
	Wishing everyone a healthy, prosperous and successful 2012!

legislative updates

Latest Stories from the American Nurses Association January 19, 2012:

1. It's Not Too Late for Flu Vaccinations
2. ANA Offers Live Broadcast of ANA Nursing Quality Conference(tm) General Session
3. ANA to Supreme Court: 'Individual Mandate' Needed to Make Health Reform Work
4. Reminder: 2012 National Magnet Conference Call for Abstracts
5. Become a Leader - ANA Needs You!

1. It's Not Too Late for Flu Vaccinations
01/19/12
If you have not yet received your flu shot, there's still time to take this vital step. The American Nurses Association strongly recommends an influenza vaccination for nurses. It's one of the easiest ways to protect your patients and your own health, yet the CDC estimates that fewer than 50% of healthcare providers do this. Please get vaccinated! Let's Unite To Fight The Flu.
Learn More http://lists.ana.org/t/665490/487416/5428/6/

2. ANA Offers Live Broadcast of ANA Nursing Quality Conference(tm) General Session
01/17/12
Join the American Nurses Association (ANA) and renowned speaker Nancy Dunton, PhD, FAAN, for ANA's first live broadcast of a General Session at the ANA Nursing Quality Conference(tm) Thursday, January 26, 2012 - 4:30 - 5:30PM (Pacific Standard Time). This session is FREE and space is limited to the first 1000 registrants.
Register Today! http://lists.ana.org/t/665490/487416/5429/7/

3. ANA to Supreme Court: 'Individual Mandate' Needed to Make Health Reform Work
01/17/12
The American Nurses Association (ANA) joined five other health care groups representing millions of health care professionals in filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of the Affordable Care Act's "minimum coverage provision." Registered nurses are frontline witnesses of the harmful health effects on individuals who are uninsured and defer needed care, and have a unique perspective to guide the Court regarding the consequences of removing the provision.
Learn More http://lists.ana.org/t/665490/487416/5430/29/

4. Reminder: 2012 National Magnet Conference Call for Abstracts
01/13/12
The deadline for 2012 ANCC National Magnet Conference(r) abstracts submissions is 11:59pm on January 27, 2012. Abstract proposals for live posters, virtual posters, and concurrent podium sessions may be submitted online.
Submit Abstract http://lists.ana.org/t/665490/487416/5431/30/

5. Become a Leader - ANA Needs You!
01/10/12
Become a leader in the American Nurses Association (ANA), the professional organization that represents over 3 million registered
nurses, by running for elective office. The ANA Nominating Committee has issued a call for nominations for a slate of candidates to be presented to the House of Delegates at its June 13-16, 2012 meeting. Deadline February 12, 2012.
Learn More http://lists.ana.org/t/665490/487416/5320/32/

Latest Stories from the American Nurses Association January 12, 2012:

1. Application Cycle for Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program Now Open
2. ANA Nursing Quality Conference(tm)
3. Become a Leader - ANA Needs You!
4. Majority of Poll Respondents Reported Getting Hurt at Work

1. Application Cycle for Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program Now Open
01/12/12
The Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program is a Health Resources and Services Administration Title VIII nursing workforce program which the American Nurses Association supports through its lobbying efforts.
»Learn More http://lists.ana.org/t/664270/487416/5426/6/

2. ANA Nursing Quality Conference(tm)
01/11/12
The American Nurses Association (ANA) Nursing Quality Conference(tm), "Improving the Odds on Quality," is January 25-27, 2012 at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas. The ANA Nursing Quality Conference(tm) is where conference attendees build valuable relationships with other attendees and find opportunities to preview the latest research as it relates to addressing organizational performance to improve patient outcomes.
»Register Today http://lists.ana.org/t/664270/487416/4953/7/

3. Become a Leader - ANA Needs You!
01/10/12
Become a leader in the American Nurses Association (ANA), the professional organization that represents over 3 million registered nurses, by running for elective office. The ANA Nominating Committee has issued a call for nominations for a slate of candidates to be presented to the House of Delegates at its June 13-16, 2012 meeting.
»Learn More http://lists.ana.org/t/664270/487416/5320/29/

4. Majority of Poll Respondents Reported Getting Hurt at Work
01/06/12
The American Nurses Association would like to thank its website visitors who participated in the December 2011 "Have Your Say" online poll. The poll asked respondents if they have ever been injured at work.

Latest Stories from the American Nurses Association January 5, 2012:

1. Navigating Diversity in Nursing Practice Webinar
2. CMS Released Solicitation for the Independence at Home Demonstration
3. Become a Leader - ANA Needs You!
4. FDA Drug Safety Communication: Liquid Acetaminophen
5. CDC Releases Early Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Rates
6. Research Community on ANANurseSpace

1. Navigating Diversity in Nursing Practice Webinar
01/05/12
The American Nurses Association (ANA) webinar, Navigating Diversity in Nursing Practice, will take place Wednesday, January 25, 2012, 1:00 - 2:00PM EST. The objective is to learn about patient diversity and the resources available to help develop better diversity awareness and cultural competency in nursing practices. Be among the first to learn what's inside the ANA Diversity Awareness Project.
Register Today http://lists.ana.org/t/662935/487416/5311/6/

2. Attention NPs: CMS Released Solicitation for the Independence at
Home Demonstration
01/04/12
Up to 10,000 Medicare patients with chronic conditions will now be able to get most of the care they need at home under a new demonstration announced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The CMS Demonstration will provide chronically ill patients with a complete range of primary care services. Practices led by physicians or nurse practitioners will provide primary care home visits tailored to the needs of beneficiaries with multiple chronic conditions and functional limitations.
Learn More http://lists.ana.org/t/662935/487416/5319/7/

3. Become a Leader - ANA Needs You!
01/03/12
Become a leader in the American Nurses Association (ANA), the professional organization that represents over 3 million registered nurses, by running for elective office. The ANA Nominating Committee has issued a call for nominations for a slate of candidates to be presented to the House of Delegates at its June 13-16, 2012 meeting.
Learn More http://lists.ana.org/t/662935/487416/5320/29/

4. FDA Drug Safety Communication: Liquid Acetaminophen
12/20/11
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that an additional concentration of liquid acetaminophen marketed for "infants" (160 mg/5 mL) is now available. This new concentration affects the amount of liquid given to an infant, and should be especially noted if someone is accustomed to using the 80 mg /0.8 mL or 80 mg/mL concentrations of liquid acetaminophen.
Learn More http://lists.ana.org/t/662935/487416/5321/30/

5. CDC Releases Early Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Rates
12/23/11
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released information on early seasonal influenza vaccination rates. Researchers conducted an Internet Panel Survey, and found that as of November 2011, nurses had a vaccination rate of 75.7%.
Learn More http://lists.ana.org/t/662935/487416/5323/32/

6. Research Community on ANANurseSpace
12/23/11
The American Nurses Association (ANA) is pleased to announce the launch of a Research Community. This Members Only benefit is found at www.ANANurseSpace.org

Latest Stories from the American Nurses Association December 22, 2011:

1. Happy Holidays from ANA
2. Research Community on ANANurseSpace
3. Call for Proposals for NLN Nursing Education Research Grants Program
4. ANA Comments to CMS on Hospital Conditions of Participation
5. Free Shipping on ANA's Foundation of Nursing Package

1. Happy Holidays from ANA
12/22/11
The American Nurses Association (ANA) wishes You all of the joys of the holiday season, and a Happy and Healthy New Year in 2012.
»Holiday Greetings! http://lists.ana.org/t/660543/487416/5303/6/

2. Research Community on ANANurseSpace
12/22/11
The American Nurses Association (ANA) is pleased to announce the launch of a Research Community. This Members Only benefit is found in www.ANANurseSpace.org.
»Learn More http://lists.ana.org/t/660543/487416/5304/7/

3. Call for Proposals for NLN Nursing Education Research Grants Program
12/21/11
The National League for Nursing (NLN) has a call for proposals for its Nursing Education Research Grants Program.
»Learn More http://lists.ana.org/t/660543/487416/5305/29/

4. ANA Comments to CMS on Hospital Conditions of Participation
12/20/11
The American Nurses Association (ANA) supports proposed changes in Medicare and Medicaid rules for hospitals that would support the work of millions of registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses, allowing them to provide more efficient and higher quality care to patients. In comments submitted December 16, 2011 to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), ANA encourages CMS to work together to improve guidelines to ensure nurse staffing is adequate to provide high-quality care for Medicare and Medicaid patients.
»Press Release & Comments http://lists.ana.org/t/660543/487416/5306/30/

5. Free Shipping on ANA's Foundation of Nursing Package
12/01/11
Nursesbooks.org, the publishing program of the American Nurses Association (ANA), is offering free shipping on ANA's most popular titles. This exclusive offer is for customers ordering 20 or more Foundation packages or individual components of the same title. College instructors may request one free desk copy per 20 copies ordered. Purchase orders are accepted on orders of $500 or more. Customers can only order by calling the fulfillment center (PBD) at (800) 637-0323. Offer does not apply to online orders. This offer is available through Dec. 31, 2011.

NSTAT Take Action

http://www.rnaction.org/site/R?i=WVYNQ_T2S2tKS7UG9iIkSw

Have you ever felt that there just wasn't enough time in your shift to perform assessments, respond to patients needs, and to provide the level of care that your patients deserve? Have you ever felt stressed over the number of patients you've been assigned?

You are definitely not alone: massive reductions in nursing budgets, combined with the challenges presented by a growing nursing shortage have resulted in fewer nurses working longer hours and caring for sicker patients.

Insufficient nurse staffing levels increase error and mortality rates, and create an environment that leads to nurse burnout, job dissatisfaction, and turnover.

It's time for a change -- Support the RN Safe Staffing Act today.

The Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act of 2011 (S.58/H.R. 876) would hold hospitals accountable for the development and implementation of valid, reliable, unit-by-unit nurse staffing plans, created in coordination with direct care registered nurses (RNs) themselves, and based on each unit's unique circumstances and changing needs.

Ask your members of Congress to cosponsor the Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act today!

Join ANA! Learn about benefits of ANA membership and get started today. http://www.nursingworld.org/joinana.aspx

Capitol Update January 2012

The Omni-bus, Mega-bus, Mini-bus and Continuing Resolutions...

In the last months of 2011, Congress worked diligently to pass the various legislative initiatives; going by the names of mini-bus, omnibus, and continuing resolution; to fund the federal government through to September 30, 2012 and closing out the FY 2012 budget process.
Read more... http://www.rnaction.org/site/R?i=koL5nNX3WXHvqN1-Hx-zCg