Maine ENA Newsletter Archive

President's Corner

Sandie Weagle, RN, CEN

Waldo County Hospital, Belfast

And a Good Time Was Had By All

Maine Emergency Nurses Association had the honor of presenting the 2005 New England Regional Symposium, in May, at the Marriott Sable Oaks, in Portland. What a wonderful program it was! The planning committee arranged a conference that combined education, networking, and fun for everyone! The accommodations were lovely and the food was abundant.

The program offered such topics as Psychiatric Patients in the ED, Pancreatitis, Stress Reduction, Special Needs Children, Burn Care, and many others. Workshops were held in I/O infusions and Splinting. Those of us who played Trivia Bowl had hysterics over some charades and drawings on such topics as “Breech Birth” and “V Fib”.

Our Keynote speaker was Polly Gerber Zimmermann, Director on the Board at National ENA and Editor of the Managers’ Column in JEN. Polly provided just the right touch of humor as she discussed the current state of affairs in emergency nursing, and, after, in her session on Triage.

Another highlight was a talk by Tess Gerritsen, MD, noted author of medical thrillers. Tess signed copies of her most recent novel, Body Double, after she lead us on the fascinating journey from the story idea to best-seller list.

Humor was again the theme for Kathy Eliscu, RN and Doug Farrago, MD, author of the Placebo Journal, proving that laughter is indeed good medicine! The winners of the prize for the most laughs, however, went to the Queen and Duchess of Southern Maine Pride. Their musical troupe entertained us on Monday evening, after a delicious buffet. A comment overheard sums it up best: “I have to take pictures of this because no one will believe me when I tell them!”

Through the generous donations of many hospitals and ENA councils of the NE states, the basket raffle was a hive of activity, and netted us a tidy profit. Waldo County General Hospital, in Belfast, ME, donated a collection of Maine made items, displayed in and around a lobster box and was declared the winner of 2 ENA memberships. Special thanks go to Jill Bouchard, for donating a weekend at her sports camp, and to Susan Dupler, who donated a beautiful stained glass iris, and to Val Aponik, who donated a lovely oil painting of the Maine coast.

Gathering with emergency nurses from around the New England area is always a guaranteed refreshing experience. We are a unique group, sharing many common bonds, supporting each other in ways, spoken and unspoken, that uplift and renew our spirits.

New Hampshire ENA will host the 2006 New England Regional Symposium. See you there!

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Maine ENA Call for Nominations

Maine ENA will be electing the following for the 2007 2008 term:

President Elect (President Elect 2007-2008, President 2009-2010)

Responsibilities include:

• Leading/governing MENA
• Attending yearly Leadership Conferences
• Attending yearly National Conferences

Board Member at Large for the term of January 2006 December 2008

Responsibilities include:

• Attending 4 Board of Director meetings per year
• Attending 4 Educational meetings per year
• Assisting the President in governing Maine ENA

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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, or TNCC, or another ENA sponsored course on an annual basis to one individual. It will be awarded at the Annual Meeting in the late summer/fall. The actual check will only be paid to the course director or registration person.

Requirements are:

• ENA Member
• Work in ED for at least the past year
• Submit letter of intent stating your reasons for asking for scholarship.

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ENPC & TNCC Courses

ENPC Courses

• September 29 & 30
• November 14 & 15

ENPC instructor Courses

Central Maine Medical Center, Lewiston

• June 9

TNCC COURSES

• Skowhegan June 10th

• Rockport June 14th

• CMMC, Lewiston September 21 & 28, 2005

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MENA Membership

Maine ENA Membership is at 224!

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Save the Date!

MENA Annual Meeting and Education Day

September 9th, 2005
Hilton Garden Inn, Auburn, ME

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CEN Review Questions

From CEN Review by Renee Simonin Holleran

1. A rare cause of chest pain in the pediatric population is:
   1. Asthma
   2. Pneumonia
   3. Kawasaki’s Disease
   4. Rib Fracture
2. The most common item aspirated by children less than 3 years of age is:
   1. A toy
   2. A hot dog
   3. A peanut
   4. Hard candy
3. The initial management of the child having an asthma attack is:
   1. Administration of bronchodilators
   2. Hydration with 20ml/KG of normal saline
   3. Administration of high flow O2 by nasal cannula
   4. Administration of prophylactic antibiotics
4. The most common cause of epiglottitis is:
   1. Streptococcus
   2. Haemophilus influenza
   3. Staphylococcus
   4. Pnuemococcus
5. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is not transmitted by:
   1. Large droplet aerosols
   2. Sneezing
   3. Visitors
   4. Hand washing

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ENCARE - Spring 2005

We are all doing education daily in the work that we perform, let’s start taking credit for it. Any time that you educate the public on injury prevention, please notify me, so I can send these numbers into National ENA, and Maine ENA will get credit for our hard work.

• Dare To Care: 2663 students through out the state.
• Many students educated through the “Every Second Counts”, or “Wake Up Call”.
• Bike Helmets: 75 helmets fit and 2 bike rodeos.
• Gun Locks: 410 gunlocks more have been given away, but no numbers have been reported.
• CPS Fitting: 12 events with at least 70 seats fit and given away.
• Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Education: At least 2 Presentations.
• Encare Provider Class: 1 new class.

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CEN/CCRN Review Courses
Courses:

CEN Review Course

August 10th and 11th
0730 to 1600

Maine General Medical Center
Waterville, Maine
Dean Auditorium

CCRN Review Course

December 7th and 8th
0730 to 1600

Maine General Medical Center
Waterville, Maine
Dean Auditorium

Cost: $200

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News/Images

Best Selling Maine Author Speaks at NERS

Tess Gerritsen, MD, best selling mystery writer, gave an inspiring lecture, “So you think you want to be a writer?” After which, she signed books and posed for pictures with some of her many fans.

Tess, shown here with Carmen Hetherington and Wendy Nivison of Maine ENA, received a gift made by a local artist.

Karen O’Neill Award Winner

Beth Gould, RN from Vermont is shown with family members as she receives the Karen O’Neill Award.

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ENA General Assembly / Delegate Application

Dear Delegate Candidates:

Below is a link to an application for members who wish to be considered as a delegate to the 2005 ENA Annual Meeting. This year the General Assembly will be held September 14th & 15th, 2005 in Nashville, Tennessee. 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 2004 through December 2004.

Please click here for printable delegate application.

Application Overview

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 20, 2005. Delegates will be notified by mail.

Please click here for a printable delegate application.

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CEN Review Answers

1. C

   Kawasaki’s disease is a rare cause of chest pain in the pediatric patient. It causes cardiac ischemia.

2. B

   The most common item aspirated by a child under 3 years is a hot dog.

3. A

   The management of the child with asthma is based on obtaining bronchodilation. It has been shown that this can be done well with the use of a beta-agonist such as albuterol, terbutaline, or metaproterenol.

4. B

   The most common cause is Haemophylus influenza.

5. D

   RSV is highly contagious. It is transmitted by direct contact from large droplet aerosols, sneezing, and multiple visitors. The most effective way to decrease transmission is by hand washing and limiting visitors.

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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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Emergency Departments Employment Opportunities

Maine General Health

We are currently searching for experienced RN\'s to become part of the ED team at Maine General Medical Center in Augusta and Waterville.

• State of Maine RN license required
• 3 to 5 years of ED clinical experience required but willing to train exceptional candidate.

Call and learn more about the opportunities Maine General Health has to offer.

For more information contact:

Karen Dostie, Nurse Recruiter
1-866-853-5235
kdostie@mainegeneral.org

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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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