October, 2003
Dear SWOSNA Members,
As I
reflect on how school nursing began and where it is today, I quickly realize
that the school nursing profession must be one of the most dynamic and
ever-changing positions that exist. Perhaps
it is due to the independent and self-directed qualities that all school nurses
share, the changing socio-economic status and cultural diversity of the school
populations we serve, or the multitude of environmental factors that affect our
delivery of health care. For whatever
reason, it is starkly apparent that school nursing is on the move, fast, and
forward. The old phrase of “moving at a
snail’s pace” is definitely not applicable to school nursing.
Because of
this, we need to know how to look out not only for ourselves but for the
professional as a whole. For those of
you who missed the last general meeting, LaTonia Denise Wright addressed the
issues of risk management, the importance of self-protection in the nursing
world, and where and how the Ohio Board of Nursing works. As healthcare
professionals we need to be not only street savvy but legally astute and
familiar with nursing law and policies.
Involvement in nursing leadership is necessary so that issues such as
delegation, negligence, and professional boundaries are clear. Familiarity with
the workplace and it’s co-relationships with the entire educational team are
mandatory.
School
nursing legislation is something that few of us are comfortable with but
something that impacts each and every one of us. Representative Kevin DeWine spoke with SWOSNA last year about the
necessity of school nurse involvement on school boards and legislative
committees. This is not an idle message – it is imperative to our profession’s
survival. Find some way to get involved
to support your profession no matter how small or incidental you may feel it
might be. Your contribution is what
counts!
Personally,
I love working on the SWOSNA board whether it is in the front lines or behind
the scenes. It offers me a variety of
ways to help strengthen the organization.
In a few months, a sub-committee will be working on updating the
constitution and by-laws of the organization.
This is an important task as it provides the backbone of the
organization. Just as we face new and
different issues daily in our work environments, the constitution and by-laws
need to be current to guide us through our changing times as an organization.
We can no
longer sit back and watch the view from our window. We can’t let the school down the street make their changes
alone. We can’t accept the feeling of
contentment when we ignore the changes that are necessary. Do something. Only by doing will you keep up and on top of things. Push forward, meet the challenges to improve
your professional integrity, and strive to be the best you can be!!!
ATTENTION ALL SWOSNA MEMBERS
Your organization needs your help! Take advantage of the opportunity to network with other nurses,
learn something new, and have some fun!
SWOSNA needs persons willing to help on the Executive
Board. Next year we will have openings
for two positions: President-Elect, and
OASN Representative.
The President-Elect
is primarily responsible for arranging meeting locations and speakers, and then
serves as President the following year.
The OASN
Representative serves as a liaison between the SWOSNA and the Ohio
Association of School Nurses. This is a
two-year position.
If you don’t think one of these positions is the right fit
for you, consider helping out on one of our committees. We need an Historian, as well as assistance with Ways and Means, and Public
Relations. Step up and lend a
hand to keep your organization going strong.
Need more detailed information about these positions go to
our website, www.SWOSNA.org, or call
Shelli Turco @ 513-863-6849, email: sturco@three-rivers.org
Ways and Means
By: Jan Hornung
The Ways and Means table
at the September 18, 2003 meeting did very well. Table sales were $247.50
and SWOSNA's share of the 50/50 raffle was $85.00 making a grand total of
$332.50. Thanks to everyone for shopping at the table.
At the November meeting, we will have more denim shirts and fleece
cardigans. We will also be selling Paradise tea which is sold at the
Cheesecake Factory plus we will have some other surprises! Plan on
stopping by and checking us out.
SWOSNA PROPOSED BUDGET
FOR 2003-2004
By: Kathy Beekman
AUDIT…………………………………………………..$100.00
PROGRAMS…………………………………………...$700.00
GENERAL MEETING CONTINUING EDUCATION
CREDIT FEE…………………………………………..$225.00
SUPPLIES AND PRINTING…………………………$1000.00
PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS……………………….$1000.00
PUBLIC RELATIONS…………………………………$1000.00
PHONE AND POSTAGE……………………………..$500.00
EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP……………………$500.00
MISCELLANEOUS……………………………………$1000.00
TOTAL………………………………………………….$6025.00
OASN Report
By: Kathy O'Dell RN,M.Ed,NCSN
The OASN board meets on Nov. 1 in Columbus & I will have
a detailed report available at the Nov. 11 SWOSNA meeting.
It's time for us to give serious thought to nominating a SW
nurse for 2003 Ohio School Nurse of the Year! Be thinking of someone in
our ranks who is employed full-time as a school nurse with more than 50% of
her/his time involved in direct care, has at least 5 years experience as a
school nurse, has been an OASN member for at least 2 years and has evidence of
excellence in school nursing practice based on current NASN School Nursing
Practice Roles and Standards.
The applicant must be involved in the application process in
order to meet the NASN Practice Roles and Standards requirement which involves
evidence of excellent practice.
I have
School Nurse of the Year applications & can be contacted via email
odellgw@wesnet.com. I will also have them available at the Nov. 11
meeting.
I will also
have copies of the "Guide to School Nursing in Ohio" 2002 revised
edition available at the meeting on Nov. 11. They can be purchased at the
meeting for $12 for OASN members or $15 for non-OASN members. They can be
mailed to you for an additional $3 for postage.
I also hope to have the 'right' suitcase with me at our next
meeting which will have OASN saleable items including Cherish the Children
sweatshirts, Cherish the children aprons, Cherish the Children sterling silver
jewelry, aromatic Hugs, and Americana nursing blankets.
Updated
“Open Airways For Schools” Kit
There is
the Curriculum book (with six 40-minute lessons), an instructor's guide, a
poster book (in English and Spanish) and a CD ROM with the bilingual parent
letters and child handouts in printable format.
The most significant and timely change you will notice is that the asthma
medications/management guidelines have been updated in order to reflect the
current NAEPP guidelines. All references to "deep cough" have been
removed from the steps to good asthma management, as this is no longer
considered sound medical advice. In addition, it has been completely
re-illustrated, the text of the handouts have been simplified to accommodate
parents with lower literacy skills and sections devoted to asthma triggers, use
of peak flow meters and use of an asthma action plan have been added.
The
American Lung Association Open Airways for Schools curriculum is available
through National Publications. The price is $19.39 per kit. To order, please
call their Customer Service Line at 800-292-5542. Discard old copies.
You must
have attended a formal OAS training to order a “new” kit. Anyone who has
not been trained in the program can go to www.ohiolung.org, click on workshops,
then click on asthma, and you will find registration information for the
training. You can contact
Emily Lee (ELee@ohiolung.org) early in November for more information.
UPCOMING DATES
SWOSNA GENERAL MEETINGS
Tuesday, November 18,
2003
Wednesday, April 21,
2004
OASN ANNUAL CONFERENCE
March 25 - 27, 2004
Independence, OH
NASN
Annual Conference
July 11-14, 2004
Seattle, Washington
Stay tuned to www.nasn.org
for more information
RESOURCES TO CHECK OUT
National
Health Observances at a glance.
http://www.healthfinder.gov/library/nho/nho.asp for daily, monthly, yearly health observances devoted to
promoting particular health concerns. A
great way to keep your staff up-to-date on health issues.
May is Asthma Awareness month and World
Asthma Day is 5/6. There is a planning kit available which can be downloaded
from: www.epa.gov/asthma
April7-13
is National Public Health Week and this year's theme is overweight and obesity.
Check out their website: www.apha.org/
The
American Academy of Pediatrics and the Agency for Healthcare Research and
Quality has released a patient fact sheet, "20 Tips to Help Prevent
Medical Errors in Children." Available at: www.ahrq.gov/consumer/20tipkid.pdf
Communication
Activity:
Can you use
short (1-2 syllable) words or brief phrases rather than multi-syllabic words to
help readers get your message. Next to
each word, write an easier word of phrase that has the same or similar meaning.
- Recommendation:______________________
- Anti-inflammatory:_____________________
- Deficiency:___________________________
- Administer:___________________________
- Demonstrate:__________________________
- Contact:______________________________
- Diagnosis:____________________________
- Aspiration:____________________________
- Screening:_____________________________
If you had
difficulty thinking of easier words to communicate your message, COME TO OUR
GENERAL MEETING IN NOVEMBER. We will be
talking about how to communicate health related messages to people who aren’t
familiar with health terminology.
Just a Note About the September Meeting:
Thank you
to everyone who attended the General Meeting on September 18th. We had a wonderful turn out- our highest
attendance in recent years!
Unfortunately, the discussion of HIPAA issues that was advertised as
part of the evening did not occur. We
were disappointed about the omission.
However, in an attempt to serve our members, we will be giving HIPAA and
FERPA resource references in the newsletter, and posting the references (and
some articles) on the website at www.swosna.org. Please feel free to contact any of the
Executive Board members if you have further questions, concerns, or comments
about HIPAA or our General Meeting.
Thank you for your understanding.
DON’T FORGET:
If you register for and attend both the September and
November General Meetings your name will be entered in a drawing to receive one
of two fully paid OASN Conference registrations. The OASN conference is scheduled for March 26th and 27th.
“School Nurses, Making the
Difference
For Ohio's School Children”
March 26 - 27, 2004, Embassy Suites
Cleveland Area I-77 @ Rockside Road, Independence, Ohio.
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“Cameos of Caring”
Award Criteria and Nomination Requirements
Ellen Rudy, Dean of Pittsburgh School of
Nursing, started Cameos of Caring in 1999 to recognize the “unsung heroes” on
the front lines of health care. After reading about the recognition program in
2000, Dean Patricia Martin of Wright State University was certain that Miami
Valley Health Care agencies would participate in a gala to honor their
outstanding bedside nurses. To date,
Wright State University has held three “Cameos of Caring” galas-raising over
$40,000 toward nursing scholarships.
Last year marked the first year of SWOSNA’s
participation in the nomination of one of our members for the ““Cameos of
Caring”” award. On October 11, 2003,
Sandy Mills received this prestigious award at the ““Cameos of Caring”” gala at
Wright State University. Her family and
several other SWOSNA members supported her as she accepted her award.
It is time to begin the SWOSNA nomination
process for this year’s ““Cameos of Caring”” award recipient. The award nominee must meet the following
criteria:
o A
current SWOSNA member
o Demonstrates
competent understanding of the art and science of nursing and has a strong
desire to use this knowledge to improve patient care.
o Exhibits
a commitment to consistent clinical decision-making and excellent nursing care.
o Advocates
for patients and families.
o Encourages
and motivates others and is recognized as a role model for the profession of
nursing.
If you are interested in submitting a SWOSNA
member for consideration for the ““Cameos of Caring”” award, please submit a
written letter to the SWOSNA board detailing how your nominee meets the above
criteria. In order that the board
can give careful consideration to all nominees, your letter must be submitted
to the board no later than January 30, 2004.
Please submit your letter via:
E-mail:
webmaster@swosna.org
Postal mail: Juliet
Kolde
325
Indian Lake Drive
Maineville,
Ohio 45039
Fax: 513-699-6964
The board will vote on this year’s candidate
from the nominations received. The
award recipient will be announced at the SWOSNA General meeting in April 2004.
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
SWOSNA
NOVEMBER MEETING
Have you ever been frustrated trying to communicate to teachers, administrators and parents? Do you want some strategies to help you communicate better? Then come to our meeting!
DATE: Tuesday, November 18, 2003
PLACE: Chantrell’s Restaurant, 20 Commercial Way,
Springboro, OH 45066.
Phone: (937) 743-6073
Directions from the
South: Take I-75 N to Exit #38, the Route 73/Springboro
exit. Turn RIGHT (East) off the exit
ramp. Turn RIGHT on SHARTS RD. (1st
light off exit). Follow SHARTS until
you see the Chantrell’s Sign on the right.
Turn RIGHT onto COMMERCIAL WAY.
Directions from the
North: Take I-75 S to Exit #38,
the Route 73/Springboro exit. Turn LEFT
(East) off the Exit Ramp. Turn RIGHT on
SHARTS RD (2nd light off exit).
Follow SHARTS until you see the Chantrell’s Sign on the right. Turn RIGHT onto COMMERCIAL WAY.
PROGRAM: Dr. Sandra Cornett, RN, Ph.D., Director of
Health Literacy program for Ohio State University.
Topic: How to Communicate to Non-Health
Professionals About Health Issues
·
Learn about “health illiteracy” problems.
·
Explore solutions to help School Nurses
communicate with parents and other adults about health issues.
CEU’s offered to members
at no extra charge. Non-members may get
CEU’s for $5.00
This offering is pending
approval of the Ohio Board of Nursing through the OBN Approver Unit at the
University of Cincinnati, College of Nursing (OBN-001-93).
TIME: 4:30-5:15 Business
Meeting
5:15-6:00 Dinner
6:00-7:15 Program
MENU: Sliced Pork Loin with Rosemary Sauce, served
with risotto, and vegetable medley or Vegetarian Lasagna. Both entrees served with tossed salad with
Ranch, French or Italian dressing, Rolls and Butter, Black Forest Cake,
Non-Alcoholic Beverage Bar (coffee, tea, and soft drinks included).
COST: $20.00
per person. Mail reservation form
and check (made payable to SWOSNA for the proper amount) by November 10, 2003
to:
Lauren
Brown
6528
Karincrest Dr.
Liberty
Township, OH 45044
(We regret that
we are unable to accept ANY reservations that are not accompanied by payment.)
Name:
_______________________________________________________________________________
Address:____________________________________________________ Phone:___________________
# of Dinners x
$20.00=_________ #CEU (Non-members
only)_______x $5.00=_________
Menu choice: Roast
Pork Loin________ Vegetarian
Lasagna_______
Total Amount
Enclosed _____________
(Make checks payable to SWOSNA)