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The Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing is the official journal of the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association. PCNA is the leading nursing organization dedicated to preventing cardiovascular disease through assessing risk, facilitating lifestyle changes, and guiding individuals to achieve treatment goals.

 

2011 PCNA Fall Lecture Series Engaged Healthcare Providers, Supported Chapter Growth

The 2011 Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA) Fall Lecture Series, in partnership with the Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions (SCAI), Mended Hearts, and WomenHeart, toured the country during the fall of 2011 from September 17 to November 5. The programs visited nine cities including New Orleans, Louisiana; Rochester, New York; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Cleveland, Ohio; Akron, Ohio; Asheville, North Carolina; Denver, Colorado; Jacksonville, Florida; and Charlottesville, Virginia, to offer free continuing education programs to healthcare providers nationwide. More than one thousand healthcare providers attended the live and online sessions to earn 2.25 contact hours of continuing education and 1 hour of pharmacology. The series featured a 2011 update on the use of biomarkers in the assessment of cardiovascular disease risk, identification and optimal treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia, and the management of dyslipidemia in patients with chronic kidney disease.

  
Pcna 2011 - Click to enlarge in new windowPCNA 2011 Fall Lecture Series in New Orleans, Louisiana, September 17, 2011.

In addition to providing continuing education to attendees, the Fall Lecture Series also supported the development of the New Orleans PCNA Chapter, who was petitioning during their meeting for supporters to launch the new chapter. The Fall Lecture Series also generated 62 new PCNA members.

 

In each city, PCNA also coordinated public health events for local community members seeking information about how to take control of their heart health. The programs reached more than 200 people nationwide who gathered to learn about atrial fibrillation, high blood pressure, stents, and cardiac rehabilitation from local nurses and physicians.

 

Some of the most powerful presentations at the programs were WomenHeart Champions and Mended Hearts speakers, who shared their personal stories about being heart disease/myocardial infarction survivors with the professional and public audiences.

 

Visit http://www.facebook.com/heartnurses for photos and videos of the events and visit http://www.pcna.net for the announcement of the 2012 cities. This year, they could be in an area near you.

 

Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association and American Nurses Foundation Award Research Grant to Eileen M. Stuart-Shor, PhD, ANP

Each year, the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA) and the American Nurses Foundation (ANF) partner to award a $5000 grant that encourages research career development for nurses. In support of the mission of PCNA, individuals whose research is focused on cardiovascular disease prevention are selected for this award.

 

This year, PCNA and ANF have awarded the 2011 Research Grant to Eileen M. Stuart-Shor, PhD, ANP, at the University of Massachusetts for her submission "Global Cardiovascular Risk Assessment: Kenya Heart and Sole Program."

  
Pcna 2011 - Click to enlarge in new windowPCNA 2011 Fall Lecture Series in Jacksonville, Florida, October 29, 2011.

The purpose of Stuart-Shor's research is to address the emerging epidemic of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in sub-Saharan Africa, which is predicted to worsen and is often attributed to westernization of lifestyle (smoking, physical activity, and diet).

 

"Clustering of risk factors has been noted in developing countries, making a compelling case for calculating global risk scores to prioritize treatment," notes Stuart-Shor in her abstract. "In previous work by the researchers we have observed high rates of hypertension, diabetes, obesity and multiple risk factors in central province Kenya, but little attention has been paid to calculating global risk scores."

 

Stuart-Shor will use this grant for a secondary analysis to test the feasibility of integrating a non-laboratory-based risk prediction tool at the point of service in community-based CVD/metabolic screenings and clinics.

 

"This study will test the feasibility of integrating a simple risk prediction chart that could be used by nurses and community health workers at the community level to prioritize treatment and improve timely referral. This has important implications for practice and policy and places nursing at the nexus of a practice improvement that could contribute to halting the unfolding NCD epidemic in Kenya," notes Stuart-Shor.

 

For more information about the ANF Research Grant Award, visit http://www.pcna.net/about/awards.

 

2012 Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association Annual Symposium Preview

The Annual Symposium promises to be a time of learning about cutting-edge cardiovascular prevention care and the latest cardiovascular research and guidelines from nationally known speakers. It is also a time for networking and meeting old friends. Meet them this year at the Gaylord National Hotel in Washington, DC, on April 12 to 14, 2012. Participants can earn up to 16.6 CE credits, including 8 hours of pharmacology.

 

The Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA) is proud to offer another innovative program including state-of-the-art keynote addresses, plenary sessions, and round table discussions from nationally and internationally renowned faculty, including presentations from Diane M. Canova, JD, Sidney C. Smith, Jr, MD, and A. Toni Yancey, MD, MPH.

  
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In addition to state-of-the-art programming, the 2012 PCNA Annual Symposium brings exciting new features.

 

For the first time, there will be a specific session for chapter leaders on leadership and effective chapter management. In addition, there will be an opportunity for our membership to voice their opinions through focus groups that will explore new ways to develop programs and materials that our members need most in their practice.

 

In the exhibit hall at the PCNA booth, there will be time to explore the PCNA Social Media Lounge to learn more about how PCNA is connecting members and cardiovascular specialists via Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

 

Lastly, because we are in Washington, DC, there will also be a session on learning how to become a nurse advocate for prevention and cardiovascular nursing.

 

There is something to learn for all nurses and healthcare professionals who work in cardiovascular care and prevention. Visit http://www.pcna.net to learn more about this program and to register.

  
2011 PCNA Annual Sym... - Click to enlarge in new window2011 PCNA Annual Symposium, Orlando, Florida.

Make your plans now to attend. We hope to see you there!

 

Chapter Spotlight: PCNA Chapter in Jacksonville Offers Stellar Programming, Volunteering

Submitted by Irma B. Ancheta, PhD, RN, FPCNA, and Lynn Caudilla, First Coast PCNA Chapter Leaders

 

The First Coast Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA) Chapter is located in Jacksonville, Florida. As a PCNA Chapter, we have developed and successfully implemented continuing education events for the past several years. These continuing education offerings are well attended and well received by cardiovascular nurses, healthcare providers, and nursing students in and around the Jacksonville area.

 

In addition to our professional development, the First Coast Chapter believes in the tradition of giving. For the past 3 years, our local PCNA chapter has given 10% of all registration proceeds to the Legacy of Care Clinic and the Volunteers in Medicine Clinic. These clinics provide free medical and dental services to the uninsured in our area. Our chapter has also reached out to help international countries in need by sponsoring a hospital medical equipment drive.

 

Although our philanthropy efforts are most rewarding, we are particularly proud of the success we had with the recent PCNA Fall Lecture Series and Community Program. With regard to recruitment strategies, we were able to effectively reach the participants by electronic invitation sent directly to all nurse educators in academia as well as all local hospitals and institutions. Various approaches were also instituted to disseminate information to the public. Flyers were posted in community areas such as church bulletin boards, libraries, physician's offices, clinic waiting areas, and the local American Heart Association Heart Walk event. Providers were also encouraged to help disseminate information to their patients. The day of the event, nearly 100 professionals attended the morning session and more than 60 community members attended in the afternoon.

 

The speakers for the Fall Lecture Series were among the best in their fields of cardiology and nephrology. The program consisted of an update in the use of biomarkers in the assessment of cardiovascular disease risk, identification and optimal treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia, and the management of dyslipidemia in patients with chronic kidney disease. The participants not only received the best information from our speakers but also enjoyed a healthy breakfast, lunch, and exciting door prizes.

 

The 2-hour afternoon community program was held to provide cardiovascular education to local Jacksonville residents. The participants were engaged in discussions about issues on blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, and mending hearts from stents to cardiac rehabilitation. In addition, a WomenHeart representative shared her own personal cardiovascular encounter and how she had empowered herself. Her message was powerful, and perhaps, her experience will help others take charge of their own heart health.

 

Last and most importantly, the success of the conference was made possible by the groundwork provided by the planning committee and all volunteers involved. Their effort and dedication to the organization and to the community are visible by strong participation in local meetings, planning, and the successful implementation of both these programs. The experience from this event will undoubtedly help the organization to improve future programs.

 

More information about regional PCNA chapters can be found at http://www.pcna.net/membership/chapters.

  
First Coast PCNA Cha... - Click to enlarge in new windowFirst Coast PCNA Chapter leaders and volunteers at the 2011 PCNA Fall Lecture Series and community program event.

Tell a Friend About Heart Month 2012

We all know that February marks National Heart Month. This is an exciting time for cardiovascular nursing because it gives us the chance to shine even more light on the important issues of cardiovascular disease risk factors and prevention.

  
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National Heart Month is a time to remember the importance of cardiovascular disease prevention and do what you can to raise awareness of the disease to your family, friends, colleagues, patients, and community members. You can do this through the following:

 

Participating in the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA's) Tell A Friend Campaign. In 2004, PCNA launched the Tell a Friend About Women and Heart Disease campaign to encourage women to engage their healthcare providers in a dialogue about heart health and share what they learn about heart disease with their daughters, sisters, mothers, friends, and coworkers. Today, the same mission applies, and PCNA will be providing tools to share stories about heart disease and prevention via the PCNA Facebook Page. Visit http://www.facebook.com/heartnurses for more information about how to get involved.

 

Wearing Red on February 3. National Wear Red Day, developed by the American Heart Association, is on Friday, February 3, 2012. Make a difference by coordinating Wear Red Day at work, setting up a fundraising page, coordinating local events, and donating to support medical research, awareness, education, and community programs to help women live longer, heart-healthy lives. Visit http://www.goredforwomen .org/wearredday for resources and information.

 

Chapter Spotlight: Rocky Mountain PCNA Chapter Shows the Power of Collaboration to Launch New Chapter

Submitted by Susan Bush, RN, Rocky Mountain PCNA Chapter Leader

 

October 2011 marked the first year anniversary of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA). Because of our unique geographical makeup, this chapter encompasses Colorado and Wyoming, which is a larger area than most chapters. In this part of the country, we have fewer areas of dense population, so starting a chapter here was challenging. Being on the PCNA national membership committee, I was naturally interested in starting a chapter, but knew I could not do it alone. Judy Collins contacted me a couple of years ago expressing interest, and then, while attending the PCNA Annual Symposium in Chicago, I met Cheri Nichols and Julie Abramoff from Colorado. Cheri had previously sent an inquiry to the national office about starting a chapter. Lisa Jensen had done the same, and thus, overcoming our busy schedules, we finally all came together from different parts of Colorado to start planning. The process took some time, but our efforts resulted in our first official meeting in October 2010.

  
From left to right: ... - Click to enlarge in new windowFrom left to right: Lisa Jensen, Cheri Nichols, Susan Bush, and Judy Collins, founding members and officers of the Rocky Mountain PCNA Chapter.

The Rocky Mountain Chapter has been supported in a tremendous way by Dr Thomas Haffey, governor of the Colorado Chapter of the American College of Cardiology. He is a member and great supporter of PCNA and invited us to participate in the 2010 Colorado American College of Cardiology education conference. In 2011, we were asked to be a sponsor for their "How to Prevent a Stroke" education conference. This allowed the Rocky Mountain PCNA Chapter to gain state and national exposure for PCNA and our chapter. We were proud to sponsor speaker Tracey Anderson, MSN, RN, who presented "How to Reduce Stroke Risk: Exploring Hypertension-Improving Diagnosis and Improving Control." She was the only nurse among the presenters at the conference, so it was gratifying to have our profession represented. This collaborative effort has been a great boost for our chapter and we are grateful for Dr Haffey's ongoing support. The Rocky Mountain PCNA Chapter would strongly encourage other chapters to reach out to organizations with similar goals to better use resources.

 

As we continue to build our chapter, we remind ourselves of the goals we have set and the benefits of this effort. Providing education is a high priority. Networking is also valuable. In the short time we have been an organized chapter, I have learned about services being offered around our region that I had no knowledge of before. Networking also gives us, as nurses struggling with the challenges of healthcare delivery, a way to cultivate and share ideas. I would encourage other PCNA members to step up and get involved. If your area does not have a chapter, contact the national office for information on the steps to do so. Kristie Kasbohm, membership coordinator in the national office, has been our champion and counselor in this process. If we can overcome the challenges of our region to start a chapter, anyone can do it.

 

We are also pleased to have hosted a PCNA Fall Lecture Series and Community Program this past October. This was an excellent opportunity for our members and a great way to celebrate our first anniversary as a chapter. Our journey has been interesting, challenging, and rewarding. We are resolved to continue to improve and meet the needs of our members and are looking forward to great things.

 

More information about regional PCNA chapters can be found at http://www.pcna.net/membership/chapters.