State of the Association

Arizona Nurse,  Sep 2005  by Weston, Marla

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Strategic Initiative 1: Advocate for Professional Nursing Practice

* Implemented six key elements for appropriate staffing through the Arizona Department of Health rules for hospitals including direct care nurse input into staffing based on an acuity plan that reflects individual and aggregate patient needs. Summarized regulations related to hospital nurse staffing on AzNA's website and on a bookmark.

* Worked with the Arizona Department of Health Services to ensure that hospital nurse receive sufficient orientation and preparation before floating to a different unit or to care for a different patient population.

* Created the Arizona Healthcare Leadership Academy, a pragmatic, four-day educational program for front line supervisors, based upon the Arizona Nursing Leadership Competencies Model. Program created in partnership with the University of Arizona College of Nursing, Eller College of Management, and the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association.

* Completed Nursing Work Environment survey, which assessed hospital nurses' perceptions of their work environment compared to Magnet facilities. Presented results at Western Institute for Nursing.

* Coordinated with the State Board of Nursing to develop FAQs clarifying the nurses' role and responsibilities for administering dosage range of medication orders.

* Continued efforts to eliminate mandatory overtime resulting in 2/3rds of Arizona hospitals voluntarily signing an agreement to implement a policy.

* Developed and posted on AzNA's website a process for implementing a back safety program.

* Supported nursing practice by continuing to offer the Quick Guide to Nursing Practice, Developing your Career Guide, and Professional Portfolio.

* Delivered over 60 presentations to nurses around the state on professional practice, creating excellence, the nursing shortage, legislative issues, and other nursing topics.

Strategic Initiative 2: Strengthen Membership and Partnership

* Increased membership by 9% in past two years.

* Hosted a Day of Dialogue on operating room nursing practice and on baccalaureate education in community colleges.

* Provided the first annual chapter leadership education program.

* Updated AzNA's display board and membership application.

* Designed and implemented a mentorship program for the Student Nurses Association of Arizona.

* Joined the Arizona Partnership for Implementing Patient Safety.

* Exhibited at community college and university career fairs and at key nursing conferences.

Strategic Initiative 3: Influence Public Policy for Health Care

* Coordinated development of a strategic plan for the Governor's Nursing Shortage Taskforce.

* Testified and successfully lobbied to ensure that the legislation creating a pilot study for medication technicians in non-skilled long-term care setting provided delegation by RNs, required that RNs not be replaced. Participated in the planning committee that designed the study, training, and evaluation process. Opposed pilot study medication technicians administering controlled substances.

* Ensured that proposed legislation on community colleges offering BSNs met accepted regulatory and accreditation standards for nurses.

* Spoke at press conferences and lobbied to increase funding for nursing faculty by $20 million over the next 4 years.

* Successfully lobbied for vital records department changes to allow nurse practitioners (NPs) to sign death certificates.

* Worked with Senator Kyl's office to introduce changes to allow NPs to order home health under Medicare part A.

* Ensured the Arizona Department of Health considered independent NP offices in the definition of private practice.

* Supported RN First Assistants (RNFAs) in changing the State Board of Nursing advisory opinion to allow for surgical incisions by RNFA consistent with the AORN standards.

* Prevented expansion of lay nurse midwives and paramedic scopes of practice to conflict with RN scope.

* Began meetings with health plans regarding empanelment of NPs.

* Lobbied against and sent letter to governor encouraging a veto on rights of consciousness bill requesting compliance with ANA's Code of Ethics for Nurses.

* Worked with school nurses to identify and collect data necessary for successful legislative initiative to increase school nurse utilization.

Strategic Initiative 4: Improve the Perception and Visibility of Nursing and AzNA

* Continued media contacts resulting in an average of two exposures/month through television, radio, or print media.

* Sponsored the Arizona Healthy Blood Pressure Project which screened 349 participants and resulted in 10 media stories.

* Participated as the community nurse liaison for the Nurse Storytelling Project.

* Enrolled AzNA and AzNA members into the Center for American Nurses.

* Supported the Arizona Nurses Foundation's work to annually host the Promise of Nursing Event with approximately 650 attendees each year, adding approximately $100,000 to Arizona Nurses Foundation. Expanded scholarship program based upon these funds.

* Initiated sending AzNA Today biweekly list serv to all members.