February 2010 Newsletter Archived

Enjoy your February Newsletter. See you February 25th at our Chapter meeting.

"You Are What You Eat: Nutritioin For Nurses"
Presented by Kathy Govea, RD

February 25, 2010 at 7:00 pm at AMN Healthcare 12400 High Bluff Drive, San Diego, 92130. 1 CEU Available BRN Number CEP 01022.

Print Meeting Flyer and share with colleagues and friends.

For more information contact Vice President Lisa Finch or call her at 843-252-1129

CALL TO ORDER: Meeting called to order at 6:30 pm by Vice president.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  Motion called and second to approve minutes of Dec.3, 2009.

Meeting adjourned at 7 pm. Educational Program followed.

Submitted by Linda Cacioppo, Secretary

Report provided by Candise Flippin, RN, MS, CNOR

Legislative News February 2010

There have not been any new updates on the federal “Health Care Reform Bills”, there also have not been any hearings as yet to try and reconcile the House and the Senate versions.  Per my report in the last news letter both AORN and ANA continue to support legislation that would guarantee access to affordable quality care for all citizens. 

As for the state of California, there is nothing new on the AORN legislative web pages but in the January issue of the ANA\C Nursing Voice there were several interesting items. One of these was about a push to change the laws in California related to drunk drivers who continue to drive and kill innocent people even after they have had multiple DUI convictions. An RN from California whose son was killed by a multiple suspended drunk driver became a member of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MAAD). She has pushed to protect the public by new laws requiring mandatory alcohol interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers. An assembly person from Los Angeles agreed to introduce legislation (AB 91) and the Legislative Committee of ANA\C agreed to sign on as a sponsor of the bill.  The bill passed through the Assembly and was signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. ANA\C along with MADD, the Emergency Room Nurses, law enforcement and District Attorneys across the state were invited along with the nurse who initiated the push to pass this law were invited to the bill signing ceremony by the Governor. 

AB 91 will establish a pilot program in four California counties: Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento and Alameda.  All convicted drunk drivers, including first time convictions, will require alcohol interlock devices.  This law has the potential to save hundreds of lives by reducing drunk driving in California.  The next step hopefully will make the pilot projects permanent after the initial data is collected.            

This information came from the January, February, March 2010 issue of ANA\C “The Nursing Voice”. I will report more on this at a later date as new information becomes available.   
 
Submitted by Virginia L. Ogren RN, BSN, CNOR           

It is time for the annual Chapter Elections. The positions that need to be filled for the 2010-2011 year are listed below. It is necessary to complete a Willingness to Serve Form and once completed email it to Nominating Committee Chair Marcia Cavanaugh.

List of Positions To Be Filled

PRESIDENT ELECT 1 YEAR TERM (one to be elected)
            Responsibilities: have all the duties and powers of a member of the Board of Directors.  Serve as “editor” of the chapter newsletter on the website, work closely with the chapter web master.  Appoint committee chairs and members for the Presidential year.

VICE PRESIDENT 2 YEAR TERM (one to be elected)
            Responsibilities: have all the duties and powers of a member of the Board of Directors.  Be responsible for the regular educational offering of the chapter.  Be responsible for maintaining the Continuing Educations Provider Number.  Assume duties of the President in his/her absence.

SECRETARY 1 YEAR TERM (one to be elected)
            Responsibilities: have all the duties and bowers of a member of the Board of Directors.  Record and preserve minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors and the general meetings.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2 YEAR TERM AND 1 YEAR TERM (one to be elected in each category)
            Responsibilities: direct the business and financial affairs of the Association.  Authorize administrative policies.  Foster growth and development of the Association.  Attend all Board of Directors meetings.  Consider committee reports and determine action to be taken.  Serve as committee chair as appointed by the President.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE 2 YEAR TERM AND 1 YEAR TERM (one to elected in each category)
            Responsibilities: advise potential candidates of the responsibilities of the office they may seek and obtain a signed consent to serve form.  Prepare a list of nominees as per Bylaws based on eligibility for the annual election and submit this list to the membership at the April meeting.  Prepare the ballot for the May elections.

Additional Resources: Chapter Policy Manual and Bylaws

March 13, 2010: PANAC of San Diego Meeting & Educational Offering. "Health Care Reform" by Gary Gonsalves, MD. Meeting will be held at AMN Healthcare, 12400 High Bluff Drive, San Diego, 92130 starting at 8:30 am. 1 CEU available. Print meeting flyer.

For more information contact Michelle Fennell, RN

March 15, 2010: The Operating Room Nursing Council (ORNCC) will hold a business meeting at the Annual National AORN Congress. This organization has served perioperative nurses for 27 years. In lieu on an educational program the ORNCC wants California nurses, attending Congress, to see a dynamic and informative Council meeting. Print Meeting Flyer with Registration Information. For more information visit www.orncc.org