The Alaska Nurse - Vol. 57 No. 1 - February 2007

The Alaska Nurse

Circulation 8,000 to every Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse and Student Nurse in Alaska

Volume 57 No. 1

The Official Publication of the Alaska Nurses Association

RN to BS in Nursing Now Available On-Line at UAA Gail Holtzman, Chair Baccalaureate Program Dr. Jackie Pflaum, Associate Director School of Nursing The University of Alaska Anchorage School of Nursing is pleased to announce that all nursing courses for RNs working on their BS degrees in nursing are now offered in a Webbased format. The RN to BS program can be completed without spending any time on the Anchorage campus. Courses are designed to seamlessly articulate with our AAS program and with most diploma and associate programs across the country.

As part of the application process, students transfer in or complete pre-requisites such as anatomy and physiology, chemistry, microbiology, oral communication, written communication and statistics. Most of these prerequisite courses are also offered on-line through the UA system or by other universities around the country. School of Nursing advisors will work with you to identify appropriate online choices.

All registered nurses receive twenty-seven (27) credit hours for their nursing courses taken in their diploma or associate program. In addition, national specialty certification counts as three nursing credits.

Students may complete all the nursing

requirements in 15 months (summer-fallspring-summer) if enrolling in 6-10 credits a semester. However, the actual time required for the program varies depending on your work responsibilities and other life commitments.

Currently, not all courses are offered every semester, so it’s very important to work with an advisor to outline your schedule.

Community and complex care clinical experiences are individually arranged for you in your local community. Faculty will work with you to identify appropriate agencies and preceptors.

The use of the on-line format requires reliable equipment and software either in the student’s home or community. An internet connection to UAA’s distance learning system, Blackboard, is required for access to asynchronous learning units. Online technical support is available for your assistance when using the system.

More information is available at the UAA School of Nursing website at http://nursing. uaa.alaska.edu/ or by calling (907)786-4550 for Marie Samson, Coordinator of Students Affairs or Gail Holtzman, Baccalaureate Chair. School of Nursing advisors are available to help RNs with any questions about previous courses taken, how to apply to the program, where to take on-line pre-requisites and the application process.

New AaNA Director of Professional Practices Kay Lahdenpera RN, MPH was hired as Director of Professional Practices at the Alaska Nurses Association (AaNA), last October. This part-time position will be a busy one as it includes representing AaNA at health care organization meetings and providing support to the AaNA Professional Practices Committee on Kay Lahdenpera RN, MPH nursing issues.

A long-time Alaskan, Ms. Lahdenpera brings a wealth of experience to the job.

She has been active in the Alaska Nurses Association since 1975 serving at various times on the Board of Directors and as President as well as on most of the committees. She retired as program manager of the Municipal Family Planning Program in 1999 but remains active in community and state affairs. She is currently a board member with the Alaska Youth and Parent Foundation.

Ms. Lahdenpera writes, “I have been enjoying my new role as Director of Professional Practice for the Alaska Nurses Association. This past month I have been concentrating on reviewing and summarizing the Alaska Board of Nursing minutes since 2002; and the Sunset Review Reports and attending their meetings. I have met on two occasions with the Executive Administrator of the Board, which was extremely productive and helpful. Once I have completed this project the materials will be available at the Alaska Nurses Association office. I expect it will take another month and a half to complete and edit these summaries.

The purpose of this review is to gather appropriate data for nurses to use for various occasions such as professional practice research/reports, legislative issues, historical perspective of the Alaska Board of Nursing accomplishments, educational purposes for nurses, nursing students, legislators and the general public.”

Continued on page 2

February 2007

New AaNA Lobbyists Pages 2 & 5

Nursing Week 2007 Pages 3 & 4

Alaska Nurses in the News Page 5 Inside This Issue RN to BS in Nursing Now Available On-line at UAA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 New AaNA Director of Professional Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Nurses Week 2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 4 New Lobbyists for AaNA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Alaska Nurses in the News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Congratulations New Graduates. . . . . . . . . . 6 AaNA Announcements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Membership Application. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Resources/New Products/Publications . . . . 9 90% of Candidates Endorsed by AK RNs N-PAC Win Election. . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Upcoming Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

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

Presort Standard US Postage

PAID

Permit #14 Princeton, MN 55371

Page —Alaska Nurse—February 2007

New AaNA Director Continued from page 1

The Professional Practice Committee has been active and meets monthly. The committee addresses needs and concerns received from nurses around the state; supports the Alaska Board of Nursing on specific issues and addresses concerns from legislators, citizens, etc. The members of the committee all take an active role in researching issues as they arise.

Another function of the role of Director of Professional Practices is to maintain a strong presence of the Alaska Nurses Association at various health care and social service meetings, functions and gatherings.

Letters 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 as an 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.

Author Guidelines for the Alaska Nurse The editorial committee welcomes original articles related to nursing for publication.

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

Format and Submission Articles should be word-processed as Word documents. 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 jpeg. 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. 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 in a Word document to Editor, AK Nurse, Alaska Nurses Association, 3701 East Tudor Road Ste 208, Anchorage, AK 99507. If you have any questions call Lynn Hartz 907-2484877 or email lhartz@alaska.com.

Pictured are Caren Robinson and Mark Hickey of Hickey and Associates. The Juneau-based lobbyists represent the Alaska Nurses Association and partner nursing organizations. See story on page 5.

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, CNOR Vice President: Nancy C. Davis, RN, MSN Secretary: Michelle Murphy, RN Treasurer: Martha Clinehens, RN Directors: Labor Council Chair: Donna Phillips, BSN, RN Greater Alaska Director: Sara M. Harvison, RN, BSN Staff Nurse Director: Kathleen A. Gettys, RN, BSN, BA Rural Director: Jane A. Conard, RN Director at Large: Lynn E. Hartz, MSN, ANP Carolyn S. Adkins, RN, MS, COHN-S, CM, COHC Paul T. Mordini, RN Dara M. Whalen, RN, MS AaNA Labor Council Chair—Donna Phillips, RN, BSN Joseph Peacott, RN, OCN Sheri Whitethorn, BSN, RN, CCRN Deni Callahan, RN Jenni Hancock, RN Julie Torres, RN UAN Rep.—Kathleen A. Gettys, RN, BSN, BA PAMC BU Rep.—Marlene Brehmer, RN Soldotna BU Rep.—Steve Baumgardner, RN Ketchikan BU Rep.—Susan Walsh, RN Affiliate Organizations: Alaska Chapter of the American College of Nurse Midwives Alaska Nurse Anesthetists Association Alaska Nurse Practitioner Association Alaska School Nurses Association Forensic Nurses Association, Alaska Chapter Executive Director: Dianne O’Connell, M.Div. 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.

February 2007—Alaska Nurse—Page

Nurses Week 2007 The Alaska Nurse wishes you all a Happy Nurses Week! Celebrated May 6-12 each year, National Nurses Week begins May 6 and ends on May 12, Florence Nightingale’s birthday. As of 1998, May 8 was designated as National Student Nurses Day, to be celebrated annually. And as of 2003, National School Nurse Day is celebrated on the Wednesday within National Nurses Week each year. The nursing profession has been

supported and promoted by the American Nurses Association (ANA) since 1897. Each of ANA’s state and territorial nurses associations promotes the nursing profession at the state and regional levels. Each conducts celebrations on these dates to recognize the contributions that nurses and nursing make to the community. [Editors note: Yes, we know you will get this WEEKS before Nurses Week, but, with only a quarterly edition, this is the closest to Nurses Week we can get! This year we bring you photos from the nursing’s past in Alaska taken from notecards obtained from the Alaska Nurses Association.]

Continued on page 4

Anchorage, Alaska, 1954. “AaNA raises money for polio patient.”

Elma White (cap & cape), Edna Thompson, and Providence Sister with Larraine a polio epidemic patient still under treatment. Early in the 1950’s the Territory of Alaska, especially Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Seward, suffered two polio epidemics. Public Health nurses were immunizing children with gamma globulin from the Korean War and hospital nurses were trained in the use of the iron lung. The west side of the hallway of the “old” Providence Hospital on L Street had 6-7 iron lungs in constant use.

Page —Alaska Nurse—February 2007

Nurses Week 2007 Continued from page 3

Sitka, Alaska—1958 AaNa Pageant —Nurses Across the Ages, at the 7th Annual convention. Top Row (Left to Right): Agnes Yoder —1775 dress uniform, Margaret French—wet nurse, Joan Crane—Student Nurse, Ms. Olsen—Catholic nun, Alice Crispin—nurse administrator, Elaine Ramos—uniform, Dorothy Kussmahl—dress(social) 1918, Helen Lehman—Sarah Gimp character. Middle Row: Bernadette De Mers— Florence Nightingale, Ms. Falon—“future Nurse” Front Row: Eilien O’Byrnne—sack uniform, Ann Crocket—unknown, Ms. Plummer— army uniform, Nancy Matthews—chambermaid, Anne Duncan—nurse uniform 1780, Beverly Holmes —1925 uniform, Elizabeth Rexford— uniform, Ms. Dennison,—graduate nurse uniform, Ms. Kiley—nurse raincoat (Descriptions and names as recorded on the back of the original picture.)

Strike at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital July, 1974. AaNA represented the nurses. Lack of orientation, necessary equipment, supplies for patient care and problems with the building led to poor working conditions which motivated the strike. A nursing turnover rate of 62% in one month contributed to the inadequate staffing and led to double shifts for nurses.

Iditarod winner Martin Buser in 1993 with a young Alaskan at an “I Did It by Two” immunization clinic. The project was conceived by Public Health nurse Marcy Custer, who in 1992 read about Bumpers and Carter’s “Every Child by Two” campaign in an ANA publication.

Marcy had the idea of starting a vaccination campaign with an Alaskan twist, hooking it up with the Iditarod dog sled race, since the famed 1925 Iditarod run was to get diphtheria serum to Nome. She approached the Alaska Nurses Association with her idea, and start-up funding was obtained from the American Nurses Foundation. The “I Did It by Two” campaign continues today through the Vaccinate Alaska Coalition, comprised of public and private health care providers, concerned parents and allied health professions from all over Alaska.

Each year immunization promotions are done in conjunction with the Iditarod sled dog race.

New Lobbyists for AaNA Last Fall, John Bitney resigned as the AaNA legislative lobbyist to work on candidate Sarah Palin’s campaign. He is now the legislative liaison at the office of the Governor. We will miss John’s humor and appreciated his hard work for the association and wish him well in his new endeavors.

The AaNA was fortunate to find new lobbyists experienced in the health care field to represent us in the current legislative session. Mark Hickey and Caren Robinson of Hickey & Associates will be representing the AaNA and affiliate organizations (Alaska Nurse Practitioner Association, Alaska Nurse Anesthetists Association, Alaska Chapter of the American College of Nurse Midwives).

Hickey & Associates has been in business since January 1991, specializing in government representation services, transportation planning, project development, public health issues and general management.

Lobbying clients have included the Alaska Railroad Corporation, the Aleut Regional Native Corporation, Alaska Ship and Drydock, the Tanadgusix Native Village Corporation, the cities of King Cove, Akutan and Atka, the Lake & Peninsula Borough, the Aleutians East Borough, the Kodiak Island Borough, Harbor Enterprises, Inc., the American Cancer Society, Alaska Public Health Association and Planned Parenthood of Alaska.

Mark Hickey has worked extensively within the legislative process during his fourteen-year career at the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities.

Included in this experience was four years as commissioner of transportation and public facilities under former Governor Steve Cowper. During this time he had direct experience with numerous public health issues related to tobacco and alcohol use and DH&SS funding challenges.

Caren Robinson has been involved with public health issues since she worked for the Texas State Children’s Mental Health Hospital prior to moving to Alaska in 1976. In Alaska, Caren has been engaged in public health policy matters as a member of the Alaska House of Representatives (served on the Health and Education Committee), as a Juneau Assembly member (chaired the Health and Education Committee), as a special assistant to the Governor for health and social services with a specific involvement in women and children issues, as a lobbyist for health and social services providers and advocates, as a chief of staff to a legislator and as staff to the legislature’s Children’s Caucus.

Caren’s background with non-profit organizations is extensive. She founded Juneau’s AWARE shelter and served as its first director for nine years. Caren helped create the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and served as its chairperson and legislative representative.

February 2007—Alaska Nurse—Page

Alaska Nurses in the News Debbie Golden, MS, RN, BC has been hired to be the Perinatal Nurse Consultant for the Alaska DHSS Section of Women’s, Children’s and Family Health. “It’s an exciting new position, the first of its kind for the State of Alaska.” according to Ms. Golden, recently the Director of Program Services for the March of Dimes, Alaska Chapter. ***************************************** Lois Rockcastle, RNC, MS, FNP, has been elected to the American College of Nurse Practitioners Board of Directors. Ms. Rockcastle, of Anchorage, Alaska, is a FNP in independent practice providing school health services and primary health care services to Native Lois Rockcastle Alaskans of all ages. She serves as adjunct clinical faculty at the University of Alaska Anchorage, providing guidance and supervision to nurse practitioner students, and has taught an advanced health assessment course. She received her MSN/FNP from the University of Rochester and her BSN from Alfred University in New York. Lois is a past-President of the Alaska Nurse Practitioner Association and serves on the Board of Directors of the Alaska Breastfeeding Coalition. ****************************************** Jill Barnes, President of the Alaska Nurse Practitioner Association (ANPA), and Kitty Wellmann, co-chair of the Public Relations committee were featured on a segment of KTUU’s “To Your Health” in January. Reporter Joy Mapeye described what nurse practitioners were as well as what they do. The segment was titled “Nurse Practitioners play an integral role.”

Nurse practitioner Jill Barnes said those in her profession are playing an essential role in providing that primary care for folks who don’t have access to care. (Eric Sowl/KTUU-TV)

Nurse practitioner Kitty Wellmann works at Providence Medical Center’s pediatric intensive care unit conducting training in advanced critical care. (Eric Sowl/KTUU-TV)

Page —Alaska Nurse—February 2007

Congratulations New Graduates!

In December of 2006, the following students received nursing degrees at the University of Alaska. In addition to their degrees several students were honored with awards: 1. The Director’s Award: given to the student with the top GPA in the class.

2. The Spirit of Nursing: awarded by the faculty to the student who they feel demonstrates the spirit of caring, compassion and love of learning and science.

3. The Peer Award. Given by the senior class to a fellow classmate who has completed their nursing studies while balancing the daily demands of life.

Welcome new graduates and well done!

Awards BSN Program Director’s Award: Jennifer Sayer

Ingrid A. Zeckser Spirit of Nursing: Angela Clark Peer Award:

Jennifer Sayer

AAS Program Director’s Award: Cindy A. Miller Spirit of Nursing: Cindy A. Miller PN Program Director’s Award: Amanda L. Ulicny

Sheryl S. Platz Spirit of Nursing: Tara McCarron

Abraham Ragar (Fairbanks) Peer Award: Crystal DeVassie

MS Graduates (Masters of Sciences)

Ralph V. Bagley, PMH—Chair Barbara Berner, Ed.D. “Alaskan Advanced Nurse Practitioners’ Experiences of Treatment for Persons Who Self-Mutilate” Donna M. Fenske, FNP—Chair Elizabeth Predeger, Ph.D. “Alaskan Village Adults’ Understanding of Thiamine Responsive Megaloblastic Anemia” Sandra L. Haldane, HCA—Chair Dianne Toebe, Ph.D. “Mentoring: An American Indian/Alaska Native Student Nurse Retention Effort” Lara J. Jesic, FNP—Chair Elizabeth Predeger, Ph.D. “An Exploration of the Experiences of Cancer Survivors Who Choose Complementary and Alternative Therapies” Donna J. Rymut, FNP—Chair Dianne Toebe, Ph.D. “Experiences of Family Nurse Practitioners with Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain” Lisa Wahl-Hermosillo, FNP—Chair Dianne Toebe, Ph.D. -“Living with Age-Related Macular Degeneration in a Northern Climate” Bachelors of Science Graduates

Michelle A. Anderson Allison M. Jenkins Brittni A. Bloomquist Rosa M. Kenshalo Paul A. Bryner Joo Yun Kim Meri A. Clare Susan M. Kubitz Angela C. Clark Kirsten D. Larson Urshala J. Cockcroft Jessica R. Lundeen David F. Collins Melissa J. Montague Audrey M. Cotter Tiffany N. Morgan Denise N. Dabney Melissa M. Sampson Leanne N. Deckard Jennifer Sayer Sarah A. Dehlbom Amelia Scharpf Francesca V. DeVito Kristy M. Schmidt Jennifer A. Elledge Natalya B. Segalevich Rebecca M. Emmrich Maureen F. Silvan Cameron B. Erickson William H. Smalstig Jr. Jody M. Fletcher Mary L. Stokes Amanda E. Goll Virginia A. Thomas Troy O. Hanson John R. Timmons II Elise C. Harrison Brenda S. Townsend Kayla R. Hoffman Nicholas R. Tyner Cassandre L. Hohman Ingrid A. Zeckser Aaron M. Jeffery Elizabeth A. Zollinger AAS Graduates (Associate of Applied Sciences) Fairbanks Kenai Kodiak Jill A. Addington Karen A. Berg Jessica R. Eanes Bjarke J. Bennedsen Heidi P. Blaschka Tonya L. Housand Rose A. Curtin Marcie E. Duncan Nadiya A. James Amanda J. Darneille Jodi R. Hanson Megan A. Nugent Collette N. Ducharme Cindy A. Miller Carina G. Samaniego Tiffany M. Greer Mark N. Moldenhauer Tamitha A. Solorio Emily J. Harker Monica L. Musgrove Nicole D. Vosgien Heather A. Hartman Nancy G. Pena Amber M. Hendrickson Deni R. Pennison DaRae A. Leake Brandy J. Rader Steffanie L. Leslie Sitka Sharita R. Mitchell Fawn J. Olson Bobbi Jo Conner Teresa R. Pearce Rudolf P. Lodder Eleanor J. Richter Michelle M. Mork Vanessa N. Vondra Jennifer L. Patrick Carla D. Winebark Tayma L. Walker

LPN Program Graduates (Licensed Practical Nurse)

Anchorage Fairbanks Sandra A. Brown Angela C. Cullen Patricia R. Buholm Kelly Dryer Claire A. Dehart Sheryl S. Platz Crystal R. DeVassie Abraham D. Ragar Lucy E. Huntley Sarah E. Schroff Megan M. Jacobs Tara M. McCarron Morgan M. Olsen Cynthia M. Rodriguez Linda Smith Parbati Tamang Amanda L. Ulicny Serina T. Vazquez

February 2007—Alaska Nurse—Page

AaNA Announcements AaNA District I Update Submitted by Martha Clinehens District I has been on a one-year hiatus, but we are back and prepared to implement changes based on the survey results. In November, we solicited suggestions from District I nurses regarding our future structure. Thank you to all who responded. The results are summarized below: • 615 surveys mailed • 48 completed, 16 returned by post office marked “no forwarding address” • 66% of respondents wanted to move to a “task force” organizational structure • 28% of respondents suggested continuing with the current formal structure • 18 nurses volunteered for community service projects • 9 volunteered to work on the May Banquet • 6 volunteered to work on the statewide nurses conference • 4 indicated an interest in working on legislative issues Participants in the survey became eligible for a drawing for banquet tickets and a reduced registration fee for the statewide conference.

Congratulations to Kate Haeussler, winner of two tickets to the May Banquet and Deborah Hall, winner of the reduced registration fee for the conference in October.

Please mark your calendar for Wednesday May 9, 2007 for our Banquet!

Thanks to Michele Arnold for taking the lead in organizing the banquet. If you wish to join the banquet organizing team, contact Michele Arnold at 272-0459.

Location: O’Malley’s On The Green Guest Speaker: Jean Ballentyne, Dean of the UAA School of Nursing At the banquet, District I leaders will roll out its new organizational structure and its plans for the future. Don’t miss this event!

Thanks to Cathy Feaster, Martha Clinehens, Barbara Long, Donna Zeznock, Michele Arnold, and Rose Guerra for their recent work on the re-structuring task for District I. See you in May! ************************************************************

AaNA Award Nominations Nominations are now being accepted for the 2007 Alaska Nursing Association (AaNA) nursing awards. The awards will be announced at the 2007 Alaska Statewide Nursing Conference. Start thinking of your colleagues who should be nominated. AaNA awards are an excellent way to recognize fellow nurses for their contributions to nursing and health care.

Alaska Nurses Association Award Nomination Form 2007 Deadline: August 1, 2007 Please select application you are submitting:

q AaNA Service Award—Presented to an outstanding AaNA member who has made significant contributions to AaNA by promoting the purposes outlined in the AaNA bylaws: (a) Work for the improvement of health standards and the availability of health care services for all people, (b) Foster high quality standards of nursing, and (c) stimulate and promote the professional development of nurses and advance their economic and general welfare. Nominees must be members of AaNA. q AaNA Excellence in Practice Award—Presented to a nurses selected by peers as an outstanding practitioner, currently doing excellent work in nursing. Nominees must be licensed RNs presently involved in nursing practice in Alaska. q AaNA Hall of Fame—Presented to, or on behalf of, exceptional AaNA members, either living or deceased, who have made exceptional contributions to nurses, the nursing profession or AaNA. 1. Nominee Information (print or type): Name and Credentials _ _______________________________________ Address, City, State and ZIP _____________________________________ Position and Title _______________________________________________ Daytime Phone _______________Evening Phone __________________ 2. Narrative Summary (Please attach 1-2 pages in length) of the candidate’s: q Accomplishments and contributions that make them an outstanding nominee for the above category q Position and Title (give a brief description of duties, length of time in position) q A brief summary of the nominee’s career q Date of arrival in Alaska, and q Educational background.

3. Nominated By Name and Credentials __________________________________________ Title _______________________Daytime Phone___________________ Address, City and Zip __________________________________________

Please return to AaNA Office by August 1, 2007 FAX (907)272-0292—e-mail dao@aknursre.org—3701 E. Tudor, Suite 208, Anchorage, AK 99507

Page —Alaska Nurse—February 2007

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

Membership Categories

Full Membership—Employed Full-time or Part-time * EDPP is the monthly Reduced Membership—Not Employed 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 Yearly Locations Monthly (*EDPP)

$322.50 $27.38

$161.25 $13.94

$80.62 $7.21

_______________________________________ _________________________________________________ Last Name/First Name/ Middle Initial Social Security Number _______________________________________ _________________________________________________ Street or PO Box City/State /Zip 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

Integrity ~ Advocacy

Professionalism Empowerment Representation

Share your Expertise!

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

A Benefit of Membership: AaNA Member Name: __________________ E-mail: ________________________________ Informational E-mail q Various Nursing Information—If you would like National, State and Local nursing information e-mails from AaNA on a weekly basis. q 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. q Professional Nursing Practice Issues— Taskforces will consider issues relating to AaNA’s policy on RN practice and other professional issues. q Health and Safety Issues—Taskforces will consider safety and health issues of nurses and patients. q 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. q Other interest? Let us know what you would like to work on:______________ AaNA Committees q 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. q 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. q 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. q 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.

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.

Resources Anchorage Project Access 1805 Academy Drive, Suite 102 Anchorage, Alaska 99507 Phone 907-339-8746 www.anchorageprojectaccess.org

We are ready for referrals!

During our first year of operation, we have enrolled 462 patients in the program and currently have over 350 physicians and health care providers volunteering their time and talents to ensure this population has access to health care.

Eligibility requirements: • You are a Municipality of Anchorage resident • You have no other insurance including Native Health Services, Medicaid (i.e. Denali KidCare, CAMA), Medicare (i.e. Social Security, SSD, SSI), or Government Benefits (i.e. Tri Care, Veterans benefits).

• Your gross family annual household income is 200% of the Federal Poverty level or below (call for details). ****************************************** NCSBN and ANA Issue Joint Statement on Nursing Delegation 01/25/07 The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and the American Nurses Association (ANA) have issued a joint statement on delegation designed to reinforce that delegation is an essential nursing skill and to support the practicing nurse in using delegation safely and effectively.

More . . . www.nursingworld.org/news/ ananews.htm#jointPRdelegation

90% of Candidates Endorsed by AK RNs N-PAC Win Election

by Pat Senner, ANP Every two years the Alaska Nurses Political Action Committee (N-PAC) endorses candidates for state office. This past year N-PAC endorsed 26 candidates for state House and Senate seats. Only two of the candidates endorsed by N- PAC lost their elections, and one of those candidates, former AaNA employee Valerie Baffone, lost by only 200 votes out of 7,000 cast in her district! This represents a 92% success rate for endorsed candidates.

The Alaska Nurses PAC determines their endorsements based on performance by candidates in the legislature or other public office, responses to questionnaires and forums, observations by RNs in the candidate’s district and whether the N-PAC feels the candidate has a chance to win. A flyer announcing the Alaska Nurses PAC endorsements is sent to all RNs holding an Alaska license who live in Alaska.

Congratulations to the following successful candidates endorsed by Alaska Nurses PAC in 2006: Kim Elton, Joe Thomas, Gene Therriault, Bill Wielechowski, Johnny Ellis, Lesil McGuire, Gary Stevens, Peggy Wilson, Beth Kerttula, David Guttenberg, Scott Kawasaki, Jay Ramras, John Harris, Carl Gatto, Vic Kohring, Bill Stoltze, Nancy Dahlstrom, Max Gruenberg, Harry Crawford, Berta Gardner, Lindsey Holmes, Bob Lynn, Charles Chenault, and Gabrielle Le Doux.

February 2007—Alaska Nurse—Page

Page 10—Alaska Nurse—February 2007

Upcoming Events The Seventh Annual Women’s Health Breakup Seminar Sponsored by the Alaska Chapter of the American College of Nurse Midwives The seminar will take place at the BP Energy Center, 900 East Benson Blvd, Anchorage, Alaska; on Monday, April 16, 2007, from 8:15 am to 4:45 pm.

The goal of this offering is to provide an instate continuing education opportunity. We hope you will join us for this year’s diverse program and a day of networking with your fellow women’s health care providers.

Application has been made to the Alaska Nurses’ Association for CEUs.

Speakers Include: Judith Mercer, CNM: Umbilical Cord Clamping: First Do No Harm Margaret Barnett, ANP: Cardiovascular Disease in the Primary Care Setting George Stransky, MD: The Pharmacology and Hormones of Menopause Audrey Burke, MS: Prenatal Genetic Testing Options: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Jennifer Aist, CLC: Breastfeeding Complications --------------------------------------------------------- Conference Cost (includes lunch): Registration postmarked on or before 4/1/07— $100 Registration postmarked after 4/1/07—$125

Registration: Please mail a check, with your contact information, payable to the “Alaska Chapter of the ACNM” to: Alaska Chapter-ACNM P.O. Box 243091 Anchorage, AK 99524-3091 Questions or comments? Get in touch with us at: sjtaygan@scf.cc or visit our website: http:// www.alaskamidwives.org/breakup ***************************************

Alaska Cruise The Nursing Departments from the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and the Alaska Native Medical Center are cosponsoring “Cruising the Waters of EvidenceBased Practice”. Embarkment is on June 16, 2007 from Vancouver, British Columbia. This Alaskan cruise will combine a unique learning and networking opportunity in a unique setting. The program features internationally recognized experts in evidence-based practice.

Double occupancy cabins begin at $899. You can obtain additional information by contacting Elaine Shalla or Kathy Ashby at Meacham’s Travel Service. Their phone number is (319) 3511946 or 1(800) 777-1360, and email addresses are Elaine@meachamtravel.com or Kathy@ meachamtravel.com. If you have any questions or would like further assistance contact Laura Cullen at 319- 384-9144 or laura-cullen@uiowa. edu. (Note from the editor. Even though this cruise is in June, the deposit deadline will have passed before you get the paper. Nevertheless, we decided to print information on the cruise in case they still were accepting late registrants.)

Laura Cullen, MA, RN, APN Evidence-Based Practice Coordinator *************************************** ANA Quadrennial Policy Conference Nursing Care in Life, Death and Disaster June 20-22, 2007 in Atlanta, Georgia The American Nurses Association is hosting its inaugural quadrennial policy conference, Nursing Care in Life, Death and Disaster,scheduled for June 20-22, 2007, in Atlanta, Georgia, at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta.

To receive a complete conference brochure as soon as it’s available, please e-mail: meetings@ ana.org.

This major policy conference is dedicated to considering the significant health and disaster preparedness questions related to an altered standard of care that can result from a major natural or manmade disaster. During a major

disaster, registered nurses and other health professionals must make difficult decisions in light of the disaster’s context that challenge the established scopes and standards of care, professional ethical codes, and other legal and regulatory frameworks that articulate the expected standard of care during a nonemergency situation. This conference will inform the nursing profession, policy makers, government and other disaster planners and responders regarding reconciliation of the professional, legal and regulatory conflicts of a diminished standard of care and promote better decision-making that will improve patient outcomes and quality of care provided during a major disaster. *************************************** The American Academy of Nurse Practitioner’s (AANP) 22nd National Conference will be held June 20-24, 2007 at the Indiana Convention Center & RCA Dome, Indianapolis. Check the web at http://www.aanp.org/Conferences/ 2007+Conference/2007+Conference.asp for more information. *************************************** ANCC Eleventh National Magnet Conference The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) is sponsoring the Eleventh Annual Magnet Conference to be held October 3-5, 2007 in Atlanta, GA. *************************************** Alaska Statewide Nurses Conference October 20-25, 2007 Anchorage, Alaska Sponsored by the Alaska Nurses Association and the Emergency Nurses Association For information contact Dianne O’Connell, AaNA Executive Director at dao@aknurse.org *************************************** The American College of Nurse Practitioners (ACNP) National Clinical Conference is scheduled for October 24-28, 2007 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas. This year’s conference will feature more than 120 clinical CE sessions as well as exciting and challenging keynote speakers.

ACNP’s Clinical Conference has continued to grow strong over the past six years, and in San Antonio we are anticipating that more than 1,200 Nurse Practitioners will be in attendance for the premier educational and clinical event for Nurse Practitioners.

For more details about ACNP and the 2007 National Clinical Conference, please visit www. acnpweb.org.