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In this Issue:
While IENA was able to help support students in formal academic settings we also want to extend and expand professional and educational development to all of our members. In an effort to help foster professional development and growth IENA will be surveying our members' educational needs throughout Nurses Week. Based on the results we hope to develop some continuing education that will meet the needs of our many members. IENA is also extending support in the form of reimbursement to those who successfully complete national certification programs.
I encourage all who are interested in renewing and invigorating their practice to contact IENA to help us shape and develop courses that are relevant to your area of expertise. We are a patchwork quilt of nursing specialties with members working in public health, rehabilitation, long term care, rural hospital nursing, education, home health, mental health, acute care, etc. We have so much to learn from one another if you're willing to share.
Have a wonderful spring...
Terry Buxton, RN, Ph.D. IENA President
This year's spring event was titled Nurses Night Out R&R, Rewards and Recognition. It was held April 15th at Luigi's in Spokane. The night had a (R&R) Rock and Roll theme with a crowd of over 100. The guests received a small token of thanks in appreciations for their contributions to the Inland Empire Nurses Association (IENA).
IENA gave out $1000 scholarships to Bianna Schlaich, Dawn Epler, Bobbi Woodward, Edgar Thompson, Gail O'Neal and Kathryn Bader, who are from three different nursing programs in Spokane. IENA also gave $250 scholarships to Codi Osborn, Tracy Hasty, Natasha Titvo, and Christina Joy Peterson.
Our honorees for the night were Cindi John who received the award for Excellence in Education, Stasia Warren for Excellence In Nursing Leadership, and Angela Starkweather for Excellence in Research/Private Practice.
Award winners from left to right: Angela Starkweather, Stasia Warren, and Cindi John. Click on the image to see it's larger size in a new window.
Guest speakers included Debbie Ridgby, who spoke about Palative care; Mareen Elston on Stroke patients and the use of Botox, Blythe Marney who spoke of her missionary nursing work, and Terry Buxton spoke on teaching advanced nursing. IENA sponsored a silent auction. The proceeds will benefit IENA'S future scholarship fund.
Guest speakers from left to right: Maureen Elston, Blythe Marney and Debbie Ridgby. Click on the image to see it's larger size in a new window.
Everyone enjoyed the buffet and no-host bar and we hope to have this fun event next spring. As Chairman of the event I would like to thank all those who were involved in making this event so successful.
Sara Panter, RNC
Ballots will be arriving in your mail between July 1st-10th.
Write-in candidates will be allowed on the official ballots.
IENA members joined in celebrating the WSNA Centennial in Seattle in May 2008. Click on the image to see it's larger size in a new window.
Seated: Peggy Slider; Standing front: Sara Panter, Terry Buxton, (President IENA) Peggy Sala; Back: Sheri Bradley, Martha Goodall, Michele Slider.
IENA members also celebrated "Pride In Nursing" at Fort Mukogawa in Spokane in May 2008. IENA and WSNA co-sponsored a table at the event. Click on the image to see it's larger size in a new window.
Sara Panter in front seated; Standing: Martha Goodall, Michele Slider; seated: Terry Buxton (IENA President) and Deb Bessmer ( WSNA Representative).
FYI: MRC OF EASTERN WASHINGTON The disasters of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina revealed both the dramatic need for community volunteerism and the frustration of volunteers not properly utilized. The national MRC model was created in 2003 to meet those challenges.
The Medical Reserves Corp (MRC) of Eastern Washington invites medical workers of all types, both active and retired, to join with others in this mission of preparedness and service. As of December 1, 2007 retired Washington volunteer medical professionals in one of 54 categories can be licensed to practice when deployed, and will receive immunity for official duties. For more information, contact (509) 209-2607 or mrc@communitv-minded.org.
More information: MRC of Eastern Washington 25 West Main, Suite 310 Spokane, WA 99201 Ph: (509) 209-2607 Fx: (509) 444-3077 Web: http://www.community-minded.org/
Win a Gift Card: Cherie Abernathey
Key among the recommendations in the newly proposed Nursing Education Master Plan are the following resolutions, passed unanimously by the CNEWS members:
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.
The Association News is published five to six times a year by the Inland Empire Nurses Association, 222 W. Mission, Box 231, Spokane, WA 99201, a non-profit organization. Information on advertising rates may be obtained by calling 509-328-8288.
If you are interested in serving on a Association committee please call the office at 509-328-8288.
Committees : Scholarship, Awards, Legislative Reception, Yearly Nurse Celebration Event, Education, Finance, and Nominations. Most of the committees have a limited involvement of time. |
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 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 THE WSNA & IENA AT WORK: THE BUTTON BAN ISSUE
Congratulations to Tim Sears (WSNA General Counsel) & Barbara Frye (WSNA Labor Relations Director), and the Sacred Heart Nurses for their determination in seeing the "Button Ban" issue through to the Ninth Circuit Court.
The Washington State Nurses Association, which represents the nurses union, filed an unfair labor practice charge in the Ninth Circuit Court.
An administrative law judge ruled in favor of the nurses.
The hospital appealed to the National Labor Relations Board. In a divided opinion, the board sided with Sacred Heart that the button ban constituted "special circumstances" because of the button's "inherently disturbing" message.
The issue then landed in front of the 9th Circuit court, which ruled that the board erred.
"The board's determination that special circumstances justified Sacred Heart's 'RNs Demand Safe Staffing' button ban is not supported by substantial evidence in the record," wrote Judge Richard Paez. "In fact, it is not supported by any evidence."
The only "offer of proof" of button-related disturbance by Sacred Heart was in the form of concerns by nurse managers, rather than cited examples or testimony of patients and patients' families saying they were upset.
"What I especially like about this decision is the judge's comments about the evidence." Judy Huntington
Thank you to the over ten thousand nurses nationwide who participated in our Safe Staffing Saves Lives Poll.
Result highlights include:
>73% of nurses asked don't believe the staffing on their unit or shift is sufficient.
>59.8% of those asked said they knew of someone who left direct care nursing due to concerns about safe staffing.
>48.2% would not feel confident having someone close to them receiving care in the facility where they work.
>36% rarely or never take their full meal break.
Be sure to check out more poll results at by clicking here.
ANA is using this information, plus excerpts from many of the stories submitted, to develop a brochure that will be used in lobbying for the Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act on Capitol Hill. As a reminder, the Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act (S.73/H.R. 4138) is consistent with the ANA's Principles for Nurse Staffing. It holds hospitals accountable for establishing valid, reliable, unit level nurse staffing plans. These plans would be developed in consultation with direct care RNs and be based on each unit's needs and characteristics.
Hospitals would also be required to post daily public reports of staffing levels and provide whistleblower protections for RNs and others who might file a complaint about staffing.
Of course it is membership dollars that make this important work possible. If you are not a member, I encourage you to join today by going to Nursing World. Imagine how much more we could accomplish if all nurses joined together as members!
Thank you. Together we can make a change.
NOTEWORTHY DATES
July 29, 2008: Event: Town Hall Meeting Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Location: First Presbyterian Church, 318 S Cedar Street, Spokane. Speak up for Quality, affordable Health Care; WSNA as a member of the Healthy Washington Coalition, is a co-sponsor of the upcoming Town Hall meetings throughout the State on health care reform. Please plan on attending this important event. Nurses have a unique voice that must be heard, be sure you speak out and let your voice be heard!
Spring 2009: The IENA centennial celebration. IENA is looking for your help. We are in the early stages of planning for the IENA centennial in 2009. If you have any artifacts, newspaper clippings pictures that you would like to share that can be included in our celebration in the Spring of 2009 please contact the office at 328-8288 (Deana Bragg).
2007 Cabinet on Economic & General Welfare Awards.
2007 Outstanding Grievance Officer Award: Camille Sturdivant-Daly
SHMC 2007 Outstanding Local Unit Chair Award: Peggy Slider
Spokane Regional Health District.
READ THE IENA NEWSLETTER - MORE CHANCES TO WIN!
Beginning with this issue and each quarter thereafter, names of members will appear in the text of this newsletter. If your name appears in the newsletter call the office within two weeks of newsletter being posted and receive a gift card. The date the newsletter is posted will be listed on our site so you will know what your time frame is for calling the office. Call 328-8288 and win!
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