Massachusetts Report on Nursing - December 2020

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2 • <strong>Massachusetts</strong> <strong>Report</strong> on Nursing November 2020 president’s message Julie Cronin, DNP, RN, OCN Here we are in November – almost over the finish line of the year 2020. When I ask friends, families, colleagues, staff how they are feeling, the answers I receive are: “exhausted, busy, stressed, anxious.” Other sentiments I often hear: “I can’t wait for 2020 to be over,” “we just need a vaccine,” or “things need to go back to the way they were.” I have had the same sentiments. Life is harried and stressful. This time of uncertainty is unsettling. It feels that we are racing towards a vaccine and a new year and hoping all will be better or wishing we could return to life as we knew it many months ago. There are so many aspects of life pre-COVID-19 that we all desperately want back. We are tormented by the brutality of what the virus has done to so many of our patients and families. However, I believe that there are many things in life that we cannot and should not return to. Perhaps the time for change is finally here, and there is no going back. In healthcare, we have realized that telehealth provides an enormous benefit to patients and that advanced practice nurses can and should work to the top of their licenses. Nurses and healthcare workers are finally receiving the recognition and gratitude they deserve. In parallel, the senseless murders of people of color has awakened us to the ongoing social injustices Advocating for Nurses...continued from page 1 Since the COVID-19 epidemic required the critical role of nurses and other medical/public safety personnel, ANAMASS provided testimony in support of SB2602/ H4611, An Act relative to emergency hazard health duty. This bill would have categorized any time in a period of hospitalization, quarantine, or required self-quarantined measures as a result of being infected or coming into contact with someone who is infected with this virus as work-related, not requiring the employee to use personal time for these absences. Although reported favorably by three legislative committees, the bill was sent to study and did not succeed. With nurse staffing in acute care facilities still voiced as an issue for so many nurses in the Commonwealth, ANAMASS worked with legislators to propose HB1941/ SB1345, An Act establishing a commission on quality patient outcomes and professional nursing practice. This bill called for creation of a 17-member bipartisan Commission comprised of multiple stakeholders to review and make recommendations regarding best nurse staffing practices. These practices would be designed to improve the patient care environment, quality outcomes, and nurse satisfaction. Submission of this bill coincided with a proposed amendment to a Governor’s Budget Senate Amendment that sought commission of studies to study some of the same issues, but with a limited number of stakeholders and the end goal of determining specific mandated nurse to patient ratios. In the end, that have been happening for hundreds of years. This may finally help us all recognize the extreme changes that are needed to sustain a peaceful, loving and inclusive world for future generations. For these reasons, I say we can’t go back. We can take this time to assess what we will keep and what we will reject from our lives. We are making progress where it matters: in being truly empathetic; in how we treat one another on a human level; how we spend our time; how we stay connected to those we love when we can’t be physically close. In nursing, we are seeing the benefits to telehealth, expanded scope of practice, consideration and financial resources finally being allocated to long term care, and attention to social and health equity. We cannot go back on this progress. I personally don’t want to take things for granted; things like extra time with my daughter, collegiality with co-workers, deep appreciation for my family, and more time to spend on reflection. I need to take the time to appreciate the positives that have come out of these last few months. I would imagine others feel similarly. My pledge to you all is to do my best to be and stay positive. My hope is you will do the same. “Life is not waiting for the storm to pass; it is about learning how to dance in the rain.” i Let’s think about positive changes that are coming from these storms, and commit to moving forward, towards a more positive, healthier and happier future. Wishing you Happy Holidays and a very happy and healthy 2021. i Quote from Vivian Greene. Retrieved on 9/29/2020 from https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/769264. Vivian_Greene. this amendment was rejected and Bill HB1941/SB1345 accompanied a study order. * Legislative and regulatory actions to move toward independence in advanced practice nursing have been significant this year as reflected in ANAMASS legislative agenda found on its website. On 3/26, the Department of Public Health responded to citizens’ needs by issuing an emergency order to allow prescriptive practice and temporary exemption from physician oversight for designated categories of advanced practice nurses. Success in this initiative and the increased successful use of telehealth during the pandemic resulted in the 6/25 submission of Bills S2796 and H4888, both permanently expanding use of telehealth and the practice of advanced practice nursing. Since the language of these bills differ in some respects, the bills are now being considered by a conference committee with the goal of developing compromise language. ANAMASS is closely watching progress on this initiative and taking appropriate steps to influence its successful passage. Please review other actions to influence legislation on the ANAMASS website as described at the beginning of this article. Our association is grateful for all members who have worked tirelessly in the interest of nurses in <strong>Massachusetts</strong> as well as the patients for whom they serve. Special thanks to our Executive Director, Cammie Townsend, and our lobbyists, Patricia Lynch and Ben Fiero for their expert work and guidance during this very busy legislative session. * N.B. Accompanying a study order indicates the Bill is dead. Hiring CNAs, LPNs, and RNs! Nurses are our nations heroes and our community needs you! - We’re a warm friendly nursing home seeking nursing staff - Generous sign-on bonuses: RN/LPN: $5,000, CNA: $2,000 - Competitive salaries - Generous paid days off and much more! Apply at: https://westfield-gardens.com/careers# Or call/text for a rapid response: 717-803-2980 37 Feeding Hills Road, Westfield, MA 01085 Receiving this newsletter does not mean that you are an ANAMASS member. Please join ANA <strong>Massachusetts</strong> today and help promote the nursing profession. Board of Directors President Julie Cronin, DNP, RN, OCN President-Elect Lynne Hancock, MSN, RN, NE-BC Past-President: Donna Glynn, PhD, RN, ANP-BC Secretary: Janet Monagle, PhD, RN, CNE Treasurer: Christina Saraf, RN, MSN Directors Donna Begin, DNP, RN, NE-BC Myra F. Cacace, GNP-BC Chris Caulfield, MSN, RN, NP-C Casey Crawford, MA, BSN, RN (New Graduate Director) Nirva B. Lafontant, PhD, RN Silda Melo, BS, RN (New Graduate Director) Eilse Pierre-Louis, BSN, RN Janet E. Ross, MS, RN, PMHCNS Committee Chairs Awards and Living Legends Committee Maura Fitzgerald, RNC, MS Bylaws Committee Mary McKenzie, EdM, MS, RN Conference Planning Committee Cynthia LaSala, MS, RN Approver Unit Jeanne Q. Gibbs, MSN, RN (Chair Emeritus) Pamela Corey, MSN, EdD, RN, CHSE, Co-Chair Arlene Stoller MS, RN-BC, ACNS-BC, GCNS, CDP Health Policy Committee Arlene Swan-Mahony, DNP, MHA, BSN, RN Regina Mood BSN, RN, ACM-RN Christine Schrauf, PhD, RN, MB Membership Engagement Silda Melo, BS, RN Janet Ross, MS, RN, PMHCNS-BC MA <strong>Report</strong> on Nursing Committee Barbara Belanger, MSN, RN, CNOR, Inge B. Corless, PhD, RN, FNAP, FAAN, Co-editor Gail B. Gall, PhD, RN, Co-editor Nominations Committee Donna Glynn, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, Chair ~ ANA <strong>Massachusetts</strong> Staff ~ Executive Director Cammie Townsend, DNP, MS/MBA, RN Office Administrator Lisa Presutti Nurse Peer Review Leader Judy L. Sheehan, MSN, RN-BC For advertising rates and information, please contact Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc., PO Box 216, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613, (800) 626-4081, sales@aldpub.com. ANA <strong>Massachusetts</strong> 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 ANA <strong>Massachusetts</strong> of products advertised, the advertisers, or the claims made. Rejection of an advertisement does not imply a product offered for advertising is without merit, or that the manufacturer lacks integrity, or that this association disapproves of the product or its use. ANA <strong>Massachusetts</strong> and the Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc. shall not be held liable for any consequences resulting from purchase or use of an advertiser’s product. Articles appearing in this publication express the opinions of the authors; they do not necessarily reflect views of the staff, board, or membership of ANA <strong>Massachusetts</strong> or those of the national or local associations. <strong>Massachusetts</strong> <strong>Report</strong> on Nursing is published quarterly every March, June, September and December for ANA <strong>Massachusetts</strong>, P.O. Box 285, Milton, MA 02186, a constituent member of the American Nurses Association.
November 2020 <strong>Massachusetts</strong> <strong>Report</strong> on Nursing • 3 Commonwealth Conversations continued from page 1 really appreciate his time and efforts throughout the pandemic to keep citizens of the Commonwealth safe and healthy. Governor Supports Full Practice Authority Silda Melo, BS, RN, CCM ANAMASS New Graduate Director 2019-2021 ANAMASS Membership Engagement Committee Co-Chair Recently, I had the pleasure of participating in the American Nurses Association <strong>Massachusetts</strong>’ Commonwealth Conversations with Governor Charlie Baker. As one of the panelists during this talk I represented direct care nurses in our Commonwealth and was able to participate in discussions regarding pandemic response, healthcare access, and health inequities. I was truly humbled by Governor Baker’s authentic, candid responses to our questions. There is currently a healthcare reform bill with language to allow Nurse Practitioners (NP) full practice authority pending in a House-Senate Conference Committee. During the height of Covid-19 Governor Baker acknowledged the need for increased access to care and included the removal of practice restrictions in his temporary executive orders. However, this is still only temporary. I asked Governor Baker what his administration is doing to help move along the healthcare bill that would allow NPs full practice authority permanently. Not knowing how he would respond was nerve wracking! The moments before his response felt like an eternity. Watching the video, I can see the moment I finished asking the question, I swallowed hard and forced a smile in an attempt to hide the nerves – I don’t think I hid them very well. Thankfully, Governor Baker agreed that lifting restrictions on practice authority for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses has had positive impacts on access to high quality, cost effective care. He assured us that he and his administration are doing all they can do to support this bill and shared his optimism in having this bill passed. Governor Baker also reminded us that the temporary executive order currently in place will “stay in effect until we believe the Covid issue is no longer a threat to the Commonwealth.” He recommended that the nurses of the Commonwealth leverage our local legislators, patients, and fellow board members to advocate for the passage of this healthcare reform bill through the House-Senate Conference Committee. It was truly an honor to be chosen as a panelist for this event. I am grateful to ANAMASS for the opportunity to represent my fellow nurses in our continued efforts to advocate for our profession, our patients, and our communities. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Health Equity Laura Duff, RN, BSN, DNP Student, Clinical Nurse II, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, ANA MASS Health Policy Committee Member During September’s Commonwealth Conversations with Governor Baker, I had the privilege of asking two questions that I believe are of utmost importance in relation to the pandemic. His answers were honest and heartfelt. I know I am not the only one who appreciated his sincerity and the fact that he took time out of his incredibly busy schedule to speak with us. First I asked about PPE supply levels and what the administration is doing to ensure adequate and equitable distribution to all healthcare workers. We know that this topic is on the minds of many staff nurses as we enter the fall and winter and fear of a second surge weighs heavily on everyone. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that state government has distributed, mostly without federal assistance, 35,000,000 pieces of PPE. The majority of this equipment was directed towards those who would not otherwise have access. It was reassuring to learn that <strong>Massachusetts</strong> has invested in local companies that are now producing PPE. I appreciated Governor Baker’s acknowledgement that after this pandemic, he does not know if it is possible to ever feel like there is enough PPE and that he is committed to continuing purchasing and stockpiling PPE for the foreseeable future. I believe that my second question must be addressed in any responsible conversation about the pandemic. I asked Governor Baker what the Commonwealth is doing to address population health disparities, specifically calling out systemic racism and how it relates to COVID-19. It was interesting to hear about Governor Baker’s background in healthcare and his involvement in enacting universal healthcare in <strong>Massachusetts</strong>, an important step towards healthcare equity. It was reassuring to know that the administration has made significant efforts in addressing food insecurity by ensuring that all people in <strong>Massachusetts</strong> (even undocumented individuals) have had access to adequate food. He also addressed the issue of access to Covid-19 testing and pointed out that the Stop the Spread program focuses on underserved communities. This effort also extends to housing those who need to quarantine but who do not have the space to adequately do so. It is wonderful that the <strong>Massachusetts</strong> contacttracing program is available in 26 languages! Governor Baker also pointed out that <strong>Massachusetts</strong> was the first state to require, through executive order, documentation of gender, race, ethnicity, etc. with COVID testing to collect necessary data to continue to make meaningful change going forward. Long Term Care and Disparities Deniece V. Waruinge, RN, BSN, ANAMASS New Graduate Director 2018- 2020, ANA National Practice Advisory Council It was a pleasure to discuss healthcare and in particular, nursing concerns with Governor Charlie Baker. His candid responses to some of the difficult questions asked by ANAMASS members showed his commitment to supporting our role in the community. Topics included racial disparities in healthcare, the impact of infection control on public health during the pandemic, and advanced practice autonomy. I had the privilege of asking a question related to the status of long-term care. Gov. Baker responded not only from a political perspective but also from personal experience demonstrating an understanding of the need to invest in long term care services in relation to public health. He was also honest in acknowledging that there is so much more work to be done in <strong>Massachusetts</strong> and that COVID had done a tremendous job of exposing our gaps in long term care and healthcare in general. He went on to acknowledge how difficult caring for the elderly during this pandemic has been on nurses and those in healthcare and that we need to find a way not only to improve long term care but also support our healthcare providers. In discussing systemic health disparities experienced by minority populations, Gov. Baker highlighted his involvement in advocating for the legislature that enacted universal healthcare in <strong>Massachusetts</strong>. He also discussed the distribution of resources aimed at supporting access for all as initiated by the Affordable Care Act. His advocacy is significant in propelling forward universal access to health care in MA and beyond. Overall, I appreciated Gov. Baker’s honesty in engaging with us on these pertinent issues and how we can continue to maintain these conversations. Gov. Baker reminded us to recognize and give ourselves credit for what we have accomplished. I look forward to future Commonwealth Conversations and also collaborations with our local officials on successful policy improvements. Certificate Program • CAGS: Psychiatric Mental Health See page 12
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