From the hospital side of things...

Skillful. Efficient. Compassionate. That's how I see nurses.

As the marketing communications manager of AONE, my life is played out in an office environment and not in a clinical setting. However, I recently had an outpatient surgical procedure that put me on the hospital side of things. That's right ladies and gents, I had a bunionectomy!

Those who know me know I am squeamish and a big baby when it comes to anything medical-related - just ask my colleagues! Having worked at AONE in the company of strong and formidable nurse leaders, I thought... OK, now I will see the front line of nurses in action... and I can report back my experience.

My foot surgeon and anesthesiologist were assisted by a scrub nurse and rotating nurse, both of whom ROCKED! From the moment I arrived, they were totes compassionate and calmed my nerves. I watched Nina, my scrub nurse, prepping my foot with efficiency and careful attention- not one movement was superfluous! Stephanie, my rotating nurse, also moved with precision, and at one point tricked me into a conversation as the anesthesiologist inserted the IV into my hand. Ah, the power of diversion!

All in all, through prep, surgery and recovery, I knew I was in capable and expert hands because of these awesome nurses!

I know this blog isn't groundbreaking or anything you didn't know, but I wanted to share my experience and take the opportunity to say thanks to all the nurses in my life- for all that you do.

So... how do YOU see nurses? If you have a similar story of appreciation you would like to share, please send my way to efrancque@aha.org and I'd love to pass along to the AONE membership.

Have a great day! Eric

Cuts to Title VIII Nursing Programs

The House of Representatives is currently finalizing the FY 2011 appropriations process. Under consideration is a Continuing Resolution (CR), H.R. 1, which the House Appropriations Committee introduced on February 11, 2011. As the largest cut to discretionary funding for the federal government in history, this CR would reduce spending by over $100 billion from the President’s FY 2011 budget request.

Of importance to you, the CR cuts the Nursing Workforce Development Programs and Health Professions Programs (Title VII, Public Health Service Act) by $145.1 million, a 29% decrease in funding over FY 2010 levels. Additionally, the CR proposes a reduction of nearly $1 billion for the National Institutes of Health, which includes the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR).

Members of Congress must hear from the Nurse Executive Community and aspiring nurse leaders that they must protect funding for Title VIII and NINR given their unique benefits to America’s healthcare system.The vote on H.R. 1 will set the stage for future budget debates. If proposed cuts to FY 2011 are enacted, nursing education and research will be jeopardized and it will take years to recover.

Please take a few moments between now and Thursday, February 17, 2011 to send a message to your Representative asking them to preserve the federal investment in health, and in particular nursing. Most importantly, personalizing the message with mention of the hospital, system or place of employment and how cuts to the workforce programs could affect you. As an example (Did your hospital receive money through the Title VIII programs for nurse retention, grants or scholarships or loan forgiveness, did you or someone on your staff finish a Masters, or APRN training because of federal dollars?

Click the link below to log in and send your message:
http://www.votervoice.net/core.aspx?aid=1309&issueid=23810&atid=18355&siteid=0&app=GAC&isvisited=false

"Oh what a beautiful mornin'..."

"Oh what a beautiful day! I've got a beautiful feelin', ev'rything's goin' my way."

I'm not sure why, but ever since I was about ten this is the song that always pops into my head when the weather is nice and I'm feeling excited about something. Perhaps it's the inner "ham" inside me who was always willing to belt out show tunes to annoy my older sister in front of her friends, or the vivid technicolor genius that is the set design of Oklahoma. Well, whatever it is, the weather has been chilly here in DC this winter, and while we haven't had the snow we did last year, I've been feeling the winter blues a little more than normal.

Today changed all that. It was sunny this afternoon and 50 degrees. I'm not getting my hopes up about spring yet, but it was just enough sunshine and warmth to pull me out of my slump a bit and put an added spring in my step. And, while that spring was fresh and bouncy I decided to channel it into working on our plans for AONE's 44th Annual Meeting and Exposition coming up in just two short months. I headed into the office on this sunny Sunday afternoon to put the finishing touches on some items including our menu selections for the meeting, the onsite program that has to go to the printer soon, and rounding up all the stray questions I've received about registration, housing, speaking, sponsorships and more. I made it through a ton of emails and my desk is looking more organized than it has in about six months.

Though part of me can't believe it is only two months away and is begging for just a little more time, the other part is bursting with excitement to see all of our plans laid out for you - the AONE membership. I think you'll really enjoy some of the surprises we have planned for you in San Diego! But, you'll have to be there to know what they are, so register now if you haven't already. You don't want to miss it.

www.aone.org/annualmeeting

"There's a bright golden haze on the meadow..."

-Jessi
Director of Education

Greetings from AONE Chapter Leader Meeting

Great morning at the chapter meeting in Charleston, SC! AONE past president Donna Herrin-Griffith opened the meeting and welcomed the 52 chapter leaders in attendance. AONE president Pam Rudisill gave a quick overview of the AONE work done in 2010. A detailed report will besent to all members later in dec. Pam's report is a wonderful celebration of all AONE has done in 2010!

Jo Ann Webb, AONE senior director of federal relations and policy, gave a presentation of things that will (or will not) be addressed in the current lame duck congress. The new Congress will provide opportunities and potental problems the nursing field will face in 2011.

Right now we are in the middle of a panel disucssion "Solutions to Patient Ratios" w/ representatives from CT, IL, NV, OH and WA.

Looking forward to the rest of the afternoon and tomorrow. (and lunch!)

Regards,

Alyse Kittner
AONE membership manager

Leaving India

We are on the bus heading back to Delhi from Agra. We have been graced with such great weather for our whole trip. Everywhere we went people said how great it was to have us, as we brought good weather with us. Last night it started to rain. This morning it cleared up for exactly two hours so we could visit the Taj. Now we are on the bus to the airport and there is a downpour.

It is making the drive a bit bumper, much muddier and a lot longer. But I look at this as a positive omen. India wants us to stay.

We have met wonderful nurses and doctors and seen the amazing work they are doing. We have been able to learn from each other and are working to establish longer partnerships. We have done things I never thought I would, like riding an auto rickshaw, known locally as a Tuktuk.


So many of the customs in India may seem antiquated or just superstition. But there are not – they are rooted in truth and reason. Cows lay in middle of the road because the traffic keeps the flies away. One reason why some men wear turbans with a long tail down the back is because when they ride horses it can be used to cover their mouth. And I truly believe it is raining now because India wants us today.

Is it coincidence or destiny? As it was said on the first day of our trip – it was destiny, because nothing happens without a purpose.

Forever and for everyone

We all know the Taj Mahal as an amazing feat of architecture and one of the seven wonders of the world. But, in spite of its size, views of the Taj sneak up on you. Our first night in Agra, we visited the Red Fort of Agra. It was just before closing, but our guide took time to explain all of the ways the fort was protected. From a moat filled with alligators to (what I call) the Indiana Jones’ ball that can be rolled down main entrance, it is a spectacular. After we were lead us through the entrance, very causally he said, “And to your right, you can see the Taj Mahal.”

Wow.

The Taj is an amazing building, but the story is even more amazing. The Mughal emperor, Shah Jehan’s wife Mumtaz Mahal had a dream she was going to die in child birth. So, she made Shah Jehan promise three things:

1. To never marry again
2. To take care of her parents
3. To build her a special mausoleum.

He kept all three. His love for his wife lead him to spend the next 22 years building the Taj Mahal. Everything is perfectly symmetrical and painstakingly handmade. The designs on the walls are not just for decoration. They are meant to show that all are welcomed. Religious symbols from Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, and Judaism can be found. What is written across the entrance is the phrase, “Forever, for everyone.”

Shah Jehan wanted to build an exact copy of the Taj across the river as his mausoleum. But, his son imprisoned him in the Fort and only the foundation was laid. Shah Jehan was only able to view the Taj from his room at the Red Fort, the Jasmine Room.

The Taj Mahal is Forever and For everyone.

Visiting SMS Hospital - guest post

Carol Reineck contributes again -

A patient was brought in the front door of SMS Hospital on a steel stretcher. He was one of 4,000 patients seen that day in the government hospital in Jaipur. We were met by Dr Randawat, Deputy Superintendent and Chief of Surgery. We toured triage where patients were sorted by age. Most patients were high risk OB with anemia. The principal admitting diagnosis, though, was cardiac. We removed our shoes in the ICU where we saw high technology monitoring and ventilators. Most of the nurse managers were male, but opportunities and recognition for women are increasing.



The school of nursing was a few blocks away. The director, a Psych Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), met us in the classroom. She explained the various levels of program, including those of the maters and doctoral levels. She stated that tuition in the government school is all paid by the government. She mentioned their faculty shortage and that there are plenty of clinical experience in the hospital. Their students do not need to use labs for practice in the school.

The overwhelming volume of patients was accompanied by an equal abundance of patience, hope, and gratitude among those receiving compassionate care.