Pioneer Valley Chapter
Summer 2014 Edition
Message from the President
Focus the Flame
Words from our AACN President Teri Lynn Kiss
“F-I-R-E — Fearlessness. Inquiry. Resilience. Engagement. — is an acronym reminding us that caring for our internal flame and focusing it are not optional,” Kiss explains. “F-I-R-E places front of mind the qualities required to care for our flame so we can focus on achieving our mission of driving excellence, because nothing less is acceptable.”
As we proceed into this next year, I see more great things coming from all of you. Health care is changing at such a rapid pace that all of you have become quite adept at being Fearless in advocating for your patients and families, relentless in ensuring you Inquire about the best practice, exercise Resilence in finding ways in a complicated system to do the right thing for your patients and families and your willingness to be a member of our chapter shows your Engagement with excellence. Share your passion with your colleagues and help keep our chapters’ light burning brightly by encouraging others to become members.
Thank you for all that you do for our community inside and outside the hospital. Please feel free to contact me with any suggestions you have to make OUR chapter be the best it can be. I look forward to hearing from you at
Warm Regards,
Cathie Manning RN, BS, CCRN President PVC of AACN
…………………….
Mission:
The Pioneer Valley Chapter of AACN is an association of acute and critical care nurses and others joining together to provide and inspire leadership, clinical experience/expertise and education. The Pioneer Valley Chapter of AACN is committed to providing quality resources to the community, patients and their families.
Upcoming Chapter Programs and Events at a Glance
Sept 18, 2014 Thurs 6:30 PM
Delaney House, Holyoke
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)-A New Option for Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis
Dr. Dan Engelman
Oct 16, 2014 Thurs 6 PM
Max Tavern, Spfld
Contemporary Issues in Pressure Ulcer Prevention
Terry Coggins, MSN, RN, CWCN
(Collecting books for donation)
Nov 13, 2014 Thurs
Time & Location TBD
12-lead ECG Interpretation for Nurses
Ruth Zafian, MSN, MA,
ACNS-BC, APRN, CNS
(Collecting food for donation)
(Collecting socks for donation)
REGIONAL
Horizons
April 2016
Celebrating 30 YEARS!!!!!
NATIONAL
National Teaching Institute & Critical Care (NTI) Exposition
May 18-21, 2015 San Diego, CA
FUN
PVC BOARD MEETINGS
All members are invited to attend our monthly meetings @ 5-6:30 PM. Feel free to send suggestions to any board member. We hope to see you there!
Sept 10, 2014 Baystate Med Ctr
Oct 8, 2014 Cooley Dickinson Hospital
Nov 12, 2014 Noble Hospital
Dec 10, 2014 TBD Board members only
Jan 14, 2015 Baystate Med Ctr
Feb 11, 2015 Cooley Dickinson Hospital
Mar 11, 2015 TBD Noble Hospital
Apr 8, 2015 TBD Baystate Med Ctr
May 2015 (NTI, no meeting this month)
Jun 2015 TBD transition meeting
TIME TO RENEW!
Attached you will find membership forms for national AACN and local PVC chapter.
You must be a current national member of AACN to join the
Pioneer Valley Chapter.
If you do not have a current AACN membership number, please complete both forms and submit 2 separate checks.
By renewing your national AACN membership with US using the bulk membership form, you will save $9. Feel free to email Cathie Manning at or
Call (860) 749-8226 if you have any questions. You can mail the bulk and or PVC membership form(s) to:
PVC/AACN
PO BOX 4450
Springfield, MA 01101
FYI
AACN National has just topped 102,000 members strong strengthening the voices of high acuity and critical care nurses; help us make our local chapter even stronger. Invite a colleague or 2 to join.
Our chapter was originally charted on 10/1/1990 making this our 24th year. The earliest chapters were formed in 1971.
As of today, there are 228 chapters ranging from a handful of members to over 400.
We have 51 members and would love to see that number grow.
Did you know that with your national membership includes unlimited CEU’s?
Log onto for more information.
NOW is a perfect time to join.
PVC/AACN Board for 2014-2015
President: Cathie Manning President Elect: OPEN
Treasurer: Eileen PysznikPast President: Julie Racicot
Secretary: Julie Cafasso Membership Chair: Jen Salina
Program Chair: Elaine Bloniasz Webmaster: Bill Donnelly
Horizons Committee: Kate Walles, Elaine Bloniasz, Linda Pellegrino
Members-at- Large Kathy Hutchins
A VERY SPECIAL
THANK YOU
To
Carolee Arsenault
She has been our Membership Chair for many years among many other board positions. Although she is leaving our board, she will remain a valued member of our chapter. On behalf of the board and all our members, a heartfelt THANK YOU for all that you have done to contribute to the success of our chapter. We are all better for having had your dedication, excellence and unwavering commitment to the profession of nursing and caring for critically ill patients and families. You have practiced with the utmost integrity and as your next job leads you in the direction of teaching new nurses we can be assured that the next generation of nurses are in great hands.