National Nurse Newsletter
March 8, 2010
http://www.nationalnurse.org
The National Nursing Network Organization - “Promoting wellness and disease prevention through an Office of the National Nurse.” Follow the campaign at http://nationalnurse.blogspot.com
Read the bill! Support The National Nurse Act of 2010-HR 4601!
Please forward this newsletter to peers, co-workers, family, and friends, so they too may learn about the work being done to establish an Office of the National Nurse.
You can also join the National Nurse Campaign on Facebook.
In This Week’s Newsletter:
US Representatives Sign On to HR 4601
Meet Your Representative During Spring Break
60 Plus Signers On Letter to Support HR 4601
Press Coverage for the National Nurse Act of 2010
Please Support Capps-LoBiondo Bill for Title VIII Funding for Nursing
Nurses and US Citizens Say Yes to The National Nurse Act of 2010
$20 Campaign and Winter Hawks Game A Huge Success
Free Tool Kit Available at National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners Website
Reps. King, Schakowsky, and Wu Co-Sponsor HR 4601
Thank you to Representatives Peter King (NY-3), Janice Schakowsky (IL-9), and David Wu (OR-1) for being the first to sign on their support for The National Nurse Act of 2010! This means that when the bill goes to the House Floor for a vote, these members will vote yes.
Supporters of HR 4601 continue to reach out to their own members of the House of Representatives. Once these members complete the necessary paperwork to sign on their support, we will add their names to the News Link.
Meet With Your U.S. Representatives!
Great news… did you know that your own U.S. Representative will be at home during March 29-April 9th; Congress is in recess during this time. You and other supporters are encouraged to call their local office and make appointments to discuss and advocate for HR 4601. To assist you in finding out who your Representative is and to find their phone number, visit this Take Action Link.
These appointments are important and effective because a voting constituent always has the attention of their elected official. These meetings are also fun and very rewarding because you personally have taken action to make a difference in improving the nation’s health. If you happen to be an undergraduate or graduate nursing student, this is also an excellent way to fulfill a class project on leadership, policy-making, and political activism.
The National Nursing Network Organization has put together materials and talking points to help make your visit a success. Please email the NNNO Board to receive materials that you can print from your own computer to take with you.
Press
Thank you to the Nightingale Initiative for Global Health for publishing, “Office of the National Nurse for the US?”
Another article appeared recently on the www.nursetogether.com website, “A National Nurse for a Healthier Nation.”
Thank you to Keith Carlson at Digital Doorway for writing a follow up story on the National Nurse, “The National Nurse Act of 2010.”
Sign On Letter For The National Nurse Act of 2010 Gains Traction
Thank you to the dozens of organizations and prominent individuals who have signed on to the letter of support that the NNNO will be delivering to members of Congress during their trip later this month.
Please email the NNNO Board if you or your organization has interest in signing on in support of HR 4601, The National Nurse Act of 2010.
Nurses Support What Is Good for Nursing!
The National Nursing Network Organization agrees it is important to work collaboratively to help secure support from the U.S. House of Representatives for the Nursing Workforce Development Programs (Title VIII, Public Health Service Act) in Fiscal Year (FY) 2011. We fully support our colleagues representing all nursing sectors and specialties to request $267.3 million, a 10% increase over last year’s level, for Title VIII in FY 2011.
Currently, nursing’s House Champions Reps. Lois Capps (D-CA) and Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) are circulating a “Dear Colleague” letter encouraging their peers in Congress to join with them and support the $267.3 million request.
Between now and March 12, 2010, please write to your Representative requesting they sign this Dear Colleague letter by clicking on the link in this message. This link will direct you to an advocacy template letter that will be sent directly to your Representative’s office.
To read the Capps/LoBiondo Dear Colleague letter, please click here; to find out if your Representative is in support and has signed on click here.
Read What Others Are Saying About HR 4601
From a Vermont Resident
I've been following this legislation from its inception and am excited to see that it has been reintroduced. I'm tired of waiting for health care reform. This is a way to get something done now that will move the nation's focus toward prevention, while supporting nurses, and strengthening the connection between citizens and nurses, who, let's face it, are the most trusted of all health care givers. We deserve a National Nurse! I have contacted my Representative in the House.
Elizabeth McPhee
Nurses should be at the forefront of improving our Nation's health under the guidance and leadership of a National Nurse! It's time for more attention towards prevention and Keeping-Well care. It can save our country billions. Vote yes for a National Nurse!
A necessity...
toward advancing the quality and cost-effective care of one of the health care system's strongest links.
This would not create an additional office
A Chief Nursing Officer already exists and is referred to as the National Nurse. HR 4601 will establish that title more prominently for the public. And the *National Nurse* could emphasize a fresh focus on prevention and education of the public. As a mother and grandmother, I support this very strongly.
Anne Llewellyn
This is an important bill that will be the first step toward steps toward prevention, educating and empowering consumers to engage in their health care. Make it happen!
Marilyn
I really like that it does not create a new position, but designates someone already in an excellent position to represent nursing!! Ditto most of the comments above :-)
Oregon Gal
This is the year of the Nurse, let's bring Nurses to the forefront, as a recognizable resource for education on preventable diseases and conditions.
Having an Office of the National Nurse is very appropriate, timely, and relevant. The nursing profession has come a long way, with Florence Nightingale's career as a turning point in nursing history. Now it is time to elevate the role of nurses with recognition through the Office of the National Nurse, an appropriate title for such a respected profession. The Time is NOW!
Sandy Summers
We need a nurse leader with a high profile who can help raise awareness that nurses are college-educated professionals who save lives and improve outcomes. Bill HR 4601 for the National Nurse will help create a world where society and decision makers understand the value of nursing. Nursing is drastically undervalued and under-funded. See http://www.truthaboutnursing.org/faq/funding.html. When nursing education, practice, residencies and research are under-funded, patient care is weakened by insufficient quality and quantity of nursing care. The Office of the National Nurse would help end the societal disrespect of nursing that leads to this under-funding-under-funding which leads to patients needlessly dying.
Fundraising Campaign A Huge Success
Thanks to the generosity of many supporters and also the Portland Oregon Winter Hawks Hockey Team, our fundraising drive for the first half of 2010 was a HUGE success. We are still accepting donations; for every $20 received, we will personally deliver a packet in that constituent’s name to their elected U.S. Representative. A certificate will also be emailed to you as a way of thanking you for your support.
Thank you for the contributions received from those living in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, New Hampshire, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia and the District of Columbia.
You can always make your donation on line or by emailing the NNNO Board for information on where to send a check. *Please be aware that while the NNNO is a non-profit corporation, it is not tax exempt, and therefore your contributions are not tax deductible.
Announcement from The NCCDP
The National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP) was formed to promote standards of excellence in dementia and Alzheimer's education. As the number of dementia cases continues to increase nationally and worldwide, there is a great necessity to insure that care givers are well trained to provide appropriate, competent, and sensitive direct care and support for the dementia patient. The goal of the Council is to develop and encourage comprehensive standards of excellence in the health care profession and delivery of dementia care. For more information please visit the NCCDP website. NCCDP Alzheimer's and Dementia Staff Education Week was Feb 14 to 21 but you still have until March 15 to download the free tool kit and power points.
Quote for the Day
"You know, we too frequently elect officers because of their charm and personality. What we need now is not charm but achievement, not personality but perseverance, not glamour but gumption. Give us governing boards that are hard working, progressive, open and eager for new ideas, willing to try innovation and let them be characterized by originality and vision and courage."
Edna Behrens (1897-1990) former California State Nurses Association Board member and CSNA President 6 year term
Until next time,
Alisa, Teri, Terri, Susan