Maine ENA Newsletter Archive

President's Corner

Barry Worthing, RN

Maine Medical Center

Transparency

As I write this, my first President’s message, we are emerging from a very unusual winter. Although the winter was different and mild, we still look forward to the warmer days of the approaching spring. We look for the familiar sights and sounds that signify the new growth of spring. Here are a few things that are different, as well as a few things that we are looking forward to in Maine ENA. The MENA Board has some new additions: Carol Minnis is the President-elect, Donna Blaney-Brouse and Wendy Nivison are Board Members, Jackie Mador is the new ENCare Chair, and Amy Owens is the new Vendor Chair. Please access www.enamaine.org for their info.

Although we are a little different, we are still committed, and you can still look forward to the annual event that is the New England Regional Symposium. This year it is hosted by New Hampshire and will held in North Conway. This is an event always provides us an opportunity for new growth, new contacts and a lot of fun!

Maine ENA continues to grow itself, with a membership of over 225 strong. Each new member adds to the strength and value of Maine ENA. We encourage all of you to attend our quarterly educational meetings or to e-mail or call any Board Member or Committee Chair with questions or concerns.

One of our goals is to support and promote Emergency Nursing throughout the state. The administration of TNCC, ENPC, ENCare and quarterly educational days are some of the ways to achieve this goal. We are always open to suggestions from all of you … the members…to assist in developing other ideas. York Hospital is hosting our next education day on May 5th at the York Harbor Inn. Look for a brochure and join us as we truly celebrate the coming of spring!

I also hope to see you at NERS.

Barry

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Maine ENA Educational Scholarship

Maine ENA will be offering a yearly educational scholarship in the amount of $250.00 for certification or re-certification of CEN, ENPC, TNCC or another ENA sponsored course on an annual basis to one individual. It will be awarded at the Annual MENA Meeting in September.

Requirements: ENA member and worked in the ED for the past year.

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ENPC

ENPC Courses

Central Maine Medical Center. Lewiston

• March 30, 2006 and March 31, 2006
• June 1, 2006 and June 2, 2006
• October 5, 2006 and October 6, 2006

ENPC instructor Courses

Central Maine Medical Center, Lewiston

Two classes > Dates to be announced

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TNCC

Dates To Be Announced.

Check The ENA Web site for date. > www.enamaine.org

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Membership

Maine ENA Membership is at 224!

Welcome New Members

• Elaine Clark
• Theresa Howard
• Alicia Ivezic
• Cara Moore
• Sean Murphy
• Kim Murray
• Belinda O’Brien
• Erin Petrocelli
• Araceli Ray
• Diana Sanzone
• Seth Seder
• Elizabeth Tutein
• Betty Winchenbach

Thank you for joining ENA!

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Board Member Profiles

Andrea Varnum, RN, BSN, CEN
Secretary Treasurer 2006 – 2007

Andrea received her AND from Westbrook College in 1986 and her BSN from St Joseph’s College in 1990 and has been practicing nursing at Maine Medical Center in Portland for almost 20 years. Prior to coming to the Emergency Department in 1998, she worked on a medical unit, a surgical unit and the oncology unit.

While in the Emergency Department, Andrea became an ACLS provider, TNCC provider, and an ENPC provider. Also, she initiated a pharmacy QI project as well as presenting a research project on Domestic Abuse.

"Accepting the officer position of secretary/treasurer in November of 2004 has been challenging, interesting and most importantly rewarding to work with such a talented, dedicated group of people!"

Andrea is currently practicing as a Clinical Analyst with MMC’s IS department and in that role leading the initiative to facilitate the utilization of a new electronic tracking board that will interface with the current electronic medical record.

Andrea lives with her husband in Windham and is the proud grandmother of five, ranging in ages from 3 – 16.

Donna Blaney-Brouse, RN, MS, CEN
2006-2007 Board Member-at-Large

Donna’s nursing career has included practice in 8 states, spanning critical care, post anesthesia, med-surg, outpatient, and emergency settings. She has been a staff and charge nurse, clinical educator, trauma coordinator, clinical nursing instructor, and Clinical Nurse Specialist. She is an ENPC provider, and TNCC and CATN instructor. “I’m constantly amazed at how similar the problems we share are, no matter where in the country I’ve worked,” she says.

Currently, her full-time position is as an Emergency Clinical Nurse Specialist at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover, NH. Donna served on the Maine ENA Board two years ago, and states “I found it to be energizing and validating of the commitment that my colleagues feel for sharing information and resources within our specialty. I opted to remain as a member of Maine ENA, instead of transferring to NH when I changed jobs, because of the wonderful professional and personal relationships made here.” She lives in Berwick, ME with her husband Tim, a professional cabinetmaker. “We’re constantly clearing more trees from around our house on the property,” she says. “I need to see the sky and sun!”

Although brought up in Rochester, NY, Donna got used to living in Northern California, Tim’s lifelong home, from 1980-1995. Now back in the northeast for almost 11 years, she still misses some aspects of her California years, “but I sure don’t miss the traffic! And, little by little, members of Tim’s family have been moving to New England.”

Most recently, Donna has also been serving as a consulting editor for the Journal of Emergency Nursing (JEN). “What that amounts to is that I review manuscripts sent to JEN for consideration for publishing. It’s amazing to see the talent so many of our colleagues have, and their extra effort to share their work with all of us.” Donna had an article of her own published in JEN last year, and describes that experience as a highlight of her professional career.

She’d love to see more members become active, and attend state ENA functions. “You know, the Board meetings are open to all members. I’m sure you’d find the networking opportunities to be well worth the effort of attending ENA Board and educational meetings in locations throughout our state. I think a lot of us tend to get mired down in the daily demands of our jobs – the Maine state ENA Board is a hard-working, but fun-loving group. Come and join us!”

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MENA Annual Awards

Maine ENA would like to acknowledge those Maine Nurses who have contributed in a special way to Emergency Nursing in the state of Maine, the United States, Maine ENA or National ENA.

President’s Award

For outstanding contribution to the Maine Emergency Nurses Association and / or the National Emergency Nurses Association.

Emergency Nursing Educator Award

For significant contribution(s) to education and / or training that enhances the ability of emergency care providers to serve their customers.

Emergency Nursing Provider Award

For exemplary contribution(s) to and / or manifestation of the art and science of nursing in the provision of emergency nursing care.

Emergency Nursing Leadership Award

For meritorious service above expectations in such activities as planning, development or management of systems, processes or departments that yield enhanced environments for the provision of emergency care.

Special Merit Citation

For exemplary long-term service, special advocacy of or contribution to emergency care and / or innovations that improve emergency nursing in the State of Maine.

Note: Award nominee’s do not necessarily have to be employed in an emergency department but must be involved with emergency nursing and / or EMS. Award nominee’s need not be ENA / MENA members.

Only those categories for which you wish to nominate an individual need accompanying comments. It is not necessary to name a nominee in each category to submit a nomination.

To submit a nomination:

• Identify the appropriate category
• Submit a written explanation for your submission
• Include your name, address, and how we can get in touch with you

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The Next Maine ENA Board Meeting is June 9th, 2006

Please contact any Board member/Committee Chair for directions

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CEN Review Questions

From CEN Review by Renee Simonin Holleran

1. A crisis is:
   1. The mind’s response to a demand or perceived threat.
   2. An alarm reaction to a demand or perceived threat.
   3. A sudden, unexpected threat or loss of basic resources.
   4. A stage of exhaustion to a demand or perceived threat.
2. Mr. Red arrives in the ED by EMS after having had a seizure at home. Mrs. Red reports that her husband has a history of seizures that had been well controlled by medication. However, he recently was placed on an antipsychotic drug for depression. Mr. Red’s seizure activity is the result of:
   1. Stress related to his diagnosis of depression.
   2. Neuroleptic medications decrease the seizure threshold.
   3. Neuroleptic medications decrease sodium levels.
   4. Neuroleptic medications decrease glucose levels.
3. The leading cause of delirium in the elderly is:
   1. Falls that result in injury.
   2. Cardiovascular disease.
   3. Urinary tract infection.
   4. Small bowel obstruction.
4. Mr. Ivey presents to the ED with signs and symptoms of ketoacidosis. He states that 3 weeks ago a mass was found on his neck, and he is sure it is cancerous. Since then, Mr. Ivey has stopped taking all of his medications. He is very quiet and withdrawn and speaks very softly. He does not make eye contact and relates that he has lost 30 pounds over the last 3 weeks because he has stopped eating. Upon further questioning, Mr. Ivey admits that he stopped taking his medication because he wants to die.
   Mr. Ivey is displaying signs and symptoms of:
   1. An anxiety disorder.
   2. Depression.
   3. Psychosis.
   4. Bipolar disorder.
5. The priority nursing diagnosis on which to base the plan of care for Mr. Ivey is:
   1. Knowledge deficit related to his diabetes.
   2. Anxiety related to his possible cancer diagnosis.
   3. High risk for injury related to his depression.
   4. Sleep disturbance related to his diabetes.

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ENCare/Injury Prevention Institute Update

Jackie Mador RN, MHA, CEN

Emergency Department Manager
St Mary’s Regional Medical Center
Email: jmador@sochs.com

I am still getting my feet wet as I learn the ropes as the ENA Injury Prevention Institute State Coordinator. I will be sending a letter out to all current known ENCare volunteers in the next few weeks in order to touch base and to see who is still active in ENCare. I look forward to a productive and exciting year!

Pauline Jandreau, RN, CEN, ENCare Volunteer

“We are a very active ENCare team up here at NMMC. Once again we had fun presenting to 90 students, 14-15 year old. We have been working with the Chemical Educator at a local middle school, who helps set up times for the presentations. The kids still seem to like the “Friday Night” video. From our surveys this year, kids that wear seat belts averaged 50%, most saying they wear it only “sometimes” because they “forget”, or it is “too uncomfortable”, or “I only wear it when we go out of town”. We continue to educate and encourage them to “buckle up”.

I was pleased with our alcohol/drugs results. 80% of the kids surveyed stated that they don’t drink!...I was impressed.

Our ENCare team also worked with local P.D. and did a “Click It Or Lose It” campaign with them. We get gift certificates, and P.D. gives warnings if they are not buckled. This year it poured rain, but we were out there with our umbrellas.

We were also involved in a bike rodeo and we fit helmets properly, and did some teaching with the kids. That was a blast!

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Delegate Point Criteria for National Meeting

Dear Delegate Candidates:

This year the General Assembly will be held September 13 & 14, 2006 in San Antonio,Texas. The Maine General Assembly Committee, assisted by the Board of Directors, will select delegates according to the point system based on your ENA involvement for the calendar year January 2005 through December 2005.

Points are earned as follows:

Members active at the National level may double the points for items 3, 4, & 5.

Points will be assigned by the General Assembly Committee/MENA Board for community service, nursing recognition, activities that promote Emergency Nursing, and ENA special projects. As this information may be useful to break a tie, please include any activities that reflect your professional involvement.

Please submit your completed application, postmarked by June 1, 2006. Delegates will be notified by mail following the June 9th Board meeting.

Click here for a printable application for members who wish to be considered as a delegate to the 2006 ENA Annual Meeting.

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Emergency Departments Employment Opportunities

Maine General Medical Center, Waterville Campus

We are looking for nurses with a passion for Emergency Nursing!

We currently have several positions available to accommodate our newly renovated and expanding emergency department.

• Excellent Patient Satisfaction
• Collaborative Practice Between Nurses and Physicians
• New Behavioral Health Suite
• Future Electronic Record and State of The Art Equipment
• Competitive Salary and Benefits
• Great Opportunity for Personal and Professional Growth!
• State of Maine RN License Required
• ED Clinical Experience Preferred but We Are Willing to Train Exceptional Candidates

Call and Learn More About The Opportunities We Have To Offer!

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CEN Review Answers

1. C

   A crisis is a sudden, unexpected threat or perceived threat to or a loss of basic resources or life’s goals. Stress is the body’s response to a demand, change, or perceived threat. The stress response is divided into three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.

2. B

   Neuroleptic medications decrease the seizure threshold.

3. C

   A UTI is one of the most common causes of delirium in the elderly. Other causes include pneumonia, sepsis, hypothermia, dehydration, renal failure, diabetes, and hypoxia.

4. B

   Depression is characterized by alteration in mood, weight loss, insomnia, agitation, and overall negative self-concept. Mr. Ivey is also at great risk of causing further injury to himself because he has stopped taking his medications.

5. C

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Maine ENA Newsletter Info

Carol Minnis, RN, CEN
Maine General Medical Center, Waterville

Maine ENA and I would appreciate any input to our newsletter. This would include:

• Nursing Stories
• Clinical Narratives, “The Work of Nursing”
• What’s going on at your hospital?
• Awards
• Tips and Solutions

Advertisement rates

• 1/4 page :$15.00
• 1/2 page :$30.00
• full page :$60.00

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