Thank You Representative Zoe Lofgren (CA)

Pictured: Representative Zoe Lofgren (CA)

From Representative Lofgren's statement below, it is clear she understands the importance of having nurses teach health promotion and prevention to the public. Additionally, California is facing one of the worst nursing shortages in the United States, ranking 49th out of 50 in the number of RNs per capita according to the California Healthcare Association. The National Nurse Team therefore concurs with Representative Lofgren in seeing that HR 4903 is passed expeditiously so that we all may begin the work in tackling the nursing shortage and decreasing the epidemic of preventable diseases.

"I am proud to co-sponsor HR 4903 and hope this legislation is passed quickly in the House.  Given the severe shortage of nurses we now face in California, it is critically important that we determine how to attract more people in the nursing profession.  The creation of a National Nurse would encourage people to explore nursing, and help disseminate important information about being healthy and preventing disease," said Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA).

Thank You Representative Carolyn McCarthy (NY)

Pictured: Representative Carolyn McCarthy

Representative McCarthy, one of the three nurses in Congress, represents Long Island, New York, and is described to be a "citizen's legislator", working for the people. She serves on the 91 member House Nursing Caucus.

Here is Representative Carolyn McCarthy's statement on HR 4903:

"The creation of an Office of the National Nurse is needed and long overdue. The nursing profession is vital to our nation's public health, but all too often the needs of nurses are overlooked. A National Nurse would provide nurses with a powerful a voice within the federal government and will work to encourage talented people to join the profession either as providers of care or as educators."

Internet searches : Librarians do it better

According to a study reported today at the Medical Library Association's annual meeting in Phoenix, cancer patients are more likely to find what they are looking for with a librarian-mediated search instead of "going it alone."

This study by Ruti Volk, professional librarian and manager of the Patient Education Resource Center (PERC) at the University of Michigan, demonstrates that "even though the information is supposedly so accessible and everything is on the web, people still need the help of a professional to find information that is relevant to them and that is current, accurate and authoritative. "

I Need a Job

I've been trying to get a job as a student nurse tech. Unfortunately it's very competitive... because the hospital is located right next to the school. EVERYONE applied.

I interviewed for the ER spot and didn't make it. I have another interview for the PCU, and here's hoping I make that one. Unfortunately the interview isn't until June 5th. Crap, I REALLY want this job. But I feel like half the summer is going to be gone before I get hired anywhere. I'd look other places, but I don't want to commit somewhere only to be called back in.

This is really lame. My scholarship ran out last semester, so I need some serious money before fall.

I'm getting very impatient.

Thank You Representative Sherrod Brown (OH)

(Pictured: Representative Sherrod Brown)

This statement comes from Representative Sherrod Brown (OH) who is the ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Health and who also serves on the House Nursing Caucus.

"Our health care system depends on the 2.7 million nurses who have dedicated themselves to providing quality health care. I am proud to be a co-sponsor of the National Nurses Act of 2006 (HR 4903), which would establish the Office of the National Nurse. The Office will provide mechanisms for nurses to work directly with policymakers to improve the nation's health, and will serve as a clearinghouse for nurses across the nation to share information about the best ways to provide patient care and education. The Office will also bring much-needed attention to addressing the critical shortage of nurses in Ohio and across the nation. Establishing the Office of the National Nurse will benefit the public health in significant ways, and I will work to secure passage of HR 4903."

Washington D.C. Continued

Pictured: Terri Polick, Teri Mills, Ryan S. Berger-Senior Legislative Assistant/Systems Administrator to Representative Steven C. LaTourette (OH), Alisa Schneider, Laura Stokowski, Elizabeth Bienkowski

The trip to Washington D.C. ended with a visit to Representative LaTourette's office and a meeting with Ryan Berger. We appreciate Ryan's candor, wisdom, and advice and look forward to more interactions with him.

These are the impressions of Debbie Orre, Dean of Health Science Programs at Mt. Wachusett Community College in Gardner, Massachusetts who accompanied the National Nurse Team to Washington D.C. :

A conference on the National Nurse initiative was held at Mount Wachusett Community College, where I work, at the end of March. Teri Mills and Alisa Schneider were the keynote speakers. I've never considered myself someone comfortable in the political arena but in pulling together the conference, along with contacting local, state and nationally elected officials to urge their attendance, I became a little less wary.

Once I had met Teri and Alisa, they enthusiastically invited me to participate in a two day lobbying effort in Washington, DC this May, along with other nurses and with Marcia Moody, a speaker from the same conference and a State Representative from New Hampshire. So I agreed to go without hesitation, packed my bags and went. I couldn't have been more fascinated by the House and Senate legislative aides that we met or with the general ambiance of the House and Senate buildings we entered. We ended each day in the office of Representative Lois Capps. Representative Capps, also a nurse, is from California and is the original sponsor of the National Nurse Act of 2006, HR 4903. The entire team found her and her staff to be welcoming, gracious and receptive.

The days were long and my feet were tired but I wouldn't have traded the chance to represent this bill with this team of fabulous and intelligent nurses from around the country for anything. I am also grateful to have been a small part of the process that moves this nation and creates its laws.

Thank you, Teri and Alisa, for leading me on this wonderful new adventure. You can count me in for many more!

AHA/ACC updates Guidelines for secondary prevention for patients with coronary and other atherosclerotic vascular disease: 2006 update

The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology on Monday issued updated guidelines designed to ensure optimal treatment of patients with a variety of cardiovascular conditions, including heart disease, acute coronary syndromes, heart attack, and peripheral arterial disease, USA Today reports. The revised recommendations, which are endorsed by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, were created in light of results from the clinical trials that have been completed since the last recommendations were issued five years ago. For instance, the guidelines suggest that the daily aspirin dose for patients with heart disease or other blood vessel disorders be lowered to between 75 mg and 162 mg per day after a series of clinical trials showed that lower aspirin doses were “just as effective” as higher doses at preventing future heart attacks; however, the guidelines continue to advise that bypass patients receive between 100 mg and 300 mg of aspirin per day for up to one year. In addition, the guidelines for the first time suggest that all patients with chronic heart disease receive a flu vaccination. The guidelines also call for increased use of statins to reduce LDL levels, which now are recommended to be kept under 100 mg per deciliter in all heart disease patients. Other measures included in the revised guidelines “simply highlight tried-and-true means of reining in risk,” such as encouraging heart disease patients to get 30 to 60 minutes of moderate exercise at least five to seven days per week. The guidelines also recommend that a patient’s body mass index remain between 18.5 and 24.8, with waist circumference measuring no more than 40 inches in men and 35 inches in women. For diabetes management, the guidelines suggest that patients receive blood sugar level tests three to four times per year and recommend that the level stay below 7%. According to the report authors, the “aggressive, comprehensive risk-factor management” outlined in the guidelines has been shown in multiple studies to increase survival and prevent complications among heart patients. HealthDay notes that both groups plan to launch a campaign to inform cardiologists and other physicians of the new guidelines (Sternberg, USA Today, 5/15; HealthDay/Yahoo! News, 5/15).