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Page 2 Mississippi RNMarch, April, May 2012A Report from the President.Board of Directorsby Gayle Harrell, MNA PresidentWe began this new yearof 2012 with an excitingmeeting with the districtpresidents joining theMNA Board of Directorsfor an update on themembership campaignand coordinating thecampaign strategy in eachdistrict.That meeting was thenight before the annualStatewide Nursing Summitwhere over 1,000 RN’s,APRN’s and studentGayle Harrellnurses filled the newJackson Convention Centerto talk about legislative issues and to meet with keylegislators.MNA members should contact their districtpresident for information to join in this statewidemembership drive. It is our plan to visit as manydistricts as possible over the next several months.Even though we have had the most growth andsustaining membership of the non-union states, wehave much work to do in growing the membership.Numbers of members speak volumes to those in thelegislature.During the October House of Delegates, theresolution to support mandatory continuingeducation for registered nurses was passed. Thereare two options to move this forward: supportingNURSESExpand your careerwithElectronic Health Records(EHR) TrainingOnline Convenient FREEHIT Pro Exam Voucherupon course completion.Classes begin soon!For FAQ/Application/Coursesvisit www.iccms.edu.Mallory Pennington – 662.620.5145Lori Little – 662.620.5122the Board of Nursing to include this change in theirstatutes or presenting a bill to the legislature. Atthis time the Board of Nursing has taken this underevaluation and will be making a future decision ontheir position. MNA supports continuing educationfor all registered nurses. Continuing education isimportant in professional development and ourprofessional image. Information on the status of thisissue will be a shared in the coming months.MNA experienced a change in leadership early in2012 when the MNA Board of Directors appointedformer executive director Betty Dickson as interimED. Of course, one of our main priorities nowis starting the search for the executive directorposition. Work has begun and we look forward tohaving the position filled soon. In the interim, BettyDickson will serve as the executive director andlobbyist. We really appreciate Betty’s willingnessto provide her experience and support duringthis time. I would like to applaud the members ofthe MNA Board and the staff. They have done anoutstanding job during this transition. Their energyand devotion to MNA is inspiring.During the first few weeks of January, MNAofficers and Interim Executive Director, BettyDickson, attended Governor Phil Bryant’s inauguralball & other legislative events. There are so manynew legislators, it will be important to build ourrelationships with them and continue to reinforcethe relationships with returning legislators. Iencourage you to begin educating your senator andrepresentative about issues concerning nursing andhealth care. Don’t hesitate to call the MNA office ifyou need information to share and to identify yourlegislators.With the elections completed, it is often difficultto get others interested in building a PAC fund. Aswe saw this past year, not having adequate fundsto support candidates leads to the loss of legislatorsthat have been or would have been supporters ofnursing and health care. It is important that webegin now in building our Political Action Fund.To be effective in our efforts, we have set a goal of 100,000. We consider that amount as needed tosupport the activities and endorsements of the PACand election successes. Our goal then should be atleast 25,000 each year. We also need individualswho are interested in working on the politicalaction committee (PAC). Please contact the office ifyou feel this is your area of interest.MNA and MNF are completing the final touchesto the Nightingale Gala. We look forward tocelebrating the achievements of our nurses andhospitals across the state.Published by:Private DutyHome, Hospital, NursingHome, HospiceRNs, LPNs, CNAs, andHomemakers Short term or long termcare (hospital or home) Medicaid Waiver Provider Errand, Housekeeping,ShoppingArthur L. DavisPublishing Agency, Inc.Allied HealthClinics, Insurance Companies,Industrial Facilities All Clerical Positions Certified MedicalAssistants Phlebotomists Surgical Techs Respiratory Therapists X-Ray Techs/Lab Techs NursesClient access to on-lineschedules and employeecredentials.TreasurerJeffrey Hallman, MSN, RNjeffrey hallman@bellsouth.netDirectorsCouncil on EducationCouncil on Nursing ResearchBetty Logan, BSN, MSN, NP-CJuanita Graham, RN, omCouncil on Health AffairsAnn Barnes, RN, BSNabarnes@pcnursing.comCouncil on Nursing PracticeSandi Arnold, RN, BSNricsansam@comcast.netCouncil onOrganizational AffairsAmy Forsythe, BSN, MSN,NP-Camyforsythe@bellsouth.netCouncil onAdvanced PracticeLinda Sullivan, RN, BC, DSN,FNP/PNPLmsullivan60@yahoo.comMNA StaffAdvanced Practice &Publishing CoordinatorMary PittmanInterim ExecutiveDirector & LobbyistBetty R. DicksonEvents and ContinuingEducation CoordinatorAngela WeathersbyExecutive AssistantDana WalkerFinance Administrator/Membership CoordinatorDeborah NormanMNA District PresidentsDistrict 1:Adams, Franklin, Jefferson, andWilkinson countiesDiane Blancharddianehb@alcorn.eduDistrict 15:Leake, Neshoba, Newton, andScott countiesJan Toddjan workbcc@yahoo.comDistrict 2:Amite, Copiah, Lawrence,Lincoln, Pike, and WalthallcountiesMelinda Sillsmklsills@yahoo.comDistrict 16:Clarke, Kemper, and LauderdalecountiesMaxine Puckettgrannyhw@bellsouth.netDistrict 5:Hancock, Harrison, Pearl River,and Stone countiesArlana Hargraveadhargrave@hotmail.comDistrict 18:Choctaw, Clay, Lowndes,Noxubee, Oktibbeha, Webster,and Winston countiesJohnnie S. Wijewardancejohnniesue.cooper@gmail.comDistrict 6:Jackson, George, and GreenecountiesTerrie Goregore.tlgore@gmail.comDistrict 21:Humphries, Sunflower, andWashington countiesMelanie Grahammgraham@deltaregional.comDistrict 7:Covington, Forrest, Lamar, Perry,Jefferson Davis and MarioncountiesMiriam Cabanamiriam.cabana@usm.eduDistrict 23:Bolivar Coahoma, Quitman,Tallahatchie, and Tunicacounties.Shelby Polkspolk@deltastate.eduDistrict 8:Jasper, Jones, and Wayne countiesDonna Scoggindonna.scoggin@jcjc.eduDistrict 25:Alcorn, Benton, Calhoun,Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee,Monroe, Pontotoc, Prentiss,Tippah, Tishomingo, and UnioncountiesChristina Nunnallycknunnally@yahoo.comDistrict 12:Claiborne, Issaquena, Sharkey,and Warren countiesDebbie HooverDeborahLionist@bellsouth.netDistrict 13:Hinds, Rankin, Madison andYazoo countiesKeith Hodgesjkhodges@umc.eduDistrict 28:DeSoto, Marshall, and TateCountiesReynae BennettReynae.bennett@bmhcc.orgDistrict 31:Lafayette, Panola, and YalobushacountiesMorgan Waltermdwalter1@gmail.comDistrict 32:Attala, Carroll, Grenada, Holmes,Leflore, and Montgomery countiesKatherine Hugheshugheskatherine@bellsouth.netAcceptance of advertising does not imply endorsement or approval by theMississippi Nurses Association of products advertised, the advertisers, orthe claims made. Rejection of an advertisement does not imply a productoffered for advertising is without merit, or that the manufacturer lacks integrity, or that this association disapproves of the product or its use. MNAand the Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc. shall not be held liable forany consequences resulting from purchase or use of an advertiser’s product.Articles appearing in this publication express the opinions of the authors;they do not necessarily reflect views of the staff, board, or membership ofMNA or those of the national or local associations.Mississippi RN is published quarterly every March, June, September andDecember and is the official publication of the Mississippi Nurses Association, 31 Woodgreen Place, Madison, MS 39110, a constituent member ofthe American Nurses 800-880-2772601-933-0067 faxSecretaryMichelle Burns, RN, MSNmjburns@umc.eduFor advertising rates and information, please contact Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc., 517 Washington Street, PO Box 216, Cedar Falls,Iowa 50613, (800) 626-4081, sales@aldpub.com. MNA and the Arthur L.Davis Publishing Agency, Inc. reserve the right to reject any advertisement.Responsibility for errors in advertising is limited to corrections in the nextissue or refund of price of advertisement.Employee access toon-line schedules andavailabilities.1088 Flynt DriveFlowood, MS 39232Vice PresidentJennifer Hitt, RN, MSN, CNEjhitt@umc.eduDistrict 11:Simpson and Smith countiesTeresa mental StaffingMedical Facilities: RNs, LPNs, CNAs Per Diem Staffing Long-term Contracts Permanent PlacementPresidentGayle Harrell, NP-C, CWCNgayle.harrell@att.netEOE

March, April, May 2012Mississippi RN Page 3Nurses in the NewsNursing’s Dynamic Duo:Harris, Hoover build unique academic-service partnership at UMMCby Matt WesterfieldDr. Kim Hoover & Janet Harris(Editor’s note: The following article is reprintedwith permission by Bruce Coleman, Editor, CenterView, University of Mississippi Medical Center. Theseoutstanding women are members of MNA. Janet Harrisserved as MNA past president and as MNF President).When Janet Harris wanted a bit of advice fora research course she took last year, she realizedshe could call on the help of the University ofMississippi Medical Center’s “resident expert” innursing research.Late one day after work, the chief nursingexecutive officer for University Hospitals and HealthSystem called Dr. Kim Hoover, dean of the Schoolof Nursing.Harris, who is working toward her doctoratein nursing practice at an out-of-state university,said Hoover was more than happy to look at hercoursework and syllabus.“She came by the house and said, ‘He (theprofessor) is making this way too complicated. Letme make it simple for you,’” Harris said. “And thatwasn’t the only time in that course that she helpedme.”As it happens, the top nursing executive atUMHC and UMMC’s leader in nursing educationhave been friends since well before taking theircurrent positions. But over the past few years, theyhave succeeded in leveraging that friendship tostrengthen and enhance cooperation between theclinical and academic spheres of nursing.Hoover is quick to point out that Harris ispursuing her doctorate online in part because shealso teaches in the School of Nursing’s in-houseDNP program.“Janet has always been there to help me withprofessional advice,” she said. “I frequently soughther advice when I moved here and began my role asassociate dean.”Hoover was named dean a year ago and beforethat, served as interim dean after Dr. Kaye Benderstepped down in 2009. Harris has served as chiefnursing executive officer since early 2007.“We had conversations before Janet took thisposition because we both thought it would be awonderful opportunity for us to work together,”Hoover said. The relationship between the clinicalside of nursing and the school has not always beena good one, she said. “So the opportunity to growthat into what we knew it could be was exciting forboth of us.”As a result of that outlook, nurse managers andfrontline nurses are working with SON faculty andstudents more than ever before, spinning off aresearch initiative under the direction of Dr. SheilaKeller, senior director of research and evidencebased practice. Two years later, more than 14studies and projects are on the books.Harris said the School of Nursing has beenelemental in connecting staff nurses with theresearch side of practice.“In the hospital, we do not yet have theknowledge and expertise necessary in manyareas in research and collecting evidence andthe knowledge that these guys bring to the tablebecause of their educational background,” she said.“We realized that they had things that we needed,and we have the clinical laboratory that they need.”Hoover agreed that the relationship is mutuallybeneficial.“For the education side, if we don’t have a directconnection with practice, then we aren’t connectedin a way that helps us teach the students the mostcurrent practice, the most current standards, andwe also don’t have the relationship with the clinicalnurses that we need who really are critical toeducating our students,” she said.Hoover said the school regularly invites nurseeducators from the hospital to speak to studentsin the classroom, and that often sparks an interestin graduate education. Students, meanwhile, get tohear real-life clinical scenarios that they otherwisemight not have heard, adding value to theireducation.This month, the fourth cohort graduated from theLeading through Applied Management Principles(LAMP) Program, led by faculty member Dr.Rebecca Askew.Hoover said the level of cooperation they haveattained is unique.“There’s a good bit being written now aboutacademic-service partnerships, and we have bothgone together or to different venues to talk aboutthe work we’re doing,” she said. Rarely do they findnursing schools and clinical nurses collaborating atthe level of the Medical Center.“When I talk to nurse executives, I tell them theyshould expect something out of their schools ofnursing,” she said.“Kim has done a wonderful job of coalescingthe message of the School of Nursing, what itstrue vision is,” said Harris, who added that Hoovershares an equal footing on her organizationalstructure. Conversely, Hoover says Harris is listednext to her on the SON organizational chart.“We do now have people, when they hear aboutit, contact us and ask how it works out,” Harris said.When they occasionally find some down time,Harris and Hoover sometimes meet outside theworkplace as well.“We have known each other for quite sometime,” said Hoover. “Janet has been involved inprofessional organizations across the state andacross the nation for awhile, so I knew her beforeI moved to Jackson. And I built a house in herneighborhood.”Harri

Card Program Cancelled Notice is hereby given that Bank of America, the affinity credit card program for the . of nursing and establishing the Office of Nursing Workforce. ONW provided leadership in the . donna.scoggin@jcjc.edu District 11: Simpso