current resident or

Presort StandardUS Postage

PAIDPermit #14

Princeton, MN55371

International Nurse Practitioner/Advanced Practice Network Conference . . . . . . . . . . . .3The Bulletin Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Road to Recovery Opens in Kenai/Soldotna and Mat-Su . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5Happy New Year from the ANT . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7Charlie Bare, RN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Membership Magnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Board of Nursing News Flash . . . . . . . . . . . . .102014 Alaska Nurse Practitioner Association Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Alaska Nursing Action Coalition More Notes from the Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12Orsini Scholarship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13Are You in the Know? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14Up and Coming Event Calendar . . . . . . . . . . .15

Volume 2 • No. 4 December 2014The Official Publication of the Alaska Professional Nurses Organization

Circulation 7,800 to every Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse and Student Nurse in Alaska

Road to Recovery Opens in Kenai/

Soldotna and Mat-SuPage 5

Happy New Year from the ANT

Page 6-7

Alaska RespondVolunteer Emergency Medical Professionals

Page 11

Dianne Maythorne, ANP-C

A Clinician’s ViewWhenever I am asked to speak or write about

marijuana, the first thing that I want to point out is that it is a very complicated and political issue. Cannabis has been used for thousands of years in medicine, spiritual practice, recreation, and industry. To try to tell the story of the human relationship with cannabis in any sort of abbreviated format is to ignore the many nuances of the topic.

That said, I’m sure that many clinicians now find themselves wondering how they should educate themselves as marijuana use will now be something that our patients are more likely to disclose. I’m already finding that patients are more open about marijuana use, often stating that they use it for medical reasons, and I’m sure that is only going to increase.

First, patients and their health care providers should know the passage of Ballot Measure 2 last November does not mean instant legalization of marijuana use. According to an 11/9/14 article in the Alaska Dispatch News, it will be approximately mid-February when it will be legal to possess or transport up to one ounce of marijuana. Even after certification of election results, the members of the state legislature have already hinted at trying to delay or derail implementation of the new law.

Even with legalization in the state of Alaska, marijuana is still illegal at the Federal level. It is categorized as a Schedule 1 drug, which means that the Federal government has placed marijuana in the same category as heroin. Schedule 1 drugs are considered to be highly

addictive and without medical value. Citizens in states where marijuana has been legalized (whether for recreational use, medicinal use, or both) are still subject to potential prosecution under Federal law—as are growers, dispensary owners, and health care providers who write medical marijuana prescriptions.

Marijuana as a drug—IndicationsPolitics aside, there is a growing body

of evidence to suggest that marijuana has medicinal value. It has been fairly well-established that marijuana can be helpful in treating nausea and vomiting and can be useful as an appetite stimulant in certain wasting syndromes such as those associated with cancer and HIV. There has also been evidence to support the use of marijuana in neurologic disorders and chronic pain. Finally, there is some suggestion that cannabis use may have a positive impact in areas as diverse as immunology and psychiatry.

The human body has two classes of cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. The CB1 receptors are primarily located in the central nervous system and cannabinoids such as THC are the ones primarily responsible for stimulation of the CB1 receptors; they are responsible for the “high” reported by marijuana users.

CB2 receptors are located in the human immune system: the spleen, tonsils, and leukocytes. There are no psychotropic effects resulting from the stimulation of CB2 receptors and it is the cannabinoids that interact with CB2 receptors that hold the most promise clinically. Of the 65 cannabinoids that have been identified,

10 subtypes are considered clinically significant. CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the cannabinoids generating the most interest as it seems to have some promise in the treatment of chronic pain and epilepsy.

Cannabinoid content of marijuana plants vary significantly from strain to strain. THC content can range from 2 to 30% depending on the genetics of the particular plant. There is a high CBD/low THC plant currently being used to treat patients with intractable seizures; you can learn more about this particular strain (called “Charlotte’s Web”) in Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s documentary entitled “Weed.”

Cannabinoids, whether smoked or ingested, are excreted through the liver and the kidneys, with renal excretion being much higher. While there have been no documented cases of human toxicity and studies in dogs and monkeys also showed no lethality at maximum doses, there is one case of cannabis-induced renal failure in the literature. Researchers think that the patient’s pre-existing anemia plus the vasodilation and adrenergic effects of the marijuana combined to cause the patient’s renal failure.

Drug Interactions/Adverse ReactionsCannabinoids are highly protein-bound

and have been shown to have interactions in the cytochrome P450 pathways. These two characteristics of cannabis certainly need to be taken into account when prescribing for patients who admit to use. Some of the drug-drug interactions to consider include interactions with antiretrovirals and antipsychotics

Marijuana: What Nurses Need to Know

Marijuana continued on page 2

Page 2 • Alaska Nursing Today December 2014

Contact AKPNOAlaska Professional Nurses Organization

200 W. 34th Ave. #118Anchorage, AK 99503

www.akpno.org

The Alaska Professional Nurses Organization is a statewide nursing society dedicated to improving the health of all Alaskans through fostering nurse leadership and excellence in nursing practice.

Board of DirectorsPresident Barbara Berner EdD, MSN, FNPVice President Mary Stackhouse CLNCSecretary LeMay Hupp MPHTreasurer Debbie Thompson BSN, CNOR

Directors at Large Pat Dooley BSN, CHPN, MHSA Patricia Barker BSN, NCSN Tina DeLapp EdD, MSN

Editor: Lynn Hartz MSN, ANP lhartz@ak.net

Author Guidelines:

ArticlesAlaska Nursing Today welcomes original articles for publication. Preference is given to nursing and health related topics in Alaska. Authors must identify potential conflicts of interest, whether financial or of other nature and identify any commercial affiliation if applicable. Resources, including websites should be listed at the end of the article. Photos may be sent as a .jpg file and become the property of AKPNO.

Editorials/Commentary/ Letters to the EditorLetters, comments, questions or opinions about nursing or health care in Alaska are a wonderful way to share information and viewpoints with colleagues across the state. Send your submission via email. Letters must be 500 words or less and may be edited for length, clarity and grammar. Editorials and Commentary do not have a word limit at this time though they are also subject to editing. The ANT is published every three months so be careful about sending time sensitive material.

AKPNO has the right to accept, edit or reject proposed material. Materials may not be reproduced without written permission of the Editor.

All submissions may be sent tolhartz@ak.net

Publishing Information and Ad ratesAlaska Nursing Today is published quarterly every March, June, September and December.

For 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, sales@aldpub.com. AKPNO 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 Alaska Professional Nurses Organization 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. AKPNO 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 AKPNO or those of the national or local associations.

Published by:Arthur L. Davis

Publishing Agency, Inc.

Alaska Professional Nurses Organizationwww.akpno.org

(specifically clozapine and onlanzapine). Cardiac effects such as hypotension, adrenergic stimulation, and increased cardiac demand can create problematic interactions with amphetamines, beta-blockers, epinephrine, and tricyclic antidepressants. The additive sedation when used in conjunction with alcohol and benzodiazepines, however, is considered to be the most clinically significant interaction that marijuana has with other drugs.

In addition to drug-drug interactions, some of the potential adverse reactions of cannabis use in and of itself must be considered. As well as the cardiac effects mentioned above, marijuana can have negative impacts on mood, cognition, and performance. Anxiety and paranoia are not uncommon experiences for marijuana users and the drug can worsen preexisting psychiatric conditions.

Regular marijuana use can also have detrimental effects on the GI system such as hyposalivation, delayed gastric emptying, and constipation. There are also substantial effects in the endocrine system; there is global impact on hormone production with features such as reduced thyroid hormone, lowered levels of sex hormones (and resulting fertility issues), and impaired glucose metabolism. Nor is impact at the cellular level unremarkable; both cell-mediated and humoral immunity can be impaired by regular marijuana use, and chronic use of marijuana has been implicated in disruption of DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis.

In my opinion, the most concerning and least discussed potential adverse consequence of chronic marijuana use is the drug’s effect on the respiratory system. I’m not certain that we fully understand the relationship between chronic smoked marijuana use and respiratory ailments such as COPD and lung cancer, but I’m convinced that it can’t be a good one. For patients who chose to use marijuana, using a vaporizer or taking the plant in as an edible will likely mitigate negative respiratory side effects. Overall, however, there is much research still to be done both in the areas of medical application and risk reduction as it relates to recreational use. I am hopeful that we will see some of this research come to fruition as the momentum for legalization continues; Alaska, Washington, Oregon and Colorado are fertile ground (pun intended) for such studies.

More and more, I approach this simple plant with mixed feelings. Like any drug, it has the potential to heal and to harm. Our best approach as clinicians is to seek good information and to evaluate that information with open minds, regardless of personal politics. I will leave you with the words of Mitch Earleywine, a cannabis researcher:

“...Some things are neither good nor evil. The common human desire to split the world into two categories is understandable. Decisions are easier when everything is black and white. Yet the world remains in frustrating but glorious color. Forcing everything into two categories can be a depressing and futile task. Every year fire warms some people and kills others. Water quenches thirst but also drowns. Aspirin relieves pain or causes overdose. Labeling these as good or evil requires many caveats and may be a pointless task. Perhaps marijuana is the same...”

The author on her horse Jupiter.

[Dianne Maythorne, ANP-C, currently practices at a private clinic in Wasilla. Her graduate thesis included research about the use of marijuana in palliative care and she provided an overview of the pros and cons of medical marijuana at the 2014 ANPA Conference. When she is not providing direct patient care, she can be found haunting yarn stores, riding her beloved horse Jupiter, or feeding her many hungry sled dogs. ‘Life is always an adventure.’]

Resources:Grotenhermer, F. (2004). Clinical pharmacodynamics

of cannabinoids. Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics, 4 (1), 29-78.

Grotenhermer, F., & Russo, E. (Eds.). (2002). Cannabis and Cannabinoids: Pharmacology, toxicology, and therapeutic potential. London: Routeledge Taylor & Francis Group.

Marijuana continued from page 1

ARE YOU READY...TO

RESPOND?Our purpose is to identify and mobilize licensed

Alaska healthcare professionals to serve as volunteers in a disaster or public health emergency.

Happy Holidays to all of our dedicatedAlaska Nursing Professionals.

For more information and to register online visit us today.

www.akrespond.alaska.gov

Application on page 9 or join online at

www.akpno.org

JOIN

TODAY!

December 2014 Alaska Nursing Today • Page 3

Lois Rockcastle, ANP

Helsinki, Finland was the gathering place for the 8th ICN International N u r s e P r a c t i t i o n e r /Advanced Practice Nursing Ne t w o rk C on f e r e n c e . The Finnish Nurse’s Association did an outstanding job hosting the 750 attendees from 40 different countries. The theme of the conference was the potential for advanced practice nurses to expand access to health care and improve health outcomes. Some 200 individual presentations were made in addition to

several keynote presentations. Over 650 abstracts were submitted from all over the world and carefully reviewed to select the presentations.

Taiwan sent a very large contingent of over 100 to the conference. Professor Tai Jen from Taiwan’s largest nursing school explained that advanced practice nurses had been working in hospitals for over ten years and the role is rapidly expanding. Discussions with advanced practice nurses from many countries revealed that the role of nurse practitioners in the United States is at the forefront worldwide. One of the key factors that is admired and most progressive for nurse practitioners in America is the ability to prescribe medications and to work autonomously in many states. Multiple conversations with attendees from many different countries revealed that there are many different meanings of advanced

International Nurse Practitioner/Advanced Practice Network Conference

Lois Rockcastle, ANP, is currently the Alaska representative

to the American Association of Nurse

Practitioners.

practice nursing around the world. In several countries it seems the advanced practice nurses are more like our critical care nurses. In Finland, the public health nurses have a very expanded role in the community health centers, much like the nurse practitioner role in the United States. They do extensive health assessments, prescribe or recommend over the counter medications, do virtually all of the well child exams and serve as gate keepers to other health care providers and services. The preventative services in Finland were extensive and most impressive.

The conference was incredibly valuable for networking and meeting colleagues from all over the world. The conference venue was located on the harbor in Helsinki, a short walk from the daily market, stores and wonderful restaurants. The food during the conference was distinctly scandinavian, delicious and very healthy. Helsinki is a city full of walkers and bicyclists thus contributing to the very noticeable healthy and slender nature of the entire population.

Another exciting opportunity at the conference was the ability to participate in study visits to a variety of health care sites all across Helsinki, pediatric units in the hospital, elder care facilities, surgical and intensive care units as well as community health centers. The opportunity to view and learn about a very different type of health care system was both educational, interesting and rewarding.

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners had a large contingent at the conference, including several board members, past presidents, current president and the CEO, Dave Hebert who also visited Alaska in September to speak at the Alaska Nurse Practitioner Association Conference.

Alaska State Representative to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Lois Rockcastle offered a presentation at the Helsinki conference, “Nurse Practitioner Practice on America’s Last Frontier - Adventure, Challenge and Practice to the Full Scope of Our Education.” She highlighted the health care system in rural Alaska as well as the independent role we enjoy in Alaska. Lois’ travel to Helsinki included a stop in Iceland and a visit to St. Petersburg, Russia both highly recommended destinations!

The next conference of the International Nurse Practitioner/Advanced Practice Network will be held in Hong Kong in 2016. Another exciting opportunity for submitting an abstract, international travel and networking and a wonderful learning opportunity.

Now Hiring RN Nursing Instructors

Both full-time and part-time positions available.

Apply at www.chartercollege.edu/jobs

Anchorage Campus 2221 East Northern Lights Blvd., Suite 120

Full-time, salaried position benefits include:• Pay range: $97,000-$119,000, DOE• $500/mo. retention bonus• Medical insurance• Dental insurance• 401(k) retirement plan• PTO

Responsibilities:• Educate students according to approved course syllabus• Prepare and submit a weekly lesson plan• Maintain current knowledge of the business world/healthcare system through continuing education• Adjust teaching approach to support students of varying abilities• Maintain student retention expectations as outlined by supervisor• Complete reports as required by Program Director

Qualifications:• Master’s Degree in Nursing required• Nursing specialty of Mental Health, Medical/Surgical or Maternal/Child care nursing experience desired• Teaching experience preferred• Knowledge of Alaska Nursing Law/Board regulations strongly desired

The RN Nursing Instructor is responsible for providing instruction in nursing subject matter that will lead to the development and/or enhancement of a nursing career and professional skills in students. This position reports to the Director of Nursing and/or the Program Director in related field.

Page 4 • Alaska Nursing Today December 2014

The Bulletin Board

Alaska Nursing Today

A small newsletter with big aspirations.

Read. Enjoy. Join the conversation.

“the mighty

ANT”

For free CE webinars on a variety of topics, send your email address

to lhartz@ak.netwith CNE on the subject line to

receive a weekly notice.

To post a recurring meeting on the Bulletin Board contact the Editor,

lhartz@ak.net

AKPNO membership meeting

First Wed. of the month, 6pmBP Energy Center, 900 E. Benson

This issue of Alaska Nursing Today brought to

you by AKPNO.

Are you a member?Go to page 9 for a membership application or

join at www.akpno.org.

Make a donation! Support the mission!

Caduceus 12 step Recovery Meeting

(open only to health care professionals)Thursday evenings, 5:45-6:45pm

Amazing Grace Lutheran Church, Corner of O’Malley and Elmore, Anchorage

Alaska Nurse Practitioner Association Meeting

Third Wednesday of the month at 6:15. AaNA office, 3701 E. Tudor, STE 208.

www.akpno.org has a new

Grants & Scholarships tab. This page features information

on nurse-related funding opportunities.

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December 2014 Alaska Nursing Today • Page 5

Nurse NewsmakersCynthia Gough RN, MS, NE-BC, has accepted the role of operations

administrator for Providence Health & Services Alaska. Gough will oversee Behavioral Health Services, critical access hospitals, long-term and transitional care, assisted living facilities, Providence Imaging Center and select joint venture operations. Gough has served Providence as director of Behavioral Health Services since 2004. Gough earned a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Alaska Anchorage and a master of science in counseling psychology from the University of LaVerne. She earned specialty certification as a nurse executive, further preparing her for a broad portfolio of services. [source, ADN 10/27/14]

Road to Recovery Opens in Kenai/Soldotna and Mat-Su

The American Cancer Society recently announced the expansion of its Road to Recovery program to the Kenai/Soldotna and Mat-Su areas. The program enables cancer patients, with no means of transportation, to get rides to their treatment appointments at local hospitals and cancer treatment centers. The two new areas will be added to the existing Anchorage and Fairbanks programs.

With the expansion of service, volunteer drivers are needed in the new service areas as well as Anchorage. All that is required are flexible hours during the week (M-F), a current, valid driver’s license, good driving record, safe and reliable car, proof of car insurance, and a background check. The American Cancer Society provides the on-line training that can be taken from a home computer. The ACS hopes to have both new programs up and running by the new year. “Just driving one or two hours a month can help save someone’s life,” says Kathy Archey of the American Cancer Society.

For more information on becoming a Road To Recovery volunteer, please call Kathy Archey at 907.273.2077 or email: kathy.archey@cancer.org.

Looking for highly motivated

RNs and CNAs to become part of our Behavioral Health Team.

New 16 bed facility Residential Detoxification

Care Coordination Psychiatric Referrals

Facilitating Positive Initiative a Must Behavior Change Salary DOE

For more information contactFNA Human Resources at 452-1648 ext 6246

www.fairbanksnative.org

Page 6 • Alaska Nursing Today December 2014

Happy New Year from the ANT « 2015An Alaska Photo Round Up to Bring in the New Year

Alaska State Board of Nursing Anchorage VA Healthcare

Homer

Pictured from left, public member Julie Gillette, Beth Farnstrom, RN, and Erin Evans, RN.

Nurses at the Anchorage Alaska VA clinic on Muldoon celebrate the new year!

Marianne Schlegelmilch, RN, author and AKPNO member.

South Peninsula Hospital, Homer

Larry Reynolds, MD and Sherry Catterfield, Infection Preventionist/ Employee Health RN prepare Ebola PPE selection

for training.

December 2014 Alaska Nursing Today • Page 7

Happy New Year from the ANT « 2015Providence NICU

Providence NICU

APRN Alliance

Linda Binkowski, RN, Case Manager, NICU registry.

From left, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Alliance members Mo Hillstrand, DNP, ANP, Dianne Tarrant, ANP, UAA, and Barb Berner,

EdD, ANP discuss last minute agenda items at an Alliance meeting.

Maria Feigner, RN

Thank You ANT Contributors 2014

Although many have contributed to the ANT in 2014, may we take this opportunity to give appreciation to those who make that special effort (granted with some reminding!) to send in articles

or photos on a regular basis to Alaska Nursing Today. Thank you so much!

Marianne SchlegelmilchJuanita CasseliusBeth Farnstrom

Denise ValentinePat Dooley

Tracey WeiseNancy SandersShara Sutherlin

Barbara JacobsonDianne TarrantLois Rockcastle

Lisa SeifertSusan Pridgen-Webb

Tina DeLappJamey CorderyLeMay Hupp

Page 8 • Alaska Nursing Today December 2014

Nurses of the Great Land

Marianne Schlegelmilch

Charlie Bare is a combat veteran of the Vietnam War, having served with 247th medical detachment of the U. S. Army from 1971-1972 as a combat medic. Today he is employed as a registered nurse and he is a husband and a father.

For Charlie, the road from combat medic to Registered Nurse has been a long one, but as he will readily tell you, it is one that he is glad that he took as he works in his current role as a nurse in cardiac rehab in Wa s i l l a , A l a s k a . Charlie’s career in health care began in 1971 as the Vietnam war was in full swing.

Following his enlistment in the US Army in 1969, after basic training a n d i n f a n t r y t r a i n i ng , C h a rl ie Bare volunteered for airborne training in order to get into Special Forces. After jump school, he attended the Special Forces medical school where he received 32 weeks of extensive training.

“We were taught basic emergency treatment. We had considerable time training in pharmacology. We were trained to diagnose and treat illnesses. We were taught to do WBC counts with microscopes, and slides and stains of course, and

Charlie Bare, RN

Charlie Bare pictured on Mt. POW/MIA, a

previously unnamed flat topped mountain visible from the Veterans Wall of Honor in Wasilla, and

officially named after a formal request by a

Vietnam veteran, John Morrissey. According to a website www.3rdrecon.

org/Morrissey.htm, it was dedicated on November 11, 2009 (Veteran’s Day) after a process that took

32 years.

identifying parasites, some visual and some under the microscope.

“We had 10 weeks on the job training in which we were rotated throughout the hospital in different departments. (I had this at Fort Hood).”

Charlie says that as part of his advanced training—some received at Fort Sam Houston, Texas and some at Fort Bragg, North Carolina—he learned more about diagnosing diseases and treating gun shot wounds. He also learned how to do debridement, cut downs, how to start IV fluids, and how to perform an amputation. This training involved hands on experience, and as was often the case in general medical training at the time, much of the training was done using dogs.

“My goal was to go to Vietnam with Special Forces. At that time, Special Forces were being phased out of Vietnam and no one was being sent there, so I quit Special Forces and when I received my new orders, I was sent to Vietnam as a Dustoff Medic. Home base was Phan Rang, near the coast and below Cam Ranh Bay. That was our base of operations. It was an Air Force base, but we had Army stations there as well. One was an air cavalry (Huey helicopters). They would fly out frequently hunting for the bad guys.”

“Our Dustoff base was sort of secluded from the rest of the base. We lived in huts and always had a helicopter on call for calls. We also had what we called standby missions, which was just a helicopter, two pilots, a crew chief, and a medic who were stationed at different places around the country, mostly along the coast and highlands (of Vietnam).

“We supported mostly Koreans and Vietnamese (the Americans were being phased out of the war at this time—1971). Standby missions were at Nha Trang, Tuy Hoa, Phan Thiet, Ban Me Thuot . These standby missions made it much quicker for us to support combat because we were much closer. During my first month at Phan Rang, we had too many medics so I had my R & R there. I went to the Air Force side and took a scuba class and dove in the South China Sea.”

In more on the specifics of the role of a Dustoff medic, Charlie explains:

“The Dustoff Medic was the medic on the helicopter. When we got a call, we would rush out to the helicopter. We had two pilots, a crew chief, and the medic. We would pick up patients from the field that were wounded in combat. These wounded were seen first by the medic on the ground, and in many cases we just provided a rapid transportation for these guys to get to the field station where they could get more professional and surgical treatment.

But the Dustoff Medic would do the immediate first aid—make sure they were breathing, stop the bleeding. In some cases, I only had time to cut off their clothes so the field station could assess them more rapidly.

We picked up wounded in the field with a jungle penetrator or a hover hole in which we would reach down and pull them into the Huey if we could not land. We had one medic who was let down by the jungle penetrator to assess if anyone was alive after a crash. I hope this gives you a glimpse of what we did.”

After an honorable discharge from the military and over the course of the next 25 years, Charlie

pursued a number of educational and career choices before going through the UAA nursing program and receiving an AA in 1998.

“Prior to becoming a nurse, I attended Tennessee Temple University and graduated with a degree in secondary education with a proficiency in biology. That was in 1980. I enjoy biology and science.”

He married Janna Segsworth in 1979 and the two remain happily married today—a real success story from the vantage point of many combat vets who so often have seen their relationships compromised by the lingering traumas of ..war.

“When we moved to Alaska in 1983, I could not find a job teaching biology. My application was on file in the (Mat-Su)Borough for many years. To keep up my teaching certificate I had to take educational classes. I would purposefully choose classes that were prerequisites for the nursing program. I eventually got all the prerequisites out of the way and applied to the nursing school here at UAA.

During the time between arriving in Alaska and actually getting my RN, I had a number of jobs, including carpentry work, service writer at Nye Ford, work at a 7-11 store, and cutting firewood all winter.

My wife and I also worked at Kodiak Baptist Mission as “teaching parents” for two years. I went out of state for one year when my mother died, and I did carpentry work there to save up money to get back to Alaska. I worked on a crabber for 3 months as a deck hand. I worked as a shellfish observer for Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

The bridge from being a medic to an RN, as noted above, took many years. I enjoy science and medicine and helping others. After Vietnam, I applied to a number of PA schools sometime around 1972. It was a very popular program at that time. I was not accepted into any of the PA programs. I only had medical training in the Army and no college education at that time, so I expect that might have been one reason I never was able to take that route.

I can’t say there was any pivotal moment in Vietnam where I wanted to be in medicine. I was sort of disillusioned by not getting into the PA programs. Because I enjoy biology and science and teaching, I gradually worked my way into the nursing program at UAA.”

Shortly after becoming a nurse, Charlie overcame some tough personal issues directly related to serving in a combat environment. He is currently enjoying a successful career as a nurse, and it seems that those very issues have made him more sensitive to the diverse and sometimes hidden needs of those he cares for.

When I asked him how his work as a combat medic affected or influenced his work as a nurse, he replied:

“That question is hard, especially for a combat medic. Of course we are all human and sometimes we wonder why we made it back here and others didn’t, or why some were severely wounded and the guy next to them wasn’t.

“In the hospital, it is sort of the same. I know I am just a step away from getting my own bed in the hospital, such as tripping and falling or breaking something, or being involved in a car crash, etc. I really don’t like to see people suffer. As a nurse, sometimes I have to numb things out as far as feelings. I can still show empathy and caring, but there is something else that the war caused that distances me from the patient. I can’t put a handle on this, but I know it has something to do with PTSD.”

One thing that most nurses learn in the most powerful way is that we are all human—even those of us who care for others, and even to the point of many of us sometimes imposing a harsher standard of Life 101 on ourselves than we ever would on anyone else. It would seem from Charlie’s own words, that he is providing

Charlie Bare continued on page 9

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Membership Magneta caring and empathetic environment for his patients, while attempting to shield himself from absorbing the pain of their suffering—a frequent challenge faced by many nurses who are involved in daily life and death scenarios such as critical care. To have developed the ability to provide such empathetic care despite the traumas of war can be nothing less than commendable.

When I asked Charlie to tell me a bit more about himself, he wrote:

“What makes me tick? I enjoy helping others whether that is in the hospital or out in public. I like to see people get better from their injury or illness. Right now I am working two jobs. One is cardiac rehab where we monitor cardiac patients (Bypass Surgery, MI’s, Stents, or Valve Replacements) while they exercise. It is rewarding to see a patient who has suffered a heart attack and to watch them slowly progress as they exercise and get back into their pre-event activities. “Because cardiac rehab is an outpatient facility, I was loosing all my practical nursing skills, so I started working part time at the Native Hospital on their medical-surgical floor to keep up my nursing skills.”

Clearly, staying at the top of the game after his long wait to become a practicing nurse, Charlie is determined to keep his experiences honed and relevant to today’s ever-evolving nursing environment.

“I enjoy adventures. Nursing is one of them. You can’t get bored being a nurse. I usually take my kids hiking on an adventure every year. We have crossed Crow Pass in one day, hiked up Pioneer Peak, Matanuska Peak, and Twin Peaks (in the Mat-Su Valley where he lives). And I took my kids up to Mt. POW/MIA, where we saw the POW flag.”

Charlie adds that he still attends a PTSD support group at the VA Center in Wasilla—a tight-knit group of combat veterans who have been instrumental in raising the awareness of combat veteran’s issues in Alaska, and which holds as its participants several of the charter members of the first nationally recognized Vietnam Veterans advocacy groups in the Nation—Vietnam Veterans of America. When I first talked with Charlie about this story in a busy grocery store in the Mat-Su valley, it was the summer of 2011, and he was preparing for the year’s annual adventure with his children that would take them up the Haul Road (Dalton Highway) in northern most Alaska.

He recognized me right away from my days of having worked in the Valley and I was thrilled when he agreed to let me write his story, for it is a good story, and a strong story of dedication and commitment and heart. It is a story that speaks well of the inherent goodness in the human spirit, and from my perspective, it is a story of survival and inspiration.

Nurses like Charlie Bare and other medical colleagues did live fieldwork in Vietnam that strongly affected the care of trauma cases today. Among them are the development of Triage priorities, and treatments in shock and burn care.  Of particular and growing significance, are current treatments for Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder—afflictions that were unknown then, but are now known to have affected many who served in the Vietnam war, and even as far back as WWII, the Korean war, and possibly all wars.

Charlie has served his fellow man in service to his country and now in service to those who fall under his care. Like many war veterans, he is active in helping soldiers who are fighting newer wars, and in protecting the world in order to preserve peace and basic human rights.

Thank you Charlie Bare, for both your service to our Country and for choosing to continue to take

care of your fellow man by becoming a nurse.

Marianne Schlegelmilch is a Registered Nurse who lives in Homer and is the author of a series of books of Alaska fiction. She is a frequent contributor to the ANT.

You can follow her w r i t i n g b y v i s i t i n g h e r w e b s i t e : w w w .marianneschlegelmilch.com.

Charlie Bare continued from page 8

Marianne Schlegelmilch

2015 Alaska Professional Nurses Organization Membership Application

Membership is available to individuals and is nontransferable.Term of membership: January 1, 2015 – December 31, 2015

MEMBER INFORMATION

Name: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Title: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Organization/Employer: ____________________________________________________________________

Preferred Address: _________________________________________________________________________

City: __________________________________________ State: _________Zip: ________________________

Phone: Mobile ________________ Home ______________Work ______________ Fax __________________

Email Please Print Clearly ___________________________________________________________________

Email (secondary) __________________________________________________________________________

DUES and PAYMENT INFORMATIONMember Dues: $100

Students in first year after graduation: $25

Return application and check made out to: AKPNO, 2922 Yale Drive, Anchorage, Alaska, 99508 or go to www.akpno.org to join online

You are IMPORTANT to AKPNO

o Check this box if you would like to join one of our committees; membership, conference or legislative.

• Interestedinworkingonthenewsletter?photos?writing?contactlhartz@ak.net.• IunderstandthatIwillreceiveAKPNOemailsasaprimaryformofcommunication.• AlaskaProfessionalNursesOrganizationisanon-profitorganization.

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For more information contact:Dana Wassmann

Tanana Chiefs Conference(907) 452-8251 ext. 3335

Dana.wassmann@tananachiefs.org

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We teach American Heart Association skills checks and classes including B.L.S., A.C.L.S., A.C.L.S.E.P., and P.A.L.S.

For more information call 907-562-6449 or visit our website at www.sremsc.org

Health Treatment Nurse The Anchorage School District is seeking applicants for the position of Health Treatment Nurse. Health Treatment Nurses provide individualized, skilled nursing service to students with medically complex needs. They also provide care and management of medically fragile and technology dependent students in the school setting. Applicants must hold current Alaska RN licensure. Prior acute care nursing experience is helpful. The successful candidate will serve as a valuable member of the Anchorage School District team! This position offers an attractive salary and benefit package. For a complete listing of the minimum requirements and position responsibilities, please visit our website at www.asdk12.org. To apply, please visit our website and submit an online Classified Job Application.

Anchorage School DistrictHuman Resource Department5530 E. Northern Lights BlvdAnchorage, Alaska 99504Phone 907-742-4116www.asdk12.org

Change is happening...Visit www.nursingALD.com to access over 600 issues of

state nurses publications from around the United States - Stay informed about nursing in Alaska and around the country!

Page 10 • Alaska Nursing Today December 2014

Board of Nursing News FlashAlaska State Board of Nursing Update

Denise Valentine, ANP, Chair

Hello from the Alaska Board of Nursing! By the time this edition of ANT is published all nursing renewals will have been completed. Thank you to all who were able to renew their licenses online. The online process makes renewal much easier for all involved. LPNs renewed online at a rate of 93%. Wow!

The last BON meeting was held in Fairbanks, AK. There was a new Advisory Opinion passed regarding a nurse’s safety to practice. Please take a look at the Advisory Opinions online at the BON website (www.nursing.alaska.gov) where all Advisory Opinions are posted. Scroll down the home page to find the database.

The Board is also fine-tuning a new bill to bring to the new legislative session. Most of the content is related to advanced practice nurses title

change from advanced nurse practitioner (ANP) to advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). The title change will be consistent with the current national title for ANPs as recommended by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).

Other items that were discussed that may be of interest include telehealth/telemedicine nursing, the NCSBN simulation study results that examined the use of simulation rather than direct clinical care in nursing school, and adding an appendix to the nursing regulations to help better define the role differences between and LPN and an RN. No actions were taken on these topics during the October meeting but will be discussed in the future.

Another service NCSBN offers to nurses who would like to automatically receive publicly available license and discipline status updates of

one’s license from boards of nursing is E-notify. A nurse can sign up for this free service at www.nursys.com. It is also a great resource for your employer. Check it out!

That about summarizes the most recent work done by the Alaska Board of Nursing. The board appreciates all of your hard and responsible work that is done for Alaska. Keep up the good work!

New advisory opinions in 2014

Accepting repeat courses for CEIt was noted that ANCC will award contact

hours for content in “repeat” courses such as ACLS, PALS, NRP and other advanced courses. The Board of Nursing for the State of Alaska, will accept CE’s for renewals of ACLS, PALS, and other advanced courses for RN’s and ANP’s. April 2014. Starting December 1, 2014, the Board of Nursing will no longer accept CEs for renewal of ACLS, PALs and other advanced courses for ANPs.

Safety to PracticeRESOLVED that the Board of Nursing for the

State of Alaska, adopt an Advisory Opinion regarding the Position on Safety to Practice effective October 24, 2014.

 Nurses wanted to know if they should continue

to practice while taking prescribed medications, including pain medications; whether they should refuse assignments to work overtime or extra shifts; whether they should consider retirement from practice when they have reached a certain chronological age. The Board’s “Position on Safety to Practice” provides thoughtful direction to assist nurses and their employers in addressing these concerns.

One essential element of safe nursing practice is the nurse’s functional ability: the competence and reliability with which a nurse is able to practice at any given time. The board is aware that nurses sometimes experience situations that may compromise their ability to safely practice for either short term or long term. Some of these situations involve personal or job related stress, sleep deprivation, the normal effects of aging, and episodic or persistent health conditions, some of which may require pain management or the use of maintenance-level prescribed medication. This list is not exclusive.

Whether a nurse should continue active nursing practice when that practice may be compromised depends upon the nurse’s ability to function safely and effectively. The assessment of functional ability is an individualized process that does not lend itself to application of a set format based on select elements. On the contrary, assessment of functional ability requires active consideration of all relevant factors, such as diagnosis, prescribed treatment and situational events, as well as an evaluation of the impact of those factors on the individuals being assessed.

Although constant evaluation of one’s ability to safely and competently practice nursing is the responsibility of each individual nurse, the Board of Nursing remains the ultimate decision maker. In some instances, it may be necessary for the board to require objective physical and/or functional assessments. Licensed nurses are accountable for assuring that their actions and behaviors meet all applicable standards at all times. This requires constant awareness of the demands of the job and a continual process of evaluation and assessment in order to make sure that the nurse is fit to practice and competent to safely perform those functions that fall within the defined scope of nursing practice and for which the nurse has accepted responsibility. Nurses who practice while not fit to do so may be subject to disciplinary action by the board including, among others, license suspension or revocation, remedial measures, or monitored practice.

You can go to the Board of Nursing Website for the complete archive of BON advisory opinions and general information at www.nursing.alaska.gov.

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December 2014 Alaska Nursing Today • Page 11

Medicine at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Dr. Gerold discussed Tactical Emergency Medical Support (TEMS), an out-of-hospital system of care to enhance special operations law enforcement mission success and promote public safety.

Upcoming events: Pills to Polar Bears 2015 Exercise May 14-16, 2015:

The state of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) is planning, coordinating and hosting a 2-4 day Medical Counter Measure Distribution & Dispensing Functional/Full Scale exercise..

The goal will be to assess the state of Alaska’s ability to:

• Rapidlydetect• Respondto• Distribute• Dispense criticalmedication to the affected

population of the state in the aftermath of a bioterrorist attack using powder and aerosolized anthrax.

The scenario will involve federal, state and local partners. Test samples will be identified and confirmed, requiring rapid oral antibiotic prophylaxes. Centers for Disease Control will ship medical inventory to Alaska. State of Alaska DHSS will test receipt, storage, repackaging, and distribution and transportation coordination from Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC). Participating jurisdictions are notified and directed to activate Point of Dispensing (POD) plans. Alaska Respond will be testing activation and volunteer support response for dispensing operations.

Would you like to hear more about upcoming emergency preparedness conferences and exercises? Go to: www.akrespond.alaska.gov.

Hale Borealis Forum 2014, the statewide medical preparedness conference, was on September 27-30 at the Hilton Hotel in Anchorage. Over 80 sessions and internationally renowned instructors presented to 330 participants.

The Hale Borealis Forum 2014 was an excellent opportunity to bring together public health professionals, pre-hospital providers, stakeholders from healthcare facilities, trauma designated hospitals, fire, law enforcement, emergency managers, Alaska Respond Volunteer Health Professionals and other non-governmental and governmental organizations to learn about the latest techniques and tools in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters or public health emergencies from a whole community perspective. Agenda highlights were skill labs and workshops such as “What Law Enforcement Needs at a Criminal Mass Casualty Incident Scene”, “Out of State Forward Movement Table Top Exercise with Hospitals”, and “(State of Alaska) Department of Health and Social Services and Federal Agencies.”

The Municipality of Anchorage also coordinated a Pills to Polar Bear Preview: Seasonal Flu and TDap Clinic. This provided them an opportunity to demonstrate a Point of Dispensing clinic and vaccinate 194 attendees.

Plenary speaker, Dr. Kyoung Jun Song, MD, is an emergency medicine physician with the Seoul National University College of Medicine and Hospital who worked the April 2014 sinking of the South Korean Ferry MV Sewol. The South Korean ferry capsized while carrying 476 people. Of the 476 passengers over 300 were killed, mostly students. Dr. Kyoung Jun Sung’s presentation shared lessons learned and response efforts to prevent another disaster at sea.

Dr. Gerold, DO, JD, MA (ED), is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, and Emergency

Attendees at the Hale Borealis Forum 2014 participating in the Suturing Skills lab.

2014 Alaska Nurse Practitioner

Association Conference

Nurse practitioners from around Alaska gathered at the Anchorage Marriott last September for three days of high quality continuing education, networking and updates on state and national issues. According to Sally Coburn, ANP, site coordinator, an estimated 150 ANPs attended the conference along with 30 exhibitors.

A first for this conference was the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse track. Three one hour presentations were given

by representatives of the three other APRN specialties; CNS, CNM and CRNA.

The ANPA Nurse Practitioner of the Year for 2014 was Eva Stassen DNP, FNP-C, from the H2U Health Center at Alaska Regional Hospital.

Three scholarships were also awarded to nurse prac t i t ioner s t udent s: a first prize of $2500 to Debra Booysen, second prize of $1000 to Audrey Frone and a third prize of $500 to Kari Mauldin. All applicants received $50 gift certificates.

New APNA officers were announced who will serve through next fall: President, Tracey Wiese, President-Elect, Shannon Hilton, Secretary, Joscelyn VanDuren and Treasurer, Mary Ann Rowan.

The 2015 conference will be September 17-19 at the Marriott in Anchorage and all ANPs are encouraged to attend.

Theresa Isaac, Administrative Assistant for

ANPA welcomes participants.

NP of the Year, Eva Stassen, DNP,

FNP-C.

Tracey Weise DNP, FNP-BC, 2014-15

President of ANPA.

South Peninsula Hospital is a modern facility with 22 acute care beds and an attached 28-bed skilled nursing home.

South Peninsula Hospital is seeking dedicated, talented nursing professionals to join our Surgical Services, Acute Care and Home Health Team:

• OPERATING ROOM NURSE• HOME-BASED SERVICES RN / CASE MANAGER• ICU NURSE• OB NURSE

Located on the southern Kenai Peninsula, Homer offers adventure, culture, solitude and scenery. Homer combines a small-town feel with all the services, activities and amenities you want.

We offer highly competitive wages and benefits including: health/life insurance, pension, wellness, loan forgiveness, generous paid leave and a Sign-on Bonus.

LEARN MORE: Visit www.sphosp.org or Call Jessie Cashman at (907) 235-0800

Page 12 • Alaska Nursing Today December 2014

Alaska Nursing Action CoalitionMore Notes from the Road

Pat Dooley, RN, Co-lead ANAC

Nurses in Alaska are about two and a half years into our Alaska Nursing Action Coalition (ANAC) journey and have completed Year One of our Robert Wood Johnson Foundation State Implementation (SIP) grant. Despite some speed bumps, rough road, and dimly lighted road signs, we are on track to meet the deliverables we have been working on this past year.

The Coalition Steering Committee has established a governance structure, created a dynamic business plan that considers both the present activity and future sustainability of the Coalition and Alaska Center of Nursing Excellence (ACONE), and is completing the details of a marketing and communication plan – look for more information in future updates!

The Alaska Nursing Action Coalition hosted its second state-wide Alaska Center of Nursing Excellence Summit in June 24th of this year. The summit “The Alaska Nursing Action Coalition; Past, Present & Future” took place at the BP Energy Center in Anchorage with connections available for interested nurses around the state. The Summit featured a live internet key note speech by Susan Hassmiller, PhD, RN, FAAN, the senior advisor for nursing at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the director of its Future of Nursing; Campaign for Action initiative via the internet.

Under the guidance of the ANAC Steering Committee, the coalition now has four Action Teams, each focused on a specific area that have been identified as key areas of interest for Alaska nurses; leadership, scope of practice, diversity, and evidence based practice. The Action Teams all met at the summit and spent the afternoon working in their teams to discuss strategies and plan for 2015.

The APRN Alliance, a partner with ANAC, has successfully advocated for changes that allow recognition of Clinical Nurse Specialists and has tirelessly educated nurses and non-nurses on the Consensus model for advance practice nursing titles and scope of practice issues.

The Coalition also launched its new website in early November! Check it out at www.akcenterofnursing.org.

Please - take some time to look at the areas of focus for the coalition: Leadership, Diversity, Scope of Practice, and Evidence Based Practice. New, energetic Action Teams are focusing on each of these areas and stating work on goals and objectives for 2015. Each Action Team has one or two nurse leads as well as a sponsor from the ANAC Steering Committee to provide support and to coordinate activities as we move into the second year of the SIP grant. Consider joining one of the teams and join us on the road!

ANAC hosted an “Open House” on December 4th at AARP, the Coalition’s primary non-nursing partner. The event featured a short summary of the progress achieved in 2014 and a look at activities planned for 2015:

• Development of a fully interactiveweb site –This isAlaska’s virtual“Center of Nursing Excellence.” It’s our web site; let us hear your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions!

• Developmentofclassesthatcanbeeasilyaccessedfromthewebsite–leadership, delegation, diversity topics, and more!

• Developmentofaleadershipmentoringprogram• Launchofcommunication tools tohelpnurses fromallover thestate

connect with each other• Continuingworkoneducationandregulatorychangesthatwillallow

nurses to practice to the full extent of their education and licensure• Planningforeventsandactivitiesthatcanbringnursesofanyage,or

gender, race, culture, nationality, or practice area together – what do we hold in common and how can we work together on those issues and concerns as one voice?

• Workonsustainabilityplanning,includinggrantdevelopment• Datacollectionand information–whatdatadowehave,whatdowe

need, what does it all mean?

It should be an exciting 2015 and I hope that more of you will join us on the road! You can connect with us through the website; send us an e-mail at aknursingaction@gmail.com. Or “like” us on Face Book.

At Central Peninsula Hospital, you can have the job of your dreams AND

enjoy an active lifestyle!

• State-of-the-art equipment• Education & professional support• Excellent pay with benefits• Outstanding lifestyle – work balance

Click on “Careers” to learn more about our available RN opportunities and to apply online or contact Debi Honer, Director of Human Resources at dhoner@cpgh.org

Central Peninsula Hospital250 Hospital Place, Soldotna, Alaska 99669

(907) 714-4770 • (907) 714-4674 FaxDrug screening is required prior to employment. EOE

www.cpgh.org

Registered Nurse – Starting 2015Cross Road Medical Center, Glennallen, Alaska. Plans, directs and provides professional nursing care using the team approach and at all times promotes fulfillment of CRMC’s mission statement.

Please see our website for more info and application process.

crossroadmc.org

December 2014 Alaska Nursing Today • Page 13

Ruth Benson

Well, that was then, and now our District 4 organization is disbanded, the fund is no longer invested in profitable accounts and is no longer a 501(c)(3) organization that can receive tax-deductible contributions. My statement to the Fund Board when the scholarship fund was organized in 1989 was that I wasn’t interested in actively promoting the Fund or reviewing applications into my 9th decade, so most of the money has been awarded regularly to qualified students, and with grants in 2015, will be exhausted.

Alaska Nurses Foundation

Announces 2014 Grant Awards

Domestic Violence Prevention in Naknek, Indoor Gardening to Promote Healthy Eating on the North Slope, and Professional and Clinical Updates for Nurse Practitioners have all received a financial boost from the Alaska Nurses Foundation.

The Fourth R Curriculum will be implemented in Naknek School as part of an effort to reduce substance abuse in the community; sustainability of the project will be ensured through the training of both teachers and community leaders in curriculum implementation. Nelly Ayala, a public health nurse who travels regularly to the area, worked with individuals representing a wide range of organizations in the area. In addition to directly impacting rates of substance abuse in Naknek, MS. Ayala hopes to create a recipe for creating a successful and sustainable project in rural Alaska to share with other public health nurses and throughout the Bristol Bay Region.

Indoor gardening in the North Slope Borough schools is the approach that Susi Peterson plans to use to teach children and their families to grow the fruits and vegetables known to be important in preventing both obesity and colon cancer, both health issues that occur with higher frequency there compared to the U.S. and the rest of Alaska. Indoor gardening may be one way to combat both the long winter season and the high cost of fresh produce in the area.

Providing updated information to advanced practice nurses on recent changes in the Alaska Nurse Practice Act and a clinical update on the pharmacologic management of individuals with Hepatitis C was the goal of Laura Sarcone, who is the recipient of the third grant from the Foundation. As a result, on January 10, APRNs will have the opportunity to earn 4 contact hours in what is being billed as Almost Free CE!

The Alaska Nurses Foundation provides financial support for clinical projects and continuing education activities completed by Alaska nurses. Grant applications are solicited each summer with funding being granted in the Fall. Projects are funded with funds raised through memberships and donations and with earnings from a small investment account. If you are interested in learning more about the Foundation or in becoming a member, contact President Sandra Woods (sandra.woods1@alaska.gov) or Treasurer Tina DeLapp (tdelapp@ak.net).

Orsini Scholarship

NEWS RELEASE: IMMEDIATE2-8-11

DIXIE ORSINI NURSING SCHOLARSHIP

District Four of the Alaska Nurses Association announces that funds are available for scholarships for area residents enrolled in a 4-year college program or graduate study in Nursing in an accredited university. Applicants who are enrolled in other programs will be considered on an individual basis.

Scholarships in amounts from $500 (“Encouragement Grants” for beginning students) to $2000 have been awarded every year since 1990. Previous awardees are now employed in nursing in Fairbanks and elsewhere.

The fund is named for Dixie Orsini, who was an active member of the Fairbanks Nurses Association whose family and friends established the scholarship fund after her death in 1984.

The scholarship board gives special consideration to applicants who have received scholarships in the past, and those who may not meet criteria for other nursing scholarship programs.

For more information, or to make a tax-deductible contribution to the Fund, contact Ruth Benson RN at (907) 479-6912.

A History of the Aleyene (Dixie) Orsini Nursing Education Fund

Over the 14 years of scholarship life of the fund, which started in 1984 with major additions in 1985 and 1986, the fund has disbursed more than $64,350 from its beginning at $25,000. We began with awards that equaled the income from the invested funds, but since 2010 have “spent down” the account in order to extinguish the fund before the Trustee reached her 85th birthday! After District 4 disbanded and there was no longer a board of directors to act as a scholarship committee, Anne Harrison RN ANP has assisted me with evaluating applications and awarding scholarships. We have enjoyed outstanding applicants who have excelled in nursing practice in Fairbanks.

Thanks to Anne and others in the Fairbanks area who have assisted in evaluating applicants and awarding scholarships since the institution of the fund!

[Editor’s note. I have known Ruth for years and consider it an honor. Not even taking into account her long career, shepherding $64,350 towards the education of new nurses is a wonderful thing. Thank you Ruth]

Ruth Benson, RN ret.

EOE

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For questions contact Candace Pescosolido at (406)447-7853 or

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SVT Health & Wellness, Homer, AK is seeking full time experienced

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Page 14 • Alaska Nursing Today December 2014

Are You in the Know?NationalGuidelines/Resources/Websites

Updated Immunization Schedules, tools and downloads at:

www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/_______________________________________________

HHS releases patient privacy guidelines for emergencies

The HHS Office for Civil Rights has released HIPAA privacy guidance that covers the sharing of protected health data during emergencies. Patient authorization is not needed if the data to be disclosed is necessary for the treatment of patients. Only the minimum data should be disclosed, and the HHS secretary can suspend portions of the privacy rule during emergencies. [source AANP Smartbrief 11/12/14]_______________________________________________

Health groups issue stroke prevention recommendations

New guidelines to prevent stroke call for adopting either the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet or a Mediterranean-style plan, monitoring blood pressure at home, and using an online risk estimation tool. The recommendations from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, published in the journal Stroke, also call for statin medications for high-risk patients and newer blood thinners for patients with atrial fibrillation. [AANP Smartbrief 10/31/14]_______________________________________________

CDC updates on Ebolawww.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/

_______________________________________________

Alaska Guidelines/Resources/Websites

The Alaska Immunization Program has a newly designed website. Go to http://www.epi.hss.state.ak.us/id/iz/default.htm._______________________________________________

Alaska 2-1-12-1-1 is a telephone number that connects

callers to free information about critical health and human services Alaska 2-1-1 is staffed by trained Information and Referral Specialists who quickly assess the callers’ needs and refer them to the appropriate resources in their area. It’s easy to remember, accessible to all Alaskans, free and confidential.

Callers can access:1. Basic human services2. Physical and mental health resources3. Employment support services4. Support for seniors and persons with

disabilities5. Programs for children, youth, and families6. Volunteer opportunities and donations7. Support for community crisis or disaster

recovery

Calls taken M-F 8:30-5 or go to www.alaska211.org_______________________________________________

Help with Medicare QuestionsJeanne Larson is the health program associate

for the State Medicare Office in Anchorage. She and the Medicare Information Office team are more than happy to have people with Medicare questions or problems call their office, rather than the Medicare 800 number for help. They are the Medicare experts and will gladly help you navigate the system.

Jeanne and other certified Medicare counselors can be reached at 269-3680 in Anchorage or 800-478-6065 outside of Anchorage._______________________________________________

Register for Alaska Public Health Alerts at www.epi.alaska.gov/._______________________________________________

Recent Bulletins:Implementation Updates for the New Alaska

Vaccine Assessment Program (AVAP) November 14, 2014._______________________________________________

Council of AthabascanTribal GovernmentsFort Yukon, Alaska

Physicians Assistant orFamily Nurse Practitioner

• 2 weeks on 2 weeks off schedule• Salary $105,000 + DOE• Competitive Benefit Package• Housing provided, relocation assistance

available

For complete job description or for more information contact:Dana Wassmann, HR

Tanana Chiefs Conference(907) 452-8251 ext. 3335

Dana.wassmann@tananachiefs.org

Experience a new model of healthcareSouthcentral Foundation (SCF) is an Alaska Native owned, nonprofit healthcare organization located on the Alaska Native Health Campus.

SCF is seeking dynamic Registered Nurses for Case Management positions in our Primary Care clinics. Experience the opportunity to practice in a customer centered case management role, within the award winning “NUKA” system of care, a designated medical home. RN Case managers work as part of an integrated care team, caring for a panel of customer owners, combining their knowledge of preventative and disease processes, with passion for our customer owners care.

SCF welcomes Public Health Service and Commission Corps Service candidates.

SCF full time Registered Nurse positions offer competitive salaries, including a $10,000 sign on bonus, relocation assistance, excellent benefits package, 401K retirement plan with a generous company match, professional development time off and stipend, license fee reimbursement, and much more!

Please visit our website and apply at www.southcentralfoundation.com or call Tess Johnson at (907) 729-5011 or email at

tjohnson@southcentralfoundation.com.

December 2014 Alaska Nursing Today • Page 15

Up and Coming Event CalendarEvents

Alaska State Board of NursingUpcoming Meetings

January 28-29, 2015 Anchorage-agenda deadline December 30, 2014

April 1-3, 2015 Juneau-agenda deadline March 10, 2015

July 8-10, 2015 Anchorage-agenda deadline June 17, 2015

October 21-23, 2015 Fairbanks-agenda deadline October 1, 2015

The Alaska Board of Nursing has a list-serve that is used to send out the latest information about upcoming meetings, agenda items, regulations being considered, and other topics of interest to nurses, employers and the public. To sign up for this free service, go to www.nursing.alaska.gov Choose the “Subscribe to listserv” hyperlink on the homepage below the Board of Nursing Listserv Heading.

Inquiries regarding meetings and appearing on the agenda can be directed to:

Nancy Sanders, PhD RN, Executive AdministratorAlaska State Board of Nursing550 West 7th Ave, Ste 1500, Anchorage, AK 99501Ph: 907-269-8161, fax 907-269-8196, email nancy.sanders@alaska.gov

To attend by audio conference call 907-269-8161 for access number.

Continuing Education

ANT readers. Rather than typing in all those hyperlinks, you can also go to akpno.org and download the latest .pdf issue of the ANT and just click on any hyperlinks in the newsletter you are interested in.________________________________________________

2015 NWGEC Geriatric Winter SeriesThe Area Health Education Center (AHEC)

will be partnering with the Northwest Geriatric Education Center to bring 10 weeks of high quality geriatric trainings to Alaska via virtual classroom.

Target Audience – physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, physical & occupational therapists, nurses, psychologist, social workers, pharmacists & other professionals working with elder populations

January 6 – Dementia, Stephen Thielke, MD, MSPH January 13 – Pharmacotherapy for Dementia,

Stephen Thielke, MD, MSPH January 20 – Frontline Tools for the Differential Diagnosis of Depression, Delirium, & Dementia,

Emily Trittschuh, PhD January 27 – After the Diagnosis: Maintaining

Quality of Life & Coping with Early Stage Issues, Rebecca Logsdon, PhD

February 3 – Middle & Later Stages: Supporting Caregivers & Coping with Challenging Behaviors,

David La Fazia, PhD, MSW February 10 – Dementia: End of Life Symptom

Management Wayne McCormick, MD, MPH

February 17 – Sleep & Dementia, Susan McCurry, PhD

February 24 – Building on Family Dynamics in Coping with Dementia

Marty Richards, MSW, LICSW March 3 – Caring for the Alzheimer’s Caregiver,

Lianne Hirano, MD March 10 – Ethical Dilemmas in the Care of Older

Patients with Cognitive Impairment, Elizabeth Vig, MD, MPH

Registration Fee $60 for Series or $10 per Training (optional CE additional $40)

Alaska Cache, Clearinghouse for Alaska’s continuing health education.

If you are interested in being a host site for this series or just want to participate, contact Geri Heiner at 907-786-6591 or glheiner@uaa.alaska.edu to be placed on a list serve to receive up-to-date information.

This series is made possible through support provided by the University of Alaska Anchorage’s Office of Health Programs Development, Trust Training Cooperative & HRSA # U77HP23073________________________________________________

APRN ALLIANCE Update“Almost Free CE!”January 10, 2015

BP Energy Center, 900 E. Benson, Anchorage

4 hours of CNE for all Advanced Practice Nurses.Online registration provided by Alaska Nurse

Practitioner Associationhttps://anpa.enpnetwork.com/

*registration may not be available until Nov/Dec. See akpno.org for updated information on speakers.________________________________________________

Alaska Pharmacists Association 49th Annual ConventionFebruary 13-15, 2015

Sheraton Anchorage Hotelwww.alaskapharmacy.org

________________________________________________

Women’s Health 2015:The 23rd Annual Congress

April 16-19, 2015Washington, DC

Grand Hyatt, WA DCwww.academyofwomenshealth.org/conference/

________________________________________________

ANCC Pathway to Excellence ConferenceMay 14-15, 2015Louisville, KY

www.nursecredentialing.org________________________________________________

American Association of Nurse Practitioners National Conference

June 17-22, 2015New Orleans, LA

www.aanp.org________________________________________________

Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International

November 7-11, 2015Las Vegas, Nevada

Aria Resort and Casinowww.nursingsociety.org

________________________________________________

Education in Your Own Time and Place

877-874-4584USI.edu/health/certificate-programs

We Offer 18 Online Accredited Certificate Programs including:

D14-111194

ONLINE convenience, QUALITY education

• Anticoagulation

• Case Management

• Clinical Simulation

• Diabetes

• Health Informatics

• Health Promotions and Worksite Wellness

• Heart Failure

• Neuroscience (Coming Soon)

• Pain Management

• Wound Management

Page 16 • Alaska Nursing Today December 2014

Graduate ProgramsDiscover your path to becoming an expert leader through the Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing. Contribute to the growing research in the field with a PhD in Nursing, or improve the health and

quality of care in your own community with a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

Learn more at LUC.edu/nursing.