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Welcome to the ANA-Maine summer newsletter!
Looking Back on a CareerI attended the 2016
Membership Assembly of the American Nurses Association (ANA) which was held in Washington, DC June 23-25. The most exciting part of that meeting was being present as Muriel Poulin, EdD, RN, FAAN, of Springvale, Maine was inducted into the ANA Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame was created in 1976 to honor the contributions of those nurses whose dedication and achievements have significantly affected the nursing profession. Dr. Poulin’s extremely impressive bio and list of accomplishments unquestionably qualify her for this award. We invite you to read the article describing those in this edition.
While the bio features her extensive career in research, academia, and nursing administration, both in the US and abroad, we must also acknowledge her support for nursing education at the local level. I met Dr. Poulin while working as a nursing director at Goodall Hospital in Sanford. Twice yearly, the Blanche M. Poulin scholarship, named in honor of Muriel’s Mother, was awarded to select staff pursuing a baccalaureate degree in nursing. As her schedule allowed, Muriel joined us on the scholarship committee to review the applications. She later established the Dr. Muriel A. Poulin RN Nursing Education Fund which provides support for post-secondary nursing education to graduates of Sanford High School, her alma mater. Dr. Poulin has truly made a difference at all levels – to individuals and groups; locally, nationally and internationally.
The day after the awards ceremony, Dr. Poulin participated in a Q & A session along with her fellow 2016 Hall of Fame inductee, Patricia Messmer, PhD, RN-BC, FAAN of Florida. Muriel repeatedly affirmed her
current resident or
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The Newsletter of the American Nurses Association–MaineQuarterly publication direct mailed to approximately 25,000 RNs and LPNs in Maine.
ANA-MAINE
JOURNALSUMMER 2016
President’s Message
Index
Committee Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Community Nursing and the Impact of Collaboration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Thoughts about Pesticides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Attention ANA-Maine Members! . . . . . . . . . .4Legislative Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5Essentials of Nursing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
ANA Membership Assembly Travels to the Hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Book Talk at the Maine Historical Society at The Longfellow House in Portland . . . . . . . .9Muriel Poulin Inducted into ANA Hall of Fame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Patricia Boston
conviction that membership in ANA is a professional obligation, and one that she has upheld since she completed her nursing program in 1946 - 70 years ago! She also stressed the value of the networking that results from participation in ANA and other organizations, as several of the opportunities that impacted her career resulted from these affiliations.
The introduction to “Maine Nursing: Interviews and History on Caring and Competence,” by Valerie Hart, Susan Henderson, Juliana L’Heureux and Ann Sossong, begins with the statement that “Nurses are ordinary people who do extraordinary things.” What a powerful sentence! Dr. Poulin was unaware that she had been nominated for induction into the Hall of Fame until the committee made their decision and notified her. She accepted the award with humility. Dr. Poulin serves as an exemplar of one who has done extraordinary things!
Looking Ahead to a CareerIn May, I had the honor of speaking at the pinning
ceremony for graduates of the Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) nursing program. I utilized the quote from “Maine Nursing” in my comments to them as well. I shared that “Nurses are ordinary people who do extraordinary things.” – as an invitation to the potential that they bring to the care setting and to the nursing profession.
As I prepared for the occasion, I inquired about the graduating students and, not surprisingly, learned that many had been in the workforce for several years before settling on nursing as a profession or pursuing nursing as a second career. Several had earned SMCC leadership awards by undertaking projects such as organizing blood drives or blood pressure clinics, reviewing and revising policies, working with agencies such as Habitat for Humanity, or participating in student government. Earning a leadership award required more than participation in a simple one-time event.
Many of today’s “new grads” bring a depth of experience, maturity, and leadership to their positions
that I do not recall having when I graduated over 40 years ago. Adam Tebben, current president of the National Student Nurses Association (NSNA), delivered remarks to the 2016 ANA Membership Assembly. He was composed, articulate and described numerous activities and accomplishments of the NSNA. The Maine Student Nurses Association (MeSNA) is also alive and well and planning its first annual convention in Orono
A Look Back and a Look Ahead
President’s Message continued on page 2
Every election year is critical and 2016 is no exception. There are important choices to be made at the national, state and local levels. All campaigns will become more vigorous as November approaches.
• Beaninformedvoter.Learnaboutthecandidates and their political positions.
• Actively support candidates you wishto see elected. Candidates for state office running as Clean Elections candidates cannot accept monetary contributions but campaigns are always in need of volunteers. There are many types of opportunities available for willing workers. Contact the campaign or candidate of your choice for more information.
• Exerciseyourrightandprivilegetovote.Mark your calendars for the November 8th election. Obtain absentee ballots when they become available if you prefer to vote by that method.
Page 2 ANA Maine Journal August, September, October 2016
Published by theAMERiCAN NURSES ASSoCiATioN-MAiNEa constituent member association of the
American Nurses AssociationE-mail: [email protected]
Web Site: www.anamaine.org
P.O. Box 647 Kennebunk, ME 04043
ANA-MAiNE BoARD oF DiRECToRS
Patricia Boston, MSN, RN, RRTPresident, Biddeford
Catherine Lorello-Snow, PMHRN-BCPresident-Elect, Portland
Jean Dyer, PhD, MSN, BSN, CNETreasurer, York
Cindie Rice, MSN, RNSecretary, Lewiston
Tracy Bonney-Corson, MSN, RN, MBA-HDirector, Parkman
JoAnne Chapman, MED, MSN, RN, NE-BCDirector, Falmouth
Paula Delahanty, RN, BSN, MHSADirector, Warren
Carla Randall, PhD., RN, CNEDirector, Auburn
Amander Wotton, BSN, RNDirector, Windham
Contents of this newsletter are the opinion of the author alone and do not reflect the official position of ANA-MAINE unless specifically indicated. We always invite leaders of specialty organizations to contribute.
ANA-MAiNE EDiToRiAL CoMMiTTEEMichelle L. Schweitzer (Editor)Patricia Boston, MSN, RN, RRT
Jean Dyer, PhD, MSN, BSN, CNEIrene J. Eaton, MSN, RN, CS
Juliana L’Heureux, BS, RN, MHSA
We welcome submissions, but we reserve the right to reject submission of any article. Send to [email protected]. CE calendar listings are without charge.
Attribution: We do not knowingly plagiarize. We encourage our authors to fact check their material but we do not assume responsibility for factual content of ads or articles.
For advertising rates and information, please contact Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc., 517 Washington Street, PO Box 216, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613, (800) 626-4081, [email protected]. ANA-Maine and the Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc. reserve the right to reject any advertisement. Responsibility for errors in advertising is limited to corrections in the next issue or refund of price of advertisement. Published quarterly every February, May, August and November.
Acceptance of advertising does not imply endorsement or approval by ANA-Maine of products advertised, the advertisers, or the claims made. Rejection of an advertisement does not imply a product offered for advertising is without merit, or that the manufacturer lacks integrity, or that this association disapproves of the product or its use. ANA-Maine and the Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc. shall not be held liable for any consequences resulting from purchase or use of an advertiser’s product. Articles appearing in this publication express the opinions of the authors; they do not necessarily reflect views of the staff, board, or membership of ANA-Maine or those of the national or local associations.
Postal Address corrections: This list of addressees is obtained from the Maine State Board of Nursing (MSBON) each issue. To keep your address current for these mailings, simply notify the MSBON of any needed changes in your postal mailing address.
Permission must be obtained from ANA Maine to replicate or reproduce any content from ANA Maine Journal.
Volume 12 • Number 3
CoMMittee Corner
Published by:Arthur L. Davis
Publishing Agency, Inc.www.anamaine.org
Joanne Chapman, MSN, M.ED, RN, NE-BC
ANA Maine is in the process of developing a new NURSING PRACTICE COMMITTEE. We are looking for volunteers from all practice settings to help identify the matters pertaining to the issues that directly or indirectly impact practice across all these settings and which continue to foster a culture of safety. The Vision for this new committee is to develop support programs and processes so that all nurses (regardless of area of practice) provide care in a healthy work environment
that allows nurses to continue to provide safe high quality patient care.
Peer to peer support in response to adverse clinical events is one area that will be investigated by the committee. This support program has been identified as a means to assist nurses who have been involved in a difficult or stressful situation and to prevent burnout in nursing.
If you would like to join this committee, please contact Joanne Chapman at [email protected] by September 10, 2016.
Nursing Practice Committee Needs Volunteers
President’s Message continued from page 1
on October 29th. ANA-Maine is pleased to be a vendor-sponsor and panel member for that event.
(It is interesting to note that Jesse Kennedy, BSN, RN, 2013-2014 president of the NSNA, currently serves as a Director-At-Large on the ANA board. Pam Cipriano, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, president of ANA, is a former NSNA president as well.)
From the personal viewpoint of an official “baby boomer,” discussions of future shortages of healthcare workers are particularly disconcerting. The Maine Nursing Action Coalition is sponsoring a study to generate valid and reliable projections of Maine’s future demand for and supply of nurses; those results are expected to be reported in the next few months. While the number of clinicians joining our nursing ranks is a concern, recent encounters have impressed me with the readiness of nurses entering the workforce. It is reassuring to see the initiative, enthusiasm, energy and talent they are bringing to our profession. We have a responsibility to welcome,
nurture, mentor and challenge them to “do extraordinary things” as Dr. Poulin did for her students and colleagues during her illustrious career.
Summertime...and the Livin’ is Easy…
What many of us appreciate about Maine is the fact that we enjoy four distinct seasons. Summer, in particular, brings a change of focus and shift in activities. Perhaps that is because summer is considered to be a very brief season, effectively comprised of the two months of July and August, and we must savor it. Meetings tend to be fewer, and new work projects or initiatives are less apt to be undertaken or implemented. We focus on recharging ourselves by vacationing, enjoying the outdoors, seeking the serenity of the lake or ocean, and reconnecting with family and friends.
I wish you the best of summer in Maine and offer my appreciation for all the “extraordinary things” you do!
Patricia Boston, MSN, RN, RRTANA-MAINE President
Growing careers. Building relationships.
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August, September, October 2016 ANA Maine Journal Page 3
Cindie Rice, MSN, RNDirector of Community Health, Wellness &
Cardiopulmonary Rehab, Central Maine Medical Center
Secretary, ANA-Maine
As a “seasoned” nurse, I have been blessed to have many wonderful experiences in my career both with patients/families directly and through various collaborations and community involvement. Recently, I was a part of the Maine Calling show on MBPN radio (http://news.mpbn.net/post/community-paramedicine-maine#stream/), joining a Community Paramedic and the Community Paramedic Program Manager for the National Association of State EMS Officials, and CP Chief for North East Mobile Health Services to discuss the home visit program by community paramedics. Community paramedicine is a healthcare delivery model that traces back to the 1990s in New Mexico, where rural emergency medical services providers developed and tested a new model that expanded the scope of EMS services to include preventive care.
In 2012, the Maine legislature passed legislation granting the Board of Emergency Medical Services the authority to approve up to twelve community paramedicine pilots for a period of up to three years. United Ambulance Services in Lewiston has been one of the selected sites. At Central Maine Medical Center, we have been fortunate to work collaboratively with them and others in the community to implement these visits to identify opportunities to reduce re-hospitalization rates and ED visits for chronic disease patients by conducting: home safety inspections, medication reconciliation, education, and wound care assessment and treatment. Through regular meetings, face-to-face encounters with inpatients, close follow-up, and communication, we are experiencing increased referrals, decreasing gaps in care and impacts on reducing re-hospitalization and ED visits.
Further data is needed to assess the cost avoidance and evaluation for long term sustainability. Following the MBPN show, a community paramedicine conference (the first ever in Maine) was held May 18th & 19th in Portland and I facilitated a panel discussion on Working Together: Key Relationships for a Successful CP Program.
In addition to the community paramedicine conference, I recently attended Learning in Collaborative Communities in Chicago, IL. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Health Research & Educational Trust (HERT) of the American Hospital Association are working together to foster the development of a culture of health. Our community (Lewiston/Auburn) was chosen to participate in recognition of our innovative and progressive approaches to building a culture of health. The invitation was sent to Elizabeth Keene, VP of Mission Integration at St. Mary’s Hospital, who then reached out to Kirsten Walter, Director of the Nutrition Center; Erin Guay, Executive Director of Healthy Androscoggin; and me to participate in this exciting initiative. The goals are to highlight insights and knowledge in a nationally distributed Roadmap Guide, to showcase collaborations in a webinar, and to help foster learning, networking and sharing of expertise and resources among us and other industry leaders through the collaboration. These learnings will inform case studies and be embedded in a Roadmap Guide that provides resources for developing community partnerships. Prior to our learning collaborative, representatives from the HERT conducted a two-day site visit to foster cross-community learning, sharing and interaction with us in partnership development. It was a privilege to have these experts visit our community.
Participating in this project continues to increase my insight into the importance of collaboration and
the various partnerships that are working across the United States to have an impact on the health of our communities. It reminds me daily of the important role nurses have in our communities, and how untapped our knowledge base may be - while we are the number one respected profession! Thus, I encourage all to review the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) published landmark report from 2011 on The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. The document stated that “Nurses should have a voice in health policy decision making and be engaged in implementation efforts related to health care reform. Nurses also should serve actively on advisory committees, commissions, and boards where policy decisions are made to advance health systems to improve patient care.” Your involvement in the communities we serve will continue to enhance the lives of all.
Community Nursing and the Impact of Collaboration
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Because nothing is more important than your team!
Page 4 ANA Maine Journal August, September, October 2016
Agnes E. Flaherty Leadership and Sister Consuela White Spirit of
Nursing Awards to be Presented on September 29, 2016
Nominations for The Agnes E. Flaherty Leadership Award and The Sister Consuela White Spirit of Nursing Award in both categories listed below were submitted during the month of June. The submissions were reviewed by the Award Committee Cooperative Exchange with our colleagues in the Northeast Multistate Division. We look forward to honoring the awardees as our guests at the ANA-MAINE and OMNE Conference dinner on September 29, 2016.
Award recipients will be announced on the ANA-MAINE website, www.anamaine.org, following the event.
The Agnes E. Flaherty Leadership Award: Defining qualities include the ability to:
Develop a work environment that fosters autonomy and creativity.Value and empower others.
Affirm the uniqueness of each individual.Motivate others to work toward a common goal.
Identify common values.Be committed to the profession and society.
Think long-term and be visionary.Be politically astute.
Think in terms of change and renewal.
The Sister Consuela White Spirit of Nursing Award: Defining qualities include the ability to:
Listen on a deep level and to truly understand.Keep an open mind and hear without judgment.
Deal with ambiguity, paradoxes and complex issues. Believe that honestly sharing critical challenges with all parties and asking for their
input is more important than personally providing solutions. Be clear on goals and good at pointing the direction without giving orders.
Use foresight and intuition. See things whole and sensing relationships and connections.
We proudly recognize the 2016 exemplars of excellence in nursing leadership and
practice, their dedication and accomplishments, and their impact on nursing and nursing practice in Maine.
ATTENTION ANA-MAINE MEMBERS!Polls will be Open
August 22 – September 21
This is the second year that ANA-MAINE is utilizing the secure online voting system to elect members to fill open positions on the board. Nomination submissions were accepted through July 18 and the electronic ballot will be available August 22 – September 21.
Positions to be filled are:Position TermSecretary 2 YearsDirector 2 YearsDirector 2 YearsDirector 2 YearsNominating Committee 2 Years
As a member of ANA-MAINE, you have the opportunity to determine the leadership of our organization. Details about the electronic voting process will be emailed to members and may be found on our website at www.anamaine.org. To be eligible to vote, you must have an ANA-MAINE member ID number. If you need assistance with obtaining this number, log in to the member portal, also found on our website.
ANA-MAINE eagerly anticipates the activities planned for the next work year. Your vote in this process is a way to positively affect the continued work of your organization.
To request a paper ballot, please call the ANA-MAINE office at 207-502-7078.
Deadline for online voting is September 21, 2016
The newly elected board of directors will be announced on September 29, 2016 at the ANA-MAINE annual business meeting. More details regarding this event may be found at www.anamaine.org.
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TE! Thoughts about Pesticides
Susan Henderson, RN, BS, MA
A problem with pesticide use is that it is often easier to identify benefits over harms. If an action has been shown to lead to a desired outcome, then it is easy to identify that action as beneficial. However, the actual costs of the action in terms of harm can be more difficult to uncover: in the short term, harm may not be apparent because the effect may not be revealed until much later in time–decades as opposed to days–as revealed when lung cancer was found to be related to smoking.
Another difficulty in ascertaining harm occurs when the effects on other life forms–the interrelationship of species–is not considered. For example, plants may grow well with the use of a certain pesticide, but in this process, has the life and death effect on beneficial insects like bees been studied, and for a long enough period of time? The time span over which harm may become evident may not have been tested for adequately, and might not presently be within the scope of available knowledge. While amazing scientific discoveries have been made, mistakes have also been made that were not recognized until much later. People can recall being told that the probability of a nuclear accident was so small as to be almost impossible. But this year marks the 30th anniversary of the explosion of the nuclear reactor in Chernobyl. It may be easy to see the benefit of an action, but ultimately it may not be so easy to calculate a potential or actual harm of that action.
Looking at harm versus benefit is compounded by additional factors. Expert knowledge can be very complex. It can be hard for a non-expert to decipher whether or not the methodology of a research study was appropriate. To do so would require extensive knowledge of the topic, and of statistical analysis...how it can be used and misused! Different positions of different expert groups vary. For example, in a May 5, 2016 article in the Portland Press Herald entitled, State Filing Shows 130 Products Sold in Maine Contain Controversial Chemical, author Kevin Miller reports the CDC as saying that the effect of low levels of phthalates can affect the reproductive systems of rats, but the effect on human health is unknown. He continues, yet, at the same time, the National Institutes of Health listed phthalates as a potential endocrine disrupter, and the National Toxicology Program considers them a likely carcinogen, as opposed to the American Chemical council who defended their safety (http://www.pressherald.com/2016/05/05/controversial-chemical-used-in-130-products-sold-in-maine/ retrieved 6/30/2016). This is an example of how data interpretation can be politicized, much like that concerning global warming. It is important to take the possibility into account that research might be financed by an entity that has an important financial stake in the outcome, and that powerful lobbyists hired by them can seek to influence policies impacting our health. Just such a case exists in regard to the over-use of antibiotics in animals grown for consumption. It has been said that certain legislators–because of the powerful sway of lobbyists–will not seek to limit the routine administration of antibiotics to these animals. Yet it is known that drug-resistant organisms are a growing and extremely serious health risk today, and that antibiotic overuse must be curtailed. It is not a simple thing for the discerning consumer to ascertain what safe practices are!
Given our present understanding of the complexity of biology and biological processes, and given how interdependent and critical all in Nature is, it behooves us to understand and interact with our environment in a thoughtful and responsible way. Cells of living things grow and develop in an environment through time. Cells can be affected by the timing, duration and amount of exposure to factors in their environment. An exposure at one point in time might be harmless, yet create havoc at another point in time. Cells, uniquely and genetically different among individuals, can respond differently to different environments and different chemicals! We are far from fully understanding the complexity of these interactions. We need to protect the dynamic systemic interactions that shape all living things and part of doing that is respecting what we do not know and appreciating that we have great potential to harm.
The planet and the life we have been given is sacred. Therefore, it is prudent to be extremely judicious in the chemicals we use. To ask questions, to raise concerns, to promote practices known that reduce need for use of potentially toxic chemicals is a responsible course of action that shows respect for all.
Maine Action CoalitionStrengthening the Future of Nursing in Maine
• Opportunitiesfornursestoleadcollaborativeimprovement
• Preparingnursestoleadchange,toadvancehealth• IncreaseproportionofnurseswithBSNto80%by2020• Empoweringandencouragingnursestoinfluence
healthcareissuesbyservingonpublic/corporateboards
Get Involved!www.campaignforaction.org/state/maine
August, September, October 2016 ANA Maine Journal Page 5
Epidemiology and Public Health, with an International Health Concentration. Her Bachelor of Science in Nursing was received in 1991, from the University of the District of Columbia, in Washington DC.
In 1982, at Castleton State College, in Castleton VT, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and an Associate of Science in Business Management.
Congratulations to Dr. O’Neill for her accomplished career and for representing nursing in the 2016, Maine legislative election. Feel free to contact Moira O’Neill at her email: [email protected].
LegisLative UPdate
May 15, 2016Juliana L’Heureux BS, MHSA, RN
ANA is committed to meeting the needs of nurses as well as health care consumers.
Although the end of the two-year 127th Maine legislature did not include the passage of the Medicaid expansion (in the Affordable Care Act), the participation of ANA-Maine in productive coalitions to support our statement of purpose was successful for the following reasons:
1. ANA-Maine was recognized for representing nursing in Augusta by the legislators who served on the committees where nursing presented public hearing testimonies.
2. ANA-Maine led two annual successful nursing educational seminars at the State House, for the purpose of developing an advocacy network, to continue the work needed for educating legislators about nursing and to pave the way for the next legislative session.
3. ANA-Maine continues to build important relationships with our public policy leaders who will work collaboratively for the future of developing health care public policy.
Nevertheless, while the ANA-Maine participation was welcomed with our nursing peers, medical and consumer advocacy groups, we must think ahead about how to lead as well as “participate” in public policy. In fact, ANA-Maine is positioned to take the lead with the APRN consensus agreement, but this initiative will need advocacy attention even before the November election. Carey Clark, chair of ANA-Maine’s Legislative Committee, is well positioned to be involved in this leadership development.
Christine Burstein, the only nursing legislator in the 127th, is unfortunately not running for re-election. Therefore, hopefully, the campaign of Moira O’Neill, Ph.D., R.N., will be successful as she campaigns for the District 7 Senate Seat in Hancock County.
During the past two years, it has been an honor to represent ANA-Maine in such a high visibility role as liaison with legislators, public policy, and academic leaders and our nursing peers.
I look forward to supporting any forthcoming transition planning for the 2017 128th Session.
Moreover, I appreciate the support of Patricia Boston, ANA-Maine President; the ANA-Maine Board of Directors; and Donna Policastro, Executive Director.
Thank you everyone!
AUGUSTA – Maine Immunization Coalition (MIC) in the State House Hall of Flags event in February 2016, where ANA-Maine participated with advocacy groups to educate legislators in support of the accessibility and administration of disease preventative vaccines, to improve public health.
American Nurses Association of Maine Legislative 127th Session Summary
Juliana L’Heureux, BS, MHSA, RN
Nurses who are interested in running for elected office are to be congratulated for sharing our professional expertise about public policy with the communities where we live, work and provide patient care. In fact, the Maine Nursing Action Coalition, of which ANA-Maine is a partner, is calling on nurses to become engaged in leading the way to address health challenges wherever they exist, like in public health and policy.
Moira O’Neill of Surry ME, a nurse and a former academic nurse educator, has accepted the opportunity to run for the Maine Senate District 7 seat, in Hancock County. In fact, Dr. O’Neill is on the ballot in November, after winning a Democratic primary election in June. Her education and experience have paved the way for her to campaign to represent Maine’s citizens in her District and throughout Maine in the legislature’s upcoming 128th session, that begins in January 2017.
Most recently, O’Neill was an Assistant Professor at Husson University School of Nursing, in Bangor. During the three years she worked at Husson, she taught public policy, management, leadership and methods of research at the baccalaureate and master’s level. She also developed policy and an administrative “Service Learning” program, that was focused on building relationships between students, community partners and the university. Additionally, she coordinated events including the Husson Symposium on Veteran’s Health, a Town Hall Meeting with members of the Maine State Legislature who were health professionals; and a “Candidates Forum,” featuring 2014 candidates campaigning for federal, state and municipal positions. As a liaison between senior nursing students and clinical partners, she provided the students with advisement, and mentoring towards professional practice and community engagement.
In the summer, Dr. O’Neill has been a “Friends of Acadia,” at the Acadia National Park, on Mt. Desert
Island, working as a Ridge Runner, a seasonal and part time position. In this environmental role, she provided public education and guidance in outdoor ethics, hiking safety and Acadia Park information.
Her Acadia work included maintaining trails, and she participated in search, and rescue operations for injured and lost hikers. She also conducted research with visitors’ use surveys.
O’Neill’s Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing was awarded in 2011 from the Yale University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, in New Haven, CT; she received the Anthony DiGuida Delta Mu Research Prize. She earned a Master of Science in Nursing in 1998, from Yale University School of Nursing, with a focus being on Nursing Management, Policy and a Home Health Care Concentration.
She earned a Master of Public Health Degree from Yale University School of Medicine, Department of
Dr. Moira O’Neill: Nurses in the Maine Legislature
Dr. Moira O’Neill at Acadia National Park
Come join our Growing TEAM!
We currently have the following positions open:
• RN/LPN Sign on bonus up to $5,000 FTdayshiftandnightshift
• CNA Sign on bonus up to $2,000 FTdayshiftandeveningshift
• Dietary Aides -AllshiftsWe are always accepting applications for per diem RN/LPN, Med-Tech, CNA and CRMA.
Please contactJulie Pelletier, RN Director of Nursing
667-9336 ext 519 or 479-0060email: [email protected]
Seaport Village Healthcare19 General Moore Way Ellsworth, Maine 04605
An Affiliate of First-Atlantic Corporation
A MAINE-OWNED COMPANY
From left – Lisa Harvey-McPherson, Rep. Anne-Marie Mastraccio of Sanford (York County),
and Juliana L’Heureux.
Page 6 ANA Maine Journal August, September, October 2016
essentiaLs of nUrsing
Essentials of Nursing – Winning
EssaysThis issue of the ANA-Maine newsletter
includes three winning essays, submitted by nursing students to the Essentials of Nursing essay contest conducted by the Sigma Theta Tau Kappa Zeta-at-Large chapter. The essays were read at the Kappa Zeta-at-Large annual meeting in Freeport and are printed here with permission of the authors – Deborah Burgess, St. Joseph’s College ’17; Emily Cyr, University of New England ’16; and Abigail Murphy, St. Joseph’s College ’18.
The Essentials of Nursing essay contest is open to nursing students from St. Joseph’s College, the University of New England, and the University of Southern Maine and is not restricted to students who have or will be inducted into the Kappa Zeta-at-Large Chapter. The students are asked to write about what nursing means to them. Essays are evaluated according to the criteria of ideas, organization and voice.
ANA-Maine is pleased to share these essays from up and coming nursing professionals. We find them moving as they demonstrate commitment and an understanding of the heart and soul of nursing. They reflect the character of new entrants to our profession. We trust you will enjoy reading them.
Congratulations to the contest winners!
Deborah BurgessSaint Joseph’s College
Class of 2017
I was born three months early and had to spend three months in the NICU at Maine Medical Center. The nurses were the ones who took care of me, comforted parents, and were a huge support. Nurses have always been there for my family.
It all started when I was roughly eight years old, visiting my grandparents in a nursing home in California. The resident’s name was Francis; I remember her name till this day. She always was yelling for someone to help her, and everyone ignored her. Myself, being only eight years old, went over to her and sat with her. It turned out she just wanted company. From this point on, from my interaction with Francis, and not seeing the best care of my grandparents, I knew this was my calling.
Roughly, five years ago my Dad got sick. He passed away from diabetes, congestive heart failure and kidney failure. He was transported from Midcoast Hospital to Maine Medical Center. During this experience, I witnessed some amazing nurses and some not as kind nurses. He was then moved to the Gosnell Hospice home and passed away there. This experience again confirmed my desire to be a nurse.
Ever since I was a little girl, I have been going with my Mom to the Maine Center for Cancer Medicine for her treatments. It was not easy as a child watching your
mom get infusions, bone marrow biopsies and having her blood drawn. The nurses were very supportive to me and comforting. A few years ago, my mom’s condition was changed to a terminal cancer. We have been going back and forth to Boston for various studies. Even though there is no cure it helps keep things somewhat steady.
I have been volunteering at Maine Medical Center since high school and it has really allowed me to develop my personal skills with patients. I also have worked as a certified nurses assistant at a nursing home for the past three years. Working with the elderly is my passion. It takes a certain amount of patience, caring, and providing dignity and respect to work with them. Most of them either have no family, or family does not come. They are my family and I am their family. Nursing is about giving up your holidays and weekends to give your time to someone else.
I am currently a junior in good academic standing at Saint Joseph’s College. During my clinical experiences, I have truly grown as a health care professional. My personal life experiences have made me understand what it is like to be in someone else’s shoes. I am able to be the nurse that is my patients shoulder to cry on, ear to listen, and hand to hold. Taking time from doing tasks, and sitting with your patients and patient’s family is so important. I know there will be many times working as a nurse it will not be easy, but you cannot learn if you do not try. I believe connecting with your patients on a human level is very important.
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Keynote Speaker: MARJoRiE S. WiGGiNS, DNP, MBA, RN, FAAN, NEA-BC
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August, September, October 2016 ANA Maine Journal Page 7
essentiaLs of nUrsing
Emily CyrUniversity of New England
Class of 2016
Ever since I was a little girl I have had my heart set on helping others who are unable to help themselves. I have always known that I want to pursue a career in the healthcare field. Having the ability to care for others and use my knowledge to give people the guidance they need in the times when they need it most, in my eyes, nothing is more rewarding. There was just one question that I seemed unable to answer, what profession in the health field is my true passion? Up until a little over a year ago, I wasn’t quite sure how to answer this, but one day my whole perspective changed.
As his conversation began on the other end of the line I could tell things were going downhill. His mother said that ‘Grandpa Lino’s conditions were quickly deteriorating as his congestive heart failure continued to worsen, his last moments were approaching.’ He hung up the phone and his face was immediately overtaken with unbearable depression. We quickly got ready to leave and began making our way to the truck. I struggled to pull my body weight into the lifted Chevy, but somehow I knew that I needed to be the strong one. On the way to the hospital I couldn’t think of anything to say. My friendship with Michael had just recently begun and it was just as fragile as Grandpa Lino’s life. He had told me he wanted me there with him and I knew that I had to keep my composure and comfort him because in a time like this, that’s really all one can do. We approached the hospital and I could tell the whole situation made him increasingly uncomfortable. We stepped out of the truck and made the walk towards the doors, not knowing what would happen once we entered. The two of us were escorted to Grandpa Lino’s room and as we entered, the glazed eyes of family members slowly shifted our way. Laying in the bed was a frail and weakened body, but along side him was a woman, dressed in scrubs, doing everything she could to make sure
What Does Nursing Mean to Me?
Abigail MurphySaint Joseph’s College of Maine
Nursing MajorClass of 2018
I was a little girl dreaming of becoming a professional singer, being able to wear all the fun jewelry and expensive clothing; until life hit me. When I think about it, nursing is defined as the profession or practice of providing “care for the sick or infirm,” but to me nursing means so much more.
My first real encounter with the nursing profession came when my mother was diagnosed with Stage I breast cancer. She underwent countless chemotherapy and radiation appointments, lost her hair in the process and ended up having a mastectomy to remove what was not taken from the drugs coursed through her veins. At this time I was only ten years old so not much of the whole process made sense to me, but I got to see how effortlessly the nurses worked while caring for my sick mother and how positive they were every step of the way. Approximately a year and a half after her diagnosis she was pronounced cancer free. This happened due to the amazing work of the nurses and doctors by my mom’s side day in and day out.
Two years went by of not speaking the word cancer, until it was back again. This time it was Stage IV metastatic breast cancer. It had metastasized in my mother’s liver and left pelvic bone, but she was resilient and wasn’t ready to give up the fight. She woke up early every morning to get attached to a needle that would feed her a drug that would make her lose her hair and weight, vomit, become weak, tired, etc. She did this because she was a fighter. I clearly remember her telling me after those chemotherapy appointments how happy she was to see her nurses and the joy they brought to her life in such a dark time. She would spend endless amount of hours telling us how funny and kind they were; this was my second real encounter with the nursing profession and it changed my outlook on life forever. On November 3, 2010 my mom’s fight with cancer ended and angels brought her home but she left a legacy on this earth. Part of that legacy was her many stories of the nurses who cared for her throughout the entire arduous journey. This is what drove me to become a nurse.
One day, I will be waking up before the sun is out, putting my scrubs on, slipping my feet into my clogs, grabbing a quick breakfast and running out the door. I will get to work, get my duties for the day and become that nurse that allows patients having intense chemotherapy to smile, laugh and make the most out of what they have. You see, nursing is a hard profession that teaches you something new every day, but the one constant is your ability to brighten the days of people going through the fight of their lives. I dreamt of becoming a celebrity, but their uniform is nothing compared to the twenty dollar scrubs full of blood, sweat and tears I will wear one day with an immense amount of pride.
Passionthat Grandpa Lino was comfortable. This woman was a nurse.
All we could do from here was wait. The minutes seemed to creep by. The room was overwhelmingly filled with deep sadness. His condition was not changing and time continued to crawl by. The nurse voiced the option of removing the life support as to decrease Grandpa Lino’s suffering. After the consent from Grammy Eileen, the nurse removed the apparatus. We gathered around and took in our last moments. As Grandpa Lino began to struggle for air, the nurse increased his doses to ensure comfort. His gasps continued to worsen and I couldn’t help but flash back to my own mother who at a young age watched her father take his last breaths as his life was taken by emphysema. As I came back to reality, my body was suddenly bombarded by weakness. I looked towards Michael and he couldn’t take his eyes off of Grandpa Lino, who was not only his Great Grandfather, but also his friend. Michael’s eyes filled with tears and they became impossible to hold back. As Grandpa Lino took his last breath, Michael’s first tear fell. Grandpa Lino’s fight had finally ended. Within a room of such weakness it seemed impossible to find any positive, but there was one who stood strong, like an angel in disguise, the nurse. She was right by her patient’s side, doing everything she could, helping another when they needed it most. From that moment on, I knew what path I wanted to choose.
I want to be the one that stands by their patient, soothing their pain, just as the nurses did for Grandpa Lino and my Grampy. I want to be the one who helps the weak be strong. Through nursing I can do all of these things. Nursing is a diverse and demanding career path. Through my focused and levelheaded traits of motivation and perseverance, I believe that nursing is the profession for me. I have found my passion, the place where my heart truly belongs. Being a nurse will allow me to care for others in the way I have always desired to, becoming that one positive in a room of sadness and an angel in disguise to those in need.
Who can register to volunteer?
We all have a role to play in preparing Maine for the challenges of responding to a public health or healthcare emergency. MAINE RESPONDS seeks volunteers from all backgrounds, skill levels, and experiences willing to support a public health or healthcare emergency response. If you work in a health-related discipline, we encourage you to register with MAINE RESPONDS.
MAINE RESPONDS Emergency Health Volunteer System
Jared McCannell, Volunteer Management Coordinator
Phone: 207-287-4072 [email protected]
The MAINE RESPONDS Emergency Health Volunteer System provides a prepared and ready workforce of volunteers to serve the people of Maine in the event of any public health emergency.
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Page 8 ANA Maine Journal August, September, October 2016
On Thursday, June 23, ANA held its Lobby Day in conjunction with the Membership Assembly in Washington, DC. ANA members traveled to the senate and congressional buildings on Capitol Hill to meet with their respective state senators and house representatives. Patricia Boston, President, and Catherine Lorello-Snow, President-Elect, visited the offices of Senators Collins and King and Representatives Pingree and Poliquin. They discussed the three bills below which await consideration and passage as well as the following ANA legislative concerns:
1. H.R. 2083/S. 1132 The Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act which would require Medicare-participating hospitals to establish committees, composed of at least 55% direct care nurses, to create unit-specific staffing plans. Compared
to a competing measure that is more prescriptive, this approach offers flexibility to account for and meet the changing factors of a dynamic unit, including patient complexity, acuity, nurse skill and experience. This bill does not have a cosponsor from Maine.
2. H.R. 2713 Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act which would provide funding for the next generation of nurses and the faculty required to educate them. Title VIII supports institutions that educate nurses for practice in rural and medically underserved communities and supports advanced nursing education, diversity grants, National Nurse Service Corps, nurse faculty loan forgiveness, and geriatric education grants. This bill is cosponsored by Representative Pingree and does not have a Senate sponsor at this time.
3. H.R. 1324/S. 578 The Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act which would allow nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists to certify and modify home health care plans. This bill is sponsored by Senator Collins and cosponsored by Senator King and Representative Pingree.
4. Restoring funding for research related to gun violence. The CDC had previously been directed to conduct research related to gun violence but funding was later withdrawn. The ANA supports restoration of that funding.
5. Stopping the opioid epidemic. There is agreement that a multifaceted approach which includes education, prevention, enforcement, detection and treatment is required.
ANA Membership Assembly Travels to the Hill
Catherine Lorello-Snow, PMHRN-BC, President Elect and Patricia Boston,
MSN, RN, RRT, ANA-MAINE President visit with Senator Angus King staff
member Patrick O’Neill
Muriel Poulin was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Membership
Assembly. Left to Right: Andrea Gregg, PhD, RN, Chair of the Committee on
Honorary Awards; Muriel Poulin, EdD, RN, FAAN; Pam Cipriano, PhD, RN,
NEA-BC, FAAN, ANA President
Catherine Lorello-Snow, PMHRN-BC, President Elect and Patricia Boston,
MSN, RN, RRT, ANA-MAINE President visit with Representative Bruce Poliquin
Patricia Boston, MSN, RN, RRT, ANA-MAINE President and Catherine Lorello-Snow,
PMHRN-BC, President Elect pose on Lobby Day in
Washington, DC
Amanda Lincoln, Senator Susan Collin’s committee staff, Catherine Lorello-Snow,
President-Elect, Senator Collins’ legislative aide, and Patricia Boston, President
Patricia Boston, President, Michelle Artz, ANA Director of Government Affairs, Catherine Lorello-Snow, President-Elect visit with Chellie Pingree’s
legislative assistant, Megan Garrett-Reed
Catherine Lorello-Snow, PMHRN-BC, President-Elect, with
the Maine Nursing book at the American Nurses Foundation booth
Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center
Hospital Nurse II – $29.54 to $35.24/Hour
August, September, October 2016 ANA Maine Journal Page 9
At the Maine Historical Society in Portland speaking about Maine nursing history and
the Centennial project on June 23, were (left) Mary Pelletier, editor, with co-authors Juliana
L’Heureux and Susan Henderson, Margaret Hourigan (a nurse featured in the history) and the lead author Ann Sossong.
Juliana L’Heureux
PORTLAND – An overview about the Centennial nursing history project was presented by the authors on Thursday, June 23, 2016, at the Maine Historical Society in Portland.
T h r o u g h h i s t o r i c a l anecdotes and fascinating oral histories, Maine Nursing: Interviews and History on Caring and Competence explores the remarkable sacrifices and achievements of Maine’s nurses, who have served tirelessly as caregivers and partners in healing at home and abroad, from hospitals to battlefields.
Book Talk at the Maine Historical Society at The Longfellow House in Portland
Maine Nursing: Interviews and History on Caring and Competence
Authors Ann Sossong, Susan Henderson and Juliana L’Heureux spoke about the book they co-authored with Valerie Hart and edited by Mary Pelletier. Ann Sossong is a professor emeritus at the University of Maine in Orono, nursing department and former director of the program. Susan Henderson taught nursing for thirty-five years at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine in Standish until retiring in 2011. Juliana L’Heureux is a freelance writer and former home care and hospice administrator. All royalties and profits generated from the sale of the “Maine Nursing” history are dedicated to the American Nurses Foundation (ANF), for the purpose of eventually being awarded to Maine nursing research.
For information about the book, check the Arcadia Publishing website.
h t t p s : / / w w w . a r c a d i a p u b l i s h i n g . c o m /Products/9781467135399
Christine Pabico, MSN, RN, NE-BC, Director of the Pathway to Excellence© Program of the American Nurses Credentialing Center informed ANA-Maine that The Commission on Pathway to Excellence recently voted to award Pathway to Excellence designation to Rumford Hospital. ANA-MAINE is pleased to offer its congratulations to the nurses and staff of Rumford Hospital!
Kelly Hughes Wheeler, RN at Redington-Fairview General Hospital (RFGH) in Skowhegan, was recently named Maine Hospital Association (MHA) Caregiver of the Year. The honor is awarded to a caregiver from a MHA member institution “who demonstrates extraordinary commitment to the delivery of care to patients and their families.” Kelly is manager of the RFGH Birthing Center, a department she has overseen since 2010. The award was presented at the MHA Summer Forum. Congratulations, Kelly!
ANA-MAINE Offers Congratulations
Maine Nursing Preceptor Education Spring Program
On May 12 and May 18, Lunder-Dineen held their Spring Maine Nursing Preceptor Education Program workshops. The workshops were held at Husson University, in Bangor Maine, and at the University of New England, in Biddeford, Maine. Both universities provided ideal conference spaces for the workshops that helped to facilitate two very successful days of interactive learning. One hundred and seventy three nurses from across the state and the continuum of care were in attendance. The evaluations from both workshops were overwhelmingly positive.
Since the Fall, over 300 nurses from across 46 organizations in the state of Maine have completed Lunder-Dineen’s Maine Nursing Preceptor Education Program, cost-free. The overarching goal of the program is to advance and support the recruitment, integration, satisfaction, and retention of nurses across the continuum of care in Maine, by enhancing the knowledge, skills, and abilities of nurse preceptors to support newly graduated nurses, nurses transitioning to new roles or new practice settings and nursing students within their organization.
The Lunder-Dineen Team thanks all of the invested Maine Nurse Leader advisory team members, presenters, and partnering organizations who helped to make the program successful.
In July, Lunder-Dineen Team members presented a one hour podium presentation about the Maine Nursing Preceptor Education Program, at the Association for Nursing Professional Development’s Annual Convention. Plans for 2017 will be published in the November newsletter.
To learn more about the Maine Nursing Preceptor Education Program: http://www.lunderdineen.org/preceptorship.
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Page 10 ANA Maine Journal August, September, October 2016
Muriel Poulin, EdD, RN, FAAN, and member of ANA-Maine, was inducted into the ANA Hall of Fame on June 23rd at the 2016 Membership Assembly in Washington, DC. The Hall of Fame was created in 1976 to honor the contributions of those nurses whose dedication and achievements have significantly affected the nursing profession. Dr. Poulin completed her basic nursing education in 1946 and has enjoyed a very distinguished career in nursing administration, education, and research. She has held office and sat on committees for a variety of professional organizations; has received many awards and honors; and has numerous publications. The following bio was submitted to ANA in support of her nomination. Contributors include: Karen Ballard, Joanne Chapman, Irene Eaton, Maggie McClure and Pat Reed Ponte.
Dr. Poulin is a remarkable woman who has had a truly remarkable career. While the settings for her work have been diverse, her outstanding contributions to nursing and patient care have always involved her three professional passions: leadership, education and administration.
After graduating with a diploma in nursing from the Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Poulin moved to Washington, DC to pursue her BSN at the Catholic University of America. At that time she became a staff nurse at the City’s Municipal Hospital. Her next move was much more dramatic: she was recruited by the Ford Foundation to serve as the Director of Nursing for the planning and opening of a brand new facility, the Damascus General Hospital in Damascus, Syria. It is interesting to note that her title was Assistant Hospital Director for Nursing, this at a time when the vast majority of hospitals in the world perceived the chief nurse at the department head level. This experience was an enlightening and amazing educational opportunity for her, serving as the basis for her commitment to the role and importance of nursing in all aspects of administration of health care delivery.
Following her return to the United States, Muriel accepted a position at Massachusetts General Hospital as the Director of In-service Education. Then in 1957, she was recruited by the Agency for International Development (AID) to serve as the Assistant Hospital Administrator for Nursing for the San Juan de Dios Hospital in San Juan, Costa Rica, a position she held for
two years. She continued working with the institution in an advisory role following her return to the US at which time she began her graduate education.
Throughout her entire professional career, Muriel was a strong supporter of the American Nurses Association. She served the association in a number of roles, including Commissioner of Economic and General Welfare and Vice President. While she made many contributions during those years, the most important for the purposes of this letter occurred while she was Commissioner. At that time, the ANA House of Delegates voted to create the American Academy of Nursing (AAN). Because of her strong support for the AAN proposal, Muriel was appointed to the panel of ANA leaders that were charged with the responsibility of implementing the AAN’s launch. The panel proceeded by writing the original mission and structure for the organization. They then chose the members for the first class which was inducted in 1973. Serving on this panel, of course, prohibited her from being admitted with the inaugural group; she was, however, a proud and active member of the class of 1974.
In 1979, while the AAN was still a fledgling organization, the Board decided to appoint a Task Force on Hospital Nursing Practice in response to the critical nursing shortage facing the nation at that time; Muriel was one of four to be named to the group. Dr. Muriel Poulin was a talented and committed member of the team.
The Task Force determined that the last thing our profession needed was another white paper about the problems causing the shortage; rather what was needed was evidence as to the practices of those rare, exemplary hospitals that were not experiencing difficulties in recruitment and retention. Thus was born the original Magnet Hospital study. Every step of the entire project was done by the four members themselves, with little or no assistance, and in the most austere fashion imaginable; in fact, the members actually contributed substantial amounts of their own personal resources to assist in meeting the expenses connected with the work. Throughout the years that it took for the Task Force to complete the Magnet Hospital study, Muriel’s contributions were enormous, from conception to the final manuscript. She was rigorous in her approach to every aspect of the research. Her commitment to creating a scholarly, yet accessible, publication was unequaled. And she is largely responsible for the long shelf life that the findings have enjoyed.
Muriel Poulin is best known for her leadership in graduate education for nursing service administration. Dr. Poulin led (as Department Chair and Professor) a nationally and internationally recognized graduate program in Nursing Administration at the Boston University School of Nursing. As such she pioneered nursing administration as a discrete area of graduate nursing academic study, leading the way for thousands of nurses to receive advanced education in this cognate area. Others have continued to build on her strong and enduring legacy.
While evolving the program she successfully competed for additional external funding for it at a time when funding was scarce to non-existent for programs in nursing administration. Early recognition of her expertise was seen when she was awarded one of three Commonwealth Foundation grants to develop a nurse executive post-graduate leadership program. These precedent setting grants created the opportunity to establish academic credibility as well as expertise within the practice of nursing administration.
The program evolved by Dr. Poulin advanced the science of nursing leadership and administration in health care programs. Before the DNSc program in the administrative cognate area, scholarly nurses had two choices – teach in schools or conduct research in schools. There were few, if any, places for doctorally prepared scholars in hospital administrative structures. Dr. Poulin’s work, research, teaching and leadership laid a strong foundation for health services research and excellence. This early program provided a critical step in the history of nursing leadership in service settings and became a standard as other programs were developed. She was the impetus and support for establishing nursing administration programs at the Masters and
Doctoral levels in at least twelve other schools in the United States and provided consultation to eleven international schools. Her work led the way to the present standard in which many organizations now require doctorally prepared nurses at the executive nurse level. As an educator, her focus was always on the role of the administrator as the leader of a clinical practice, making it clear to her students that excellent nursing care to patients was the raison d’être for the work. As a result, the graduates of her program number among the best in the nation.
In addition, Dr. Poulin created substantial bridges between nurse administrators in the academic and practice settings. During her 17 years on the faculty at Boston University, she also served as the first Associate in Administration at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston in collaboration with Dr. Joyce Clifford, then Vice-President for Nursing. This represented a major step in blending nursing administration in the practice and academic settings, potentiating the benefits to all. This was a powerful foundation for her seminal work with her co-authors on the Magnet study (published in 1983) and other research related to nursing administration and management.
Dr. Poulin invested her considerable knowledge and skill in assisting international nursing schools to create advanced degree programs to strengthen the practice of nursing administration and, ultimately, advance the practice of nursing. An example of this is the work that Dr. Poulin did with the Santa Madrona School of Nursing sponsored by the “la Caixa” Foundation in Barcelona, Spain. Dr. Poulin was one of the first nurses to be appointed as a Fulbright Scholar, setting the stage for other nurses to receive this honor. As a Fulbright Scholar she provided initial consultation to the school’s Director and faculty to successfully establish the first Masters program in Nursing Administration in Spain. After her Fulbright tenure, she continued to teach in the program and subsequently ensured that faculty members from the United States with both theoretical and practical knowledge were available to teach these phenomenal students.
Because of her work, hundreds of Masters-prepared nursing leaders are practicing in Spain...they have literally changed the practice of nursing in Barcelona and throughout Spain. As the Director of the Santa Madrona School of Nursing, Montserrat Teixidor attests to Dr. Poulin’s strong imprint of humanity and generosity and the strengthening of nursing leadership in Catalonia and Spain. Although we focused on her contributions to nursing administration education in Spain, her international work has also included Syria, Lebanon, Columbia, Venezuela, Mexico, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Australia and Canada.
What is least known about Muriel Poulin is the fact that when she “retired” to her home town of Springvale, Maine, she became concerned about the community nursing services in the southern part of the state. She quickly became an active board member of HomeHealth Visiting Nurses and quite soon the president of the board. That organization was suffering from the difficulties well known to most small not-for-profit agencies; however her management expertise and arduous work were responsible for moving them into a stable, secure situation; this included leading them to merge with another small agency in New Hampshire.
After serving on the HomeHealth Board for 11 years, Muriel stepped down, and in so doing, secured a storefront in her town where she opened a used book store, staffed totally by volunteers, the proceeds from which go to support both HomeHealth and Hospice of Southern Maine. At the age of 91, she continues to volunteer at the book store, a testimony to her lasting concern for the health needs of her community.
In addition, Dr. Poulin’s accomplishments include leadership and committee posts in numerous professional organizations; multiple honors including designation as a Living Legend by the Massachusetts Nursing Association and inclusion in the Sanford High School Hall of Fame; and a wealth of publications and research papers.
ANA-Maine offers its appreciation and congratulations to Dr. Poulin!
Muriel Poulin Inducted into ANA Hall of Fame
Muriel Poulin, EdD, RN, FAAN
August, September, October 2016 ANA Maine Journal Page 11
MeMbershiPValue Pricing Pilot
ExtendedMost of us recall hearing as students in our
professional issues classes or discussions that it was a responsibility to maintain membership in our professional organization. ANA-Maine has participated in a value pricing dues pilot for the last few years. This pilot has provided Maine nurses with the opportunity to realize a 40% discount on joint national and state dues. For only $13 per month, you can become or renew as a member of both the American Nurses Association and ANA-Maine! Though ANA-Maine membership numbers have increased significantly – by approximately 68% – in the last three years, we continue to look for increased participation in our state. This pilot was set to expire but, at the recent ANA Membership Assembly, the representatives voted to extend it for up to three years. The extension will allow ANA to expand the pilot to more states and gather more outcome data to determine the optimal dues structure. If you are a current member, we certainly appreciate renewal of your ongoing support. If you are not a member, please consider joining. Membership benefits are many and include: a Welcome to the Profession toolkit for new RNs; access to an online CE library and to Navigate Nursing webinars; discounts on ANCC certification and certification renewal; subscriptions to members-only journals and publications; opportunities to connect with fellow nurses through local and national meetings, committees and social media; discounts on ANA Leadership Institute; as well as other benefits, opportunities and tools. To see more detail about benefits, log onto joinana.org. You will also be able to join online and set up a monthly deduction on that site. We hope you will consider becoming an active member of the American Nurses Association and ANA-Maine!
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Page 12 ANA Maine Journal August, September, October 2016
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Eastport Health Care is an equal opportunity employer & provider.
OMNE Nursing Leaders of Maine ANNUAL MEETINGIn partnership with ANA-Maine
September 29 – 30, 2016The Hilton Garden Inn, Freeport, ME
The Profession of Nursing is Alive and Well in the State of Maine: Reasons for Optimism
In 2012, The State of Maine Workforce Strategic Plan was published. The plan outlines strategic goals to take us into the 2020 decade. Join us to
hear about the work accomplished towards achieving these goals.
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