|
In this Issue:
Happy Spring...
In the last newsletter we discussed taking opportunities to reflect on the past while planning for the future. As the District 4 component of the Washington State Nurses Association, we were asked to review and report on our issues and priorities as well as our goals and progress toward goals.
2005-2007 Issues and Priorities:
Meeting the goals for 2005-2007:
Please consider joining us as we continue pursuing our goals, by joining us at the Spring Event on April 17th, 2007, at Red Lion River Inn, Spokane, WA from 5:30-8:30.
The theme is "Caring for the Caregiver." No charge: R.S.V.P. by April 10th. The guest speaker is Karen Wright (www.wrightminded.com).
Sheri Bradley MSN RN
February 5, 2007
Authors: Kelsey Ray, Lon Smith,
Nancy Nguyen, Thomas Goulet, and Jessica Aungst, and Spokane ICN
Nursing students. The opportunity to attend Nurse Legislative Day was an eye-opening experience that showed us how nurses stick together and fight for what they believe in. The main nursing issue discussed was described as "Safe Staffing: Saves Lives," which aims to support the staffing of more nurses so the patient-to-nurse ratio is safer. We believe it is important to support this issue because it may affect graduating nursing students in the future. By attending this alliance we were shown how we could change issues in the field of nursing. It was a chance for nurses to speak to legislators about what they aspire for.
A panel of eight people informed us of the issues they were bringing to the legislators, the most important being "Safe Staffing." Some of the students met with their Senators and Representatives to discuss the nursing related legislation. One of the ICN students from District 24 on the Olympic Peninsula met with Representative Lynn Kessler, who is currently the Majority Leader for the House Democratic Caucus. Rep. Kessler expressed support for nurses in general and was supportive of the Patient Safety Act.
Altogether, the trip to Olympia was an amazing experience. It taught us a lot about how bills are passed and how the lobbying process works. We feel as students that we have the power to make a difference in the nursing profession and that change is possible. The experience to speak to our senators was empowering seeing that the senators listened and care about our needs as nurses and future nurses.
Slate of candidates for the 2007-2008 Elections:
Ballots will be mailed the week of April 9th. Write-ins will be allowed on the ballot. Return ballots must be postmarked by April 30th, 2007
A few words from Karen Wright's website (www.wrightminded.com).
Karen will be the featured speaker at the Spring Event on April 17th. Hope to see you all there:
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. |
Editors: Stasia Warren Janet Toone 2006-2007 Board of Directors Inland Empire Nurses Association
President: Sheri Bradley President-Elect: Theresa Buxton Vice-President: Kay Johnson Treasurer: Martha Goodall Secretary: Linda Gambill-Williamson
Directors-at-Large: Janet Toone Susan Strandberg Dianna Dodson Deanette Brandt Vicki Dodson Michele Slider
Occupational Group Directors:
General Duty: Sara Panter Community/Public Health: Kathy Bernier Independent Practice: Angela Starkweather Nursing Management: Kelli Rinas
Nominations Committee: Anne Bailey, Claudia Flores, Judy Miller, and Gayla Demory
Past President: Carol Oeljen
NOTE: Check out the new improved IENA web site. The pages have received a face-lift, and members can now register on line for IENA events:
The IENA is looking for applications for the following:
Information, criteria, and application forms are listed on the IENA web site, or call the IENA office at 328-8288. Deadline for submissions is March 30, 2007.
The American Nurses Foundation Nursing Research Grant Program Application Now Available Online Only.
Awards are given in all areas of nursing, including healthy patient outcomes, health care policy development, critical care, gerontology, women's health, community and family intervention. The 2007 deadline is May 15.
Additional information and application forms can be accessed at: ANFonline.org.
2007 EVENTS
April 2007: IENA elections - watch for more information in the mail.
04/17/07: Annual IENA Nurses Celebration Event. Check the IENA web site for updates.
05/02/07-05/04/07: WSNA Biennial Convention in Tacoma, Washington . Visit the WSNA web site for more details.
05/21/07: Free Workshop - The New Safe Lifting Law (1.5 CE Hours), Red Lion River Inn, 700 N Division, Spokane, WA. Visit the WSNA web site for more details.
09/22/07-09/25/07: Local Unit Leadership Conference in Chelan, Washington.
2008 EVENTS
05/06/08:
WSNA Centennial Anniversary Celebration. Check the WSNA website or call 1-800-231-8482 for additional information.
|
