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Setting the Pace
Vol 31, Issue 4 |
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| Greetings! |  We are happy to present you with the New York State Emergency Nurses Association's latest electronic newsletter. It's packed full of information and many opportunities for our members. As always, we welcome your comments, feedback and suggestions!
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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - Mickey Forness
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This has been a very busy and productive year for New York State Council Emergency Nurses Association. The Council, Committee Chairpersons and Board of Directors are to be commended for their hard work and accomplishments.
It has been my honor and privilege to have served as your President.
I'd like to mention a few of the projects that have been successfully completed this year. A survey of all members was conducted to gain member input and concerns; several changes have been instituted as a direct result of this survey. We will move our state conference around the state on a three year rotation to include Rochester, Saratoga Springs and Tarrytown. Our website will include a section listing how and where to access free CEU's online. We have established a workgroup within our Injury Prevention Committee to look at workplace violence against emergency nurses.
The delegation to the General Assembly represented all our ED nurses and helped to set the path for the future direction of the national organization. We also brought forth a resolution for consideration by the General Assembly.
Last year our Council became a 501(c) (3) not for profit organization under the umbrella of the national organization and we have revised many of our operating policies and procedures to reflect this new status.
We continue to be more visible and in touch with our members by circulating our newsletter electronically, developing a Facebook page and sending out important messages through Constant Contact.
This year's Setting the Pace Conference boasted of the largest attendance since its inception and the events included in this endeavor were well received by all attendees, as noted by their evaluations.
A new award has been added to our annual awards which will honor a Rising Star, someone who is becoming active in our association.
Our state membership has swelled to nearly 2600!!
The biggest and most time consuming project of the year was the establishment of the endowment fund for the annual NYS 911 scholarship award administered by the Emergency Nurses Association Foundation. To maintain this scholarship in perpetuity we must raise $100,000. Pins to recognize the 10th anniversary of the 911 tragedy were developed and are being sold. Many raffles and other fundraising events were undertaken, including a booth in the Exhibit Hall at the Scientific Assembly. To date we have raised over $33,000. Thanks to all State Councils, Chapters and individuals that have so generously contributed.
I wish Audrey and all the members of her leadership group the best. I know they will continue the task of making this a great organization.
Thanks again to each member for allowing me to serve as your President for 2011
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2012 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - Audrey Dupree-Sealey
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 As the newly elected president of the New York State Council of ENA, I am excited and extremely pleased to be given this opportunity to serve as its leader at this time in our history.
NYSCENA is known for its dedication to excellence and distinguished service to our various communities. It is my hope that in the coming year we will continue on this path. Over the years we have partnered with many individuals and organizations to raise awareness of the issues affecting our profession and ENA's mission.
This is an era of significant changes, in health care as well as nursing. My dream is that we will continue to work together as a team to ensure that ED nursing disparities will be something of the past.
This generation of Emergency Nurses, like our predecessors, will leave an indelible mark on our communities. We will strive to ensure that emergency nursing is left in a better position in the years to come.
My vision for NYSCENA in the upcoming year is one in which there is a sense of belonging and one of patient advocacy; our patients continue to be our top priority. It is extremely important that we continue to offer high quality educational programs both at the state and local levels. During my tenure as president, I will continue to work towards increasing our membership. We will increase our involvement in various programs at the national level.
True to the objectives of ENA, we will avail ourselves of every opportunity within our capacity to provide for the needs of our profession and our community. Let us continue to strive towards excellence. Our rich heritage, beliefs and values will sustain us. In the words of Dana Lopez, RN "Team work makes the Dream work".
Sincerely,
Audrey Dupree-Sealey |
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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2012 NEW YORK STATE OFFICERS |
New state officers were elected at the October 22, 2011 NYSCENA meeting in Newburgh. Congratulations to the new president-elect Kathy Conboy, secretary Sandi Tetler (re-elected), treasurer-elect Mary Ellen Jennison, and board member Sue Chulpa Breese. The 2012 state officers are:
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Audrey D. Sealey
Brooklyn-Staten Island
718-245-4686
dr.sealeyphdfnp@yahoo.com
President-elect
Kathy Conboy
Southern Tier
607-762-2231
kconboy@verizon.net
Secretary
Sandi Tetler
Lower Hudson
914-493-7000
enasandi@tetler.net
Treasurer
Rosa T. Waldroff
Genesee
585-334-4725
Pijny48@aol.com
Treasurer-elect
Mary Ellen Jennison
Southern Tier
607-762-3268
Mary_Ellen_Jennison@uhs.org
mediate Past President
Mickey Forness
CHATT
716-373-2612
mickeyforness@yahoo.com
Director at Large
Virginia A. Hebda
Genesee
585-396-6607
vahny46@frontiernet.net
Director at Large
Sue Chalupa Breese
Genesee
585-341-0497
sbreese@rochester.rr.com |
 | | President-elect Kathy Conboy with Pres. Forness. |
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 | | Sandi Tetler, Secretary with Pres. Forness. |
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 | | Mary Ellen Jennison, Treasurer-elect with Pres. Mickey Forness. |
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 | | Board Member Sue Chalupa Breese installed by Pres. Forness. |
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CONGRATULATIONS TO NYS ENA MEMBERS HOLDING NATIONAL POSITIONS
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 | | Pictured( L to R) Jill McLaughlin, Mickey Forness, Deb Taylor, MaryLou Killian and Laura Giles. |
- Jill McLaughlin is on the national ENA Resolutions Committee.
- Mickey Forness is Membership Committee Chair.
- Deborah Taylor is Awards Advisory Committee Chair.
- MaryLou Killian is a National Board of Directors member.
- Laura Giles has been Treasurer of the ENA Foundation and has been elected the 2011 Chairperson Elect.
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NEW YORK STATE ENA LEGISLATIVE DAY
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Deborah Taylor
On January 24, 2012 members of the New York State Council ENA are meeting with their Assemblypersons and Senators. All interested ENA members are invited to participate in this event. On Monday, January 23rd we will have a dinner meeting and provide all attendees with the necessary information, including a detailed report of position statements, to give to their legislative persons on Tuesday. The dinner will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Albany, NY. Anyone interested in joining us, please RSVP to Sandi Tetler, NYSCENA Secretary at enasandi@tetler.net or to Deborah Taylor, NYSCENA Government Affairs Chair at ddt1027@verizon.net. All who are attending are requested to contact their state representatives, preferably in writing, for an appointment in their Albany Office for January 24th.
The Albany Crowne Plaza is located at Ten Eyck Plaza State and Lodge Streets, within walking distance of the Capitol buildings. Call 1-518-462-6611 or toll free 1-800-593-5447 for reservations and mention NYS ENA.
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SENATOR WILLIAM J. LARKIN ADDRESSES NYSCENA MEETING
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NYS Senator William J. Larkin, Jr. representing the 39th Senate District addressed the NYSCENA meeting held in Newburgh on October 22, 2011.
Senator Larkin holds positions on many Senate standing committees, including the Health Committee. He was interested in listening to concerns of Council members and provided tips for visiting legislators on Legislative Day.
Senator Larkin also had interesting and compassionate stories about nurses he met during his long military service.
 | William J. Larkin, Jr. above with board members Sandi Tetler, Mary Ellen Jennison, Mickey Forness, Deb Taylor and Giinny Hebda
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EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT VIOLENCE
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Judy Jax, RN BSN, CEN
Chairperson, Injury Prevention
At a recent New York State Council ENA meeting, our president, Mickey Forness shared the results of a survey that had been conducted by the council. One of the most disturbing findings was in response to the question asking if nurses were concerned about violence in the workplace. 92% of the respondents replied that they were concerned.
Violence in the Emergency Department has always been a concern on the forefront of those working in emergency departments. In November of 2010, New York State passed the Violence Against Nurses legislation which makes it a class D felony to assault on duty RN's and LPN's, with a maximum sentence of seven years in prison. This law now offers nurses the same protection against assaults that had already been provided to police officers, firefighters and emergency medical responders. An assault is carried out by a threat of bodily harm coupled with an apparent, present ability to cause the harm. How many nurses know about this law?
Many ED nurses consider verbal abuse by patients and visitors part of the job. They also feel that administration agrees with that assumption when they voice a complaint. Or they are afraid to voice a concern because of fear of repercussions. Others feel there is a lack of support by law enforcement if they do decide to press charges.
ENA has recently rolled out a Workplace Violence Toolkit. It can be found on the ena.org website under the IENR tab and is free to download. You will also find the results of a national survey of ED nurses on workplace violence which began in May 2009 under the same heading. If you have been a victim of workplace violence or are concerned about the threat of workplace violence, I encourage you to explore these two resources and possibly become an advocate in your ED against workplace violence. The toolkit provides all the resources you will need to evaluate your ED for safety. It also provides a questionnaire for the staff. A link to these resources will also be placed on the nysena.org website.
The New York State Council is very interested in learning of incidences of violence in an ED in which you were involved and the outcome, if you would like to share the details. We will be establishing a link on our website for you to tell your story (more information in the next edition). The stories will remain anonymous. The information may be used in our presentations to our state legislators at our biannual Legislative Day in Albany in January. Our focus will be how the law has been or has not been enforced.
Once again, we encourage you to become an advocate against workplace violence and to report any incidence of assault to the police. You have the right to work in a safe environment.
Have a happy and safe holiday season!
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MAKING EMERGENCY NURSNG WORK VISIBLE THROUGH NURSING RESEARCH
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Jessica Castner, RN, MS, CEN
Western NY ENA Chapter
In 2008, a survey was mailed to all New York State Emergency Nurses Association members for a triage study. I'd like to send a warm and sincere "Thank you!" to the 430 nurses who participated. The results of this study were published this summer in the July issue of the Journal of Emergency Nursing entitled, "Emergency Department Triage: What Data are Nurses Collecting?"
Nurses reported that the triage process took them, on average, 9.03 minutes. An additional finding that was not published in the JEN report was the difference between staff nurses and nurse managers. While nurse managers perceived triage took 7.1 minutes, staff nurses felt the process took an average of 9.2 minutes. The difference is statistically significant: holding constant other variables (such as years of experience, job position, and use of nurse-selected protocols), being a manager was the only significant predictor that a participant would report a shortened triage by a full 2.31 minutes (p=.022). This finding concerned me since nurse managers make staffing decisions for triage.
At a regional poster presentation in Western New York, I shared this finding with a group of bedside emergency nurses. The dialogue about this statistic was exciting and eye-opening. The nurses shared that much of their work feels invisible to anyone other than a fellow triage nurse. While taking patient history and determining the triage category is well-researched and understood, much of the remaining triage nursing work is often left unnoticed. Assisting patients with mobility challenges, such as those in wheelchairs or using assistive devices, takes additional time. Addressing psychosocial anxiety and fears about the emergency care process takes time. Answering family questions and providing brief education on wait times and expected treatment course takes time. Maintaining a hygienic workstation and sanitizing equipment between patients takes time. Giving a relevant hand-off report to the next nurse takes time. A work flow analysis of triage would likely reveal hundreds of important, but little discussed tasks and would be an outstanding topic for future research.
As I transition from bedside nurse to nurse researcher, I'm excited to bring to light the formerly "invisible" aspects of nursing work. You and your patients know how important your work is, and I thank you again for your participation in research to shine a light on the essential role you play in patient care.
Editor's Note: Congratulations to Ms. Castner for having her research article published in the Journal of Emergency Nursing.
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NYS ENA EMERGENCY NURSES WEEK RAFFLE
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Jacquie, Glendinning, Membership Chair
To celebrate Emergency Nurses Week, NYS ENA randomly selects one member from each chapter to receive a one year membership renewal. Congratulations to this year's winners:
Margaret Flanagan Adirondack
Hazel Christian Brooklyn- Staten Island
Jeff Perrine Central
Kayle Perkins CHATT
Shannon Moreland Genesee Valley
Rhonda Bruyn Lower Hudson
Angela Carter Manhattan-Bronx
Shiela Lanni Mark Twain
Odell Gordon Mid-Hudson
Patricia Rood Mohawk
Joyce Carrera Chang Nassau-Queens
Shahzaad Bamasi Southern Tier
Theresa Donatien Suffolk
Eda Katherine Mistica Western
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KATHY CONBOY'S TOP 10 REASONS FOR COMING TO SETTING THE PACE 2012
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10. Receive Evidence Based Education to increase your knowledge. 9. Attend a 4-hour stroke recertification course. 8. Gain continuing education credits toward CEN and CPEN. 7. Share your thoughts about emergency nursing with our national president Gail Pisarcik Lenehan. 6. Network with other nurses to identify strategies to meet our challenging environment. 5. Meet old friends, make new friends. 4. Recognize our 2012 Award recipients. 3. Support the annual basket raffle for the 9/11 Scholarship Endowment Fund. 2. Relax and have fun in Saratoga Springs. 1. Take 2 days away from work!!!! SAVE the DATE Setting the Pace 2012 April 19 and 20, 2012 Saratoga Springs, New York
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EXPAND YOUR HORIZON
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TAMPA, FLORIDA
Legislation
Education
Networking
Food
Fun
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REFLECTIONS FROM THE ENA ANNUAL CONFERENCE | |
Marina Grennen, RN, BS, CEN
Suffolk Chapter
In September 2011, I went to Tampa for my first ENA national conference. I had wanted to attend the conference for many years now, but due to family commitments it never materialized.
 | Marina Grennen (2nd from R) with
friends in Tampa |
From the moment I arrived in Tampa, everyone was very friendly. The registration process was well organized and efficient. My hotel was within walking distance to the conference center.
As a delegate from NYS, I had the opportunity to see how the ENA worked and was surprised to see that even I, a first time attendee had the opportunity to cast my vote. The other delegates made me feel welcome and instructed me on the workings of the General Assembly.
I was given the schedule of events prior to attending and had a vague idea of what I wanted to see. I would advise anyone attending to review the schedule prior to attending. It can seem overwhelming at times to comprehend all that is offered. Once in Tampa, it was easy to register for the sessions. There was a wide variety of lectures offered; each one lasting no more than 90 minutes. The speakers were well informed and presented well. The poster presentations were enlightening and I feel encouraged to attempt one for a future conference. Lectures were geared towards RNs and APNs. And all offered CE credits (for renewing my CEN).
I had the opportunity to attend several "Break out sessions", where it was comforting to meet nurses from all over the country with concerns similar to mine. I enjoyed watching nurses from different states, who appeared to only meet at this conference, get together and catch up. They seemed to have formed a bond over the years just by attending the annual conference..
The ENA co-coordinated entertainment at night, another opportunity to meet nurses from other states. Several attendees stayed at my hotel and we had a common bond when we met in the elevator or by the pool.
I almost forgot to mention the Exhibit Hall, where the latest in equipment, products and the ENA Discovery Pavilion was available.
I would definitely recommend attending a national conference. I felt proud to be a member of the ENA and hope to go to San Diego next year. |
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9/11 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS VISIT NYS BOOTH IN TAMPA
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Clifford Payne, an EMT-P from California and a 2011 NYS 9/11 scholarship winner visited the NYS booth in the exhibit hall in Tampa. Also visiting the booth was Curtis Olson from Nebraska, a 2002 9/11 scholarship winner.
 | | 911 Scholarship Winner Curtis Olson. |
 | | Clifford Payne with Sue Chalupa Breese. |
A 9/11 scholarship winner in 2009, Richard Hackett sent this letter, which can also be found on the scholarship section of the nysena.org website.
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TRIAGE NURSES DO NOT SCREEN FOR WEAPONS
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Jayne Skehan, RN
Today's medical institutions view patient and staff safety as paramount. In my 15 years of Emergency Department nursing and management, I have on numerous occasions encountered a patient, family member or gang member enter a busy Emergency Department with a weapon that went unnoticed until it was to late. Although most Emergency Departments go on some sort of lock down when it has been identified they are dealing with a gun shot wound (GWS) or some other gang related injury, triage nurses do not check for weapons, and quite often they are detected after the fact. Many facilities ask patients if they have anything on them that can hurt either themselves or anyone else, but this is clearly not enough. Incidents can happen prior to the triage nurse seeing the patient as it did recently in a busy New York hospital in the Bronx. In this same incident a nurse and security officers were shot. Some EDs do have metal detectors but many of them still do not. We need to engage our regulatory agencies and unions to assist us with keeping not only our patients safe, but our staff safe as well.
For information or comments, Jane may be contacted by phone at 646-763-2215 or by email at jas9110@nyp.org.
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FROM THE CHAPTERS
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Central held their November 10 meeting at St. Joseph's Hospital in Syracuse, utilizing a Case Study for their educational component. TNCC and ENPC classes are planned for spring, 2012.
Chatt's 9/11 blood drive was very successful. They are already planning "Kick Off to A Safe Summer2012."
Genesee Valley sent flowers to all Emergency Departments in their chapter for Emergency Nurses Week. "Stroke" was the topic at their chapter dinner meeting. They donated $5100 to the NYS 9/11 Scholarship fund.
Manhattan Bronx sponsored a CPEN Review on October 29. A TNCC class was held on November 5 and 6 at Montifiore Medical Center in the Bronx.
Mark Twain has scheduled a TNCC class for January 13 and 14, 2012.
Mid Hudson rescheduled their October ENPC class to December 12 and 13 at Orange Regional Medical Center.
Nassau Queens distributed cookies to all chapter Emergency Departments for Emergency Nurses Week. Their holiday party will be held on December 5. A TNCC reverification course will be held on December 16.
Southern Tier rescheduled their Teaching Day to November 9 due to the September flooding. An ENPC class is scheduled for November 30 and December1. TNCC is planned for December 14 and 19.
Suffolk is planning an Education Day for next spring. Cookies were delivered to each Emergency Department in the chapter for Emergency Nurses Week. "Providing a Pain-free Pediatric Experience" was an interesting and enlightening topic at the October 13meeting. Their holiday party will be held at Ruvo's in Port Jefferson on December 8. Check the ena.org website for class schedules.
 | | Jake Miller, Western Chapter |
Western's August meeting featured Mercy Flight. October's topic was "Acute Stroke." CSI Buffalo will headline their December 7 meeting.
Member Jake Miller won a free registration to Tampa. They will be holding a drawing for two prepaid registrations to Setting the Pace 2012, based on meeting attendance.
For Emergency Nurses Day, they handed out lottery tickets with the message "Lucky to have you as an ER nurse." To encourage less distracted driving, business cards have been printed and distributed with the message "NO CELL PHONE' zone in the car.
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SAVE THE DATES-NYSCENA 2012 MEETINGS
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January 23- 10 AM-Council Meeting-all ENA members invited. Crowne Plaza, Albany January 24- Legislative Day (Please see Legislative Day article in this issue.) February 22-26 - Leadership Conference- New Orleans, LA April 19-20 - Setting the Pace 2012 Conference-Saratoga Springs, NY April 21 - Council Meeting, Saratoga Springs August (Tentative) - Brooklyn September 11-15 -National Annual Meeting and Conference-San Diego, CA October (Tentative) - Binghamton For planning purposes, please contact the NYSCENA secretary, Sandi Tetler if attending any Council meeting at enasandi@tetler.net. All New York State members are welcome to attend the meetings. Bring a friend! |
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COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
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It has been brought to our attention that some NYS ENA members who use their work email addresses are not receiving our newsletter or other ENA communications. If you or someone you know does not receive our newsletter or messages, please go to the ena.org website and modify your information on myENA or call 1-800-900-9659 and change your email to your personal email.
Approved TNCC and ENPC courses can be found on the ena.org website under Education.
Please submit any ideas, suggestions or articles to:
Editor: Dawn MacMullen at enadawn@gmail.com
Or via the NYSENA Website
Dead line for the Spring, 2012 newsletter is February 3, 2012.
Do you have a clinical question? Send it to us. One of our expert clinicians will answer it in a future newsletter.
This is the last issue of the Setting the Pace newsletter that I will be editing. The last 5 years of editing the newsletter has been enjoyable, interesting and sometimes challenging. I hope to continue in an advisory capacity. Thank you to the many members who submitted articles and ideas. Please continue to send those articles and ideas to Dawn.
Sincerely,
Phyllis Parker for the Communications Committee
NYS Emergency Nurses Association
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Thank you for spending some time with us today.
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