Mississippi RN - March 2021

The Mississippi RN
THE MISSISSIPPI NURSES ASSOCIATION IS THE VOICE OF REGISTERED NURSES AND ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES
IN MISSISSIPPI AND HAS PROVIDED LEADERSHIP TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF ALL PEOPLE FOR THE PAST 100 YEARS
Vol. 83, No. 1 Quarterly publication distributed to approximately 61,300 RNs and LPNs in Mississippi.
Spring 2021
A Message from the President
Tonya Moore, PhD, RN
When the calendar
flipped to January 1,
2021, we all felt a sigh of
relief as 2020 was in the
rearview mirror. There was
a feeling of expectation,
also described as “hope,”
that the new year would
be different and better
than 2020. I urge all of our
readers to remain hopeful,
despite the continued
challenges that the new year
presents (with the January
surge in COVID-19 cases
and related deaths, the January 6th insurrection at the
Nation’s Capital, and Winter Storm 2021). It’s a lot, I
know. Please remember that MNA regularly provides
resources to help all Mississippi APRNs and RNs
identify effective coping strategies during these stressful
times. One example is the Coping with COVID 2.0
series FREE webinars offered bi-weekly. As a frequent
“virtual” attendee, I can attest that the expert presenters
are knowledgeable and engaging; they have helped me
during these unpredictable times. Information about
these webinars, including registration details, can be
found in your email. Now on to my message.
A Badge of Honor! A Personal Choice! A sticker that
reads, “I Got My COVID-19 Vaccine” is very similar to
another sticker that reads, “I’ve voted,” and has become
a public and virtual display of pride, trending on social
media. Companies Pfizer and Moderna have somewhat
become a household name with their production and
emergency use authorization approval of the mRNA
vaccines. The goal is to deploy their respective versions
of the mRNA vaccines to help increase immunity
to reduce a person’s ability to infect somebody else,
significantly reduce the risk of hospitalization, and
remarkably lessen the risk of COVID-19 death. While
news and social media outlets are showing long lines
and positive messaging about the promise these
vaccines offer with regard to immunity and safety,
not everyone is convinced - including nurses! When
MNA surveyed Mississippi nurses (members and nonmembers)
in December 2020, the results were split
down the middle, half of the respondents selected “yes”
to their willingness to take the vaccine. The primary
reasons for selecting “no” were, “concerns over the side
effects” and the vaccines were “too new.” With increased
transparency, education and efficacy about the vaccines,
I am hopeful that those who selected “no” are better
Tonya Moore, PhD, RN proudly showing her post
vaccine bandage.
informed and have changed minds; ultimately, and at
this moment, it is a personal choice. I am trusting that
you will choose in the affirmative - I did!
In February, I made the personal choice to get
the (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccine after I spent countless
hours listening to expert scientists via webinars,
reading articles from credible sources, and evaluating
my own health and body readiness. As an aside, I
am a COVID-19 survivor and experienced moderate
symptoms in December 2020. From my experience with
COVID-19, I knew I did not want my family, friends,
neighbors, co-workers or even strangers to get it. The
uncertainty of disease progression and the physical
assault on my body were dreadful. To provide more
insight into my COVID-19 experience, I’ve added a note
from my journal entry…
Day 5… “at 0650, I awakened with headache, body
aches, moderate chest tightness, and chills. My
temp, 98.1. Upon arising, I felt like staying in bed.
I am experiencing persistent weakness in my lower
extremities, body chills (without fever) and a headache
that’s immobilizing. I am not bedridden; however, I
feel tired enough to stay in bed all day, but Trigger
(my beagle) duty calls and I am grateful for it. When
I experience an episode of chills, I wonder what exactly
is going on inside of my body. What is this virus doing?
Is it gnawing away at some tough cell or membrane
or tissue? Weird, I know. Weird in every way. I am
healthy and athletic, yet I am experiencing this weird
phenomenon. God bless those who are less healthy and
who are positive for COVID-19.”
Pate Shackelford, MSN, RN administering
vaccine to V. Charlene Evers-Kreel, Retired LPN.
current resident or
Presort Standard
US Postage
PAID
Permit #14
Princeton, MN
55371
When many healthcare professionals rushed
to get the vaccine during the first rollout in
December, I was on the sidelines trying to
make sure my body was healed, all the while
anticipating the day when I would get the “shot”
in my arm. That day finally came, and I had the
best experience with my COVID-19 vaccination
team, who included Dr. Josie Bidwell, DNP,
RN, FNP-C, DipACLM. Three days later, my
mother and retired nurse, V. Charlene Evers-
Kreel, proudly received her first dose of the
COVID-19 vaccine. My mother and I represent
Josie Bidwell, DNP, RN, FNP-C, DipACLM
discussing vaccine with Tonya Moore, PhD, RN.
A Message from the President continued on page 4

Page 2 • Mississippi RN March, April, May 2021
President
Tonya Moore, PhD, RN
tonyamoore2010@gmail.com
Secretary
Beverly Oliver,
MBA, MSN, FNP-BC, CHFN
oliver59beverly@icloud.com
Council on Nursing Education
Tomekia Luckett, PhD, RN
tluckett@wmcarey.edu
Board of Directors
Directors
Vice-President
Carl Mangum, PhD, PMHNP,
NHDP-BC
cmangum@umc.edu
Treasurer
Gayle Harrell,
MSN, FNP, NP-C, CWCN
gayle.harrell13@gmail.com
Council on Nursing Research
Ashley Krebs, PhD, RN, CHSE
ashleykrebs55@gmail.com
Council on Health Affairs
Alena Lester, DNP,
APRN, FNP-C, ONP-C
aalester@muw.edu
Council on
Organizational Affairs
Sandra Arnold, MSN, RN
sandi.arnold@hattiesburgclinic.com
Council on Nursing Practice
Paige Nabors,
MSN, RN, FNP-C
pnabors4@gmail.com
Council on
Advanced Practice
Courtney Bennett,
DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC
hamp.court@yahoo.com
Executive Director
Teresa Malone
tmalone@msnurses.org
Executive Assistant
LaGina Walker
lwalker@msnurses.org
Advanced Practice Coordinator/
Publishing Coordinator
Dionne Inman
dinman@msnurses.org
MNA Staff
MNA District Presidents
Finance Administrator/
Membership Coordinator
Deborah Norman
dnorman@msnurses.org
Director of Events
& Marketing
Dana Walker
dwalker@msnurses.org
District 1:
Adams, Franklin, Jefferson, and
Wilkinson counties
Brenda Collins
bcollins@alcorn.edu
District 16:
Clarke, Kemper, and
Lauderdale counties
Linda Todd
ltodd@bellsouth.net
District 2:
Amite, Copiah, Lawrence, Lincoln,
Pike, and Walthall counties
Tammy Livingston
tlivingston@kdmc.org
District 5:
Hancock, Harrison, Pearl River, and
Stone counties
Deborah Mauffray
debmauffray@gmail.com
District 6:
Jackson, George, and Greene counties
Robbie Burnsed
rene1461@yahoo.com
District 18:
Choctaw, Clay, Lowndes, Noxubee,
Oktibbeha, Webster, and Winston
counties
Beth Turner
lbturner@muw.edu
District 21:
Humphries, Sunflower, and
Washington counties
Kaffie Burns-Denley
eiffak67@yahoo.com
District 23:
Bolivar, Coahoma, Quitman,
Tallahatchie, and Tunica counties.
www.msnurses.org
Published by:
Arthur L. Davis
Publishing Agency, Inc.
District 7:
Covington, Forrest, Lamar, Perry,
Jefferson Davis & Marion counties
Amy Carpenter
acarpenter@forrestgeneral.com
District 8:
Jasper, Jones, and Wayne counties
Emily Phillips
Emily.phillips@jcjc.edu
District 11:
Simpson and Smith counties
Teresa Windham
twindhamdon@yahoo.com
District 12:
Claiborne, Issaquena, Sharkey, and
Warren counties
Debbie Hoover
Debbie_0401@yahoo.com
District 13:
Hinds, Rankin, Madison and
Yazoo counties
Beverly Oliver
oliver59beverly@icloud.com
District 25:
Alcorn, Benton, Calhoun,
Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee,
Monroe, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tippah,
Tishomingo, and Union counties
Shada Breeze Chunn
shadabreeze@gmail.com
District 28:
DeSoto, Marshall, and Tate counties
Kadie Burr
kdburrrn@gmail.com
District 31:
Lafayette, Panola, and Yalobusha
counties
Morgan Walter
mdwalterl@gmail.com
District 32:
Attala, Carroll, Grenada, Holmes,
Leflore, and Montgomery counties
Dawn Peery
dawn.peery@yahoo.com
District 15:
Leake, Neshoba, Newton, and Scott
counties
Cassandra Gibbs
cassie39365@yahoo.com
Advertising
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. MNA 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
Mississippi 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. MNA 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 MNA or those of the
national or local associations.
Mississippi RN is published quarterly every March, June, September and December
and is the official publication of the Mississippi Nurses’ Association,
31 Woodgreen Place, Madison, MS 39110, a constituent member of the American
Nurses Association.

March, April, May 2021 Mississippi RN • Page 3
2021 APRN Spring Conference Presenters
Mimi Secor, DNP, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN
“Pandemic Self-Care”
Phyllis Johnson, MSN, RN, FNP-BC
“MS Board of Nursing Update”
Thomas Dobbs, MD, MPH, State Health Officer
“COVID-19 Update”
Colonel Steven Maxwell “Opioid Overdoses
During the COVID-19 Pandemic”
Stephanie Edgar, J.D., Kathy Stone, BSN,
MACM General Counsel RN, MACM VP of Risk
Management
“Telemedicine Liabilities and Risk Mitigation”
Courtney Bennett, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC
“Suicide Prevention Education”
http://careers.kindredathome.com

Page 4 • Mississippi RN March, April, May 2021
Executive Director’s Column
MNA Districts Dedicated to Communities During COVID
Teresa Malone
During this pandemic,
MNA’s District registered
nurses and advanced
practice registered nurses
have risen not only to the
challenge of taking care
of patients, but are also
actively working to help
their communities. Food
insecurity was an urgent
problem in Mississippi prior
to COVID. According to
the USDA, the defining
characteristic of very low
food security is that, at times during the year, food intake
of household members is reduced and their normal
eating patterns are disrupted because the household
lacks money and other resources for food. With many
in our communities experiencing loss of employment,
reduced hours, or a significant reduction in income,
this problem has grown worse. No matter where you
live, you’ve heard that food pantries are struggling to
meet the ever increasing number of food requests and
are in critical need of supplies, many running out or
desperately low. In many instances, individuals who
once served as volunteers at these resource centers
are now in need of food themselves. MNA’s Districts
are working throughout the state to host food drives,
assemble donated supplies, and prepare food packages.
Many are volunteering on a routine basis to help
distribute packages on-site, while others are organizing
and coordinating the delivery of food to individuals with
limited means of transportation. If you would like to
contribute to these efforts, food pantries are always in
need of canned meats, canned vegetables, and cereal.
Numerous MNA Districts are also providing support
to organizations that assist Mississippi’s homeless
population. This is in keeping with the resolution
adopted by the MNA House of Delegates to support
increasing nurses’ awareness of the homeless population
and health risks associated with homelessness. For our
homeless individuals, complying with social distancing,
washing hands frequently, and wearing masks is
problematic due to their limited access to running water,
hand sanitizer and clean face masks. MNA Districts
have donated needed essentials such as hand sanitizer,
disinfecting wipes, and disposable masks, along with
clothes, plastic eating utensils, shoes and other personal
hygiene items. Our nurses recognize the challenges that
the homeless face with COVID and have worked to
provide needed resources. Many of our members such
as Beverly Oliver, MBA, MSN, FNP-BC, CHFN, have
an immense passion for volunteering. This is evident as
she explains how volunteering has impacted her, “Being
involved has opened my eyes to how many of us could
end up in this situation very quickly in our life. The
homeless and underserved are not as lucky as those of
us living in nurturing and loving environments. I have
met some incredible people who have more love in their
hearts than a lot of people. They are so appreciative of
life and the little things that we overlook. Look at people
through a different set of ideas and it may bring you a
different perspective. It will fill your soul!”
Along with providing you opportunities to volunteer
for community projects, our MNA District Presidents
are hosting virtual meetings to provide you an
opportunity to interact with your colleagues and obtain
continuing education. If you have not attended a district
meeting, this is an easy, safe, and convenient way for
you to stay connected with your colleagues. If you have
any questions about the dates of your district meetings,
would like to assist in a community project, or have
suggestions for meeting topics, please feel free to contact
your District president or our office. To all our District
Presidents and members, thank you for your dedication to
MNA, your fellow nurses, and your communities!
2021 Virtual APRN Conference –
APRNs Transforming Healthcare
Stay safe while obtaining your CE! We want you to
stay safe and healthy while you enjoy our Conference
with sessions specifically designed to meet your needs
and the level of excellence you’ve come to expect at an
MNA event.
With the immense need for nurses to embrace selfcare,
we are honored to host Mimi Secor, DNP, FNP-
BC, FAANP, FAAN, national speaker, educator,
entrepreneur and health coach presenting “Pandemic
Self-Care.” We know you look forward to Phyllis
Johnson, Executive Director of the Mississippi Board
of Nursing (MBON) providing critical information
to keep you up-to-date and in compliance with the
MBON requirements. To provide you an opportunity
to interact and pose questions, this presentation will
be provided in a live, virtual setting on April 16th from
9:00 am to 10:30 am CT. COVID continues to impact
you on a professional and personal level. Based on
your requests, specific topics will be included in this
year’s Conference, including COVID’s impact on
Mississippi presented by Thomas Dobbs, MD, MPH,
State Health Officer, Mississippi State Department of
Health; insight into the increase in opioid overdoses
during this pandemic presented by Colonel Steven
Maxwell, Director, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics;
telehealth liabilities and risk management, a topic
that COVID brought to the forefront of discussions,
presented by Kathy Stone, BSN, RN, Vice-President
of Risk Management and Stephanie Edgar, JD with
MACM; suicide prevention education, including a
focus on children and teen adolescents presented by
Courtney Bennett, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC.; and
COVID-19 residual effects presented by Roderick
Green, MSN, RN, PMHNP-BC. The Conference
will also include sessions dedicated to diabetes,
cardiovascular disease, women’s health, infectious
disease in pediatrics, controlled substance update, and
many more!
We strive to offer you an enjoyable and rewarding
continuing education and professional development
experience and are confident you’ll agree you
benefitted from attending the 2021 APRN Conference.
Register early, relax and enjoy the Conference!
A Message from the President continued from page 1
two generations of African American women who
believe in the science and efficacy of the vaccines.
Equally important, we believe in the promise for a better
tomorrow in which we can share hugs and see warm
smiles again. Having these vaccines in our toolkit (along
with wearing a mask, social distancing and washing our
hands) provides a glimmer of hope that we are closer
to significantly reducing the spread and severity of
COVID-19. My “ask” to all of you reading this article
is to educate yourself, from credible sources, make
informed decisions, consult with your primary care
provider, encourage your family members and friends to
do the same, and make your decision. For nearly a year,
MNA has kept APRNs and RNs informed of learning
opportunities through various webinars from state and
national leaders, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention Clinician Outreach and Communication
Activity (CDC COCA) calls are great examples. I
applaud all APRNs and RNs who have demonstrated
responsibility and leadership by answering the call to get
vaccinated - THANK YOU!
The COVID-19 pandemic has publicly highlighted
our nursing profession and validated our significance
in the healthcare industry and beyond. I am thankful
and grateful for all APRNs and RNs who made the
conscious decision to enter the profession and remain
dedicated. Thank you for choosing nursing! I am writing
this article from the third floor of a hotel room located
in the Fondren District in Jackson, MS, our state’s
capital. I am here because of Winter Storm 2021, and
my desire to get to the hospital where I work. While
many Mississippians were sheltered at home due to
snow and icy conditions, nurses (and other healthcare
professionals) were displaced in hotels or at their work
facilities. Many were sleeping in vacant patient rooms or
office spaces that were turned into temporary lodging
quarters. We sacrificed time with our spouses, kids, pets
and significant others to answer our call to duty. It was a
tough week for a lot of us, but necessary. To APRNs and
RNs across Mississippi, THANK YOU!
Another heartwarming example of nurses serving
our community was reported by a local news station on
February 17, 2021. Two Mississippi nurses, Matt Harris
and Tony Sistrunk, helped drivers who were stranded
on the Lakeland Drive exit ramp off of I-55 S due to icy
conditions during the 2021 Winter Storm. According to
the article, the two nurses worked together and pulled
approximately 100 cars to the top of the hill. While they
were doing this heroic act of service on the streets of
Lakeland Drive, a third nurse, John Jones, stayed over
his shift at the hospital to continue caring for patients
until Matt arrived so he could rescue the drivers. Their
story can be found here. I was moved when I read this
story, but I was not surprised because it is what we do -
serve others! Thank you, Matt, Tony and John, for your
teamwork and service.
When I think about the phrase “nurses are heroes,” I get
chills. We really are. But the humble fact is we don’t consider
ourselves heroes; we are APRNs and RNs answering the call
to duty. And, these days that call is gigantic!
I am proud to end with a note about progress.
In February 2021, HB 1303 was approved by the
Mississippi House of Representatives. HB 1303 is
significant because it removes the requirement for
APRNs to have a collaborative agreement after they
complete 3,600 transition to practice hours. This is a
landmark accomplishment, and it shows APRNs vital
importance to the patients of Mississippi. While this is
a major step forward, there is more work to do in order
to change legislation. MNA is committed to doing the
work. A big and special thanks to Representative Donnie
Scoggin, FNP, author of HB 1303.
As always, I’d be remiss if I did not pause and
show appreciation to the dedicated and hardworking
team we have at MNA. Under Executive Director,
Teresa Malone’s leadership, this creative team works
tirelessly and flawlessly to ensure Mississippi’s APRNs
and RNs have resources and tools needed to care for
Mississippians. Thank you, Teresa and MNA staff for
all you do!
If there is ever a time that I am proud to be a nurse,
that I am proud to serve as President of MNA, this indeed
is the time!
Article referenced: UMMC nurse helps rescue drivers
stranded near Lakeland Drive” from WJTV News.
https://www.wjtv.com/news/ummc-nurse-helps-rescuedrivers-stranded-near-lakeland-drive/

March, April, May 2021 Mississippi RN • Page 5
Looking to the Future, Recognizing the Past:
The Advancement of Mississippi APRNs
Gayle Harrell, MSN, FNP, NP-C, CWCN
Along with my fellow APRNs, I recently witnessed
the milestone achievement of the Mississippi House of
Representatives’ passage of HB 1303. This bill, authored
by Representative Donnie Scoggin, FNP, would greatly
facilitate an APRN’s ability to provide healthcare in
Mississippi. As of the date this MS RN went to print,
HB 1303 was still awaiting action by the Mississippi
Senate subcommittee. Regardless of the final outcome
of this legislation, we are pleased with the progress this
year and certainly owe an immense debt of gratitude
to Representative Scoggin, and the many APRNs and
RNs who devoted untold hours to educate legislators,
patients, and communities on the need for healthcare
services provided by APRNs. This progress and our successes thus far are the
direct result of years of passionate, yet professional efforts by the hundreds of
dedicated and honorable nurses advocating for our patients and representing our
profession in a positive manner.
MNA’s successful history of representing nurses began in 1911 with the
purpose of elevating our profession by advocating for legislative policy to advance
the nursing profession and the implementation of educational standards. In
fact, MNA’s Bylaws delineate the purposes of MNA, which shall be to work for
improvement of health standards, and the availability of health care services for all
people; foster high standards of nursing; stimulate and promote the professional
development of nurses; and promote and protect the professional environment of
nurses.
I will always remember when as a junior nursing student, I attended my first
Nursing Summit in 1994. I distinctly remember our presenter, Dr. Judy Levitt, who
inspired me to support my chosen profession by joining the Mississippi Association
of Student Nurses and, upon becoming a nurse, to become a proud member of
MNA. I also remember the theme of that Summit was Advanced Practice Nurses,
although at that time, I had no idea that I would ultimately become an APRN.
As I look back and think about that experience, I am reminded how MNA’s
staunch support through the years has always been leading the way for us. While
I recognize that Summit years ago may not have been MNA’s first activity focused
on APRNs, it certainly heralded the beginning of many such events to come.
MNA’s efforts have been instrumental in obtaining legislative authorization
for Nurse Practitioners (NPs) to receive direct reimbursement. In 1990,
MNA was successful in having a bill introduced allowing NPs to receive
Medicaid reimbursement. In 1994, NPs were authorized the right to sign
third-party reimbursement claim forms, eliminating the need for a physician’s
countersignature. MNA was always on the alert and vigilant, working to secure
legislation to strengthen language to ensure proper payment.
MNA also formed an Advanced Practice Task Force to collect and analyze
information that would provide relevant data on NP patient healthcare outcomes.
Research and education have always been vital to NP legislative growth of
practice. In 2000, two bills were proposed to provide NPs the authority to write
for controlled substances. It would take two more attempts, but ultimately in 2004,
this became a reality. All these changes were difficult, due to the obstacle of joint
promulgation between the Mississippi Board of Nursing and the Mississippi Board
of Medical Licensure. Removal of joint promulgation and the term “supervision”
replaced with “collaboration” would not happen until 2009.
Unfortunately, current statutes still require a “collaboration” between a
physician and the APRN. This collaboration is in reality a “contract.” For some
APRN’s across the state, physicians require a fee to “collaborate” and complete
the required quality assurance for the APRN. In fact, an APRN cannot practice
unless there is a “collaboration contract.” There are 28 states that have removed
this restriction. Twenty-two states require a set number of hours of collaboration
be completed before the contract is not required. On January 11, 2021, Medscape
presented an article by Christina Bennett that shares data on states that do not
require “contracts” to practice. While there are individuals who declare that the
restriction of a “collaboration contract” is safer and has better outcomes, this
and other research data indicate that where there is no required “collaboration
contract,” the quality of outcomes is better. APRNs collaborate with physicians,
other APRNs and other healthcare providers on a routine basis, depending on
the needs of their patients. APRNs will continue to collaborate even when the
“collaboration contract” is no longer a requirement.
MNA has been consistent in representing all nurses. We have always taken
pride in providing reliable information to legislators, patients, and the community,
in a respectful and honest manner while providing quality continuing education
opportunities to nurses. While it may be frustrating when what we need and
seems reasonable takes longer than we like to achieve, MNA has always and will
always strive to represent nursing in an honorable, respectful and trustworthy
manner. I encourage you to be a member of this outstanding organization. Support
MNA and the MNA Political Action Committee to help us continue to make our
profession #1.
MNA has supported and advocated for all nurses throughout Mississippi. MNA
has been, is, and will remain THE PROUD VOICE of all Registered Nurses and
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses across all nursing roles!
References:
Bennett, Christina. “Independent NPs: What’s the Evidence?” 11 Jan. 2021. medscape.com/
viewarticle/943940.
Srinivasan, Seetha. “A Way to Serve: The Mississippi Nurses’ Association, 1911-2011.”
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Page 6 • Mississippi RN March, April, May 2021
Nurses Were Never Taught to Stay 6 Feet Away…
Patricia Calabrese,
PMHNP-BC
Pine Grove Behavioral
Health & Addiction
Services
In March of 2020 the
world got hit with the
COVID-19 pandemic. In
Mississippi we were struck
by the images from New
York of overrun emergency
departments, hallways full
of patients, administrators
running out of ventilators
and the unthinkable, full morgues. This all came from
a virus that we could not cure and found difficult to
treat. COVID-19 was contagious and deadly.
Nurses on the front lines knew it would come
here. This is what we do, we treat symptoms, we
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treat illness, and we assist those who are near death.
It is what we have always done. But it is the secret
of nursing that we assist the patient with the dying
process. Family members can describe and appreciate
the skill of the nurse during this time. But this
pandemic was something none of us had experienced
before. Nurses were walking into a fire. But this fire
was invisible, only revealing itself to us little by little.
The team’s ability to fight was limited. But not only
did nurses in the ED, in the ICU, and in clinics keep
working, nurses volunteered to work in these areas. In
fact, older, experienced, some retired nurses came with
their skills to help, before we knew that they were most
susceptible.
We call them Fallen Heroes, the nurses who died
from COVID-19. This pandemic has taken the lives
of thousands of Americans and many of them have
been nurses. These nurses had long careers of care and
comfort to their communities. Other nurses took the
lead and treated even thousands more who survived.
Maybe some believed they were invincible. They were
never taught to stay 6 feet away.
We have all seen their story on the news. They
include the nurses who stayed with dying COVID
patients, holding the phone to their ear, singing to
them, praying with them, beyond their shift. The fact
is, nurses were never taught to stay 6 feet away in
nursing school. Not physically, and not emotionally 6
feet away.
But these are not the only Heroes. There are also
the survivors, their colleagues. The nurses left behind
who had been by their side, working as hard. The grief
of losing a peer, a friend, a fellow nurse during this
pandemic has been heart wrenching. Nurses rarely
share their grief at work, there is rarely time, or there
is the feeling that if the tears start, they may not stop.
So crying or anger is saved for the ride home or the
next shower or moments before bed.
The family of the nurse who has died of COVID
often struggles with why their parent went back into
the workplace, whether they were careful enough or
made safe choices. This pandemic has not been kind
or fair, and sometimes has taken what seems like
the really good among us. But every nurse is a Hero.
Nurses always have on their badge, are always ready to
work even when personal risk is involved. No matter
where they work, they still counsel, comfort, and they
always honor the Fallen Heroes.
Nurses Were Never Taught to Stay 6 feet Away…not
physically, and not emotionally.
About Patricia Calabrese, PMHNP-BC
Patricia Calabrese is a graduate of the Adelphi
University School of Nursing in Garden City, New
York. Ms. Calabrese earned her Master of Science
in Nursing from The University of Maryland and
completed her post graduate studies at The University
of Southern Mississippi. She is a licensed Mental
Health Nurse Practitioner in Mississippi. She is also
accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing
Center as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry since 1986 and as a Psychiatric
Nurse Practitioner since 2004. She is a member of
Sigma Theta Tau. Prior to coming to Pine Grove,
Ms. Calabrese coordinated both neonatal ICU
and Child Psychiatric Units, in addition to work in
Psychiatric consultation. Ms. Calabrese joined the
Pine Grove Staff in 1992 as Director of Adult and
Child & Adolescent Services, coordinating patient
treatment delivery, staff management, new program
development, marketing, and physician relations.
She coordinated Pine Grove’s staff education from
1997-2003. Ms. Calabrese currently treats child and
adolescent patients at Pine Grove Outpatient Services
doing assessments, medication management and
therapy. She is often published in the areas of ADHD,
bullying and parenting education.
About Pine Grove Behavioral Health & Addiction
Services
Located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Pine Grove
Behavioral Health & Addiction Services is one of the
nation’s most comprehensive treatment campuses.
Pine Grove’s world renowned programs treat gender
specific substance abuse including specialized
tracks for co-occurring eating disorders and
trauma. Additionally, Pine Grove offers an Intensive
Outpatient substance abuse healing program for
adults and a separate treatment program specifically
for those who are age 55 plus. Other Pine Grove
specialty programs include a dedicated professional’s
treatment curriculum and a comprehensive evaluation
center. Pine Grove also features a program for
patients with sexual addiction. Inpatient Services
including an Adult Psychiatric Unit, along with
a Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Unit, and
Outpatient Services are other components. Pine
Grove is a division of Forrest Health, a partnership
of healthcare organizations across South Mississippi,
and the behavioral healthcare extension of Forrest
General Hospital, a 547 bed, level II Regional Trauma
Center. Established in 1984, Pine Grove has provided
nationally and internationally recognized health care
for 37 years.
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March, April, May 2021 Mississippi RN • Page 7
Report from Council on Advanced Practice
Tackling Nurse Fatigue
Courtney Bennett, DNP,
PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC
With the need to
administer millions of
COVID-19 vaccines,
continuous rise in the
number of coronavirus
cases, high demand for
nurses to meet critically
ill patients’ needs, nurses
must be mindful of any
existing fatigue. Fatigue
is not the same as “just
feeling tired” or “sleepy.” It is a feeling of weakness
and exhaustion that worsens with mental and physical
activity. Fatigue makes it hard to concentrate and
complete tasks. According to Joint Commission,
fatigue can compromise problem-solving, diminish
reaction time, and result in lapses in attention and
memory, making it hard to complete even the simplest
of daily tasks such as cooking, exercising, reading, etc.
Most importantly, fatigue can affect patient care and
jeopardize patient safety.
When nurses are physically and mentally
exhausted, decreased work performance, empathy,
patient-focus, motivation, and mood alterations can
occur. Nurses play a critical role in delivering and
ensuring safe patient care. When cognitive impairment
occurs from fatigue, it compromises patient safety
and can lead to serious, even life-threatening errors.
Therefore, nurses must be mindful of fatigue and take
the necessary steps to alleviate it. Some steps nurses
can take include the following:
1. Get adequate sleep - at least seven to nine hours
each night.
2. Delegate when possible. Not only at work during
patient care, but at home as well. Is there a spouse,
relative, or friend that can help you with tasks at
home?
3. Take frequent, short breaks for rest and nutritious
food. We are often busy caring for others and
forget to take care of ourselves.
4. Consider limiting work hour shifts to 12 hours.
For most nurses, 12-hour shifts or longer are
typical, but extending those hours or taking on
extra shifts can lead to fatigue and burnout.
5. Utilize a team-based approach. Working as a
team and supporting your co-workers can help
significantly reduce fatigue.
6. Take note of your stressors. Write down at least
once a week the things that cause you to stress and
become fatigued, with one way to reduce each.
7. Engage in healthy activities. Listening to music,
meditation, spending time with friends, and
walking for 30 minutes each day can help reduce
stress and fatigue.
8. Leave work at work. When you clock out,
mentally clock out as well. Taking home workrelated
stressors may hinder you from recharging
for the next day.
9. Maintain one’s medical health. Fatigue may also
indicate an underlying medical condition such as
diabetes, heart disease, or a thyroid disorder.
10. Seek employee assistance stress relief or nurse
burnout programs if available.
In addition, nurses can easily obtain information
on coping with fatigue, stress and improving selfcare
by accessing the Coping with COVID webinars
on the Mississippi Nurses’ Association website under
Coronavirus Updates at www.msnurses.org/resources/
news. Information on upcoming webinars will be
disseminated via email to all Mississippi nurses.
Although nurses are incredibly resilient, fatigue
can occur and can negatively impact your health
and patient safety. It is, therefore, critical that nurses
remain mindful of the signs of fatigue, and take steps
to reduce it.
References:
Alidoost, S., Aryankhesal, A., Behzadifar, M., Farhadi,
Z., Hamidi, Y. & Sohrabi, R. (2019). Interventions
on reducing burnout in physicians and nurses: A
systematic review. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.
nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6825380/.
Barbara, H. & Wightman, L. (2018). Fatigue and critical
care nurse. Retrieved from https://journals.lww.
com/nursingcriticalcare/fulltext/2018/01000/fatigue_
and_critical_care_nurses__considerations.2.aspx.
Brown, S., Purviance, D. & Southard, E. (2020). Nurse
fatigue: Short on sleep, short on safety. Retrieved
from https://www.myamericannurse.com/nursefatigue-short-on-sleep-short-on-safety/.
Ford, J., Knupp, A., Patterson, E., Thelma, P. & Zurmehly,
J. (2018). Associations among nurse fatigue,
individual nurse factors, and aspects of the nursing
practice environment. Retrieved from https://
journals.lww.com/jonajournal/Abstract/2018/12000/
Associations_Among_Nurse_Fatigue,_Individual_
Nurse.13.aspx.
The Joint Commission (2011). Sentinel event alert. Retrieved
from https://www.jointcommission.org/-/media/
deprecated-unorganized/imported-assets/tjc/
system-folders/topics-library/sea_48pdf.pdf?db=we
b&hash=4346390A27460749B559FDFBC8161044.
Carl Mangum, PhD, PMHNP
Reprinted from Mississippi RN March 2019
Webster defines suicide
as “the act or an instance
of taking one's own life
voluntarily and intentionally”
( https://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/
suicide). Suicide is a very
scary word, especially for
nurses. As nurses, we face
many difficult situations
and issues, with suicide of
our patients being one of the
most difficult ones. Nursing
is a caring profession and
it is difficult to separate
ourselves from the plight of our patients and their
families. Numerous nurses struggle with many issues in
the workplace today. Short staffing, increased acuity,
increased documentation, and budgetary issues are just
some of the challenges nurses face daily. “In today’s
complex health care environment, nurses have more
responsibility and accountability” (Davidson et al., 2018,
p.5). Nurses also face the challenges of being mothers,
fathers, students, financial providers, and more to their
families, friends, and communities. Nurses increasingly
are having trouble coping with these stressors and are
choosing suicide. Unfortunately, research is showing
this. “Nurses are at a higher risk than the age and gender
matched controls to complete suicide” (Davidson et al.,
2019, p.20).
“Nurses may too often hold themselves to a higher
standard, and they might feel shameful or disinclined to
confront their own issues with mental health because they
are trained to help others, not themselves” (Davidson
et al., 2018, p.5). Nurses are the caregivers and many
of them believe they should be able to handle all of the
pressure and difficulties that come their way. Nursing is
the most trusted profession and nurses do not have higher
than average societal issues. “Nurses were significantly
less likely to have a recent criminal problem or alcohol
problem than the general population” (Davidson et al.,
2019, p.18).
When it comes to suicide completion, the research
shows that nurses are different from other professions.
Suicide
“Nurses completed suicide more commonly by poisoning
using pharmaceuticals and other substances, followed
closely by firearms, where all others completed suicide
most commonly by firearms” (Davidson et al., 2019,
p.18). When you consider that nurses have easy access to,
and an in-depth understanding of many medications, the
use of pharmaceuticals can be better understood. “The
substances identified as cause of death in nurse suicide
contain a combination of medications used only in the
hospital setting (e.g.: succinylcholine, phenobarbital)
as well as those commonly found in the home (e.g.:
oxycodone, ibuprofen)” (Davidson et al., 2019, p.18). The
opioid crisis appears to also be a factor in the nurse suicide
increase.
“Nurses were statistically significantly more likely
to have reported mental health problems, history of a
treatment of mental illness, history of previous suicide
attempt, leaving a suicide note and physical health
problems than the general population” (Davidson et
al., 2019, p.17-18). How do we address this? Nurses must
check on each other. If caring is a true cornerstone of the
profession, let it start with each of us! We must eliminate
the stigma of mental illness and create an environment
within the nursing profession where people feel free and
empowered to seek treatment and ask for help. Mental
illness is not a weakness, one cannot just suck it up and
feel better. Nurses put others before themselves most of the
time. We need to educate nurses that there are times when
“self” must come first, so others can be helped later. Nurse
suicide is not a new problem. “Nurse suicide has been a
hidden phenomenon in the profession and has not been
adequately measured or studied within the United States”
(Davidson et al., 2018, p.8). More research is definitely
needed in this area. The question each of us must ask is …
how will I make a difference?
References
Davidson, J., Mendis, J., Stuck, A., DeMichele, G., & Zisook,
S., (2018). Nurse suicide: Breaking the silence. NAM
Persceptives. Discussion Paper, National Academy of
Medicine. https://nam.edu/nurse-suicide-breaking-thesilence.
Davidson, J., Proudfoot, J., Lee, K., & Zisook, S., (2019). Nurse
suicide in the United States: Analysis of the Center
for Disease Control 2014 National Violent Death
Reporting System dataset. Archives of Psychiatric
Nursing, 33 (2019), 16-21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
apnu.2019.04.006.
from the Mississippi Center for
Quality and Workforce
Misissippi’s Healthcare Heroes...
They work in Mississippi
Healing us is their prime skill
He and She are heroes
Caring for our ill
Thank you, Healthcare Hero
For your day in, day out fight
Caring for our loved ones,
With your heart, your soul, your might
We may never get to meet you
Or thank you to your face
Please know you’re loved and prayed for
By the whole Magnolia state
Excerpt from:
Mississippi’s Healthcare Heroes by Robin Powell
of the Mississippi Hospital Association

Page 8 • Mississippi RN March, April, May 2021
Answering the Big Questions on COVID-19 Vaccines
Juanita Graham, DNP-
RN, FRSPH
Although nurses
strongly agree on the need
to eliminate the COVID-19
virus and related suffering
and death, there are much
more diverse perspectives
on whether the currently
available vaccines should
be part of the elimination
plan. As a general rule, provaxxers
and anti-vaxxers
exist at opposite ends
of the preventive health spectrum, and vaccination
mandates remain a hotly debated topic. However,
the accelerated speed at which COVID vaccines were
created provokes skepticism among even some of the
staunchest vaccine advocates. Currently, COVID-19
vaccination is ultimately a personal choice. This
article seeks to objectively answer common questions
on COVID-19 vaccines.
What COVID-19 vaccination principles should
nurses consider? The American Nurses Association
cites five nursing principles regarding COVID-19
vaccination, including Access, Efficacy, Equity, Safety,
and Transparency (ANA, 2021). Access recognizes
the challenges of global vaccination efforts. Efficacy
measures the extent to which the vaccine performs
in developing immunity. Equity calls for balance in
protecting essential workers and most vulnerable
people groups around the world. Transparency of
vaccine production and vaccination efforts is required
to maintain trust among the public. Well-defined
safety protocols are necessary to protect the provider
and the vaccine recipients from injury or harm.
What processes and protocols were followed to
obtain vaccines so quickly? The US Food and Drug
Administration follows stringent, three-phased
protocols for vaccine development, even under such
rapid-roll-out mechanisms (CDC, 2020a). Phases
begin small with as few as 20 participants and
gradually move up to thousands of participants.
Careful monitoring of every trial participant assures
a rapid halt in the process if a serious negative event
occurs, and construction of a complete and accurate
list of vaccine side effects. Upon completing Phase
III trials, the pharmaceutical company can apply
for an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). An EUA
allows the immediate use of a product or device in
response to a public emergency or disaster, such as the
COVID-19 pandemic (FDA, 2020).
What vaccines are available? As of mid-January
2021, there are two FDA-approved EUA vaccines
– one from Moderna (M), and another by Pfizer-
BioNTech (PB). Both are mRNA type vaccines,
meaning that they use messenger RNA to develop an
immune response (CDC, 2020b). Both require two
doses given nearly a month apart (PB 21 days vs. M
28 days), and administered by intramuscular injection
(IAC, 2020). Both require refrigerated storage, but
the PB vaccine requires ultracold storage (IAC,
2020). The M and PB report similar adverse reactions
(injection site pain, swelling, redness; systemic
fatigue, headache, muscle pain, joint ache, & chills)
and precautions (previous severe allergic reaction to
vaccines or their components; IAC, 2020).
Who is eligible to be vaccinated and when? The
National Academies of Science, Engineering, and
Medicine (NASEM) published an interim guidance
and framework for allocating vaccine based on need
(NASEM, 2020). The NASEM framework divides
the mass-population vaccination into four major
phases, with two phase 1 subsets. Phasing protocols
are controlled at the state level – usually the Governor
and/or state and local public health officials.
Phase 1a focuses on essential workers and
healthcare providers. Phase 1b focuses on high-risk
individuals, particularly the very elderly, greater than
75 years in age. Phase 1b also includes certain very
high-risk groups such as those with significant chronic
health conditions, including immunocompromised,
diabetic, and hypertensive individuals (NASEM,
2020). Phase 2 incorporates more essential workers
and people living in or with higher risk conditions
(NASEM, 2020). The Phase 2 essential workers include
teachers and grocery store staff, and groups such as
prisoners, homeless, or those with other less critical
health conditions. Phase 3 reaches farther across the
masses picking up young adults, children, and more
essential workers not included in Phases 1 and 2
(NASEM, 2020). Finally, Phase 4 opens the full reach
of the vaccination effort to incorporate any other
individuals living in the U.S., not already captured
during earlier phases (NASEM, 2020). Individuals
desiring earlier vaccine access may choose to join a
vaccine clinical trial. Visit the National Institutes of
Health website to learn more about volunteering for
clinical trials (NIH, 2020).
Can I stop taking safety precautions after getting a
COVID-19 vaccine, or if I’ve already had COVID-19
infection? The current consensus is no. The vaccines
are very new and there hasn’t been enough research
and time passed to know how long vaccine-produced
immunity will last. Thus, it becomes necessary to
continue safety precautions until more is known about
vaccine efficacy and longevity (Sparks & MCS, 2021).
Similarly, if you’ve already had COVID-19, you might
still consider the vaccine, because there is insufficient
research to know the efficacy or longevity of natural
infection-acquired immunity acquired (Sparks &
MCS, 2021).
Will travel ever be the same? Mass transit has been
significantly impacted by COVID-19 due to reduced
ability to social distance and maintain fresh air flow.
Many modes of travel already require proof of disease
recovery or COVID-19 testing (CDC, 2021). As the
mass vaccination movement pushes forward, some
travel industries are already setting requirements
mandating proof of vaccination before traveling
with them (Coulter, 2021; Sweet, 2020). These vaccine
passports or immunity certificates may soon be
required for certain entertainment venues such as Live
Nation concerts and Ticketmaster (Brooks, 2020). The
best travel policy will certainly be know before you go.
References
American Nurses Association [ANA]. (2021). Guiding
principles for nurses and the COVID-19 vaccines.
Available online at https://bit.ly/2KDyB8n
Brooks, D. (2020). How Ticketmaster plans to check your
vaccine status for concerts: Exclusive. Available
online at https://bit.ly/2KFi7Nb
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]. (2020a).
Ensuring the safety of vaccines in the United States.
Available online at https://bit.ly/3abd8N5
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]. (2020b).
Understanding mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.
Available online at https://bit.ly/3qQ0kSZ
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]. (2021).
Order section 361. Available online at https://bit.
ly/365VoRJ
Coulter, A. (2021). Saga Cruises becomes first line to insists
passengers have COVID vaccination ahead of
cruise. Available online at https://www.cruisecritic.
com/news/5830/
Immunization Action Coalition [IAC]. (2020). COVID-19
mRNA vaccines: What clinic personnel need to
know. Available online at https://www.immunize.
org/catg.d/p3210.pdf .
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
[NASEM]. (2020). Framework for equitable
allocation of COVID-19 vaccine. Washington,
DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.
org/10.17226/25917.
National Institutes of Health [NIH]/ (2020). Volunteer for
COVID-19 clinical trials. Available online at https://
www.niaid.nih.gov/clinical-trials/covid-19-clinicaltrials
.
Sparks, D. & Mayo Clinic Staff [MCS]. (2021). You need the
facts about COVID-19 vaccines. Available online at
https://mayocl.in/3qDu1X4
Sweet, J. (2020). Will airlines require vaccine passports in
2021? Available online at https://bit.ly/39QIKHu
U.S. Food and Drug Administration [FDA]. (2020).
Emergency use authorization for vaccines
explained. Available online at https://bit.ly/396FLvq

March, April, May 2021 Mississippi RN • Page 9
Tomekia Luckett,
PhD, RN
Intimate Partner Violence & the
Covid-19 Pandemic
Intimate partner
violence (IPV) is becoming
increasingly problematic
within the United States
and abroad. Intimate
partner violence refers to
physical violence, sexual
violence, stalking or
psychological harm by a
present or former spouse or
partner. Intimate partner
violence can occur in
heterosexuals or same-sex couples, and sex may or
may not be involved in the dynamic. Individuals who
experience IPV often fear speaking out about their
circumstances due to fear and shame. The national
domestic violence slogan is “silence hides violence.”
There are also cultural and societal norms relating
to “keeping silent and protecting the happenings of
our house.” These cultural norms provide further
barriers to individuals who are experiencing IPV from
speaking out. Individuals who are in these situations
could benefit greatly from a healthy outlet to share
their feelings and experiences. Unfortunately, the
stigmas associated with IPV prevent many from
speaking out and therefore the cycle of violence
continues.
Sadly enough, rates of (IPV) displayed an
increasing trend amid the global Coronavirus-19
(COVID-19) pandemic. To reduce the risk of
COVID-19 spread and to flatten the curve, orders for
shelter-in-place were initiated worldwide (Fromison
et al, 2020). The orders were named “safer at home”
or “shelter in place.” These orders were necessary to
enhance public safety and provide possible means
to reduce transmission of COVID-19. However, the
reality for some patients is that the home is the least
safe place for their immediate health (Fromison, et
al., 2020). As individuals were mandated to shelter-inplace,
this added to the amount of time for families
and couples to be in close quarters together. This
proximity further perpetuated the cycle of violence
and led to increased incidences of IPV. Further,
financial stressors and job loss secondary to the
COVID-19 pandemic further increased the risk for
IPV and made escape less feasible for victims (Jarneke
& Flanagan, 2020).
How can healthcare workers assist IPV survivors
during the pandemic and beyond? One of the primary
means to assist survivors of IPV is by providing
resources. The provision of resources includes
resources for shelter, finances, and planning for a safe
escape. Nurse leaders and policy makers are further
encouraged to initiate conversations centered around
the management of the global pandemic and often
overlooked persons to include those who are at risk
for IPV. The need to provide creative and effective
means to provide IPV survivors with resources across
various platforms is essential to further assist during
these challenging times (Jarneke & Flanagan, 2020). In
the long-term, the COVID-19 pandemic may serve as
a model for future planning and preparedness in the
face of crisis. This planning and preparedness should
include safety measures and resources for persons at
risk for IPV and IPV survivors.
The Mississippi Nurses’ Association is committed
to providing continuing education offerings to
increase knowledge and awareness of IPV. MNA
instituted efforts prior to COVID-19 including
adoption of a resolution to facilitate awareness of
IPV within Mississippi. MNA is committed to these
sustained efforts as IPV is a public health concern
impacting us all in one way or another. As nurses, this
is our commitment and we are dedicated to fulfilling
this need.
References
Froimson, J. R., Bryan, D. S., Bryan, A. F., & Zakrison, T.
L. (2020). COVID-19, Home Confinement, and the
Fallacy of “Safest at Home.” American Journal of
Public Health, 110(7), 960–961. https://doi-org.ezp.
waldenulibrary.org/10.2105/AJPH.2020.305725
Jarnecke, A. M., & Flanagan, J. C. (2020). Staying Safe
During COVID-19: How a Pandemic Can Escalate
Risk for Intimate Partner Violence and What Can
Be Done to Provide Individuals With Resources and
Support. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research,
Practice & Policy, 12, S202–S204. https://doi-org.
ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1037/tra0000688
Thank You!
The Board of Directors and staff of the Mississippi
Nurses’ Association offer our sincere appreciation
to you, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
and Registered Nurses, who faced the challenges
of Winter Storm 2021 head-on! No matter what
it took, you continued to care for Mississippi’s
patients, your colleagues and your communities!
MNA President, Dr. Tonya Moore has a special
video message for you.
Click Here for
MNA President,
Dr. Tonya Moore Video
We hope you can
find time to rest, and
encourage you to take
care of yourselves!
Thank you for your
dedication!
Dr. Tonya Moore’s video can be accessed at
http://www.msnurses.org for those who are
viewing the print copy.
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Page 10 • Mississippi RN March, April, May 2021
Honoring Our Fallen Nurse Heroes
Rather, ten times, die in the surf, heralding the way to a new world, than stand idly on the shore." —Florence Nightingale
Susan Boyette,
Enterprise, MS
Sarah Clark,
Meridian, MS
Julie Field,
Biloxi, MS
William "Bill" Gassett,
Brandon, MS
Melvin Green,
Yazoo, MS
Tammy Grice,
Gulfport, MS
Robin Holland,
Gulfport, MS
Walter “Scott” Howard,
Quitman, MS
Essie Hudson,
Hattiesburg, MS
Karen Jackson,
Columbia, MS
Debbie Kain,
Raymond, MS
Patricia Ann Kirksey,
Greenville, MS
Cheryl Anne
Longfellow,
Ocean Springs, MS
Frances “Elaine”
McRae,
Pascagoula, MS
Sheena R. Miles,
Morton, MS
Becky Darlene
Myhand,
Smithville, MS
Kimberly Napper,
Madison, MS
Sheri Nunnery,
Magnolia, MS
Sandra Powell,
Natchez, MS
Bill Ricketts,
Corinth, MS
Neff Rios,
Dublin, MS
Arletta Smith,
Brookhaven, MS
Shelley Smith,
Grenada, MS
Melinda Spears,
Shivers, MS
Lori Spikes,
Clinton, MS
Mary Sprayberry,
Nettleton, MS
Dianne Starling-
Jackson,
Madison, MS
Debbie Stokes,
Colia, MS
Ann Williamson,
Cleveland, MS
Diane Wolfe,
Brandon, MS
Kari Young,
Olive Branch, MS

March, April, May 2021 Mississippi RN • Page 11
COVID-19 Vaccination in
Mississippi
Thomas E. Dobbs, III, MD, MPH
State Health Officer
Mississippi State Department of Health
The development of multiple COVID vaccines
in less than a year is nothing short of remarkable.
The fact that these vaccines were approved with the
standard scientific rigor is even more remarkable. The
technological leap that supported the development of
mRNA vaccines was years in the making. This was not
a rushed process, but the culmination of over a decade
of research that left us in a prime position to launch
these novel and highly effective vaccines.
Currently two COVID-19 vaccines are available in
the U.S. Both use messenger RNA technology (mRNA),
composed of strands of mRNA enveloped in microscopic balls of lipids. mRNA
vaccines take advantage of the body’s natural processes, using your own cell near
the injection sight to produce the spike protein (and only the spike protein). Entire
COVID-19 cannot be produced, and you cannot get COVID from the vaccine. This
approach has the benefit of generating robust cell-mediated and antibody-based
immunity. The mRNA is naturally degraded, like all other mRNA your body
uses perpetually. The currently available vaccines are manufactured by Pfizer and
Moderna. Both require two doses to achieve maximal immunity, with the second
dose of Pfizer at 3 – 6 weeks and Moderna at 4 – 6 weeks. The Pfizer and Moderna
vaccines both have demonstrated an approximate 95% efficacy in preventing
illness, and in clinical studies, the prevention of death or severe disease in 100%
of recipients. The safety profile has been very reassuring, with most side effects
consisting of transient arm soreness or a short period of constitutional symptoms
(muscle aches, fatigue and sometimes fever). The worst side effects noted to date
are anaphylactic reactions, which are exceeding rare (~5 per 1 million) and seen
mostly in people with a known history of anaphylaxis to a medication. Deaths
noted after vaccination have all been consistent with the expected death rate in the
population, a phenomenon not unexpected given the large number of doses and the
focus on older, sicker patients. No deaths have been attributed to the vaccine.
Within the next several weeks, we anticipate FDA review of a single dose
vaccine produced by Johnson & Johnson (J&J). This vaccine uses a different
technology but a similar strategy. The J&J vaccine uses an adenovirus vector
(benign cold virus) to deliver COVID spike protein mRNA to cells. Immunity
is generated in a similar manner as with mRNA vaccines, with cellularly
manufactured spike protein generating a natural complement of immunity. This
vaccine has the advantage of being a single dose immunization. Although clinical
trials demonstrate 100% efficacy in preventing hospitalization or death, efficacy in
protecting against any symptomatic illness was approximately 70%.
In Mississippi, as in most of the U.S., early vaccination efforts have targeted
healthcare workers and older residents, especially those living in nursing homes or
assisted living. Thus far over 40% of all Mississippians over 74 and over 34% of
those over 64 have received at least one vaccine. Currently all healthcare workers,
residents 65 plus, or those 16 – 64 with certain chronic medical issues are eligible
in Mississippi. We are making amazing progress in our immunization efforts (see
Figure). Over 320,000 Mississippians have received at least one dose and over
445,000 vaccinations have been provided. The greatest bottleneck has been vaccine
availability, with demand far outstripping supply.
It is critically important that all healthcare workers get vaccinated now, not
just to protect ourselves but also those vulnerable patients who place their lives
in our hands. Suboptimal uptake, especially among nursing home staff, seriously
threatens the gains we have seen over the past weeks. For us to defeat the
COVID-19 pandemic, we must simultaneously suppress transmission and broaden
immunity through the wide availability of these effective vaccines.
Even as vaccination successes grow, we must not be complacent. The emergence
of new, more contagious variants might undermine our success in driving down
cases and hospitalizations. Although no variants currently undermine the
effectiveness of the mRNA vaccines, some have shown less responsiveness to some
adenoviral vector vaccines (South African strain). To be most successful, we need
to limit community transmission while ramping up our vaccination efforts, thereby
depriving the virus the opportunity to mutate into more malevolent strains. To
learn more, please visit: healthyms.com/covid or cdc.gov/covid
Your Involvement Matters
Alena Lester, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, ONP-C
MNA Director, Council on Health Affairs
Spring brings renewal with many things, especially
in the realm of politics and practice. MNA’s
Legislative Summit is usually held each Spring,
offering opportunities for local representatives to
discuss current policies and bills that do or could
potentially affect nursing practice. Unfortunately, this
year is different for all of us, including your nursing
organization. The annual Legislative Summit is
cancelled this year. This cancellation follows MNA
representative discussions with state universities
regarding the increased stressors on faculty and
students. These stressors have become a huge burden
in the form of shortened semesters, rushed deadlines, COVID-19 safety/testing
guidelines, and vaccination concerns for students as well as faculty and staff.
For the safety and health of our State, this year MNA will offer recorded
presentations from local representatives and board members addressing current
policies and bills that may directly or indirectly affect nursing practice. Please look
for these on the MNA website and Facebook page.
One current policy concerning APRN practice is of particular interest this year.
During the 2020 House of Delegates, MNA Board members and delegates voted
to pass a resolution supporting Full Practice Authority in the State of Mississippi.
It’s critical for local representatives and patients to understand the importance
of the removal of the “collaborative contract” between APRNs and physicians.
This contract is an antiquated requirement that has long surpassed its purpose.
In fact, it has proven to be burdensome to access to health care for the residents
of Mississippi and their health outcomes. Full Practice Authority does not call for
any request of privileges outside the education or scope of practice for any ARPN.
It simply allows APRNs to practice to the full extent of their education and scope
of practice without a written binding contract with a physician.
I would like to encourage each reader/member of MNA to take the following
steps to not only become more involved in their nursing organization, but to
fully understand what it means to be an active member, nursing advocate, and an
empowered nursing professional:
1. Reach out to your local representative. Request an appointment or offer an
email discussing current policies that may affect nursing practice and how
this could affect your profession. Get to know them. Thank them. Appreciate
their time and effort in serving the residents of Mississippi.
2. Join the Mississippi Nurses’ Association and your national nursing
organization. Sign up to attend a district meeting. Become involved. Broaden
your understanding of what your nursing organization can do for you and
your profession.
3. Join the MNA Political Action Committee (PAC). The MNA PAC offers you
the opportunity to make your voice heard. It is used to generate funding for
candidates who support nursing practice, propose bills that hope to change
nursing practice burdens, improve patient outcomes, and provide platforms
for nursing advocacy!
4. Advocate for change. Serve at the district level or consider serving on the
MNA Board. Attend Legislative Summit, and RN and APRN Day at the
Capitol. Make your voice heard.
Join MNA, contact your local representatives, become ACTIVE, and support
your profession.
Stay Healthy and Safe!
Now Hiring
in Mississippi!
RNs and LPNs
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Facility, Tutwiler, MS
Work with a Family,
Not Just a Team
Contact Valerie Moreland,
520-262-5736
Valerie.Moreland@corecivic.com
Easy Apply Online at
jobs.corecivic.com
Excellent Pay Rates! Tiered Pay Scale
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Page 12 • Mississippi RN March, April, May 2021
Mississippi Nurses Foundation
Mississippi Nurses Foundation
Community Grant Summary
Fannie Lou Hamer Cancer Foundation Breast Health
Outreach Program (BHOP)
Freddie White-Johnson, M.P.P.A. President,
Fannie Lou Hamer Cancer Foundation
Dr. Katherine Hughes, APRN, FNP-BC, RN-Assistant Professor of Nursing,
Delta State University
Save the Date
MNF Brick Garden
“outside” Ceremony
Saturday, May 8, 2021
The Mississippi Nurses Foundation has tentatively scheduled the
Brick Garden Ceremony for Saturday, May 8, 2021 during Nurses
Week at the Mississippi Center for Nursing in Madison.
Don’t miss an opportunity to pay tribute to someone or an
organization by purchasing a brick “in honor” or “in memory” and
having it engraved and placed in the Mary E. Stainton Center for
Nursing Garden.
Call MNF at 601-898-0850 or email kdorr@msnurses.org for more
details.
MNF Nurse in Need Raffle
Winner
The Fannie Lou Hamer Cancer Foundation’s (FLHCF) mission is to prevent
cancer and improve cancer survival rates in the medically underserved 18 counties
in the Mississippi Delta. It is committed to fighting breast cancer, cervical cancer,
prostate cancer and colon cancer.
THE GOALS OF THE BREAST HEALTH OUTREACH PROJECT: The
goals of the proposed expanded Community Health Advisors’ (CHA) Breast
Health Outreach Program (BHOP) are four-fold: 1) Continue to recruit medically
underserved women (ages 40-64) for both first time screening and annual
screening; 2) Continue to increase awareness about the MS Breast and Cervical
Cancer Program (MS BCCP) and importance of early detection of breast cancer
through clinical breast exam (CBE) or breast self-examination (BSE); 3) Continue
to educate women about Medicaid and Medicare coverage of annual screening
mammograms and assist them in obtaining the service from providers who accept
Medicaid and/or Medicare; and 4) Continue to assist clients in navigating the
screening and treatment process, and advocate for quality care.
MEASURES OF EFFECTIVES:
Counties involved: Leflore County, Montgomery County, Sunflower County,
Webster County
The number of underserved women who were contacted for mammogram
screening: 94
Number of women who received an abnormal mammogram report: 3
Number of women had a positive breast cancer finding: 3
For the client(s) who received an abnormal screening result during the reporting
period, several steps were taken to ensure they received diagnostic testing. The
steps were: 1) Two clients were given education materials on abnormal screening
and diagnostic mammogram; 2) The clients were assisted with a diagnostic
mammogram screening appointment; 3) The clients were provided with financial
assistance for transportation; and 4) The clients were provided with a peer
counselor’s contact information.
Through the faith-based organizations, Community Health Advisors (CHAs),
community meetings, partnerships, door-to-door contacts, health fairs, media
outlets (radio and newspaper), distribution of flyers in front of local businesses
such as Wal-Mart and at community/schools’ events, the Fannie Lou Hamer
Cancer Foundation exceeded the required commitments to their Breast Health
Outreach Program (BHOP).
Congratulations to Angela McDonald of
Collinsville, MS! She is the winner of the MNF Nurse
in Need 2020 Raffle for a beautiful 14 Karat white gold
round diamond pendant necklace donated by Dr. Janet
Harris.
The Nurse in Need program supports Mississippi
nurses during hardship, such as loss of employment,
physical injury, disaster, illness or accident.
Over $3,350 was raised to help support our program
and our amazing nurses! Thank you to everyone who
purchased a ticket to help make this possible.
Katherine Hughes,
APRN, FNP-BC, RN
Freddie White-Johnson,
M.P.P.A.

March, April, May 2021 Mississippi RN • Page 13
In Memoriam
Mark Lothenore, FNP
May 20, 1968 –
November 27, 2020
Mark Lothenore was
a long-standing member
of MNA. We appreciate
his devotion to our
organization and his
support in speaking with us
during conferences, most
recently one of our virtual
conferences. MNA extends
our condolences to his
family and colleagues.
Benefits of MNA Membership:
1) Supporting and advocating for your
chosen profession
2) Discounts on ANCC Certifications
3) Reduced registration at MNA sponsored
CE events
4) Connecting with your peers and
colleagues to build your professional
network
5) Discounts on Long-term Health Care
Insurance, Liability Insurance and much
more
6) Travel discounts through Orlando
Vacations and Collette World Connect
NOW HIRING
Registered Nurses
Pine Grove Behavioral Health & Addiction Services
is one of the nation’s most comprehensive
treatment campuses.
Pine Grove is currently hiring Registered Nurses who
are passionate about treating and helping
patients find hope and healing.
For more information about
employment opportunities,
please contact 601-288-4801 and
www.pinegrovetreatment.com
NOW HIRING!
RNs
LPNs
CNAs
We have openings at all four State Veterans
Homes in Collins, Jackson, Kosciusko, and Oxford
CONTACT CAROL PALMER, DIRECTOR OF HUMAN
RESOURCES, AT HUMANRESOURCES@MSVA.MS.GOV
OR CALL 601-576-4850

Page 14 • Mississippi RN March, April, May 2021
Overdose Deaths Accelerating
During COVID-19
Expanded Prevention Efforts Needed
Mississippi Nurses Foundation
Over 81,000 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States in the 12 months
ending in May 2020, the highest number of overdose deaths ever recorded in a
12-month period, according to recent provisional data from the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC).
While overdose deaths were already increasing in the months preceding the 2019
novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the latest numbers suggest an
acceleration of overdose deaths during the pandemic.
“The disruption to daily life due to the COVID-19 pandemic has hit those with
substance use disorder hard,” said CDC Director Robert Redfield, M.D. “As we
continue the fight to end this pandemic, it’s important to not lose sight of different
groups being affected in other ways. We need to take care of people suffering from
unintended consequences.”
Synthetic opioids (primarily illicitly manufactured fentanyl) appear to be the
primary driver of the increases in overdose deaths, increasing 38.4 percent from the
12-month period leading up to June 2019 compared with the 12-month period leading
up to May 2020. During this time period:
• 37 of the 38 U.S. jurisdictions with available synthetic opioid data reported
increases in synthetic opioid-involved overdose deaths.
• 18 of these jurisdictions reported increases greater than 50 percent.
• 10 western states reported over a 98 percent increase in synthetic opioid-involved
deaths.
Overdose deaths involving cocaine also increased by 26.5 percent. Based upon
earlier research, these deaths are likely linked to co-use or contamination of
cocaine with illicitly manufactured fentanyl or heroin. Overdose deaths involving
psychostimulants, such as methamphetamine, increased by 34.8 percent. The number
of deaths involving psychostimulants now exceeds the number of cocaine-involved
deaths.
“The increase in overdose deaths is concerning.” said Deb Houry, M.D., M.P.H.,
director of CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. “CDC’s
Injury Center continues to help and support communities responding to the evolving
overdose crisis. Our priority is to do everything we can to equip people on the ground
to save lives in their communities.”
CDC recommendations
The increase in overdose deaths highlights the need for essential services to remain
accessible for people most at risk of overdose and the need to expand prevention and
response activities. CDC issued a health advisory today to medical and public health
professionals, first responders, harm reduction organizations, and other community
partners recommending the following actions as appropriate based on local needs and
characteristics:
• Expand distribution and use of naloxone and overdose prevention education.
• Expand awareness about and access to and availability of treatment for
substance use disorders.
• Intervene early with individuals at highest risk for overdose.
• Improve detection of overdose outbreaks to facilitate more effective response.
What CDC is doing
Measures taken at the national, state, and local level to address the COVID-19
pandemic may have unintended consequences for substance use and overdose, but
CDC is working with states, territories, tribes, cities, and counties across the country
to continue drug overdose surveillance and prevention efforts. This includes assessing
overdose data to understand trends, as well as working with funded jurisdictions to
provide flexibilities where needed and technical assistance to identify strategies to
inform public health action during the COVID-19 pandemic.
CDC began a multiyear Overdose Data to Action cooperative agreement in
September 2019 and funds health departments in 47 states; Washington, D.C.; two
territories; and 16 cities and counties for drug overdose surveillance and prevention
efforts. Funds awarded as part of this agreement support health departments in
obtaining high quality, more comprehensive, and timelier data on overdose morbidity
and mortality and using those data to inform prevention and response efforts.
CDC is committed to preventing opioid and other drug misuse, overdoses, and
deaths through five key strategies:
• Using data to monitor emerging trends and direct prevention activities;
• Strengthening state, local, and tribal capacity to respond to the epidemic;
• Working with providers, health systems, and payers to reduce unsafe exposure to
opioids and treat addiction;
• Coordinating with public safety and community-based partners to rapidly
identify overdose threats, reverse overdoses, link people to effective treatment,
and reduce harms associated with illicit opioids; and
• Increasing public awareness about the risks of opioids.
Learn more about what CDC is doing to prevent opioid-related deaths on CDC’s
Efforts to Prevent Opioid Overdoses and Other Opioid-Related Harms webpage.
What you can do
Not all overdoses have to end in death. Everyone has a role to play.
• Learn about the risks of opioids.
• Learn about naloxone, its availability, and how to use it.
• Help people struggling with opioid use disorder to find the right care and
treatment.
• Learn more about CDC’s overdose surveillance and prevention efforts in your
community
XF146
Learn more about what may help if you or someone you care about is increasing
drug use during the COVID-19 pandemic.

March, April, May 2021 Mississippi RN • Page 15
Mississippi Nurses Foundation
Coffee Club
Application
The Mississippi Nurses Foundation Coffee Club was started in
April 2009 with the support of Dr. Kim Hoover, with her donation
for MNF daily operations. The coffee club recognizes individuals
who donate between $300- $5,000 or more to the Foundation.
You can join today with a monthly donation of $25.00 to the
Nurses Foundation. Please select your level of support for
membership into the Mississippi Nurses Foundation Coffee Club.
Bank draft and credit card monthly donations will automatically
renew every 12 months unless notified by the donor.
_______ Espresso Level
$4,000 to $5,000----Two packages of MNF signature coffee and
two coffee mugs, four tickets to all upcoming events sponsored
by the Foundation, Recognition on MNF’s website, newsletter,
recognition at the Mississippi Nurses Association Annual
Convention and a 4” X 8” engraved brick in the Mary E. Stainton
Center for Nursing Garden.
_______ Cappuccino Level
$2,000 to $3,999----Two packages of MNF signature coffee and
two coffee mugs, two tickets to all upcoming events sponsored
by the Foundation, Recognition on MNF’s website, newsletter
and recognition at the Mississippi Nurses Association Annual
Convention.
_______ Mocha Level
$500 to $1,999-----One package of MNF signature coffee and
coffee mug, two tickets to one of MNF’s sponsored events,
Recognition on MNF’s website, newsletter and recognition at the
Mississippi Nurses Association Annual Convention.
_______ Coffee Level
$300 to $499 -----One package of MNF signature coffee
and coffee mug, a ticket to one of MNF’s sponsored events,
recognition on MNF’s website, newsletter, and recognition at the
Mississippi Nurses Association Annual Convention.
MNF School of Nursing Scholarship $1,000
Submission deadline is March 12, 2021 – Contact
your School of Nursing
Open date - January 1st
Car Tag Stipends $5,000
Submission deadline is June 11, 2021
Open date - April 1st
The Mississippi Nurses Foundation
Scholarships and Stipends for 2021
Eileen S. & Earl C. Whittemore Advance
Practice/Nurse Practitioner Scholarship $2,500
Submission deadline is July 9, 2021
Open date - May 1st
MS Nurses Foundation PhD Research Grants
up to $10,000
Submission deadline is July 9, 2021
Open date - May 1st
Georgia B. Hall Award of Excellence $2000
Submission deadline is November 12, 2021
Open date - September 1st
Hiawatha and Eunice Northington Memorial
Scholarship $1,000
Submission deadline is November 19, 2021
Open date - October 1st
Arthur L. Davis Scholarly Writing $1,000
Submission deadline is December 3, 2021
Open date - October 1st
Brantley-Fletcher Award of Hope Book
Scholarship $250
Submission deadline is December 10, 2021
Open date - October 1st
Please visit www.msnursesfoundation.com
or call (601) 898-0850 for additional information.
CONNECT WITH MASN!
_______ No, I cannot join the Coffee Club but I will give a
donation to support the MS Nurses Foundation.
( ) $25 ( ) $50 ( ) $75 ( ) $100
( ) $150 ( ) $200 ( ) $250
Name (Please print)__________________________________
Address __________________________________________
City _____________________________________________
State _________ Zip _________________
Phone: Home _______________ Cell ___________________
Email address ______________________________________
Method of Payment
Credit Card #_______________________________________
Exp. Date______________ 3 digit code/ back of card _______
Amount _________
( ) Amex ( ) MasterCard ( ) Visa
( ) Bank Draft 1st or 15th (circle one) Amount per month _____
Month to start __________________
Send a voided check to the MS Nurses Foundation
( ) One time payment for yearly membership ______________
Please include check or money order and mail it to the
MS Nurses Foundation
( ) DONATE ONLINE at www.msnursesfoundation.com
Your tax deductible donation to the Coffee Club will help support
the Nurses Foundation in its daily operations of carrying out its
mission of raising, accepting and dispersing charitable donations
to promote professional nursing and better health in Mississippi.
Sponsored events exclude the Nightingale Awards Gala.
Mississippi Nurses Foundation
31 Woodgreen Place • Madison, MS 39110
Phone: (601) 898-0850 Fax: (601) 898-0190
@MSSTUDENTNURSES
To access electronic copies of the
Mississippi RN, please visit
http://www.NursingALD.com/publications
Mississippi Association of
Student Nurses