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CastleBranch Releases CB Roll Call To Help Protect Educators From COVID-19

OADN advocates to secure no-cost access for all healthcare educators 

(September 21, 2020) – Infectious disease screening and compliance management company CastleBranch is building on its groundbreaking efforts to help protect people from COVID-19 with the release of CB Roll Call, designed specifically to protect educators. This new tool helps educators identify students who are clear of COVID-19 symptoms, and those who are not, before they step foot inside a classroom, and is being donated at no cost to healthcare educators as a result of negotiations between CastleBranch and the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN).

“Throughout this difficult COVID-19 pandemic, the entire healthcare education community has been working tirelessly to overcome dangerous interruptions to critical clinical education. It’s incumbent upon all of us to provide a safe, healthy teaching environment for faculty to pass on their knowledge to the next generation without fear of endangering their lives when doing so,” said Donna Meyer, CEO of OADN.

An educator’s primary role is to educate – not to screen students for possible COVID-19 symptoms and exposure while maintaining compliance with state and federal privacy laws. But with student populations across the country experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases, educators are at a higher risk of exposure now more than ever. These educators need protection – especially those in healthcare, who are tasked with developing the next generation of lifesaving healthcare professionals.

CB Roll Call is designed to help educators mitigate this risk by providing visibility into the health and wellness of a classroom before educators and students arrive. The online application, used in conjunction with CB COVID-19 Compliance, compiles daily wellness records for participating users, including temperatures recordings, symptom reporting, travel and exposure attestations. Based on the recorded data, an educator is then given visibility into which students are symptom- and exposure-free of COVID-19, which ones are not symptom- or exposure-free, and enables them to make the best decision for the health and safety of themselves, their classroom and their family. The tool, designed by a company with over 20 years of experience as a consumer reporting agency and infectious disease screening organization, is also built to ensure compliance with all relevant state and federal privacy regulations.

“Becoming an essential worker means you should be protected like an essential worker,” said Brett Martin, CEO of CastleBranch. “As essential workers, educators are now on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19, which is why we want to make sure they have the resources they need to protect themselves, their classrooms and their communities.”

To learn more about how CastleBranch can help, visit discover.castlebranch.com/covid-19-resources/ or call or email us at 888.723.4263 ext. 1066, covid19@castlebranch.com

WEBINAR Sept 10: Clinical Learning Opportunities With The American Red Cross

WEBINAR

Clinical Learning Opportunities with the American Red Cross

View the recorded webinar: Clinical Learning Opportunities with the American Red Slides

Password: 1^=JZ3MB

The American Red Cross Academic Service-Learning (ASL) opportunities fit well with Associate Degree Nursing programs. This presentation for OADN members addresses ways that ASL volunteers can serve communities –to help ensure a diverse and adequate blood supply, help communities prepare and respond to disasters and provide case management for members of the military, veterans and their families. There are new volunteer opportunities due to the COVID-19 environment and these vary by location.

Objectives
• Discuss Academic Service-Learning (ASL) in-person and virtual volunteer opportunities to serve communities with the Red Cross.
• Describe ASL processes and resources for nursing students and nurses in the Red Cross.
• Appreciate the importance of engaging nursing students with national voluntary organizations in disaster response.
• Discuss American Red Cross Nursing and its efforts to build community resilience.

REGISTER | Click here to read about how your program can partner with the Red Cross for Clinical Learning

Presenters:

Linda MacIntyre, PhD, RN, PHN
Chief Nurse American
National Red Cross

As Chief Nurse of the American Red Cross, Dr. Linda MacIntyre provides leadership for nurses and other health professionals across the organization. Dr. MacIntyre provides vision, direction and support in meeting the Red Cross mission. She oversees health professional volunteer recruitment, engagement and recognition, and provides oversight for Academic Service Learning. As Chief Nurse, Dr. MacIntyre represents the Red Cross and collaborates with federal and civilian health and nursing organizations, government agencies, universities, hospitals and other key stakeholders. Dr. MacIntyre participated in community coalitions and was a member of the Medical Reserve Corps Steering Committee in Kansas City. She was the director of community health and youth for the Red Cross Greater Kansas City Region and engaged students from 10 universities and colleges. She was responsible for disaster health response across five counties and convened a forum for community partners to improve disaster preparedness, response and recovery through collaboration. Dr. MacIntyre served on the National Advisory Committee on Children and Disasters from 2014-2018. Dr. MacIntyre serves on the Federal Nursing Service Council, the Advisory Board of Disaster Medicine Fellowship for Indiana University Department of Emergency Medicine and the American Journal of Nursing Editorial Board. She taught community health nursing at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and previously worked as a residential social worker in a children’s home in England. She has a BA in Theology from Westminster College, England and a PhD from UCSF.

Tener Goodwin Veenema, PhD, MPH, MS
Professor of Nursing and Public Health
Visiting Scholar
Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security

Tener Goodwin Veenema, PhD, MPH, MS, is a Contributing Scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security and a Professor of Nursing and Public Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. At the Center, she leads research projects to explore health systems optimization and healthcare worker protection during disasters and large-scale biological events. She also serves as an Associate Editor of the peer-reviewed journal Health Security (formerly Biosecurity and Bioterrorism). As an internationally recognized expert in disaster nursing and public health emergency preparedness, she has served as senior scientist to the DHHS Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response (OHSEPR), Department of Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs Emergency Management Evaluation Center (VEMEC), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). An accomplished researcher, Dr. Veenema has sustained career funding over 2.2 million dollars, is a member of the Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness at the National Academy of Medicine, and is an elected Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing, the National Academies of Practice, and the Royal College of Surgeons, Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery, Dublin, Ireland. Dr. Veenema is editor of Disaster Nursing and Emergency Preparedness for Chemical, Biological and Radiological Terrorism and Other Hazards, 4th Ed., the leading textbook in the field. Dr. Veenema received the Florence Nightingale Medal of Honor (International Red Crescent, 2013) the highest international award in Nursing for her professional service in disasters and public health emergencies. She received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award (2017), was selected Visiting Research Scholar to Torrens Disaster Institute (Australia, 2017) and New York University (2018,) and received a lifetime achievement award from Columbia University School of Nursing (2019).

 

Nursing Community Monthly Roundup – September 2020

September 2020

NCC Sends Letter to House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees to Honor World War II Cadet Nurses

On September 11, sixty-one members of the Nursing Community Coalition sent letters to both the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee urging them to support and advance S.997/H.R.2056 – the United States Cadet Nurse Corps Recognition Act of 2019. This legislation recognizes nurses who served as members of the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps During World War II and provides them with honorable discharges, medal privileges, and burial benefits.

 

NCC Sends Letter to Congressional Leadership UrgingSupport for the FAAN Act

On September 30, fifty-three members of the Nursing Community Coalition sent a letter to Congressional Leadership and key Committees expressing support for the Future Advancement of Academic Nursing (FAAN) Act (S.4396/H.R.7945) and encourage its inclusion in the next COVID-19 legislative relief package. This legislation would provide vital federal investments to ensure nursing education pipelines remain strong, not only during COVID-19, but in future public health challenges as well.

 

External Presence

Nursing Community Website: Site Visits: 368 Top Sub-Page Visited: Resources

Twitter: @RN_Community New Followers: 18 Total Followers: 1,494

Profile Visits: 109 Tweet Impressions: 5,459

Message from the CEO and President, September 2020

Dear OADN Members:

We know you are all very busy with the launch of the fall semester and realize this year the semester looks very different than the past as programs continue to develop strategies in the new norm of COVID. OADN is here as a resource through our COVID-19 landing page. Even more importantly coming soon is the annual convention: Vision 2020: ADN Educators Leading the Way.

We have made modifications in this year’s convention to ensure that the most timely and relevant sessions are made available to your programs. As COVID-19 has changed our lives, it has also changed the demands placed on us as nurse educators, requiring creativity and innovation of an unprecedented level. Amidst these challenges, our nation is also confronting longstanding pain that results in severe economic and health disparities, affecting patients, students, and faculty alike. We have listened to your needs as well as your faculty and students by planning some exceptional sessions. Although we will miss seeing you at convention, the OADN virtual convention is a wonderful opportunity for more faculty to attend at a substantially reduced cost. We encourage you to view the program and register!

OADN Organizational Update

Over the past few months, the Board of Directors has been assessing the OADN governance and operational structures as well as processes. One area of focus has been reviewing the vision and mission to ensure the mission and vision represent the true work of OADN. After much discussion, the Board approved a revised mission and vision. The Board believes the statements better represent OADN’s strategic directives and the work we do to represent and advocate for the associate degree pathway in support of faculty and students.

  • Updated mission: OADN is the national voice and a pivotal resource for community college nursing education and the associate degree pathway.
  • Updated vision: To expand networks that promote leadership, collaboration, and advocacy to further enrich nursing education and the communities we serve.

Additionally, modifications have been made with OADN staff positions of Bryan Hoffman and Mary Dickow. Bryan has been named Chief Operating Officer. In his new role, Bryan he will oversee budget development and monitoring, business and advocacy strategy, communications and marketing, educational programming, convention management, and website support. Bryan’s outstanding skills and talent are a perfect fit for this timely change to the OADN organizational structure. Mary’s new title is Director of Leadership Development. In this role Mary will focus on OADN’s strategic initiatives related to leadership development for nursing education. Both Bryan and Mary demonstrate exceptional senior leadership and are true assets to OADN.

Wishing you a very successful and safe fall semester and please take care.

Laura Schmidt DNP FNP-BC
President-Elect

Donna Meyer, MSN, RN, ANEF, FAADN, FAAN
CEO, OADN

 

Covid-19: Adaptation And Resilience In Nursing Education

Donna Hedges PhD, MBA, MSN, CNE, RN
Director, Nursing Services
ABSN Program – Orbis Education
Adjunct Professor, RN to BSN Program (Online)
Schreiner University

OADN Board Director – Southwest Region

(August 5, 2020) – We live in challenging times. Covid-19 has revealed the harsh realities of being on the frontlines of a global pandemic and the vulnerabilities of our healthcare system. As the number of cases escalates in parts of the United States, we continue to witness the perseverance, courage, and dedication of nurses and all members of the healthcare team and most sadly, the physical and psychological suffering of so many people. The pandemic has also caused unprecedented challenges to nursing education. As Dr. Pam Jeffries so accurately stated, “The silver lining of this pandemic is that it’s made us move forward to do something different” (2020). With little preparation and a tremendous amount of work to accomplish in a short period of time, nursing faculty transitioned didactic and clinical courses to the online environment. Faculty and students were asked to “think outside the box” and resoundingly, they have.

As we enter the fall semester, academic leaders, faculty, and students are facing uncertainty as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to evolve. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and college policies and procedures will dominate how educational content is delivered. In many cases, students will continue to learn in the online environment whether or not they intended to pursue this mode of delivery. In addition, the lack of available clinical placements within hospitals will necessitate the use of simulation and virtual simulation to augment clinical hours. If students are permitted to practice skills within on campus labs, social distancing, adequate PPE, and disinfecting procedures will be paramount. While these measures are critical to the safety of faculty and students, the need for fewer numbers of students and increased numbers of lab sections will be necessary. Academic leaders will be faced with the dilemma of how to meet state board requirements for graduation, students will be anxious about their readiness for NCLEX and for transition into practice, and healthcare systems will be faced with the need to strengthen preceptorships and internships designed to facilitate new graduates’ transition into practice. There is no shortage of complexity as we collectively seek to answer these issues in the best interests of our students.

Reflecting on the lessons we have learned, and the challenges that we still face, one thing is certain: nursing faculty and students must be flexible and resilient. The world of nursing education has dramatically changed. Yet there’s another silver lining in all of this: we also have changed. Having been pushed “outside the box”, faculty have demonstrated creativity and perseverance driven by their dedication to educating our future nurses. Nursing students have pressed on despite the paradigm shift in their educational journey and have advocated for continuing to be at the bedside to provide care and to assist the nursing staff. Deans and Directors have strategized through uncharted waters to meet this tidal wave of change and have entered into multi-level discussions to address educational requirements. Despite this intense work, the road ahead is still a bit unclear. In all of this, however, OADN unquestionably believes that ADN academic leaders, faculty, and students have what it takes to blaze the path forward.

As I hear nurses share their experiences and read the social media posts of students I have taught in clinical settings, I have decided that nurses are not superheroes. Nurses are extraordinary human beings who are profoundly dedicated to providing care to people in the worst of times. Nurses are exhausted, they are grieving, and they are afraid – yet they remain at the bedside providing the only light their patients will see in the darkness that is Covid-19. The symbolic lamp we carry is the light within ourselves and that light is passed from faculty to students. This is the essence of nursing and is precisely why we will continue to persevere through this pandemic and the next.

Jeffries, P. (2020). Nursing simulation: What have we learned from the pandemic. Hord Coplan Macht.

Nursing Community Monthly Roundup – August 2020

August 2020

NCC Sends Letter Welcoming the New NINR Director, Dr. Shannon Zenk

On August 31, members of the Nursing Community Coalition sent a letter welcoming the new National Institute of Nursing Research’s (NINR) Director, Dr. Shannon Zenk. The NCC has a long tradition of working with NINR by promoting the work of nurse scientists, advocating for investments in research and future researchers, and sharing the Institute’s foundational work to improve healthcare delivery across the care continuum. The NCC looks forward to meeting, sharing our collective priorities, and working with the new NINR Director.

NCC Reiterates COVID-19 Priorities to Congress

On August 18, Fifty-eight members of the Nursing Community Coalition reiterated in a letter to House and Senate Leadership and key Congressional Committees outlining their shared priorities for any COVID-19 legislative package working its way through Congress. These requests include bolstering efforts to protect all nurses on the front lines, increasing funding for Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs, supporting nursing education infrastructure and research, strengthening investments in public health, and promoting access to telehealth. The timing of resending this letter was great as Senate Republicans released another legislation proposal, known as the ‘skinny’ bill, later in the day on August 18.

The science is clear: wearing a mask, washing your hands, & practicing #socialdistancing will slow the spread of #COVID19. @ANANursingWorld, @ahahospitals & @AmerMedicalAssn launched the #WearAMask campaign to reinforce how these simple steps can have a large impact #MaskUp

For more information on the NCC please visit: www.thenursingcommunity.org

Follow the NCC on Twitter @RN_Community

Guidelines And Evidence-Based Quality Indicators For Nursing Education Programs

OADN participated in the expert panel that informed this national study by NCSBN. The study was conducted over three years to identify quality indicators of approved nursing programs, and warning signs of programs at risk for approval, for the development of regulatory guidelines for nursing programs. Please, read this important report.

Message from the CEO, August 2020

Dear OADN Members:

Approximately five months ago the COVID-19 pandemic was beginning to confront our nation. At the time, I never thought we would be dealing with this crisis in such epic proportions. Over the months, OADN has kept our programs informed by providing needed resources in simulation, on-line teaching, updates in regulations, changes in clinical placements, and other important nursing education trends. In late May, it was apparent this crisis was here to stay, and changes being made in nursing education could be more long term than anticipated. There was a sense of urgency and OADN wanted to ensure that we continued to listen to our membership. As a result, the OADN COVID-19 National Task Force was formed.

The COVID-19 Task Force is a diverse, national group of OADN members and stakeholders from across the country in both urban and rural. Director of Strategic Initiatives, Mary Dickow coordinated the activities and led the task force members in their work. The purpose was to provide a national perspective and guided consideration and generate ideas to address future teaching/learning structures and opportunities in nursing education. The goal of the task force was to create a repository of information for dissemination of the identified tasks.

This group of dedicated individuals came together every Friday beginning June 12th to share their expertise in discussing major issues in nursing education because of the pandemic. At the initial meeting, the task force chose to identify workgroups to complete the initiative as quickly as possible. The workgroups formed were: 1) collaboration with industry partners, 2) on-line education, 3) simulation/virtual simulation, and 4) regulation/ accreditation.

The work groups identified innovative methods of restructuring the teaching/learning process, recognized the need for modifications based on the pandemic; developed strategies for providing meaningful clinical learning opportunities, discussed academic/practice partnership considerations, and created a plan for collaborating with industry partners for high quality and safe return of students to clinicals.

As a result of their collaborative work I am pleased to announce the following resources are now available on the newly revised OADN COVID-19 Resource Page under the following headers:

  • Returning Students to Clinicals, Skills Labs and Sim Labs
  • Online Teaching
  • Virtual Simulation
  • Evidence to Inform Regulatory Changes

I would like to commend the members of the OADN COVID-19 Task Force for their focused work that was completed efficiently to provide these resources. The task force will continue to meet and provide updates as the impact of the pandemic evolves.

In closing, I must express how we must continue to take care of ourselves and each other. This is a very challenging time, and there are times after a full day of Zoom I anticipate when I can see a live face in front of me and hopefully give a big hug. I know we are all in this together, and I appreciate the innovative ideas generated to keep associate degree nursing education moving forward.

Stay safe and well and let us continue to take care of each other!

Donna Meyer, MSN, RN, ANEF, FAADN, FAAN
CEO, OADN

Nursing Community Monthly Roundup – July 2020

July 2020

NCC Sends Letter to Congress Outlining Additional COVID-19 Priorities

On July 29, Fifty-seven members of the Nursing Community Coalition sent a letter to House and Senate Leadership and key Congressional Committees outlining additional priorities for any COVID-19 legislative package working its way through Congress. These requests include bolstering efforts to protect all nurses on the front lines, increasing funding for Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs, supporting nursing education infrastructure and research, strengthening investments in public health, and promoting access to telehealth.

 

NCC Sends Letter to CMS on COVID-19 Blanket Waivers

On July 15, forty-five member of the Nursing Community Coalition signed onto a letter urging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to continue to remove barriers to practice, encourage innovation, and ensure that our patients have access to the highest quality nursing care by extending, and making permanent, waivers beyond this Public Health Emergency (PHE).

 

Updated NCC Documents

The NCC released the 2019-2020 Fiscal Year Report. This report outlines the NCC’s engagement, accomplishments, and progress, not only in the first six-months of 2019, but for fiscal year (FY) 2019-2020 as well.

For more information on the NCC please visit: www.thenursingcommunity.org

Follow the NCC on Twitter @RN_Community

Message from the CEO, July 2020

The Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN) is deeply disturbed by the recent deaths, tragedy, and fear that have gripped our nation because of racial injustice. The Black Lives Matter movement reinforces that racism is a threat to the health and well-being of people of color and is in fact a public health threat. Therefore, we cannot remain silent. OADN reaffirms our commitment toward the elimination of racial injustice, healthcare disparity, and violence.

Dear OADN Members:

The above statement is from the OADN Board of Directors in response to recent events in our country. As the Chief of Executive Officer, I join with the OADN Board of Directors in their commitment to end injustices against Black, Indigenous, and all People of Color. Racism fuels injustice, economic, educational, and health inequalities, and must be challenged and addressed.

As a nurse, like all of you, I stand by the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretative Statements that obligates us to be allies, to speak up against racism, discrimination, health care disparities, and advocate for human rights. As I contemplate the recent tragedies, I grapple with why in a country such as this we cannot show basic respect for each other’s differences. It saddens me to witness this type of behavior. Action must be taken.

The nursing profession is held in high regard, especially during the current COVID-19 crisis and the heroic actions of nurses in every community across our nation. Historically viewed as the most trusted profession, nursing’s fundamental roots are in public health and social mission. A “perfect” storm has confronted our nation with the pandemic, civil unrest, and economic disruption. This is not the time for us to place our heads in the sand and say it does not apply to us. OADN’s mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of our communities, and therefore this does apply to each of us.

The current environment may feel overwhelming, so I would like to offer a simple idea. Take time to listen and communicate with one individual who is from a different background. It is a small step but an important one. Active listening creates critical steps to understanding. It is through simple, honest communication we demonstrate respect for others’ backgrounds.

I reflect on my first year as a practicing nurse and the amazing patient care technician I worked with at a large pediatric hospital. There were times I did not understand certain aspects of the Black culture. Through candid conversations we helped each other recognize and appreciate our differences. Did I learn everything? No, but she did provide a dimension of deeper awareness that I am grateful for today. I realize now that what she taught me created a strong foundation for my work with the Navajos, the people of Guatemala, the Hispanic culture, and the many others who added so much to my life. These experiences enriched me beyond comprehension, and for that I am grateful.

Soon OADN will be releasing a more comprehensive statement with a call to action that we encourage all member programs and beyond to embrace. Challenging times create opportunities, and we must lead with more than words – we must lead with action!
Please stay safe and well.

Donna Meyer, MSN, RN, ANEF, FAADN, FAAN
CEO, OADN