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In this Issue:
This is the year of change, as many politicians are claiming, and you can make this change happen by listening to the various candidates as they talk about their ideas of the future. Listen to what they have to say about health care.
What do they say about costs and access? Where is health care on their priority list? Once you have these answers compare them to what you know about health care and today's current health care system. How will health care be affected by this candidate's plan? Next, talk about what you've learned with others. Create awareness about what you know best, how our current health care system is affecting your ability to give quality patient care. Then vote for the candidate whom you feel will be able to bring forth the change we so desperately need for our patients, their families, and the communities in which they live.
Terry Buxton, RN, Ph.D. IENA President
Another year, another legislative day in Olympia.
This year forty-eight people from Spokane, Tri-Cities, and Yakima participated in this exciting event. The Inland Empire Nurses Association sponsored a bus to take students from the ADN baccalaureate, RNB, and MN programs to Olympia for WSNA's Nurse Legislative Day. In addition, students and a faculty member from Spokane Community College accompanied us on our trek across the state.
The student representatives from Eastern Washington actively lobbied together with their statewide legislators regarding issues such as the Safe RN Staffing, Repeal of the 72 hours Dispensing for ARNPs, School Nurse Ratios bills and more. They were professional, articulate, and extremely well prepared to discuss issues and answer questions posed by their legislators. These remarkable students left a lasting impression with the WSNA organization and their legislators. Proving that nurses and nursing students from Eastern Washington and WSU are indeed alive and well.
Terry Buxton President, IENA
LEGISLATIVE DAY FROM A STUDENTS POINT OF VIEW:
On February 3, 2008 a group of nursing students and faculty from eastern Washington traveled to Olympia to participate in the Annual WSNA Nurse Legislative Day.
Four years ago, Dr. Terry Buxton, an instructor at the WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing, organized the first trip to Olympia, which included only five nursing students. Each year the trip has grown. This year there were forty-eight students from Spokane, the Tri-Cities, and Yakima, representing the ADN, BSN, RN-BSN, and ARNP programs. There were also five faculty members from ICN Spokane, WSU Tri Cities, and Spokane Community College. These students and faculty demonstrated their desire to make a difference in the nursing profession by speaking out as one voice to their legislators.
During this year's short 60-day session, Legislature will be addressing a variety of bills related to healthcare. The "Patient Safety Act" is a bill that will require hospitals to form staffing committees to regulate how many patients a nurse can safely manage. Another bill seeks to remove the 72-hour scheduled drug dispensing limitation for ARNPs. Other bills addressed issues such as mandatory overtime and funding for nursing education. This trip was a valuable experience for all who attended.
By Kevin Reed
NATIONAL HEALTHCARE DECISIONS DAY
We wanted to let you know about an exciting opportunity to promote advance care planning in your community and state.
April 16, 2008 has been designated a National Healthcare Decisions Day. The National Healthcare Decisions Day Initiative is a collaborative effort of national, state and community organizations committed to ensuring that all adults with decision-making capacity in the United States have the information and opportunity to communicate and document their healthcare decisions. For more information, visit National Healthcare Decisions Day.
ANA is proudly participating in this event along with a broad array of other organizations. We hope that you will participate with us to raise awareness about these important issues across the country. Please click here to enroll your organization and confirm your participation.
Please know that you need not change what you are already doing to educate the public about advance healthcare decision-making and advance directives. Instead, you are simply encouraged to make a "bigger splash" in your community/state regarding the topic on April 16, 2008.
To assist in this effort, outreach materials are being developed and will be made available on the web site. A variety of ideas for events and activities can be found on the website under "Organize Your Community." This is a wonderful opportunity to work collaboratively with other healthcare organizations and a great chance to gain increased recognition for your organization.
Finally, the success of this event depends largely on activities at the state and local level. The event organizers are currently seeking volunteers to serve as state liaisons for this event. Please click here to find a listing of state liaisons involved.
This is a wonderful opportunity to work collaboratively with other healthcare organizations and a great chance to gain increased recognition for your organization. If you are interested in serving in this role, please follow the sign up link.
For additional information or questions about this initiative, please contact: nhdd@nhpco.org. Thank you.
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.
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
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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
Congratulations to: YVONNE BUZBY - Winner of the Nordstrom's gift card from our January mailing. Continue to watch work site boards as well as this Newsletter announcing additional chances to win prizes throughout the year.
Do you know someone who goes above and beyond in their daily job? Names are being accepted for recognition at our award event in April. Please submit name (s) of those individual (s) you believe should be recognized.
Submissions should be e-mailed to iena@aimcomm.net or sent to the IENA office by April 1, 2008 for consideration. Include the persons name along with your own and the reason they should be acknowledged at the event. This is in addition to the awards given out for Life Time Achievement, Nursing Practice or Research, and Excellence in Nursing Leadership.
NURSES NIGHT OUT: Please mark your calendar to "ROCK AND ROLL" on April 15th for this years Nurses Award/Recognition Event. Continue to watch this site as well at boards at work sites and your mail box for additional information coming soon.
This years theme "Nurses Night Out/Rewards/ Recognition" NURSES ROCK!! See you there:
Luigi's 245 W Main 5:30-8:30pm RSVP required Seating for 100 only
See the registration page for additional details.
ASSOCIATIONS ELECTIONS 2008: Due to the change in the association's by-laws in 2006, the election process will change this year.
Elections will be held in September of 2008 and the new board will take over in October of 2008. Positions to be filled:
If you want details on vacant positions please call 328-8288.
Anyone interested in filling a vacant position have your name to the IENA office by May 31, 2008.
The slate of candidates will be posted in this publication June of 2008. Ballots will arrive in August for a return by September 15, 2008.
If you have any questions on this procedure please call the office at 328-8288.
NOTEWORTHY DATES
04/15/08: IENA annual award event. Watch for flyers announcing this event and check your mail for your invitation coming the week of March 24, 2008.
04/16/08: April 16, 2008 has been designated a National Healthcare Decisions Day. The American Nurses Association (ANA) will join Americans across the country to help consumers talk about future healthcare decisions.
The National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) Initiative is a collaborative effort of national, state and community organization committed to ensuring that all adults with decision-making capacity in the United States have the information and opportunity to communicate and document their healthcare decisions. Check nhdd@nhpco.org for more information.
05/06/08: WSNA Centennial Anniversary Celebration in Seattle, Washington. Check the WSNA website or call 1-800-231-8482 for additional information.
June 2008: Publication of slate of candidates for IENA board positions.
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