Executive director's column

Connecticut Nursing News, Jun-Aug 2001 by Barey, Polly T

I recently had the privilege of speaking with a group of nurses, always an honor. The presentation was informational - a description of the state of nursing in Connecticut. Some of this you know is "bad news," but there are also pockets of hope and news that is shout-it-fromthe-rooftops-great!

The presentation ended with an opportunity for questions and dialogue, a time that can create deadly silence. You wait for questions you've prepared for or anticipate those you were prepared for and hoped they wouldn't ask.

I thought I was prepared but was surprised at my reaction when two questions were asked, or, more accurately, two statements offered. One related to "all these nurses" not wanting to be at the bedside, just moving up and becoming mini doctors; the other lamented the closing of hospital schools of nursing, where nurses were really prepared.

My impassioned message to this group and to all who will listen is, WE MUST STOP putting time or energy into this "old stuff" We need all different kinds of nurses: Nurses who practice clinically (note I did not use at the beside), who advance through education and experience to educate, do research or management and who take positions that will influence policy and politics.

We cannot continue to fight non-essential battles while we wage wars of recruitment, retention, and safe care for patients. If we don't stay focused, we will not change our education to include more clinical immersion, alter the public's (including nurses') attitudes and image of nursing, or ensure that we have enough nurses with the right education in the right specialties.

CNA's "M & Ms" this year: "Mantras and marketing messages"

Seamless education: Continue efforts to break down barriers and ensure that individuals can begin a nursing career as a nursing assistant, an LPN or, with an associate degree, a baccalaureate degree, or an RN with a degree in another field-all leading to potential for advancement. My hope is the fundamentals of nursing will be taught with these individuals learning together. What a great way to begin team building.

Build the infrastructure: Initiatives CNA has taken, such as the Nursing Career Center, support for legislation to finally establish a data collection system for better planning of our workforce needs, a legislated alternative nurse intervention program, and coordinated efforts to bring nursing and nurses together.

Nurses making the decisions: Nurses can and must determine safe staffing levels and their practice. They must be included in decisions that affect their practice-not on paper but actively involved in everything from what safe needle devices should be used to how the latest research should be implemented to improve care and the nurse's satisfaction.

Mobility: We will not have educators for our future nurses unless we encourage additional education and initiatives to improve salaries. Our care and illness system will not be best served unless we have nurses in decision-making positions with solid education and experience.

Highlights of the state of Connecticut nursing

Some good news

Middlesex Hospital seeking Magnet Hospital status.

Five nursing leaders in Connecticut receiving Diamond Jubilee Awards for their outstanding contributions.

Stamford Hospital running "Camp Learn To Care" a great way to begin interest in healthcare.

Connecticut Nurses' Foundation establishing a Building Committee to lead the effort to have a building that will be a true nursing center.

Some bad news

Limited monies allocated for nursing from the General Assembly The question: How will these meager dollars be spent?

Recommendations made in 1988 to establish a data collection system in order to plan more effectively for our nursing workforce needs. We're still waiting.

For over ten years we have worked for an alternative program to our current punitive system for nurses whose practice is impaired because of drug or alcohol addiction or mental or physical illness. Thousands of our colleagues are not being helped into treatment and recovery.

Advanced practice nurses with skills and responsibility to diagnose, order tests and treatments, refer to other disciplines and specialties and prescribe medications can be paid as little as 50 dollars a visit! We pay many individuals in the trades more.

Some ugly news

The only opposition to An Act Establishing A Nurse Intervention Program (SB 433) was the Department of Public Health. Will Connecticut remain one of only 13 states without an alternative program?

A nursing home strike that placed patients, nurses and replacement workers at risk because much of our society does not value the "invisible work" (Laura Dzurec) done by members of the nursing team.

Continued national efforts with physicians at war with advanced practice nurses.

And some shout-it-to-everyone news

The Nursing Career Center of Connecticut (NCCC) has already made an impact, with over 3,000 students and guidance counselors receiving information about nursing.

A new program at Quinnipiac University for individuals with baccalaureate degrees in other fields to complete a nursing program in 12 months received a number of referrals through the efforts of NCCC.