Partners Investing In Nursing’s Future (PIN)
Gerontology Nursing Consortium (GNC) Meeting
Monday, June 16, 2014
Meeting Summary
Proposed Meeting Goals:
· To gather in a spirit of collegiality and cooperation;
· To receive staff reports on PIN activities and funding;
· To receive reports on the transitioning of PIN activities; and
· To identify next steps and structure for the Consortium.
Meeting Participants: Jane Strommen, Loretta Heuer, John Graham, Dena Kemmet, Sheila Ripplinger, Amanda Gartner, Kay Schwarzwalter, Jolene Hoffman, Jerry Jurena, Larry Anderson, Janis Cheney, Wendy Hournbuckle, Mary Ann Marsh, Dawn Fredrich, Shelly Peterson and Bill Krivarchka.
Facilitated by: The Consensus Council, Inc.
Welcome, Introductions & Review of Meeting Process: PIN Consortium members were welcomed to the meeting and provided self-introductions. The facilitator provided a brief review of the consensus-based decision-making process and ground rules. Participants then reviewed the meeting goals and agenda, and the meeting materials provided.
PIN Staff Report: Jane Strommen provided the following report and updates on PIN Activities and Funding:
· While the grant funding is winding down, the PIN activity and work is not!
· The Gero-Nursing Conference held in Fargo on 4/11/14 was a huge success with 132 attendees, excellent speakers/events and positive feedback on evaluations. More information about the event, as well as conference highlights and photos, can be found by linking to the North Dakota Center for Nursing website: http://www.ndcenterfornursing.org/?s=Gero+Nursing and/or at the ND PIN website: http://www.ndsu.edu/nursing/2014_geroconf/. Several other planning committee members (Wendy, Jane, Sheila and Loretta) indicated that the tentative plan is to hold another conference next spring – April 10, 2015 in Fargo. There was some discussion about the potential for convening the event in the western or central part of the state and/or to offer the same event in 2 geographic locations (east and west). Another suggestion was made to consider replicating the event via Webinar delivery with the use of a facilitator. The planning committee will take these ideas into consideration as they assess the Conference outcomes, evaluations and the geographic distribution of the participants.
· The success of the Gero-Nursing conference can be attributed to several factors including the mix of many diverse topics into one event, the good cross section of participants, including 30+ nursing students, the combination of speakers and “hands-on” activities and the excellent meeting accommodations provided by the Dakota Medical Foundation (DMF). PIN was also able to giveaway 2 training stipends for obtaining gero certification.
· In spite of a highly motivated and committed group of planning partners, there were not enough applicants for the 2014 Summer Nurse Camp and the decision was made to cancel. There was discussion regarding the increasing numbers of “Camp” experiences offered to students including the Scrubs Academy, Dickinson State University Nurse Camp, The UND Center for Rural Health offerings and the American Indian Nurse Camp. There was discussion about the merits of holding a stand-alone event vs. integrating gero-nursing into other, existing camps. The Bismarck-Mandan area Nurse Camp Planning Committee will consider these ideas as they move forward. All of the partners presently involved in the effort are willing to continue this task.
· Larry and Loretta reported on the progress of the HPOG initiative, currently in year #4 of a 5-year federal grant. Over 200 American Indian students have received training. Of these students, approximately 50% are now working in healthcare careers. Others have found alternate employment or are continuing their education to earn more advanced degrees. The current training focus is on EMT, paramedic, health information technology, CNA and medical coding. It was also noted that Cankdeska Cikana College (Spirit Lake Nation) graduated 20 new nurses this year!
Reports and Discussion on PIN Transition Activities and Timelines: Participants then moved through discussions and transition planning for the four (4) key areas of sustainability for the Partners in Nursing Gerontology Consortium and related activities.
1. Consortium Management, Oversight & Convening: ND Center for Nursing: It was noted that Patricia Moulton, Executive Director of the ND Center for Nursing, was unable to join the meeting today due to a scheduling conflict. It was also reported that, due to a loss of a funding source at the ND Center for Nursing, they have had to decline taking a lead role in this endeavor. The ND Center for Nursing had prepared a proposal for assuming responsibility for these tasks however, the Center’s Board did not approve moving forward due to time and money constraints. There was discussion about this dilemma which included the following:
· There might be an opportunity to approach the Center with a proposal that involves less time and work – perhaps just the job of facilitating Consortium meetings
· There was discussion about having another leader – or co-leaders – to take on these responsibilities
· There was discussion regarding the merit of having one large umbrella group to manage all of the similar efforts that are ongoing statewide. That is, there are multiple stakeholder groups meeting on varying healthcare issues and career building with little interaction among them. While participants agreed that such an arrangement would be ideal, there appears to be no easily identifiable organization or group that would represent that umbrella without diluting the efforts of individual groups.
· With regard to the “whole” of the PIN initiative, approximately $500,000 over almost 4 years was the grant funds total to develop and implement all current activities. There is a need to identify alternate funding sources from both public and private entities since the current funding will end in August 2014. It was noted that while ND is currently financially prosperous, many organizations would likely be coming to the legislature for funds. It’s always best to work toward inclusion in the Governor’s budget.
· Grants from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) are often due in December each year – this might be a potential funding source for PIN.
· If the most valuable part of Consortium meetings is talking with/learning from each other, not hiring a facilitator and not including a meal as part of the meeting could save money – participants seemed to be agreeable to these ideas.
· There was discussion about what PIN projects in other states have done/become since the end of their grants. Jane noted that some have ended while others continue on in a different way, as a non-profit organization, as a dues-paying group or as a coalition under another formal fiscal entity. The University of Minnesota has developed a Gerontology Education Center (that might be funded in part by HRSA) which is focused on offering continuing education to all health professionals engaged in providing care to older adults.
· Participants were encouraged to listen to the remarks of Dr. Mary Wakefield from her presentation at the American Indian Nursing Conference (Sharing the Journey) held recently in Bismarck. Dr. Wakefield’s address is inspiring and timely to the conversations the Consortium is having. To listen to her remarks go to: http://services.choruscall.com/links/hrsa140520.html
· It was agreed that the next step in regard to Consortium management would be to meet with Patricia to determine whether there is a revamped arrangement that would allow for her participation as a facilitator for the group, and/other other particular aspects of management that would not be as labor intensive or weigh heavily on time and finances. Jane and Loretta will arrange the meeting.
2. PIN Videos, Marketing, Promotion, & Review of Draft Distribution Plan: NDSU Department of Nursing, PIN Staff: Participants reviewed the draft Distribution Plan prepared by Jane. Additional discussion included:
· Discussion regarding reaching nursing faculty to invite them to include a version of the PIN Video in their curriculum, wherever they think it best fits (fundamentals, career planning, etc.).
· Mary Ann will provide resources and suggestions for using the PIN materials to the College and University Nursing Education Administrators (CUNEA) group.
· The PIN materials are also valuable for the Student Nurse Association (Susan Pederson is retiring and there would be a need to find out who the new contact person will be), as resources for certified nursing assistants, for any/all employees in long-term care settings and in social media
· There should be some element of ongoing evaluation with respect to PIN marketing information. That is, how do we track viewers of the videos, outcomes, etc.?
· The tasks of keeping the PIN materials (print, video) current and circulating has become the responsibility of the NDSU Department of Nursing – particular leadership by Loretta and her staff colleagues.
· To assist in this ongoing effort, a committee will be formed that includes Loretta, Dawn and Mary Ann who will plan to meet for initial discussions prior to the next PIN Consortium meeting. Jane will help to arrange the meeting via conference call.
3. Summer Nurse Camps & Educational Efforts: NDSU Department of Nursing & Sanford College of Nursing: Participants had discussion about these efforts including:
· Agreement on keeping the current planning committee intact including Sanford Health, St. Alexius Medical Center, University of Mary and other partners – all remain committed to the program in spite of this years’ cancellation of the camp.
· It is hoped that Mary Smith (Sanford College of Nursing) and Mary Bruun (University of Mary) would serve as co-leaders of this group. Loretta will make the contacts/requests.
· The primary workload involves a face-to-face planning meeting (usually held in February) and monthly meetings or conference calls thereafter.
· The other priority task will be to assist the committee in thinking about the future and structure of the camp, given the prior discussion points. Cost would also be a discussion factor, either increasing the per-student cost and/or raising funds through other means (grants, sponsorships).
· There was also mention of the possibility of holding the camp in a smaller city in ND such as Beulah or Carrington. Another idea included reaching out to students who reside in larger towns rather than just rural communities.
· It was agreed that any Consortium members with ideas for conducting the camp better or differently (while avoiding duplication or competition) should share those ideas with Loretta and Jane.
4. Advancement of Gero Nursing & Professional Development: HPOG Staff, ND Long Term Care Association and Dakota Medical Foundation: Participants discussed ideas for sustainability of the key areas of PIN efforts in this category.
· As noted by Jane, the 3 key activities have included stipends for FLAG Training, convening of the Gero-nursing conference, and the offering of stipends for gero-nurse certification.
· Because the FLAG training is no longer offered at the University of Minnesota (and has become increasingly costly), there was agreement to take this program off the “priority” table for continuation. It was noted that, for those who had received the FLAG training previously, it proved to be an invaluable experience.
· With respect to the gero-nursing stipends, a committee of volunteers emerged including Shelly (Lead), Larry, Wendy, Kirsten and Bill. Jane will convene the first meeting of the group either in person or via conference call.
· The committee would need to work with the Dakota Medical Foundation as they have committed $5,000 toward the effort – the timeframe of their funding needs to be clarified. It was noted that both HPOG and the AHEC might be able to add financial or human resources to this effort.
· There should be discussion on how and when to provide the stipend – before or after certification?
· In the fall of 2013, nine (9) nurses received stipends and they will need to be surveyed after August 2014, the required date of their certification completion.
· There should be further discussion of tracking certified nurses by including their community of residence as well as their employer/facility in which they work. It would be a goal to have at least one gero-certified nurse in every facility in the state!
· Attention should be given to greater visibility and recognition to those who complete the certification process through media, employer and colleague recognition, professional journals, etc.
· With regard to the Gero-Nursing Annual Conference, a volunteer committee emerged including Wendy, Sheila (Co-Leaders), Kirsten and Dawn. It was agreed that the Committee would keep Mary Ann looped into their conversations so that she can communicate timely information to CUNEA members. Jane will assist in arranging the first/next meeting of the Committee. Loretta will also assist and can offer some NDSU staff support for aspects of the event (registration help, etc.).
Group Discussion and Brainstorming: Participants were asked to share any new or emerging ideas for the future of the PIN Consortium and/or any other ideas they have for the structure or processes moving forward. These ideas included:
· More promotion of long-term care facilities/settings as clinical sites (using preceptors) – especially with a focus on the complexity of care and leadership and professional growth opportunities. Long-term care facilities want to do this, and make it exciting, but they need partners to help and guide them in systems/facility set up.
· Education focused on the evolution of care in long-term care settings and the role of the RN – more acute care needs, higher acuity needs, different resident demands than in the past (Myth busting).
· In all that we do, we should intentionally include and invite nursing students to take part – catch them before they have made firm career choices.
· Continue to promote that “long-term care” includes the continuum of care (in-home care as well as facility based care).
· Create a better, stronger connection with long-term care Directors of Nursing and others at managerial levels – for advice, resources, and partnerships.
· Increase positive experiences in long-term care for students prior to clinical.
· To be sure that we don’t miss opportunities to invest in/attend to the LPN and Certified Nursing Assistant in our work – they make up a large share of the long-term care workforce, especially in rural communities.
· Explore whether there are any certifications comparable to the gero-nurse certification (RN only) for the LPN or CNA – there may be resources available from the National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses.