 |
Join the national celebration!The American Nurses Association (ANA) announced the National Nurses Week theme for 2009 - Nurses: Building a Healthy America. Observed annually, National Nurses Week May 6 - 12 serves to recognize the commitment and invaluable contributions that nurses make every day to improve health care.
For suggestions on how to celebrate National Nurses Week 2009, visit www.nursingworld.org. |
 |
 |
2009/2010 Johnson & Johnson/AACN Minority Nurse Faculty ScholarshipFor the third consecutive year, the Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing's Future and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) are offering scholarship funds to minority nursing students who plan to work as nursing faculty following graduation.
The application deadline for the 2009/2010 Johnson & Johnson/AACN Minority Nurse Faculty Scholarship is Friday, June 5, 2009.
For more details or to apply, visit www.aacn.nche.edu. |
|
 |
|
Nearly 450 nurses and health care professionals from regional hospitals and institutions gathered at the Seattle Marriott Waterfront on March 24 for the Promise of Nursing for Washington gala, which raised more than $300,000 for regional nursing school grants, faculty fellowships and student scholarships.
Congratulations to the "Nursing Queens" at Seattle Children's Hospital who won the event's Video Challenge Contest. The team performed a nursing-inspired parody of Abba's "Dancing Queen" and received a $7,500 educational grant.
Since 2006, Promise of Nursing for Washington events, sponsored by the Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing's Future, have raised more than $750,000 for nursing education for the state. To view photos from the event, visit www.campaignfornursing.com. |
|
 |
2009 CNN Heroes
Do you know an extraordinary nurse who has made a difference and should be honored for years of care and service to his or her patients, the community or the country?
Nominate a selfless and dedicated nursing hero for the 2009 CNN Heroes award and highlight his or her commitment to the nursing profession. Eligible nominees include everyday people accomplishing extraordinary things in their community and beyond.
To nominate a hero for the 2009 CNN Heroes award, go to www.cnn.com. |
| | 
Taking Action to Improve the Nursing Shortfall
Policy makers and other government officials are taking steps to reform health care in the United States including introducing strategies to address the national nursing shortage.
President Obama has brought renewed attention to the U.S. nursing shortage, expressing deep concern over the severity of the shortfall. In a recent White House Town Hall meeting he emphasized the fundamental role that nurses play, referring to them as "the front lines of the country's health care system."
Signed into law in February, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 includes funding to address the shortage of health care workers, including nurses. In addition, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and Congresswoman Nita Lowey recently introduced legislation to address one of the greatest challenges facing the nursing profession and overall nursing shortage - the short supply of nurse educators available to teach the next generation of nurses.
According to new survey data released by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), almost 50,000 of qualified nursing school applicants were turned away from nursing programs in 2008, due in part to a lack of nursing faculty.
"Progress is being made to address the national nurse and nurse faculty shortage; however, much more remains to be done to improve and eliminate this long-term concern to ensure Americans receive the quality health care they deserve," said AACN President Fay Raines.
For more information on legislative strategies to address the nursing shortage, visit www.aacn.nche.edu. 
 |
Lobbying for the Profession
At first glance, the professional connection between nursing and politics may not seem like a natural match, but who is better prepared to influence health care policy decisions than someone who is in the field everyday? Nurse legislators are full-time or part-time nurses and nurse practitioners who volunteer their time to lobby for public health legislation at the local, state or federal level. Nurses have first-hand experience in physician offices, operating rooms and patient rooms, so they bring a crucial voice to policy discussions affecting health care and nursing.
"It is important that health care providers have a presence in government since they offer up-to-the-minute knowledge of what is happening and can be spokespeople for other health care providers and patients as well," said Michael McCann, RN, CNM, MS, director of Legislation and Public Policy for the Georgia Nurses Association, and a full-time midwife at Cobb Hospital in Austell, Ga. McCann first became involved in student government and has continued his involvement in politics serving in an advisory capacity on nursing boards and serving on legislative committees throughout his nursing career.
Nurse legislators work with lobbyists to help encourage policy makers to pass legislation that is beneficial for nurses. Many nurse legislators are active in their state nursing associations through a variety of projects, such as raising their organizations' awareness of legislation affecting nurses and their patients, and monitoring regulatory and medical boards for changes that affect health care policy. They also monitor budget allocation within their states, primarily the budget processes affecting school nurses, trauma care and public health community funding.
"The first step to get started in legislative nursing is to join legislative committees within school or local nursing associations," advised McCann. "It is important for more nurses to get involved, even if they simply contact their state representatives with concerns and vote regularly. The more nurses who join their state and national associations, the larger our voice becomes and the more state legislators are compelled to listen."
For more information on the role of the nurse legislator, visit www.discovernursing.com. 
| Nurses inspire and impact the lives of others in so many ways, often unknowingly. In this month's profile, Betsy A. Tirado, RN, BSN, CLC recognizes her aunt, Betsy M. Tirado Ortiz, RN, AAS, for inspiring her to enter the nursing profession and for making a difference in the lives of many individuals every day. |
 |
 Betsy A. Tirado, RN, BSN, CLC and Nurse Home Visitor
Harlem Hospital Center's Nurse-Family Partnership Program
New York
Q: Who or what was your inspiration for becoming a nurse?
A: My aunt Betsy played a huge role in my upbringing and encouraged me to consider a career in nursing. As a child, I remember complete strangers often staying in our home when they came to New York for medical treatment, and some of my most vivid memories are of seeing Aunt Betsy at work and how her patients loved and respected her. I'm proud to say that we now not only share the same birthday and name, but the same profession too!
Q: Why did you nominate your aunt to be spotlighted in Nursing Notes?
A: Aunt Betsy is the most dedicated nurse, friend, mother, sister, aunt and daughter. She never takes a vacation that doesn't involve her family or nursing. On her days off, she cares for my grandmother with Alzheimer's and spends hours organizing and planning medical missions. She always has a positive attitude about life and encourages others to do things that make a difference. She has recruited so many nurses over the years to volunteer for her medical missions, and people constantly seek her out to donate their time, money, medical supplies and medication for her trips.
Q: How would you describe your aunt's contribution to the nursing profession?
A: Her contribution is global. On her medical missions she cares for patients and organizes the volunteer nursing staff, local nursing staff and medical supplies. She also helps with language interpretation between the volunteer and local nurses and leads lectures and training for the local nursing team. She has created several learning tools for nurses and parents of children with cardiac disorders. While back home, she regularly mentors new staff nurses and nursing interns.
Q: How has your aunt's commitment to public and community service influenced you and other nurses you know?
A: She has always encouraged me to do volunteer work, and she couldn't wait until I had enough experience as a nurse to travel on missions with her. When I was finally prepared and able to go, I was hooked. The medical missions remind me of all the reasons I became a nurse. Every time I speak with my aunt she is either signing up for a new volunteer opportunity or recruiting other nurses she meets to volunteer along with her. She influences me everyday with her strong will, determination and generous heart. She is a true warrior who is constantly looking for a new battle to conquer and a new organization to volunteer with, all while being one of the hardest working pediatric cardiac intensive care nurses. I aspire to be half the nurse she is.
 Betsy M. Tirado Ortiz, RN, AAS and Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Nurse
Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York-Presbyterian
New York
Q: When did you decide to pursue nursing as a career and why?
A: My first encounter with a nurse was when I was eight years old and my youngest sister went into anaphylactic shock after taking penicillin. At the hospital I remember a woman in white coming in with a needle and sticking it into my sister's chest. While multiple doctors were screaming orders, this nurse was the calm in the storm. She did everything she was asked and delegated to her colleagues, all the while keeping her calm and staying professional. Watching her work made me feel like my sister was going to make it. I knew right then I wanted to be a nurse.
Q: Describe your passion and enthusiasm for volunteering.
A: I think volunteerism is in my blood. My mother was a volunteer teacher for the Catholic Church for 46 years and was always helping members of the church and local community. She encouraged me and my siblings to escort our community elders and families to medical appointments to assist with translation and complete important paperwork that could only be done in English. My mother also opened our home to traveling patients who needed medical treatment, and we served as her deputies by transporting, translating and caring for patients during their stay. It was hard work, but knowing that I was making a difference was exhilarating. My volunteer work may not change the world, but I believe I help change the world for each person I care for.
Q: What inspired you to begin your voluntary medical missions as a nurse?
A: It was in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit that my professional life took a remarkable turn. One of the Pediatric Cardiology Fellows, Dr. Carlos Montoya, approached me and told me about a group being formed to travel to Guatemala with the Healing the Children organization. In order to participate we had to use our vacation time, but with a young son I was unable to attend the first trip. I stayed behind but was determined to help. I supported the staff that traveled by helping manage medication and equipment needs for the mission's success.
When I could finally take my first trip, I traveled to Guatemala with Heart Care International (HCI) and fell in love with the people and the country and felt that I could not do enough. I was hooked and haven't missed a mission since. I was given the opportunity to help children around the world who needed care and wanted to continue to champion for their cause. I returned impassioned and quickly began planning and seeking volunteers for my next trip. In addition to my long standing commitment to HCI, I have since become a volunteer with several nonprofit humanitarian organizations, including Pediatricians for Central America's Children, Palestinian Children Relief Fund, Helping Hands Medical Missions, Heart Trust and Children of China Pediatric Foundation. In all I commit to five or six missions each year, using my vacation, holidays and off time.
Q: How has your missionary experience impacted your work as a nurse?
A: My missionary work has had a profound influence on my work as a nurse. I've come to realize just how precious medical supplies and medications are. Here in the States we take simple things for granted such as electricity, filtered water, medications, equipment and basic medical supplies like alcohol and gauze. I've learned to appreciate the small things.
My work has driven me to advocate even more passionately for my patients and taught me to never forget the basics of nursing. When times are tough at home and we are understaffed, I often think back to the nurses in the countries where I have served who are overworked, underpaid and often undertrained. These experiences help me remember why I became a nurse.
Q: What advice would you offer to other individuals whether current nurses or those who want to become a nurse?
A: To my colleagues, I encourage you take every opportunity to be part of a team of volunteers. Have your passport ready, be open to new experiences, learn a new language and get to know the people and country. Seek genuine understanding of others, ask questions, show respect and promote learning and growth. Share your knowledge and open your mind to learning from others. Encourage through example and show how volunteerism makes a difference in the world.
To those considering the nursing profession, go for it! It is the most challenging and rewarding career you could ever have. It is multi-faceted, as you can choose from an array of specialties. Whatever population you are passionate about helping, there is sure to be a nurse working the front lines. From military nursing to home health, education to international medical missions, nursing has something for everyone.
|
