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The official publication of the West Virginia Nurses Association
Volume 18 • No. 1
February, March, April 2015
“Nurses working together for a healthy West Virginia”
Quarterly publication direct mailed to approximately 38,000 RNs and LPNs in West Virginia.
West Virginia Nurse
Anesthetists Never
Miss a Beat While
Providing Anesthesia
Future of Nursing
WV Update
Page 3
Page 8
President’s Message
Aila Accad, MSN, RN
WVNA President
Dear WVNA Members and Future Members,
The past two years
as President of WVNA
has been exciting
and
rewarding!
I’ve
grown
personally
and
professiona lly wh ile
making lifelong friends,
teaming with the brightest
and best nurse leaders in
WV and nationally. If you
are not a member, you are
missing out on the most
Aila Accad
enriching mentoring and
networking you will ever
have in your career.
While I am stepping down as President this
month, I will remain active on the Board as Past
President and enjoy my role as the “dancing”
emcee for Unity Day 2015. I’ll also be actively
involved in supporting our legislative action
team to “Remove the Barriers to APRN practice”
and help educate our incoming legislators on the
essential role of nurses to improve the health of
WV as a Nurse Policy Advocate.
Nurse Policy Advocates
Advocacy is a primary role for nurses and a
pillar of our work at WVNA. We advocate for all
nurses in order to facilitate their work to improve
the health of West Virginians. To support this
work, we recruit and train interested members to
be Nurse Policy Advocates (NPAs) in each of West
Virginia’s seventeen Senatorial Districts. These
NPAs establish and maintain relationships as
health information resources to the Senators and
Delegates in their area.
NPA online and conference call training will
begin again in January. Beth Baldwin, our
incoming Vice President and Past President of
WVNA leads the training team which also includes
our professional lobbyist, Nancy Tyler, and nurse
lobbyists, Angy Nixon, a certified nurse midwife,
and Lori Chaffin, staff nurse.
If you want to make a significant difference
in health policy, being a WVNA NPA is perfect
for you. Just contact the office at centraloffice@
wvnurses.org to learn more and enroll for the next
training session.
Nurse Unity Day ~ This is the Year!
We expect nearly one thousand nurses and
students to don white lab coats and influence the
legislative process this year for Nurses Unity Day
at the Capitol. The newly elected President of ANA,
Pam Cipriano, will kick the day off as our keynote
speaker for the educational session at the Culture
Center and lead the march to the Capitol. We will
fill the galleries in the House and Senate where
proclamations on the important work of WV nurses
will be read. Then, we will meet, greet and lunch
with legislators in the Capitol rotunda. Awards
will be presented along with poster presentations
by students and faculty on the past, present and
future roles of nurses.
WVNA 2nd Vice President, Brenda Keefer, a
family nurse practitioner, is Chairperson for Unity
Day. Kudos to Brenda and her dedicated team
of volunteers who are working diligently to plan
and execute this important event! If you want to
be part of the most exciting nursing event of the
year, I’m sure she would welcome more volunteers.
Contact the office for more information.
Partnering for Success
Removing the Barriers to APRN Practice won
the vote to become one of the top ten policy issues
for the Healthy Kids and Families Coalition! All of
the issues on the Our Children Our Future policy
platform are vital to supporting the health and
well-being of WV families. WVNA is proud to be
a partner and encourage all nurses to get involved
in Kids and Family Day at the legislature on
January 14.
Presort Standard
US Postage
PAID
current resident or
Permit #14
Princeton, MN
55371
Your Future
“Patients deserve the right care by the
right clinician, at the right time, in the
right place.” I heard this comment at a
conference recently and think it clearly
captures the future of your career as a
nurse. The Affordable Care Act’s focus on
health promotion and wellness is a focus on
nursing. Only 3% of the population is in a
President’s Message continued on page 2
When Should
You Offer
Hospice Care?
Page 14
Unity Day
UNITY DAY 2015:
February 25, 2015
Brenda Keefer, RN MSN, APRN, FNP
2nd Vice President WVNA
WVNA is delighted to welcome all nurses and
student nurses in West Virginia to Unity Day 2015.
We will meet at the capitol in Charleston WV.
All nursing schools are encouraged to bring
student to the state capitol for this yearly event.
Students will have poster presentations. Our
theme is “Past to present, Evolving Nurses Role,
This is the Year.” Your posters are informative
to your legislators and the public. We begin
Unity Day at the Cultural Center, followed by a
unified march to the capitol building. This truly
impacts our legislatures to see 500+ at one time,
identified as the nursing profession. This certainly
demonstrates our influence on health care to West
Virginians. We will have opportunities to meet our
legislatures, voicing our concerns to the decisions
makers for health care in West Virginia. Nurses
have a tremendous impact on legislature’s decision
making related to health care policies. Lunch
will be provided in lower rotunda, along with
celebrating leaders in health care with awards for
their contribution to nursing. WVNA is working
toward creating a learning day for all participants,
which you can use throughout your career.
For more information contact centraloffice@
wvnurses.org; or call 304-342-1169
Page 2
West Virginia Nurse
President’s Message continued from page 1
hospital or long term care facility. The other 97%
are people who need nurses to help them get and
stay well in the community. New roles for nurses
are emerging now and nursing leadership is
guiding this healthcare transformation.
Our association of members is leading the
profession toward a bright future at WVNA.
Being a member of your professional association
puts you in the right place at the right time to
chart the future of your career as a nurse! Go to
www.wvnurses.org and become a WVNA member
today. Shape the Future … Join WVNA!
Warm Regards,
Aila
Come Join Our Team!!
Ever get tired of the fast pace of city life or
need to make your child’s ballgame?
Come join Webster County Memorial Hospital located in rural
WV, within the beautiful mountain lakes region. Join our team
at this 15-bed critical access non-profit facility where all
employees are family and provide a teamwork approach to care.
We offer competitive benefit packages including: student loan
reimbursement, vision/dental insurance, discount healthcare for
employee/family, flexible hours and salary that is commensurate to
experience. ACLS /PALS are preferred.
We currently have two registered nurse openings for:
Full Time and Part Time.
If interested please call Debbie Bragg or Shannon Sigley
at 304-847-5682.
Webster County Memorial Hospital
Serving Webster County & Surrounding Areas
Nursing Faculty in
Med/Surg
Tenure track position with experience
teaching Medical-Surgical classes.
Minimum Qualifications:
Master of Science in Nursing required.
Doctorate preferred as well as two
years of experience in nursing.
Teaching experience desired.
How to Apply:
Interested applicants may email their curriculum vitae with cover letter
and the names and contact information of three references to
HR@ab.edu or mail to: Alderson Broaddus University,
ATTN: Human Resources-Nursing/Med-Surg Position,
101 College Hill Drive, Box 2004, Philippi, WV 26416
February, March, April 2015
Carefrontation
Rose Morton, MSN, RN
Nurses care for patients, families, significant
others, their own families in a caring manner
but often forget that it is important to treat coworkers in a like manner also. Nursing is a
stressful profession and tensions can run high in
the work environment. Conflict that arises needs
to be identified and resolved in the early stage so
that the nursing unit/organization can operate
efficiently.
Confronting someone that you work with on
a daily basis is not an easy task. When conflict
arises it is necessary to be able to communicate
with your co-worker(s). The best practice is to
have an openness and willingness. “Creative
and successful people want to find balance in
their working relationships without feeling
angry and misunderstood (Goldsmith, 2009).”
Carefrontation is a made-up word that combines
caring with confrontation. Everyone working
on the unit, in the organization, and within the
work environment needs to be committed to being
honest and addressing conflict in a caring manner.
Carefrontation is not just a made-up word; it’s an
attitude that is rooted in wanting “to be part of a
successful working relationship that has a spirit
of commitment (Goldsmith, 2009).” The spirit
behind it and the commitment is that everyone
wants their unit/organization/business to grow, to
continue to improve, and to enjoy the work.
Nurses need to identify conflict and address
it in the early stage by confronting in a caring
manner; carefrontation. By doing so, they can
avoid feelings of anger and feeling misunderstood.
Nurses should not use avoidance or competing
when conflict occurs because the actual conflict
will not be addressed. With carefrontation nurses
must be willing to take a risk, share their feelings
with their teammates, and begin to master the
skill of carefrontation. It can be a valuable gift
to share with co-workers (Goldsmith, 2009). Use
carefrontation when you care about the other
person and need to resolve conflict in a caring
manner.
Goldsmith, Barton. Office Solutions26.2 (Fall
2009): 42.
WVNA Election
Results
Congratulations to our newly elected
WVNA Board Members who will begin their
terms in January 2015
President - Evelyn Martin
Vice-President - Beth Baldwin
Treasurer - Toni Dichiacchio
Membership Assembly Representative Denise Campbell
Alternates - Aila Accad, Mary Shamblin,
Sherry McClalahan
West Virginia Nurse
Official Publication of the
West Virginia Nurses Association
1007 Bigley Avenue, Suite 308
Charleston, WV 25302
Phone: 304.342.1169 or 800.400.1226
Fax: 304.414.3369
Email: centraloffice@wvnurses.org
Webpage: www.wvnurses.org
Published quarterly every February, May, August and
November for the West Virginia Nurses Association, a
constituent member of the American Nurses Association.
The opinions contained herein are those of the individual
authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the
Association.
WV Nurse reserves the right to edit all materials to its
style and space requirements and to clarify presentations.
WVNA Mission Statement
The mission of WVNA is to empower the diverse voice of
nurses in all settings toward unified focus of nursing
knowledge, skill and ability to promote the health & wellbeing of all West Virginians, through education, legislation
and health policy.
Executive Board
Aila Accad, President: ailaspeaks@gmail.com
Evelyn Martin, 1st Vice President: emmartin@hsc.wvu.edu
Brenda Keefer, 2nd Vice President: bkeefer@aol.com
Angy Nixon, Treasurer: anmidwife@netzero.com
Susan Rash, Secretary: susierashrn@yahoo.com
Beth Baldwin, Immediate Past President and
APRN Congress Chair: elbrn6e21@msn.com
Sherri Williams, Approver Chair: swilliams@bluefieldstate.edu
Joyce Egnor, Approver Co-Chair: jegnor@newriver.edu
Patty Hermosilla, District 5: phermosilla@hsc.wvu.edu
Shelia Kyle, District 9: skyle@st-marys.org
Sam Cotton, WVN-PAC Chair: scotton@hsc.wvu.org
WVNA Staff
Linda West, Interim Executive Director,
centraloffice@wvnurses.org
WV Nurse Staff
Aila Accad, Managing Editor
West Virginia Nurse Copy Submission Guidelines
All WVNA members are encouraged to submit material
for publication that is of interest to nurses (especially in
the following sections: Nightingale Tribute and Members
in the News). The material will be reviewed and may be
edited for publication. There is no payment for articles
published in the West Virginia Nurse.
Article submission is preferred in Word Perfect or MS
Word format. When sending pictures, please remember
to label pictures clearly since the editors have no way of
knowing who persons in the photos might be.
Copy Submission via email: Only use MS Word for text
submission. Please do not embed photos in Word files, send
photos as separate jpg files.
Approximately 1,600 words equal a full page in the
paper. This does not account for headlines, photos,
special graphics, pull quotes, etc.
Submit material to:
West Virginia Nurse
PO Box 1946, Charleston, WV 25327
or Email: centraloffice@wvnurses.org
For advertising rates and information, please contact Arthur L.
Davis Publishing Agency, Inc., 517 Washington Street, PO Box 216,
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613, (800) 626-4081, sales@aldpub.com. WVNA
and the Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc. reserve the right
to reject any advertisement. Responsibility for errors in advertising
is limited to corrections in the next issue or refund of price of
advertisement.
www.wvnurses.org
O
Published by:
Arthur L. Davis
Publishing Agency, Inc.
Acceptance of advertising does not imply endorsement or approval
by the West Virginia Nurses Association of products advertised,
the advertisers, or the claims made. Rejection of an advertisement
does not imply a product offered for advertising is without merit,
or that the manufacturer lacks integrity, or that this association
disapproves of the product or its use. WVNA and the Arthur L.
Davis Publishing Agency, Inc. shall not be held liable for any
consequences resulting from purchase or use of an advertiser’s
product. Articles appearing in this publication express the opinions
of the authors; they do not necessarily reflect views of the staff,
board, or membership of WVNA or those of the national or local
associations.
February, March, April 2015
West Virginia Nurse
Page 3
Future of Nursing WV Update
Aila Accad, MSN, RN
The Future of Nursing WV (FONWV) is now
officially a 501c3 non-profit organization. As
such the organization can directly accept tax
deductible donations and grant funding.
Individual and organizational memberships are
now available.
FONWV
has
three
co-sponsoring
organizations: WVNA, WV Organization of
Nurse Executives and WV Hospital Association.
There are also eight implementation teams which
correspond to the key recommendations of the
Institute of Medicine Report on the Future of Nursing
(2010). Those recommendations focus in three areas,
Education, Practice and Leadership. All teams are open for new members.
Education
The educational initiatives focus on increasing the number of BSN and
doctoral prepared nurses along with life-long learning. Ron Moore, MSN,
RN, Vice President of Professional Practice and Chief Nursing Officer
Charleston Area Medical Center leads the Education Teams. The two largest
hospital systems in the state are committed to implementing all BSN nursing
staffing and have contracted with local universities to provide the continuing
education to achieve this goal. The state Community College ADN programs
collaborated on a core curriculum that will facilitate ADN graduates going on
for their BSNs in WV.
Practice
Beth Baldwin, APRN, PNP, BC, a pediatric nurse practitioner in private
practice, chairs the initiative to “Removing the Barriers to Nursing Practice.”
This team educates the legislature and public about the importance of nurses
being able to offer the full scope of their services without restriction. The
lobbying required to change the statutes is conducted by WVNA.
Mary Fanning, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, Director, Nursing Administration/
Magnet Program Director at WVU Healthcare System is leading a team
that is researching, developing and implementing an online system for a
successful Transition to Practice Program for graduate nurses in all settings.
Leadership
The leadership initiatives focus on developing leadership skills for
management, board directorship and policy making roles. The teams are
lead by Dottie Oakes, MSN, RN, NE-BC, Vice President and Chief Nursing
Officer at WVU Healthcare System and Lora Duncan, MSN, RN, Nurse
Manager at Charleston Area Medical Center. One of their top priorities is to
increase the number of nurses serving on health related boards. To that end,
the teams are developing online training modules to better prepare nurses
for these leadership positions.
Funding
To date, FONWV has been an all volunteer organization. With funding
we look forward to entering another stage of organizational development
that can accelerate our progress. FONWV has received $100,000 in grants
and memberships in the last quarter of 2014 and is awaiting a response from
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which will provide funding for a full time
Program Director.
We are deeply grateful
for all the current financial
support
for
the
online
Transition to Practice and
Leadership
Project.
That
generous support is from:
Benedum
Foundation,
Sisters of St Joseph, Logan
Healthcare Foundation, WV
Center for Nursing, Valley
Health Systems, CAMC and
WVU Hospitals. A future
membership drive is also in
the planning stages for both
organizational and individual
membership in the Coalition.
Meetings & Presentations
FONWV
sponsored
its
second
annual
leadership
meeting on October 31at the
WV
Hospital
Association. Aila Accad & Dr. Lou Ann Hartley represent
FONWV at Leadership Conference in
National leaders met with
Phoenix, AZ
local team leaders and our
newly
installed
Strategic
Advisors for a stimulating day of presentations and planning for the future of
nursing to meet the health needs of West Virginians.
Co-sponsor representatives Aila Accad (WVNA) and Dr. Lou Ann Hartley
(WVONE) presented the FONWV to enthusiastic participants at the
WVONE Conference in Morgantown, WV on November 6. Several nursing
leaders joined teams at that event.
Aila also presented FONWV to the WVNA Board at their annual strategic
planning retreat in August and will present the same slide presentation to
faculty at WVU School of Nursing in Morgantown on November 18 on the
request of the new Dean, Dr. Tara Hulsey.
Aila and Lou Ann also attended the National Leadership Conference
sponsored by RWJF and AARP in Phoenix AZ November 17-19. They brought
back powerful information and networking contacts focused on creating a
culture of health through nursing leadership.
If you or are interested in becoming a member, learning more or joining a
team or if your employer wants to become an organizational member, contact
Aila Accad at ailaspeaks@gmail.com.
Page 4
West Virginia Nurse
February, March, April 2015
Legislative Update
Beth Baldwin, APRN, PNP, BC
The WV Legislature has been a rapidly
moving target that the APRN Congress of
WVNA has been diligently working to pin down.
The current progression has taken WV APRNs
through many legislative channels including
testimony at three separate hearings, resulting
in Government Organization Subcommittee
negotiations. The negotiations focused on
the feasibility of changes to the regulatory
requirements of APRNs. This has resulted in a
continued focus on the major barriers addressed
in the original Sunrise/PERD application which
are, in order of priority:
1.
Removing
the
written
collaborative
agreement regulation. The West Virginia
Nurses Association (WVNA) believes the
regulation of APRNs must always remain
under the WV Board of Nursing in its
entirety for the many reasons of evidence
based practice and to prevent restraint of
trade restrictions.
2.
Expanding
medication
prescribing,
allowing APRNs to prescribe and monitor
medications based on proper practice
evidence. The current law is convoluted and
cumbersome and does not allow best and
timely prescribing of medication to patients
as needed to provide the safest, high quality
care. This would also allow close monitoring
of medications by the health professional
providing direct care.
3.Global signatures on documents related
to the health care of patients include,
but are not limited to DNR, death
certificates, various handicapped accessible
applications,
and
others
documents
paramount to timely and cost effective care
delivery.
WVNA/APRN Congress requested that the
Government Organization subcommittee address
legislation related to APRN expansion of scope of
practice in view of WV code §30-1A-1:
“Legislative findings. The Legislature finds
that regulation should be imposed on an
occupation or profession only when necessary
for the protection of public health and safety.
The Legislature further finds that establishing
a procedure for reviewing the necessity of
regulating an occupation or profession prior to
enacting laws for such regulation will better
enable it to evaluate the need for the regulation
and to determine the least restrictive regulatory
alternative consistent with public health and
safety.”
This is the introductory clause to WV
legislative code for regulating professions. It
is clearly of the utmost importance to allow
freedom of choice to the public as long as
professionals are safe within their respective
practices.
WVNA/APRN Congress has worked to
negotiate a proposal on §30-3F-5. Certificate
for limited prescriptive authority. This
proposal would allow for medication prescribing
autonomously after providing the board with
evidence that new APRN has continuously
held a certificate for prescriptive authority
with a determined number of years as a type
of “residency” requirement for prescribing
medication. In addition, state reciprocity and
grandfathering clauses must be present.
WVNA would like to express thanks to
the Government Organization Subcommittee
legislators and legal staff, for taking on the
negotiations of the study of the feasibility of
changes to the regulatory requirements of
APRNs. We further implore the entire new
legislature to embrace the evidence presented
and address this critical health care need for all
West Virginians.
To be successful in passing this legislation
it is of utmost importance this year to have
a large grassroots support of nurses and
citizens supporting access to care and freedom
of provider choices. WVNA/ APRN congress
is moving to motivate support from the WV
Future of Nursing (IOM), WV Healthy Kids
and Families’ coalition and various nursing
and community groups. We are also starting a
CLEAR campaign for individual and groups to
write to their legislators in support of clearing
the way for citizens’ choices in health care.
Please get involved, send a letter, and join
our efforts now. We need everyone to pitch in for
a successful campaign. See letter below as an
example. For best impact use light blue envelope
available through centraloffice@wvnurses.org.
Elizabeth Baldwin, APRN, PNP, BC is the
WVNA APRN Chair and association Past
President
Example of Letter to Legislators (use
light blue envelope for best impact)
Date________________
Honorable Legislative leaders,
I am writing to you in support of retiring
outdated barriers to health care in WV.
I am a WV citizen and use an APRN as my
chosen health care provider. As a citizen, I
feel I have a right to clear transparent care. I
want my chosen provider to be able to provide
my complete care to the full scope and abilities
of his/her training without unwarranted
barriers.
I am asking you to clear the way for her/
him to be able to provide my care to the full
extent of their education and training by
retiring the written collaborative requirement
that blurs the lines of care and adds costly,
unnecessary burdens. Next, I am asking
that you expand the medication formulary
so that WV is NOT the 48th most restrictive
state and that my health care provider can
clearly prescribe medication when necessary
without added stress, timely visits, and travel
to obtain recommended therapy. Finally, I
request that my chosen care provider be able
to clearly sign any documentation that may
be required to obtain services I may request
or need to promote my wishes, health, and
wellness.
The path for WV health care needs to
be CLEAR and the outdated bureaucratic
barriers to healthcare in WV need removed.
Please make the CLEAR initiative your
number one goal this year for WV health.
CLEAR the path to allow access to care for
myself and all WV citizens.
Thanks for your time and attention to this
concern
Name____________________________________
Address__________________________________
_________________________________________
Phone___________________________________
Email___________________________________
February, March, April 2015
West Virginia Nurse
Page 5
Legislative Update
2015 Health Policy and Legislative
Position Statement
The West Virginia Nurses Association (WVNA)
goal is to support enactment and implementation
of policy that will benefit the health and welfare
of all citizens. The WVNA strives to provide
information,
advocacy,
representation
and
protection for the state’s professional nurses. As
part of the American Nurses Association (ANA),
the organization establishes policies and goals for
the profession that form the basis for nursing’s
contribution to the advancement of health care
policy.
awareness and utilizing the full impact of the
media;
2.
Aggressively
addresses
leading
health
indicators including physical activity, obesity,
tobacco use, substance abuse, responsible
sexual behavior, mental health, injury and
violence, environmental quality, immunization,
and access to health care (Healthy People,
2020);
3.
Provides interdisciplinary patient-centered
care, employs evidence-based practice, applies
quality improvement, and utilizes informatics
(IOM, 2010);
4. Supports professional nurses practicing to the
full extent of their education and training.
Review existing and proposed state regulations
concerning professional nurses to identify
those that have anticompetitive effects without
contributing to the health and safety of the
public (IOM, 2010; FTC, 2012);
5.Supports patient safety though adequate
staffing patterns with RN supervision
and appropriate delegation of licensed and
unlicensed assistive nursing personnel.
WVNA supports public policies that:
1. Promote equal access to quality, comprehensive
health care for all West Virginians;
2.Promote a commitment to the principle that
all persons are entitled to affordable, readily
accessible, high quality health care services
(AHRQ, 2008; ACA, 2010);
3.Promote reimbursement parity for all health
care services including, but not limited to
medications, complementary care, reproductive
services,
and
mental
health
services
(ACA, 2010);
Legislative Update continued on page 6
I. PROFESSIONAL ISSUES
WVNA supports regulatory legislation that:
1. Assures the continued autonomy and full scope
of authority of the West Virginia Board of
Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses
(WVRNB);
2.
Supports
the
licensure,
accreditation,
certification, and education (LACE) consensus
model for Advanced Practice Registered
Nurses [(APRNs), Certified Registered Nurse
Anesthetist, Certified Nurse Practitioner,
Certified Nurse-Midwives and Clinical Nurse
Specialist];
3.Supports Future of Nursing WV Action
Coalition in implementing the Institute of
Medicine (IOM) recommendations. (IOM, 2010);
4.Promotes APRNs as licensed independent
practitioners, promotes full compensation for
APRNs, prevents professional liability carriers
from limiting coverage that restricts the full
APRN scope of practice, and prevents restraint
of trade through collaborative requirements
(ACNM, 2011; NCSBN, 2008);
5. Improves health care access through retiring
restrictions on APRN prescriptive and
signature authority. (AANP, 2013);
6.Recognizes the full scope of practice and
autonomy of RNs as established by professional
licensure and delineated by professional
organizations;
7.Promotes the exclusive use of appropriate
medically and scientifically correct terminology
in proposed legislation;
8.Promote full practice authority for APRNs
within their educational standards of practice,
specific to the national credentialing standards
(NCSBN, 2008).
WVNA supports workplace initiatives that:
1. Uphold individual nurses’ right to make moralethical decisions (ANA Code of Ethics, 2010);
2. Recognize the RN as the coordinator for patient
care;
3. Improve patient and staff safety with supplied
devices to protect the patient and staff from
injury; 4. Provide flexible work schedules that lessen the
risk of fatigue-related errors;
5.Supports safe staffing initiatives determined
by nurses, that take into account patient acuity
and that maximize standard quality outcomes;
6. Prohibit forced overtime and fairly compensate
RNs and other health care providers utilizing
traditional payment scales for overtime hours
(ANA Code of Ethics, 2010);
7.
Standardize
policies
and
procedures,
equipment and medication delivery systems,
including but not limited to information
technology, to provide seamless care to rural
populations;
8. Support unrestricted use of titles appropriate
to educational degrees and credentials (e.g.,
Doctor of Nursing Practice, DNP).
II. HEALTH CARE DELIVERY
WVNA supports a health care delivery
system that:
1. Encourages wellness through education, public
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Page 6
West Virginia Nurse
Conferences and
Meetings
January 14, 2015 – Kids and Families Day at the
Legislature
January 22, 2015 – Rural Health Day at the
Legislature
February 24, 2015 – 4:00-6:00 WVNA Policy
Advocate Training Update, Charleston Marriott.
Contact centra lof f ice @ w v nu rses.org for
information and registration
February 24, 2015 – 6:00- 8:00 WVN-PAC
Legislative Reception, Charleston Marriott
Contact centra lof f ice @ w v nu rses.org for
information and registration
February 25, 2015 – 8:00-4:00 PM Nurses Unity
Day, WV Culture Center and Capitol
Register online at wvnurses.org
March 5, 2015 – Women’s Day at the Legislature
SAVE THE DATE:
May 5-6, 2015 - Choosing Wisely Quality
Conference,
Edgewood
Country
Club,
Charleston, WV
The purpose of the conference is to bring
together clinicians from across the state to learn
about and discuss the Choosing Wisely and other
quality improvement initiatives. To get your name
on our email list and receive further information
about the conference, contact Renate Pore at
renatepore@gmail.com.
Earn $150/hr!
Any Nurse Can Get
Certified as a Legal
Nurse Consultant in
only 2 Days.
Register NOW!
Atlanta
Washington, DC
Apr 11 & 12
Apr 18 & 19
Apr 25 & 26
May 30 & 31
..............................
ChattanoogaNashville
jurexnurse.com
or call (901) 496-5447
February, March, April 2015
Legislative Update
Legislative Update continued from page 5
4. Assure that high quality, supportive/palliative,
end-of-life care, including effective symptom
control and psychosocial and spiritual support,
is accessible to all people;
5.
Maintain current West Virginia (WV)
immunization
mandates
and
ongoing
immunization guideline modifications as
outlined by the U.S. Centers for Disease
Control (CDC, 2012);
6. Encourage senior West Virginians to maintain
active, healthy, and independent lifestyles
and when desired and needed, have access to
quality long-term care;
7.Identify, prevent, and report elder abuse
and neglect including physical, mental and
financial abuse (WV State Auditor’s Office,
2012);
8.Decrease substance abuse, including drug
diversion;
9.Support the safe regulated prescribing of
medical marijuana by all prescribing providers
as alternative to narcotics and deemed
appropriate by the provider;
10.Promote seamless health care delivery through
recognition of endorsement by an APRN any
WV law or regulation requiring a signature,
certification, stamp, verification, affidavit or
endorsement by a physician;
11.Recognize the importance of understanding the
impact of social media on professional practice
and following secure guidelines for patient
confidentiality (ANA, 2012).
WVNA supports school health initiatives that:
1.Support the Certified School Nurse RN and
other nursing healthcare providers in the school
setting as the sole administrators of insulin
to students with Insulin-Dependent Diabetes
Mellitus (IDDM)(Reference WVASN and WV
COSN Position Papers);
2.Promote the coordination and linkage of
students to a health home including dental care
through the Certified School Nurse RN;
3. Promote the role of RN in the enrollment of
children and families in health and dental
insurance programs;
4.Recognize the Certified School Nurse RN as
the coordinator of health care intervention with
the authority to make appropriate health care
task delegations and assignments within the
educational setting and the RN’s scope and
ability;
5.Promote every school having a school nurse
in collaboration with a school-based clinic
to support health promotion and disease
management, (Note: a distinct difference in
roles exists with the daily educational health
support services performed by a Certified
School Nurse RN to cover all children in
public schools, and performed in a SchoolBased Health Center that provides care to only
enrolled patients);
6.Recognize the Certified School Nurse RN as
the professional who ensures quality health
care instruction for pre-K through 12th
grade students, including comprehensive
age-appropriate human sexuality education,
asthma and diabetes (WVDE School Nurse
Needs Assessment 2010);
7.Support Certified School Nurse RNs’ pay
parity within educational funding formula for
teachers;
8.
Promote the community school concept
coordinating programs and services to support
healthy lifestyles for students, staff, parents
and the community for which each school
serves (Coalition for Community Schools/CDCCoordinated School Health Programs). III. PATIENT RIGHTS
WVNA supports patients’ rights to:
1. Health care as a basic human right;
2. Safe, error-free health care environments;
3.Choice of sources, methods, services, and
providers of health care;
4. Privacy and confidentiality;
5.Participation in informed decision making
about personal health care, including end-of-life
care and reproductive health choices;
6.Information about all treatment options,
including the comparative risks and benefits of
each presented at the appropriate literacy-level;
7.Transparent information regarding health
institution nursing staffing and patient
outcome benchmarks;
8.Designate APRNs as their primary licensed
independent provider of healthcare.
IV. NURSING RETENTION AND
RECRUITMENT
WVNA supports strategies for retention and
recruitment including:
1. Practices that promote a safe, professional work
environment;
2.Support strategies and organizations that
promote nursing recruitment and retention;
3. Support efforts to secure sources and amounts
of funding for: undergraduate and graduate
nursing education, continued educational
opportunities for promoting qualified faculty,
nursing workforce redevelopment programs
(ANA, 2010);
4. Initiatives to retain currently practicing nurses
and recruit others into the profession;
5.Promote proposals that enhance and recruit
nurse educators to attract and retain qualified
nursing faculty such as tax incentives and
educational loan repayment plans (ANA, 2010);
6.Promote parity of reimbursement for APRN
services to encourage and establish health care
services for all West Virginians;
7.Peer monitoring and counseling that is
confidential and compassionate to protect the
public and promote retention of recovering
nurses in the workforce (ANA, 2010).
V. SOCIAL ISSUES
WVNA supports the following:
1.Professional and lay education focusing on
social justice issues;
2. Hate crime legislation that addresses violence
against vulnerable populations;
3.Legislation focused on prevention of violence
and bullying, particularly the protection of
vulnerable populations in all venues including
social media;
4.Initiatives to screen, educate and reduce
public health risks, including but not limited
to unclean air and water, harmful health
additives and toxins, drug and alcohol
impairment, distracted driving, sexually
transmitted infections, and ATV/motorcycle
helmet use (ex. clean water);
5.
Public
disclosure
and
education
of
environmental health risks in home, work,
school, and other public settings (ANA, 2010);
6. Adequate funding, including a tobacco excise
tax, to provide smoking prevention, cessation,
and educational programs to eliminate
tobacco use and environmental tobacco smoke
exposure;
7. A mother’s right to breastfeed as an important,
basic act of nutrition and nurturing and a
child’s right to be breastfed in any venue as a
basic human need. Support the establishment
of a state law that would protect a mother who
breastfeeds her child in any location, public or
private (WVBA, 2012);
8. Ongoing recognition and support of WV nurse
veterans;
9. Programs developed to identify and treat the
high incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) and post-concussive head injuries in
the post-war veteran population (e.g., traumatic
brain injury or TBI) (AANP, 2012);
10.
Access to mental health services for all
veterans with supportive opportunities for the
highest quality of independent living (AANP,
2012);
11.Promotion of an “all hands inter-professional
approach” to disaster planning and rapid
response including anticipated readiness to
support current communities and potential
influx of populations;
12.Support a realistic living minimum wage.
February, March, April 2015
West Virginia Nurse
Page 7
Your Personal Conduct Outside of Work Can Lead to Discipline
from the Nursing Boards
Lisa L. Lilly, BSN, RN, JD
Many nurses erroneously believe that their
board of nursing is only concerned with their
clinical abilities and the performance of their
professional duties, specifically while on the job
or in relation to the nurse-patient relationship.
Unfortunately, such a belief is flatly wrong.
Nursing boards can take action against a licensee
for unprofessional behavior, including activities
that are deemed to be in violation of the “morals”
and “good-character” provisions of their rules and
regulations. These provisions allow discipline for
a variety of perceived offenses, even those based
solely upon activities in a licensee’s private life or
involving only their personal conduct.
Nurses must remember that the primary
function of a nursing board is not to advocate
for their nurse licensees, but rather to protect
the citizens of the state from the actions of their
nurse licensees. It can be startling to learn of the
full breadth and scope of a Board’s powers to not
only investigate a nurse, but also to prosecute
that nurse, for activities far beyond the four walls
of a nurse’s employer and into virtually all areas
of a nurse’s private life, seeking out activity in
which the Board may find a nurse’s judgment or
moral character to be questionable or that the
nurse poses a threat to the health, safety and
welfare of the public.
Many nurses understand that certain
behaviors in their personal lives, like using
illegal drugs or habitual or excessive alcohol
use, can cause problems which extend into their
work lives. These problems can directly affect a
nurse’s professional abilities, which ultimately
results in discipline. However, many nurses do
not appreciate that certain behaviors, which
may initially appear to be wholly unrelated to
patient care, the nurse-client relationship or their
professional life can result in disciplinary action
by the Board.
The most common example and a cautionary
tale, is that of off-duty “Nurse Nancy.” Nurse
Nancy has an excellent work history, working
in ICU at a local hospital for 12 years; she is
well-liked and always gets high marks on her
evaluations from both supervisors and patients.
While attending a birthday dinner for a relative,
Nurse Nancy consumed two (2) glasses of wine,
but did not feel she was intoxicated. While
driving home after dinner, a deer suddenly
jumps in front of Nurse Nancy’s car. Nurse
Nancy swerves off the road to avoid the deer and
runs into a ditch. No one (including the deer)
sustain any injuries. A tow truck is called and
police respond to this single car accident. The
police officer responding smells alcohol on Nurse
Nancy’s breath. Nurse Nancy subsequently fails
a roadside sobriety test and her blood alcohol
level is found to be slightly higher than the legal
limit for intoxication. Nurse Nancy is arrested
and charged with driving under the influence
(“DUI”). She later pleads guilty to a misdemeanor
DUI, pays a fine and completes 1-day driving
safety course. Nurse Nancy has never had any
complaints or disciplinary action filed against her
with the Board, but she reports this conviction on
her annual nursing license renewal. What will
happen to Nurse Nancy?
In this scenario, at least at first blush, it
doesn’t appear that the Nursing Board should
have any reason to be interested in Nurse
Nancy’s DUI arrest or subsequent plea, as all
happened outside Nurse Nancy’s nursing practice
and it did not involve her ability to provide
clinical care to her patients. Although Nurse
Nancy may have no prior disciplinary action and
an excellent work history, without any issues
regarding her nursing skills or the care she has
rendered to her patients, she is nonetheless at
risk for disciplinary action against her nursing
license. What could possibly be the grounds for
such action?
The first and most obvious choice would be
related to potential habitual alcohol or drug
use by Nurse Nancy. WV Code §30-7-11, states
that discipline can be taken against nurses that
are “habitually intemperate” or who’s conduct
is “derogatory to the morals” of the nursing
profession. Professional misconduct is further
defined as including being a chronic or persistent
alcoholic (19 CSR §3.14.1.n). However, in this
instance, Nurse Nancy was evaluated and found
not to be addicted to alcohol or drugs and does not
have any substance abuse issues. Even so, Nurse
Nancy’s license is not in the clear.
Nurse Nancy must be prepared to defend her
license on the grounds that her behavior was
“unprofessional,” in that she put the public in
harm’s way by driving while under the influence
of alcohol and that she failed to exercise “good
professional character,” as required by 19 CSR
§3.14.1.o. Moreover, poor Nurse Nancy may also
be accused of “morality” violations, specifically
that her conduct was “derogatory to the morals
or standing” of the nursing profession. WV Code
§30-7-11(f).
Unprofessional Conduct is a very broad
term, encompassing a wide variety of activities,
including those in a nurse’s professional capacity,
but also in a nurse’s personal life, far beyond
employment activities. In Nurse Nancy’s case,
even if the nursing board only investigates and
then declines prosecution, the process takes many
months, it can be expensive and Nurse Nancy will
be understandably anxious until the investigation
or prosecution is resolved. The best option for
dealing with such licensure situations is simply
to avoid them. If Nurse Nancy knew the potential
career-ending implications of her impaired
driving, she assures that she would never have
driven after consuming any alcohol.
Like alcohol consumption, many other
criminal behaviors in a nurse’s personal life
can also trigger licensure action. Any criminal
conviction or no contest plea can trigger a board
investigation, as such convictions can suggest
that the nurse’s conduct is derogatory to the
morals of the nursing profession, are unethical,
dishonorable and that the nurse is likely to
defraud, deceive or generally pose a danger to the
public. In addition to the DUI discussed above,
the types of criminal violations that can trigger
an investigation include: public intoxication;
failing to pay child support; domestic violence;
child/elder abuse or neglect; harassment;
stalking; violation of a restraining order; indecent
exposure/lewd acts (including public urination
and sex acts in public places); assault and battery
(fighting); theft (including shoplifting, robbery
and burglary); fraud; firearm charges; failure
to file tax returns; and, the possession, sale or
distribution of controlled substances without
legitimate prescription/purpose.
There are very specific requirements, outside
of patient care, that the nursing board requires
of its nurses. Any reported conduct that suggests
that a nurse may have poor judgment or lapses in
judgment can trigger a Board investigation.
Failure to abide by any of the following is
considered “professional misconduct.” It is
misconduct to “knowingly falsify an application
for employment,” including errors of omission,
such as leaving out information from that
employer who may would be a bad reference. Also
dangerous are “exaggerations” or misleading
entries of any sort, but particularly dangerous
is puffery involving your licensure status,
education, clinical experience or skill level. It is
also misconduct to submit false information to
the Board on any application or other document.
This provision includes your yearly renewal
documents, which should be answered fully and
truthfully.
The Board also considers misappropriating
medications,
supplies
or
personal
items
belonging to either a patient or an employer to
be misconduct. Consider the risk to your license
under this provision, before you are tempted to
grab a box of Band-Aids or a handful of pens to
take home.
Another area of danger in relation to
misconduct
involves
developing
personal
relationships with current or former patients,
likewise for treating people with whom you have
a preexisting personal relationship. While in
some small communities, it can be difficult to
avoid treating people that you know, but the
best practice is to hand off responsibility for
caring for this client to another nurse without
any personal connections to the patient. While
sexual relationships are typically what come
to mind when “personal relationships” are at
issue, violations in this area, more commonly
occur when a nurse becomes over involved in a
patient’s personal or family life. A nurse should
strive to keep the nurse-client relationship in the
therapeutic range, with neither too little nor too
much involvement into the client’s “outside” life.
Finally, an area of significant high risk for
licensure action relates to the nurse’s use of social
media. As nurses more frequently use social
media, their risk for disciplinary action also
increases. A frequent violation is the inadvertent
disclosure of HIPAA protected patient health
information. To avoid licensure, a nurse avoids
mention of any specifics related to the job or
client on their social media posts. Even if a nurse
believes that she is not putting any patientspecific details on her post (example: “the postop hip”), unfortunately, the reference can still
give enough info be traced to the nurse’s unit and
frequently to the patient. Likewise, the best and
only way to avoid inadvertent disclosure of patient
photographs is to never take a patient photo
with your own device. Even if you are granted
permission from a patient, it is not a guarantee
that any subsequent disclosure is also permitted.
Beware that there is really no “privacy” settings
on social media that provide protection from the
media company accessing or using your “private”
data. The TOS typically give the co-ownership
rights to your information. Finally, first accept
all posts remain in cyberspace forever. Even if
you try to delete posts, they can still be recovered.
Therefore, although it may seem like a great idea
to post how awful your co-workers, patients or
administration are behaving in the middle of your
shift, such a post is a keg of dynamite, always
stop and wait several hours or overnight before
any negative post.
For Nurses, the ability to maintain a state
license in good standing is the key to being able
to work to provide for your family and put food
on the table. In order to protect your license, you
must be proactive – know the laws that apply to
your practice and the appropriate boundaries
they require of you. Anytime your license is at
stake, representation by a competent attorney
with knowledge of the licensure process is critical.
Lisa L. Lilly, B.S.N., R.N., J.D has over 23
years of experience as a civil defense litigator and
focuses her practice in the areas of professional
negligence, complex civil liability and litigation
involving wrongful death or serious injury.
A substantial portion of Ms. Lilly’s practice
involves the defense of professionals, licensed by
the State of West Virginia, with an emphasis in
representing doctors, nurses, hospitals and other
healthcare providers in professional negligence
actions brought under the West Virginia Medical
Professional Liability Act. She was employed as a
Registered Nurse in critical care at Ruby Memorial
Hospital in Morgantown, WV prior to becoming an
attorney.
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Page 8
West Virginia Nurse
Congratulations
February, March, April 2015
West Virginia Nurse Anesthetists
Never Miss a Beat While Providing Anesthesia
Congratulations
to
Damia
Hayman, APRN for receiving the
2015 State Award for Excellence
from American Association of Nurse
Practitioners.
This
prestigious
award is given annually to a
dedicated Nurse Practitioner in
each state.
Congratulations
to
Delegate
Denise Campbell, RN, MA for
receiving the 2015 Advocate State
Award for Excellence from American
Association of Nurse Practitioners.
This prestigious award is given
annually to a dedicated nurse
practitioner
advocate
in
each
state who has made a significant
contribution to increasing awareness
and acceptance of the NP role.
Congratulations to Dr. Lisa Anne
McBride of Cardinal Pediatrics in
Morgantown, WV on receiving the
WV APRN Mentorship Award for
her support and mentorship of the
APRN profession.
If you would like to congratulate a
nurse for receiving an award please
contact centraloffice@wvnurses.org
with the information.
More than 450 Certified Registered Nurse
Anesthetists (CRNA) from West Virginia and
thousands from across the country tell America
We Never Miss a Beat as they celebrate the 16th
annual National CRNA Week celebration, January
25 – 31, 2015.
The catchphrase We Never Miss a Beat touts
the quality of care that nurse anesthetists pride
themselves on providing patients. To provide the
safest anesthesia possible, nurse anesthetists
remain by their patients’ side every moment of
their procedure, monitoring their vital signs to
help ensure a comfortable and safe anesthesia
experience.
“As anesthesia providers, it is important to be
aware of every heartbeat, every breath, and be
ready to quickly respond if necessary. Which is
why CRNAs are so proud to belong to a profession
that has maintained a sterling record of providing
patient-safety for 150 years,” said Cassy Taylor,
CRNA and WVNA member.
Established by the American Association of
Nurse Anesthetists (AANA), National CRNA
Week was created to encourage CRNAs to take the
opportunity to educate the public about anesthesia
safety, questions to ask prior to undergoing
surgery, and the benefits of receiving anesthesia
care from nurse anesthetists.
Nurse anesthetists are advanced practice
nurses who administer more than 34 million
anesthetics in the United States each year.
Practicing in every setting where anesthesia is
delivered, CRNAs are the primary anesthesia
providers in rural hospitals, and have been
the main provider of anesthesia care to U.S.
service men and women on the front lines since
World War I.
“It is a privilege to be a part of a profession
with a focal point that is dedicated to providing
patient safety. Historically, CRNAs have played
a considerable role in advancing trends related
to monitoring technology, anesthetic drugs, and
patient education. In fact, anesthesia today is
nearly 50 times safer than it was just 20 years
ago,” said Taylor.
The West Virginia Association of Nurse
Anesthetists (WVANA) represents West Virginia
CRNAs, and maintains a working relationship with
the West Virginia Nurses Association. Visit www.
wvana.com for more information about WVANA.
The American Association of Nurse
Anesthetists (AANA) was founded in 1931, is
located in Park Ridge, Ill., and is the professional
organization representing more than 48,000
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs)
and student registered nurse anesthetists. As
advanced practice registered nurses, CRNAs safely
administer more than 34 million anesthetics to
patients in the United States each year. For more
information, visit www.aana.com.
February, March, April 2015
West Virginia Nurse
Page 9
Our Children, Our Future
4. Drinking Water Protections. The chemical
spill crisis disproportionately hurt low-income and
working families, and their children. We must
protect drinking water protections, especially SB
373. Contact Angie Rosser (arosser@wvrivers.org).
WVNA is a Proud Partner in the Our
Children, Our Future Campaign!
Huge thanks to everyone who voted for Retiring
Old Laws so Nurses can meet health needs for
WV Families issue to be placed on the 2015
Legislative Platform for the Our Children, Our
Future Campaign to End Child Poverty (OCOF).
As a result our issue made it into the top ten at
#7. You can see the entire OCOF platform below.
This means that the whole grassroots effort of the
Healthy Kids and Families Coalition will work to
help us pass this important nursing legislation
this year.
Now, the work begins to educate our legislators
on the importance of all of these issues to the
health and well-being of our WV families. Join
us at the legislature for Kids and Families
Day on Wednesday, January 14. Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/our-children-ourf utu re -k ids-a nd-fa m il ies- day-at -w v- capit oltickets-14781069577.
5. Defend Medicaid and CHIP, while
Expanding Medicaid Access to Mental Health
Therapy. Health bills are the leading cause of
bankruptcy in America… and Medicaid Expansion
and CHIP are proven to save money in the long
run. We must defend and adequately fund these
programs, while expanding Medicaid access to
mental health therapy so that a struggling child
or family doesn’t have to wait months to get help
just because they have the ‘wrong’ insurance plan.
Contact Sam Hickman (shickman@naswwv.org) or
Renate Pore (renatepore@gmail.com).
6. Past Due! It’s time to choose: WV’s kids
or Big Tobacco? Increasing the tax on tobacco
saves lives, reduces health care costs and provides
a revenue source. It’s proven as the best way
to protect kids and pregnant women from this
addition. Contact Christine Compton (Christine.
compton@heart.org).
10. Providing Earned, Paid Sick Days for
Workers & Schedules that Work. A paid sick
time policy would make our families stronger,
our workplaces healthier, and improve the wellbeing of children. Workers shouldn’t have to
choose between their job and their family’s health.
Contact Erin Snyder (esnyder@wvpolicy.org).
The Our Children, Our Future Campaign is a
non-partisan alliance of 177+ churches, community
organizations, businesses, unions, schools, and
advocates – devoted to ending child poverty in
West Virginia. We have fought and won 12 policy
victories in two years by engaging new voters and
families in the political process; we will defend
these victories in addition to the campaigns above.
Over 3400 leading West Virginians participated
in the creation of the above platform – attending
a community meeting, participating in a policy
workshop or Symposium, or casting a ballot.
Contact Chris Kimes ckimeshkfc@gmail.com for
more information.
7. Retiring Old Laws so Nurses (APRN’s)
can meet health needs for WV Families. Let
nurses nurse. Old laws bar Advance Practice
Nurses from doing what they are trained to do; we
need a change so communities get the care they
need, while saving everyone money. Contact Aila
Accad (ailaspeaks@gmail.com).
8. Stopping Meth Labs in WV. Over-thecounter pseudo-ephedrine now exists that can’t
be turned into meth. Now is the time to require
a prescription for pseudo-ephedrine that can be
turned into meth. Supported by law enforcement,
shown to reduce meth labs. Contact Judy Crabtree
(judy.crabtree@camc.org).
9. Erin’s Law: Preventing Childhood
Sexual Assualt. We must train educators and
school personnel to spot the signs of child sexual
abuse, and respond. Contact Brooke Drake
(iambrookedrake@gmail.com).
Nurse Policy Advocates in Morgantown host
reception for newly elected Senators and
Delegates at the home of Sam Cotton,
WVN-PAC Chairperson. From left to right:
Angy Nixon, Sam Cotton, Beth Baldwin,
Senator Kent Leonhardt & Mrs Leonhardt.
2015 Legislative Platform
Our Children, Our Future Campaign to End
Child Poverty
1. Protect and Provide a Secure Funding
Stream for Family Support Programs. Last
year, the legislature heroically fought to protect
vital state programs that give families a hand-up
out of poverty; programs like the Family Resource
Networks (that produce better than a 10:1 return
on investment, by leveraging private, local and
federal dollars) and Family Resource Centers
(which are a hub for family services). We need a
permanent funding solution so these programs are
not always fighting for their lives. Contact April
Miller (tuckerfrn@hotmail.com).
2. A Smart Start for WV—Invest in Early
Childhood. The Governor’s Early Childhood
Task Force offers a 10-year plan to make WV a
national leader in early childhood, so our children
grow up healthy, strong and ready to learn.
Recommendations include expanding homevisiting, access for quality childcare, Birth to
three, financing options, governance and program
accountability. The legislature should adopt these
recommendations and pass a plan to begin this
expansion. $1 in = $7 in the long-run. Contact Jim
McKay (jim@teamwv.org).
3. Juvenile Justice Reform. West Virginia
is experiencing a crisis in the number of children
referred to juvenile court as a result of missing
school. We must amend the currant truancy law
to extend the number of unexcused absences from
five days to ten. Additionally, the truancy law
should require schools to employ school-based and
community interventions to improve attendance
before referring a student to juvenile court.
Contact Jen Meinig (jmeinig@acluwv.org).
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Page 10
West Virginia Nurse
February, March, April 2015
Unity Day
Format For The Nightingale Tribute
The Nightingale Tribute begins with a short
synopsis of the nurse’s career. A creative reading
follows the synopsis. A white rose is placed with
the nurse after the reading, with the statement:
“(Name), we honor you this day and give you a
white rose to symbolize our honor and appreciation
for being our nursing colleague.”
This entire tribute takes only two minutes
and can be placed anywhere in the service
appropriate to the traditions and beliefs of the
recipient’s faith.
How do I arrange for this tribute for my
loved one?
• Visit with your funeral home director about
this tribute.
• Choose a nurse friend or colleague (active
or retired) of the deceased to present the
tribute.
• Ask the nurse to visit with you. Provide them
a brief synopsis of your loved one’s life as a
nurse.
• Use the words included with this brochure
as a creative reading to follow the career
synopsis. Adapt the reading to fit the
recipient.
• The Tribute will be scheduled in the service
in collaboration with the family, funeral
home and place of worship as appropriate.
• Decide if you would like a white rose placed
with your loved one in tribute and honor. If
so, notify the nurse presenter and any other
nurse friends to bring a white rose or make
arrangements to have white roses available
for the tribute and the colleagues.
Nightingale Tribute
We lose may people in our lives and nurses who
have an impact on the nursing community have a
special place in our hearts. If you have lost a nurse
this year please let WVNA know so that we might
honor these nurses at Unity Day February 25,
2015.
Join West
Virginia Nurses
Association
Today!
Application on page 15 or join
online at www.wvnurses.org
THE NIGHTINGALE TRIBUTE READING
Nursing is a calling, a lifestyle, a way of living.
Nurses here today honor __________ and his/her
life as a nurse. __________ is not remembered
by his/her _____ years as a nurse, but by the
difference he/she made during those years by
stepping into people’s lives… by special moments:
SHE WAS THERE
When a calming, quiet presence was all that
was needed, she was there.
In the excitement and miracle of birth or in the
mystery and loss of life, she was there.
When a silent glance could uplift a patient,
family member or friend, she was there.
At those times when the unexplainable needed
to be explained, she was there.
When the situation demanded a swift foot and
sharp mind, she was there.
When a gentle touch, a firm push, or an
encouraging word was needed, she was there.
In choosing the best one from a family’s “Thank
You” box of chocolates, she was there.
To witness humanity—its beauty, in good times
and bad, without judgment, she was there.
To embrace the woes of the world, willingly, and
offer hope, she was there.
And now, that it is time to be at the Greater
One’s side, she is there.
NOTE: Pronoun can be changed. © 2004 by
Duane Jaeger, RN, MSN
__________________, we honor you this day
and give you a white rose to symbolize our honor
and appreciation for being our nursing colleague.
February, March, April 2015
Unity Day
West Virginia Nurse
Page 11
A Tribute to
Jay Rockefeller
WV Nurses celebrate with Senator Jay
Rockefeller. L-R Aila Accad, Angy Nixon,
Beth Baldwin, Ruth Blevins, Sam Cotton
WVNA leaders turned out enforce
for the West Virginians for Affordable
Healthcare Annual Meeting and tribute
to retiring Senator, Jay Rockefeller.
Senator Rockefeller has been a champion
of healthcare, especially for children
and coal miners. He was instrumental
in shaping the Affordable Care Act to be
more consumer friendly, protected the
Children’s Health Insurance Program
(CHIPs), and preserved health insurance
benefits for retired coal miners and their
widows.
In his own words: “I have spent my
entire career working to protect children
and other vulnerable populations. I will
never stop fighting to make sure they have
all the safeguards they need and deserve.
These are children—we should do all we
can to shield them from harm. Period!”
Senator Jay Rockefeller, October 2, 2009.
Your license is your livelihood!
Elizabeth S. Lawton, RN, BSN, JD
Representing Nurses before the West Virginia
Board of Nursing & in Medical Malpractice cases.
CHARLESTON
304-345-1400
MORGANTOWN
304-291-2702
Page 12
West Virginia Nurse
February, March, April 2015
Do You Know Someone who is
the Victim of a Crime?
Let’s Talk About Sex…
and Relationships!
Steve McElroy
Carrie-Meghan Quick-Blanco
The West Virginia Court of Claims, created by the West Virginia
Legislature in 1967, was established to allow claims to be filed against the
state which cannot be heard in the regular courts due to constitutional
immunity. Awarded claims are considered by the West Virginia Legislature
in a claims bill and are declared to be moral obligations of the state for
payment.
Crime victims can be awarded compensation. In 1981, the West Virginia
Legislature passed the West Virginia Crime Victims Compensation Act, to be
administered by the Court of Claims. The law established a Fund to assist
innocent victims of violent crimes with their out-of-pockets losses, including
medical care, counseling, lost income and funeral and burial expenses.
We are surrounded by it. In movies, commercials, television shows, music,
pop culture, magazines and stand-up routines. Sex is everywhere; yet, in
America, talking about it still remains taboo. If only preparing children for
sex and healthy relationships could be like learning how to drive a car: an
important transition into adulthood that requires responsibility and trust.
In fact, many people believe that we shouldn’t be talking about sex at
all with young people. If we do, it will only encourage them to have sex.
Unfortunately, that stance of “don’t ask, don’t tell” has contributed to the
situation we face today: 2nd highest nation in the industrialized world for
teen births with West Virginia touting the 5th highest rate in the United
States. In fact, the costs of teen childbearing in America totaled $9.4 billion
dollars in 2010! We also know that teenagers in West Virginia are
sexually active and by the time they are seniors in high school, 2/3
of them will have had sexual intercourse. So while everyone isn’t doing
it, everybody needs information about how to protect themselves against
unintended pregnancies and STD’s (including HIV/AIDS). Estimates suggest
that about 48% of STD cases in the United States are acquired by persons
aged 15-24 years olds.
Talking about the importance of being sexually healthy is not a hard
sell for nurses and others in the health care community. Nurses often see
firsthand diseases or issues that could have been prevented as a result of
poor decisions or lack of education and resources. Because they are on the
front line, nurses have a unique opportunity in educating and supporting
teens and their families in a variety of settings and positively influencing
further transmission of STD’s and unintended pregnancies.
With statistics like this, it’s easy to see that we need to make a change and
October is a great place to start at home with these two words: “Let’s Talk.”
Let’s Talk Month is a national public education campaign celebrated each
October sponsored by Advocates for Youth, an organization that champions
young people to make informed and responsible decisions about their
reproductive and sexual health. Let’s Talk Month provides an opportunity
for community agencies, businesses, religious institutions, schools, media,
health care providers and families to plan programs and activities that
encourage family dialogue about sexuality and healthy relationships. Locally,
WV FREE’s WISE Initiative (Working to Institutionalize Sex Education) is
working with partners from across the state to encourage this dialogue.
Research shows that good parent-child communication leads to better
contraceptive use and lower sexual risk behaviors. Adolescents who feel open
to discuss sexual health with their parents are more likely to delay sexual
intercourse. Believe it or not, studies show that teens would rather
talk at home than get information from the media, school, or even
friends about sex. It’s OK not to know all the answers! What you know is
less important than how you respond. If you can convey the message that
no subject is off limits at home, you’ll be on the right track to setting your
children up for success in adulthood!
Follow the link below to check out “Let’s Talk Month” resources. http://
www.wvfree.org/reproductive-guide/
Interested in learning more about WISE in WV? Please visit the WISE
Facebook or Twitter or become a member of WV FREE. Together we can
create a brighter future for WV students and families!
Steve McElroy is the Community Liaison Administrator for West Virginia
Court of Claims, Crime Victims Compensation Steve.mcelroy@wvlegislature.
gov 304.347.4850
LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE
The Emergency Department (ED) has FT, PT, or per diem positions available. Previous ED
experience is preferred. Appliants must be licensed in the state of WV and possess the
following certifications: CPR and PHTLS. Certification in NRP, PALS, and NCI are an asset.
Apply to: Jason Ashley, Director of Human Resources
304.927.6370 • jwashley@rghwv.org
Roane General Hospital
Care you can trust...close to home
www.roanegeneralhospital.com
Nurse Manager - Intensive Care Unit (Full-Time)
The Cabell Huntington Hospital Intensive Care Unit provides specialized care for adults with serious
illnesses. We are searching for a top tier, experienced Nurse Manager to lead our ICU team.
We are looking for a take charge candidate with a vision and an understanding of how to provide
unparalleled and uncompromised patient care.
We are entertaining candidates with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and at least three years of Nurse
Manager or ICU experience.
Job Requirements :
BSN degree required
MSN, MHA or MHA degree preferred
Three or more years experience in ICU or as
a Nurse Manager
Certification/Registration:
Current RN license in the state of West Virginia
Maintains required CEU’s for licensure
OCN certification strongly preferred
CPR Certification required
For immediate consideration, please apply online at
Carrie-Meghan Quick-Blanco is the WISE Program Manager at WV FREE.
She also works as a DONA certified birth doula and a certified lactation
counselor (CLC).
www.chhjobs.com
COMMITTED TO
OUTSTANDING
NURSE LEADERSHIP
• Master of Science in Nursing –
Family Nurse Practitioner
• Masters of Science in Nursing/Masters in
Business Administration Dual degree
WVU Hospitals/University Health Associates is currently hiring
Registered Nurses in all specialties and with all levels of experience.
We have full-time, part-time, casual, and per diem positions available.
• Post Masters Certificates available in
Family Nurse Practitioner,
Nursing Education, and Nursing Administration
• Master of Science in Nursing from WVWC
Post-Graduate Certificate in
Nurse-Midwifery from Shenandoah University
The MSN degrees combine online and hybrid course design
with practicum experiences arranged in the student’s home
community. Programs are flexible; students can plan their
own schedules and choose the pace of study.
The West Virginia Wesleyan Master of Science in Nursing
program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission
for Education in Nursing, Inc., (ACEN) (formerly NLNAC).
Contact Graduate Admissions
gradadmission@wvwc.edu l 304.473.8000
• Master of Science in Nursing from WVWC
and a Post-Graduate Certificate for
Psychiatric Mental Health NURSE PRACTITIONER
from Shenandoah University
• Master of Science in Nursing
with a concentration in Nursing Education.
• Master of Science in Nursing with a
concentration in Nursing Administration
 www.wvwc.edu/academics/gradprograms/MSN
We offer a great benefits package that includes:
•
•
•
•
Competitive Pay
Medical/Dental/Vision
Insurance
Shift Differentials
•
•
•
•
Tuition Assistance/Nursing Certifications
RN CEUs Offered On-site
Holiday Pay and Paid Days Off
Retirement Savings Plan
Human Resources Department
Phone: 304-598-4075 or 1-800-453-5708 • Fax: 304-598-4264
wvuhjobs@wvuhealthcare.com
WVU Hospitals is a 531-bed, progressive teaching hospital and Level 1 Trauma
center located in Morgantown. WVUH is dedicated to providing the highest
quality of patient care and creating a positive work environment.
EEO M/F/V/D
February, March, April 2015
West Virginia Nurse
Debra Lopez-Bonasso, BA, MA
In West Virginia, 1 in 6 women and 1 in 22
men will be victims of an attempted or completed
forcible rape in their lifetime. According to the
2010 Census, there are nearly 750,000 women
age 18 or older living in WV. This means that
the estimated number of WV adult women who
have ever been raped is about 125,250. This
prevalence is higher than in many other states,
including New York, Pennsylvania and Texas.
Health care practitioners who respond to
the needs of sexual assault victims, according
to The National Protocol for Sexual Assault
Medical Forensic Examinations, should strive
to ensure that they receive special training and
be clinically prepared to conduct the medical
forensic examination.
The West Virginia Foundation for Rape
Information and Services (WVFRIS), the state
sexual assault coalition, began to address this
training need in 2000 by working to establish
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)
programs in West Virginia. Sexual Assault
Nurse Examiners (SANEs) are registered nurses
who are specially-trained to offer victims prompt,
compassionate care and comprehensive forensic
evidence. This kind of training can reduce the
impact of the trauma experienced by victims
and can ensure that prosecutors have quality
evidence needed to obtain convictions.
After years of work and much collaboration,
WVFRIS is pleased to announce the development
of the West Virginia Sexual Assault Nurse
Examiner (SANE) training program. This 40
hour SANE training coursework is developed
for physicians, advanced practice nurses, nurses
and physician assistants. The SANE training
provides medical personnel with the skills to
assess, evaluate, treat and properly care for
patients that have been sexually assaulted to
ensure that victims of sexual assault receive
quality patient care and comprehensive forensic
evaluations.
The 40 hour training includes information on
how to:
• obtain a relevant medical history from a
sexual assault patient;
• conduct a physical examination specific to
the medical history;
• document injury using photography, body
diagrams and charting;
• collect and preserve forensic samples;
• use the West Virginia State Police Forensic
Laboratory’s
sexual
assault
evidence
collection kit (SAECK);
• provide the patient with prophylactic
medications and/or emergency contraception
for the prevention of sexually transmitted
infections (STIs) and pregnancy;
Page 13
• treat and/or refer the patient for medical
treatment; and
• work as part of a victim-centered,
multidisciplinary response for the patient
who is a victim of sexual assault.
six (6) month time frame, but MUST be
completed within one year following the
SANE training. Details about the clinical
requirements for the SANE can be found by
viewing the:
Since the training was launched at the
end of June, 2014, 78 nurses have registered
for the online course and 38 of those nurses
have completed the two day SANE Classroom
training.
Nurses
participating
represent
Charleston Area Medical Center, Logan Regional
Medical Center, Minnie Hamilton Health Care,
United Hospital Center, Webster Memorial, and
Cabell County Health Department.
The West Virginia Sexual Assault Examiner
(SANE) Training for Adults and Adolescents
has a three-part blended learning format.
The training combines online and classroom
educational methods.
1. 24 Hours of SANE Online Training
- To better accommodate busy schedules, 24
hours of the SANE training can be taken online
for free. It is a self-paced course comprised of
twenty-three units. The entire online portion
of the course takes approximately 24 hours to
complete. All 24 hours of the online coursework
must be completed before beginning the second
phase of the training, which is the 16 hour (2 day)
classroom training.
2. 16 Hours of SANE Classroom Training
- This classroom training will provide practical
application from the online course and will be
facilitated by members of the West Virginia
SANE faculty. The 16 hour (2 day) classroom
training is a requirement for all nurses wishing
to practice as a SANE.
The registration cost for this part of the
training is $150. Nurses will receive 40 contact
hours of continuing education for completion of
the online and the classroom training.
The SANE classroom training will be offered
regionally several times a year in West Virginia
and must have at least 16 nurses registered for
the training to take place as scheduled. Class
size will be limited to 20 participants.
3. 25 Hours of Clinical Requirements
- Demonstration of clinical competence is an
essential part of the SANE training. SANEs
must have 25 hours of clinical practice with
qualified preceptors (physicians, advanced
practice
nurses,
SANE-As
or
physician
assistants)
to
adequately
develop
and
demonstrate the competencies and skills
required in conducting medical forensic exams
and collecting forensic evidence. This work is
done independently by the SANE following the
completed 40 hour training once a preceptor
is selected. It is recommended that these
requirements be completed within a
West Virginia Clinical Requirements for the
Adult/Adolescent SANE Training PDF
To register for the Sexual Assault Nurse
Examiner (SANE) Online Training for Adults
and Adolescents, go to www.wvsasta.org/moodle.
Follow instructions for setting up an account
in the Sexual Assault Services Training
Academy (SASTA). Request access to the SANE
course and finish the registration process by
completing the “SANE Survey.”
When you receive the email confirmation,
activate your SASTA account by clicking on the
link in the email. You will be able to begin the
SANE training after you receive a second email
(within 48 hours) confirming your access to the
online SANE training.
All healthcare providers have a unique
opportunity to help tobacco users
FREE WORKSHOP • FREE CMEs and CEUs
Learn evidence-based practices to advise and counsel patients in tobacco
cessation.
Online registration is required.
• Bridgeport – http://HCPBridgeport2015.doattend.com
o Saturday, March 28, 2015 8:30 am – 12:15 pm @
Bridgeport Conference Center
• Charleston – http://HCPCharleston2015.doattend.com
o Saturday, May 9, 2015 8:30 am – 12:15 pm @
Holiday Inn and Suites, S. Charleston
For additional information contact:
Cinny Kittle at ckittle@wvha.org or 304-419-0899.
Sponsored by: WVDHHR/Division of Tobacco Prevention,
Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and the WV Hospital Association.
For questions and additional information, you
may contact WVFRIS staff:
Bonnie Fields, RN, BS, SANE-A, WV
SANE Project Coordinator
304-685-3159
bfields54@verizon.net
Debra Lopez-Bonasso, BA, MA,
Education/SANE Coordinator 304 366-9508
dlbonasso@aol.com
The West Virginia Online SANE Training
and the Classroom SANE Training Curriculum
were developed with funding provided by the
Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation.
Additional financial support was provided by the
West Virginia Prosecuting Attorneys Institute
(WVPAI) and the West Virginia Women’s
Commission.
Dynamic Career Opportunity
Mildred Mitchell-Bateman Hospital is a 110-bed acute care mental
health facility operated by the West Virginia Department of Health and
Human Resources. We are seeking qualified staff to fill permanent
and temporary positions.
• RNs • LPNs • Health Service Workers (CNA)
• Interpreters for the Deaf
Some of the benefits you will enjoy:
• Paid holidays with incentive for working Thanksgiving, Christmas,
and New Year’s Day
• Accrued sick leave
• Accrued annual leave
• Shift differential for evenings and night shifts
• Education assistance (tuition reimbursement)
• Annual increment pay after 3 years of service
• Public Employees Retirement System
• Comprehensive health insurance plans, including PEIA
• Prescription drug plan and optional dental and vision coverage
• Staff to acuity
Temporary positions do not include benefits.
Interested individuals should contact:
Patricia G. Hamilton, RN BC Chief Nurse Executive
dhhrmmbhhr@wv.gov
1530 Norway Avenue,
Huntington, WV 25709
Phone: 304-525-7801 x 734
Fax: 304-529-6399
www.batemanhospital.org
Mildred Mitchell-Bateman Hospital is a Drug Free Workplace.
Minorities are encouraged to apply. Equal Opportunity Employer.
Page 14
West Virginia Nurse
February, March, April 2015
When Should you Offer Hospice Care?
Chris Zinn, RN, MSc, CHPN
Executive Director of the Hospice Council of West Virginia
Hospice Services include:
• Physician services
• Registered Nurse visits and
case management
• 24-7 on call support and
visits
• Psychosocial Support
• Spiritual support*
• Hospice Aide Visits*
•
•
•
•
•
Trained volunteers*
Physical Therapy*
Dietary Counseling*
Durable Medical Equipment
Medications and supplies
related to the terminal
prognosis
*when needed or requested
Hospice care is a great resource for those who need palliative care, but
when should this be offered? As the public’s most trusted professionals,
nurses need to be able to talk about hospice to patients, family, friends, and
neighbors and know when to refer. As patient advocates, they can support
doctors with difficult conversations about end-of-life care. When offered
at the appropriate time, hospice care can improve quality of life and help
patients remain at home.
According to a survey by the West Virginia Center for End of Life Care
(WVCEOLC), 75% of West Virginians want to be cared for at home or in
a hospice inpatient facility when they are dying. However, many West
Virginians still die in a hospital unless they have hospice support. Less
than 4% of the 10,000 West Virginia hospice patients died in a hospital in
2012. West Virginia’s hospice utilization is 37% of Medicare deaths, 42nd in
the nation, despite an older population with higher morbidity. About 50% of
Medicare deaths are now with hospice in Kanawha, Randolph and Lincoln
counties, but half of all patients are referred less than 4 weeks before death.
There is a great need for nurse advocacy to promote increased utilization and
earlier referrals and to overcome cultural barriers.
People need to know that hospice can take care of people in their
own home or in other settings, such as assisted living, nursing home or
hospice facilities. The care provided is personalized, coordinated and
interdisciplinary.
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE
NOW AVAILABLE!
Raleigh General Hospital is currently seeking
full-time RNs. Areas of specialty include
Med/Surg, Critical Care, Women’s Services,
Emergency Care & Cardiac Cath Lab. We
offer competitive salaries and benefits
along with a patient centered family
atmosphere.
Located in Beckley, the largest city
in Southern WV, which boasts major
shopping centers, restaurants,
museums and galleries. Beckley
is also an outdoorsman’s
paradise offering whitewater
rafting, hunting, fishing,
climbing, hiking, camping,
horseback riding, mountain
biking and photography.
Apply on-line at
www.raleighgeneral.com
The whole family is the unit of care and receives support and education
to help patients achieve their goals. Respite and inpatient care may be part
of the plan of care. Medicare and Medicaid have special hospice benefits
and most insurance covers hospice. Some private insurance companies have
established advanced illness programs that cover earlier hospice support.
However, most hospice benefits can only be accessed when a physician
certifies that the patient has a prognosis of less than six months if the illness
follows its expected course. The question ‘Would you be surprised if this
patient died in six months?’ can help providers determine eligibility. When
patients have cancer, determination of a terminal prognosis may be more
predictable. Hospice should be offered when curative treatment is no longer
beneficial.
There are eligibility guidelines for many non-malignant diseases, such
as Alzheimer’s disease, heart failure, COPD, ALS, cirrhosis and end-stage
renal disease. Some of the general guidelines that may predict poor prognosis
include uncontrolled symptoms, frequent hospitalizations, weight loss,
nutritional problems and a decline in the ability to perform activities of daily
living. Sometimes elderly patients have multiple co-morbidities that lead
to a terminal prognosis. Prognostication is not an exact science. If patients
remain terminally ill, they can continue to receive hospice care for as long
as this is needed. A significant number of hospice patients are discharged
because they have improved and are no longer considered to be terminally ill.
They can be readmitted to a hospice program if their condition declines.
When communicating with patients, it may be helpful to tell them that
hospice does not make death come any sooner and that some patients do
improve with attentive holistic care. Patients may live longer with improved
quality of life and are less likely to be hospitalized. Hospice can also improve
quality of life for the family and bereavement care is provided after the
patient dies. Since the health of caregivers can be adversely affected by grief,
this care and support is vital.
Anyone can make a hospice referral and the hospice will then contact the
attending physician to get approval. During the initial hospice assessment,
eligibility is determined, informed consent is obtained and an initial care
plan is established. The right time to refer may be different for everyone, but
the important thing is to make sure people know they have a right to this
support. Too many people write ‘I wish we had known about hospice sooner’
on satisfaction surveys. Honest information gives patients more control and
choice and nurses must advocate for this.
For a map of Hospice Council of West Virginia providers, contact
information and other resources visit www.hospicecouncilofwv.org.
Information for patients and families can also be found at the National
Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s new website www.momentsof
life.org.
Chris Zinn is a certified hospice & palliative care nurse (CHPN) with a
Masters in Palliative care. She is a WVNA and HPNA member who worked
with Kanawha Hospice Care, Inc as a hospice nurse for 30 years and was the
first administrator of the Hubbard Hospice House. As director of the state
hospice organization, she represents WV hospices on the Advisory Board
of WVCEOLC and the National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization’s
Council of States.
February, March, April 2015
West Virginia Nurse
Membership News
Please complete and return to:
West Virginia Nurses Association
PO Box 1946
Charleston, West Virginia 25327
(f) 304-414-3369
Page 15
CHIP Running Out
of Federal Funds
WVNA/ANA Membership Application
Contact Information
Payment Plans
Employed Full Time $288.00 Transfer*
Employed Part Time $24.50
Renate Pore
West Virginians for Affordable Health Care
The highly popular West Virginia Children’s
Health Insurance Program is in danger of losing
its funding unless Congress acts before September
2015. CHIP provides coverage to uninsured
children, whose families earn as much as 300
percent of the Federal Poverty Level. Since its
enactment more than 185,000 West Virginia
children have been covered by the program. This
year, CHIP will cover about 25,000 children. The
federal government has always provided generous
funding for WVCHIP up to 82 percent of the total
cost of the program.
CHIPs funding, however, will end next
September unless Congress acts to extend
the program. More than 26 West Virginia
organizations including the West Virginia
Nurses Association have asked our Congressional
delegation to do everything they can to extend
CHIP funding. In the past, CHIP has had
bipartisan support, and we hope that will be the
case this time.
While the Nurses Association has asked the
West Virginia Congressional Delegation to support
continued CHIP funding, our representatives
need to hear from each one of us. I urge all
West Virginia nurses to contact our current
congressional delegation, and if nothing
happens to repeat the contact in the next
Congress. A simple post card or email through
the congressional websites saying that “I want
you to support refunding of the Children’s Health
Insurance Program,” can make a big difference.
Do it today. You can find the email message
system on each representatives’ website. It’s
especially important to contact Representatives
Capito and McKinley and Senator Manchin.
Your action can make a difference in the life of
a child.
PAYMENT DETAILS
$288.00 (Full) $149.00 (State Only)
Protecting Your Career Is Our Job
We have a long history of representing
professionals who are licensed by the state
of West Virginia and experience a claim that
could result in either a loss of license or
professional discipline.
Visit: www.mcqueendavis.com or
Contact Us for a Consultation 304.522.1344
www.nursingALD.com
RN’s who work or live in $151.00 Transfer*
Your online resource
for nursing jobs,
research, and events.
Find your dream
job today!
Page 16
West Virginia Nurse
February, March, April 2015
Apply Now to the Online RN to BSN Program
At Bluefield State College
Applications accepted until April 15th
❖ Join the “Future of Nursing” & obtain your BSN
❖ Optional “Boot Camp” days with faculty to enhance learning
❖ Individual counseling/close contact with faculty
❖ Affordable 3 or 4 semester plan
❖ 120 hours for completion of BSN Degree
Fully Accredited by:
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 887-6791
For further information & to
apply online:
www.bluefieldstate.edu
or email/call Director
bpritchett@bluefieldstate.edu
(304) 327-4139
www.bluefieldstate.edu