The Oklahoma Nurse – December 2017
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<strong>December</strong> <strong>2017</strong>, January, February 2018 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Oklahoma</strong> <strong>Nurse</strong> 3<br />
CEO REPORT<br />
ONA has had a fantastic<br />
year this year when it<br />
comes to Advocacy!<br />
Last year during our<br />
convention we discussed<br />
advocacy and ways that<br />
nurses could be involved<br />
in advocacy issues at the<br />
local, state and national<br />
level. It is quite exciting<br />
to me that you took this<br />
message and made it<br />
a reality by putting into Jane Nelson<br />
action. As a result we<br />
increased the number of nurses participating in<br />
our <strong>Nurse</strong> of the Day program by 47% providing<br />
us with nurses at the Capitol almost everyday last<br />
session.<br />
We also had experienced other successes<br />
such as passage of HB 1013, the APRN FPA<br />
legislation, in the House of Representatives by<br />
a wide margin. Legislators heard nurses’ voices<br />
and responded. <strong>The</strong> Senate committee didn’t<br />
hear it, but it is still alive. Our legislative authors<br />
are making plans to move it forward in the coming<br />
legislative session. Another area of success was<br />
in the area of insurance.<br />
ONA partnered with other health care providers<br />
to form the Health Care Coverage Coalition. This<br />
group was comprised of organizations such as<br />
Leading Age, the Hospital Association, Academy<br />
of Family Physicians, Alzheimer’s Association,<br />
Women’s Coalition and the Osteopathic<br />
Association. Our common theme solely rested<br />
on ensuring <strong>Oklahoma</strong>n’s had access to health<br />
care insurance coverage that provided coverage<br />
for all the services currently existing in <strong>Oklahoma</strong><br />
Statute. Many of these services are ones that<br />
ONA has advocated for over the years including<br />
immunizations, mammograms, well-baby, wellwomen,<br />
well-men check ups and many more.<br />
Legislators heard the coalition and its members<br />
concerning these issues forcing the bill authors to<br />
listen. As a result Rep Lewis Moore worked with<br />
us to change SB 478 to a piece of legislation we<br />
could support and quite frankly he was proud<br />
to co-author. <strong>The</strong> Senate author, Bill Brown was<br />
also supportive. Without nurse’s voices plus the<br />
voices of our coalition members we would not<br />
have been able to affect this kind of change.<br />
This work on insurance reminded Legislators<br />
that ONA has a broader focus than just scope of<br />
practice; that ONA is concerned about the health<br />
of <strong>Oklahoma</strong>ns.<br />
We also need to remember that working with<br />
Legislators is a relationship business! All that we<br />
have is our reputation and if we damage it, we<br />
damage our message. Just because a legislator<br />
doesn’t support us on one issue, doesn’t mean<br />
that they are bad. Chances are we need them on<br />
other issues <strong>–</strong> and may become the champion.<br />
Our experience on SB 478 illustrates this very well<br />
and the importance of open and non-adversial<br />
communication. Something we encouraged<br />
nurses to use in the workplace.<br />
It is imperative that we have positive<br />
relationships with all legislators. Many times they<br />
don’t understand the issue. By calmly and kindly<br />
explaining the issue, you may be able change<br />
their position. It is also important to understand<br />
“Why” they don’t agree with you <strong>–</strong> knowing and<br />
understanding their position is important.<br />
We can’t afford to vilify them when we don’t<br />
agree on specific issues. So as you consider<br />
what lies before ONA in the 2018 session, let’s<br />
remember that we need to be able to work with all<br />
Legislators!<br />
It will take all of us working together with one<br />
voice to obtain full practice authority plus the other<br />
issues that are important to us such as funding<br />
and access. We must keep the pressure up at the<br />
State Capitol, legislators need to continue to hear<br />
your voices and see your presence at the Capitol.<br />
It is imperative that we have every <strong>Nurse</strong> of the Day<br />
slot filled in 2018 and we need you to attend <strong>Nurse</strong>s<br />
Day at the Capitol!<br />
HIRING!<br />
Extra-Ordinary <strong>Nurse</strong>s in:<br />
• Step Down Unit • ICU<br />
• Med/Surg • ER<br />
• No campus attendance.<br />
• Set your own pace! Full or Part-time<br />
options available.<br />
• Nursing courses can be completed in as little<br />
as two semesters.<br />
• 8-week course sessions starting every fall,<br />
spring, and summer.<br />
• Quality, affordable education.<br />
• BSN Connection Scholarship for eligible<br />
students.<br />
• Out of state tuition waiver available.<br />
For More Information<br />
Contact Pamela Sandvig at<br />
pamela.sandvig@opsu.edu or<br />
580-349-1428<br />
www.opsu.edu<br />
At MRHC, our nursing staff is small enough to feel like family, yet large enough<br />
to challenge your skills. Our administration is extremely “nurse friendly”<br />
and has instituted the Shared Governance Model, which allows nurses to<br />
express and manage their practices with a greater level of autonomy.<br />
A company’s most valuable asset is its employees. Call today to join our team.<br />
Contact the Human Resource Department at 918-421-8061<br />
or email resume to mrhcrecruiter@mrhcok.com<br />
Visit www.mrhcok.com for a complete listing of careers within our organization.<br />
Sign on bonus may be available. Mention this ad for an immediate phone interview.<br />
1 Clark Bass Blvd. • McAlester, OK 74501
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