert System to expand their capabilities.

4. Alaska Labor Laws Affecting Healthcare Workers Whereas despite UAA having a steady increase of new graduate RNs, retention of hospital RNs remains challenging and; Whereas only hospital workers covered by Collective Bargaining Agreements can be legally assured of breaks during the workday and; Whereas hospitals in Alaska continue to employ many itinerant/travel RNs, which continues to have an impact on the cost of healthcare to Alaskan’s and; Whereas it remains a goal of the Alaska Nurses Association Labor Council to have a trained and ready workforce for hospitals to care for the citizens of Alaska; Therefore be it resolved that the AaNA Labor Council will commit to investigate the history of why hospital workers are exempt from the labor laws that other workers in the state enjoy and; Therefore be it further resolved that the AaNA will work with the State of Alaska Department of Labor to look at ways to increase protection of basic worker rights for hospital workers.

November 2008

ALASKA NURSE • PAGE 9 •

August 2008 Nursing Graduates The University of Alaska, Anchorage conferred degrees on the following students last August.

Additional honors were given to Sassa A. Kitka: Director’s Award for the highest overall Grade Point Average. Ms. Kitka is also the only graduate in the honors program who is also a member of the Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society.

Tammy L. Neff received the Spirit of Nursing Award. This is an award by faculty vote for a student who best demonstrates the definition of Nursing. Tammy L. Neff was also awarded the Peer Award: determined by class vote for the colleague who best demonstrates the definition of nursing to them.

Our sincere best wishes and congratulations to you all. Welcome to our profession!

Baccalaureate Program Graduates Andrea L. Akerelrea Carrie A. Aro Sherah S. Cardwell Colleen M. Curley Kimberly J. Dennis Lorayne M. Embretson, RN Ryan D. Erwin Danelle M. Estes, RN Allyn M. Fitzgerald Laura A.B. Greet Thomas J. Hembree Chanda L. Hesson

Sharla G. Mizer Deanna R. Mocan Andrea R. Moses Tammy L. Neff Catherine A. Nesset Aaron L. Peters Elizabeth A. Peterson Rachel M. Potvin Jocelyn E. Price Ronald R. Regacho Viola M. Samson Shelby A. Seymour

Mary N. Holley, RN Amber D. Humbert Kelsey S. Janes Sassa A. Kitka Travis W. McGlohn Monica L. Martin, RN

Randall H. Sperry Kathleen Stepp Erin A. von Bose Christina L. Weaver Alicia N. Weeks Natalie R. Wise

Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society

Masters Program Graduate Peter F. Alward, PMH Chair Dianne Toebe, Ph.D. “The Experience of Parents with Children in Residential Psychiatric Treatment Centers”

• Page 10 • Alaska Nurse

November 2008

Resources On October 24, NOW on PBS explored a projected nursing shortage that could impact quality of and access to care for millions of patients.

For those of you who missed it, the show can also be accessed through On-Demand television, audio podcasting, video podcasting, and streaming video on the NOW website at www.pbs.org/now.

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FDA launches drug-safety Web site The FDA has announced the creation of a Web site that lists drug-safety information, including FDA warning letters, drug recalls, medication guides and clinical trials. The Web site, required by the FDA Amendments Act of 2007, is directed at patients and clinicians. www.fda.gov ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

ANA Partners with 21 Nursing Organizations to Commission a Study of APRNs on Safety, Effectiveness and Quality Care 10/06/08 The American Nurse Association (ANA) is collaborating with nearly two dozen national nursing organizations to commission the first comprehensive study of its kind in 20 years addressing the positive impact the 240,000 Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) have on health care quality and patient outcomes and more . . . .

27 National Nursing Organizations Join Together to Commission a Study of the Impact of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses on Healthcare Quality, Safety, and Effectiveness WASHINGTON, Sept 24, 2008 /PRNewswireUSNewswire via COMTEX/—The Tri-Council for Nursing is collaborating with a number of national

nursing organizations to commission a study of the impact Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) have on healthcare quality and patient outcomes. The first comprehensive study of its kind in 20 years, researchers will examine the evidence connected to care provided by nurses in the four APRN roles—Clinical Nurse Specialists, Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners. Following a competitive process, Robin Newhouse, Ph.D., RN, CNAA, BC, CNOR, with the University of Maryland School of Nursing, has been selected as the principal investigator for this project. The trans-disciplinary team members (named below) are from the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University. "A sweeping review of the scientific literature on the quality, safety, and effectiveness of care provided

by APRNs is needed to inform educational, policy, and organizational decisions," said Dr. Newhouse. "Our team will evaluate the evidence on the outcomes of care provided by APRNs since 1990 objectively, define the effectiveness and limitations of APRNs, and determine the overall strength of the evidence on this important topic.

I am looking forward to working with my team to provide a qualitative and quantitative synthesis of the evidence."

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The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International has published three new books: Words of Wisdom, an inspirational book for nursing leaders, Tales from the Pager Chronicles, a fictional but memoir-based account of a day in the life of a nurses, and The Nurses Etiquette Advantage, a book of decorum for nursing, with advice on everything from interviews to seminars.

All of the books are authored by well-respected nurses, recognized nationally (and in some instances, internationally) for their influence on

the healthcare industry.

Sold through www.nursingknowledge.org and other booksellers.

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ANCC is proud to launch its new web site www. nursecredentialing.org Now nurses can go to one page and find everything related to their specialty–site visitors no longer click to one page for an application, another for the test content outline, and yet another for a review course. Everything is pulled together in one easy location.

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ANA Co-Publishes Revised and Unified Pediatric Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice 07/21/08 The American Nurses Association (ANA), in collaboration with the Society for Pediatric Nurses (SPN) and the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP), has developed a succinct and comprehensive guide to pediatric practice that will benefit children and their families, the public, and all nurses who care for them. Google websites of these organizations for a copy of the revised scope and standards of practice.

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(Oak Brook, Ill.—October 1, 2008) Joint Commission Resources (JCR) today announced the publication of its newest book, The Joint Commission Guide to Staff Education, Second Edition. To order publications, call JCR Customer Service toll-free at 877.223.6866, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

CT, weekdays, or visit www.jcrinc.com.

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November 2008 Going Organic Continued from page 1 What does “Certified Organic” mean?

Certified organic produce has been organically grown, harvested, prepared, and transported in systems that guarantee the produce is not genetically modified or contaminated by synthetic chemicals, fumigation, or irradiation. The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, enacted in 2002 provides a four-tiered labeling system, specifying products that could be labeled as “organic” and also degrees of “made with organic ingredients:” Ninety-five percent (95%) of the ingredients in a processed product must be organically produced and the processor must be a certified organic handler in order for the finished product to be labeled as organic. The five percent (5%) nonorganic ingredient criterion is determined by the total weight of the finished product, not including air, salt or water. Water used in organic processing must meet all requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Special provisions allow labeling to state that a product contains organic ingredients. Products with more than fifty percent (50%) organic ingredients may display this information on the front label; those with less than fifty percent (50%) organic ingredients must display this information in the ingredient listing panel.

Some examples: A label which reads "Organic Vegetable Soup" would be stating that ninety-five

ALASKA NURSE • PAGE 11 • percent of the total ingredients of that soup (by weight) are certified as organic. Alternately, a soup label might read "Vegetable Soup" and include the phrase "Made with Organic Vegetables" on the front panel, indicating that the primary ingredients are organic and make up more than fifty percent of the total ingredients by weight.

Another label might read simply "Vegetable Soup" and include the word "organic" to identify specific items in the ingredient listing panel—as in "Potatoes, carrots and organic kidney beans."2,3,4 Therefore it is important to READ THE LABELS when you are in a grocery store. When making your purchases at farmer’s markets, you can ask farmers if the produce is pesticide free. I am not an avowed organic food consumer, but I recently made the switch, to best of my ability. After researching organic products I discovered it made sense to enjoy foods that have the least amount of pesticides, especially since we now know that these chemicals can have direct health effects. To me living is about the quality of life and how we accept our social responsibly as nurses, family, and community members within a global context.

Nursing is founded on the principles of promoting health and preventing disease. A safe food supply and good nutrition are essential parts of health. Pesticides are used all too commonly in homes without awareness or concern for the potential health effects.

A nontoxic work environment and clean and safe home environment are also essential for health promotion. Pesticides can have health effects for the persons who consume foods treated with them and also for individuals who have pesticide contamination in their homes, as well as for those persons who are handling the pesticides.

from Alaska Nurses Association

What does the word pesticide mean?

A pesticide is any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest. Pests can be insects, mice and other animals, unwanted plants (weeds), fungi, or microorganisms like bacteria and viruses.

Though often misunderstood to refer only to insecticides, the term pesticide also applies to herbicides, fungicides, and various other substances used to control pests. Under United States law, a pesticide is also any substance or mixture of substances intended for use as a plant regulator, defoliant, or desiccant according to the EPA.5 More simply put, anything that has the suffix “-cide” means to kill something, suicide, homicide, herbicide, pesticide, etc. Many nurses growing up in the 60s remember running behind the fog spraying slow moving trucks spraying the fragrant aroma of the chemical known as DDT. Each summer these trucks would come through our neighborhood and spray DDT as a public health service for the control of mosquitoes. DDT was the chemical of choice because of cost and ease of application. It also lasts for many years in the environment and is a very effective bug killer. DDT belongs to the category of insecticides called organochlorine. By 1972, DDT was no longer available for use in the US, but remains available to be sold to foreign countries. There is one exception. DDT may be used for public health emergencies involving vector disease Continued on page 12

• Page 12 • Alaska Nurse Going Organic Continued from page 11 (insect) diseases and control of body lice. DDT was banned because it accumulates in fatty tissue and can cause adverse health effects on wildlife and humans and is associated with birth defects.6 This carcinogenic chemical can still be found in almost all women and men’s bodies, despite the fact it was banned over 30 years ago. Like many pesticides used today DDT is known for its persistence in the environment and in our bodies.

According to the Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA), evidence links several chronic illnesses to a range of pesticide exposures.

Cleft palate deformities; low birth weight babies; childhood cancers such as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia, and Wilm’s tumor have been linked to Lindane, DDT, and organophosphorus.7 You can also be exposed from the water from a well or from pesticide chemicals unknowingly brought into your home by the use of lawn products. Since we know that many pesticides break down more rapidly in sunlight, those that are tracked into our homes may persist and actually accumulate there where they take more time to break down.

I recently met Charlotte Brody, a fellow nurse, at an environmental health conference and heard her personal story of chemical body burden. (For more information about her go to: www.bodyburden. org). Charlotte never used pesticides in her garden, yet her lab results listed 75 synthetic chemical pollutants in her body, including the pesticide Dursban. She referred to this discovery as a “chemical trespass”—her body had been violated without permission. How did these chemicals get into her body? How could Dursban have gotten into her body? Chemicals may be tracked into the house on the feet of our pets, neighbors who don’t remove their shoes, and through open windows.

“No trespassing” signs are ignored by the wind, animal footprints, and some neighbors. Pesticides make their way into our homes and bodies through a variety of entries.

Organic foods offer opportunities to limit our exposure to pesticides and protect ourselves and families. By encouraging organic farms we also contribute to the health and welfare of agricultural workers and we may decrease soil and water contaminant in run-off. Research also demonstrates increased values of calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc found in apples, potatoes, pears, wheat, and sweet corn grown organically.8 One approach to avoiding heavy pesticide use is explained by the EPA: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices. IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. This information, in combination with available pest control methods, is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment.

The IPM approach can be applied to both agricultural and non-agricultural settings, such as the home, garden, and workplace. IPM takes advantage of all appropriate pest management options including, but not limited to, the judicious use of pesticides. In contrast, organic food production applies many of the same concepts as IPM but limits the use of pesticides to those that are produced from natural sources, as opposed to synthetic chemicals. (http://www.epa.gov/ pesticides/factsheets/ipm.htm).10 So how do we prevent pesticide trespass?

Alaska Community on Toxics’ Work on Pesticides recommends: 1. As gardeners: • We can use compost, compost tea, and mulch to improve soil health and eliminate the need for pesticides and chemical fertilizers.

• Instead of poisoning weeds we can pull them out by hand or hoe.

• Increase the use of natural predators such as ladybugs, and lacewings to feed on garden pests.

• Include plants that repel insects (like basil, chives, mint, garlic, marigolds, and chrysanthemums) into the garden to help keep pests away.

November 2008 • Apply corn gluten to the lawn in late winter to discourage the growth of dandelions in the spring-before weeds begin to grow.

• Use high water pressure, neem oil or a mixture of 1 tsp. of environmentally safe dish soap in 1 L of water to control aphids.

• Treat weeds individually with a mixture of 2 oz of orange oil or molasses for every gallon of vinegar (a 20% solution; pickling vinegar). Sponge the mixture onto the foliage of problem plants.

2. As concerned consumers: • Buy organic foods such as fruits and vegetables when available.

• Support local growers and encourage hospitals, local restaurants, and retail stores to display Alaska Grown produce prominently.

• Support Farmers Markets in your area • Join a Community Sustainable Agriculture (CSA) partnership and purchase organic foods from outside when not available in Alaska 3. As socially responsible citizens: • Promote your local School Board to adopt a policy to keep pesticides out of schools • Encourage stronger enforcement of pesticide right to know regulation in schools • Collaborate with communities and individuals to block multiple attempts by the Alaska Railroad to apply herbicides to railways that would threaten salmon streams and waterways. This has been a problem from 1998 to the present.

• Support local measures for pesticide-free parks and public spaces • Support local ordinances prohibiting the unnecessary use of pesticides that pollute local streams and community health.

• Prevent aerial spraying of harmful herbicides in Southeast Alaska timberlands.

• Support statewide legislation to require least toxic pest management in schools.

• Direct our congressional delegation to prompt the US. State Department to sign the Stockholm Convention, a U. N. treaty that eliminates some of the most deadly persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

• Direct the state and federal legislators to ensure measures to promote the registration of harmful pesticide and require use tracking and reporting.8 (www. akaction.org).

The 20 Fruits and Veggies With the MOST Pesticides These are the ones that you should always buy organic, if possible. If you do buy conventional versions of the following produce, please be sure to wash them thoroughly (organic produce, of course, should also be washed just in case). These are ranked in order by EWG, with the worst of the bunch, peaches, at #1.

1. Peaches 2. Apples 3. Sweet Bell Peppers 4. Celery 5. Nectarines 6. Strawberries 7. Cherries 8. Pears 9. Grapes (Imported) 10. Spinach 11. Lettuce 12. Potatoes 13. Carrots 14. Green Beans Peaches tend to have 15. Hot Peppers the most pesticides of 16. Cucumbers any fruit or vegetable 17. Raspberries . . . so if possible buy 18. Plums these organic.

19. Grapes (Domestic) 20. Oranges http://www.foodnews.org/walletguide.php11

In order with the produce with the absolute lowest pesticides first. www.ewg.org 1. Onion 2. Avocado 3. Sweet corn (Frozen) 4. Pineapples 5. Mango 6. Asparagus 7. Sweet peas (Frozen) 8. Kiwi 9. Bananas 10. Cabbage 11. Broccoli 12. Eggplant 13. Papaya 14. Blueberries 15. Watermelon 16. Sweet Potatoes 17. Tomatoes 18. Winter squash 19. Grapefruit 20. Lemon How This Guide Was Developed The produce ranking was developed by analysts at the not-for-profit Environmental Working Group (EWG) based on the results of nearly 43,000 tests for pesticides on produce collected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration between 2000 and 2005. A detailed description of the criteria used in developing the rankings is available as well as a full list of fresh fruits and vegetables that have been tested at www. foodnews.org/methodology.php.

EWG is a not-for-profit environmental research organization dedicated to improving public health and protecting the environment by reducing pollution in air, water and food. For more information please visit www.ewg.org.

In conclusion nurses should reflect upon Florence Nightingale’s book, Notes on Nursing, (1947), first published in 1860. It offers specific information on how environmental factors affect health. Air quality, water quality, light, noise, and nutrition were priorities. This perspective is just as valid today.

The public continues to perceive and hold nurses in high regard. Therefore, we have an obligation to follow Florence’s example and promote a healthy, sustainable environment. The information and steps provided above help to guide us as we make changes in our own lives and promote healthier choices in our community. Canada has banned pesticides for cosmetic use on lawns. We can call for the use of organic foods in our hospitals, assisted living homes, pre-schools, day care centers, and schools. Each of us can contribute to a less toxic environment in small steps and one day at a time.

REFERENCES 1. Gold, Mary. V., Alternative Farming Systems, Information Center, Organic Production/Organic Food: Information Access Tool, http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/ pubs/ofp/ofp:shtml [accessed 7-10-2008] 2. Federal Organic Food Production Act of 1990, (7 US Code including amendments as of January 1, 2004). http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/Organic/ complianceguide/national6.pdf [Accessed] 6-30-08] 3. New Organic Food Rules to Level Playing Field, Reuters 6Oct02, www.mindfully.org/Food/Organicfood-Rules-USDA6Oct02.htm [Accessedj7/14/08].

4. Consumer Reports. Greener Choices, eco-labels, http://www.greenchoices.org/eco.

5. U.S. EPA Office of Pesticide Programs, What is a pesticide? (Verified Feb 19, 2006), http://www.epa. gov/pesticides/about/#device or www.mindfully.org/ Pesticide/What-Is-A-Pesticide.htm [accessed 7-10-08].

6. National Pesticide Telecommunications Network, General Fact Sheet, DDT, NPTN at (www.npic.orst.edu/ factsheets/ddtgen.pdf). [accessed July 10, 2008].

7. Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA), Chemical Trespass, Schafer, Kristin, S., Reeves, Margaret, Spitzer, Skip, Kegley, Susan E., May 2004.

8. Benbrook, Charles., Zhao, Xin., Yanez, Jaime., Davies, Neal., Andrews, Preston., New Evidence Confirms the Nutritional Superiority of Plant-Based Organic Food, The Organic Center, University of Arizona, 2008.

9. U.S. EPA Office: Integrated Pest Management (IMP), Principles, [accessed July 10, 2008], (http://epa. gov/pesticides/factsheets/ipm.htm.)

10. ACAT, Alaska Community Action on Toxics, Update, June 2008, Pesticides and Our Health. Contact: ACATs at 907-222-7714, fax 907-222-7715 or 505 West Northern Lights Blvd., Suite 205, Anchorage, AK, 99503 until it is available on the website. (www.akaction.org).

11. Environmental Work Group: FoodNews, Shoppers Guide, Pesticides in Produce, July 2008, (http://www. foodnews.org/walletguide.php) [accessed 7-10-2008.]

November 2008

ALASKA NURSE • PAGE 13 •

Upcoming Events The Alaska Nurses Association will begin holding meetings of its Legislative Committee in December or early January. Meetings are open to AaNA members and members of affiliate organizations. Please call the association office at 907-274-0827 or email chairperson Pat Senner at senfam@acsalaska.net for meeting dates and times.

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2009 NDNQI Conference—January 21, 2009 The third annual National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators Data Use Conference, New Frontiers in Quality Care, is scheduled on Jan. 22 and 23, 2009, in Dallas at Hyatt Regency Dallas at Reunion. The pre-conference will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009. Our keynote speaker on Thursday, Jan. 22, will be nursing leader Dr. Linda Aiken. She is the Claire M. Fagin Leadership Professor in Nursing and Sociology and Director, Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research, at the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Aiken's presentation will be on the "Impact of Hospital Care Environment on Patient and Nurse Outcomes." Visit www.NursingWorld. org/ANAMeetings&Conventions for conference updates.

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The Second National Conference on the Doctor of Nursing Practice “The Dialogue Continues” Hilton Head Marriot Resort and Spa, Hilton Head Island, SC March 24-27, 2009 Based on our incredibly successful first national conference on ‘The Practice Doctorate: Where is it Headed’ in Annapolis, Maryland in 2007, Drexel is proud to host the second national conference in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina at the fabulous Hilton Head Marriot Resort and Spa: http://www.marriot.com ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Letter to the Editor [If you are interested in writing a letter to the Alaska Nurse, we are interested in printing it! Do you have comments, opinions or questions about nursing and health care in Alaska? Send your letter via email to editor@aknurse.org. Letters should be limited to 500 words or less. They may be edited for length, clarity and grammar.

Remember, the AK Nurse is published every three months so be careful about sending time sensitive material. Be sure to include your name and contact information.]

September 15, 2008 Dear Editor: I recently read the description of Salvation Army’s SAFE Campus by Christine Sagan, FNP in the August issue of Alaska Nurse. The work she describes is inspirational. However, as President of Family Promise of Mat-Su, I should like to inform our nurses in Alaska about our program.

Family Promise of Mat-Su is an interfaith national program providing shelter, case management, meals and counseling for homeless families.

Presently nine congregations provide housing and meals for homeless families in Mat-Su. Each family is assessed and goals are developed by the case manager, and implemented by the family with the assistance of the program director.

At this time we have no paid employees due to reductions in grants and donations during the economic challenges facing our nation.

Families are not required to attend any services, but are welcomed to participate in any activities during the week they stay in the congregation’s facility. Each congregation provides meals, and hosts for the weeks attendance. Adults are working, seeking employment, or attending school or classes depending upon the goals set. Children attend day care or school. The Day Center is open during the week to assist parents and for counseling. The Day Center is housed at the First Presbyterian Church of Wasilla at no cost to Family Promise of Mat-Su.

The Board of Trustees has 9 members, three of whom are nurses, one caregiver, one priest, one librarian, a firefighter, a probation officer, an executive director from a nonprofit. At this time we seek a person with accounting experience, an attorney, a legislative aid experienced person, generous and gratefully appreciated donations.

Last spring—May—Family Promise organized Card Board City at the Alaska Palmer Fairgrounds to raise awareness of Homelessness in the Mat-Su Valley. This project raised $7,000. The Board plans to continue the program each year and hopefully to raise the consciousness of the community about homelessness in our neighborhoods.

Family Promise does not duplicate services available in Mat-Su. Each family is directed to available social services in Mat-Su, from WIC, Job Services, Denali Kid Care, Residential Services, Food Bank of Alaska, Public Health.

A family is considered one adult and one child; however, the adult must be older than 18 years. We service families of one pregnant woman, father and child, two parents and child, or three generations in the family. Plans to attain and maintain self sufficiency are developed throughout the stay in Family Promise. Most families establish housing within 60-90 days. However, it is acceptable to remain in the shelter for 120 days or longer if necessary.

This program national has an 80% success rate in helping families obtain and remain in homes.

We hope to implement a mentoring program to aid families beyond obtaining shelter. Please visit our web site: www.familypromisematsu.org for additional information. We presently have a 70% success rate and are working to make it 100%.

Sincerely yours, Pat Hogan: pathogan1049@gmail.com

• Page 14 • Alaska Nurse

November 2008

Membership Application Advancing and Supporting the Profession of Nursing Integrity Professionalism ~ Advocacy Empowerment~ Representation

Membership Categories

Full Membership—Employed Full-time or Part-time Reduced Membership—Not Employed * EDPP is the monthly Electronic Dues Full time student Payment Plan Amount New graduate from basic Nursing Education program, within first six = Yearly dues/12 months after graduation (first year only), or months + $.50 per 62 years of age or over and not earning more than Social Security allows. month service charge Special Membership—Not employed and 62+ years or totally disabled

Dues

Anchorage Monthly (*EDPP) & Fairbanks Yearly

Full $28.00 $330.00

Reduced $14.25 $165.00

Special $7.38 $82.50

All Other Locations

$322.50 $27.38

$161.25 $13.94

$80.62 $7.21

Yearly Monthly (*EDPP)

______________________________________ Last Name/First Name/ Middle Initial

_________________________________________________ Social Security Number

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_________________________________________________ Home Phone

______________________________________ Employer Name Unit City/State/Zip

_________________________________________________ Work Phone

____________________________ RN License Number/State

__________________________ FAX Number

__________________________ E-mail Address

Payment Method—see above for categories and amounts Apply Online at www.nursingworld.org—Join Today! Alaska!

Check—Please make checks payable to the American Nurses Association MasterCard or Visa—(available for annual payment only) ________________________ Card Number

Return application and payment to: AaNA 3701 E. Tudor, Suite 208, Anchorage, AK 99507

_____/_____ $_______ _______________________________ Expiration Amount Signature

Monthly Electronic Dues Payment Please (1) read and sign the below authorization form and (2) enclose a check for the first month.

1/12 of your yearly dues will be withdrawn from your checking account monthly along with a monthly service fee.

AUTHORIZATION to provide monthly electronic payments to the American Nurses Association (ANA): This is to authorize ANA to withdraw 1/12 of my annual dues and any additional service fees from my checking account designated by the enclosed check for the first month’s payment. ANA is authorized to change the amount by giving the undersigned thirty (30) days written notice. The undersigned may cancel this authorization upon receipt by ANA of written notification of termination twenty (20) days prior to the deduction date as designated above. ANA will charge a $5 fee for any return drafts. ________________________________________ Signature for EDPP Authorization

Return to: AaNA, 3701 E. Tudor, Suite 208, Anchorage, AK 99507 or fax (907) 272-0292 or e-mail aknurse@aknurse.org and tell us your selection.

Integrity ~ Advocacy Professionalism Empowerment Representation

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Get Informed! >>check off and return form to AaNA

A Benefit of Membership: AaNA Member Name: __________________ E-mail: ________________________________ Informational E-mail ❏ Various Nursing Information—If you would like National, State and Local nursing information e-mails from AaNA on a weekly basis. ❏ Action Alerts—If you would like political action alerts for National and State legislative issues involving nursing and health care issues.

Taskforce E-mail Pools Taskforce E-mail Pool members will receive requests to work on a variety of projects on nursing issues, and may choose to participate in only the projects that interest them. ❏ Professional Nursing Practice Issues— Taskforces will consider issues relating to AaNA’s policy on RN practice and other professional issues. ❏ Health and Safety Issues—Taskforces will consider safety and health issues of nurses and patients. ❏ AaNA Event Planning—Taskforces will plan events such as the AaNA Fall Retreat, open house events, AaNA General Assembly, or other events for AaNA members. ❏ Other interest? Let us know what you would like to work on:______________ AaNA Committees ❏ Legislative Committee—Actively involved in reviewing and coordinating strategy and testimony for legislative issues related to health and nursing. Works closely with the AaNA Lobbyist. Usually meets on the second Monday of the month. Current Chair is Pat Senner. ❏ Conference Planning Team—Participates help plan the Alaska Statewide Nurses Conference. Roles include working with program planning, marketing, vendor and sponsor recruitment and onsite assistance. ❏ Continuing Education Committee—Members individually review applications for continuing education approval based on the established guidelines of the American Nurses Credentialing Center and in coordination with the CE Director. Makes recommendations for improvements in the application process. The current CE Director is Norma Monsen. ❏ Alaska Nurse Newsletter Editorial Board— Members work with the editor to recruit articles and pictures for the quarterly newsletter. The current editor is Lynn Hartz.