In 2012, the Board of Directors led an initiative, based on the book Race for Relevance: 5 Radical Changes for Associations (by Harrison Coever and Mary Byers, CAE; 2011), to assess Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association's (HPNA's) relevance and value to our members and to identify opportunities for improvement. To help guide this work, a series of assessments, surveys, and focus groups were conducted. Beginning in 2013, HPNA began implementing changes or new programs and services to enhance the services provided to our members. A major focus was on improving ease of access to information and use of the Web site. This year HPNA, the National Board for Certification of Hospice and Palliative Nurses (NBCHPN), and the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation (HPNF) have been working diligently to launch 3 new Internet technology platforms. This summer, HPNA launched Socious, a new system that allows members to create new communities of interest and to share information and documents. All of the Special Interest Groups (SIGs) were converted to new communities within Socious. A new Internet technology platform, Learning Builder, was also launched by NBCHPN. This program provides an online renewal process for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). Another big enhancement was related to the Web site. A new Web site is being launched this fall. The site will provide single sign-on across all 3 organizations, enhanced navigation, and new and revised content. We hope you like these enhancements!
The following are some updates on enhancements that have been made or are in the process of development or implementation. These represent the framework of our Pillars of Excellence.
Education-In 2013, HPNA made all of our E-Learning webinars free to members. This has been a great success, and the number of individuals viewing the webinars has increased significantly. Members are able to obtain a significant number of continuing education (CE) credits from these webinars. In 2013, we also began offering certification review courses for both registered nurses (RNs) and APRNs. In 2014, we offered these courses 3 times throughout the year. Our next goal is to develop online review courses. Because our membership is diverse, even within the nursing membership (most of our RN members work in the hospice setting, whereas most of our APRN members work in the palliative care setting), we have been very mindful about developing educational programs and services that address the needs of our various members. For example, the 2014 Clinical Practice Forum included separate tracks for RNs and APRNs. We also included specific hospice and palliative care content and case presentations that were interdisciplinary. This year, we have also been developing an electronic bioethics product. The cases included in this product will include a variety of patient populations and care settings. We are currently developing an Education Strategic Plan that will guide the development of educational products and services.
Advocacy-In 2013, advocacy was formally added as a Pillar of Excellence for HPNA. Over the past few years, HPNA has enhanced our advocacy work. In both 2012 and 2013, HPNA held Congressional Briefings. We have increased our presence in Washington, DC, and our voice by commenting on key legislative and or regulatory issues. We serve as key members of the Nursing Coalition, the American Cancer Society Patient Quality of Life Coalition, the National Coalition for Hospice and Palliative Care, and the National Pediatric Hospice and Palliative Care Collaborative. We have also been successful in nominating HPNA member nurses to serve on key national committees and panels.
Leadership-HPNA believes that hospice and palliative nurses provide leadership at many levels, including at the bedside or patient care level and at the organizational, community and national levels. In collaboration with HPNF and NBCHPN, HPNA is in the process of developing a Position Statement on Palliative Nursing Leadership. Each year, HPNA holds a Leadership Weekend, and historically, this venue has provided education and mentorship for chapter leaders. In 2014, we changed the scope of the event to include attendees from our Councils, Fellows, State Ambassadors, and APRNs as well as our chapter leaders. The program also included 2 leadership panels, which consisted of palliative nursing leaders. These panels provided a forum for the leaders to share their work and experiences with attendees and for attendees to interact with these leaders. These presentations will be made available by HPNA for members to view. As mentioned in the advocacy section, HPNA has also been actively nominating nurses to serve on key national committees and panels.
Research-HPNA has a very active Research Advisory Council. This council helps provide support and mentorship for palliative nurse researchers. The council also reviews applications for presentations and abstracts, as well as for awards and scholarships. Nurse scholars are financially supported by HPNA to attend the Kathleen Foley Palliative Care Retreat and Research Symposium. This year, HPNA leaders met with key leaders at the National Institute of Nursing Research. Our goal is to develop an even stronger relationship between the National Institute of Nursing Research and HPNA and provide greater support for our nurse researchers.
Another new program initiated in late 2013 is the Bioethics SIG. This idea came out of a discussion at the 2013 Leadership Weekend event about compassion fatigue and the complex issues that members are dealing with on a routine basis. The SIG was initiated to provide members with a forum to share and discuss these difficult issues. To supplement this effort, in 2014, each issue of the Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing has included a bioethics article and CE opportunity. In addition, a discussion about the article has been held on the SIG. This has been a very active SIG and I hope it will continue to grow.
We will continue our efforts to enhance our programs and services, so that we can support you in the valuable work you do and to promote the specialty of palliative nursing.
Sally Welsh, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CEO
HPNA LEADERS PRESENT 2014 PRESIDENTIAL CITATION TO REP LOIS CAPPS
In June, HPNA's chief executive officer, Sally Welsh, and president-elect, Joy Buck, presented the 2014 HPNA Presidential Citation to The Honorable Lois Capps, RN, at her offices in Washington, DC. The award, which was announced at the 2014 Annual Assembly in San Diego, is presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to the Association and the field of palliative nursing. Representative Capps is a member of the US House of Representatives from the 24th Congressional district of California, representing the counties of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.
Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-CA), a nurse and veteran member of the US House of Representatives, has been a strong and vocal leader for the field of nursing on Capitol Hill since she was first sworn into Congress on March 17, 1998. As a cochair of the Congressional Nurses Caucus, Lois Capps has fought to ensure that nursing has a "voice in the debate and seat at the table" for all major health care public policy debates and policy development on Capitol Hill and within the Departments of Health and Human Services.
Respected and effective, particularly on issues related to public health and patient care, the congresswoman and her health care public policy team in Washington, DC, have worked with HPNA's members and leadership to better educate members of the Congress and their staff on issues involving palliative nursing. Most recently, Capps and her staff worked with HPNA to convene multiple congressional briefings on Capitol Hill that served as important strategic vehicles to promote the benefits and role of palliative nursing for patients and their families. These educational forums, attracting more than 50 congressional offices and various federal agency officials, have allowed HPNA to highlight individual patient stories directly to key federal health care public policy decision-makers.
SOCIOUS ONLINE COMMUNITY
In late summer, HPNA launched an online platform called Socious that was developed specifically for enhancing membership engagement. It offers all members the opportunity to connect with one another via blogs, communities (formerly our SIGs), and discussions. The content of this area of the HPNA Web site replaces what was previously our "Members Only" area. Sign into it on the homepage of the HPNA Web site, http://www.hpna.org.
ACHIEVELINKS MEMBER BENEFIT
AchieveLinks (http://www.achievelinks.com/) is a unique rewards program developed exclusively for HPNA members. When you activate your account, you will be eligible to earn valuable Links reward points for almost everything you buy. You can shop online with literally hundreds of companies you already know and trust (eg, Target, Staples, Coach). There are more than 1000 merchants in the program. AchieveLinks merchant partners constantly provide special offers that help you save and earn even more. You earn Links on each of your purchases. As you accumulate Links, you will be able to redeem them for all kinds of exciting must-have merchandise and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. There is also an HPNA credit card that you can choose to activate. Every purchase you make benefits you and HPNA. More information and the enrollment link can be found on the HPNA Web site. Please contact the director of membership, Chad Reilly, at mailto:[email protected] with your questions.
HPNA NURSING ASSISTANT ONLINE EDUCATION
We heard your requests to make technological enhancements to HPNA nursing assistant education! The evaluations from the monthly nursing assistant live teleconferences repeatedly asked for technological improvements, accessibility, and convenience for nursing assistant education.
The nursing assistant monthly teleconference education has been replaced by online E-Learning courses specifically designed for the nursing assistant! The HPNA E-Learning allows for access to up-to-date, convenient, self-paced learning with real-time test grading and printing of the participation certificate. New courses will be posted regularly.
A sample topic is "How to Help Families Cope." This program is 30 minutes in length. Members of HPNA access the free E-Learning through the "Members Only" area of the HPNA Web site. Select the "E-Learning" tab to get started.
THE WORLD OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND HPNA
You are invited by HPNA to participate in the many available social media platforms. Together, we can raise awareness of the value and impact of the care we provide to individuals, their families, communities, and the health care system.
Within the HPNA Web site, you will find useful resources to develop or enhance your online presence. As HPNA believes, the social media is a powerful tool to help us amplify the voice of palliative nursing and to empower healthcare.
To start in this adventure, try HPNA's official free Social Media E-Learning Course, which includes many aspects from the HPNA Social Media Guide and 1.5 free CEs. We look forward to hearing from you along your social media journey as an engaged HPNA community member.
NBCHPN NEWS
NBCHPN December Testing Window
Examination applications for the December 2014 testing window are being accepted. The paper application deadline is October 15, 2014, and online applications are accepted until November 15, 2014. The paper application must be used by APRNs to apply.
To apply online or download the Candidate Handbook, visit our Web site, http://www.nbchpn.org.
NBCHPN Offers Online Process for Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse and Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse Recertification
This summer, NBCHPN launched the LearningBuilder platform for use in Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (ACHPN) and Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN) Hospice and Palliative Accrual for Recertification (HPAR). This replaces the manual paper process that had previously been in place. Several communications have already been sent to the ACHPN and CHPN certificants who are due to renew their credential in 2015. More details about the streamlined online process, HPAR requirements and due dates are on the Web site, http://www.nbchpn.org.
NBCHPN Certification Renewal for 2015: HPAR Information Available
The 2015 HPAR information is available on our Web site, http://www.nbchpn.org.
As noted above, the process has changed for the ACHPN and CHPN. Through software known as LearningBuilder, ACHPN HPAR and CHPN HPAR are now an online submission process only. The ACHPN and CHPN HPAR process, point requirements, and submission dates have changed. Please visit the Web site for more information and requirements.
The Certified Hospice and Palliative Pediatric Nurse, Certified Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurse, and Certified Hospice and Palliative Administrator HPAR packets are available and posted on our Web site, http://www.nbchpn.org. These applications are available in paper format only.
All 2015 certification renewals using HPAR must be received in the national office between January 1 and December 31, 2015; however, the fee schedule varies based on submission date. Details are available on our Web site.
If you have any questions about the HPAR process for any of our programs, please contact us at mailto:[email protected] or call 412-787-1057.
NBCHPN 2015 Recognition Event!
The NBCHPN will host its 14th Annual Certification Recognition Event during the 2015 American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine/HPNA Annual Assembly, to be held February 25 to 28 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Look for details on our Web site http://www.nbchpn.org.
NBCHPN Certification Pins
November is National Hospice/Palliative Care Month. Honor your certified team members with a certification pin. Certification pins are available for purchase for all certificants! To order, please visit our Web site at http://www.nbchpn.org and look under the "Recognition" tab, or call the national office at 412-787-1057.
HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE NURSES FOUNDATION
"'Tis Better to Give Than to Receive"
I grew up in a family that worked hard for every meal, school book, dress, and shoe. Though my parents did not have a lot of money, one of the mantras instilled in me as a young girl was "'tis better to give than to receive." This was not taught by word only, but also by deed. Memories and values of giving and sharing are deeply embedded in my mind, soul, and heart. So, during my adult life, I have always looked for "good causes"-places to invest my hard-earned money.
When I first joined HPNA in 2003, I heard that the HPNF Florence Wald Fellow program was established in honor of Dr Wald, a nurse, an educator, and 1 of the founders of the first hospice in the United States. In 2009, I decided to become a Fellow, and by doing so, I pledged to contribute $10 000 ($2000 year/5 years), knowing that those funds would go to HPNF, supporting/paying for undergraduate/graduate nursing education, national conferences, research grants, leadership awards, and certification. In 2014 alone, 45 scholarships will be provided to a variety of hospice and palliative nurses, committed to this sacred work" states Pam Malloy, MN, RN, FPCN.
"Deciding to become a Florence Wald Fellow was an easy decision for me," states Debra Wiegand, RN, PhD, FAAN, FPCN, assistant professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing in Baltimore, Maryland. "I personally was inspired by Dr Wald, whom I had the opportunity to meet over lunch several years ago, and asked for her advice about my research with families of the dying. Her kind and humble demeanor and clear, simple words of advice, 'listen to the families and tell their stories,' still resonates with me today. Becoming a Florence Wald Fellow offered me an opportunity to forward Dr Wald's mission and to ensure that future palliative care and hospice nurses are supported with scholarships and research awards."
Patricia Berry, PhD, RN, ACHPN, FPCN, FAAN, professor and director of the Hartford Center for Gerontological Nursing Excellence at Oregon Health and Science University, has been involved in hospice/palliative care since 1977. However, her mother's last days in hospice were difficult, as the staff was inexperienced. "I found myself needing to advocate for her and her symptom management-in other words, being her nurse when all I wanted was to be her daughter. After she died, I reflected on my experience and decided to donate to HPNF, with the hope that my experience would become the exception. Becoming a Florence Wald Fellow and honoring the 'mother of hospice and palliative care' seemed a wonderful way to honor my own mother and ensure that funds are available for education and research."
Are you interested in becoming a Florence Wald fellow? Do you desire to support and encourage the next generation of clinicians, educators, and researchers? Are you looking for a good cause to put your "hard-earned money?" If so, check out this wonderful opportunity at https://www.hpnf.org/DisplayPage.aspx?Title=Florence%20Wald%20Fellows.
Pam Malloy, MN, RN, FPCN, HPNF
Board of Directors