Kansas Parish Nurse Ministry, Inc.

11th Annual State Parish Nurse Conference

2008-11-03T20:39:00.002-06:00

Another successful conference is now in the past. Again, the results were wonderful. Our conference is a combination of education, nurturing, spiritual retreat, and networking. The speakers were outstanding and left us wanting more. Having my friend Leonie from Australia was another treat. I'll try to get some pictures posted (as soon as I get them from the photographer).

The National Nurse office

2008-09-22T09:05:00.002-05:00

Kansas Parish Nurse Ministry has joined this effort and is supportive of this campaign!! See the letter below from another nurse blogger:

Unbeknownst to many Americans, a grassroots campaign to create an Office of the National Nurse has been underway for several years. While many in the nursing community recognize that the Surgeon General plays an important role in managing and overseeing the health and health education of the nation, it is also recognized that nurses are woefully underrepresented when it comes to our national priorities vis-a-vis healthcare and prevention.With a global nursing shortage in full swing at this pivotal historical time, we still see that neither presidential candidate in the current race fully acknowledges (or plans to adequately address) the shortage and its potentially devastating effects on the health and healthcare of the country. Many involved in the campaign to create an Office of the National Nurse feel that the office "would strengthen efforts by nurses in every community to assist in initiating a nationwide shift to prevention to yield improved health outcomes" nationwide.Since 1871, the Surgeon General of the United States---the nation's "chief health educator"---has overseen and guided the health of Americans. Charged with overseeing the U.S. Public Health Service, the Surgeon General is appointed by the President and approved by Congress for a four-year term. According to the official website of the Surgeon General, this individual's duties include, but are not limited, to:
Protect and advance the health of the Nation through educating the public, advocating for effective disease prevention and health promotion programs and activities, and, providing a highly recognized symbol of national commitment to protecting and improving the public's health
Articulate scientifically based health policy analysis and advice to the President and the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) on the full range of critical public health, medical, and health system issues facing the nation
Provide leadership in promoting special Departmental health initiatives, e.g., tobacco and HIV prevention efforts, with other governmental and non-governmental entities, both domestically and internationally
Administer the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) Commissioned Corps, which is a uniquely expert, diverse, flexible, and committed career force of public health professionals who can respond to both current and long-term health needs of the Nation
Provide leadership and management oversight for PHS Commissioned Corps involvement in Departmental emergency preparedness and response activities
Elevate the quality of public health practice in the professional disciplines through the advancement of appropriate standards and research priorities, and
Fulfill statutory and customary departmental representational functions on a wide variety of federal boards and governing bodies of non-Federal health organizations, including the Board of Regents of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, the National Library of Medicine, the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States, and the American Medical Association.From a nurse's perspective, what is missing from the Surgeon General's overall equation is the more robust input of a nurse who would serve more as an equal to the Surgeon General in terms of his or her ability to effect and implement healthcare policy in the interest of the American people. At this time, the U.S. Public Health Chief Nurse Officer (CNO) serves as Assistant Surgeon General, representing the Surgeon General's interests and opinions, and otherwise working in a subjugated role that the medical community might deem fit for a nurse.The goal of the organizations and individuals behind the drive for an Office of the National Nurse is "to elevate and enhance the Office of the PHS Chief Nurse to bring more visibility to the critical role nursing occupies in promoting, protecting, and advancing the nation's health."The proposed role of the National Nurse would be to:
Assist in the initiation of a nationwide cultural shift to prevention.
Bolster efforts to focus the public on healthy living.
Intensify roles for nurses, including students and retirees, in community health promotion.
Provide greater support to the Surgeon General in calling for improvements in health literacy and reduction in health disparities.
Encourage all nurses to spread prevention messages in their communities.
Encourage participation of nurses in Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) units.
Provide leadership to network with existing volunteer health promotion efforts.
Strengthen linkages with providers, nursing programs, and public health leadership.
Serve as a visible national spokesperson for professional nursing.
Increase public awareness of nursing roles and contributions.
Enhance nursing recruitment and education throughout all communities.
Support and justify additional funding for nursing education, research and service.The National Nurse would work to slow the growth of preventable diseases; promote health awareness, increase health literacy, and reduce health disparities; promote health careers and increased resources; enhance visibility and public recognition of nursing.It is the opinion of many involved in the call for the establishment of the Office of the National Nurse that it is time for nursing to have a seat at the nation's healthcare table. While some might argue that the aforementioned Chief Nurse Officer of the U.S. Department of Public Health already adequately fulfills that role, most still see that role as one of subservience to the Surgeon General rather than one of professional equality. Just as nurses are rarely consulted by the media for their expert opinions vis-a-vis the various challenges faced by the nation and its beleaguered healthcare system, the government also fails to fully utilize nursing's unique and crucial input to the fullest extent possible, in the interest of the health and well-being of the American people.The establishment of the Office of the National Nurse would set a new standard for a more accurate and realistic recognition of nursing's importance to health and healthcare in the United States. If the federal government enthusiastically and publicly embraced nursing, making its crucial contributions crystal clear, perhaps the public, the media and the private sector would all then have a greater understanding of, and appreciation for, the multitudinous ways in which nursing impacts the health of millions of Americans.Most importantly, however, the establishment of this office would certainly bring an important voice even more strongly to the ongoing conversation about health and health care in America. A National Nurse could, in effect, deliver a unified message of preventive health at a time when millions of Americans---including millions of children---live without health insurance or access to regular primary care. At a time of crisis and uncertainty vis-a-vis the health of the country, the Office of the National Nurse could very well be a welcome, stabilizing and empowering voice of reason and prevention.I fully support the drive to establish such an office, and hold out hope that a new administration will recognize nursing's contributions to the health of the nation, and give thoughtful consideration to an idea whose time has come.
Labels: Office of the National Nurse, Value Care-Value Nurses
posted by Keith, RN at 9/20/2008 08:38:00 PM 2 comments links to this post

CDC helping children with diabetes

2008-09-18T09:05:00.000-05:00

The animation series of the Eagle Books is available as a full featured DVD. You can see the basic animation on the internet at http://www.cdc.gov/cdctv. There is also a spotlight feature at http://www.cdc.gov/Features/VideoBooks/EagleBooks.html. The Eagle Books are a set- of- four books that show children ages 4-9 the joys of healthy lifestyles through physical activity and healthy eating with practicing traditional ways and looking to the wisdom of their elders. The books were originally created for American Indian children to prevent type 2 diabetes but have had remarkable cross cultural. Other materials include teacher’s guide and coloring books. One complimentary set of the Eagle Books are available at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/pubs/diabetes.aspx now, and one complimentary DVD will be available for order at that site after Mid September 2008. Bulk quantities can be purchased through http://bookstore.phf.org or by calling 202-218-4400 . Indian health Service (IHS), Urban Indian Health and Tribal Programs can order the Eagle Books and DVDs at no charge from the IHS online ordering system at http://www.ihs.gov/MedicalPrograms/diabetes/resources/rde/index.cfm?module=catalog.

UNSTOPPABLE

2008-09-05T09:34:00.002-05:00

When a group of two hundred executives were asked what makes a person successful, eighty percent listed enthusiasm as the most important quality. More important than skill. More important than training. Even more important than experience.

Before water will produce enough steam to power an engine, it must boil. The steam engine won't move a train an inch until the steam gauge registers 212 degrees. Likewise, the person without enthusiasm is trying to move the machinery of life with lukewarm water. Only one thing will happen: that person will stall.

A. B. Zu Tavern asserts that enthusiasm is electricity in the battery. It's the vigor in the air. It's the warmth in the fire. It's the breath in all things alive. Successful people are enthusiastic about what they do. "Good work is never done in cold blood," he says, "heat is needed to forge anything. Every great achievement is the story of a flaming heart."You may have all of the skill, training and experience you've ever need. Add enthusiasm to those assets and you will be truly unstoppable!-- Steve Goodier - www.LifeSupportSystem.com

2008-08-29T17:50:00.003-05:00

Conference brochures went in the mail today! Get your registrations in soon so you are eligible for a free massage at the conference. We have wonderful speakers again this year. Our conference combines the best of education and inspiration. Please join us! Go to our website to see the complete brochure: www.KansasParishNurseMinistry.org If you want a paper brochure please contact me and I will send one.

2008-08-23T23:18:00.001-05:00

August 2008 educators from across the country gathered in St. Louis, MO for a retreat for the current faculty educators and education for new faculty members. It is always fun renewing friendships and sharing ideas. I will update you later about the number of "woman" hours that have been spent educating nurses over the years.

2008-08-23T20:57:00.003-05:00

June 2008 Interfaith Health & Wellness (sponsored by Catholic Charities) Basic Prep Class in West Palm Beach, FL. We had our dedication service on the beach per request of the students. It was awesome! What a wonderful group of parish nurses this group will make.

2008-08-23T15:58:00.000-05:00

Welcome to our new blog site! Hopefully lots of up and coming information can be shared about what is going on and how you and your congregation can participate.

For beginners, I have good news! We are officially a 501(c)3 now. What does this mean? It means that we are a nonprofit organization that can accept tax exempt gifts (so if you or your congregation wants to write us in your will that would be acceptable); it means we can mail at much cheaper rates; plus many more advantages. It also means that we must financially support ourselves. One way we do this is through memberships that are $100 per year. Memberships give you discounted rates for many of our educational events -- plus you know that you are helping support an organization that is devoted to spreading this ministry in the state of Kansas. If you need help in starting a program there is someone to call. If your congregation needs ideas or is struggling with a particular issue, again, there is someone to call.

Welcome to our blog. I look forward to hearing from many of you.