Article Content

10TH ANNUAL CLINICAL PRACTICE FORUM

Please join us and the exceptional faculty for the 10th Annual HPNA Clinical Practice Forum, taking place this year on Friday, September 30 and Saturday, October 1, 2016, at a brand new and historic location, the Omni William Penn Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

 

This conference will provide state-of-the-science information related to the practice of palliative nursing, which includes case presentations with interactive discussions. The Clinical Practice Forum focuses on current hospice and palliative care issues for both registered nurses and advanced practice nurses. There will be evidence-based presentations related to pain and symptom management, communication, regulations, and other related issues.

 

For more information about the 10th Annual Clinical Practice Forum and to find out how to register, please visit the HPNA Web site at http://www.goHPNA.org.

 

UPCOMING ELNEC DATES SPONSORED BY HPNA

HPNA and the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) have once again teamed up for a series of Train-the-Trainer educational events for 2016. There will be 3 ELNEC Core courses and 1 ELNEC Pediatric course offered throughout the year, with one of the core courses in May and both the Core and Pediatric courses in July. The dates for the courses are as follows:

 

* May 24 to 25, Scottsdale, Arizona (Core course)

 

* July 26 to 27, Charleston, South Carolina (Core and Pediatric Palliative Care courses)

 

* October 18 to 19, Orlando, Florida (Core course)

 

 

For more information and how to register, visit our Web site at http://www.goHPNA.org, then select "education" and "ELNEC Train-the-Trainer" courses.

 

Scholarships are also available through the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation (HPNF) that would help with some of the costs for each of these programs. Visit http://www.goHPNF.org under "education" and "conference scholarships" for more detailed information.

 

NEW HPNA FELLOWS FOR 2016

In support of HPNA's mission of advancing expert care in serious illness, the HPNA Board of Directors initiated the Fellow in Palliative Care Nursing (FPCN) several years ago. It is intended for our members who are nursing leaders in education, leadership, advanced practice, and research. This would include organization or agency executives, chancellors and deans, hospital chief executives and vice presidents of nursing, nurse consultants, and researchers and entrepreneurs.

 

Those who have earned the FPCN designation for 2016 include the following members: Kathleen Broglio, DNP, ANP-BC, ACHPN, CPE, FPCN; Verna L. Hendricks-Ferguson, PhD, RN, CHPPN, FPCN; Joy R. Goebel, PhD, MN, RN, FPCN; Kathie Kobler, MS, APN, PCNS-BC, CHPPN, FPCN; Masako Mayahara, PhD, RN, CHPN, FPCN; Peg Nelson, MSN, NP, ACHPN, FPCN; and Denise Stahl, MSN, ACHPN, FPCN. They were recognized during the 2016 American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM)/HPNA Annual Assembly in Chicago last March.

 

Designation as an FPCN recognizes the individual's accomplishments within the nursing profession. However, Fellows in Palliative Care Nursing also have a responsibility to continue to engage with other health care leaders in enhancing and promoting the specialty of palliative nursing. Once approved by the HPNA Board of Directors as a FPCN, the applicant is awarded the credential FPCN.

 

More information about the HPNA Fellows program can be found on the http://www.goHPNA.org Web site. Applications for 2017 are now being accepted, and the application deadline is September 1, 2016.

 

RESULTS OF HPNA MEMBERSHIP VOTE ON BYLAW CHANGES

In February and March 2016, the HPNA membership voted in support of the proposed changes to the HPNA bylaws, and final vote tally was announced at the membership meeting in March during the Annual Assembly.

 

If you would like to learn more about the specific changes, all are posted on the HPNA Web site at http://hpna.advancingexpertcare.org/bylaw-changes/.

 

ONLINE VOTING COMING YOUR WAY THIS SUMMER

Once again, HPNA will be utilizing an online process for the election of the Board of Directors. This Web-based voting process has provided HPNA with higher rates of voter participation and greater overall accessibility. Please watch for election announcements and further instructions to be delivered through upcoming HPNA newsletter articles, Web site updates, and your personal e-mail notifications. Your vote is very important!

 

HPNA PARTICIPATING IN UPCOMING VIRTUAL CONFERENCE

HPNA will be once again teaming up with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the AAHPM to present a Virtual Conference from Tuesday August 9 through Thursday, August 11, 2016. The title of the conference is "Challenges on the Front Lines: Effective Approaches to Complex Cases." Visit our Web site at http://www.goHPNA.org to find out more details about this online conference and about ways to join and participate.

 

CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE 2017 AAHPM/HPNA ANNUAL ASSEMBLY

Planning continues for the next AAHPM/HPNA Annual Assembly, to be held in Phoenix, Arizona, from February 22 to 25, 2017. The 2016 Annual Assembly in Chicago set records for both the number of overall participants and the total number of nurses attending, and we believe that Phoenix, Arizona, in February would be a great location to build upon our record numbers.

 

We are currently looking for proposals for the event. The first call for proposals is closed, but those dates and the dates for the next 2 upcoming calls are listed below:

 

* April 4 to May 2: call for workshops, concurrent sessions, and SIG-endorsed concurrent sessions

 

* July 5 to August 2: call for scientific papers and posters

 

* October 3 to November 1: call for case submissions

 

 

All proposals must be submitted to the American Association of Hospice and Palliative Medicine via the http://www.aahpm.org Web site.

 

HPNA ISSUES A CALL TO ACTION

HPNA has issued a call to action to its members and other stakeholders to support the new curricular guidelines for nursing education issued by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).

 

HPNA congratulates AACN for its groundbreaking development of comprehensive recommendations for undergraduate nursing education, Competencies and Recommendations for Educating Undergraduate Nursing Students: Preparing Nurses to Care for the Seriously Ill and Their Families. This work, building on prior work of AACN and the ELNEC, emphasizes the importance of nursing education to ensure high-quality palliative care across health care settings.

 

To expand AACN's reach and focus on nursing education in palliative care, HPNA called on members and other stakeholders and partners to promote the AACN recommendations. HPNA has and will continue to provide members with tools and resources to support effective communication with the nursing education community, including nursing schools and universities offering undergraduate nursing degrees, in support of the recommended competency-based curriculum in palliative care.

 

To read the list of AACN recommendations, we suggest visiting their Web site at http://www.aacn.nch.edu/elnec/New-Palliative-Care-Competencies.pdf. To read our news release, please visit our Web site http://www.goHPNA.org, and click on "News Releases" under the "Newsroom" section at the bottom of the site.

 

THE VALUE OF HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CERTIFICATION

HPNA has joined forces with the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC) and HPNF to highlight the value of hospice and palliative certification in an updated position statement.

 

All 3 organizations share the same mission, to advance expert care in serious illness, and all believe that professional certification in hospice and palliative care is an important aspect in ensuring quality care and outcomes for individuals and their families. Hospice and palliative care delivery and research have matured in the last 10 years; however, academic degrees alone do not ensure specialty palliative skill, knowledge, and expertise.

 

"As the population ages, and with advances in medical treatments and technology, more and more people of all ages are living with chronic diseases," said Susan Koff, MSN, ARNP, GNP-BC, ACHPN, CRRN, president of the HPCC Board of Directors. "The demand for highly qualified, competent staff is growing."

 

Studies have demonstrated a positive link between certification and performance outcomes, such as higher patient satisfaction ratings, fewer adverse events in patient care, and increased personal growth and professional satisfaction among other benefits. Certification also has a significant positive impact on patient care and safety, with studies indicating improvements in clinical outcomes.

 

To read the new Value of Hospice and Palliative Certification joint position statement in its entirety, visit http://advancingexpertcare.org/position-statements/.

 

HPCC EXAMINATION SCHEDULE FOR 2016

Below are the testing windows and application dates for HPCC certification examinations for 2016. Applications for the June testing window are now being accepted through May 15, and applications for the September testing window will be accepted starting on June 1. This schedule is also available fin each candidate handbook, which is available on our Web site, http://www.goHPCC.org, under the "certification" tab.

 

EXAMINATION VOUCHERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE

HPCC has worked together with PSI Services-Applied Professionals, Inc, the testing company that manages our certification examinations, to create a voucher program for those purchasing examinations.

  
No caption available... - Click to enlarge in new windowNo caption available

Third parties will now be able to purchase examinations by paying the full examination fee in advance and receive a voucher code for the purchasers to disperse to examination candidates. Those candidates will be able to input the voucher code when applying for their individual examinations in lieu of providing payment.

 

This program is available immediately. For more information on how to purchase multiple certification examinations, please see the informational document on our Web site at http://www.goHPCC.org under "certification," or contact us directly either by e-mail at mailto:[email protected] or by telephone at 412-787-1057.

 

HPCC RECERTIFICATION

All HPCC certifications are valid for a 4-year period. If you are due to renew your certification, visit the HPCC Web site at http://www.goHPCC.org for more details. Choose your credential and then the "recertification" tab to learn about your specific renewal requirements and options for renewal. For the Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (ACHPN), Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN), and Certified Hospice and Palliative Pediatric Nurse (CHPPN) certifications in 2016, Hospice and Palliative Accrual for Recertification (HPAR) is the method for renewal. If HPAR is the option for your recertification, please note that various enhancements of professional development activities have been incorporated into the HPAR process for all certificants, which will provide more opportunities for the certificants to demonstrate their continuing competence. All HPAR submissions, whether online or by paper, have a due date of 8 weeks prior to the date of expiration of certification for the standard fee. As a reminder, all ACHPN, CHPN, and CHPPN recertifications in 2016 will be through HPAR, as testing will no longer be an option for recertification for these credentials.

 

HPCC 2017 AWARD NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN

The HPCC offers Certificant of the Year Awards for certified individuals from all 7 HPCC programs: ACHPN, CHPN, CHPPN, Certified Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurse (CHPLN), Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant (CHPNA), Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Administrator (CHPCA), and Certified in Perinatal Loss Care (CPLC). Award recipients receive their awards at the HPCC Certification Recognition Event during the AAHPM/HPNA Annual Assembly.

 

Nominate a deserving individual for one of these prestigious awards. Contact the national office at 412-787-1057 or by e-mail at mailto:[email protected], or visit our Web site at http://www.goHPCC.org for a nomination application. All nominations are due to the national office by July 1, 2016.

 

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2017 HPCC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The HPCC Board Development Committee is seeking applicants to serve on the HPCC Board of Directors in 2017. The mission of the HPCC is to advance expert care in serious illness.

 

The HPCC Board of Directors is responsible for the affairs of the organization. Major responsibilities include oversight of business and financial affairs and the strategic plan. We are seeking experienced, energetic, and passionate professionals who will lead the provision of certification in hospice and palliative care into the future. Potential applicants include individuals who hold an HPCC certification or other professional certifications or have great interest in certification. Applicants are not required to hold a current HPCC certification.

 

To review full details of the call for board nominations process and board competencies, or to complete an application, please visit our Web site at http://www.goHPCC.org under the "About" header and "Apply to the HPCC Board." Contact the national office at mailto:[email protected] or 412-787-1057 if you have further questions. The deadline for board applications is July 1, 2016.

 

HPCC 2016 ITEM WRITER WORKSHOP

Learn more about item writing by attending the following workshop, "Secrets of Competency Testing: Writing Items for Hospice and Palliative Certification Exams." The HPCC, with expert assistance from Applied Measurement Professionals of Olathe, Kansas, offers a unique opportunity for you to make a direct contribution to developing the certification examinations. Individuals who have a strong knowledge base in hospice and palliative care are welcome. Expertise in item writing or test development is not required.

 

The workshop is offered as a 3-part course. The first 2 parts must be done online, whereas the third and last part is a live webinar. The third session is offered 3 times throughout the year. The next live webinar for part 3 is scheduled for Tuesday, June 28, 2016, from 10:30 am to noon, ET.

 

Upon completion of all 3 courses and the posttest and evaluation, you will receive 3.5 contact hours. Nursing assistants will receive a certificate of participation. Full details are posted at http://www.goHPCC.org under "Certification" and "Exam Development."

 

HPCC CERTIFICATION PINS

Honor yourself or your certified nursing team members with a certification pin. The certification pins are available for purchase for all certificants! Wear your credential with pride! To order, please visit our Web site at http://www.goHPCC.org, and click under "certification" and the "resources" tab, or click "shop" to purchase the pins. You can also call the national office at 412-787-1057 for further information.

 

HOSPICE AND PALLITIVE NURSES FOUNDATION AWARD WINNERS

HPNF would like to congratulate those 2015 award winners who were recognized at the 2016 AAHPM/HPNA Annual Assembly in Chicago. The winner of the HNPF/PDIA Nursing Leadership Award in Palliative Care was Marie Anne Bakitas, DNSc, CRNP, ACHPN, AOCN, FAAN. Kristi Acker, DNP, FNP-BC, AOCNP, ACHPN, won the Judy Lentz Scholarship for the Advancement of Palliative Care in Oncology Nursing.

 

Those winning conference scholarships to attend the Annual Assembly include Patricia Dziabis, BSN, RN, CHPN; Amy Corey Haskamp, MSN, RN, PCNS-BC, CPON; Stephanie Kemery, MSN, RN, CMSRN; Djin Lyn Lai, BSN, RN; Kathy Plakovic, MSN, APRN, ACHPN; Joan "Jody" Chrastek, DNP, RN, CHPN; Kathryn Knill, BSN, RN; Gloria Meek, ANP-BC, ACHPN, OCN; and Janice Noort, MS, RN, NP, ACHPN. Congratulations to all of our winners!

 

HOSPICE AND PALLITIVE NURSES FOUNDATION APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN!

HPNF education, certification, and conference scholarships; research grants; chapter education grants; and Leadership Awards, to name a few, are all available now for both HPNA members and HPCC certificants. Many opportunities are available at this time of year, with some providing registration and travel stipend. Below is a short list that has deadline dates coming up.

 

* Certification Research Grant. This is intended to provide investigators with resources to conduct exploratory, pilot, or feasibility studies that will lead to larger-scale projects linking certification with patient outcomes. One grant of up to $15 000 is awarded annually. Proposals are due on or before July 1, and the funding date is September 1.

 

* HPNF/PDIA Nursing Leadership Award in Palliative Care. This is given in accordance with a grant from Project on Death in America. It is for a nurse who has emerged as a leader in palliative care and whose work has improved nursing care for dying patients and their families. The application deadline is June 1.

 

* Individual Education Scholarships. These are given to hospice and palliative nurses earning academic degrees. There is a $750 scholarship for the associate degree level and a $1500 scholarship for someone earning a bachelor's degree. There are also two $2000 scholarships for those earning a master's degree and two $3000 scholarships for those earning a doctorate. The application deadline for all these scholarships is June 1.

 

* Chapter Education Grants. These are given to individual HPNA Chapters and are awarded for innovative and effective projects designed to provide an educational opportunity to members or to expand chapter membership. Six grants of up to $1000 each are awarded annually and increase for 2016. The application deadline is June 1.

 

* Certification Scholarships. These are for those who are seeking HPCC certification or recertification and 60 scholarships. Application deadlines will be on the first of every month.

 

* ELNEC Scholarships. These are for registration and travel for attendees to any of the HPNA-sponsored ELNEC classes throughout 2016. There are 8 opportunities that are for the 4 programs this year in May, July, and October. Deadlines are July 1 and October 1 for the remaining ELNEC courses in Charleston, South Carolina, and Orlando, Florida.

 

 

In addition, HPNF will be giving 5 scholarships to our upcoming Virtual Conference in August, 10 scholarships for the Clinical Practice Forum in Pittsburgh this September, and 20 scholarships to either the ACHPN or CHPN Certification Review Courses also taking place during this year's Clinical Practice Forum. There are plenty of opportunities available for hospice and palliative nurses to attend the programs that can help advance expert care in our field. Visit http://www.goHPNF.org for details, eligibility criteria, and application materials for all of our upcoming scholarships, grants, and awards.

 

HPNF NEEDS YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS

To bring you these scholarships, grants, and awards, the HPNF needs your support. Visit our Web site at http://www.goHPNF.org, where you can research our giving opportunities and donor circles. Or type in the following URL, https://www.hpnf.org/donate.aspx, to make your gift now. Thank you!

 

Advancing Expert Care Campaign

 

Corporate Partnership Program

 

Patrons

  
No caption available... - Click to enlarge in new windowNo caption available.