Authors

  1. Manchester, Carol MSN, RN, ACNS, BC-ADM, CDE

Article Content

Anticipation can be positive and exciting, although at times anxiety producing. This is similar to how I am feeling as your president, prepared to support the mission of this organization, listen actively to you and your thoughts and concerns, and work toward our common goals at a time of great change and many unknowns and uncertainties. In response to those unknowns, it is imperative that we do not allow ourselves to become complacent and continue with the status quo, but rather prepare for the future with intent and purpose.

 

While in San Antonio following our annual conference, the Board of Directors met, and one agenda item was a discussion of salient points from the book, Race for Relevance 5 Radical Changes for Associations by Harrison Coerver and Mary Byers. As we begin to prepare for the next 3-year strategic plan and examine our mission, determine our strategies, and tactics necessary to achieve the goals established, it is crucial for us to carefully examine how we function and operate as an organization and board.

 

Our theme for the year is "Change, Challenges, and Celebrations." As good stewards of this organization, we must plan strategically for our future. The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) must be the organization for all clinical nurse specialist (CNS) practice and education. The time has come for us to optimize our resources and utilize them wisely. We must examine our operations and processes so that we have operational efficiency and reliability. Current systems must be evaluated, and by doing so, we can maintain what is needed while we develop more effective ones to meet the growing demands of the association and the needs of our members. Accountability is crucial. All board members and staff are accountable to you.

 

Several needs have been identified thus far. First, we recognize leadership development is essential for the future. Others have established competencies and skill sets needed for current and future leaders. NACNS must engage in growing and developing leaders for today, tomorrow, and beyond. Second, our member database needs to be expanded. What is it that our member market requires and desires? This is not information we currently have available to us. Continuation of collaborative efforts with other professional organizations will become, I believe, even more important as we enter the era of health reform. It will take ongoing efforts to build new relationships while sustaining current ones and seeking opportunities for NACNS to lead. Partnerships will need to continue to be established. We have many currently, but we will need to explore the healthcare landscape and determine what partnerships we may still need to develop. Technology changes with a blink of an eye. NACNS recognizes we are behind the times and, as a board, are seeking input as we build a technology plan to address the needs for our association. Financially, we are in the black, but we do not have additional revenue streams entering the organization that will allow us to expand as well as enhance our work. We are actively seeking revenue sources for research, unrestricted educational grants, and enhanced technology platforms.

 

What challenges does NACNS face in light of the change? There are still states where the CNS role is not title protected. Work must continue to ensure that all 50 states recognize the CNS as an advanced practice registered nurse. Additionally, with the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Regulatory Consensus Model approaching, preservation of the specialties for all CNSs is of utmost concern. The CNS is a specialist! Graduate schools need to develop and implement curriculum that is in concert with the new model. Although some have done this already, others are still struggling to meet this in time. The market has demands for CNSs, yet are there CNSs to fulfill the need? Have programs disappeared to prepare the CNS in regions where jobs remain unfilled? CNSs also must be at the table to discuss and determine the needs of the public as healthcare delivery models transition to the new world order.

 

The Board of Directors has identified several areas of need for the association to address the challenges faced. We must focus on advocacy and have recently added a staff person to consult with NACNS on government relations. The success of the organization truly is measured by its value to the members. Member engagement is crucial! Members have competing interests, we know, but we do need you involved and participating. Costs and outcomes data are an ongoing challenge for the CNS, yet will be essential for demonstrating the value of the CNS role in the future. Robust research is necessary to truly identify and determine what key activities of the CNS and what metrics demonstrate the value. A clear, concise message must be used consistently to allow the public and consumer to gain awareness, appreciation, and understanding of what the CNS role is within the healthcare environment. Lastly, we recognize the need for executive support and will continue to evaluate any gaps identified and strive to fill them.

 

There is much to be done, many needs to fill, and challenges ahead. Yet, we have things to celebrate!

 

As your president, I encourage you to become an active, engaged member and help us meet the challenges of the future as we celebrate our successes. In closing, I wish to share a passage written by the famous poet, Maya Angelou: "We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color."

 

Each and every one of you is a valued member of NACNS. We need your strength, your talents, and your diversity to succeed in the future.

 

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALISTS NEWS

The CNS Communique is an electronic publication of the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists. The purpose of this publication is to keep our members updated on the NACNS headquarters news, connect our members with fast-breaking clinical news, and update clinical nurse specialists on state and federal legislative actions.

 

2013 NACNS Summit

The Summit is scheduled for July 23 in Washington, DC. Traditionally, the NACNS Summit has been held as an invitational conference, but once again we will be opening the conference to interested clinical nurse specialists as well as our association colleagues. If you are interested in receiving an invitation to this meeting or for more information about this program, please e-mail your request to mailto:[email protected].

 

NEWS FROM OUR AFFILIATES

Chesapeake Bay Chapter Affiliate National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists

The Chesapeake Bay Chapter Affiliate was organized in September 2010 and meets quarterly. Founding members included Sharon Olsen, PhD, AOCN; Michelle Salmon, MSN, RN, ACNP, CNS-BC; Melinda Sawyer, MSN, RN, CNS-BC; Paul Thurman, MS, ACNPC, CCNS, CCRN, CNRN; Kathryn Von Rueden, MS, ACNS-BC, FCCM; Samantha Young, MS, CCRN, CCNS, ACNP. In January 2011, the Affiliate petitioned the Maryland State Board of Nursing to assist in the development of CNS regulations to recognize the Maryland CNS for APRN licensure. Final language for the new regulations also included requirements for certification, title protection, and a grand fathering clause. The State of Maryland adopted these regulations in October 2012. These regulations are forward looking in that they are consistent with the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation1, recognize existing CNS core competencies as adopted by the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists,2 and support the Institute of Medicine's recommendation that nurses should be allowed to practice to the full extent of their education, skills, and competencies.3 The application for CNS licensure is currently being drafted by the Maryland State Board of Nursing.

 

Affiliate membership represents CNSs from universities and hospitals across Maryland. Current priorities include building membership, offering regular continuing education offerings, and reaching out to CNS and professional colleagues, administrators, students, patients, and families to increase visibility and understanding of the CNS role. For more information, visit the Web site, http://sites.google.com/site/chesapeakebaycns/.

 

Submitted by Susan Immelt, PhD, RN, PCNS-BC; Sharon J Olsen, PhD, RN, AOCN

 

The Philadelphia Affiliate sponsored a dinner and meeting on April 4, 2013. Thirteen participants listened to 2 presentations. Colleen Quinn, the affiliate chair, presented "The Intricacies of Applying for Title Protection in Pennsylvania" and Anne Muller, NACNS Treasurer, presented "The Role of the CNS in Primary Care." Both presentations were well received, and the dinner was sponsored by the La Salle University DNP program; Patty Zuzleo, past president of NACNS, was the program director. Plans are in the works for another dinner meeting in the future, as per Ms Quinn: "I hope to grow to have 4 programs a year and include all of the nearby schools of nursing and their students."

 

Submitted by Colleen Quinn MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, CEN

 

California Association of Clinical Nurse Specialist

I am pleased to acknowledge and congratulate our California Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (CACNS) members' numerous achievements.

 

Terri Ares, PhD, RNC-NIC, CNS-BC, completed her PhD in nursing at Villanova University and presented a podium presentation at the Western Institute of Nursing research conference - "Clinical Nurse Specialist Professional Socialization: A Concept Analysis."

 

Elissa Brown, MSN, RN, PMHCNS-BC, has been elected to the position of Board of Director for Practice for the American Nurses Association/California, 2013-2015.

 

Betty Halvorson, RN, MSN, ACNS-BC, MMGT, CNS in the Transitional Care Unit at Torrance Memorial Medical Center in Torrance, California presented on "Cultivating a Safe Patient Handling Culture in a Community Hospital" on Friday, March 8, at the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists in San Antonio, Texas. Betty relocated to Torrance in June 2011 from Fargo, North Dakota. She was the CNS designated to the newly created Safe Patient Handling Task Force to help the team create, design, and implement the Safe Patient Handling Program and was instrumental in the direct hands-on training and education of more than 1150 direct care staff who participate in the lifting, transferring, or repositioning of patients.

 

Ann M. Mayo, RN, DNSc, FAAN, presented "Identifying Valid & Reliable Outcome Measures for the CNS Spheres of Influence" at the CACNS Quarterly Educational Meeting Saturday, April 6, 2013, at Huntington Memorial Medical Center in Pasadena, California.

 

Senene Owen, RNC-NIC, MSN, CNS, CPNP, presented "Neonatal Hypoglycemia, SBAR and the Golden Hour" at the COCANN (Coastal California Association of Neonatal Nurses) Conference in February 2013.

 

Andrea C. Morris, DNP, RNC, CCRN, just completed her DNP from Western University.

 

Patricia Radovich, MSN, RN, and Sheryl, Tyson, PhD, RN, presented a poster "Risk Perception and Communicable Disease: A mixed method study," at the Fulbright Academy Global Health Summit on May 23-27, 2013, Montego Bay Jamaica.

 

Melissa Rouse, RN, CNS-BC, CEN, CPHQ, HACP, will graduate with her PhD in Nursing on May 25, 2013, from University of San Diego. She has received two certifications this year: HACP (Hospital Accreditation Certified Professional) and CPHQ (Certified Professional of Healthcare Quality). In addition she has 2 publications that have been accepted and are available electronically. Still pending publication: M. D. Rouse, J. Close, C. Prante, S. Boyd. "Implementation of the Humpty Dumpty Falls Scale. A Quality Improvement Project." Journal of Emergency Nursing. 2012, Accepted for publication M. D. Rouse and C. L. Shoukry. "Elevated Blood Glucose Levels in the Emergency Department: Missed Opportunities." Journal of Emergency Nursing. 2012, Accepted for publication.

 

Elizabeth Scruth, MSN, RN, has published in Critical Care, 2013, "Visitation policies and practices in United States intensive care units."

 

Diane Solic, MSN, RN, has been accepted into the DNP program at USD, Fall 2013.

 

Flora Tomoyasu, MSN, RN, CNS, is the Pediatric Chairperson for the California State Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) Pediatric Committee. She is the treasurer for her local Orange Coast ENA chapter. Her poster presentation on "The use of simulation to decrease blood culture contamination" won first-place award at the fourth Annual Nursing Research Conference in Long Beach, California, on May 10, 2012. It was also a podium presentation at the Sigma Theta Tau, Iota Eta Chapter March into Research conference on March 13, 2013. She will graduate as a Memorial Healthcare System (MHS) Evidence-Based Practice Research Fellow in July. Her research project, "The Impact of Staff Safety Attitude on Reduction in Urine Specimen Identification Error," was presented as a poster presentation on April 11, 2013, at the Western Institute of Research 2013 Conference in Anaheim, California and at the fifth Annual Nursing Research Conference on May 9, 2013, in Long Beach, California.

 

Francis Wilson has been selected to serve on the WOCN Certification Board.

 

Submitted by: Diane Barkas, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, CCRN

 

Virtual VA Nationwide Clinical Nurse Specialist Group

Margaret Adams, diabetes CNS at the Iowa City (IA) VAMC, was honored as one of the 100 Great Iowa Nurses for 2013 at a ceremony in Des Moines on May 5, 2013 (http://www.greatnurses.org/index.html).

 

Janet G. Campbell, ambulatory care CNS at the Durham (NC) VAMC, has been selected as a member of the national Women's Health/Gender Specific Clinical Nurse Specialist Competencies validation panel, which is sponsored by both NACNS and AWHONN.

 

Submitted by Kathleen L. Dunn, MS, RN, CRRN, CNS-BC

 

MEMBERS NEWS

Federal and State Policy

The Family Medical Leave Act Is Now 20 Years Old

According to an article published in the Detroit Free Press on February 7, 2012, the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), now in its 20th year, continues to provide support for American workers. This past year, approximately 16% of eligible workers took time off under the FMLA. About 57% went on leave for an illness. An additional 22% took leave for pregnancy or child care, and 19% cared for a sick relative.

 

The law allows eligible workers up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave and requires that employers hold a job for these workers. About 57% went on leave for an illness. Other reasons to take leave are reported to be for pregnancy or child care (22%) and care of a sick relative (19%). It is interesting to see that most of the leave times requested under the FMLA is 10 days or less. Still, some workers do indicate that they would have used FMLA if they could afford time off without pay. Employees covered by the FMLA are those who work in companies with 50 or more employees and work at least 24 hours a week. It is important to see that employers do not note a significant lack of productivity when their employees utilize the FMLA. Of course, this law covers only about half of the workforce. Worker advocacy groups, such as the National Partnership for Women & Families, continue to advocate for expansion of this law to cover more employees and smaller size employers. In addition, advocates are interested in Congress passing a national paid family and medical leave insurance program. The Department of Labor implemented a slight expansion of the FMLA through regulations. They published new rules to allow military families to take leave to care for service members who are injured or called to active duty on short notice. The rules also extend the law to airline personnel and flight crews.

 

CALL FOR NEWS ITEMS

If you have information you want to share about yourself, your NACNS peers, or your affiliate/affiliate peers, please send the news item to Tanya D. Williams at mailto:[email protected]

 

SAVE THE DATE!

NACNS 2014 Annual Conference

National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists

 

The Best Kept Secret-The CNS's Contribution to

 

Quality Care

 

March 6-8, 2014

 

Orlando, Florida

 

Abstract submission opens July 10, 2013.

 

1APRN Consensus Work Group & the National Council of State Boards of Nursing APRN Advisory Committee. Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification & Education. 2008. https://www.ncsbn.org/7_23_08_Consensue_APRN_Final.pdf. Accessed July 12, 2011. [Context Link]

 

2The National CNS Competency Task Force. Clinical Nurse Specialist Core Competencies. Executive Summary 2006-2008. 2010. [Context Link]

 

3Committee on the RobertWood Johnson Foundation Initiative on the Future of Nursing, at the Institute of Medicine; Institute of Medicine. The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. The National Academies Press; 2010. [Context Link]