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Exciting Alliance News!

The Alliance for Excellence in Hospice and Palliative Nursing (fondly referred to as "The Alliance") is the umbrella organization consisting of the presidents and one other board member from each of the three sister organizations (HPNA, NBCHPN, and HPNF). The mission of the Alliance for Excellence in Hospice and Palliative Nursing is to serve as the unified voice in hospice and palliative nursing to integrate and coordinate end-of-life (EOL) care with other members of the interdisciplinary team, to act as a visionary for specialty trending nursing issues, to be a primary resource fostering excellence in hospice and palliative nursing, and to advance EOL care for the benefit of the public at large.

 

In March 2008, The Alliance board of trustees sponsored a facilitated palliative care nursing summit with nine invited participants, seven of which joined us that day:

 

* Pat Archibold, geriatric nursing

 

* Deborah Mayer, oncology nursing

 

* Marian Essey, home health nursing

 

* Betty Davies, pediatric palliative care nursing

 

* Garrett Chan, emergency palliative care/critical care palliative care

 

* Nate Goldstein, palliative medicine research

 

* Jim Cleary, palliative care medicine

 

 

Robin Storey, representing long-term care nursing, and Lynn Spragen, representing CAPC, were unable to attend. The outcomes of the summit, which include talking points and a white paper, are available at http://www.TheAllianceForExcellence.org.

 

Following this event, The Alliance taped a public service announcement through VisionMedia TV that will be distributed this fall through public television, commercial television, and video e-mail in association with AARP. This broad distribution will enhance visibility for hospice and palliative nursing in a variety of ways.

 

Finally, The Alliance has built partnerships with new corporate partners and other external groups such as the Society for Advocating Grief Management in offering grief recovery support. Much is happening with The Alliance, and we are thrilled to share our success with you.

 

HPNA Celebrates Member Participation

In the spring of 2008, HPNA offered a membership survey to all HPNA members. Please see the comments offered by President Jane Sidwell to the HPNA board members at their July meeting.

 

Invaluable to the strategic planning process which will be undertaken by the HPNA Board in October 2008, is the data now available from the membership survey, which was completed by approximately 27% of the HPNA membership overall-double the 2005 HPNA membership survey participation of 13%! Notable are the thoughtful and provocative comments from our membership as they challenge the board to plan for their ever-changing needs in not only the clinical arena but research, education, and policy development as well.

 

The HPNA board of directors would like to express their gratitude to everyone who took the time to complete this survey-it is for you that we exist. We look forward to addressing your concerns, incorporating your recommendations to the best of our ability, and responding to the challenge that you have offered. Thank you for your interest, your support, and your commitment to improving hospice and palliative care nursing.

 

Educational Resources

Did you know that HPNA has these resources? To find more information about each one, log on to http://www.hpna.org, e-mail [email protected], or call us at 412-787-9301.

 

Members

 

* Archived teleconferences available on CD

 

* Clinical Review for the Generalist Hospice and Palliative Nurse

 

* Compendium of Treatment of End-stage Noncancer Diagnoses

 

[spacing circumflex] Dementia, heart failure, hepatic, HIV/AIDS, neurological diseases and trauma, pulmonary, renal (available singularly or in a combination pack)

 

* Conversations in Palliative Care

 

* Hospice and Palliative Interactive Education Resource: Generalist Nurse (for an intranet)

 

* Journal Club on the third Wednesday of each month, 3 to 4 PM ET

 

* Leading the Way in Provider Communications-BASICS (CD-ROM)

 

* Leading the Way in Provider Communications-BASICS (book)

 

* Professional nurse teleconference on the second Wednesday of each month, 12 to 1 PM ET

 

* Pediatric Pain and Symptom Management Algorithm for Palliative Care

 

* Practice Drivers-Winter and Spring available

 

* Special Interest Groups-APN, Cultural Diversity, Geriatric, Nursing Assistant, Pain, Pediatric, Public Policy, Research

 

* Symptom Management Algorithms: A Handbook for Palliative Care (adult)

 

* Will You Help Me Die? (a recording of a 2007 annual assembly preconference)

 

* Web resources-http://www.HPNA.org

 

[spacing circumflex] Patient/Family teaching sheets

 

[spacing circumflex] Listing of content experts

 

[spacing circumflex] Job postings

 

[spacing circumflex] List of degree programs

 

[spacing circumflex] Position statements

 

[spacing circumflex] Archived e-newsletters

 

[spacing circumflex] Policy information

 

[spacing circumflex] List of researchers

 

* Members-only Web site resources

 

[spacing circumflex] Additional resources for HPNA members

 

[spacing circumflex] Archived Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing articles

 

[spacing circumflex] Archived teleconference transcripts and MP3s

 

[spacing circumflex] Board updates

 

[spacing circumflex] Chapter central

 

[spacing circumflex] Cultural diversity library

 

[spacing circumflex] Forum

 

[spacing circumflex] FYI

 

[spacing circumflex] Member search

 

[spacing circumflex] Membership packet

 

[spacing circumflex] Ability to print you membership card

 

[spacing circumflex] Work/Life balance

 

Advanced Practice Nurse

 

* Advanced Practice Palliative Nursing: Guide to Practice and Business Issues

 

* APN Special Interest Group

 

* Competencies for the Advanced Practice Hospice and Palliative Care Nurses

 

* Core Curriculum for the Advanced Practice Hospice and Palliative Nurse

 

* Hospice and Palliative Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice

 

* Web Resources-http://www.HPNA.org

 

[spacing circumflex] Standards of Clinical Practicum

 

[spacing circumflex] APN home of members only-FAQs from APN Special Interest Group

 

Generalist Nurse

 

* Core Curriculum for the Generalist Hospice and Palliative Nurse

 

* Hospice and Palliative Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice

 

* Professional Competencies for the Generalist Hospice and Palliative Nurse

 

* Study Guide for the Generalist Hospice and Palliative Nurse

 

Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse

 

* Core Curriculum for the Licensed Practical/Vocational Hospice and Palliative Nurse

 

* Professional Competencies for the Hospice and Palliative Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse

 

* Statement of the Scope and Standards of Hospice and Palliative Licensed Practical/Vocational Nursing Practice

 

* Study Guide for the Licensed Practical/Vocational Hospice and Palliative Nurse

 

Nursing Assistant

 

* Archived NA teleconferences available on CD

 

* Competencies for the Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistants

 

* Core Curriculum for the Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant

 

* Nursing Assistant End-of-life Care Computerized Education multimedia CD

 

* Statement of the Scope and Standards of Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant Practice

 

* Study Guide for the Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant

 

* Teleconferences on the fourth Wednesday of each month, 3 to 3:30 PM ET

 

* Web Resources-http://www.HPNA.org

 

[spacing circumflex] TIPS sheets

 

* Members-only Web site resources

 

[spacing circumflex] Archived Nursing Assistant Newsletters

 

HPNF Announces New Scholarship!

A new conference scholarship was established earlier this year by HPNF to provide financial assistance for nurses attending HPNA-sponsored conferences (such as the Clinical Practice Forum and the AAHPM/HPNA Annual Assembly).

 

These scholarships support nurses who wish to augment their professional development and leadership skills in hospice and palliative care.

 

Scholarships of $200 are awarded to HPNA members to provide partial reimbursement of registration. Up to five winners for each conference will be selected from the applicant pool by the volunteer Scholarship Review Committee.

 

To qualify, an applicant must be a current member of HPNA who is involved in hospice and palliative nursing and registered for the conference to which he/she is seeking the scholarship.

 

Applications are due December 1 for conferences occurring January to June and June 1 for conferences occurring July to December. As for all HPNF scholarships, grants, and awards, applications need to be in the National Office by the deadline in order to be considered.

 

Application consists of the completed application form found on the HPNF Web site (http://www.hpnf.org) (or from the National Office) and a current resume of two pages or less. Send applications to HPNF by mail, fax, or as attachment to e-mail.

 

Mailing address:

 

Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation

 

Director of Development

 

One Penn Center West, Suite 229

 

Pittsburgh, PA 15276

 

E-mail: [email protected]

 

Fax: 412-787-9305, Attn: Director of Development

 

[spacing circumflex] Preference will be given to first-time conference attendees.

 

[spacing circumflex] Scholarships are limited to one per individual per conference.

 

[spacing circumflex] Award checks will be presented at the conference.

 

 

Key to Your Heart Gifts

The gift of giving is the theme behind HPNF Key to Your Heart gift cases.

 

This gift from the heart holds inside each jeweled case three heart-shaped keys with alphabet charms. The giver conveys a message of love and promise through the charms: "C" for chore, "E" for errand, and the heart charm representing love.

 

These favorite gifts are hand enameled in lavender and green over heavy gold-tone plating, topped with butterflies, flowers, and grasses, all decorated with miniature crystals. The case opens to reveal inside the color of a juicy summer peach where the three keys are nestled.

 

Packaged in beautiful lilac gift boxes with white satin interior, they are a tiny keepsake that can be used for jewelry, special trinket, or as a pill box.

 

These gifts may be ordered for a $20 donation each. With each donation, $9 returns to the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation to enhance our scholarships and educational programs.

 

There are three easy ways to order: call 412-787-9301, log on to http://www.hpnf.org, or mail to HPNF, One Penn Center West, Suite 229, Pittsburgh, PA 15276.

 

Please consider adding these gifts to your fall shopping lists and help promote excellence in hospice and palliative nursing at the same time.

 

Last Testing Opportunity in 2008

The last testing window for 2008 is November. The online application deadline for the November testing window is October 15. Visit http://www.nbchpn.org to begin the online application process.

 

2009 Certification Renewal Information for APN and RNs is Available

The 2009 APRN HPAR (APRN Hospice and Palliative Accrual for Renewal) and 2009 RN HPAR (RN Hospice and Palliative Alternative Recertification) applications are posted and can be downloaded from our Web site, http://www.nbchpn.org. Applications for renewal in 2009 are accepted from January 1 through March 1, 2009. Please visit our Web site for more information.

 

Save the Date!

NBCHPN will host its 8th Annual Certification Recognition Event during the 2009 AAHPM/HPNA Annual Assembly in Austin, TX. Leslie Patry, manager of the certification program for the Canadian Nurses Association, will be the featured speaker. The luncheon will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2009.

 

Certification Tackettes Make Great Gifts!

Certification tackettes are available for purchase from the National Office.

 

To order, please visit our Web site at http://www.nbchpn.org or call the National Office at 412-787-1057.

  
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