District 4, Volume 10, Issue 2

Published Quarterly

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

My colleagues and fellow IENA members:

Welcome summer!

The Board of Directors will be on hiatus during July and August 2010. However, our office will be attended by our outstanding Administrative Secretary JoAnn Kaiser, so please keep in touch!

On May 6, 2010 IENA hosted the Spring Scholarship and Awards Gala. Two $1,500 scholarships were awarded; one to Peggy Slider, RN, BSN, who is pursuing her MSN Degree, and the other to Kristina Benefield, Gonzaga University nursing student. We wish them luck as they pursue their education.

L to R: Scholarship recipients Peggy Slider and Kristina Benefield.

Click on image to see larger size in a new window.

Dan Simonson, CRNA, MHPA, accepted the Excellence in Nursing Leadership award. Dan has been published in numerous clinical journals, served as president and treasurer of the Washington Association of Nurse Anesthetists, and is currently a national board member for the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. He is well known in Olympia, active in national politics, a member of ANA, and on the board of the Washington Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers (WASCA). Dan is a member of Sigma Theta Tau and teaches Leadership at WSU.

L to R: Mary Lawlor and Dan Simonson.

Click on image to see larger size in a new window.

We were also honored to have 2010 WSNA Hall of Fame inductee Anna Mae Ericksen with us for the evening, and to hear highlights about her incredible career from her nominator Donna Pierce.

The keynote speaker was WSU College of Nursing Instructor Debbie Brinker, who gave a motivating and uplifting presentation: "For the Love of It, How to Influence Yourself and Your Professional Practice." Debbie's presentation not only applies to our nursing careers, but emphasized seeking out the positive things in all walks of life.

Pictured: Keynote speaker Debbie Brinker.

Click on image to see larger size in a new window.

More photos from the event are available on our Photo Galleries page.

IENA Elections will be held in July for the IENA Board of Directors - PLEASE VOTE! Your professional experience is invaluable in promoting the nursing profession and advocating for health and safety in our community. If you are interested in serving, please contact Administrative Secretary JoAnn Kaiser at iena@aimcomm.net.

IENA's annual Legislative Reception will be on October 19, 2010 at 5:30 PM at Ft. Mukogawa Commons. State and local legislators have been invited to speak. What a wonderful opportunity for us to hear from our Representatives on issues affecting healthcare in our communities. It is also a great opportunity to let them hear from us! This is a free event. If you would like to be notified of upcoming IENA events, please send your email address to iena@aimcomm.net or submit your e-mail address via the link on our Upcoming Events Notification page.

Please visit the Inland Empire Nurses Association at Facebook. Find out about upcoming events, read our comments, and learn more from our nursing links. Come and join us!

Michele Slider, BSN, MN

IENA President

^Back to top^

IENA ELECTIONS: CANDIDATE PROFILES

IENA is pleased to announce the slate of candidates for our 2010 elections. Ballots will be mailed in early July, and we ask that all members take a few minutes to please CAST YOUR BALLOT!  Return ballots must be postmarked by July 31, 2010 to be valid. A brief profile and statement from the candidates are listed below for your reference.

PRESIDENT

(One year term, 2010-2011)

Michele Slider, BSN, MN is a Clinical Data Analyst at Providence Holy Family Hospital in Spokane. Her practice focus is on Quality Improvement. She earned her BSN from EWU/ICNE and MN from Gonzaga University. Michele is currently serving as IENA President, and has also served as Vice President and Director-at-large.

"It would be my honor to serve as the IENA president and foster IENA's mission 'to act and speak for the nursing profession, and to promote and enhance the accountability and control of nursing practice by the nursing profession'."

VICE-PRESIDENT

(Two-year term, 2010-2012)

Peggy Slider, BSN is a Public Health Nurse for Spokane Regional Health District. She completed her BSN at ICNE and is currently pursuing an MSN Degree from Regis University. Peggy is currently serving as a Director-at-Large on the IENA Board of Directors and is involved in WSNA as a member of the Economic and General Welfare and Disaster Preparedness Committees.

 "It has been a privilege to serve the nurses of IENA. I would be honored to continue to serve on the Board of Directors."

SECRETARY

(Two-year term, 2010-2012)

Louanne Hausmann, BSN, MA is a Nursing Supervisor at Spokane VA Medical Center. She earned her BSN at Incarnate Word College in San Antonio, TX. Louanne served as Director-at-Large beginning in 2008, and then accepted an appointment to finish the Secretary’s term due to an unexpected vacancy. Her current term ends in Fall 2010, although she hopes to continue serving as Secretary if she is reelected.

"I retired from the USAF in 1999 and made Spokane my home. I love being active in local nursing organizations promoting the art and science of nursing as well as embracing the incredible networking opportunities. Spokane nurses and the IENA are an integral part of my professional life."

DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE

(Two-year term, 2010-2012)

Bobbie Woodward, BSN is currently working as an on-call RN for TGI & Maxim Staffing and S&S Home Healthcare. Her practice experience includes skilled nursing, geriatrics, and one-on-one home health care. She enjoys involvement in the legislative process, having served as Director of Legislative Issues at Spokane Community College and Student Government, 2007-2008.

"I would welcome the opportunity to be able to serve the Inland Northwest community of dedicated and hardworking nurses."

Vivian Hill RN, CNOR is currently working as an OR Circulator at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. She earned her Associate Degree from Yakima Valley College. During her many years of operating room experience, she has found time to remain active in WSNA, having most recently served IENA as Occupational Group Director General Duty Representative. Vivian spent 7 years as WSNA Co-Chair at Grays Harbor Community Hospital and also served as President of her local district while living in Grays Harbor.

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP DIRECTOR:

GENERAL DUTY REPRESENTATIVE

(One-year term, 2010-2011)

Amanda Roby, RN, BSN is an OR Circulator at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. She earned her Associate Degree from North Idaho College, followed by her BSN at Lewis-Clark State College. With a continuing desire to further her nursing education, Amanda will start an MN-FNP Program this summer.

^Back to top^

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 509-328-8288 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 quarterly 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:

Michele Slider

JoAnn Kaiser

In This Issue:

2009-2010

IENA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President:

Occupational Group Directors:

General Duty:

Past President:

Theresa Buxton

^Back to top^

DATES OF INTEREST:

>July 2010:

IENA will again be holding elections for Board positions in July 2010. Ballots will be mailed in early July. Return ballots must be postmarked by 7/31/10 to be valid.

Send ballots to the IENA office at 222 W. Mission, Suite #231, Spokane, WA 99201.

>July & August 2010:

There will be no IENA board meetings in July or August 2010. The board will resume monthly meetings in September 2010.

>October 2010:

IENA will host the Annual Legislative Reception on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 at Ft. Mukogawa Commons in Spokane. Watch the web site for details.

^Back to top^

NEW IENA MEMBERS

IENA is sending new member letters to those who joined WSNA and IENA since January 26, 2010.

We hope that some of our newest members will join us in promoting IENA by becoming Committee and/or Board members in the future.

We encourage all members to visit our official web site for more information on becoming involved in the association and for current events planned by IENA.

Click here for the new IENA Members list.

^Back to top^

BOARD VACANCIES

There are still a few vacancies to fill on the IENA Board of Directors. The time commitment is minimal, as the board meets the first Monday of the month for just one hour (excluding July and August).

If you or a colleague is interested in serving in one of the positions listed below, please contact Administrative Secretary JoAnn Kaiser at the IENA office at 509-328-8288 or send an e-mail to iena@aimcomm.net.

JoAnn can provide detailed information about the responsibilities of each position.

President elect (2 years; 1 as President-elect and 1 as President)

Director at Large (2 positions; 2-year term)

Occupational Group Directors (1-year term; see divisions below)

Community/Public Health

Education

Independent Practice

Nursing Management

Nominating Committee (3 positions; 2-year term)

^Back to top^

^Back to top^

Have a safe and happy summer!