july, august, september 2011 vermont nurse connection ... · deadlines for the vermont nurse...

July, August, September 2011 Vermont Nurse Connection •

current resident or

Presort StandardUS Postage

PAIDPermit #14

Princeton, MN55371

Volume 14 • Number 3 July, August, September 2011Vermont State Nurses’ Association Official Publication

May Legislative Update

Page 9

VSNA 2011 Convention

Page 11

Inside...

IndexPresident’s Letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Passing the Torch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 4, 5

When Patients Die and Nurses Grieve . . . . . . 3, 6

ANA Wins Champion for Change Award . . . . . . 6

Personal & Financial Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7, 8

Student News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Continuing Education Opportunities . . . . . . . . . 8

Nursing Research & Evidence-Based

Practice Symposium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

District Updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Honor a Nurse Recognition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Membership Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

ANA News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Specialty Organizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Vermont Nurse Connection

Quarterly Circulation 20,000 to all Registered Nurses, LPNs, LNAs, and Student Nurses in Vermont

Ruth Elsa Baldwin RN, VSNA President

I hope you all took time to celebrate National Nurses Week. Nurses’ Week is celebrated May 6-12, in memory of Florence Nightingale, founder of modern nursing (May 12, 1820-Aug 13, 1910). “The Lady with the Lamp” paved the way for the millions of nurses working all over the world today.

We had another successful Nurses Day at the State

Ruth Elsa Baldwin

President’s LetterHouse on April 20th. This annual event has grown to become a wonderful way to show appreciation to our state government representatives, as well as to increase awareness of the nursing profession and Vermont nurses in particular. Sincere thanks to everyone who attended.

I would like to encourage all Vermont nurses and nursing students to become involved with the VSNA. We have many committees that could use the inspiration and support of newcomers, with meetings held in three different districts throughout the state. Add your voice to a great organization; become a member! For more information, call 1-800-651-8886 or email us at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you.

Passing the TorchSubmitted by:

Rita Wells, RN, MS, CLNCInstructor, Health Careers

Patricia Hannaford Career CenterMiddlebury, VT 05753

This month will begin my 35th year as a registered nurse. I have worked full-time all these years with few exceptions. Nursing has been a wonderful journey, bringing me to the bedsides of many—from the very young to the very old, from the beginning of life to the end. I think back to when I decided to become a nurse. At the age of 11, I watched my family home burn to the ground; the memory of which served as a pivotal moment in my life and would help shape who I would become. I watched all worldly treasures and life as I knew it, disappear. Through that experience I knew that I was destined to give back to those in need, and the care and comfort of others became the cornerstone of my life. I found myself in the

workforce at age 15, working full-time as a nurse’s aide. I have had the privilege of caring for the sick, the injured, and the dying, while also witnessing miraculous recoveries and the joy of life. I have had amazing opportunities in nursing, and been blessed with countless experiences that I can now, 35 years in the making, share with a younger generation so eager for life to be fulfilled.

I have worked in acute care, intensive care, emergency trauma, surgery, rehab, community health, in hospice and palliative care, and in rescue/recovery operations during disasters. Roles have stretched from staff nursing to leadership and everything in between. No regrets. Simply put, nursing is an awesome profession. Of all the

experiences I have had in my career, however, it is my current position, the one I would never have anticipated, that is one of the most rewarding. Two years ago, I was traveling extensively throughout the country for my job and I started to think about what was next. I began a job search, which surprisingly led me to Middlebury, Vermont. I had been interviewing for positions at major medical centers in Boston, New York, and Washington; so what made me send a resume to the Patricia Hannaford Career Center (PHCC) in Middlebury still puzzles me. But, as I remember my grandfather saying: “it is not for you to ask why, just believe.”

Although I had been offered top positions in what I thought would take me to the pinnacle of my career, it was my second interview at PHCC that led me to my true

Passing the Torch continued on page 4

• Vermont Nurse Connection July, August, September 2011

Voices of Vermont Nurses

premiered at VSNA Convention 2000 and is available from the VSNA Office at:Vermont State Nurses’ Association

100 Dorset Street, #13 South Burlington, Vermont 05403

Price: $20 each book (plus $3.95 for postage and handling)

Make check or money order payable to:VERMONT STATE NURSES FOUNDATION

Name: _________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________

City: ___________________________________________

State: __________________ Zip: ___________________

Deadlines for the Vermont Nurse Connection

Are you interested in contributing an article to an upcoming issue of the Vermont Nurse Connection? If so, here is a list of submission deadlines for the next 2 issues:

Vol . 14 #4—July 25, 2011Vol . 15 #1—October 24, 2011

Articles may be sent to the editors of the Vermont Nurse Connection at:

Vermont State Nurses’ AssociationAttention: VNC100 Dorset Street, Suite 13South Burlington, VT 05403-6241Articles may also be submitted electronically to

[email protected] .

The VSNA wants you to take advantage of some of the networking and informational resources available on the Internet.

Current information about activities of the VSNA can be found by visiting the VSNA Website at: http://my.memberclicks.com/vsna or http://www.vsna-inc.org

Requests for additions or changes to the VSNA website should be communicated before the 1st of each month to the site’s webmaster at [email protected].

Also, as a VSNA member you are welcome to join the VSNA listserv . To become a listserv participant, send an e-mail message to the VSNA office at [email protected]. In your message, please indicate that you wish to be part of the listserv and include your name, e-mail address, and your VSNA member number.

Hope to see you on the web!

If you wish to submit a “Letter to the Editor,” please address it to:

Vermont State Nurses’ AssociationAttn: Vermont Nurse Connection100 Dorset Street, #13South Burlington, VT 05403

Please remember to include contact information, as letter authors may need to be contacted by the editors of the VNC for clarification. NOTE: Letters to the Editor reflect the opinions of the letter authors and should not be assumed to reflect the opinions of the Vermont State Nurses’ Association.

Jean Graham, Editor

Vermont Nurse ConnectionOfficial publication of the Vermont State Nurses’ Association,

a constituent member of the American Nurses Association. Published quarterly every January, April, July and October. Library subscription price is $18 per year. ISSN# 1529-4609.

Editorial OfficesVermont State Nurses’ Association, 100 Dorset Street, #13,

South Burlington, VT 05403, PH: (802) 651-8886, FAX (802) 651-8998, E-mail: [email protected]

Editor: Jean E. Graham

AdvertisingFor advertising rates and information, please contact Arthur L.

Davis Publishing Agency, Inc., 517 Washington Street, PO Box 216, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613, (800) 626-4081, [email protected]. VSNA and the Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc. reserve the right to reject any advertisement. Responsibility for errors in advertising is limited to corrections in the next issue or refund of price of advertisement.

Acceptance of advertising does not imply endorsement or approval by the Vermont State Nurses’ Association of products advertised, the advertisers, or the claims made. Rejection of an advertisement does not imply a product offered for advertising is without merit, or that the manufacturer lacks integrity, or that this association disapproves of the product or its use. VSNA and the Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc. shall not be held liable for any consequences resulting from purchase or use of an advertiser’s product. Articles appearing in this publication express the opinions of the authors; they do not necessarily reflect views of the staff, board, or membership of VSNA or those of the national or local associations.

ContentVermont State Nurses’ Association welcomes unsolicited

manuscripts and suggestions for articles. Manuscripts can be up to: •750wordsforapressrelease

•1500wordsforafeaturearticleManuscripts should be typed double-spaced and spell-checked

with only one space after a period and can be submitted:1) As paper hard copy

2) As a Word Perfect or MS Word document file saved to a 3 1/2” disk or to CD-Rom or zip disk

3) Or e-mailed as a Word Perfect or MS Word document file to [email protected].

No faxes will be accepted. Authors’ names should be placed after title with credentials and affiliation. Please send a photograph of yourself if you are submitting a feature article.

All articles submitted to and/or published in Vermont Nurse Connection become the sole property of VSNA and may not be reprinted without permission.

All accepted manuscripts may undergo editorial revision to conform to the standards of the newsletter or to improve clarity.

The Vermont Nurse Connection is not a peer review publication. Articles appearing in this publication express the opinions of the authors; they do not necessarily reflect views of the staff, board, or membership of VSNA or those of the national or local association.

Copyright Policy Criteria for ArticlesThe policy of the VSNA Editorial Board is to retain copyright

privileges and control of articles published in the Vermont Nurse Connection unless the articles have been previously published or the author retains copyright.

VSNA Officers and Board of DirectorsPresident . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ruth Elsa BaldwinPast President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June BenoitPresident Elect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Vice President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Anne DouglasTreasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jen Botelho District 1 Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .District 2 Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mollie ChamberlainDistrict 3 Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Linda OteroVSN Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lorraine WelchVSNA Executive Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June Benoit

District PresidentsDistrict 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jill FedericoDistrict 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Catherine Ann GuyDistrict 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Linda Otero (Director)

StaffBookkeeper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Martha StewartLobbyist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Christie Steier

Committee ChairpersonsConvention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June BenoitEducation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deborah Hayward-SanguinettiGovernment Affairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christie SteierMembership. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ann LarameeNominating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vacantNursing Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vacantProgram Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Psychiatric Special Interest Group . . . . . . . . . . Lorraine ImpeyCongressional Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christie SteierSenate Coordinator for Leahy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Christie SteierSenate Coordinator for Sanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Christie SteierANA House of Delegates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June Benoit, Carol Hodges, Lorraine Welch, Ellen CeppetelliAlternate Delegates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Richard Frank

VNC Editorial•JeanGraham


When Patients Die and Nurses Grieve:Understanding the Grieving Process of Nurses

After the Death of a PatientSubmitted by: Ute Schmidt, M.Ed.,

Board Certified Chaplain (APC)Certified Pastoral Educator (ACPE)

Director of Spiritual Care andClinical Pastoral EducationFletcher Allen Health Care

Burlington, VT

After 390 days of being hospitalized, Mr. L. died in the Intensive Care Unit of a large medical center. It had been a long and difficult journey for Mr. L and his nurses. Mr. L was morbidly obese, suffering from diabetes, respiratory problems and multiple organ failures.

When the nurses on the medical surgical floor learned about his death, they felt relief. But many of the RNs also expressed sadness and regret. They had tried so hard to get him well, and yet all efforts to move him out of the hospital to a long-term care facility had failed. Mr. L fit the image of the difficult patient, the one who is non-compliant and at times aggressive and moody. The nurses struggled with liking him. Yet they cared for him with compassion and dignity.

Now that he had died, the nurses felt that they needed to do something to find closure for themselves and to honor the humanity of the patient. They decided to gather for a brief memorial service in the hospital chapel. A group of 12 nurses and their manager came together for a 30-minute service led by the hospital chaplain. She invited them to share their memories of the patient, the struggles, the moments of satisfaction and even joy. The nurses were able to effectively express a whole range of emotions that this patient invoked in them. The structure of the service and the comfort of the chapel assisted the RNs in entering a process of healthy grieving.

The way the nurses dealt with their grief in this situation is not typical. It is well-known that registered nurses provide compassionate end-of-life care and bereavement support to adult and pediatric patients and their families. In many cases, nurses form special relationships with terminally ill patients and their families that go beyond the traditional professional role of taking care of the patient’s physical needs. Nurses grieve the loss of their patient on a personal level, especially (a) when the relationship was based on mutuality and reciprocity, (b) when this was an initial death early in one’s career; (c) when coping strategies include spirituality and caring rituals; and (d) when the understanding of professionalism requires compartmentalization (Gerow, 2010).

When a patient dies, many nurses may not have the opportunity to take care of their own needs for closure and for processing feelings. The impact of death on families has been well-researched in numerous publications, while the grieving process of nurses and other health care providers has remained largely unexamined.

Findings of a few research projects assert that the grieving process for nurses is significantly different than the families’ journey through grief. Nurses can play conflicting roles. They are supposed to remain strong and supportive for the families, while being affected by the loss of a person that they cared intimately for (Gerow 2010). As a result of this conflict, nurses often practice coping behaviors such as avoidance and compartmentalization of the experience. This can lead to burnout, physical, emotional and spiritual problems such as decreasing morale and motivation to continue caring for ill people (Gerow, Ruggles, Brunelli). Most nurses interviewed in various studies reported unresolved grief issues that manifest in recurring memories of the dying condition, fatigue, moodiness and difficulty concentrating.

The spiritual dimension of grief was the focus in a study by Shinbara and Olson, who advocate for spiritual coping strategies as helpful and healthy for nurses. Otherwise, they assert the experience of multiple patient losses can lead to spiritual burdening, to a faith crisis, spiritual pain and the questioning of meaning (Ewing & Carter, 2004; Rushton, 2004).

Nurses who utilized their nursing colleagues to recall positive memories of the patient felt more supported. They were able to re-orient themselves toward caring for new patients and to integrate the grieving experience into their clinical practice, increasing their ability to be compassionate (Brunelli, 2005).

Reviewing the literature and reflecting upon my experiences as a chaplain working with nurses has made it quite clear that addressing the grief of nurses after the loss of a patient is crucial for continued professional functioning and satisfaction on the job.

Even though the grieving process of nurses might be different than that of family members, there are similarities. Generally, grieving means to feel sorrow and pain (Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary, 2004). The grieving process of releasing and working through emotional experiences of

shock, denial, anger, depression, bargaining, blaming and sadness is a journey of reconciling and finding peace within oneself. A nurse will reach a place of acceptance and adjust to a changed reality when given the space to freely express all different emotions. It is work—grief work, as Sigmund Freud stated a long time ago. Grieving involves remembering, working through emotions and integrating the experience into your life (Pisarski, 1982).

In her article “The Grieving Process for Nurses,” Tina Brunelli, RN, suggested that nurses first need to speak up about their hurt and grief. Further, hospital nursing leaders are asked to respond by providing space, time and trained personnel such as Employee Assistance counselors or professional chaplains for grief support groups that invite the multidisciplinary team. Grieving in community has a long tradition in all cultures, and it may help break down professional barriers. When physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains and other providers share their grief together, they may discover similarities that can lead to more effective collaboration and more holistic and compassionate care for the patients.

Other writers, like Gerow, advocate for developing a comprehensive understanding of the grieving and coping process for nurses, including the significant influence of spiritual worldviews. Nursing faculty, administrators and leaders can provide better learning opportunities and supportive practice environments in which the professional nurse can grow and change within life’s journey (Gerow, 2010).

In addition, memorial services have proven to be an effective tool for caregiver’s coping process, as Brunelli pointed out. This corresponds with my experience as a chaplain who has coordinated special non-denominational services for caregivers and families to honor the lives of patients who died during the past year. These services have provided a structure to remember and celebrate in community as well as being part of a larger reality. The receptions after the services invite fellowship; sharing of stories over food and drink. This custom is as old as the Jewish-Christian text from Ecclesiastes 3: “There is a time for everything under the heavens, a time to

Patients Die and Nurses Grieve continued on page 6


summit. I met with junior and senior high school students whose passions were to enter the health profession. I was amazed by the focus of these young and eager minds, and utterly impressed with the programs that this school had to offer. I left that meeting knowing it was time for me to pass the torch. Meeting these students brought back so clearly where it all began for me, at age 15 working as a nursing assistant.

A month later I relocated from Boston to Vermont with little clue as to how my life would change. Education played a big part in my career, but certainly not in the venue of Career and Technical Education. I soon learned that all the instructors at PHCC were experts in their field, likewise sharing there knowledge with young students. Like me, these instructors did not go to school to become teachers, but find themselves in the teaching role, nonetheless. I couldn’t have been more impressed with the school, all the programs that are offered, and the dedication of the staff.

I was hired to take over Health Careers, a rigorous program to prepare students who are college bound and/or committed in their pursuit of a career in a health profession. The program provides students with a unique and important opportunity to explore a variety of health careers. Students learn the educational and training requirements, roles, responsibilities, certifications and licensure relative to the health field. It is a dual enrollment program with the Community College of Vermont (CCV), meaning that students can enroll in both PHCC, as well as, CCV. This allows students to earn college credits upon successful completion of Human Biology and Medical Terminology, even prior to graduating High School. Imagine that! Students also learn about anatomy, disease pathology, patient-centered care, patient advocacy, and public policy. They experience extensive clinical rotations through a mentor-shadow program, exposing them to all areas of the hospital, i.e. Operating Room, Emergency Medicine, Physical Therapy, Radiology, Laboratory, etc. While in the Health Careers program, students also become certified in First Aid and in Basic Life Support as a Healthcare Provider. In addition, a very dedicated part of the program is the Nursing Assistant Education Program (NAEP); which is state and federally regulated for the competency of becoming a nursing assistant. In this part of the program, students experience first-hand how to care for the infirm and the elderly. It amazes me that students are so dedicated that they are even willing to wake up early on a Saturday morning for a clinical rotation at 6:45 AM. After completing the NAEP, students take a written exam that assesses learned content, and a practical exam of basic nursing skills. Upon passing both state-mandated exams, students are licensed by the VT Board of Nursing as Licensed Nursing Assistants (LNA’s). To all the LNA’s who may be reading this article, I congratulate you on your success!

To say I am impressed with the young students who are so focused and dedicated to their future would be an understatement. Witnessing students’ commitment at PHCC gave me the desire to take Health Careers to a different level. I wanted to extend the students’ learning

Passing the Torch continued from page 1

beyond the walls of the classroom and the borders of Vermont. I added research to the curriculum and in the senior year have students begin to explore national and global health issues. As part of this exploration, it became my goal that the students gain a better understanding of national health issues by visiting such places as the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the National Naval Medical Center. It was also my goal to help students begin to understand health legislation; how improvement in health care can be initiated and how it becomes law. No better way than visiting the Capitol, observing sessions in the Senate and House Galleries, meeting with Vermont Senators, and speaking with Legislative Health Aides.

Needless to say, one mention of these desires was all the students needed to become motivated in making these goals a reality. Over the past two years, students have enthusiastically raised funds in a variety of ways. They have visited local businesses throughout the surrounding communities in quest of donations and raffle prizes and found that nearly everywhere they went they were welcomed with support. They have sold cotton candy and popcorn, had a Bingo night, had ongoing raffles, etc. My part was to set an itinerary for making this the most valuable experience possible. For some students this would be their first air travel and first trip so far from Vermont.

We have recently returned from our second trip to Washington, D.C. Words cannot adequately express the impact this trip has had on these young minds as they journey toward their own career in the future health of America. The students were able to meet personally with researchers at NIH and had a private tour of the Clinical Research Center, which helps them understand research that is conducted on behalf of patients from around the world. There are few words to capture how profound

and enlightening it was to spend time at both Walter Reed’s Military Advanced Training Center, as well as, the National Naval Medical Center. Observing physical therapy sessions on soldiers returning from war with lost limbs and being allowed to converse with them personally leaves an indelible mark. Students were able to speak with countless health professionals, privately tour with personal ambassadors the hospital wards at three of the country’s leading health facilities, and witness that when hope may be at its dimmest there are places such as these to offer hope, a brighter light, and health professionals that truly care. The lessons learned during this experience could never be taught in a classroom. I am in awe of the many people so willing to help a small group of high school students from Middlebury, VT have a trip of a lifetime.

I think the students say it best and I would like to share some quotes (with their permission) from their personal reflections regarding their experiences. I also thank these students, and all my students for opening their minds and allowing me to ‘pass the torch’ by sharing my knowledge and experiences from the past 35 years.

Student reflections from the trips to Washington, D.C. as part of the Health Careers program at the Hannaford Career Center:

“….I wasn’t sure what to expect from the trip besides long days and a packed schedule, but the trip really opened my eyes to the opportunities that the health field has to offer. Personally, I have only focused on one area of healthcare. During this trip, I started to reconsider, or at least to wonder, what other options may be open to me as a health care professional. After talking with a Nursing Manager at the National Naval Medical Center, I realized more clearly that my future has endless possibilities…”

Passing the Torch continued on page 5


Passing the Torch continued from page 4

“I would never have known this existed [NIH] if it weren’t for our trip there and the nice people who took time out of their day to talk with us….now I have a better idea about my future. It will make me work even harder just knowing NIH may be an option.”

“I will always remember the visit to Walter Reed and talking with a wounded soldier named John; a medic that lost both his legs and an arm while overseas. He was so upbeat and very friendly that it was hard to imagine the struggles he had gone through. I can’t even put into words how much I admire that kind of determination and spirit. Whenever my legs get tired or I complain about something silly, I just think of John and his spirit.”

“The hospital was amazing, everyone was welcoming. Everyone who talked to us were so wonderful. I want to be that way as a nurse…..”

“Thank you so very much for giving us the experience to see the bigger view of health care. I appreciate it more than I could ever express. The trip got me thinking about what I want to do with my life. I think this trip really opened my eyes as to what health care really is.”

“During this trip there were so many amazing experiences. I got to do stuff that I would never have been able to do and visit places I would never have been able to visit, or even known to...”

“I hope that in my future career as a nurse that I can somehow show my thanks to the soldiers that fight for our country and how thankful I am. After seeing so many with lost limbs, I know that freedom is not free.”

“While on this trip, I also learned a little more about myself. I feel like sometimes we think we have it worse than we really do. I mean here is this man, who no longer has either of his legs and I think that he was happier than I am most of the time. That’s pretty sad. I think I can take things I have for granted and this experience really opened my eyes about that.”


mourn and a time to laugh,” and it assists with the adjustment to a new reality. It may result in less burnout and more happy, caring nurses who will stay in the field because they, too, feel cared for by their employers.

In their research on the role of spirituality in coping, Shinbara and Olson found that a large percentage of nurses are connected to spirituality through such avenues as worship, prayer, meditation or self-reflection. Spirituality is understood as making meaning out of one’s experiences and feeling a connection to something larger than oneself. Similar to the findings around grief, education on spirituality is predominantly provided around the patients’ spiritual needs.

Many nurses collaborate with chaplains in their institutions to meet the needs of patients and families. Some findings show that spiritual care providers are being utilized to provide education on spirituality and loss, and to offer support to the nursing staff. That has been true in my experience as a hospital chaplain. Once I had established trusting relationships with the RNs on one oncology unit, they would call me when they felt sad about the loss of a patient or when they needed an informal debriefing, a blessing or a special healing service.

Faith and spirituality in their many forms can be healthy ways of coping with grief. For nurses who may not want to attend group sessions or attend memorial services, the practice of focusing on the three “G” principle might be an alternative: be grateful for the gift of working with the patient, allow

Patients Die and Nurses Grieve continued from page 3 for grief over the loss, and find ways of letting go (Shinbara, Olson, 2010 and Carlsen, et al. 2005). This may include some well-known self-care strategies such as listening to music, taking a bath, scheduling a massage, exercising, going for walks, hugging, spending time alone in nature or with friends and family, and writing a letter or journal (Ruggles, 2011). Nurses need to give themselves permission to grieve and let go in their own ways. I join Brunelli in quoting Reese, who wrote (1996), “It’s only human to hurt, to cry, to grieve, when a person who’s influenced you in some way has died. Please cry with your patients and their families; it is okay for you to grieve, too,” and to ask for support.

References:Brunelli, Tina, RN, BSN: A Concept Analysis: The

Grieving Process for Nurses, Nursing Forum, Volume 40, No. 4, 2005

Gerow, Lisa, RN, MSN et al: Creating a Curtain of Protection: Nurses’ Experiences of Grief Following Patient Death, Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 2010, 42:2, 122-129

Pisarski, Waldemar, M.Div.: Wege durch die Trauer; Munich, Germany 1982

Ruggles, Tammy, BSW, MA: How Nurses Can Grieve the Loss of a Loved One or Special Patient, Working Nurse, California 2011, online journal

Shinbara, Christina G.; Olson, Lynn: When Nurses Grieve: Spirituality’s Role in Coping, JCN, Volume 27, Number 1 2010

ANA Wins Champion for Change Award!

Submitted by: Mary McNamaraSenior Public Relations Specialist,

CommunicationsAmerican Nurses Association

On April 6, the American Nurses Association (ANA) received a Champion for Change Award at the 2011 Environmental Excellence Awards ceremony at the CleanMed conference, in Phoenix, Arizona. This award is bestowed by Practice Greenhealth, whose member health care organizations are dedicated to sustainable eco-friendly practices.

This award honors ANA’s sustainability commitments inside the association and the association’s environmental health work and initiatives on behalf of our members. Since 2008, ANA’s enterprise-wide Green Team has worked to identify opportunities within ANA’s operations to promote environmentally sound choices, increase in-house recycling and reduce waste generation and toxic chemical use.

On a broader scale, ANA’s Center for Occupational and Environmental Health and Government Affairs Departments work diligently on environmental health issues such as pharmaceutical waste/disposal, chemical reform, sustainable food, climate change, and reprocessing of single use medical devices. Visit ANA’s Environmental Health site (http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/OccupationalandEnvironmental/environmentalhealth.aspx) and ANA’s Governmental Affairs site (http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAPoliticalPower.aspx) to learn more about environmental health and how nurses can make a sustainable difference!

Learn more about Practice Greenhealth by visiting http://www.practicegreenhealth.org/


Personal & Financial HealthWhen Nurses Don’t Wanna Go There:

Resolving ConflictsEvery conflict we face in life is rich with positive and

negative potential. It can be a source of inspiration, enlightenment, learning, transformation, and growth—or rage, fear, shame, entrapment, and resistance. The choice is not up to our opponents, but to us, and our willingness to face and work through them. (Cloke, Goldsmith, 2000)i.

Asking for a raise. Shift to shift relationships. Giving a critical performance review. Saying no to a co-worker in need. Confronting disrespectful or inappropriate behavior. Disagreements during staff meetings. Sometimes nurses just don’t wanna go there. This begs the question, why do well-intentioned and intelligent people often fail to create the cultures of resolving conflicts through collaboration. Even though we have seen a revolution in new communication and collaborative technologies, resolving conflicts through collaboration on nursing teams often remains an aspiration rather than a reality. If we could calculate the total amount of time, energy, money, and resources wasted on unresolved conflicts—the relationships we destroy, the decreased productivity from time spent in gossip, absenteeism, illness and poor morale the total would be staggering. The following statistics recently caught my attention for more than a few minutes.

• Research shows that 60-80% of all difficulties in organizations stem from strained relationships between employees, not from deficits in individual employee skill or motivation. Daniel Dana, Managing Differences: How to Build Better Relationships at Work and Home (2005, 4th ed) .

• Thetypicalmanagerspends25-40% of his/her time dealing with workplace conflicts. That’s one to two days of every work week.Washington Business Journal, May 2005 .

• Ernst&Young reports that the cost of losing andreplacing an employee may be as high as 150% of the departing employee’s annual salary. Workforce .com .

Conflict is an unavoidable part of our daily lives, an inevitable result of our highly complex, competitive and often litigious society. Actions that employees cite as causes for workplace conflict range from poor communication; not being involved in decision-making; disagreements about “who does what;” stress from working with inadequate resources; leadership problems, including inconsistent, missing, too strong or uninformed; avoiding conflict by “passing the buck” with little or no follow-through on decisions; seeing the same conflicts/problems over and over. On the upside, conflict is often needed because it helps to raise and address problems; it energizes work to be focused on the most appropriate issues; makes it easier for people to “be real” motivating them to participate; and improves the learning process of recognizing and benefiting from differences.

Each of us has our own ideas, opinions, and needs, on how we manage our differences. As nurses our ability to resolve conflicts is essential to our effectiveness with our peers and healthcare consumers. Every nurse is faced with the possibility of conversations that make them feel uncomfortable, particularly when people feel strongly about what is being discussed or about the people discussing it, or when self-worth is on the line. While situations may be different for every person, the dilemma remains the same: How to solve these conflicts in ways that reduce anxiety and increase the likelihood of success.

Annette Simmons author of A Safe Place for Dangerous Truthsii says that when a group fails to address difficult issues, something has affected its members’ willingness to see and tell the truth. It could be a turf war, an ego battle, a tyrannical hierarchy, old fears of retribution, or learned helplessness translated into apathy. When coworkers will only speak privately about the “real problem,” then dialogue has become taboo in the larger group. The “real problem” is code speak for the one thing that needs to be fixed, yet everyone is too scared to mention it for fear of retribution, losing personal ground, or being lashed out at for being the bearer of bad news. The “real problem” is the one that everyone either pretends isn’t there or ineffectively addresses the same old solutions that didn’t work last time. In other words, when nurses don’t wanna go there.

Oliver Wendell Holmes said that the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving. We have to stop avoiding the real problems and move as Holmes suggest in a new direction

because it is possible it may contain the seeds of a unique opportunity. To discover this possibility, we need to change how we think about ourselves, our organizations, and the people with whom we are in conflict. We need to dramatically shift the way we approach organizational conflicts, and the way we behave and participate when we are in them. It is often difficult for us to do so because we are so preoccupied with what it will cost us to resolve our disagreements that we fail to consider the cost of not resolving them.

In the 1970s Kenneth Thomas and Ralph Kilmann identified five main styles of dealing with conflict. As people work to improve their conflict resolution abilities, one of the most important preparation tasks is to look inside themselves to gain a better understanding of their own tendencies, patterns, and beliefs. This need not be a threatening or self-critical task. It is meant to help people in challenging situations to be able to move away from not wanting to go there. The styles are:

Competitive: People who tend towards a competitive style take a firm stand, and know what they want. They usually operate from a position of power, drawn from things like position, rank, expertise, or persuasive ability. This style can be useful when there is an emergency and a decision needs to be make fast; when the decision is unpopular; or when defending against someone who is trying to exploit the situation selfishly. However it can leave people feeling bruised, unsatisfied and resentful when used in less urgent situations. (Win/Lose)

Compromising: People who prefer a compromising style try to find a solution that will at least partially satisfy everyone. Everyone is expected to give up something and the compromiser him- or herself also expects to relinquish something. Compromise is useful when the cost of conflict is higher than the cost of losing ground, when equal strength opponents are at a standstill and when there is a deadline looming. (Mini-Win/Mini-Lose)

Accommodating: This style indicates a willingness to meet the needs of others at the expense of the person’s own needs. The accommodator often knows when to give in to others, but can be persuaded to surrender a position even when it is not warranted. This person is not assertive but is highly cooperative. Accommodation is appropriate when the issues matter more to the other party, when peace is more valuable than winning, or when you want to be in a position to collect on this “favor” you gave. However people may not return favors, and overall this approach is unlikely to give the best outcomes. (Yield-Lose/Win)

Avoiding: People tending towards this style seek to evade the conflict entirely. This style is typified by delegating controversial decisions, accepting default decisions, and not wanting to hurt anyone’s feelings. It can be appropriate when victory is impossible, when the controversy is trivial, or when someone else is in a better position to solve the problem. However in many situations this is a weak and ineffective approach to take. (Lose/Lose)

Collaborative: People tending towards a collaborative style try to meet the needs of all people involved. These people can be highly assertive but unlike the competitor, they cooperate effectively and acknowledge that everyone

is important. This style is useful when you need to bring together a variety of viewpoints to get the best solution; when there have been previous conflicts in the group; or when the situation is too important for a simple trade-off. (Win/Win)

Nurses are faced with an unending array of options about what to say or do, how to behave in the face of conflict, and what style to choose. The collaborative approach to conflict, also called mutual gains, argues for the possibility of solutions that all sides find acceptable. It embodies the notion of “win-win.” Collaboration is about identifying a common, shared, or joint goal and developing a process to achieve it. It is a process in which both parties exchange information openly, define their common problems, and create options to solve these problems (Van Slyke, 1999)iii.

Every nurse has to deal with workplace disputes, turf issues, and hidden agendas. They’re forever simmering under the surface, sometimes boiling over in nasty explosions whispering and in some cases screaming, “You don’t wanna go there.” But while conflicts are inescapable, they are solvable. If team members focus on the results they want, and take the active steps of collaboration to groom productive trusting relationships, then there are no such things as turf issues and hidden agendas. Instead, everyone’s self-interests are legitimized, put on the table for discussion, and conflicts become the source of honest dialogue among team members.

The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers. M. Scott Peck.

(Endnotes)i Cloke, K., Goldsmith, J., (2000), Resolving Conflicts

at Work, Jossey-Bass, Inc., San Francisco, CAii Simmons, A., (2000), A Safe Place for Dangerous

Truths, AMACOM, New York, NYiii Van Slyke, E., (1999), Listening to Conflict,

AMACOM, New York, NY

Priscilla Smith-Trudeau RN MSM BSN CRRN CCM is a healthcare management consultant specializing in workforce development. She is the President of Wealth in Diversity Consulting and certified in conflict management. The web is www.wealthindiversity.com


Personal & Financial Health

Unforgettable BirthdaysBirthdays may seem less important as you grow older.

They may not offer the impact of watershed moments, such as getting a driver’s license at 16 and voting at 18. But beginning at age 59, there are several key birthdays that can affect your tax situation, health-care eligibility, and retirement benefits.

59½—You can start taking penalty-free withdrawals from IRAs and qualified retirement plans, provided certain conditions are met. Ordinary income taxes generally apply to these distributions. (Withdrawals taken prior to age 59½ are subject to a 10% federal income tax penalty.)

62—You are eligible to start collecting Social Security benefits, although your benefit will be reduced by up to 30%. To receive full benefits, you must wait until full retirement age,” which ranges from 65 to 67, depending on the year you were born.

65—You are eligible to enroll in Medicare. Medicare Part A Hospital Insurance benefits are automatic for those eligible for Social Security. Part B Medical Insurance benefits are voluntary and have a monthly premium. To obtain coverage at the earliest possible date, you should generally enroll about two to three months before turning 65.1

70½—You must start taking minimum distributions from most tax-deferred retirement plans or face a 50% penalty on the amount that should have been withdrawn. Annual required minimum distributions are calculated according to life expectancies determined by the federal government.

Source: 1) Medicare & You 2011, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

The information in this article is not intended to be tax or legal advice, and it may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. You are encouraged to seek tax or legal advice from an independent professional advisor.

Family Financial Strategies77BankStreet,Suite1 • Lebanon,NH • 03766Phone:603-727-7106 • Fax:603-727-7105www.familyfinancialstrategies.netinfo@familyfinancialstrategies.net

Securities and investment advisory services offered through Ameritas Investment Corp. (AIC). Member FINRA/SIPC. AIC, Family Financial Strategies and Bridge Consolidated Financial Planning are not affiliated. Securities products are limited to residents of NH and VT.

The Vermont State Nurses’ FoundationAnnounces

The Arthur L . Davis Publishing Agency, Inc . 2011 Scholarship

Applications for the $1,000 scholarship are open to Vermont State Nurses’ Association members who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate nursing program and who are active in a professional nursing organization. Submit application by August 1, 2011. Please complete the application below and submit it to:

Vermont State Nurses’ Foundation, Inc.100 Dorset Street, Suite #13South Burlington, VT 05403

Name: ______________________________________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________________

City: __________________________________ State _______________________ Zip ______________

Phone: ______________________________ E-mail: _________________________________________

Nursing Program and Degree Currently Enrolled in:

____________________________________________________________________________________

Briefly describe your activities in the Vermont State Nurses’ Association or other nursing organization within the past three years:

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

Student News

Continuing Education Opportunities

UVM College of MedicineThe following educational events are sponsored by the

University of Vermont. For more information contact:Continuing Medical Education128 Lakeside Avenue, Suite 100Burlington, VT 05401(802) 656-2292http://cme.uvm.edu

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Vermont Summer Pediatric SeminarDate: 06/16/2011 - 06/19/2011

Location: The EquinoxManchester, VT

Highlights of the American Society ofClinical Oncology (ASCO)

Date: 06/17/2011Location: Doubletree Hotel

Burlington, VT

Women in Medicine 2011Date: 07/24/2011 - 07/28/2011

Location: The Stoweflake Hotel & SpaStowe, VT

Primary Care Sports MedicineDate: 09/28/2011 - 09/30/2011

Location: Sheraton HotelBurlington, VT

14th Annual Breast Cancer ConferenceDate: 10/07/2011

Location: Sheraton BurlingtonSo. Burlington, VT

9th Annual Northern New England Critical CareDate: 10/20/2011 - 10/22/2011

Location: The Stoweflake Hotel & SpaStowe, VT

Northern New England NeurologicalSociety Annual Meeting

Neurology for the Non-NeurologistDate: 10/20/2011 - 10/22/2011

Location: Portland Regency HotelPortland, ME

Jeffords Quality ConferenceDate: 10/28/2011

Location: Sheraton Hotel and Conference CenterSouth Burlington

Bridging the Divide: A Conference Fostering Collaboration between Primary Care, Mental Health,

Substance Abuse, and Behavioral HealthDate: 11/10/2011

Location: Sheraton BurlingtonSo. Burlington, VT

Upcoming Educational Opportunities (Non-VSNA)


General NewsMAY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Submitted by Christie Steier RN, BSN, CENVSNA Lobbyist

The 2011-2012 legislative session was officially adjourned on Friday, May 6, 2011. It was a busy session in the State House! The following is a brief summary of some of the key legislation introduced during this legislative session that directly impacted nursing in VT. For a complete list of bills introduced this session go to: www.leg.state.vt.us

H .202/S .57—An Act Related to a Single-Payer and Unified Health System

This bill has been passed by both the House and Senate and once signed by the Governor will become law. Then the real work begins getting the system organized and up and running. How fast it can be put into action will also depend on whether VT can obtain the necessary waivers to opt out of the provisions of the PPACA.

S .30—An Act Making it a Felony to Assault a Healthcare Worker .

Testimony in support of this bill was given during Nurses’ Day at the State House before the House Judiciary Committee at the special request of Rep. Lippert in honor of Nurses’ Day. Members of the committee were quite gracious to the nurses in attendance at the meeting. Not only did they hear testimony from June Benoit, Christie Steier and four nurses from CVMC but they had every one of the nurses observing the meeting introduce themselves and allowed time for them to offer more testimony also. This is quite unusual and we thank the committee for the open discussion that it allowed regarding this serious workplace problem.

This bill has passed both the House and Senate but did not make it to a conference committee or the Governor for signing this session. Hopefully, this will happen early in the 2011-2012 session. Enactment of this bill will make VT one of the few states to show their health care workers how much they value their work. Please thank the members of both the House and Senate Judiciary Committees when you see them.

H . 274—An Act Relating to Patient Choiceand Control at End of Life(Patient Directed-Dying bill)

There has been no movement on this bill this session. It may surface again next session and there will probably be a concerted effort to make this happen by proponents over the summer—contacting legislators, letters to the editor, etc.

H .358—An Act Relating to AdvancedPractice Registered Nurses

This bill was sent to the House Human Services Committee and there was no action taken on the bill this session.

H . 201—An Act Relating to Hospiceand Palliative Care

This bill has passed both the House and Senate and now goes to the Governor for signing. There will also be a commission established to oversee this bill.

APRN Administrative Rules ChangeThere was a public hearing regarding the rules change

that eliminates the collaborative agreement requirement for APRNs on Friday, April 29, 2011. Written testimony will be accepted until May 13, 2011.

Blue Ribbon CommissionThe Governor has appointed Steve Maier to head up

a Blue Ribbon Commission to address the Institute of Medicine Future of Nursing Recommendations. The eight recommendations include:

1) Remove scope-of-practice barriers2) Expand opportunities for nurses to lead and diffuse

collaborative improvement efforts3) Implement nurse residency programs4) Increase proportion of nurses with BSN degree to

80% by 20205) Double the number of nurses with a doctorate by

20206) Ensure that nurses engage in lifelong learning7) Prepare and enable nurses to lead change to

advance health8) Build an infrastructure to collect and analyze

health care workforce data

For a full discussion of the recommendations visit www.thefutureofnursing.org

VT BON Reaches 100th AnniversaryOn Friday, March 25, 2011 a Resolution was read in

the House recognizing the 100th Anniversary of the VT Board of Nursing. We join in congratulating them on reaching this important milestone and for their dedication to promoting and protecting the interests of the nursing profession in VT for so many years.

Nurses’ Day at the State HouseOver 70 nurses attended Nurses’ Day at the State House

on April 20, 2011. On a day that had absolutely miserable weather that ranged from torrential rain to hail and snow we appreciate that anyone braved the roads to attend!

Janet Haebler MSN, RN, ANA Associate Director of State Government Affairs, was keynote speaker for the event and offered a wonderful presentation on current legislative issues at both the national and state levels, as well as advocacy strategies. Janet was also gracious enough to spend the afternoon speaking with individual groups of nurses about how to effectively address issues specific to their practice areas.

Governor Shumlin met with the event attendees at the Capitol Plaza and ended up spending close to 30 minutes answering questions from the group. (His office only scheduled him for a five to ten minute meeting with us.) He was asked some tough questions!

Testimony was taken during the morning from nurses on S.30, an act making it a felony to assault a healthcare worker that is now in the House Judiciary Committee, (see above for more details on this).

Overall the day was a success. Nurses in VT made their voices heard at the State House regarding some very important issues and learned how to become more effective advocates for patients and the nursing profession. The event also brought in some potential new members to the VSNA, enthusiastic to work on addressing nursing issues in VT.

A recommendation for next year’s event would be to order some warm, sunny weather.

Christie Steier, Governor Shumlin and Janet Haebler.

Research Round-UpThe VNC welcomes the submission of nursing abstracts

of publications, reports, theses or other scholarly work. The VNC is distributed to 25,000 readers, and it is a wonderful way to share your work and to keep us informed of the wealth of work that nurses are producing throughout Vermont.

The VNC Editorial Board encourages all nurses involved in practice, education, research, administration or other fields to submit their typed abstracts of 200-250 words with a cover letter with the following information:

• NameandCredentialsofAuthor:• Telephone#:• Emailaddress:• PlaceofEmployment:• Position:• Educationalinstitution(ifstudent):*• CurrentYearofStudy:• Facultycontactperson: Name: Telephone #: Email address:• Date:*StudentAbstractsmustbesubmittedbytheirschoolof

nursing.Abstracts may be e-mailed to [email protected], or a

hardcopy can be sent to the VSNA, Inc, VNC Abstract, 100 Dorset Street, # 13, South Burlington, VT 05403.


Save The Date


General NewsVSNA 2011 Convention:

Tuesday Evening October 18th and All Day Wednesday October 19thLake Morey Resort, Fairlee, VT

The Future of Nursing:Vermont Nurses Leading Change, Advancing Health

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18th:6:30 pm: Registration

7:00-8:00 pm: Linda Davidson, MS, APRN

“Scope of Practice for Nurses—Impact of the IOM Recommendations”

8:00-8:30 pm: Celebrate the Vermont State Board of Nursing’s 100th Anniversary

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19th

7:45-8:15 am: Registration, Breakfast, Exhibits

8:15-9:30 am: Karen Ballard, MA, RN, FANN

“Institute of Medicine’s Report: The Future of Nursing”

9:30-10:45 am: Maureen Sroczynski DNP, MS, RN

“Journey to the Future of Nursing”

10:45-11:15 am: Break, Exhibits

11:15-12:15 am: Mary Val Palumbo DNP, APRN

“Vermont’s Response to the IOM Future of Nursing Report”

12:15-1:30 pm: Lunch, VSNA Business Meeting, Awards

1:30-2:30 pm: Break-out Sessions

A. Ann Laramee APRN-BC, MS

“Nursing Research: Most Important Studies That Have Changed Our Profession”

B. Ellen Ceppetelli RN, MS, CNL

“Reflective Listening: Enhancing Professional Formation and Retention in a Nurse Residency Program”

C. Student Nurse Track: “Skills to Land Your First Job”

2:30-2:45 pm: Break, Exhibits

2:45-3:45 pm: Break-out Sessions

D. Anne Ireland RN, MSN, AOCN

“Lead—or Be Led”

E. Margaret Luce, MSN

“Political Advocacy as a Strategy to Advance Nursing and Health Care Quality”

F. Student Nurse Track: “Reality of Nursing Practice in Different Clinical Settings”

3:45-4:00 pm: Conclusion/ Evaluations

4:00-4:30 pm: Silent Auction

REGISTRATION FEES: Registration will be available on our website(www .vsna-inc .org) as of August 1st .

October 18th, Tuesday evening ONLY: $15 for everyone

October 18th Tuesday evening and October 19th Wednesday all day:VSNA Members:

• $95BeforeOctober10thand$115atthedoor• SPECIALMEMBERSHIPDEAL:2for1memberregistrationifregistration

postmarked by August 31st!• Seniors(over62)10%discount

Non-VSNA Members:• Non-members$135beforeOctober10th,2011and$150atthedoor• Seniors(over62)10%discount

Student Nurse Price:• Wednesdayallday—$40• Wednesdayafternoonbreak-outsessionsonly—nolunchincluded—FREE

For more information: call 802-861-8886 or email: vtnurse@sover .net

Hotel Information:Lake Morey Resort 802-423-1211Special Convention Rates: $95.00 single/double if reservations made by September 18th. Mention VSNA Convention when making reservations.

Directions:From Hartford and points South: Take I-91 North to Exit 15 in Vermont. Turn left off exit ramp. Take first right (granite Lake Morey Resort sign on corner). Follow the golf course (on left) and take your first left onto Clubhouse Rd. Resort is on the right.

From Burlington: Take I-89 South to Exit 7 (Berlin/Barre). Take Route 302 East through Barre to Orange. Take Route 25 South to Bradford. Take I-91 South to Exit 15 - Turn right off exit ramp. Take next right (granite Lake Morey Resort sign on corner). Follow the golf course (on left) and take your first left onto Clubhouse Rd. Resort is on the right.

About Our Speaker:Karen A . Ballard, MA, RN, FAAN

Ms. Ballard is a graduate of Niagara University (BSN) and New York University (MA). She is currently a consultant for the Nurses Workgroup for Health Care Without Harm (HCWH), an international coalition of 433 organizations in 52 countries working to transform the healthcare industry, so it is no longer a source of harm to people and the environment. She is an adjunct associate professor at PACE University where she is teaching courses on psychiatric-mental health nursing, health care reform and nursing leadership.

Previously for twenty years, Ms. Ballard held various staff positions with the New York State Nurses Association including Director of Special Projects and Director of the Practice and Governmental Affairs Program where she interpreted nursing practice issues, served as a lobbyist and addressed such issues as bioterrorism, HIV/AIDs, reimbursement, nursing acuity and

staffing and the nursing shortage. Additionally, she was a clinical nurse specialist in pediatric-mental health at major medical centers in NYC working with chronically and terminally ill children.

Ms. Ballard served as a member and chair of ANA’s Standards and Guidelines Committee and as Vice-Chairperson of ANA’s Congress on Nursing Practice and Economics. She is the co-author of Psychiatric Nursing – An Integration of Theory and Practice, which was designated an AJN 2009 Book of the Year in the nursing specialty. Some of her other articles include “Patient Safety: A Shared Responsibility” in Online Journal of Issues in Nursing and “Nursing Cost by DRG: Nursing Intensity Weights” in Policy, Politics and Nursing Practice. She is a contributor to an upcoming Nursing Administration Quarterly on environmental health. Ms. Ballard a contributing editor of AJN’s quarterly column – “Environments and Health.” She has served on the Steering Committee of Rekindling Reform, a NYS-based grassroots organization working to achieve quality health care for all in the U.S.

Karen A. Ballard is the immediate Past-President of the New York State Nurses Association (2009-2011), First Vice-President of the American Nurses Association (2010-2012) and a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing (2009).


ANA/VSNA NewsIn Recognition of Caring Honor a Nurse

Through a gift to the Vermont State Nurses’Foundation Scholarships for Nurses

Nursing continues to be the most trusted profession asindicated in annual surveys. This attests to the collectivecontributions nurses make as they care for patients, families and communities. Efforts of individual nurses however need special recognition by colleagues, employers, patients, families and friends.

Is this an anniversary year for a colleague you admire?

Is this the way that you can thank a mentor?

Is this an opportunity for a patient or family to acknowledge excellent care given by a nurse?

There are many milestones such as a birthday or retirement to celebrate. These are the times to:

Honor A NurseCelebration

The honored nurses and the persons nominating them will be recognized at the Vermont State Nurses’ Association Convention on October 19, 2011 at the Lake Morey Inn, Fairlee, Vermont. The honored nurses each will receive a certificate identifying the reason for the honor. The honored nurses’ names will also appear in the Vermont Nurse Connection and on the VSNF website.

The minimum suggested donation to the fund is $25.00 for an individual and $100.00 for a group (up to six) nurses.

Complete the information requested and mail your contribution to :

Vermont State Nurses’ Foundation100 Dorset Street, Suite 13, S. Burlington, VT 05403

VSNF is a 501(c)3 organization.

All contributions are tax deductible to thefull extent allowed by law.

I am honoring:

Name: ________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________

Please indicate on a separate piece of paper thereason (s) you are recognizing this nurse

Nominator’s name : ______________________________

Address: ______________________________________

Submit nominations by 9/19/2011

As the health care environment becomes increasingly complex so does the importance

of continuing academic study for nurses. Vermont’s nurses recognize the need for advanced study as they progress in their

careers. Two nurses who are continuing their nursing education with support from

the VSNF scholarship fund in 2010 are:

CongratulationsPam Kupiec

andMegan Hess

District UpdatesDistrict 1

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for keeping your membership up to date in the VSNA. Our Annual District I meeting was held on Thursday April 14th at the Double Tree in South Burlington. The District I Board was pleased to have Dr. Betty Rambur present her work on Discovery Oriented Learning: Reclaiming Authentic Nursing.

Irene Bonin RN MSVice President, District I

District 2District 2’s annual meeting was held Thursday, May

5 @ the Hilltop Restaurant in Barre, VT. We had 17 members present and 6 guests, including our speaker Dr. Deborah Richter. Dr. Richter spoke knowledgeably about Vermont’s single payer plan.

New officers include: Diane Hamilton, Vice President; Cindy Bullard, Secretary; Alma Mueller, Nominating Committee. Auditor and Director positions are unfilled.

Reports included information on the State Convention in Oct, passage of the act to make assaulting a health care worker a felony, the Government Affairs group, giving testimony re APRN practice, the Education Committee activities, and using MemberClicks. A proposal to donate $250 to support our lobbyist passed unanimously.

The silent auction was a great success thanks to generous donors and bidders.

Cindy BullardSecretary

District 3District 3 needs your help! Over the past year there

has been reduced member participation within District 3 and the past leaders became very discouraged. Virginia Umland, Linda Otero and Richard Frank worked very hard trying to energize District 3 and build up membership.

We understand how busy everyone is, you are probably torn between family and work responsibilities and you try hard to find some personal space. You might even be going back to school. The VSNA gets it; most of the VSNA leadership is also juggling many hats. But seriously, we do need your help! For almost 100 years, the VSNA has been the VOICE FOR NURSES IN VERMONT! To be the VOICE we need to have nurses in Vermont share their collective voices. Districts are very important to the VSNA—the more active they are they help increase visibility for the VSNA, help attract new members and help keep the current members connected. District events provide opportunities for networking and a chance to share your nursing expertise and knowledge. Participating in district level activities can hone your leadership skills and give you valuable experience. We are also trying to connect to student nurses—you could become a mentor to a student nurse and help transform the student into a professional nurse!

We need folks who are willing to serve on the District 3 Board. Most meetings are held by conference call so you can be at home and still be part of the process. The District 3 membership meetings are scheduled a few times yearly and a great effort has been made to have the meeting held in different parts of your district.

Don’t feel you can commit to being on the District 3 Board? We also need members who are willing to help find members willing to run for office, help plan the District 3 Membership meetings, find speakers, help out at other District 3 events like health fairs, etc.

Please contact me either by email at [email protected] or call the VSNA office at 1-802-651-8886. I am not in the office every day but do check the phone messages.

Submitted by: June Benoit

2011 Spring Membership and Publicity Committee

UpdateThe Membership Committee Goals:

• EnsurethatVSNAremainsrelevanttotheneedsofVermont nurses

• Retaincurrentmembers• Attractnewmemberstotheorganization• Increasevisibilityofnursesandtheroleweplayin

health care

The Membership Committee continues to meet monthly to create and plan innovative strategies to meet our goals. Our membership continues to be strong and growing by a few members each quarter. Some of our recent activity includes the ongoing focus on student participation and finding ways to get students more involved. This past semester, committee and VSNA members presented at the University of Vermont and Norwich University schools of nursing to encourage nursing students to be involved in professional organizations. As those graduate nurses become employees in your organizations please let them know why they should be members of VSNA!!

To increase our visibility in the public and promote our image as professionals, we will be profiling specific members quarterly and writing this up for local and regional media sources. If you are interested in being interviewed, contact one of the committee members.

This year we are having a Member to Member Challenge . For every VSNA member who gets 5 new dual ANA/VSNA members to join, that member will get $100 off their next membership dues. The new member should email VSNA or indicate on the application the VSNA member responsible for their joining.

The District to District Competition is also taking place again this year!! The district with the greatest percentage increase in membership wins one free registration to convention to give to one of their members. The competition will end August 31st so start recruiting!! Two great ways to save money this year!!

If you have ideas to improve and increase our membership, please share them with us!

How to join:Application in this newsletter on page 13 ORVisit our site at www.vsna-inc.org/index.htm to

download an application.Stay tuned for more details!! The Membership

Committee will continue to strive to meet our goals. We look forward to serving you again.

Committee Members: Lauren Bailey, June Benoit, Richard Frank, Theresa Haywood, Michelle Wade, and Ann Laramee, Chair.

For more information visit the website www.vsna-inc.org/index.htm

Ideas or comments please direct them to Ann Laramee, chair of the committee at [email protected]

VSNA New Members:

District 1Amy RennerPriscilla Smith-Trudeau

District 2Celine Champine

District 3Anddrea Churchill-BoutwellPatricia DeNicolaStacy McKiernan


ANA/VSNA News

Vermont State Nurses’Association, Inc.

The Voice for Vermont

Nurses

Providing:

•OpportunitytonetworkwithNurseProfessionals

•VSNAAnnualConvention

•VermontNurses’Dayatthe State House

•AnnualAwardsrecognizingindividualswhohavemadeoutstanding contributions tothenursingprofessionin Vermont.

•EducationPrograms

•ContactHourApproval

•Lobbying

•TheVermont Nurse Connection,ourofficialorganizationpublication

Purposes•Workfortheimprovementofhealthstandardsandtheavailabilityofhealthcareservicesforallpeople.

•Stimulateandpromoteprofessionaldevelopment.

•ServeVermontnursesastheconstituentassociationoftheAmericanNursesAssociation.

Thesepurposesshallbeunrestrictedbyconsiderationofnationality,race,

creed,lifestyle,sexorage.

VSNA/ANAMembershipBenefits

Advocating for Nurses

AmericanNurseToday

CreditCardProgram

Education

OJIN:TheOnlineJournalofIssues in Nursing

PoliticalRepresentationinVermontandWashington,D.C.

Reducedliabilityinsuranceratesplusoptionsonlife,disability,retirement, auto.

ReducedfeesforworkshopsandconferenceswithContinuingEducationContactHours.

ReducedcostforANAcertification.

ReducedratesonANApublicationsincludingStandardsofPractice.

The American Nurse

TravelDiscounts

WorkplaceHealth

VSNA Membership Application

_________________ Date of Application

__________________________________________________Last Name / First Name / M. Initial / Credentials

__________________________________________________Home Mailing Address

__________________________________________________City / State / Zip Code

__________________________________________________Home Phone Number

__________________________________________________Employer Name

__________________________________________________Employer Address

__________________________________________________Employer City, State, Zip Code

__________________________________________________Work Phone Number

__________________________________________________School of Nursing Graduation (Month/Year)

__________________________________________________RN License Number License State

__________________________________________________E-Mail Address

Preferred Mailing Address: ❑ Home ❑ Work

For Office Use:

District:

Exp: Amt. Enclosed:

Membership Investment

❑ VSNA MEMBERSHIP DUES V $99(Membership in VSNA only; make check payable to ANA)

❑ AMERICAN NURSES ASSOCIATION DUESMake check payable to VSNA

❑ Full Membership Dues M $268Employed: ❑ Full Time ❑ Part Time

❑ Reduced Membership R $134

❑ Full-time student ❑ Not Employed

❑ New Graduate (from basic nursing education program within 6 months of graduation, first year only)

❑ 62 years of age or older (not earning more than Social Security allows)

❑ Special Membership $67 (62 years of age or older and not employed or Totally Disabled)

Online Payment for credit cards only:

www.NursingWorld.org

Vermont State Nurses’Association, Inc.

100 Dorset Street, Ste. 13

South Burlington, VT 05403-6241

802-651-8886 800-540-9390

[email protected]

www.vsna-inc.org

Note:State Nurses’ Association Dues are not deductible as charitable contributions for tax purposes but may be deductible as a business expense. The percentage of dues used for lobbying by SNA is not deductible as a business expense.

Vermont State Nurses’ Association, Inc. allots 20% of its dues for lobbying.

ANA Payment Options(please check plan:)

❑ Full Annual Payment: (payable to VSNA)

❑ Automatic Annual Credit Card Payment

❑ M: $268 ❑ R: $134 ❑ S: $67

❑ VISA ❑ Master Card

_______________________________________________Bank Card Number & Expiration Date

_______________________________________________Signature for Bank Card

❑ E-Pay (Monthly Electronic Payment Options)

❑ M: $22.84 ❑ R: $11.67 ❑ S: $6.09This is to authorize monthly electronic payments to

American Nurses Association, Inc. (ANA). By signing on the line, I authorize ANA to withdraw 1/12 of my annual dues

and any additional service fees from my account.

❑ Checking Please enclose a check for the first month’s payment, which will be drafted on or after the 15th day of each month using the account designated on the enclosed check.

❑ Credit Card Please complete the credit card information above and sign below and this credit card will be debited on or after the 1st of each month. *

_______________________________________________Monthly Electronic Deduction Authorization Signature

* By signing the Monthly Electronic Deduction Authorization or the Automatic Annual Credit Card Payment authorization, you are authorizing ANA to charge the amount by giving the undersigned thirty (30) days advance written notice. Undersigned may cancel this authorization upon receipt by ANA of written notification of termination twenty (20) days prior to deduction date designated above. Memberships will continue unless this notification is received. ANA will charge a $5.00 fee for any returned drafts or chargebacks.

❑ Online: www.NursingWorld.org(credit card only)


First Nurse Appointed to Key CDC Immunization Committee Honored with ANA Immunity Award for April

SILVER SPRING, MD—Patricia Stinchfield, who set precedent as the first nurse ever appointed to a key Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advisory committee on preventing national disease outbreaks, has earned the American Nurses Association (ANA) Immunity Award for April 2011.

Stinchfield, MS, RN, CPNP, director of infectious disease services at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, was appointed in 2004 by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to a four-year term as a voting member on CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The committee, made up of 15 national experts, provides guidance on the control of vaccine-preventable diseases

ANA/VSNA News

and has a strong influence on the nation’s immunization clinical policy. Stinchfield now serves as the liaison member representative to ACIP from the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners.

Her award comes during National Infant Immunization Week, April 23-30, a CDC initiative to heighten awareness of 14 vaccine-preventable diseases.

“ANA is proud to celebrate National Infant Immunization Week by honoring Patsy Stinchfield with this award,” said ANA President Karen A. Daley, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN. “It is fitting that we recognize Patsy this week, because she has done so much to preserve and protect the health of children through immunization.”

In addition to her hospital role, Stinchfield is a pediatric nurse practitioner who practices at the Children’s Clinic in St. Paul for children and adolescents with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and immune deficiencies. She has been recognized for increasing the employee influenza vaccination rate at her hospital, Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, from 64 percent in 2006-07 to 80 percent in 2008-09. This increase earned

Patricia Stinchfield

Stinchfield and her hospital the National Influenza Summit Award for Immunization Excellence in a Healthcare Personnel Campaign in 2009.

Stinchfield is a frequent speaker at workshops and conferences on immunization, and specializes in coaching health care professionals on how to communicate most effectively with patients about vaccine safety. She currently serves as a clinical adjunct faculty member at the

University of Minnesota School of Nursing.

ANA grants the national Immunity Award monthly as part of its Bringing Immunity to Every Community project. ANA and CDC are collaborating on

the project, which focuses on maximizing nurses’ role in increasing vaccination rates and reducing incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases.

The project seeks to increase nurses’ knowledge and competency in immunization, encourage nurses to be vaccinated, and position nurses as leading advocates for immunization among peers, patients, and the public.

ANA Urges Support For Safe Chemicals Act of 2011SILVER SPRING, MD—The American Nurses

Association (ANA), the largest nursing organization in the United States, is appealing to lawmakers to support the “Safe Chemicals Act of 2011.” This legislation, introduced today by Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), would update the 35 year old Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 (TSCA), which is widely perceived to have failed to protect public health and the environment.

Since TSCA took effect, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been able to require testing on just 200 of the more than 80,000 new chemicals produced and used in the U.S., and just five chemicals have been regulated under this law. This means that chemicals are allowed to enter our homes, workplaces, and communities with little or no testing for human toxicity. Consumers and workers are not informed about harmful chemicals in products/equipment they use at home and on the job, and there is no requirement that safer chemicals be substituted for toxic ingredients. Furthermore, it can take years, sometimes even decades, to remove a chemical from the market once it has been identified.

“Nurses are committed to promoting the health, welfare, and safety of their patients and ANA believes the quality of the environment is inexorably linked to the quality of human health,” said ANA President Karen A. Daley, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN. “That is why ANA fully supports the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011, and will continue its work with our coalition partners and lawmakers to reduce toxic chemical exposure and other environmental threats to public health.”

Studies continue to demonstrate the links between toxic chemicals in our everyday products and serious illnesses such as cancer, reproductive disorders, developmental disorders and asthma. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 133 million people in the U.S.—almost half of all Americans—are now living with these and other chronic diseases and conditions, which

now account for 70% of deaths and 75% of US health care costs. Because of the many chemicals nurses and other health care workers are exposed to in the workplace, they are at even higher risk.

The Safe Chemicals Act reflects a real understanding of how these toxic chemicals impact our health and environment. The bill would overhaul TSCA by:

• Requiring the EPA to identify and restrict the“worst of the worst” chemicals, those that persist and build up in the food chain;

• Requiringbasichealthandsafetyinformationforallchemicals as a condition for entering or remaining on the market;

• Reducing the burden of toxic chemical exposureson people of color and low-income and indigenous communities;

• Upgrading scientific methods for testing andevaluating chemicals to reflect best practices called for by the National Academy of Sciences; and

• Generally providing EPA with the tools andresources it needs to identify and address chemicals posing health and environmental concerns.

ANA is a partner in the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition which supports the goals of the bill. ANA’s House of Delegates voiced its commitment to chemical policy reform in 2006 when it overwhelmingly passed a resolution entitled “Nursing Practice, Chemical Exposure and Right-to-Know.” In this landmark resolution, ANA’s members called on it to:

• Promoteaction(s)atthestateandnationallevelthatwill reduce and streamline the elimination of toxic chemicals and require use of safer alternatives when possible.

• Supportdisclosureaboutadversehealtheffects.• Demandadequateinformationonthehealtheffects

of chemicals before they enter our workplaces and homes.

ANA was just recently awarded the Champions for Change Award by the organization Practice Greenhealth at the 2011 Environmental Excellence Awards. The award recognizes ANA’s commitment to sustainable eco-friendly practices within the association as well as ANA’s environmental health work and initiatives on behalf of the nursing profession. To learn more about ANA’s work on environmental health, please visit ANA’s Center for Occupational and Environmental Health and ANA’s Safe Chemicals Action Page.

The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the only full-service professional organization representing the interests of the nation’s 3.1 million registered nurses through its constituent and state nurses associations and its organizational affiliates. ANA advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the rights of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Congress and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.

ANA Applauds Joint Commission Standards for ‘Medical Homes’Patients Gain with Decision to

Include Nurse-led Clinics

SILVER SPRING, MD—The American Nurses Association (ANA) commends the Joint Commission for adopting standards that include nurse-led clinics as “primary care medical homes,” a decision that will provide more choice and access for patients seeking care.

The final ambulatory care guidelines that the Joint Commission will use to accredit primary care medical homes beginning July 1 expand opportunities for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), such as nurse practitioners and certified nurse-midwives, to provide services to patients under an innovative care delivery model. Medical homes—centralized health care providers that coordinate a patient’s care across multiple health care settings and practitioners—have been promoted under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as a method to provide cost-effective, high-quality, patient-centered care.

ANA has long advocated that primary care practices led by nurses, such as nurse-managed health centers, qualify for eligibility under medical home rules, especially as the health care system moves toward a “value-based purchasing” approach in which providers will be held accountable for the cost and quality of care. Numerous studies have shown that patients experience similar outcomes when they receive primary care from APRNs as compared to physicians, often with lower costs and higher patient satisfaction. Also, innovative models such as nurse-led clinics will be crucial in meeting the increased demand for primary care services as the population ages and as an estimated 32 million individuals gain health insurance coverage under the ACA.

IS YOUR NURSING ORGANIZATION PLANNINGAN EDUCATION PROGRAM?

CONSIDER APPLYING FOR CONTACT HOUR APPROVAL

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL THE VSNA OFFICE @ (802) 651-8886

Vermont State Nurses’ Association, Inc. is accredited as an approver of continuing education in nursing by the American Nurses’ Credentialing

Center’s Commission on Accreditation.


Specialty Organizations

Left to right are: Elizabeth Hansen, Program Manager, Board of Nursing; Christopher Winters, Director, Office of Professional Regulation; Linda Davidson, Executive Director, Board of Nursing; Jeanine Carr, Vice-chair, Board of Nursing; Susan Farrell, former Chair, Board of Nursing; Margaret Luce, former member of the Board of Nursing; Ruth Elsa Baldwin, President, Vermont State Nurses’ Association.

Board of Nursing Staff

july, august, september 2011 vermont nurse connection ... · deadlines for the vermont nurse...

Documents