PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE 

Greetings ISAPN members!

 

Hopefully by the time you read this, you will have registered for our MWC. It promises to be a very robust event! It is truly a time to renew relationships with colleagues, rejuvenate our zest for learning and improving clinical practice, and recommitment to our relatively young profession!

 

Thank you to everyone who voted in our recent election. Despite the lack of all but one contested position, it is important to say YES to those who have volunteered. I cannot tell you often enough the importance of committed, energetic, and visionary individuals to serve in these positions. I am amazed at the commitment and personal sacrifice of those who serve on the BOD. Many have had their own personal challenges, but persevere in the role they have accepted for you, their colleagues.

 

Thank you to all who took the time to complete the ISAPN survey. Please know that we are reviewing those results and are developing strategies to implement some changes. One thing that became very apparent to me from the survey is that you, the members truly care about your organization.   I am committed to respond to the general trends in the survey and communicate those to you with a plan to improve/change/etc. With that said, I challenge each of you to get involved in the areas that you see deficits. Despite the fact that we have an Executive Director and team to help her to meet our needs, they cannot possibly do everything without a significant increase in manpower. An increase in workforce would mean a raise in dues, which we are all trying to avoid. As you have heard me say many times, many hands make light work! Be a part of the process, a part of improvements instead of a disgruntled member who chooses to complain rather than seek a solution. Take the plunge: refresh your commitment to your profession!

 

This coming year the BOD will continue the initiatives set forth by the current Board: we will have a major campaign to push forward full independent practice authority, we will create a new plan for membership, continue to bolster the Adopt a School Program, and in every way possible communicate to you our plans and efforts.

 

Being an APN is a challenging and stressful profession! Many of you are part of the sandwich generation, our growing your families, have your own health issues, and are affected by the pain and loss of we see on a daily basis, please take a few minutes every day to "just be" and enjoy a simple pleasure. Today I am going to enjoy the cool breeze.

 

Best always,

 

Mary


ISAPN SEEKS NEW STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE

As the student representative, I am happy to announce that I graduated this past May, and I have passed my ANCC board examinations! As I look back upon my time as a student, I am grateful for the opportunity I had to be a part of the ISAPN Board. With my graduation, a vacancy will exist on the ISAPN board for the student representative position. I strongly encourage all students to apply for this role! I have greatly enjoyed this position, and I believe it has made me a better leader as an Advanced Practice Nurse. The position has taught me how much ISAPN does for patients and APNs in Illinois. It has also helped me develop into a better APN advocate, and I feel I have greater knowledge about the roots of the profession. This role is a great opportunity for a student ISAPN member! 

 

If you are interested please contact Susan Y Swart MS, RN, CAE [email protected] for more details.
 

IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO ATTEND

The 2014 APN Midwest Conference is fast approaching! We wanted to remind you that the 2014 ISAPN Advanced Practice Nursing Midwest Conference is taking place October 9-11

at Location:   

Chicago Marriott Naperville 
(630) 505-4900 
1801 N. Naper Blvd 
Naperville, Illinois 60563 

 

 

Sneak Peek - Comfortably Numb 
Facilitated by: 
Ricki S. Loar 
BS, MS, FNP, GNP, Ph.D.

 

Would you like to learn to treat joint and trigger point pain effectively?  


These injections are easy to perform and can add to your clinic productivity.   During the 2 Comfortably Numb skills sessions, you will learn how to perform joint and trigger point injections using state of the art models with immediate feedback for correct needle placement.  

You asked for more hands on workshops-- We delivered! 

REGISTER NOW  

GR UPDATE
Submitted by Dr. Michele Knappe APN

 

Hello ISAPN members!!

 

We are getting all geared up and ready for the 2015 legislative season. We hope to see everyone at Midwest Conference where we will reveal more details about ISAPN's plan for Going Green in 2015.  

 

Now is the time to meet with your legislators in their home offices and introduce yourself to them and educate them on the roles of APNs.  

We need to continue to build and work on our relationships with our legislative members as well as various other organizations. A big thank-you to everyone for their generous donations to the PAC.   Please consider making a donation to PAC today, every donation counts!!  

 

Calling all singers!!! Do you love to sing and have fun doing it, come join us for a night of laughs and singing at our annual PAC karaoke event! The proceeds will go towards PAC.  

 

We look forward to seeing everyone! 

$100,000 PAC 

To successfully do our work in Springfield we need the resources to reach the right people.  

ARE YOU ON LIST OF THOSE WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED?

YOU DON'T WANT TO BE LEFT OUT!

List updated every 2 weeks. 

Watch for our status updates via email!


2014 ELECTION RESULTS ANNOUNCED

Congratulations to the newly elected or re-elected board members.  We look forward to working toward full practice authority with an energetic board ready to hit the ground running!

PRESIDENT

MARY BARTON  APN, CNS, CNP

SECRETARY

SHANNON HOLTHAUS APN, CNP

GR/PAC CHAIR

MICHELE KNAPPE, DNP, APN, ACNP-BC, CEN

MEMBERSHIP CHAIR

MICHELLE DIGIOVANNI PhD, APN-BC
CNS REPRESENTATIVE

JULI AISTARS, APN, TSS

CRNA REPRESENTATIVE

CASSIE MARIE ISCHMAEL MS, APN, CRNA

REGION 2 REPRESENTATIVE

MELISSA RITZMAN THEODORE MSN, APN-BC

REGION 4 REPRESENTATIVE

BETH MATHEWS APN, FNP

REGION 6 REPRESENTATIVE

DENISE ORRILL DNP, APN, FNP-BC

CONVENIENT CARE CLINICS

 

Convenient care clinics (CCC's) also known as retail clinics have become commonplace across urban, suburban and rural areas; however, that was not always the case. As I currently work at a hospital affiliated retail clinic, I would like to share some history, facts, and thoughts on what the future holds for this avenue of health care.

 

The inception and growth of CCC's was in response to the obvious void in health care as many patients found it difficult to access healthcare outside of the traditional office setting; thus, ER services were then sought for non-emergent health care issues. One report in 2006 cited 55% of California ER visits were for non-emergencies and 46% of those that sought ER care thought they could have resolved their medical issue via their primary care physician but were unable to obtain timely access[1]. The emergence of retail clinics came onto the health care scene as a way of providing affordable, accessible healthcare in convenient settings with hours that are more conducive to work schedules. For many, CCC's serve as an entry point of care for the millions of American's that remain uninsured or underinsured and have yet to establish with a primary care provider [2] However, insurance companies recognize this type of care as being both high quality and cost effective as evidenced by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota's elimination of co-pays for enrollees who utilized CCC's citing a cost savings of $1.2 million dollars.[3]  

 

As expected the emergence of CCC's on the health care landscape has not been without controversy. Physician's have voiced concern that retail clinics compromise patient safety and have actively campaigned against them; however, there is no evidence to support such a nearsighted view. As most CCC's are generally staffed by nurse practitioners (NP's), research from 2000 affirmed that the quality of care by NP's is comparable in quality to physician care[4] and the quality of care via CCC's is transparent. All documentation is through an electronic health record which can then be shared with the patient's primary care provider and serve to monitor evidence -based practice performance. So what does the future look like for this avenue of care?

 

I highly recommend, for those interested, an article by Dr Paul Keckley PhD "Retail Clinics: Updates and Implications"[5] In the beginning of the article, a statement from 2008 is quoted as follows, "retail clinics are not a fad --- they are a disruptive innovation with a sustainable proposition (price, quality, service) that is welcomed by consumers." However, the economic downturn that began in 2007 negatively impacted retailers and the investors backing retail medicine start up. And although there were some clinics that closed, there were lessons to be learned including site matters. Retail clinics operating in pharmacies and grocery stores offer the convenience of additional services in addition to filling of prescriptions and over the counter health care products. Local hospitals and medical groups have also entered the retail clinic market to leverage their brand and/or protect patient referral patterns. In addition an evolving retail clinic business model is discussed to support additional revenue streams. These are described as zones with Zone One being preventative screening/prescriptions/uncomplicated primary care, Zone Two is medication management/health coaching/employer wellness, and Zone Three as care management services/referral management/health insurance: individual/group in partnership with a health plan/employer.

 

The prediction is that CCC's will continue to grow based on economic recovery as retail sales will grow with economic recovery which will drive consumer traffic to retail sites, health care plans are likely to increase retail clinic coverage and waive co-payments to encourage use, and health care reform will increase demand for primary care services. This will include previously uninsured consumers that now have access to subsidized health insurance plans[6].

 

From this NP's perspective, when seeing a patient in a primary care clinic it is refreshing to be able to say, "Why did you go to the ER for this rash that you have had for months and the Fast Care is open every weekday until 8:30 pm?" We can finally dialogue with patients about how and when to access different levels of care that are both quality driven and cost effective.

 

Lisa Ilg FNP



[1] Herrick, Devon. "Retail Clinics: Convenient and Affordable Care" National Center for Policy Analysis. No. 686. January 14, 2010

[2] Convenient Care Association Fact Sheet. "Increasing Access". www.ccaclinics.org

[3] BlueCross BlueShield Association, July 29,2008.

[4] Mundinger, Mary. "Primary Care Outcomes in Patients Treated by Nurse Practitioners or Physicians." JAMA, 2000

[5] Keckley, Paul H, Howard R Underwood, Malay Gandhi. "Retail Clinics: Update and Implications." Deloitte Center for Health Solutions 2009.

[6] Keckley, et al 


Efforts to educate faculty and students about ISAPN are critical 1) for the growth of professional APNs committed to not only their jobs, but are actively interested in the forces that limit our profession or threaten it 2) growth of ISAPN membership to continue to truly be an organization that represents APNS in our state and last but not least of all 3)to mentor our "young" APNs.   ISAPN has moved APN practice forward at a steady rate over the past few years. It is important for all APNs to understand that NOTHING happens for our profession if ISAPN does not move the agenda forward. We need to be "captains of our own ship"! Likewise, we need to have the membership numbers to show that we are THE representative organization for APNs.

 

If you are interested please drop me an email at [email protected].

Thank you to all who have said yes to this important role, have taken the time to go through a short orientation, and who have already made strides with their respective schools.

 

Submitted by

 

Mary Barton/Diane Ryzner 

REGION UPDATES
  

REGION 1

At the August meeting, we brainstormed regarding the PAC Raffle Basket for Region 1 to have at MWC. The group in attendance decided to create a basket that was both unique to the region, but practical for APNs.   

  

Therefore, we decided to purchase the latest in stethoscope technology from Littmann (retails approximately $400) and will combine this in a basket with a Sock Monkey - which originated in Rockford.   

  

If all Region members donate $20, cost of the basket will be covered without having to use Region funds. However, ANY amount is appreciated, $5, $10 - all helps. PLEASE send it in a check, made payable to me (for reporting purposes). Bring to one of the upcoming events on the 17th or 24th, or by mail.

Niccole Ranz has ordered the stethoscope and Dee Sternhagen has obtained the Sock Monkey. Thank you so much to both of you! We hope OUR basket raises the most interest at the conference!

  

"The 3M™ Littmann� Electronic Stethoscope Model 3200 combines Ambient Noise Reduction technology and frictional noise dampening features with amplification, Bluetooth� technology, and an all-new user interface, for the next level of performance and ease of use."

 

Stephanie Crawford

Region 1 Chair

 

REGION 2

Region 2 held two program/meetings in the July. The first program was at Lutheran General Hospital and was presented by two APNs - Jean Mau and Diane Boyle. It dealt with the role an APN has in assisting patients and their family members in Advanced Directives. This was very well attended and well received by all attendees. The second program was held at Maggiano's in Schaumburg and sponsored by Salix pharmaceuticals. The topic was on Opiod-induced Constipation but covered other areas of constipation as well. While the attendance was lower than anticipated the topic was well received by the attendees.

 

Also, in July, Region 2 launched a fundraising initiative for ISAPN PAC, "Split the Pot". We are joining with Region 7 to raise money by selling tickets at $10 a piece at all meetings and anytime in between. The goal is to raise $2000 between the two Regions. The winner will be drawn during the Business meeting at the MWC and will "split the pot" with PAC.

 

One program/meeting was held in August. The topic was "Paradigm Shift in the Treatment of DVT & P.E.". This meeting was also well attended and the information presented well received. No meeting has been scheduled for September as of the printing of this report.

 

Discussion on Legislative updates, SPOC & the "Go Green in 2015" initiative, membership push, and MWC attendance encouragement were all parts of the Business meeting section of all 3 program/meetings. Discussed at the August meeting was BOD voting and encouragement for all attendees - all of whom were ISAPN members, to vote on-line and to attend the Business meeting at MWC. Donations to PAC were also strongly encouraged and different options, besides the raffle tickets, were explained.

 

Anyone still interested in purchasing a raffle ticket for "Split the Pot" in Region 2 may contact me directly and I can arrange to get the tickets to them prior to the MWC drawing. My email is [email protected] or cell phone# 815-482-8081,

 

Respectfully submitted;

Katherine Welch, ND, APN, FNP-BC

  

REGION 4 

Region 4 is broken into several different distinct areas which hold their area meetings quarterly. Those areas are Effingham, Decatur, Champaign/Urbana, and Bloomington/Normal.

 

Effingham area group is putting together the Raffle Basket for PAC to be raffled at the Midwest Conference in Naperville. The theme is 'fitness', and it will include a personal activity tracker.

 

Decatur is meeting regularly, and it is encouraging to see a regular group. Most recently, Boehringer Ingelheim presented a program regarding Pradaxa. A cardiologist from Springfield spoke about the drug.

 

Bloomington area meeting was September 18. We learned about Abbvie's program for patient education for Crohn's and psoriasis patients. The material is un branded, and is a great asset for NPs to use.

 

Champaign met at Silver Creek in July to hear a diabetic NP specialist. He practices in Indianapolis, and was sponsored by Novo Nordisk. He had great suggestions regarding treatment with long acting insulin.

 

In September, a large group gathered at Biaggi's to hear a MD specialist speak about the Updated Role of Small Airways in Asthma. The program was sponsored by Teva Respiratory.

 

The Adopt a School program was presented to U of I students in Urbana August 18 by Peter Kale. He reports enthusiastic response.

 

We are still working on Sundays, and Thursdays at the local free clinic - Avicenna in Champaign. They are greatly appreciative of our help. It exposes Nurse Practitioners to patients, and the medical students, and other volunteers who may not be aware of our role.

 

A recent issue of The Nursing Voice has an article and picture regarding the Avicenna clinic.

 

Hope to see all of you in Naperville at the Midwest Conference in October.

 

Respectfully

 

Beth Mathews APN, FNP-BC

Region 4 Chair  

This is will be my last article as the Membership Chair.  It has been an honor and pleasure to have served our state APN organization over the last two years.

 

This week I had the pleasure of attending the National League for Nursing (NLN) Summit held in Phoenix, Arizona.  As I networked with my colleagues around the country, I could not help but reflect on the power of nursing. I had the pleasure of working with educators around the country who provide the foundation for nursing education and practice.   I was honored to be amongst the nurses who had the power to mold the profession.  The networking and camaraderie I experienced at this conference was like no other conference which I attended.   

 

This week's experience reminded me once again the impact of nursing and our colleagues on the profession. Attending the conference was pricey, yet the nursing educators were committed regardless of its cost. Nevertheless, these educators paid conference fees, travel, and memberships.  I thought what can ISAPN do to engage and maintain our members?  Our membership is a mere cost for APNs to pay.

 

It was an honor to have worked with so many dedicated advanced practice nursing professionals in Illinois.  These Board members and nursing professionals   have dedicated themselves to the mission and growth of the organization.  It has truly been a pleasure to work with them over these past two years.

My term has been extremely challenging.  Our membership committee has continually tried to ignite nurses to assist them in understanding the importance of being involved in ISAPN.  

 

A Membership Task Force has recently been developed.  The task force will be led by Michelle Giovanni to assist a talented group of APNs to develop recruitment and marketing strategies for ISAPN. We realize this work cannot be done by a small committee of members of the organization, but requires the work of the entire organization to impact and grow its membership.

 

We are optimistic that using this approach, under the leadership of the task force, will result in increased interest, involvement, and growth of the membership. 

During my tenure, we have all worked together to try to answer one critical question. What can we do to get advanced practice nurses in Illinois to become members in their professional organization? How do we get APNs in Illinois to support ISAPN as the voice of their profession? Could it be that many of the advanced practice nurses have forgotten the journey and the past? Or, do our APNs even know the history of how they currently practice?  Could it be that they do not understand the struggle, did they forget, or could it be they just don't care? We cannot forget the grass roots efforts of the APNs before us.

 

I certainly remember my advanced practice twenty years ago, as well as the grass roots efforts and contributions.  Everyone's efforts were appreciated by our small membership.

 

If we could get each member to do one thing or even get half of the APNs to join, ISAPN would be strong and influential. If only our APNs understood the history, and its impact on practice today

 

We have a lot of work ahead. For example, if each one join one.  This small commitment would double our membership.

 

Again, thank you for the opportunity to have served on the board of directors.  I hope that you too can find some way to serve. 


Dr. Lisa Young, DNP, APN, FNP-BC

Membership Chair 

CDC OFFICIALS RECOMMENDED FLU SHOTS  

Other influenza vaccine recommendations included age limits

August 20, 2014 / Author: Tara Haelle / Reviewed by: Robert Carlson, M.DBeth Bolt, RPh 

 

The heat is still beating down in the last days of summer, but autumn is just around the corner. That means flu season is lurking around the bend as well.

 

A recent report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided recommendations regarding the flu shot for the upcoming flu season.

 

A flu shot is not 100 percent effective, so it cannot guarantee that a person will not catch the flu. However, getting the vaccine reduces the risk of getting the flu and passing it along to others.

 

"Wash your hands and don't share food or drinks during flu season."

The report, authored by Lisa A. Grohskopf, MD, of the Influenza Division at the CDC, and colleagues, explained the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

 

Most flu vaccines have three or four strains of the flu in them to prevent illness from those strains. Vaccines with three strains are called trivalent, and vaccines with four strains are called quadrivalent.

 

The committee said that all people 6 months old and older should receive the flu vaccine.

 

Children between 6 months and 8 years old who are receiving the flu vaccine for the first time should get two doses one month apart, the committee recommended. After receiving two doses in one year, children only need one dose of the vaccine in future years.

 

For children 2 to 8 years old, the committee recommended the live nasal vaccine because it is the most effective vaccine for this age group. However, some individuals have a medical reason which rules out the nasal vaccine, meaning they should get the injection instead, the authors noted.

 

According to the report authors, the following individuals should not get the live nasal vaccine:

  • Children under 2 years old or adults over 49
  • Children aged 2 to 17 who are taking aspirin or aspirin products
  • Those with severe allergies to flu vaccine components
  • Pregnant women
  • Immuno-suppressed persons, such as those undergoing chemotherapy or taking immunosuppressant medicines
  • Those with a history of egg allergies
  • Those with asthma or wheezing who had an episode in the past year
  • Those who have taken flu antiviral medications in the previous two days

Also, those with asthma or lung, heart, kidney, liver, neurological, blood or metabolic disorders, including diabetes , should be cautious about the nasal vaccine and may want to get the injection instead, the committee recommended.

If someone is a caretaker for another person who is immuno-compromised - such as someone taking immunosuppressants or receiving chemotherapy - then the caretaker should not get the nasal vaccine. Or, if the caretaker does get it, he or she should avoid contact with the immuno-compromised person for at least a week.

 

For individuals who have an egg allergy, some minor reactions have been noted, but severe allergic reactions are unlikely.

 

If those with egg allergies want to receive a flu vaccine that was not manufactured with egg components, the FluBlok and Flucelvax vaccines are available. However, neither is approved for children younger than 18.

 

The report was published Aug. 15 in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 

DON'T FORGET - FREE CE FOR MEMBERS

 

We are pleased to announce that we have partnered with Florida State University for you to earn free CEs for taking an online training on domestic violence.  The first module is basic Domestic Violence I01. The second is on screening patients for domestic violence.  Each session has been approved for 1.25 contact hours for our members!

 

Here's how to do it:

Log on to DVmedtraining.csw.fsu.edu 

 

Take the 2 training modules at your convenience.

 

Take a brief evaluation and exam (20 questions) after each module.

 

Earn 1.25 credits for each module you pass with 80% test score. You'll receive a certificate.

 

Email a copy or pdf of your certificate to us at [email protected] to receive your CE credit. 

 

That's it!  Membership in ISAPN has many benefits! 

 
  

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Questions/Comments
Susan Y Swart MS, RN, CAE
Executive Director

815-468-8804
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