In this Issue:

• Message from the President

• Legislative Reception 2007

• Getting Involved: Serve on the Board

• Item of Interest

• Noteworthy Dates

• New IENA Members

Message from the President

As the new president or IENA I'd like to briefly introduce myself and tell you about my vision for the upcoming year. I've been a registered nurse for the past 29 years. It amazes me how quickly time has passed when working in a profession I love. I recently finished school to obtain my masters degree in nursing education and a PhD in leadership studies, both from Gonzaga University. The reason I selected the course of studies in leadership was because I believe the nursing profession is an integral part of the health care team and needs a strong visible presence in which other members of health care can hear our voice and incorporate the knowledge we share regarding our patients, their families, and the communities they live in.

My vision for the upcoming year can be simply titled "The Year of Our Members." Our focus will be directly centered on you in terms of how we can assist you educationally and professionally. Money has been set aside in this year's budget to help reimburse you for educational expenses such as specialty certifications and higher education such as RNB, Master's and PhD preparation. Additionally, the Board of Directors will be making visits to your places of employment to discuss your ongoing educational needs and programs and listen to your concerns.

This year's legislative agenda is very important as it will directly affect your work and patient safety. The "Patient Safety Act" is being reintroduced and addresses the ongoing problem of safe staffing. As your president I will be in Olympia on February 4th, 2008 trying to create awareness about the importance of this Act. I invite you to join me in this endeavor to speak with your local legislators to vote for this Act.

Most sincerely,

Terry Buxton, RN, Ph.D.

IENA President

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LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION 2007

October 16, 2007

On Tuesday October 16th we held our annual Legislative Reception at the Red Lion River Inn in Spokane. The event was co-hosted by Sharon Bradley, our going President of IENA, and Melody Bemis of the Nurse Practioners Group.

The Theme for the evening was "Nursing Legislation: Developing Our Voice and Power to Improve Health Care Delivery." This year the Nurse Practitioner Group co-sponsored the event.

The speakers for this occasion were Anne Tan Piazza, who is the Director of Government and Membership affairs for WSNA. She addressed the "Patent Safety Act" that showed increased RN staffing confirms better patient outcomes.

Deb Smith, a nurse practitioner, spoke on the issue of prescription writing regulations and her groups efforts to address these matters.

1.5 CERPS were given for the evening. Eight legislators representing State, Local and Federal also participated in a Q & A session.

The images below were taken during the Legislative Reception. Hover your mouse-pointer over a picture to read it's description, or click on an image to it's larger size in a new window.

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NEW IENA MEMBERS

As of September 2007:

Francis Abernathey, Stephen Blott, Joan Amistoso, Elisabeth Barber, Deborah Bouscher, Katherine Brooks, Christina Burland, Patricia Burton, Lori Canaday, Laurian Carruthrs, Jo Castillo, Rebekah Christian, Sarah Collins, Mirandra Custer, January Dumars, Jennifer Eastman, Rebekah Eschenbacher, Nancy Gaunt, Kirsten Funrue, Jerald Gordon, Carolyn Hersman, Eimi Hara, Dawn Hickey-Johnson, Patricia Hiller, Sharon Holbrook, Candice Hughes, Tiffani Hyde, Janie Jerald, Cynthia Jex, Sandra Jobes, Yolanda Jones, Roselle Joslyn, Ben Kananowicz, Angela Keicher, Ellen Kirschbaum, Cindy Kramer, David Kraus, Amy Krause, Anastasia Kurrus, Tara Labossiere-Kardash, Craig Lavinder, Jennifer Little, Barbara Lock, Ami Madison, Nicole Maser, Elaina Matthews, Patrick Mc Henry, Keryn Millsap, Sara Morasch, Theresa Mott, Darlene Mullbock, Lynda Newman, Katie O’Malley, Juanita Odiorne, Diane Osborn, Dalana Ostlie, Joan Palm, Stephanie Pogreba, Kimberly Reilly, Melinda Rinehart, Rachel Schmidt, Julie Skagen, Marsha Small, Robyn Staley, Nancy Steele, Erin Stephens, Kelley Strandy, Vanessa Teeter, Laura Teske, Jonathan Thompson, Kim Volyn, Kathryn Warner, Mandy Weaver, Amber West, Kymberley Willoughby, Janna Wier, Brook Wisen, and Rachel Wolfe.

The Inland Empire Nurses Association is District 4 of the Washington State Nurses Association. For information on membership Registered Nurses should call WSNA at 1-800-231-8482 or the IENA office at (509) 328-8288 or e-mail iena@aimcomm.net.

The Inland Empire Nurses Association Office is located at 222 W. Mission Ste. 231 in the Garden Court Building. Please call 328-8288 before visiting to ensure a staff member is on hand to greet you.

Tax free contribution or memorial remembrances in the name of a loved one may be mailed to: Inland Empire Nurses Association, 222 W. Mission, STE 231, Spokane, WA 99201.

Editors:

Stasia Warren

Janet Toone

2007-2008 Board of Directors

Inland Empire Nurses Association

President:

Theresa Buxton

Treasurer:

Martha Goodall

Secretary:

Linda Williamson

Directors-at-Large:

Janet Toone

Patricia Fitshugh

Dianna Dodson

Danielle Feist

Michelle Slider

Occupational Group Directors:

General Duty:

Sara Panter

Community/Public Health:

Donna Pierce

Independent Practice:

Angela Starkweather

Nursing Management:

Vacant

Education:

Brenda Wigen

Nominations Committee:

Anne Bailey, Michelle Wolfe, Sheri Roff

Past President:

Sharon Bradley

Administrative Secretary:

Colleen Gardner

GETTING INVOLVED

The IENA Board of Directors is still looking for interested parties to serve on the Board for 2008.

We have vacancies for:

President-Elect, one year as President-Elect and one year as President.  Vice-President, Two (2) year term. One position  for Nursing Management one year commitment, and  3 positions for the Nominations Committee which is also a one year commitment.

If interested, please contact the IENA office at 509-328-8288 or e-mail your query to:

iena@aimcomm.net.

You must be a current member of IENA. In January the nominating committee will  again be looking for recruits for the Board of Directors if you or anyone you know  is interested please call the IENA Office at 509-328-8288.

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ITEM OF INTEREST

The Sigma Theta Tau International, Delta-Chi-Chapter, is looking to expand its membership in to nurse leaders in the Spokane community.

Qualifications to be considered for membership as a nurse leader candidate include being licensed to practice nursing, holding a baccalaureate degree or equivalent in any field, and demonstrating achievement in nursing.

In order to join, simply got the STTI web site at wwwnursingsocietyy.org and click on "membership."

We will be inducting new members at our annual meeting in April 2008 and we hope to include you among those honored!  

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NOTEWORTHY DATES

2008 EVENTS

02/04/08:

Legislative Day 2008 in Olympia, Washington. For details, call the IENA office at 509-328-8288.