The Louisiana Pelican News - July 2019

the
Pelican News
Vol. 75 | No. 3
July 2019
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE LSNA & LOUISIANA NURSES FOUNDATION
Quarterly publication direct mailed to approximately 65,000 Registered Nurses in Louisiana
Follow Us On
INSIDE
President’s Corner
Page 2
Executive Director’s Message
Pages 2-3
District News
Pages 3-6
History & Background Information of LANPAC
Page 7
Nurses on Boards
Page 7
18th Annual Nightingale Awards and Gala
Page 8
Dubreuil And Rollins: The Newest Joe Ann Clark
Graduate Nursing Education Award Recipients
Page 9
Membership
Page 10
Louisiana Association of Student Nurses 2019
Page 11
Why Zip Code Matters
Page 11
Delegates at 2019 Membership Assembly
elect new board leadership for LSNA
Page 12
Continuing Nursing Education Corner
Page 12
Top of License Practice: Supporting the Movement
Page 13
Southern Strategy Group
Page 14
Hospitals Deliver the Ultimate Departure Gift
Page 15
Look To The Future: Learn From The Past
How YOU can impact our PAC
Patricia A.
La Brosse
Patricia A. La Brosse,
PMHCNS-BC
Chairperson, LANPAC
More than 60,000 strong
right here in Louisiana;
over 100 hundred years
of service, leadership
and patient care; the
most trusted profession
in the United States 17
years and counting; and
serving in every parish
and community across
our great state! Who is
this? This is YOU! You are Louisiana’s most trusted
profession, of any profession – and the largest
provider in healthcare and, together, we can speak
as one strong voice to ensure registered nurses are
heard and, more importantly, Louisiana citizens are
well cared for regardless of practice setting.
LANPAC (Louisiana Association of Nurses
Political Action Committee) is the non-partisan,
political action arm of LSNA (Louisiana State
Nurses Association) who advocates for the best
interests of registered nurses to political leaders,
policymakers, and candidates for public office. As
you are aware, this fall is a very important election
cycle for Louisiana. Not only will state offices, such
as Governor, be up for (re) election, but nearly 40%
of legislators in the state House and Senate will be
terming out. This means there will be many new
faces in the 2020 legislative session. Those running
for office need to know that Louisiana’s registered
nurse community is paying attention and that our
collective voices are over 60,000 strong and we will
be heard at the polls!!!
WE NEED YOU TO ACT!
Visit LANPAC online at lsna.org/lanpac/ to learn
how you can be involved in supporting our efforts
to be advocates and policy leaders for registered
nurses and for the healthcare of all of our citizens in
Louisiana.
The new LANPAC Board of Trustees will be
researching and vetting those seeking to fill
vacancies and will provide Louisiana citizens
with information to assist with making informed
decisions when heading for the polls this fall.
To that end, it is important to raise funds and
contribute to the support of candidates who
support health policy which is congruent with
providing quality healthcare for all Louisiana
citizens, and who support nursing’s agenda,
including issues such as: workplace violence;
nursing faculty shortage; access to care; nursing
workforce development; practicing to the full extent
of education and training to name a few.
A well-funded LANPAC will help show strength
in numbers and a commitment to engage in the
political process. Contributions are voluntary and
may be made by nurses and friends of nursing. As
little as a $10 contribution will make a significant
impact on LANPAC! All donations are welcome,
and any amount of $50.00 or more qualifies the
donor as a voting member of LANPAC. Please go to
https://www.lsna.org/lanpac, make a donation, and
join our efforts to help us grow our ranks, maintain
a political presence, advocate for the patients
we have chosen to serve, and better represent
our profession. For additional information, please
contact Patricia La Brosse, PMHCNS-BC, LANPAC
Chairperson, at lahasky@aol.com or (337) 344-
4987.
Read more about LANPAC on page 7
current resident or
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage Paid
Princeton, MN
Permit No. 14
Nurses!
Louisiana has a large list of nurses to keep updated and we want to reach you all.
Please be sure to email lsna@lsna.org with address changes /
corrections or if the nurse listed is no longer at this address.
Subject Line: Pelican News Address Change / Removal – Last, First Name

Page 2 • Pelican News July, August, September 2019
President’s Corner
Patrick Reed
Executive Director’s Message
John E. Wyble
Greeting to all LSNA
members and all Louisiana
nurses. LSNA 2019
Membership Assembly
was a tremendous success.
Thank you to all of you who
attended. Sadly, we begin
the 2019-2021 term with
the violent death of one of
our own, Lynn Truxillo. In
response, Vanessa, as our
new Advocacy and Health
Policy Advocate, initiated
a resolution presented to
Rep. Dustin Miller. A Concurrent Resolution in the
legislative session this year has been presented and
we hope will become a bill in the Spring 2020 session.
Our Executive Director, Dr. John Wyble, working with
Randal Johnson, Southern Strategies, prepared the
document and the Concurrent Resolution is well on
its way. In addition, Lisa Colletti attended Ms. Truxillo's
wake at Lake Lawn Cemetery in New Orleans
representing LSNA. Thank you, Lisa.
We have an awesome new board and I look
forward to some great things to happen. As well
as continuing the good work of our past-president,
Georgia Johnson, and the board, I am looking
forward to working with all of you to carry the theme
of Advancing a Culture of Care among Nurses. This
encompasses working to achieve legal support for
healthcare workers from the ravages of workplace
violence but also to emphasize a nurse-to-nurse
culture of care, nurses caring and supporting one
another in our workplaces and our schools. I believe
this culture of care must begin at the education
level. Students should be entering the profession
with a strong sense of care for one another. In her
book Designing and Creating a Culture of Care for
Students and Faculty, Susan Greonwald (2018) cites
Barsteiner, Disch, and Walton (2014) "To achieve the
Unifying the Voice of Registered Nurses
for a Healthier Louisiana
Do you know today’s
LSNA? Do you know the
Louisiana State Nurses
Association and its 105-year
history of speaking up for
registered nurses across
Louisiana and the United
States?
LSNA’s Mission
The mission of LSNA is
to foster high standards for
professional nursing practice
Chad A. Sullivan, RN, JD
Keogh, Cox & Wilson, LTD.
Baton Rouge, LA • 225-383-3796
Offering Disciplinary Defense
to Registered Nurses
Email: csullivan@keoghcox.com
keoghcox.com
ideal of person-centered care in nursing practice,
nurse educators must teach students caring behavior"
(p.2). How best to teach than to exemplify the ideal?
I believe this culture of care is possible and during
this short term, I hope to raise the consciousness
of Louisiana nurses to the dire need for nurses to
care for each other. We have an expert in violence
in workplace education, our president-elect,
Ecoee Rooney. She and I have spoken and through
publication and presentations, we hope to spread this
message across the state.
I will be reaching out to all the districts to attend
your meetings and participate in your activities as
well as hosting face-to-face and virtual meetings.
I am looking forward to an active and exciting term.
New ideas are exciting, and I encourage all of you
to actively participate in this excitement, bringing
together the goals and activities of your elected
board members to achieve the goal of continuing to
make LSNA relevant and FUN for all our members.
I have a concept of three buckets: Administrative,
Ongoing Functions, and FUN. Join me LSNA in filling
and completing each bucket till our buckets runneth
over!
Reach to your district leaders and LSNA with your
ideas and thoughts on creating a Culture of Care:
Where Nurses Care for Nurses in Caring for All.
Best wishes
Patrick Reed, RN, DNP, MSN, MSHCM, MBA,
CPHQ
President, Louisiana State Nurses Association
president@lsna.org
References
Groenwald, S. L. (2018). Designing & creating a culture of
care for students and faculty: The Chamberlain University
College of Nursing model. Washington, DC: National
League for Nursing
Barnsteiner, J.H., Disch, J. & Walton, M.K. (2014) Person and
family-centered care. Indianapolis: Signma Theta Tau
International.
for all Registered Nurses and advocate for quality
healthcare for the citizens of Louisiana.
LSNA’s Vision
Be a respected voice for registered nurses and
recognized as a relevant partner in health care
delivery.
LSNA’s Values
Leadership to prepare, promote and recognize RN’s
as leaders in healthcare
Service to the profession of nursing and the citizens
of Louisiana
Networking to collaborate with partners to promote
and protect nursing and influence healthcare quality.
Advocacy to serve as the voice for nursing practice,
healthcare policy and workplace safety
With a Mission, Vision, and Values focused on
advocating for registered nurses and speaking up for
high quality healthcare for all citizens, why are you not
a part of your professional association? Not only does
your membership provide you with opportunities to
access continuing education, but also networking,
the latest information on decisions lawmakers
and policymakers are considering that affect your
practice, and helping to encourage and nurture future
nurses.
In this edition of The Pelican I hope you spent a few
minutes reading the front page article on LANPAC
(Louisiana Association of Nurses PAC). If you want
Executive Director’s Message continued on page 3
543 Spanish Town Road | Baton Rouge, LA 70802
P: 225-201-0993 | F: 225-381-0163
www.lsna.org
LNF Board of Trustees
President............................................................................... Denise Danna
Vice-President.....................................................................Chad Sullivan
Treasurer............................................................................................. Vacant
Secretary............................................................................. Barbara McGill
Trustee.........................................................................Cynthia Prestholdt
Trustee............................................................................ Georgia Johnson
Trustee....................................................................................Anhyel Burke
Board of Directors
Executive Board
President................................................................................. Patrick Reed
President-Elect..................................................................Ecoee Rooney
Secretary...........................................................................Justin Fontenot
Treasurer.......................................................................... Denise Hancock
Transition into Practice....................................................Matthew Linn
Directors of
Clinical Nursing Practice
& Advocacy......................................................... Vanessa Shields Haas
Membership, Recruitment,
& Retention.................................................................... Benita Chatmon
Nursing Leadership &
Professional Development............................Ahnyel Jones-Burkes
Organizational Advancement.................................. Deborah Spann
Non-Voting Board Members
Immediate Past-President...................................... Georgia Johnson
LASN President..............................................McKenzie Baumgartner
District Presidents
01 Alexandria...................................................................... Heather Briley
02 Baton Rouge..................................................................... Lisa Deaton
03 Northshore ............................................................. Georgia Johnson
04 Lafayette........................................................................... Elsie Meaux
05 Lake Charles ............................................................ Emily Ashworth
06 Monroe............................................................................. Sandy Bailey
07 New Orleans.................................................................Ecoee Rooney
08 Ruston........................................................................ Deborah Spann
09 Winnfield.................................................................................. VACANT
10 Shreveport.................................................................. Pam Holcombe
11 Tangipahoa................................................................ Rachel Artigues
12 Bayou.................................................................................... Carolyn Cox
13 Feliciana.......................................................................Melody Eschete
LSNA OFFICE STAFF
Monday-Friday | CALL FOR APPOINTMENT
Executive Director
John Wyble, PhD, CAE | executivedirector@lsna.org
Program Coordinator
Danielle Hodge
lsna@lsna.org
Nurse Lead Planner
Kim Cheramie
cne@lsna.org
Volunteers
Membership Coordinator Social Media Coordinator
Karen Loden
lnf@lsna.org
membership@lsna.org
Article Submission
Submission Deadlines for 2019 Edition of the Pelican
September 3, 2019
(submissions by end of the business day)
We appreciate your continued cooperation in adhering to the
submission guidelines so we can ensure the Pelican remains
a professional, highly regarded publication and resource for
all professional nurses in Louisiana. LSNA looks forward to
hearing from you and if you know of anyone who would like to
submit an article please forward this information to them.
GUIDELINES FOR SUBMITTING ARTICLES
• Send all submissions to lsna@lsna.org
• Subject line: Pelican News Submission: Name of Article
• All submissions are subject to editing by the LSNA Executive
Director
• Only electronic submissions are accepted and they must be
an attachment to an email (Microsoft Word or PDF only).
• A submission cannot be in the body of an email
• Must include the name of the author(s) and a title in the
document.
• All pictures must have a caption with names of all persons
depicted. Names must be complete and submitted at time of
picture
• Pictures cannot be embedded in article; submit with the
article but in a separate format (png,.tif, .jpg)
• LSNA reserves the right to pull or edit any article / news
submission for space and availability and/ or deadlines.
• If requested, notification will be given to authors once the
final draft of the Pelican has been submitted
• LSNA does not accept monetary payment for articles
• Any submissions after the deadline will be considered for the
following issue
Please email lsna@lsna.org with all inquiries regarding the
Pelican News.
Advertising
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, sales@aldpub.com. LSNA 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.
Acceptance of advertising does not imply endorsement or approval by the
Louisiana State Nurses Association 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.
LSNA 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 LSNA or those of the national or local associations.
Louisiana Pelican News is published quarterly every March, June, September
and December and is the official publication of the Louisiana State Nurses
Association, a constituent member of the American Nurses Association.

July, August, September 2019 Pelican News • Page 3
Executive Director’s Message continued from page 2
a voice in this fall’s important elections in Louisiana,
considering a small contribution (just $10, $5, or
possibly more) to LANPAC. Then jump to the JOIN
page on our website and become a member of LSNA!
All the information you need is on our website
at www.lsna.org Follow us on Facebook, Twitter,
LinkedIn, and Instagram. We are more than 60,000
strong; imagine our voice when we stand together.
District News
District IV at Membership Assembly
The FOUNDATION of Nursing!
LNF (Louisiana Nurses Foundation) is the
charitable arm of LSNA; whose mission is to advance
and support professional nurses in Louisiana. The
Foundation’s primary focus has been to promote
professional nursing through awarding academic
scholarships, providing professional development,
recognizing nursing accomplishments, and
establishing and distributing funds for the Nurse
Relief Fund.
You can be a part of the Foundation! Consider
a one time, or recurring gift, to the foundation that
supports the advancement of your profession. It
has never been easier to give; just visit www.lsna.
org and click on “Donate” under “Foundation.” Your
gift can provide general support of the foundation
or can be designated for specific programs like
nurse scholarships, the Nurse Relief Funds, or other
programs.
Building upon our unprecedented success during
the recent Louisiana Legislative session, or sessions,
our time is now! Imagine if every one of our 55,000+
professional nurses gave just $10! What a voice for
nurses – and for quality healthcare for all Louisianans
– we would build together!
Membership – CATCH THE ENERGY BY JOINING
TODAY!
LSNA continues to build a BOLD message
because of our GROWING membership! The nursing
profession, as well as that of quality patient care,
depends on a strong Association who can speak up
and advocate for best practice and public policy.
Make LSNA a priority and help us stand together
for the practice of nursing. For about 75 cents a day
(yes, that’s less than $1 a day) you can be a part of the
professional association, and the public policy leader,
of all professional nurses in Louisiana.
Joining LSNA has never been easier! Visit www.
lsna.org and click “Join” to learn more and to join.
LSNA is one of the most affordable investments of
any profession and includes membership into the
American Nurses Association (ANA).
To be as successful as we can be, we need YOU
to join us! I look forward to your membership and to
hearing from you. Again, my commitment is that your
LSNA will always be courageous (and BOLD!) in its
service and leadership to you.
Sincerely,
Dr. John E. Wyble, CAE
Executive Director
executivedirector@lsna.org
Patricia A.
La Brosse
Patricia A. La Brosse,
PMHCNS-BC
Immediate Past President
LSNA District IV was a
strong presence at the 2019
LSNA Biennial Membership
Assembly, as well as Nurse
Day at the Capitol. Mary
Odile Broussard and Lisa
Broussard were inducted
as LSNA Fellows, Patricia
La Brosse was given a
Service Recognition Award,
and three members were
elected to leadership positions: Rebecca Harris-
Smith is LANPAC Board of Trustees Member-at-
Large, Donelle Brasseal will again serve on the LSNA
Audit Committee, and Patricia La Brosse was elected
LANPAC Chairperson.
“Establishing a Culture of Health in Acadiana via
Interprofessional Collaboration” was the project
that won the Outstanding Community Involvement
Award. Leadership from District IV and Region IV
Action Coalition participated in planning, developing
and implementing a one-day region-wide Culture
of Health Summit, replicating the model created by
the Louisiana Action Coalition (LAC). They served
as members of the Summit planning committee,
and immediately included LAC core team members
LSNA Fellows:
L – Lisa Broussard and
R – Mary Broussard
Sheila Pritchett and
Senator Fred Mills
discuss Community
Involvement Project
to provide facilitator training and support. Nursing
outreach also consisted of 1:1 meetings with parish
stakeholders to ensure participation. Partnerships
were developed with the Region IV Office of Public
Health Medical and Nursing Directors to expand
networking resources.
Utilizing the 2018 County Health Rankings
Report, planners structured a program to educate
participants regarding how the social determinants
of health influence community health. Applying the
data deep dive process, parish-specific breakout
sessions, facilitated by interprofessional teams, guided
data review and analysis. Priorities identified were
addressed in action plans developed by each group.
All eight parishes developed and submitted action
plans based on selected priorities. Identified team
leaders and parish champions continue the work of
the Summit through implementation of the actions
plans. Addressing health disparities using social
determinants of health ensures advocacy for policy
and programs focused on improvement of health
factors and health outcomes. Another Acadiana
Culture of Health Summit is being planned for
December, 2019.
LSNA Service Awards: L-R: Jackie Hill,
Patricia La Brosse, Norlyn Hyde
Outstanding Community
Involvement Award
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Page 4 • Pelican News July, August, September 2019
District News
Patricia A.
La Brosse
20th Acadiana Celebrates Nursing Event
Patricia A. La Brosse,
PMHCNS-BC
During the observation
of the 2019 National
Nurses Week, LSNA
District IV again hosted
the annual Acadiana
Celebrates Nursing event
which honors 25 nurses
from Acadia, Evangeline,
Iberia, Lafayette, St.
Landry, St. Martin, and
Vermilion parishes. The
event was held at the
Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Lafayette, LA.
This was the 20 th opportunity to honor nursing
excellence found throughout District IV, and
the honorees again represented a myriad of
nursing practice areas including: labor and
delivery, clinical implementation, family medicine
advanced practice registered nurse, charge
nurse, surgery, community care clinic, nursing
education, administration, team leader, maternal/
child health, entrepreneur, quality improvement,
staff nurse, public health, school health center,
and management.
Dr. Cynthia Bienemy, Director of the
Louisiana Center for Nursing, served as the
Mistress of Ceremonies. The President of the
Louisiana Association of Student Nurses, Ms.
Katherine Comeaux, brought greetings from
that organization. District IV President Elsie
Meaux, RN, and Vice-President Sheila Pritchett,
RN, presented the awards and gift bags as each
honoree was recognized.
Once again, two student awards were
presented to seniors completing their studies
at local nursing programs. Andrea Delhomer
from the University of Louisiana received the
Effie Logan Community Service Award, and
Coraline Taylor-Larson from the South Louisiana
Community College received the Celina Haynie
Leadership Award. This award is presented by
the Haynie Family Foundation in memory of
the late Celina Haynie, RN, a long-time member
of the American Nurses Association and the
Louisiana State Nurses Association. She worked
tirelessly to advance our profession, held
leadership positions in her place of employment
as well as in professional organizations, and was
an inductee into the LSNA Hall of Fame. In 2018,
the Haynie Family Foundation $5,000 to begin
a perpetual funding source for the award, and
this year, Mr. Randy Haynie presented District IV
another $5,000 to grow the program.
Cynthia
Bienemy –
Mistress of
Ceremonies
Left – Patricia La Brosse, LASN
Presidential Consultant and
Right – Katherine Comeaux, LASN President
Louisiana School
Nurse Organization
(Affiliate of NASN)
Through our specialized, evidence-based
practice, we autonomously strive to protect
and promote student health, facilitate optimal
development, and advance academic success.
Join LSNO today and help us forge the future
of our profession @ www.lsno.org
Back Row (LtoR): Collette LaCombe, Cherelle
Delahoussaye, Marlene Murray, Carla Vidrine
4th Row (LtoR): Christine Broussard, Shonda
Burdeaux, Tina Boudreaux, Sarah Williams, Jeanne
Cartier, Tricia Templet, Frances Stuben
3rd Row (LtoR): Cathy Gros, Sandra Armand, Shatell
Dugas, Rebecca Lebas
2nd Row (LtoR): Jade Hernandez, Simone Olivier,
Meghan Young, Chris Crist, Sonya Briggs, Andrea
Ozene Front Row (LtoR): Marjorie "GiGi" Dossey,
Paula Ratcliff, Anita Solet
Not pictured: Dustin Miller
Left: Sheila Pritchett, Vice-President and Right:
Elsie Meaux, President
Randy Haynie

July, August, September 2019 Pelican News • Page 5
District News
New Orleans District Nurses Association:
Unites and Ignites for 2019
Chantel B. Moffett, BSN, RN
This year, the Board of Directors for the New
Orleans District Nurses Association selected “Unite
and Ignite” with the goal to engage new, former, and
current nurses to come together as a voice for nurses
and for what is important to us as nurses. Here are
some of the activities that are taking place in our
district. To learn more about our happenings go to
www.nolanurses.org and please follow us on Linked
In, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
NODNA Celebrating New Orleans Nursing
Excellence: On May 11, 2019, New Orleans District
Nurses Association (NODNA) celebrated Nursing
Excellence with inaugural awards and scholarships
sponsored by four Executive Level Sponsors:
Children's Hospital, Louisiana State University Health
Sciences Center – School of Nursing, Ochsner
Medical Center, and University Medical Center. In
recognition of 100 years as an organization, NODNA
had the pleasure of having State Representative
of District 93, Royce Duplessis, present NODNA
with a resolution confirming May 11, 2019, as New
Orleans District Nurses Association Day. It was truly
an honor to be presented with this resolution at
our Centennial Celebration while having the award
nominees, winners, and scholarship receipts join in
the celebration. Approximately 200 nurses shared
a beautiful brunch at the Audubon Tea Room in
Audubon Park to celebrate New Orleans Nursing
Excellence. NODNA plans to make this an annual
event.
Below are the winners for each category:
Legacy Awards:
Scharmaine Lawson, DNP, FAANP, FAAN
Tracey Moffatt, MHA, BSN, RN
Denise Danna, DNS, NEA, RN-BC, CNE
Direct Patient Care Awards:
2019 NODNA Excellence in Nursing for Direct
Patient Care in Ambulatory, APRN: Shalan Randolph,
MBA, MSN, APRN, FNP
2019 NODNA Excellence in Nursing for Direct
Patient Care in Ambulatory, RN: Brittney Butler, RN
2019 NODNA Excellence in Nursing for Direct
Patient Care in Community Health, RN: Tammy
McNair, RN
2019 NODNA Excellence in Nursing for Direct
Patient Care in Hospital In-Patient, APRN: Darrell J.
Price, FNP, APRN
2019 NODNA Excellence in Nursing for Direct
Patient Care in Hospital In-Patient, RN: Eric Warren
2019 NODNA Excellence in Nursing for Direct
Patient Care in Hospital Out-Patient, RN: Diana Hayes
NODNA Celebrating New Orleans
Nursing Excellence:
Beyond the Bedside Awards:
2019 NODNA Excellence in Nursing for Beyond
the Bedside in Healthcare Systems Nursing: Ayesha
Callaway
2019 NODNA Excellence in Nursing for Beyond the
Bedside for Academic School of Nursing Educator:
Kendra Barrier, PhD, MSN, RN
2019 NODNA Excellence in Nursing for Beyond the
Bedside for Nursing Leadership for a Manager: Carrie
Wilcox
2019 NODNA Excellence in Nursing for Beyond the
Bedside for Nursing Leadership for a Nurse Executive:
Mary Kelly, MSN, MHA, RN
2019 NODNA Excellence in Nursing for Beyond
the Bedside for Nursing Professional Development:
Kathryn Tanet
New Orleans District Nurses Association Rising Star
Scholarship Recipients are:
Erez Martin
Kenya Nolden
Metrell Rayford
Angelle Bonura
William Mark Pellegrin
Brandi Borden
Lauren Brideveaux
Candlelit Peace Walk: In May 2019, New Orleans
District Nurses Association (NODNA) organized
a Candlelit Peace Walk in partnership with LSU
School of Nursing, and Ochsner DOSC colleagues, in
remembrance of Julie Couvillon, RN. Approximately
one dozen nurses from the District gathered to walk
together around the small lake at City Park. Tragically,
Julie, was a victim of senseless gun violence during
Mardi Gras. Those gathered to remember her life
and stand together in support of each other and her
family.
NODNA Leading the Way: New Orleans District
Nurses Association (NODNA) participated in LSNA’s
NODNA President
Ecoee Rooney, DNP,
RN-BC, SANE-A,
Scharmaine Lawson,
DNP, FAANP, FAAN,
Vanessa Shields-
Haas, RN
NODNA Leading the Way:
Membership Assembly in April 2019. Seventeen
NODNA members attended as delegates to the
assembly. Attendees had the opportunity to meet
legislators, vote on Bylaws Updates, and elect LSNA
Officers & Board Members earn CNE credit. In
addition, NODNA’s own, Vanessa Shields-Haas, RN,
authored a Resolution in Support of Harm Reduction
as a Means to Address Collateral Health Issues and
Reduce Morbidity and Mortality Related to Louisiana’s
Opioid Epidemic which was passed and adopted.
NODNA Student Nurses Night: New Orleans
District Nurses Association (NODNA) had the
honor of celebrating Student Nurses at Chateau
Country Club on March 29, 2019. Approximately 200
members, hospital nurse leaders, and student Nurses
from across the District, including Dillard University,
University of Holy Cross, Louisiana State University
Health Science Center School of Nursing (LSUHSC-
SON), William Carey and Delgado Charity School of
Nursing were in attendance at a lively dinner event
at Chateau Country Club in Kenner. The evening was
filled with fun, games, giveaways, and networking
with representatives from Ochsner Health System,
Tulane, University Medical Center, East Jefferson
General Hospital, Children's Hospital, HCA Healthcare,
Gulf Coast Elder Abuse, Louisiana Children’s Medical
Center, Loyola University, LSUHSC-SON, and Gifted
Healthcare. NODNA is proud to celebrate and
welcome its future nurses, advance practice nurses,
nurse leaders, and patient advocates into the nursing
profession.
Continuing Education Programs: This year, the
District is holding live Board meetings every other
month. For more information on past and future
meeting and CE opportunities, go to www.nolanurses.
org.
NODNA Student Nurses Night:
NODNA Board Members
Louisiana State
Representative,
District 93, Royce
Duplessis with NODNA
President Ecoee
Rooney, DNP, RN-BC,
SANE-A
NODNA Members and Board Members at the
LSNA Membership Assembly
Student Nurses from Dillard University
Student Nurse
Game Winner
Award Nominees and Winners

Page 6 • Pelican News July, August, September 2019
District News
Lisa M. Deaton, BSN, RN
President BRDNA
BRDNA: Planning for the Future
The Baton Rouge District Nurses Association
(BRDNA) held the 30th annual Celebrate Nursing
Banquet May 6, 2019 at Boudreaux’s Reception Hall
on Government Street. Over 154 members, honorees,
family members and guests attended. Valerie
Schluter, Chair of the Banquet committee, was the
mistress of ceremonies. Patrick Reed, president of the
Louisiana State Nurses Association brought greetings
to the attendees. This year, 25 registered nurses
were honored for their commitment to the nursing
profession, and excellence in practice, education,
research and administration. Rachelle Conish was the
recipient of the Edith Lobue Memorial Scholarship.
The Baton Rouge District Nurses Association
(BRDNA) held its annual meeting on election of
officers January, 10, 2019. Outgoing President, Mary
Dudley installed newly elected Officers and Board
members for the 2019-2020 term. The newly installed
President, Lisa Deaton held a transition meeting in
late January with board members to brainstorm
ideas and develop strategies for the future of District.
BRDNA continues to strive to be a strong voice for all
professional registered nurses and an advocate for
the citizens of the seven parishes we serve.
We have been successful in growing the district
membership over the last few years, as we begin
this year we hope to focus on engaging more of the
membership. With the evolution of 12 hour shifts for
a large percentage of the BRDNA workforce, it has
become increasingly hard to engage members to
attend our monthly business and CNE meetings.
Therefore, the Board is exploring how we can offer
other ways our members can be engaged in the work
of the district. One of our goals is for BRDNA to be
more visible in our communities.
The BRDNA kicked off our Centennial celebration
in May of 2019 and will culminate our activities as
the host of the LSNA/BRDNA Carnival Cruise and
Learn on October 31, 2019. The cruise is four days
and leaves out of New Orleans. Our speaker will be
Cynthia Bienemy, PhD, RN. Cynthia currently serves
as the director of the Louisiana Center for Nursing at
the Louisiana State Board of Nursing and as co-lead
for LAC and is a member of the LAC Core Leadership
Team. Details about her presentation will be finalized
in near future. We would like to invite all Registered
Nurses to come help BRDNA celebrate our Centennial
Anniversary.
Please visit our website, www.brdna.org. to find
out much more about the activities of the district.
At the annual Celebrate Nursing banquet held May
6, at Boudreaux’s in Baton Rouge, nurses elected to
the LSNA Fellow designation pause for a photo.
From the left Clara Earl, Cynthia Presholdt, Karen
Loden and Lisa Deaton
At the March 2019 meeting
of the BRDNA, a one
year membership in ANA
was awarded to Allison
Jane Rone, a graduating
senior from Southeastern
LA University School of
Nursing and Allied Health.
Pictured from the left
are Lisa Deaton, BRDNA
president and Allison Rone.
Pictured at the
Nightingale Gala is
BRDNA President
Lisa Deaton and
Jimmie Miller, senior
nursing student from
Southern and Region 3
representative of LASN.
Pictured from the left first row: Alainna Arena,
Margaret Bourgeois Blouin, Hollye Briggs, Chase
Cole, Chad Cozzo, Bronwyn Doyle, Chapreca Fields,
Amberly Finch, Ghenet Ghebretatios, and Tara
Guidry. Second row standing: Elizabeth Guidry,
Lindsey Jones, Tiffany Jones, Frances Kern, Zainab
Landor, Donna Longs, Glenda Natale, Rosalynn
Thyssen, Jean Tiner, Ryan Valentine, Kathleen
Verbois, Tamika Westbrook and Nedra Wright. Not
pictured were Meredith Cooper and Dina Dent.
Picture by Cleve Brown Photography
The Celebrate Nursing Banquet committee seated
from the left: Clara Earl, Valerie Schluter, Lisa
Deaton and Mary Dudley. Standing from the left:
Wenona Bell, Dell Mars, Terrel Foster, Sandra
Mathes, Cynthia Presholdt and Cindy Schneider.
Picture by Cleve Brown Photography

July, August, September 2019 Pelican News • Page 7
Board of Trustees
Chadwick Possa
Emily Ashworth
Jodie Saia
Lisa Deaton
Rebecca Harris-Smith
Patricia A. La Brosse
Patricia A.
La Brosse
History & Background
Information of LANPAC
In 1904, the same year
that Louisiana State Nurses
Association (LSNA) was
created, the equivalent of a
political action committee
(PAC) to influence
legislation affecting
nursing and health care
in Louisiana (http://www.
dnpprogramsonline.com/
louisiana-state-nursesassociation/).
In 1977, the
LSNA’s House of Delegates
endorsed establishment
of a political action
committee similar to N-CAP of the American Nurses
Association. Through dedication of members
interested in building a PAC in Louisiana, Voluntary
Organization to Involve Nurses in Government
(VOTING) was formally organized. The purpose
of VOTING was to lobby for health care legislation
and educate LSNA members to become politically
astute and increase their knowledge regarding the
legislative process. In 1985/1986, upon legal advice,
and a vote of the membership, the purpose and
structure of VOTING was changed. At this time
the PAC was renamed Louisiana Nurses Political
Action Committee (LANPAC). LSNA established
a legislative committee, now known as Health
Policy, to take over some of the activities previously
carried out by the PAC.
Nursing political action committees operate
in four spheres: Government—addresses laws,
rules, and regulations governing nursing practice;
Workplace: addresses issues affecting jobs and
patient care; Organizations: addresses issues
which shape nursing practice; and Community:
addresses issues affecting community health.
PACs recognize there is power in numbers which in
turn provide greater political clout for influencing
policy decisions that directly affect their members.
Specifically, LANPAC allows LSNA to:
1. Support incumbent candidates who
demonstrate their commitment to advance
nursing’s agenda as evidenced by sponsoring
LSNA bills;
2. engage in the vetting process to determine
which political candidates are aligned with
the mission and vision of LSNA;
3. connect with new candidates to educate
them about the issues most critical to the
association, as set by its membership; and
4. be the leading voice in representing nursing’s
interests in the policy-making arena.
Throughout the decades since LSNA established
a political action committee, numerous nurse
leaders have been actively engaged as officers of
LANPAC, and we thank them for their efforts to
bring us where we are. Now it is time for the newly
elected Board of Trustees to take up the banner
and lead the actions that will position the nursing
profession to engage in the political process. In the
upcoming Fall, more than one-third of the seats in
our Louisiana Legislature will be vacated by termlimited
representatives and senators.
Nurses on Boards
142 by “22! Transforming Healthcare One
Board Member at A Time
In 2010, the Institute of Medicine published a
number of recommendations aimed at promoting
the value of nursing to improve the health of the
communities we serve. In response, the Louisiana
Action Coalition was formed in 2011 under the
leadership of the Louisiana State Board of
Nursing, Center for Nursing and AARP Louisiana
to address these recommendations. One
significant initiative was increasing the number
of nurses serving on organizational boards and
commissions.
The LSNA has taken ownership of the nurses
on boards process and we are now live!
If you are interested in serving on a board
(healthcare organization, not-for-profit,
organizations, governmental boards and
commissions, foundations):
1. Go to the LSNA website (www.lsna.org).
2. Select the nurses on boards and
commissions tab.
3. Complete a statement of interest/
application document.
Once we receive your documents, a virtual
interview will be scheduled. This interview is
developmental in nature and is aimed at meeting
any educational needs you may have.
Already serving on a board? Please go to
www.nursesonboardscoalition.org to register at
the national level so that you can be counted.
Are you an LSNA member with either board
member experience and/or experience with
hiring/selecting board or committee members?
If so, we need your expertise to assist with the
board member screening process. Interested?
Email Lisa Colletti at lisacolletti504@gmail.com
Our goal is 142 nurses on boards by 2022.
We currently have 113 nurse board members
registered at the national level. Help us to
transform healthcare through involvement at the
board level.
CUSTOMER SERVICE ORIENTED
EMPLOYEES WANTED
BENEFITS START FROM DATE OF HIRE
The Blood Center is now interviewing for a full-time RN
to perform Therapeutic Apheresis on patients of the
hospitals that we serve. Although most procedures are
scheduled during the weekday day-shift, this position
will be part of an on-call rotation for night and weekend
coverage. Dialysis experience is a plus. A valid Louisiana
driver’s license and a good driving record are a must!
The Blood Center offers a fast paced, rewarding work
environment where you are given every opportunity
to succeed and grow. The Blood Center pays a
competitive starting wage and has a full benefits
package including paid holidays, paid time off, health,
dental and life insurance and an employer contributed
retirement plan.
If you meet the above qualifications and would like
to work for a company that cares about its employees
please apply for the RN position online at
www.thebloodcenter.org
EOE/AAE
/

Page 8 • Pelican News July, August, September 2019
18 th Annual Nightingale Awards and Gala
Saturday, March 16 2019 | Hilton Capitol Center | Baton Rouge, Louisiana
On March 16, 2019, Louisiana Nurses Foundation
was the host of more than 550 nurses and
supporters from all over Louisiana at its 18th
annual Nightingale Awards and Gala. The annual
event recognizes the achievements of nurses,
hospitals, and nursing programs across the state
in a variety of categories. This year, the Louisiana
Nurses Foundation received the highest number of
nomination applications to date for both individual
and institutional award categories.
Nightingale Award winners of 2019 are:
Advanced Practice
Registered Nurse of the Year
Jessica Landry, LSU Health
New Orleans School of Nursing
Nursing Educator of the Year
Cheryl Taylor,
Southern University
Nursing School
Administrator of the Year
Jennifer Couvillon,
Chamberlain University at
Ochsner Health System
Hospital of the Year (61 to 160 beds)
St. Elizabeth Hospital
Hospital of the Year (161 beds or greater)
Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center
Contribution to Quality Award
Fiona Winterbottom,
Ochsner Medical Center
Rookie of the Year
Logan Webb, Ochsner
LSU Health Shreveport
Registered Nurse of the Year
Tammy Randol,
Willis-Knighton Health System
Nursing School of the Year –
Undergraduate Program
Franciscan Missionaries of
Our Lady University School of Nursing
The Louisiana Nurses Foundation thanks its
sponsors and underwriters of the 2019 Nightingale
Awards & Gala. Without their support, we would
not be able to celebrate our outstanding nurses,
academic programs, and employers and raise
critical funds for mission-related programs.
Registered Nurse
Mentor of the Year
Beverly Rainey,
Ochsner Medical Center
Jefferson Highway
Nursing School of the Year – Graduate Program
Southeastern Louisiana University
Clinical Practice
Nurse of the Year
Dominque Yancey, Ochsner
Health System
Outstanding Employer of the Year
Louisiana Healthcare Connections
Nursing Administrator
of the Year
Jamie Wiggins,
Children’s Hospital
Outstanding
Community Achievement
by a Registered Nurse
Patricia LaBrosse, University
Hospital and Clinics
Hospital of the Year (60 beds or fewer)
The Spine Hospital of Louisiana
LSNA members from across the state pause
for a photo at the Nightingale Gala held in
March in Baton Rouge.
Standing from the left are; Clara Earl, BRDNA,
Barbara Morvant, NODNA, Debbie Ford, NODNA,
Cynthia Prestholdt, BRDNA, Maxine Johnson,
Shreveport DNA and Carol Gordon, BRDNA.

July, August, September 2019 Pelican News • Page 9
Dubreuil And Rollins: The Newest Joe Ann Clark
Graduate Nursing Education Award Recipients
Cynthia Prestholdt, PhD, RN, Chair –
LNF Scholarship & Awards Committee
It is a pleasure to announce the newest Joe Ann
Clark Graduate Nursing Education Award recipients:
Heidi Dubreuil and Crystal Rollins. Heidi
Dubreuil is a graduate nursing student from
Denham Springs, LA currently enrolled at
Southeastern Louisiana University. She expects to
receive the Master of Science in Nursing degree in
Nursing Education in May 2020. Crystal Rollins is
a graduate nursing student from Basile, LA and is
currently enrolled in the Nurse Educator curriculum for the Master of Science
in Nursing degree at McNeese State University. She expects to graduate in
May, 2019. The nursing programs for both students are members of Louisiana’s
Intercollegiate Consortium for a Master of Science in Nursing (ICMSN). Nurse
advocacy behaviors are evidenced by both award recipients.
Heidi Dubreuil has received a $1,000 award funded by the Louisiana Nurses
Foundation. She received her undergraduate nursing degree from Southeastern
in 2002 and is currently employed at Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge. She
teaches community classes called Preparing for Delivery – about the hospital
and the labor and delivery experience. She additionally assists in drill facilitation
and skills fairs for the education of staff nurses, will soon teach a class about
Infant and Self Care in the post-partum period, and serves as a preceptor to
new nurses on her unit. She also serves as a relief charge nurse on her unit, is
a member of ANA/LSNA, and holds certification in Inpatient Obstetric Nursing.
She serves as a student representative on the MSN Curriculum Committee for
the ICMSN – attending meetings and lending the student’s experience to the
curriculum. “This has shown me the intricate process of curriculum development
and its several components that must be coordinated to have a successful
program.” In addition to being a nurse, she is the wife and mother of four
“beautiful and crazy children ages 10, 8, 6, & 4.” She feels she can impart some
of her expertise and love for the field to future nurses. “With my experience and
organizational skills, I feel I can become an excellent nurse educator.”
Crystal Rollins has received a $1,000 award and is the Anna Gallagher/
American Nurses Foundation Scholarship recipient. She holds earlier degrees
from McNeese, receiving her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 2014 and
an Associate of General Studies in Applied and Natural Sciences in 2012. She
is employed as a Clinical Nurse Educator at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital in
Lake Charles, LA, where she is responsible for developing and implementing
educational programs for new nurses and existing staff members. She is an
active participant in quality improvement and community advocacy. She is
a member of the Emergency Nurses Association, serves on the Region 5, STD
Taskforce, and was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of
Nursing in 2014. As a new Emergency Department nurse, she developed a plan
to resolve the issue of lengthy patient wait times for evaluation and treatment.
Later, she developed a new process to address critical care staffing ratios in the
ED. She is currently working toward developing a standardized new graduate
nurse residency program that provides support beyond the initial orientation
period. She is also directly involved in several quality improvement programs
to become verified as a facility for trauma, stroke, sepsis and cardiology.
She hopes to contribute to the academic community through research and
additional teaching opportunities. She, too, is a wife and mother. “Eventually, I
hope to become involved with nurse and patient advocacy at the governmental
level, advocating for safe staffing ratios and financial support for nursing
academic programs.”
A total of eleven graduate nursing students have now been selected
as Joe Ann Clark Graduate Nursing Education Award recipients since
2012! Again, appreciation is expressed for the expertise and conscientious
objective evaluation efforts of the members of the LNF Scholarship & Awards
Committee: Dr. Catherine Cormier, Dr. Carol Gordon, Maxine Johnson, Dr.
Barbara Moffett, and Dr. Valerie Schluter, along with Barbara Morvant, LNF
Board of Trustees President (ex officio).

Page 10 • Pelican News July, August, September 2019
Membership
Sandra A Beaubouef
Mary Blade
Karen Blade
George Keith King
Linsey Beavers Preddy
Erika Danielle Smith
Lucie J Agosta
Shakita Anderson
Lisa G Booth
Heather D Carpenter
Allison Champagne
Esther Celeste Coerver
Joan Culberson
Dianne David
Karrie Delise
Mendy Mayne Escudier
Samantha Givens-Banguel
Amy Hall
Lauren Adelle Hollingsworth
Jamie C McDonough
Hannah Margaret Pittman
Emily Santa Ana
Laurie A Schulenberg
Markeina Scruggs
Megan Smith
Elisha Renee Stewart
Mary Pat Thevenot
Rachel Diane Tidwell
Lesley Tilley
Porsche C Uche
Mozelle Baldus
Mandy Rae Carmouche
Danielle Amanda Chambers
Lisa Dawkins
Sonya E Flynn
Kristi Lamarque
Maria McGeehan
Oluwaseun Osunbunmi
Anthony Peperone
Anthony Pierson
Susan Prude
Alissa Scott
Salaesha Allen Smothers
LA01
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Jeromi Danielle Terry-Green
Jordan Ashley Tucker
Tiffany Vickers
Lauren White
Theresa Rae Williams
Sabrina Willis
Kimberly Ann Bertrand
Paige Declouet
Toni Doston
Helen Durieux
Amanda G Fontenot
Rebecca Lebas
Caroline Girouard Marceaux
Mona McCall
Alana McClaskey
Courtney Metz
Alicia Lorraine Rasmussen
Tiffany S Roy
Jamie Schexnayder
Melinda Managan Simon
Simmie G Soileau
Caroline Davis White
Kristy Denison
Sherrie Dotson
Katherine Denice Duncan
Dedra Williams
Sherry L Banks
Haley Elizabeth Clinton
Katrina R Harrison
Shari Jackson
Margarette Lenard
Almalesha Miller-Anderson
Heather Nolan
Brittany Vincent
Anna Warren
Darren Andrus
Carol Parker Barone
Cynthia P Berfect-Shelby
Mary Boyd
Jennifer Ann Brock
Veronica Broussard
Tiffany Broussard
Kaci Buwe
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Sequilla Carter
Amy Cox
Cinnamon Renique’ Davis
Julia Davis
Liv Marie Raful Dinoso
Barbara Dianne Dugal
Andrea Fields
Lauren Alexis Flettrich
Madhu Gilotra
Mitchell Clayt Handrich
Victoria Harmon
Meredith Whitney Hughes
Karen Jackson
Kendra A Joseph-Rodgers
Dionne R Logan
Terrie Marquez
Tammy Mayer
Aimme Jo McCauley
Linda Maria Merrick
Karice Ann Moore
Jacqueline Nichole Mora
Long N Nguyen
Derrick O’Neal
Angela Amor Orr
Lavonne Paul
Renee Picheloup
Francia Rabanillo
Catherine Marie Rickoll
Jacob R Rickoll
Hashim Royal
La-Kenya Rushing
Marjorie Ellen Savola
Virginia Schieck
Melanie Schmill
Cody Lamar Shumaker
Andria Danielle Smith
Tonya Mayeux Solis
Jan L Sullivan-Fraught
Linda Veals
Amy C Walker
Rachel White
Joy M Williams
Kendall Lee Young
LA07 Caley Elizabeth Pyles
LA07 Sonya S. Doyle
LA07 Janey Gaston
LA07 Ashley Jo Hollenshead
LA07 Suzette Jackson
LA07 Andrea F. Jones
LA07 Denise Jones
LA07 Domita Jordan-Henry
LA07 Rikki M Murff
LA07 Melinda Parnell
LA07 Christina Bradford
LA07 Kim B. Brannagan
LA07 Judy Young Crowe
LA07 Kelly Engerran
LA07 Molly Amanda Fekete
LA07 Janine S Lemoine
LA07 Tia Vilardo
LA07 Natalie Ann Cheramie
LA07 Amie Bourgeois Falgout
LA07 Melissa M Gros
LA07 Tangela Robertson
LA07 Renata Schexnaydre
LA07 Jessica Ann Soudlier
LA07 Sharon A Terrebonne
LA07
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LA07 Jill Harvison Breazeale
LA07 Glenda P Dobson
LA07 Kimberly Dozar
LA07 Julie S Gayle
LA07 Katherine Ann Hillis
LA07 Chelsea Hulin
LA07 Sandra S. Johnson
LA07 Laura Elizabeth Lucky
LA07 Rachel Mayer Myers
LA07 Rachel Nickel
LA07 Alyea Pollard
LA07 Jamin Brian Rankin
LA07 Kristie Riddle
LA07 Michelle Miller
LA07 Riley Diana Dowings
LA07 Sierra Shena Williams
LA07 John J Wilson
Denise Washington Wrenn
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Join LSNA Today!
Visit www.lsna.org
We’re Hiring!
Positions Include:
• ICU Nurse Manager
• MedSurg Nurse Manager
• Inpatient Geriatric Psych
Nurse Manager
Apply online at
www.ClaiborneMedical.com/careers.html
or email hr@claibornemedical.com
Elayn Hunt Correctional Center
Seeking Full-Time and PRN, RNs and LPNs
Excellent Salary and Benefits.
Must submit application online at www.la.gov
For more information, contact
ATTN: Denise Harrison
225-319-4171
Visit nursingALD.com today!
Search job listings
in all 50 states, and filter by location and credentials.
Browse our online database of articles and content.
Find events for nursing professionals in your area.
Your always-on resource for nursing
jobs, research, and events.
Representing Victims
of Nursing Home
Abuse & Neglect
Phone Number 318.865.9800
Website www.louisiananursinghomeattorney.com
Membership Survey
Benita Chatmon, PhD,
MSN, RN, CNE
Director of Membership,
Recruitment, and Retention
As Director of
Membership, Recruitment,
and Retention, one of
my goals is to create a
membership experience that
supports and advocates for
the needs of its members.
Benita Chatmon American Nurses Association
(ANA) speaks to the needs
of, and advocates for all nurses and the nursing
profession independent of specialty areas. Louisiana
State Nurses Association (LSNA) specifically speaks
to the needs of, and serves as an advocate for nurses
in Louisiana. One of the first initiatives that I would
like to conduct within the first six-months of my term
is to conduct a membership survey that captures the
unique needs of nurses in Louisiana. Within the next
couple of months, look for a membership survey
via email and social media. Louisiana nurses should
consider the components of membership that provide
value to their professional goals.
It is our professional duty to help stimulate
membership in professional nursing organizations,
specifically ANA, LSNA, and District associations.
Membership helps nurses make informed decisions
about health care and our profession. Help me to be
an ambassador in recruiting your colleagues to obtain
membership in ANA and LSNA. James Halliday, Board
Chair at Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy once
said, “I would ask you to question who’s at the table
and who’s not at the table and to think about those
voices that aren’t represented when you’re making
decision.” I want you at the table. Help me to create a
membership experience that represents your needs.

July, August, September 2019 Pelican News • Page 11
Louisiana Association of Student Nurses 2019
Written By: Katie O’Brien,
LASN Horizons Newsletter Editor
Edited by: Katherine Comeaux, LASN President
As a chapter of the National Student Nurses
Association (NSNA), Louisiana Association of Student
Nurses (LASN) is a statewide community enabling
the transition of the student to professional nursing
through leadership, education, mentorship and
stewardship. Any Louisiana nursing student who is
a member of the NSNA is automatically considered
a member of LASN. Our mission is to promote the
health and well-being of all people by preparing
future leaders and scholars in the health sciences.
Each year in October, the organization holds
a convention for all nursing students in Louisiana
that aims to open their eyes to the opportunities
that await them as both students and future nurses.
This year, our 65th annual convention will be held
between October 3-5, at the CAJUNDOME and
Convention Center. LASN has recruited the Louisiana
Cajun Navy as our yearly disaster project partner
and the combination of National Community Action
Partnership and Toys for Tots as our community
health partner. We provide both scholarships and
awards at our convention as well as inspiring keynote
and endnote addresses, an opening night party, a
mini HURST review, House of Delegates meetings
as practice for resolutions hoping to be passed
at the annual NSNA convention, an exhibitor hall,
focus sessions, faculty sessions included continuing
education credits and the running and election
of the next term’s Board of Directors. If you or
your organization are interested in sponsoring this
event, holding an exhibitor table, or speaking to the
students present, please e-mail Katherine Comeaux at
lasnpresident@gmail.com.
Outside of convention, LASN holds monthly
Board of Directors meetings to discuss topics
concerning our organization and nursing students,
publishes a monthly newsletter to help connect our
state’s students and hosts fundraising events for
our convention scholarships. This past March, LASN
declared the time our “LASN Month of Service.”
Students submitted their Month of Service projects to
the LASN Board, and the winner of the best project
will be announced at our convention in October.
Following is a list of both student nurses and nurses
who make all that LASN aims to accomplish possible.
We hope that you enjoyed learning about this
organization that strives to be as passionate about
nursing as the students we represent!
2018-2019 LASN Board of Directors
Katherine Comeaux, President –
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Jessie Bethancourt, BSN, RN-A, Vice President –
Nicholls State University Graduate
Brittany Gayon, Treasurer –
Nicholls State University
Jodie Saia, BSN, RN-A, Secretary –
Nicholls State University Graduate
Bobby Guichet, BSN, RN-A, Region I Director –
Northwestern State University Graduate
Taylor Robbins, BSN, RN-A, Region II Director –
McNeese State University Graduate
Emily Wynn, Region IV Director –
Louisiana State University Health New Orleans
(LSUHNO)
Lindsey McDaniel, Historian –
Delgado Charity School of Nursing
Kristin Sharp, BSN, RN-A, Fundraising Coordinator
– McNeese State University Graduate
Katie O’Brien, BSN, RN-A, MS,
Horizons Newsletter Editor – LSUHNO Graduate
Luke Lebouef, Information Technology Director –
McNeese State University
Mariah Hester, BSN, RN, Parliamentarian –
Northwestern State University Graduate
Sarah Smith, Breakthrough to Nursing Director –
LSUHNO
Steven Butts, BSN, RN, Elected Consultant –
Nicholls State University Graduate
Patricia La Brosse, PMHCNS-BC,
Presidential Consultant
Left to right: Kristin Sharp, Taylor Robbins, Brittany Gayon, Bobby Guichet, Luke Lebouef, Katherine
Comeaux, Jessie Bethancourt, and Jodie Saia at the 2019 NSNA Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Charla B. Johnson, MSN, RN, ONC
No matter what role I find myself in, as an
orthopaedic certified nurse, my passion to care for
and improve access to specialized care for patients
or individuals in communities with musculoskeletal
conditions is a priority. According to the United
States Bone and Joint Initiative (USJBI), as the
population ages in the United States (U.S.), the
impairments and disability from bone and joint
conditions will become an increasing burden
(2014). Arthritis continues to be a leading cause of
pain and disability in the U.S. and one of the most
common chronic conditions (CDC, 2019). Over the
years, there has been an increase in healthcare
utilization and costs due to increased ambulatory
care visits, joint replacements and hospitalizations
as a result of the rising prevalence of arthritis
and other rheumatic conditions (USJBI, 2014). By
the year 2040, more than a quarter of the adult
population will have arthritis diagnosed by a
doctor with two-thirds being women (CDC, 2018).
The predicted arthritis burden is alarming but
when you add the impact of social determinants to
accessing specialized care to treat musculoskeletal
conditions it becomes concerning.
Healthcare organizations across the country are
exploring how to use the electronic health record
(EHR) to incorporate the patients’ needs based
on social and economical context to shape health
(Gold, et al., 2018). Access to health care services,
health literacy, access to local food markets,
Why Zip Code Matters
transportation, safe places to be physically active,
crime and the environment all impact the health
status and ability to make healthy decisions which
translate into the individual’s quality of life. Where
an individual lives impacts how long they will live.
As an example, using the latest estimates of life
expectancy from the census data on the Robert
Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) website, my
address on the East Bank of Ascension Parish
compared to an address on the West Bank of
Ascension Parish in Donaldsonville, reveals my life
expectancy is 80.3 years to 74.2 years respectively.
Living on the West Bank life expectancy is below
the mean average for Ascension at 77.14 years,
Louisiana at 75.6 years, and the U.S. average at
78.6 years.
Access to specialty care such as Orthopaedics is
a problem for the uninsured and underinsured with
governmental payor sources, Medicaid, despite
the advent of the Affordable Care Act. Of the 64
parishes in Louisiana, only 11 orthopaedic practices
accept Medicaid and four of those are related to
the Louisiana State University safety net facilities
leaving patients who are underinsured, excluding
the safety net, access to five percent of the
orthopaedic workforce (Marrero, 2018).
So, what are solutions nursing can offer? As
nurses, we can volunteer and educate communities
with known disparities on healthy behaviors and
promote movement activities. According to the
2019 County Health Rankings report, Louisiana
residents over the age of 20 report no leisure
time for physical activity (29%) compared to
the U.S. average (22%) (RWJF, 2019). We can
work with local and state leaders and provide
information supporting the need for equitable
care and access which requires policy change and
payment structure. We can connect with free and
available resources for our own learning as well
as promoting and providing these resources to
the community such as link to start moving, start
living website http://startmovingstartliving.com/
resources/. Nurses can make a difference in the zip
codes and communities they live in, we just have
to act.
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2018).
Future arthritis burden. Retrieved from: https://www.
cdc.gov/arthritis/data_statistics/national-statistics.
html
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2019).
Arthritis. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/
arthritis/index.htm
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (n.d.). Could where
you live influence how long you live. Retrieved
from: https://www.rwjf.org/en/library/interactives/
whereyouliveaffectshowlongyoulive.html
RWJF (2019). 2019 County Health Rankings Report.
Retrieved from: http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/
sites/default/files/state/downloads/CHR2019_LA.pdf
United States Bone and Joint Initiative: The Burden
of Musculoskeletal Diseases in the United States
(BMUS), Third Edition, 2014. Rosemont, IL. Available
at http://www.boneandjointburden.org. Accessed on
April 8, 2019.

Page 12 • Pelican News July, August, September 2019
Delegates at 2019 Membership Assembly
elect new board leadership for LSNA
President-elect, Dr. Patrick Reed,
takes over the President’s role until 2021
LSNA recently held the 2019 Membership
Assembly, a biennial gathering of delegates from
LSNA’s 13 District Nurse Associations, to address
the business of LSNA and elect Board leadership
and committees. The delegates also considered and
approved various revisions to the Bylaws for LSNA.
The 2019-2021 Board Members are featured in this
addition of the Pelican.
Denise Hancock, PhD, RN,
LCCE – Treasurer
Deborah Spann, MSN,
RN-BC, CEN – Director of
Organizational Advancement
Patrick Reed, RN, DNP, MSN,
MSHCM, MBA,
CPHQ – President
Matthew Linn, RN – Director
Transition into Practice
Vanessa Shields-Haas, MA,
BSN, RN, ACRN – Director of
Health Policy & Advocacy
Ecoee Rooney, DNP, RN-BC,
SANE-A – President Elect
Ahnyel Burkes, MSN, RN-BC –
Director Nursing Leadership &
Professional Development
Benita Chatmon, PhD,
MSN, RN, CNE – Director of
Membership, Recruitment &
Retention
Georgia Johnson, MS, RN,
NEA-BC, CPHQ – Past
President
Continuing Nursing Education Corner
Justin Fontenot, MSN, RN –
Secretary
Kim V. Cheramie, MSN, RN-BC
cne@lsna.org
It is with great
excitement and honor
that I author my first “CNE
Corner” as the LSNA
CNE Unit Director. I look
forward to continuing
the history of providing
and supporting quality
continuing education for
the nurses of Louisiana.
The past 20 years in
professional development
Kim V. Cheramie and
continuing
education has provided
me with a variety of
experiences in many types of organizations and
accreditation. I have had the opportunity to
serve as a lead nurse planner and appraiser in
accreditation in clinical and academic settings,
for-profit medical education and professional
organizations. This valuable experience has
allowed me to be actively involved in innovative,
impactful professional development for not
multiple healthcare professionals, including the
healthcare team in interprofessional education.
My personal mission is to support and facilitate
organizations through development and
evaluation of meaningful continuing education
and professional development that impacts the
individual professional, healthcare team, and
organizations. Ultimately changing patient and
population outcomes with professional practice
changes enabled through continuing education.
In the role of Director of CNE at LSNA, I
am assessing current processes in approving
and providing continuing nursing education.
We will be implementing improvements to
processes as well as forms and resources with
a goal to establishing a customer friendly unit
while meeting accreditation criteria. These
improvements will include website changes to
clearly identify approval processes for provider
units and individual educational activities, as well
as providing clear support resources.
We will be conducting several CNE updates
throughout the state. Provider workshops will be
held this fall where providers and nurse planners
can bring their educational projects and work on
them with peers. Our goal with this education is
to update and clarify accreditation criteria for
continuing education providers on criteria and
to support innovation and implementation of
quality, impactful continuing nursing education.
We will also be introducing quarterly provider
calls beginning in July 2019. These calls will be
extended to current approved providers and
applicants of individual activities. The goal of
these calls is to highlight current issues and
priority items of continuing education that
providers are seeking clarity. This will also
be a time to discuss provider requirements in
completing applications for approval as well as
reporting. Dates and agendas will be posted to
the website.
Currently, I welcome feedback and
suggestions from providers and nurses on
the LSNA CNE unit. I also would like to invite
providers to contact me directly via email on any
CNE items they are seeking clarification as well
as suggest improvements needed. This input is
vital as we continue to prioritize changes.
Thank you again for this opportunity and I
look forward to serving as your CNE Director for
LSNA.

July, August, September 2019 Pelican News • Page 13
Top of License Practice: Supporting the Movement
Justin Fontenot, MSN, RN
Do you know what it means to practice at the top
of your license? The term is used in various settings
in today's emerging healthcare ambient, but what
does it allude, and how does this concept impact our
most significant consideration: our patients and the
citizens of Louisiana? To explore the notion of top of
license (TOL) practice, we opine the various elements
defining TOL practice.
One vital facet of TOL practice endeavors to
increase the number of hours that Registered Nurses
spend with patients at the bedside. Studies indicate
that when nurses spend more time interacting with
and engaging in patient care within their practice
settings, patient outcomes improve (Cho et al., 2016).
How then do we achieve full TOL practice? There
is no simple answer to untangle the complexities
that surround the nurse's ability to practice at the
top of their licenses. In this rapid and ever-changing
healthcare environment, patients are living longer,
health policy is reshaping the American health
system, and a focus on performance as a method
for reimbursement, create shortages at the bedside,
leaving nurse leaders and hospital administrators with
tight budgets, limiting and affecting TOL practice.
How can we change given the challenges we face?
Nurses, now more than ever, are exploring new
ways to harness all available resources in their
practice settings to improve patient outcomes and
provide safe patient care. Nurses at the bedside can
take simple but effective steps to improve the time
spent giving care that only the RN can furnish, such as
care planning, ongoing assessment, and intervention
in unstable patients, and patient education.
Delegation is a successful technique employed
in the practice setting and carries many benefits
such as enriching team building and perfects team
cohesiveness (Marbury, 2014). Registered Nurses in
current practice should actively explore techniques
associated with a robust and safe delegation, which
will pave the way for RN engagement at the bedside
and improves overall outcomes. Delegation is a
singular term that describes a sophisticated adage
and impacts practice in several ways including legal
implications and patient safety. Employed correctly in
the practice setting, it can improve patient outcomes
by allowing TOL practice among Registered Nurses.
The complexities of delegation require nurse
leaders and hospital executive teams to support
RN staff through safe and dynamic implementation
of delegation and TOL practice. According to
Marbury (2014), leaders should support clinical staff
in the process of delegation and avoid common
leadership pitfalls that may discourage TOL practice.
Consider providing resources to clinical staff related
to explaining why new tasks must be assigned to
the team not usually accustomed, but qualified
to complete (Marbury, 2014). Leaders should
also support their staff through creative ways to
incentivize clinical and non-clinical team members
to take on new tasks, being cautious to avoid
compensation increases, with a focus on mentorship
and recognition programs (Marbury, 2014). Leaders
should continuously monitor delegation practices
to identify areas of weakness and ensure tasks are
evenly dispersed among qualified staff to avoid the
burnout that can lead to ancillary staff turnover
(Marbury, 2014).
Practicing at the top of your license acknowledges
and yields new appreciation for the advanced skills of
the Registered Nurse and how these skills continue
to improve patient outcomes. Taking simple steps to
strengthen TOL practice is possible through effective
delegation and supportive leadership who are in-step
with current clinical practice challenges. Don't wait to
build a culture of change in your practice setting. Our
patients and the citizens of our state depend on our
ability to influence change and refine nursing practice
to improve the health of patients and the people of
our communities.
References:
Cho, E., Lee, N.J., Kim, E.Y., Kim, S., Lee, K., Park, K.-O., &
Sung, Y. H. (2016). Nurse staffing level and overtime
associated with patient safety, quality of care, and
care left undone in hospitals: A cross-sectional study.
International Journal of Nursing Studies, 60, 263–
271. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.
ijnurstu.2016.05.009
Marbury, D. (2014). Delegating tasks to staff enhances
team-based care: why creating a system where each
staff member works at the top of his or her license can
improve the care a practice provides its patients. Medical
Economics, (15), 49. Retrieved from https://searchebscohost-com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct
=true&db=edsgbe&AN=edsgcl.379979959&site=edslive&scope=site
Three Louisiana Perioperative Nurses win awards at AORN
During the 66 th annual AORN Surgical
Conference and Expo in Nashville, TN, April 6-10,
2019, three of our LA colleagues were recognized
by their perioperative nursing peers at the
Association’s conference. Awards recognize the
contributions of members in specific categories
for outstanding achievement of involvement in
or support of the Association of perioperative
Registered Nurses, Inc.
Ramie K. Miller, MSN, RN, CNOR was recognized
for her Outstanding Achievement in Volunteer
Leadership. This award celebrates individuals who
demonstrate outstanding achievement in volunteer
work by guiding and developing their Chapter,
Specialty Assembly, State Council, or by exhibiting
a commitment to create a better environment and
quality of life to those in need. Ramie’s enthusiasm
for her practice has instilled in her the desire to
share, encourage, and become a leader at all levels
of AORN. Ramie was encouraged on a local level
to participate and lead. She took steps to chair
committees and become an officer at the local
and state levels. She has incredible communication
skills, with an emphasis on various social media
platforms. Through this ability she is able to recruit
members to join AORN and to retain them as
members. Ramie’s vision is to inspire and lead the
next generation of perioperative nurses. She is well
on her way to achieve her dream.
The 2019 Outstanding Nurse Philanthropist
Award recognizes an exceptional perioperative
nurse who has supported the AORN Foundation.
The recipient donates time, talent, and direct
financial support to the AORN Foundation, as well
as other well-deserving organizations. The recipient
of this award demonstrates a strong philanthropic
spirit, and through his or her charitable actions
motivates others to give of themselves. Nathalie
Walker, MBA, RN, CNOR. She has been an officer
of her local chapter, state council, and the national
AORN Board serving as AORN President. In
addition, Nathalie chaired the successful AORN
Foundation Silent Auction for three years. Nathalie
also established her own personal endowed
scholarship, which is awarded to a nurse each
year through the AORN Foundation’s Scholarship
Program.
The winner of the Jerry G. Peers Award for
Distinguished Service was announced prior to the
annual plenary session in Ms. Peers’ honor. This is
a secret award given to a member who has made a
significant contribution to the growth, progress, and
welfare of AORN. As always, as the President begins
to read snapshots of the person’s contributions,
the audience immediately begins guessing who the
recipient might be. The 2019 recipient of the award
was Sheila L. Allen, BSN, RN, CNOR, CRNFA(E).
Many of you may know these colleagues
as they have been familiar contributors to the
profession of nursing in Louisiana. These awards are
acknowledgement of distinguished contributions to
perioperative nursing and the contributions to the
practice in the communities in which they reside.
Ramie K. Miller
receiving the award
for Outstanding
Achievement
in Volunteer
Leadership from
2018-19 AORN
President Stephanie
Davis.
Sheila L. Allen
receives Jerry G.
Peers Distinguished
Service Award from
AORN President
Stephanie Davis.
L to Right: Anne Fairchild, President AORN
Foundation Board of Trustees, Nathalie Walker,
recipient of the 2019 Outstanding Nurse
Philanthropist Award, and AORN President
Stephanie Davis.
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Page 14 • Pelican News July, August, September 2019
Southern Strategy Group
The 2019 Regular
Legislative Session
adjourned for the final
time at 6:00 pm this
evening. The budget
and capital outlay bills
came down to the wire,
with both conference
committees reporting
back to the House of
Representatives at 5:42
pm, only 18 minutes before
the deadline.
The budget, HB105
by Rep. Henry, has been discussed throughout the week. The two bodies have
wrestled with how to spend $119 million in surplus funds. Ultimately, several
entities received increases in the conference committee report. Those included:
$14 million for the Department of Children and Family Services, $13 million to the
Department of Corrections, $20 million to early childhood education, and $2.5
million to the Board of Regents to be distributed as determined by the Health
Works Commission to higher education institutions for the limited and specific
purpose of increasing the number of students at CNA, LPN, ASN, BSN, MSN, and
DNP programs of study.
The Legislature approved SCR3 by Sen. Morrish earlier this week, which
authorized a recurring $1,000 teacher pay raise, a $500 raise for support
workers, and a $39 million increase in state aid for public schools. The program
is a $140 million increase over current spending and will aid roughly 700,000
students statewide. It is included in the budget, HB105 by Rep. Henry.
Legislators filed eight hundred sixty-three (863) bills and dozens more
resolutions in 2019, of which, Southern Strategy Group (“SSG”) tracked eightyeight
(38) bills and resolutions on behalf of LSNA. The following bills and the
concurrent resolution should be of particular interest to LSNA and have been
signed by the governor or are expected to be signed:
• Act No. 2 by Rep. McMahen expands the definition of “serious bodily
injury” to include unconsciousness; extreme physical pain; protracted
and obvious disfigurement; protracted loss or impairment of the
function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty; or a substantial
risk of death.
• Act No. 43 by Sen. Fannin requires a statewide criminal history
background check before an educational institution or approved
training program can accept an applicant for the clinical preceptor
nurse aide training program.
• SB119 by Sen. Colomb creates the Palliative Care Interdisciplinary
Advisory Council. The council will assess the availability of patientcentered
and family-focused palliative care in Louisiana and make
recommendations to the legislature. The Louisiana State Board of
Nursing will appoint three nurses, two of which must be advanced
practice registered nurses that are board certified in hospice and
palliative care.
• SCR77 by Sen. Bishop requests the Louisiana State Board of Nursing,
Southern University School of Nursing, and Southern University at New
Orleans to collaborate on the process and procedures required for
the establishment of a nursing education program on the campus of
Southern University at New Orleans.
• HCR 60 by Rep. Miller urges and requests the Health Works Commission
to develop policy recommendations for creating safer workplace
environments for nurses and social service providers. The Health Works
Commission shall submit a written report to the House and Senate
Health and Welfare committees and the Labor and Industrial Relations
committees by February 1, 2020. HCR 60 is dedicated to the memory
of Lynne Truxillo.
In addition to the budget and nursing-specific bills, the legislature passed
a major transportation bill for the first time in recent memory. Nearly $700
million in road projects were approved earlier this week when HB578 by Rep.
Magee easily passed the Senate. The bill includes several projects across the
state, more specifically: $150 million for the La. Hwy. 415 connector in West
Baton Rouge; $150 million for I-49 South in Lafayette; $125 million for 8-miles
of elevated highway on La. 1 near Golden Meadow; $50 million for a road
expansion project near Bush in St. Tammany parish; $40 million for bridge
repairs; $20 million for two cranes at the Port of New Orleans; $20 million for
a new ferry in Cameron Parish; and $15 million to widen Hooper Road in Baton
Rouge.
Finally, no discussion of the 2019 Legislative Session would be complete
without discussing the gubernatorial and other elections later this year. The
election was never far from the minds of many legislators as issues like the
death penalty failed to gain final passage. All one hundred forty-four (144)
legislators are on the ballot in October. Thirty-one (31) representatives and
sixteen (16) senators are term limited and will not return to their current
position in 2020, and an additional five (5) representatives have chosen not to
run for reelection. Southern Strategy Group will continue to work diligently
on behalf of LSNA as roughly thirty-six (36) percent of the legislature will be
new in 2020. Each of these new members will need to be educated on the
important work of nurses and the issues facing your industry.
LSNA and SSG are currently gathering information on every candidate
running for each vacancy in the legislature. Louisiana nurses should directly
know, or at least know of, every candidate running for the legislature and
statewide office in October. Please keep LSNA and SSG informed of these
relationships so we may use that information to make decisions about
candidates and understand how their service may impact nursing, the
healthcare industry, and other related policy decisions.
Contact:
Dr. Cynthia Rodriguez Cano
MBA Director
ccano@mcneese.edu
337-475-5533

July, August, September 2019 Pelican News • Page 15
Hospitals Deliver the Ultimate Departure Gift:
Better, Safer Sleep for Mom and Baby
Over the past several years, many hospitals have updated their Safe Sleep
programs to include in-hospital modeling of safe sleep and a take-home gift like a
swaddling sack that helps the parents swaddle at home. This approach, combined
with improved Safe Sleep educational material, increases the likelihood that new
parents will recall, understand, and use safe sleep guidelines when they return home.
Recently, hospitals have decided to refresh and update their Safe Sleep program
as they strive to maximize the impact of their program. They realize that parents
are overwhelmed with emotion during their hospital stay, and it is very important to
extend the educational program to the home. By providing a Safe Sleep take-home
gift, they are providing a helpful tool and visual reminder of the hospital safe sleep
educational material.
The programs are designed to educate parents about the American Academy
of Pediatrics (AAP) Safe Sleep Guidelines and teach important newborn calming
techniques including how to swaddle, so everyone can get more sleep. The goal is
to empower parents with useful skills and tools, to minimize the probability that the
parents will become overly fatigued and sleep deprived.
Sleep deprivation
Families where the baby is not sleeping well, struggle, because when baby is
not sleeping well, nobody sleeps well. New parents need to learn how to properly
swaddle a baby, because swaddling reduces the likelihood the baby will wake due to
the Moro (startle) reflex. Studies have proven that swaddled babies sleep longer and
better.
Sleep deprivation and exhaustion are the primary complaint of new parents
and experts understand that parent sleep deprivation can lead to unsafe choices,
increased postpartum depression and shaken baby syndrome.
Exhaustion combined with a crying baby impairs judgement and can lead
parents to make unsafe choices such as bringing baby to bed with them, which
significantly increases the risk of suffocation and SIDS. Or, they might opt to put
baby on their stomach, which also significantly increases the risk of SIDS.
Given that 3,500 babies die annually in the United States as a result of SIDS,
SUID, and suffocation, it is extremely important for hospitals to implement programs
that reduce the likelihood that a parent will make unsafe sleep choices. While there
is no way to prevent SIDS, there are AAP guidelines designed to reduce risk of SIDS,
SUID and suffocation.
In-hospital modeling of Safe Sleep practices
Studies have shown that parents remember and mimic what nurses do at the
hospital, and hence, hospitals understand that modeling safe sleep behaviors and
using an easy, safe swaddling approach is important.
As a result, many hospitals implement Safe Sleep Modeling Programs in the birth
center and NICU. Staff training is a critical element of the program. In addition to
educational material provided to parents, the Safe Sleep programs often include
swaddling blankets or swaddling garments as departure gifts.
In many hospitals, babies are placed on the mother’s chest for the first hour or
two, and then swaddled to give the mother a break and help with temperature
regulation as the baby transitions from the womb to the world.
Many hospitals have stopped using traditional hospital swaddle blankets to
instead swaddle newborns in wearable blankets with swaddle wraps to make it
easier and safer for new parents.
At Franciscan Health Indianapolis, for example, every infant is dressed and
wrapped with an Omni Swaddle Sack after birth. The swaddling garment is used
to swaddle the baby while in the hospital, and the discharge nurse gives an Omni
Swaddle Sack as a departure gift to the parents.
The hospital, which delivered more than 2300 babies in 2018, has made a
concerted effort to focus on Safe Sleep issues, in part due to the high infant
mortality rate in Indiana.
This focus includes extensive education, in-hospital modeling of proper
swaddling techniques and participation in programs such as the National Safe Sleep
Certification program sponsored by Cribs for Kids.
“Nurses are viewed as experts, so we need to make sure that we are following
the safest sleep practices possible and modeling what parents are learning in the
educational materials we provide,” says Jennifer Naessens RN, clinical manager of
the post-partum unit and newborn nursery at Franciscan Health Indianapolis.
“We use the Omni Swaddle Sack in our hospital so we can teach and simulate
safe sleeping habits for parents,” says Naessens. “The item ultimately goes home
with the baby as a departure gift, so it can continue to be used in the home.”
Designed by Lynette Damir, RN, the Omni Swaddle Sack is convertible and
supports many natural arm and hand positions. The product is designed with
special, modified sleeves with foldover mitten cuffs that, when open, allow baby to
self-soothe and, when closed, protect against facial scratches. The product includes
an easy to adjust fabric wrap secured by hook-and-loop fasteners.
The sleeves are slightly shorter than a typical sleeve, so when the mitten cuffs are
closed it holds the baby’s arms close to their body. If the baby prefers one or both
arms up, then the sleeves cover the baby’s arms.
To support hospital safe sleep initiatives, SwaddleDesigns offers a special version
of the Omni Swaddle Sack for in-hospital use, which has a longer wrap and does
not use hook-and-loop fasteners. Nylon snaps are used instead of a zipper, to allow
hospital personnel to x-ray without undressing the baby.
Naessens adds that even babies that stay in the NICU for an extended period are
swaddled. “It is another opportunity for us to model the behavior,” says Naessens.
“We want parents to see the consistency all along the line.”
It is important that baby continue to sleep well during this transition time. The
AAP recommends parents stop swaddling baby with arms restrained at two to
three months or when baby shows signs of attempting to roll over.
However, at three months of age, some babies are not ready and do not sleep
well in the looseness of a wearable blanket and still need some suppression of the
Moro reflex. When baby is not sleeping well, parents are more likely to try unsafe
sleep practices such as continuing to swaddle or bringing baby to bed with them,
which increases the risk of SIDS, SUID, and suffocation.
A Transitional Swaddle Sack can help parents navigate this difficult period. A
snug fitting design that partially suppress the Moro reflex, because the baby’s arms
are slightly restrained, but allows sufficient range of motion for baby to use his or
her arms to lift their torso and reposition their head, if he or she rolls over.
Departing gifts
According to Naessens, giving a departure gift that was first modeled by
nurses in the hospital helps ensure parents are more prepared to apply Safe Sleep
practices at home, which will reduce the frequency of sleep related incidents.
“We felt there was a critical need to send families home with swaddling
garments for the safety of the infants born at our hospital,” explains Naessens.
“We are always trying to impress upon parents how vulnerable babies are when
they first go home, and why it is so important to keep the environment as safe as
possible.”
Another concern is the quantity of misinformation related to swaddling
techniques that has been posted online, as well as advice from well-meaning family
members that may have outdated concepts of baby care not aligned with best
practices or current safety standards.
Advertising from baby product manufacturers can also be misleading, says
Naessens, with images of cribs for infants filled with stuffed animals and big, fluffy
blankets.
“We try to teach families to use the education they get from their healthcare
providers, because it is the most accurate information,” says Naessens.
Through education and modeling of Safe Sleep techniques, along with a
departure gift that matches what was used by the nursing staff, hospitals will
reinforce what parents learned so that it can be properly applied in the home.
In doing so, baby is safer and sleeps more soundly. So will parents, who armed
with more sleep and better tools, find they will struggle less and make better
choices. Ultimately, it should save lives.
For more info, call 206-525-0400; email ; visit swaddledesigns.com; or write to
SwaddleDesigns at 500 Andover Park East, Seattle, Washington 98188 USA.
Safe Sleep education
In addition to modeling swaddling techniques, education plays a critical role as
well. At Franciscan Health Indianapolis, the hospital provides written and verbal
instructions on Safe Sleep guidelines. For parents that have questions, or are
struggling, a direct phone number to a Charge Nurse is provided.
Hospitals are also updating their Safe Sleep educational materials to include the
“Three Stages of the Safe Sleepwear” framework to help parents understand the
importance of the transitional phase between swaddling and the time baby is ready
for loose, wearable blankets.