Mississippi RN - March 2021
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The <strong>Mississippi</strong> <strong>RN</strong><br />
THE MISSISSIPPI NURSES ASSOCIATION IS THE VOICE OF REGISTERED NURSES AND ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES<br />
IN MISSISSIPPI AND HAS PROVIDED LEADERSHIP TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF ALL PEOPLE FOR THE PAST 100 YEARS<br />
Vol. 83, No. 1 Quarterly publication distributed to approximately 61,300 <strong>RN</strong>s and LPNs in <strong>Mississippi</strong>.<br />
Spring <strong>2021</strong><br />
A Message from the President<br />
Tonya Moore, PhD, <strong>RN</strong><br />
When the calendar<br />
flipped to January 1,<br />
<strong>2021</strong>, we all felt a sigh of<br />
relief as 2020 was in the<br />
rearview mirror. There was<br />
a feeling of expectation,<br />
also described as “hope,”<br />
that the new year would<br />
be different and better<br />
than 2020. I urge all of our<br />
readers to remain hopeful,<br />
despite the continued<br />
challenges that the new year<br />
presents (with the January<br />
surge in COVID-19 cases<br />
and related deaths, the January 6th insurrection at the<br />
Nation’s Capital, and Winter Storm <strong>2021</strong>). It’s a lot, I<br />
know. Please remember that MNA regularly provides<br />
resources to help all <strong>Mississippi</strong> AP<strong>RN</strong>s and <strong>RN</strong>s<br />
identify effective coping strategies during these stressful<br />
times. One example is the Coping with COVID 2.0<br />
series FREE webinars offered bi-weekly. As a frequent<br />
“virtual” attendee, I can attest that the expert presenters<br />
are knowledgeable and engaging; they have helped me<br />
during these unpredictable times. Information about<br />
these webinars, including registration details, can be<br />
found in your email. Now on to my message.<br />
A Badge of Honor! A Personal Choice! A sticker that<br />
reads, “I Got My COVID-19 Vaccine” is very similar to<br />
another sticker that reads, “I’ve voted,” and has become<br />
a public and virtual display of pride, trending on social<br />
media. Companies Pfizer and Moderna have somewhat<br />
become a household name with their production and<br />
emergency use authorization approval of the m<strong>RN</strong>A<br />
vaccines. The goal is to deploy their respective versions<br />
of the m<strong>RN</strong>A vaccines to help increase immunity<br />
to reduce a person’s ability to infect somebody else,<br />
significantly reduce the risk of hospitalization, and<br />
remarkably lessen the risk of COVID-19 death. While<br />
news and social media outlets are showing long lines<br />
and positive messaging about the promise these<br />
vaccines offer with regard to immunity and safety,<br />
not everyone is convinced - including nurses! When<br />
MNA surveyed <strong>Mississippi</strong> nurses (members and nonmembers)<br />
in December 2020, the results were split<br />
down the middle, half of the respondents selected “yes”<br />
to their willingness to take the vaccine. The primary<br />
reasons for selecting “no” were, “concerns over the side<br />
effects” and the vaccines were “too new.” With increased<br />
transparency, education and efficacy about the vaccines,<br />
I am hopeful that those who selected “no” are better<br />
Tonya Moore, PhD, <strong>RN</strong> proudly showing her post<br />
vaccine bandage.<br />
informed and have changed minds; ultimately, and at<br />
this moment, it is a personal choice. I am trusting that<br />
you will choose in the affirmative - I did!<br />
In February, I made the personal choice to get<br />
the (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccine after I spent countless<br />
hours listening to expert scientists via webinars,<br />
reading articles from credible sources, and evaluating<br />
my own health and body readiness. As an aside, I<br />
am a COVID-19 survivor and experienced moderate<br />
symptoms in December 2020. From my experience with<br />
COVID-19, I knew I did not want my family, friends,<br />
neighbors, co-workers or even strangers to get it. The<br />
uncertainty of disease progression and the physical<br />
assault on my body were dreadful. To provide more<br />
insight into my COVID-19 experience, I’ve added a note<br />
from my journal entry…<br />
Day 5… “at 0650, I awakened with headache, body<br />
aches, moderate chest tightness, and chills. My<br />
temp, 98.1. Upon arising, I felt like staying in bed.<br />
I am experiencing persistent weakness in my lower<br />
extremities, body chills (without fever) and a headache<br />
that’s immobilizing. I am not bedridden; however, I<br />
feel tired enough to stay in bed all day, but Trigger<br />
(my beagle) duty calls and I am grateful for it. When<br />
I experience an episode of chills, I wonder what exactly<br />
is going on inside of my body. What is this virus doing?<br />
Is it gnawing away at some tough cell or membrane<br />
or tissue? Weird, I know. Weird in every way. I am<br />
healthy and athletic, yet I am experiencing this weird<br />
phenomenon. God bless those who are less healthy and<br />
who are positive for COVID-19.”<br />
Pate Shackelford, MSN, <strong>RN</strong> administering<br />
vaccine to V. Charlene Evers-Kreel, Retired LPN.<br />
current resident or<br />
Presort Standard<br />
US Postage<br />
PAID<br />
Permit #14<br />
Princeton, MN<br />
55371<br />
When many healthcare professionals rushed<br />
to get the vaccine during the first rollout in<br />
December, I was on the sidelines trying to<br />
make sure my body was healed, all the while<br />
anticipating the day when I would get the “shot”<br />
in my arm. That day finally came, and I had the<br />
best experience with my COVID-19 vaccination<br />
team, who included Dr. Josie Bidwell, DNP,<br />
<strong>RN</strong>, FNP-C, DipACLM. Three days later, my<br />
mother and retired nurse, V. Charlene Evers-<br />
Kreel, proudly received her first dose of the<br />
COVID-19 vaccine. My mother and I represent<br />
Josie Bidwell, DNP, <strong>RN</strong>, FNP-C, DipACLM<br />
discussing vaccine with Tonya Moore, PhD, <strong>RN</strong>.<br />
A Message from the President continued on page 4
Page 2 • <strong>Mississippi</strong> <strong>RN</strong> <strong>March</strong>, April, May <strong>2021</strong><br />
President<br />
Tonya Moore, PhD, <strong>RN</strong><br />
tonyamoore2010@gmail.com<br />
Secretary<br />
Beverly Oliver,<br />
MBA, MSN, FNP-BC, CHFN<br />
oliver59beverly@icloud.com<br />
Council on Nursing Education<br />
Tomekia Luckett, PhD, <strong>RN</strong><br />
tluckett@wmcarey.edu<br />
Board of Directors<br />
Directors<br />
Vice-President<br />
Carl Mangum, PhD, PMHNP,<br />
NHDP-BC<br />
cmangum@umc.edu<br />
Treasurer<br />
Gayle Harrell,<br />
MSN, FNP, NP-C, CWCN<br />
gayle.harrell13@gmail.com<br />
Council on Nursing Research<br />
Ashley Krebs, PhD, <strong>RN</strong>, CHSE<br />
ashleykrebs55@gmail.com<br />
Council on Health Affairs<br />
Alena Lester, DNP,<br />
AP<strong>RN</strong>, FNP-C, ONP-C<br />
aalester@muw.edu<br />
Council on<br />
Organizational Affairs<br />
Sandra Arnold, MSN, <strong>RN</strong><br />
sandi.arnold@hattiesburgclinic.com<br />
Council on Nursing Practice<br />
Paige Nabors,<br />
MSN, <strong>RN</strong>, FNP-C<br />
pnabors4@gmail.com<br />
Council on<br />
Advanced Practice<br />
Courtney Bennett,<br />
DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC<br />
hamp.court@yahoo.com<br />
Executive Director<br />
Teresa Malone<br />
tmalone@msnurses.org<br />
Executive Assistant<br />
LaGina Walker<br />
lwalker@msnurses.org<br />
Advanced Practice Coordinator/<br />
Publishing Coordinator<br />
Dionne Inman<br />
dinman@msnurses.org<br />
MNA Staff<br />
MNA District Presidents<br />
Finance Administrator/<br />
Membership Coordinator<br />
Deborah Norman<br />
dnorman@msnurses.org<br />
Director of Events<br />
& Marketing<br />
Dana Walker<br />
dwalker@msnurses.org<br />
District 1:<br />
Adams, Franklin, Jefferson, and<br />
Wilkinson counties<br />
Brenda Collins<br />
bcollins@alcorn.edu<br />
District 16:<br />
Clarke, Kemper, and<br />
Lauderdale counties<br />
Linda Todd<br />
ltodd@bellsouth.net<br />
District 2:<br />
Amite, Copiah, Lawrence, Lincoln,<br />
Pike, and Walthall counties<br />
Tammy Livingston<br />
tlivingston@kdmc.org<br />
District 5:<br />
Hancock, Harrison, Pearl River, and<br />
Stone counties<br />
Deborah Mauffray<br />
debmauffray@gmail.com<br />
District 6:<br />
Jackson, George, and Greene counties<br />
Robbie Burnsed<br />
rene1461@yahoo.com<br />
District 18:<br />
Choctaw, Clay, Lowndes, Noxubee,<br />
Oktibbeha, Webster, and Winston<br />
counties<br />
Beth Turner<br />
lbturner@muw.edu<br />
District 21:<br />
Humphries, Sunflower, and<br />
Washington counties<br />
Kaffie Burns-Denley<br />
eiffak67@yahoo.com<br />
District 23:<br />
Bolivar, Coahoma, Quitman,<br />
Tallahatchie, and Tunica counties.<br />
www.msnurses.org<br />
Published by:<br />
Arthur L. Davis<br />
Publishing Agency, Inc.<br />
District 7:<br />
Covington, Forrest, Lamar, Perry,<br />
Jefferson Davis & Marion counties<br />
Amy Carpenter<br />
acarpenter@forrestgeneral.com<br />
District 8:<br />
Jasper, Jones, and Wayne counties<br />
Emily Phillips<br />
Emily.phillips@jcjc.edu<br />
District 11:<br />
Simpson and Smith counties<br />
Teresa Windham<br />
twindhamdon@yahoo.com<br />
District 12:<br />
Claiborne, Issaquena, Sharkey, and<br />
Warren counties<br />
Debbie Hoover<br />
Debbie_0401@yahoo.com<br />
District 13:<br />
Hinds, Rankin, Madison and<br />
Yazoo counties<br />
Beverly Oliver<br />
oliver59beverly@icloud.com<br />
District 25:<br />
Alcorn, Benton, Calhoun,<br />
Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee,<br />
Monroe, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tippah,<br />
Tishomingo, and Union counties<br />
Shada Breeze Chunn<br />
shadabreeze@gmail.com<br />
District 28:<br />
DeSoto, Marshall, and Tate counties<br />
Kadie Burr<br />
kdburrrn@gmail.com<br />
District 31:<br />
Lafayette, Panola, and Yalobusha<br />
counties<br />
Morgan Walter<br />
mdwalterl@gmail.com<br />
District 32:<br />
Attala, Carroll, Grenada, Holmes,<br />
Leflore, and Montgomery counties<br />
Dawn Peery<br />
dawn.peery@yahoo.com<br />
District 15:<br />
Leake, Neshoba, Newton, and Scott<br />
counties<br />
Cassandra Gibbs<br />
cassie39365@yahoo.com<br />
Advertising<br />
For advertising rates and information, please contact Arthur L. Davis Publishing<br />
Agency, Inc., PO Box 216, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613, (800) 626-4081, sales@<br />
aldpub.com. MNA and the Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc. reserve the<br />
right to reject any advertisement. Responsibility for errors in advertising is limited<br />
to corrections in the next issue or refund of price of advertisement.<br />
Acceptance of advertising does not imply endorsement or approval by the<br />
<strong>Mississippi</strong> Nurses’ Association of products advertised, the advertisers, or the<br />
claims made. Rejection of an advertisement does not imply a product offered<br />
for advertising is without merit, or that the manufacturer lacks integrity, or that<br />
this association disapproves of the product or its use. MNA and the Arthur L.<br />
Davis Publishing Agency, Inc. shall not be held liable for any consequences<br />
resulting from purchase or use of an advertiser’s product. Articles appearing<br />
in this publication express the opinions of the authors; they do not necessarily<br />
reflect views of the staff, board, or membership of MNA or those of the<br />
national or local associations.<br />
<strong>Mississippi</strong> <strong>RN</strong> is published quarterly every <strong>March</strong>, June, September and December<br />
and is the official publication of the <strong>Mississippi</strong> Nurses’ Association,<br />
31 Woodgreen Place, Madison, MS 39110, a constituent member of the American<br />
Nurses Association.
<strong>March</strong>, April, May <strong>2021</strong> <strong>Mississippi</strong> <strong>RN</strong> • Page 3<br />
<strong>2021</strong> AP<strong>RN</strong> Spring Conference Presenters<br />
Mimi Secor, DNP, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN<br />
“Pandemic Self-Care”<br />
Phyllis Johnson, MSN, <strong>RN</strong>, FNP-BC<br />
“MS Board of Nursing Update”<br />
Thomas Dobbs, MD, MPH, State Health Officer<br />
“COVID-19 Update”<br />
Colonel Steven Maxwell “Opioid Overdoses<br />
During the COVID-19 Pandemic”<br />
Stephanie Edgar, J.D., Kathy Stone, BSN,<br />
MACM General Counsel <strong>RN</strong>, MACM VP of Risk<br />
Management<br />
“Telemedicine Liabilities and Risk Mitigation”<br />
Courtney Bennett, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC<br />
“Suicide Prevention Education”<br />
http://careers.kindredathome.com
Page 4 • <strong>Mississippi</strong> <strong>RN</strong> <strong>March</strong>, April, May <strong>2021</strong><br />
Executive Director’s Column<br />
MNA Districts Dedicated to Communities During COVID<br />
Teresa Malone<br />
During this pandemic,<br />
MNA’s District registered<br />
nurses and advanced<br />
practice registered nurses<br />
have risen not only to the<br />
challenge of taking care<br />
of patients, but are also<br />
actively working to help<br />
their communities. Food<br />
insecurity was an urgent<br />
problem in <strong>Mississippi</strong> prior<br />
to COVID. According to<br />
the USDA, the defining<br />
characteristic of very low<br />
food security is that, at times during the year, food intake<br />
of household members is reduced and their normal<br />
eating patterns are disrupted because the household<br />
lacks money and other resources for food. With many<br />
in our communities experiencing loss of employment,<br />
reduced hours, or a significant reduction in income,<br />
this problem has grown worse. No matter where you<br />
live, you’ve heard that food pantries are struggling to<br />
meet the ever increasing number of food requests and<br />
are in critical need of supplies, many running out or<br />
desperately low. In many instances, individuals who<br />
once served as volunteers at these resource centers<br />
are now in need of food themselves. MNA’s Districts<br />
are working throughout the state to host food drives,<br />
assemble donated supplies, and prepare food packages.<br />
Many are volunteering on a routine basis to help<br />
distribute packages on-site, while others are organizing<br />
and coordinating the delivery of food to individuals with<br />
limited means of transportation. If you would like to<br />
contribute to these efforts, food pantries are always in<br />
need of canned meats, canned vegetables, and cereal.<br />
Numerous MNA Districts are also providing support<br />
to organizations that assist <strong>Mississippi</strong>’s homeless<br />
population. This is in keeping with the resolution<br />
adopted by the MNA House of Delegates to support<br />
increasing nurses’ awareness of the homeless population<br />
and health risks associated with homelessness. For our<br />
homeless individuals, complying with social distancing,<br />
washing hands frequently, and wearing masks is<br />
problematic due to their limited access to running water,<br />
hand sanitizer and clean face masks. MNA Districts<br />
have donated needed essentials such as hand sanitizer,<br />
disinfecting wipes, and disposable masks, along with<br />
clothes, plastic eating utensils, shoes and other personal<br />
hygiene items. Our nurses recognize the challenges that<br />
the homeless face with COVID and have worked to<br />
provide needed resources. Many of our members such<br />
as Beverly Oliver, MBA, MSN, FNP-BC, CHFN, have<br />
an immense passion for volunteering. This is evident as<br />
she explains how volunteering has impacted her, “Being<br />
involved has opened my eyes to how many of us could<br />
end up in this situation very quickly in our life. The<br />
homeless and underserved are not as lucky as those of<br />
us living in nurturing and loving environments. I have<br />
met some incredible people who have more love in their<br />
hearts than a lot of people. They are so appreciative of<br />
life and the little things that we overlook. Look at people<br />
through a different set of ideas and it may bring you a<br />
different perspective. It will fill your soul!”<br />
Along with providing you opportunities to volunteer<br />
for community projects, our MNA District Presidents<br />
are hosting virtual meetings to provide you an<br />
opportunity to interact with your colleagues and obtain<br />
continuing education. If you have not attended a district<br />
meeting, this is an easy, safe, and convenient way for<br />
you to stay connected with your colleagues. If you have<br />
any questions about the dates of your district meetings,<br />
would like to assist in a community project, or have<br />
suggestions for meeting topics, please feel free to contact<br />
your District president or our office. To all our District<br />
Presidents and members, thank you for your dedication to<br />
MNA, your fellow nurses, and your communities!<br />
<strong>2021</strong> Virtual AP<strong>RN</strong> Conference –<br />
AP<strong>RN</strong>s Transforming Healthcare<br />
Stay safe while obtaining your CE! We want you to<br />
stay safe and healthy while you enjoy our Conference<br />
with sessions specifically designed to meet your needs<br />
and the level of excellence you’ve come to expect at an<br />
MNA event.<br />
With the immense need for nurses to embrace selfcare,<br />
we are honored to host Mimi Secor, DNP, FNP-<br />
BC, FAANP, FAAN, national speaker, educator,<br />
entrepreneur and health coach presenting “Pandemic<br />
Self-Care.” We know you look forward to Phyllis<br />
Johnson, Executive Director of the <strong>Mississippi</strong> Board<br />
of Nursing (MBON) providing critical information<br />
to keep you up-to-date and in compliance with the<br />
MBON requirements. To provide you an opportunity<br />
to interact and pose questions, this presentation will<br />
be provided in a live, virtual setting on April 16th from<br />
9:00 am to 10:30 am CT. COVID continues to impact<br />
you on a professional and personal level. Based on<br />
your requests, specific topics will be included in this<br />
year’s Conference, including COVID’s impact on<br />
<strong>Mississippi</strong> presented by Thomas Dobbs, MD, MPH,<br />
State Health Officer, <strong>Mississippi</strong> State Department of<br />
Health; insight into the increase in opioid overdoses<br />
during this pandemic presented by Colonel Steven<br />
Maxwell, Director, <strong>Mississippi</strong> Bureau of Narcotics;<br />
telehealth liabilities and risk management, a topic<br />
that COVID brought to the forefront of discussions,<br />
presented by Kathy Stone, BSN, <strong>RN</strong>, Vice-President<br />
of Risk Management and Stephanie Edgar, JD with<br />
MACM; suicide prevention education, including a<br />
focus on children and teen adolescents presented by<br />
Courtney Bennett, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC.; and<br />
COVID-19 residual effects presented by Roderick<br />
Green, MSN, <strong>RN</strong>, PMHNP-BC. The Conference<br />
will also include sessions dedicated to diabetes,<br />
cardiovascular disease, women’s health, infectious<br />
disease in pediatrics, controlled substance update, and<br />
many more!<br />
We strive to offer you an enjoyable and rewarding<br />
continuing education and professional development<br />
experience and are confident you’ll agree you<br />
benefitted from attending the <strong>2021</strong> AP<strong>RN</strong> Conference.<br />
Register early, relax and enjoy the Conference!<br />
A Message from the President continued from page 1<br />
two generations of African American women who<br />
believe in the science and efficacy of the vaccines.<br />
Equally important, we believe in the promise for a better<br />
tomorrow in which we can share hugs and see warm<br />
smiles again. Having these vaccines in our toolkit (along<br />
with wearing a mask, social distancing and washing our<br />
hands) provides a glimmer of hope that we are closer<br />
to significantly reducing the spread and severity of<br />
COVID-19. My “ask” to all of you reading this article<br />
is to educate yourself, from credible sources, make<br />
informed decisions, consult with your primary care<br />
provider, encourage your family members and friends to<br />
do the same, and make your decision. For nearly a year,<br />
MNA has kept AP<strong>RN</strong>s and <strong>RN</strong>s informed of learning<br />
opportunities through various webinars from state and<br />
national leaders, the Centers for Disease Control and<br />
Prevention Clinician Outreach and Communication<br />
Activity (CDC COCA) calls are great examples. I<br />
applaud all AP<strong>RN</strong>s and <strong>RN</strong>s who have demonstrated<br />
responsibility and leadership by answering the call to get<br />
vaccinated - THANK YOU!<br />
The COVID-19 pandemic has publicly highlighted<br />
our nursing profession and validated our significance<br />
in the healthcare industry and beyond. I am thankful<br />
and grateful for all AP<strong>RN</strong>s and <strong>RN</strong>s who made the<br />
conscious decision to enter the profession and remain<br />
dedicated. Thank you for choosing nursing! I am writing<br />
this article from the third floor of a hotel room located<br />
in the Fondren District in Jackson, MS, our state’s<br />
capital. I am here because of Winter Storm <strong>2021</strong>, and<br />
my desire to get to the hospital where I work. While<br />
many <strong>Mississippi</strong>ans were sheltered at home due to<br />
snow and icy conditions, nurses (and other healthcare<br />
professionals) were displaced in hotels or at their work<br />
facilities. Many were sleeping in vacant patient rooms or<br />
office spaces that were turned into temporary lodging<br />
quarters. We sacrificed time with our spouses, kids, pets<br />
and significant others to answer our call to duty. It was a<br />
tough week for a lot of us, but necessary. To AP<strong>RN</strong>s and<br />
<strong>RN</strong>s across <strong>Mississippi</strong>, THANK YOU!<br />
Another heartwarming example of nurses serving<br />
our community was reported by a local news station on<br />
February 17, <strong>2021</strong>. Two <strong>Mississippi</strong> nurses, Matt Harris<br />
and Tony Sistrunk, helped drivers who were stranded<br />
on the Lakeland Drive exit ramp off of I-55 S due to icy<br />
conditions during the <strong>2021</strong> Winter Storm. According to<br />
the article, the two nurses worked together and pulled<br />
approximately 100 cars to the top of the hill. While they<br />
were doing this heroic act of service on the streets of<br />
Lakeland Drive, a third nurse, John Jones, stayed over<br />
his shift at the hospital to continue caring for patients<br />
until Matt arrived so he could rescue the drivers. Their<br />
story can be found here. I was moved when I read this<br />
story, but I was not surprised because it is what we do -<br />
serve others! Thank you, Matt, Tony and John, for your<br />
teamwork and service.<br />
When I think about the phrase “nurses are heroes,” I get<br />
chills. We really are. But the humble fact is we don’t consider<br />
ourselves heroes; we are AP<strong>RN</strong>s and <strong>RN</strong>s answering the call<br />
to duty. And, these days that call is gigantic!<br />
I am proud to end with a note about progress.<br />
In February <strong>2021</strong>, HB 1303 was approved by the<br />
<strong>Mississippi</strong> House of Representatives. HB 1303 is<br />
significant because it removes the requirement for<br />
AP<strong>RN</strong>s to have a collaborative agreement after they<br />
complete 3,600 transition to practice hours. This is a<br />
landmark accomplishment, and it shows AP<strong>RN</strong>s vital<br />
importance to the patients of <strong>Mississippi</strong>. While this is<br />
a major step forward, there is more work to do in order<br />
to change legislation. MNA is committed to doing the<br />
work. A big and special thanks to Representative Donnie<br />
Scoggin, FNP, author of HB 1303.<br />
As always, I’d be remiss if I did not pause and<br />
show appreciation to the dedicated and hardworking<br />
team we have at MNA. Under Executive Director,<br />
Teresa Malone’s leadership, this creative team works<br />
tirelessly and flawlessly to ensure <strong>Mississippi</strong>’s AP<strong>RN</strong>s<br />
and <strong>RN</strong>s have resources and tools needed to care for<br />
<strong>Mississippi</strong>ans. Thank you, Teresa and MNA staff for<br />
all you do!<br />
If there is ever a time that I am proud to be a nurse,<br />
that I am proud to serve as President of MNA, this indeed<br />
is the time!<br />
Article referenced: UMMC nurse helps rescue drivers<br />
stranded near Lakeland Drive” from WJTV News.<br />
https://www.wjtv.com/news/ummc-nurse-helps-rescuedrivers-stranded-near-lakeland-drive/
<strong>March</strong>, April, May <strong>2021</strong> <strong>Mississippi</strong> <strong>RN</strong> • Page 5<br />
Looking to the Future, Recognizing the Past:<br />
The Advancement of <strong>Mississippi</strong> AP<strong>RN</strong>s<br />
Gayle Harrell, MSN, FNP, NP-C, CWCN<br />
Along with my fellow AP<strong>RN</strong>s, I recently witnessed<br />
the milestone achievement of the <strong>Mississippi</strong> House of<br />
Representatives’ passage of HB 1303. This bill, authored<br />
by Representative Donnie Scoggin, FNP, would greatly<br />
facilitate an AP<strong>RN</strong>’s ability to provide healthcare in<br />
<strong>Mississippi</strong>. As of the date this MS <strong>RN</strong> went to print,<br />
HB 1303 was still awaiting action by the <strong>Mississippi</strong><br />
Senate subcommittee. Regardless of the final outcome<br />
of this legislation, we are pleased with the progress this<br />
year and certainly owe an immense debt of gratitude<br />
to Representative Scoggin, and the many AP<strong>RN</strong>s and<br />
<strong>RN</strong>s who devoted untold hours to educate legislators,<br />
patients, and communities on the need for healthcare<br />
services provided by AP<strong>RN</strong>s. This progress and our successes thus far are the<br />
direct result of years of passionate, yet professional efforts by the hundreds of<br />
dedicated and honorable nurses advocating for our patients and representing our<br />
profession in a positive manner.<br />
MNA’s successful history of representing nurses began in 1911 with the<br />
purpose of elevating our profession by advocating for legislative policy to advance<br />
the nursing profession and the implementation of educational standards. In<br />
fact, MNA’s Bylaws delineate the purposes of MNA, which shall be to work for<br />
improvement of health standards, and the availability of health care services for all<br />
people; foster high standards of nursing; stimulate and promote the professional<br />
development of nurses; and promote and protect the professional environment of<br />
nurses.<br />
I will always remember when as a junior nursing student, I attended my first<br />
Nursing Summit in 1994. I distinctly remember our presenter, Dr. Judy Levitt, who<br />
inspired me to support my chosen profession by joining the <strong>Mississippi</strong> Association<br />
of Student Nurses and, upon becoming a nurse, to become a proud member of<br />
MNA. I also remember the theme of that Summit was Advanced Practice Nurses,<br />
although at that time, I had no idea that I would ultimately become an AP<strong>RN</strong>.<br />
As I look back and think about that experience, I am reminded how MNA’s<br />
staunch support through the years has always been leading the way for us. While<br />
I recognize that Summit years ago may not have been MNA’s first activity focused<br />
on AP<strong>RN</strong>s, it certainly heralded the beginning of many such events to come.<br />
MNA’s efforts have been instrumental in obtaining legislative authorization<br />
for Nurse Practitioners (NPs) to receive direct reimbursement. In 1990,<br />
MNA was successful in having a bill introduced allowing NPs to receive<br />
Medicaid reimbursement. In 1994, NPs were authorized the right to sign<br />
third-party reimbursement claim forms, eliminating the need for a physician’s<br />
countersignature. MNA was always on the alert and vigilant, working to secure<br />
legislation to strengthen language to ensure proper payment.<br />
MNA also formed an Advanced Practice Task Force to collect and analyze<br />
information that would provide relevant data on NP patient healthcare outcomes.<br />
Research and education have always been vital to NP legislative growth of<br />
practice. In 2000, two bills were proposed to provide NPs the authority to write<br />
for controlled substances. It would take two more attempts, but ultimately in 2004,<br />
this became a reality. All these changes were difficult, due to the obstacle of joint<br />
promulgation between the <strong>Mississippi</strong> Board of Nursing and the <strong>Mississippi</strong> Board<br />
of Medical Licensure. Removal of joint promulgation and the term “supervision”<br />
replaced with “collaboration” would not happen until 2009.<br />
Unfortunately, current statutes still require a “collaboration” between a<br />
physician and the AP<strong>RN</strong>. This collaboration is in reality a “contract.” For some<br />
AP<strong>RN</strong>’s across the state, physicians require a fee to “collaborate” and complete<br />
the required quality assurance for the AP<strong>RN</strong>. In fact, an AP<strong>RN</strong> cannot practice<br />
unless there is a “collaboration contract.” There are 28 states that have removed<br />
this restriction. Twenty-two states require a set number of hours of collaboration<br />
be completed before the contract is not required. On January 11, <strong>2021</strong>, Medscape<br />
presented an article by Christina Bennett that shares data on states that do not<br />
require “contracts” to practice. While there are individuals who declare that the<br />
restriction of a “collaboration contract” is safer and has better outcomes, this<br />
and other research data indicate that where there is no required “collaboration<br />
contract,” the quality of outcomes is better. AP<strong>RN</strong>s collaborate with physicians,<br />
other AP<strong>RN</strong>s and other healthcare providers on a routine basis, depending on<br />
the needs of their patients. AP<strong>RN</strong>s will continue to collaborate even when the<br />
“collaboration contract” is no longer a requirement.<br />
MNA has been consistent in representing all nurses. We have always taken<br />
pride in providing reliable information to legislators, patients, and the community,<br />
in a respectful and honest manner while providing quality continuing education<br />
opportunities to nurses. While it may be frustrating when what we need and<br />
seems reasonable takes longer than we like to achieve, MNA has always and will<br />
always strive to represent nursing in an honorable, respectful and trustworthy<br />
manner. I encourage you to be a member of this outstanding organization. Support<br />
MNA and the MNA Political Action Committee to help us continue to make our<br />
profession #1.<br />
MNA has supported and advocated for all nurses throughout <strong>Mississippi</strong>. MNA<br />
has been, is, and will remain THE PROUD VOICE of all Registered Nurses and<br />
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses across all nursing roles!<br />
References:<br />
Bennett, Christina. “Independent NPs: What’s the Evidence?” 11 Jan. <strong>2021</strong>. medscape.com/<br />
viewarticle/943940.<br />
Srinivasan, Seetha. “A Way to Serve: The <strong>Mississippi</strong> Nurses’ Association, 1911-2011.”<br />
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Page 6 • <strong>Mississippi</strong> <strong>RN</strong> <strong>March</strong>, April, May <strong>2021</strong><br />
Nurses Were Never Taught to Stay 6 Feet Away…<br />
Patricia Calabrese,<br />
PMHNP-BC<br />
Pine Grove Behavioral<br />
Health & Addiction<br />
Services<br />
In <strong>March</strong> of 2020 the<br />
world got hit with the<br />
COVID-19 pandemic. In<br />
<strong>Mississippi</strong> we were struck<br />
by the images from New<br />
York of overrun emergency<br />
departments, hallways full<br />
of patients, administrators<br />
running out of ventilators<br />
and the unthinkable, full morgues. This all came from<br />
a virus that we could not cure and found difficult to<br />
treat. COVID-19 was contagious and deadly.<br />
Nurses on the front lines knew it would come<br />
here. This is what we do, we treat symptoms, we<br />
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treat illness, and we assist those who are near death.<br />
It is what we have always done. But it is the secret<br />
of nursing that we assist the patient with the dying<br />
process. Family members can describe and appreciate<br />
the skill of the nurse during this time. But this<br />
pandemic was something none of us had experienced<br />
before. Nurses were walking into a fire. But this fire<br />
was invisible, only revealing itself to us little by little.<br />
The team’s ability to fight was limited. But not only<br />
did nurses in the ED, in the ICU, and in clinics keep<br />
working, nurses volunteered to work in these areas. In<br />
fact, older, experienced, some retired nurses came with<br />
their skills to help, before we knew that they were most<br />
susceptible.<br />
We call them Fallen Heroes, the nurses who died<br />
from COVID-19. This pandemic has taken the lives<br />
of thousands of Americans and many of them have<br />
been nurses. These nurses had long careers of care and<br />
comfort to their communities. Other nurses took the<br />
lead and treated even thousands more who survived.<br />
Maybe some believed they were invincible. They were<br />
never taught to stay 6 feet away.<br />
We have all seen their story on the news. They<br />
include the nurses who stayed with dying COVID<br />
patients, holding the phone to their ear, singing to<br />
them, praying with them, beyond their shift. The fact<br />
is, nurses were never taught to stay 6 feet away in<br />
nursing school. Not physically, and not emotionally 6<br />
feet away.<br />
But these are not the only Heroes. There are also<br />
the survivors, their colleagues. The nurses left behind<br />
who had been by their side, working as hard. The grief<br />
of losing a peer, a friend, a fellow nurse during this<br />
pandemic has been heart wrenching. Nurses rarely<br />
share their grief at work, there is rarely time, or there<br />
is the feeling that if the tears start, they may not stop.<br />
So crying or anger is saved for the ride home or the<br />
next shower or moments before bed.<br />
The family of the nurse who has died of COVID<br />
often struggles with why their parent went back into<br />
the workplace, whether they were careful enough or<br />
made safe choices. This pandemic has not been kind<br />
or fair, and sometimes has taken what seems like<br />
the really good among us. But every nurse is a Hero.<br />
Nurses always have on their badge, are always ready to<br />
work even when personal risk is involved. No matter<br />
where they work, they still counsel, comfort, and they<br />
always honor the Fallen Heroes.<br />
Nurses Were Never Taught to Stay 6 feet Away…not<br />
physically, and not emotionally.<br />
About Patricia Calabrese, PMHNP-BC<br />
Patricia Calabrese is a graduate of the Adelphi<br />
University School of Nursing in Garden City, New<br />
York. Ms. Calabrese earned her Master of Science<br />
in Nursing from The University of Maryland and<br />
completed her post graduate studies at The University<br />
of Southern <strong>Mississippi</strong>. She is a licensed Mental<br />
Health Nurse Practitioner in <strong>Mississippi</strong>. She is also<br />
accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing<br />
Center as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Child and<br />
Adolescent Psychiatry since 1986 and as a Psychiatric<br />
Nurse Practitioner since 2004. She is a member of<br />
Sigma Theta Tau. Prior to coming to Pine Grove,<br />
Ms. Calabrese coordinated both neonatal ICU<br />
and Child Psychiatric Units, in addition to work in<br />
Psychiatric consultation. Ms. Calabrese joined the<br />
Pine Grove Staff in 1992 as Director of Adult and<br />
Child & Adolescent Services, coordinating patient<br />
treatment delivery, staff management, new program<br />
development, marketing, and physician relations.<br />
She coordinated Pine Grove’s staff education from<br />
1997-2003. Ms. Calabrese currently treats child and<br />
adolescent patients at Pine Grove Outpatient Services<br />
doing assessments, medication management and<br />
therapy. She is often published in the areas of ADHD,<br />
bullying and parenting education.<br />
About Pine Grove Behavioral Health & Addiction<br />
Services<br />
Located in Hattiesburg, <strong>Mississippi</strong>, Pine Grove<br />
Behavioral Health & Addiction Services is one of the<br />
nation’s most comprehensive treatment campuses.<br />
Pine Grove’s world renowned programs treat gender<br />
specific substance abuse including specialized<br />
tracks for co-occurring eating disorders and<br />
trauma. Additionally, Pine Grove offers an Intensive<br />
Outpatient substance abuse healing program for<br />
adults and a separate treatment program specifically<br />
for those who are age 55 plus. Other Pine Grove<br />
specialty programs include a dedicated professional’s<br />
treatment curriculum and a comprehensive evaluation<br />
center. Pine Grove also features a program for<br />
patients with sexual addiction. Inpatient Services<br />
including an Adult Psychiatric Unit, along with<br />
a Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Unit, and<br />
Outpatient Services are other components. Pine<br />
Grove is a division of Forrest Health, a partnership<br />
of healthcare organizations across South <strong>Mississippi</strong>,<br />
and the behavioral healthcare extension of Forrest<br />
General Hospital, a 547 bed, level II Regional Trauma<br />
Center. Established in 1984, Pine Grove has provided<br />
nationally and internationally recognized health care<br />
for 37 years.<br />
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<strong>March</strong>, April, May <strong>2021</strong> <strong>Mississippi</strong> <strong>RN</strong> • Page 7<br />
Report from Council on Advanced Practice<br />
Tackling Nurse Fatigue<br />
Courtney Bennett, DNP,<br />
PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC<br />
With the need to<br />
administer millions of<br />
COVID-19 vaccines,<br />
continuous rise in the<br />
number of coronavirus<br />
cases, high demand for<br />
nurses to meet critically<br />
ill patients’ needs, nurses<br />
must be mindful of any<br />
existing fatigue. Fatigue<br />
is not the same as “just<br />
feeling tired” or “sleepy.” It is a feeling of weakness<br />
and exhaustion that worsens with mental and physical<br />
activity. Fatigue makes it hard to concentrate and<br />
complete tasks. According to Joint Commission,<br />
fatigue can compromise problem-solving, diminish<br />
reaction time, and result in lapses in attention and<br />
memory, making it hard to complete even the simplest<br />
of daily tasks such as cooking, exercising, reading, etc.<br />
Most importantly, fatigue can affect patient care and<br />
jeopardize patient safety.<br />
When nurses are physically and mentally<br />
exhausted, decreased work performance, empathy,<br />
patient-focus, motivation, and mood alterations can<br />
occur. Nurses play a critical role in delivering and<br />
ensuring safe patient care. When cognitive impairment<br />
occurs from fatigue, it compromises patient safety<br />
and can lead to serious, even life-threatening errors.<br />
Therefore, nurses must be mindful of fatigue and take<br />
the necessary steps to alleviate it. Some steps nurses<br />
can take include the following:<br />
1. Get adequate sleep - at least seven to nine hours<br />
each night.<br />
2. Delegate when possible. Not only at work during<br />
patient care, but at home as well. Is there a spouse,<br />
relative, or friend that can help you with tasks at<br />
home?<br />
3. Take frequent, short breaks for rest and nutritious<br />
food. We are often busy caring for others and<br />
forget to take care of ourselves.<br />
4. Consider limiting work hour shifts to 12 hours.<br />
For most nurses, 12-hour shifts or longer are<br />
typical, but extending those hours or taking on<br />
extra shifts can lead to fatigue and burnout.<br />
5. Utilize a team-based approach. Working as a<br />
team and supporting your co-workers can help<br />
significantly reduce fatigue.<br />
6. Take note of your stressors. Write down at least<br />
once a week the things that cause you to stress and<br />
become fatigued, with one way to reduce each.<br />
7. Engage in healthy activities. Listening to music,<br />
meditation, spending time with friends, and<br />
walking for 30 minutes each day can help reduce<br />
stress and fatigue.<br />
8. Leave work at work. When you clock out,<br />
mentally clock out as well. Taking home workrelated<br />
stressors may hinder you from recharging<br />
for the next day.<br />
9. Maintain one’s medical health. Fatigue may also<br />
indicate an underlying medical condition such as<br />
diabetes, heart disease, or a thyroid disorder.<br />
10. Seek employee assistance stress relief or nurse<br />
burnout programs if available.<br />
In addition, nurses can easily obtain information<br />
on coping with fatigue, stress and improving selfcare<br />
by accessing the Coping with COVID webinars<br />
on the <strong>Mississippi</strong> Nurses’ Association website under<br />
Coronavirus Updates at www.msnurses.org/resources/<br />
news. Information on upcoming webinars will be<br />
disseminated via email to all <strong>Mississippi</strong> nurses.<br />
Although nurses are incredibly resilient, fatigue<br />
can occur and can negatively impact your health<br />
and patient safety. It is, therefore, critical that nurses<br />
remain mindful of the signs of fatigue, and take steps<br />
to reduce it.<br />
References:<br />
Alidoost, S., Aryankhesal, A., Behzadifar, M., Farhadi,<br />
Z., Hamidi, Y. & Sohrabi, R. (2019). Interventions<br />
on reducing burnout in physicians and nurses: A<br />
systematic review. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.<br />
nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6825380/.<br />
Barbara, H. & Wightman, L. (2018). Fatigue and critical<br />
care nurse. Retrieved from https://journals.lww.<br />
com/nursingcriticalcare/fulltext/2018/01000/fatigue_<br />
and_critical_care_nurses__considerations.2.aspx.<br />
Brown, S., Purviance, D. & Southard, E. (2020). Nurse<br />
fatigue: Short on sleep, short on safety. Retrieved<br />
from https://www.myamericannurse.com/nursefatigue-short-on-sleep-short-on-safety/.<br />
Ford, J., Knupp, A., Patterson, E., Thelma, P. & Zurmehly,<br />
J. (2018). Associations among nurse fatigue,<br />
individual nurse factors, and aspects of the nursing<br />
practice environment. Retrieved from https://<br />
journals.lww.com/jonajournal/Abstract/2018/12000/<br />
Associations_Among_Nurse_Fatigue,_Individual_<br />
Nurse.13.aspx.<br />
The Joint Commission (2011). Sentinel event alert. Retrieved<br />
from https://www.jointcommission.org/-/media/<br />
deprecated-unorganized/imported-assets/tjc/<br />
system-folders/topics-library/sea_48pdf.pdf?db=we<br />
b&hash=4346390A27460749B559FDFBC8161044.<br />
Carl Mangum, PhD, PMHNP<br />
Reprinted from <strong>Mississippi</strong> <strong>RN</strong> <strong>March</strong> 2019<br />
Webster defines suicide<br />
as “the act or an instance<br />
of taking one's own life<br />
voluntarily and intentionally”<br />
( https://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/<br />
suicide). Suicide is a very<br />
scary word, especially for<br />
nurses. As nurses, we face<br />
many difficult situations<br />
and issues, with suicide of<br />
our patients being one of the<br />
most difficult ones. Nursing<br />
is a caring profession and<br />
it is difficult to separate<br />
ourselves from the plight of our patients and their<br />
families. Numerous nurses struggle with many issues in<br />
the workplace today. Short staffing, increased acuity,<br />
increased documentation, and budgetary issues are just<br />
some of the challenges nurses face daily. “In today’s<br />
complex health care environment, nurses have more<br />
responsibility and accountability” (Davidson et al., 2018,<br />
p.5). Nurses also face the challenges of being mothers,<br />
fathers, students, financial providers, and more to their<br />
families, friends, and communities. Nurses increasingly<br />
are having trouble coping with these stressors and are<br />
choosing suicide. Unfortunately, research is showing<br />
this. “Nurses are at a higher risk than the age and gender<br />
matched controls to complete suicide” (Davidson et al.,<br />
2019, p.20).<br />
“Nurses may too often hold themselves to a higher<br />
standard, and they might feel shameful or disinclined to<br />
confront their own issues with mental health because they<br />
are trained to help others, not themselves” (Davidson<br />
et al., 2018, p.5). Nurses are the caregivers and many<br />
of them believe they should be able to handle all of the<br />
pressure and difficulties that come their way. Nursing is<br />
the most trusted profession and nurses do not have higher<br />
than average societal issues. “Nurses were significantly<br />
less likely to have a recent criminal problem or alcohol<br />
problem than the general population” (Davidson et al.,<br />
2019, p.18).<br />
When it comes to suicide completion, the research<br />
shows that nurses are different from other professions.<br />
Suicide<br />
“Nurses completed suicide more commonly by poisoning<br />
using pharmaceuticals and other substances, followed<br />
closely by firearms, where all others completed suicide<br />
most commonly by firearms” (Davidson et al., 2019,<br />
p.18). When you consider that nurses have easy access to,<br />
and an in-depth understanding of many medications, the<br />
use of pharmaceuticals can be better understood. “The<br />
substances identified as cause of death in nurse suicide<br />
contain a combination of medications used only in the<br />
hospital setting (e.g.: succinylcholine, phenobarbital)<br />
as well as those commonly found in the home (e.g.:<br />
oxycodone, ibuprofen)” (Davidson et al., 2019, p.18). The<br />
opioid crisis appears to also be a factor in the nurse suicide<br />
increase.<br />
“Nurses were statistically significantly more likely<br />
to have reported mental health problems, history of a<br />
treatment of mental illness, history of previous suicide<br />
attempt, leaving a suicide note and physical health<br />
problems than the general population” (Davidson et<br />
al., 2019, p.17-18). How do we address this? Nurses must<br />
check on each other. If caring is a true cornerstone of the<br />
profession, let it start with each of us! We must eliminate<br />
the stigma of mental illness and create an environment<br />
within the nursing profession where people feel free and<br />
empowered to seek treatment and ask for help. Mental<br />
illness is not a weakness, one cannot just suck it up and<br />
feel better. Nurses put others before themselves most of the<br />
time. We need to educate nurses that there are times when<br />
“self” must come first, so others can be helped later. Nurse<br />
suicide is not a new problem. “Nurse suicide has been a<br />
hidden phenomenon in the profession and has not been<br />
adequately measured or studied within the United States”<br />
(Davidson et al., 2018, p.8). More research is definitely<br />
needed in this area. The question each of us must ask is …<br />
how will I make a difference?<br />
References<br />
Davidson, J., Mendis, J., Stuck, A., DeMichele, G., & Zisook,<br />
S., (2018). Nurse suicide: Breaking the silence. NAM<br />
Persceptives. Discussion Paper, National Academy of<br />
Medicine. https://nam.edu/nurse-suicide-breaking-thesilence.<br />
Davidson, J., Proudfoot, J., Lee, K., & Zisook, S., (2019). Nurse<br />
suicide in the United States: Analysis of the Center<br />
for Disease Control 2014 National Violent Death<br />
Reporting System dataset. Archives of Psychiatric<br />
Nursing, 33 (2019), 16-21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.<br />
apnu.2019.04.006.<br />
from the <strong>Mississippi</strong> Center for<br />
Quality and Workforce<br />
Misissippi’s Healthcare Heroes...<br />
They work in <strong>Mississippi</strong><br />
Healing us is their prime skill<br />
He and She are heroes<br />
Caring for our ill<br />
Thank you, Healthcare Hero<br />
For your day in, day out fight<br />
Caring for our loved ones,<br />
With your heart, your soul, your might<br />
We may never get to meet you<br />
Or thank you to your face<br />
Please know you’re loved and prayed for<br />
By the whole Magnolia state<br />
Excerpt from:<br />
<strong>Mississippi</strong>’s Healthcare Heroes by Robin Powell<br />
of the <strong>Mississippi</strong> Hospital Association
Page 8 • <strong>Mississippi</strong> <strong>RN</strong> <strong>March</strong>, April, May <strong>2021</strong><br />
Answering the Big Questions on COVID-19 Vaccines<br />
Juanita Graham, DNP-<br />
<strong>RN</strong>, FRSPH<br />
Although nurses<br />
strongly agree on the need<br />
to eliminate the COVID-19<br />
virus and related suffering<br />
and death, there are much<br />
more diverse perspectives<br />
on whether the currently<br />
available vaccines should<br />
be part of the elimination<br />
plan. As a general rule, provaxxers<br />
and anti-vaxxers<br />
exist at opposite ends<br />
of the preventive health spectrum, and vaccination<br />
mandates remain a hotly debated topic. However,<br />
the accelerated speed at which COVID vaccines were<br />
created provokes skepticism among even some of the<br />
staunchest vaccine advocates. Currently, COVID-19<br />
vaccination is ultimately a personal choice. This<br />
article seeks to objectively answer common questions<br />
on COVID-19 vaccines.<br />
What COVID-19 vaccination principles should<br />
nurses consider? The American Nurses Association<br />
cites five nursing principles regarding COVID-19<br />
vaccination, including Access, Efficacy, Equity, Safety,<br />
and Transparency (ANA, <strong>2021</strong>). Access recognizes<br />
the challenges of global vaccination efforts. Efficacy<br />
measures the extent to which the vaccine performs<br />
in developing immunity. Equity calls for balance in<br />
protecting essential workers and most vulnerable<br />
people groups around the world. Transparency of<br />
vaccine production and vaccination efforts is required<br />
to maintain trust among the public. Well-defined<br />
safety protocols are necessary to protect the provider<br />
and the vaccine recipients from injury or harm.<br />
What processes and protocols were followed to<br />
obtain vaccines so quickly? The US Food and Drug<br />
Administration follows stringent, three-phased<br />
protocols for vaccine development, even under such<br />
rapid-roll-out mechanisms (CDC, 2020a). Phases<br />
begin small with as few as 20 participants and<br />
gradually move up to thousands of participants.<br />
Careful monitoring of every trial participant assures<br />
a rapid halt in the process if a serious negative event<br />
occurs, and construction of a complete and accurate<br />
list of vaccine side effects. Upon completing Phase<br />
III trials, the pharmaceutical company can apply<br />
for an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). An EUA<br />
allows the immediate use of a product or device in<br />
response to a public emergency or disaster, such as the<br />
COVID-19 pandemic (FDA, 2020).<br />
What vaccines are available? As of mid-January<br />
<strong>2021</strong>, there are two FDA-approved EUA vaccines<br />
– one from Moderna (M), and another by Pfizer-<br />
BioNTech (PB). Both are m<strong>RN</strong>A type vaccines,<br />
meaning that they use messenger <strong>RN</strong>A to develop an<br />
immune response (CDC, 2020b). Both require two<br />
doses given nearly a month apart (PB 21 days vs. M<br />
28 days), and administered by intramuscular injection<br />
(IAC, 2020). Both require refrigerated storage, but<br />
the PB vaccine requires ultracold storage (IAC,<br />
2020). The M and PB report similar adverse reactions<br />
(injection site pain, swelling, redness; systemic<br />
fatigue, headache, muscle pain, joint ache, & chills)<br />
and precautions (previous severe allergic reaction to<br />
vaccines or their components; IAC, 2020).<br />
Who is eligible to be vaccinated and when? The<br />
National Academies of Science, Engineering, and<br />
Medicine (NASEM) published an interim guidance<br />
and framework for allocating vaccine based on need<br />
(NASEM, 2020). The NASEM framework divides<br />
the mass-population vaccination into four major<br />
phases, with two phase 1 subsets. Phasing protocols<br />
are controlled at the state level – usually the Governor<br />
and/or state and local public health officials.<br />
Phase 1a focuses on essential workers and<br />
healthcare providers. Phase 1b focuses on high-risk<br />
individuals, particularly the very elderly, greater than<br />
75 years in age. Phase 1b also includes certain very<br />
high-risk groups such as those with significant chronic<br />
health conditions, including immunocompromised,<br />
diabetic, and hypertensive individuals (NASEM,<br />
2020). Phase 2 incorporates more essential workers<br />
and people living in or with higher risk conditions<br />
(NASEM, 2020). The Phase 2 essential workers include<br />
teachers and grocery store staff, and groups such as<br />
prisoners, homeless, or those with other less critical<br />
health conditions. Phase 3 reaches farther across the<br />
masses picking up young adults, children, and more<br />
essential workers not included in Phases 1 and 2<br />
(NASEM, 2020). Finally, Phase 4 opens the full reach<br />
of the vaccination effort to incorporate any other<br />
individuals living in the U.S., not already captured<br />
during earlier phases (NASEM, 2020). Individuals<br />
desiring earlier vaccine access may choose to join a<br />
vaccine clinical trial. Visit the National Institutes of<br />
Health website to learn more about volunteering for<br />
clinical trials (NIH, 2020).<br />
Can I stop taking safety precautions after getting a<br />
COVID-19 vaccine, or if I’ve already had COVID-19<br />
infection? The current consensus is no. The vaccines<br />
are very new and there hasn’t been enough research<br />
and time passed to know how long vaccine-produced<br />
immunity will last. Thus, it becomes necessary to<br />
continue safety precautions until more is known about<br />
vaccine efficacy and longevity (Sparks & MCS, <strong>2021</strong>).<br />
Similarly, if you’ve already had COVID-19, you might<br />
still consider the vaccine, because there is insufficient<br />
research to know the efficacy or longevity of natural<br />
infection-acquired immunity acquired (Sparks &<br />
MCS, <strong>2021</strong>).<br />
Will travel ever be the same? Mass transit has been<br />
significantly impacted by COVID-19 due to reduced<br />
ability to social distance and maintain fresh air flow.<br />
Many modes of travel already require proof of disease<br />
recovery or COVID-19 testing (CDC, <strong>2021</strong>). As the<br />
mass vaccination movement pushes forward, some<br />
travel industries are already setting requirements<br />
mandating proof of vaccination before traveling<br />
with them (Coulter, <strong>2021</strong>; Sweet, 2020). These vaccine<br />
passports or immunity certificates may soon be<br />
required for certain entertainment venues such as Live<br />
Nation concerts and Ticketmaster (Brooks, 2020). The<br />
best travel policy will certainly be know before you go.<br />
References<br />
American Nurses Association [ANA]. (<strong>2021</strong>). Guiding<br />
principles for nurses and the COVID-19 vaccines.<br />
Available online at https://bit.ly/2KDyB8n<br />
Brooks, D. (2020). How Ticketmaster plans to check your<br />
vaccine status for concerts: Exclusive. Available<br />
online at https://bit.ly/2KFi7Nb<br />
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]. (2020a).<br />
Ensuring the safety of vaccines in the United States.<br />
Available online at https://bit.ly/3abd8N5<br />
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]. (2020b).<br />
Understanding m<strong>RN</strong>A COVID-19 vaccines.<br />
Available online at https://bit.ly/3qQ0kSZ<br />
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]. (<strong>2021</strong>).<br />
Order section 361. Available online at https://bit.<br />
ly/365VoRJ<br />
Coulter, A. (<strong>2021</strong>). Saga Cruises becomes first line to insists<br />
passengers have COVID vaccination ahead of<br />
cruise. Available online at https://www.cruisecritic.<br />
com/news/5830/<br />
Immunization Action Coalition [IAC]. (2020). COVID-19<br />
m<strong>RN</strong>A vaccines: What clinic personnel need to<br />
know. Available online at https://www.immunize.<br />
org/catg.d/p3210.pdf .<br />
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine<br />
[NASEM]. (2020). Framework for equitable<br />
allocation of COVID-19 vaccine. Washington,<br />
DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.<br />
org/10.17226/25917.<br />
National Institutes of Health [NIH]/ (2020). Volunteer for<br />
COVID-19 clinical trials. Available online at https://<br />
www.niaid.nih.gov/clinical-trials/covid-19-clinicaltrials<br />
.<br />
Sparks, D. & Mayo Clinic Staff [MCS]. (<strong>2021</strong>). You need the<br />
facts about COVID-19 vaccines. Available online at<br />
https://mayocl.in/3qDu1X4<br />
Sweet, J. (2020). Will airlines require vaccine passports in<br />
<strong>2021</strong>? Available online at https://bit.ly/39QIKHu<br />
U.S. Food and Drug Administration [FDA]. (2020).<br />
Emergency use authorization for vaccines<br />
explained. Available online at https://bit.ly/396FLvq
<strong>March</strong>, April, May <strong>2021</strong> <strong>Mississippi</strong> <strong>RN</strong> • Page 9<br />
Tomekia Luckett,<br />
PhD, <strong>RN</strong><br />
Intimate Partner Violence & the<br />
Covid-19 Pandemic<br />
Intimate partner<br />
violence (IPV) is becoming<br />
increasingly problematic<br />
within the United States<br />
and abroad. Intimate<br />
partner violence refers to<br />
physical violence, sexual<br />
violence, stalking or<br />
psychological harm by a<br />
present or former spouse or<br />
partner. Intimate partner<br />
violence can occur in<br />
heterosexuals or same-sex couples, and sex may or<br />
may not be involved in the dynamic. Individuals who<br />
experience IPV often fear speaking out about their<br />
circumstances due to fear and shame. The national<br />
domestic violence slogan is “silence hides violence.”<br />
There are also cultural and societal norms relating<br />
to “keeping silent and protecting the happenings of<br />
our house.” These cultural norms provide further<br />
barriers to individuals who are experiencing IPV from<br />
speaking out. Individuals who are in these situations<br />
could benefit greatly from a healthy outlet to share<br />
their feelings and experiences. Unfortunately, the<br />
stigmas associated with IPV prevent many from<br />
speaking out and therefore the cycle of violence<br />
continues.<br />
Sadly enough, rates of (IPV) displayed an<br />
increasing trend amid the global Coronavirus-19<br />
(COVID-19) pandemic. To reduce the risk of<br />
COVID-19 spread and to flatten the curve, orders for<br />
shelter-in-place were initiated worldwide (Fromison<br />
et al, 2020). The orders were named “safer at home”<br />
or “shelter in place.” These orders were necessary to<br />
enhance public safety and provide possible means<br />
to reduce transmission of COVID-19. However, the<br />
reality for some patients is that the home is the least<br />
safe place for their immediate health (Fromison, et<br />
al., 2020). As individuals were mandated to shelter-inplace,<br />
this added to the amount of time for families<br />
and couples to be in close quarters together. This<br />
proximity further perpetuated the cycle of violence<br />
and led to increased incidences of IPV. Further,<br />
financial stressors and job loss secondary to the<br />
COVID-19 pandemic further increased the risk for<br />
IPV and made escape less feasible for victims (Jarneke<br />
& Flanagan, 2020).<br />
How can healthcare workers assist IPV survivors<br />
during the pandemic and beyond? One of the primary<br />
means to assist survivors of IPV is by providing<br />
resources. The provision of resources includes<br />
resources for shelter, finances, and planning for a safe<br />
escape. Nurse leaders and policy makers are further<br />
encouraged to initiate conversations centered around<br />
the management of the global pandemic and often<br />
overlooked persons to include those who are at risk<br />
for IPV. The need to provide creative and effective<br />
means to provide IPV survivors with resources across<br />
various platforms is essential to further assist during<br />
these challenging times (Jarneke & Flanagan, 2020). In<br />
the long-term, the COVID-19 pandemic may serve as<br />
a model for future planning and preparedness in the<br />
face of crisis. This planning and preparedness should<br />
include safety measures and resources for persons at<br />
risk for IPV and IPV survivors.<br />
The <strong>Mississippi</strong> Nurses’ Association is committed<br />
to providing continuing education offerings to<br />
increase knowledge and awareness of IPV. MNA<br />
instituted efforts prior to COVID-19 including<br />
adoption of a resolution to facilitate awareness of<br />
IPV within <strong>Mississippi</strong>. MNA is committed to these<br />
sustained efforts as IPV is a public health concern<br />
impacting us all in one way or another. As nurses, this<br />
is our commitment and we are dedicated to fulfilling<br />
this need.<br />
References<br />
Froimson, J. R., Bryan, D. S., Bryan, A. F., & Zakrison, T.<br />
L. (2020). COVID-19, Home Confinement, and the<br />
Fallacy of “Safest at Home.” American Journal of<br />
Public Health, 110(7), 960–961. https://doi-org.ezp.<br />
waldenulibrary.org/10.2105/AJPH.2020.305725<br />
Jarnecke, A. M., & Flanagan, J. C. (2020). Staying Safe<br />
During COVID-19: How a Pandemic Can Escalate<br />
Risk for Intimate Partner Violence and What Can<br />
Be Done to Provide Individuals With Resources and<br />
Support. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research,<br />
Practice & Policy, 12, S202–S204. https://doi-org.<br />
ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1037/tra0000688<br />
Thank You!<br />
The Board of Directors and staff of the <strong>Mississippi</strong><br />
Nurses’ Association offer our sincere appreciation<br />
to you, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses<br />
and Registered Nurses, who faced the challenges<br />
of Winter Storm <strong>2021</strong> head-on! No matter what<br />
it took, you continued to care for <strong>Mississippi</strong>’s<br />
patients, your colleagues and your communities!<br />
MNA President, Dr. Tonya Moore has a special<br />
video message for you.<br />
Click Here for<br />
MNA President,<br />
Dr. Tonya Moore Video<br />
We hope you can<br />
find time to rest, and<br />
encourage you to take<br />
care of yourselves!<br />
Thank you for your<br />
dedication!<br />
Dr. Tonya Moore’s video can be accessed at<br />
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viewing the print copy.<br />
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Page 10 • <strong>Mississippi</strong> <strong>RN</strong> <strong>March</strong>, April, May <strong>2021</strong><br />
Honoring Our Fallen Nurse Heroes<br />
Rather, ten times, die in the surf, heralding the way to a new world, than stand idly on the shore." —Florence Nightingale<br />
Susan Boyette,<br />
Enterprise, MS<br />
Sarah Clark,<br />
Meridian, MS<br />
Julie Field,<br />
Biloxi, MS<br />
William "Bill" Gassett,<br />
Brandon, MS<br />
Melvin Green,<br />
Yazoo, MS<br />
Tammy Grice,<br />
Gulfport, MS<br />
Robin Holland,<br />
Gulfport, MS<br />
Walter “Scott” Howard,<br />
Quitman, MS<br />
Essie Hudson,<br />
Hattiesburg, MS<br />
Karen Jackson,<br />
Columbia, MS<br />
Debbie Kain,<br />
Raymond, MS<br />
Patricia Ann Kirksey,<br />
Greenville, MS<br />
Cheryl Anne<br />
Longfellow,<br />
Ocean Springs, MS<br />
Frances “Elaine”<br />
McRae,<br />
Pascagoula, MS<br />
Sheena R. Miles,<br />
Morton, MS<br />
Becky Darlene<br />
Myhand,<br />
Smithville, MS<br />
Kimberly Napper,<br />
Madison, MS<br />
Sheri Nunnery,<br />
Magnolia, MS<br />
Sandra Powell,<br />
Natchez, MS<br />
Bill Ricketts,<br />
Corinth, MS<br />
Neff Rios,<br />
Dublin, MS<br />
Arletta Smith,<br />
Brookhaven, MS<br />
Shelley Smith,<br />
Grenada, MS<br />
Melinda Spears,<br />
Shivers, MS<br />
Lori Spikes,<br />
Clinton, MS<br />
Mary Sprayberry,<br />
Nettleton, MS<br />
Dianne Starling-<br />
Jackson,<br />
Madison, MS<br />
Debbie Stokes,<br />
Colia, MS<br />
Ann Williamson,<br />
Cleveland, MS<br />
Diane Wolfe,<br />
Brandon, MS<br />
Kari Young,<br />
Olive Branch, MS
<strong>March</strong>, April, May <strong>2021</strong> <strong>Mississippi</strong> <strong>RN</strong> • Page 11<br />
COVID-19 Vaccination in<br />
<strong>Mississippi</strong><br />
Thomas E. Dobbs, III, MD, MPH<br />
State Health Officer<br />
<strong>Mississippi</strong> State Department of Health<br />
The development of multiple COVID vaccines<br />
in less than a year is nothing short of remarkable.<br />
The fact that these vaccines were approved with the<br />
standard scientific rigor is even more remarkable. The<br />
technological leap that supported the development of<br />
m<strong>RN</strong>A vaccines was years in the making. This was not<br />
a rushed process, but the culmination of over a decade<br />
of research that left us in a prime position to launch<br />
these novel and highly effective vaccines.<br />
Currently two COVID-19 vaccines are available in<br />
the U.S. Both use messenger <strong>RN</strong>A technology (m<strong>RN</strong>A),<br />
composed of strands of m<strong>RN</strong>A enveloped in microscopic balls of lipids. m<strong>RN</strong>A<br />
vaccines take advantage of the body’s natural processes, using your own cell near<br />
the injection sight to produce the spike protein (and only the spike protein). Entire<br />
COVID-19 cannot be produced, and you cannot get COVID from the vaccine. This<br />
approach has the benefit of generating robust cell-mediated and antibody-based<br />
immunity. The m<strong>RN</strong>A is naturally degraded, like all other m<strong>RN</strong>A your body<br />
uses perpetually. The currently available vaccines are manufactured by Pfizer and<br />
Moderna. Both require two doses to achieve maximal immunity, with the second<br />
dose of Pfizer at 3 – 6 weeks and Moderna at 4 – 6 weeks. The Pfizer and Moderna<br />
vaccines both have demonstrated an approximate 95% efficacy in preventing<br />
illness, and in clinical studies, the prevention of death or severe disease in 100%<br />
of recipients. The safety profile has been very reassuring, with most side effects<br />
consisting of transient arm soreness or a short period of constitutional symptoms<br />
(muscle aches, fatigue and sometimes fever). The worst side effects noted to date<br />
are anaphylactic reactions, which are exceeding rare (~5 per 1 million) and seen<br />
mostly in people with a known history of anaphylaxis to a medication. Deaths<br />
noted after vaccination have all been consistent with the expected death rate in the<br />
population, a phenomenon not unexpected given the large number of doses and the<br />
focus on older, sicker patients. No deaths have been attributed to the vaccine.<br />
Within the next several weeks, we anticipate FDA review of a single dose<br />
vaccine produced by Johnson & Johnson (J&J). This vaccine uses a different<br />
technology but a similar strategy. The J&J vaccine uses an adenovirus vector<br />
(benign cold virus) to deliver COVID spike protein m<strong>RN</strong>A to cells. Immunity<br />
is generated in a similar manner as with m<strong>RN</strong>A vaccines, with cellularly<br />
manufactured spike protein generating a natural complement of immunity. This<br />
vaccine has the advantage of being a single dose immunization. Although clinical<br />
trials demonstrate 100% efficacy in preventing hospitalization or death, efficacy in<br />
protecting against any symptomatic illness was approximately 70%.<br />
In <strong>Mississippi</strong>, as in most of the U.S., early vaccination efforts have targeted<br />
healthcare workers and older residents, especially those living in nursing homes or<br />
assisted living. Thus far over 40% of all <strong>Mississippi</strong>ans over 74 and over 34% of<br />
those over 64 have received at least one vaccine. Currently all healthcare workers,<br />
residents 65 plus, or those 16 – 64 with certain chronic medical issues are eligible<br />
in <strong>Mississippi</strong>. We are making amazing progress in our immunization efforts (see<br />
Figure). Over 320,000 <strong>Mississippi</strong>ans have received at least one dose and over<br />
445,000 vaccinations have been provided. The greatest bottleneck has been vaccine<br />
availability, with demand far outstripping supply.<br />
It is critically important that all healthcare workers get vaccinated now, not<br />
just to protect ourselves but also those vulnerable patients who place their lives<br />
in our hands. Suboptimal uptake, especially among nursing home staff, seriously<br />
threatens the gains we have seen over the past weeks. For us to defeat the<br />
COVID-19 pandemic, we must simultaneously suppress transmission and broaden<br />
immunity through the wide availability of these effective vaccines.<br />
Even as vaccination successes grow, we must not be complacent. The emergence<br />
of new, more contagious variants might undermine our success in driving down<br />
cases and hospitalizations. Although no variants currently undermine the<br />
effectiveness of the m<strong>RN</strong>A vaccines, some have shown less responsiveness to some<br />
adenoviral vector vaccines (South African strain). To be most successful, we need<br />
to limit community transmission while ramping up our vaccination efforts, thereby<br />
depriving the virus the opportunity to mutate into more malevolent strains. To<br />
learn more, please visit: healthyms.com/covid or cdc.gov/covid<br />
Your Involvement Matters<br />
Alena Lester, DNP, AP<strong>RN</strong>, FNP-C, ONP-C<br />
MNA Director, Council on Health Affairs<br />
Spring brings renewal with many things, especially<br />
in the realm of politics and practice. MNA’s<br />
Legislative Summit is usually held each Spring,<br />
offering opportunities for local representatives to<br />
discuss current policies and bills that do or could<br />
potentially affect nursing practice. Unfortunately, this<br />
year is different for all of us, including your nursing<br />
organization. The annual Legislative Summit is<br />
cancelled this year. This cancellation follows MNA<br />
representative discussions with state universities<br />
regarding the increased stressors on faculty and<br />
students. These stressors have become a huge burden<br />
in the form of shortened semesters, rushed deadlines, COVID-19 safety/testing<br />
guidelines, and vaccination concerns for students as well as faculty and staff.<br />
For the safety and health of our State, this year MNA will offer recorded<br />
presentations from local representatives and board members addressing current<br />
policies and bills that may directly or indirectly affect nursing practice. Please look<br />
for these on the MNA website and Facebook page.<br />
One current policy concerning AP<strong>RN</strong> practice is of particular interest this year.<br />
During the 2020 House of Delegates, MNA Board members and delegates voted<br />
to pass a resolution supporting Full Practice Authority in the State of <strong>Mississippi</strong>.<br />
It’s critical for local representatives and patients to understand the importance<br />
of the removal of the “collaborative contract” between AP<strong>RN</strong>s and physicians.<br />
This contract is an antiquated requirement that has long surpassed its purpose.<br />
In fact, it has proven to be burdensome to access to health care for the residents<br />
of <strong>Mississippi</strong> and their health outcomes. Full Practice Authority does not call for<br />
any request of privileges outside the education or scope of practice for any ARPN.<br />
It simply allows AP<strong>RN</strong>s to practice to the full extent of their education and scope<br />
of practice without a written binding contract with a physician.<br />
I would like to encourage each reader/member of MNA to take the following<br />
steps to not only become more involved in their nursing organization, but to<br />
fully understand what it means to be an active member, nursing advocate, and an<br />
empowered nursing professional:<br />
1. Reach out to your local representative. Request an appointment or offer an<br />
email discussing current policies that may affect nursing practice and how<br />
this could affect your profession. Get to know them. Thank them. Appreciate<br />
their time and effort in serving the residents of <strong>Mississippi</strong>.<br />
2. Join the <strong>Mississippi</strong> Nurses’ Association and your national nursing<br />
organization. Sign up to attend a district meeting. Become involved. Broaden<br />
your understanding of what your nursing organization can do for you and<br />
your profession.<br />
3. Join the MNA Political Action Committee (PAC). The MNA PAC offers you<br />
the opportunity to make your voice heard. It is used to generate funding for<br />
candidates who support nursing practice, propose bills that hope to change<br />
nursing practice burdens, improve patient outcomes, and provide platforms<br />
for nursing advocacy!<br />
4. Advocate for change. Serve at the district level or consider serving on the<br />
MNA Board. Attend Legislative Summit, and <strong>RN</strong> and AP<strong>RN</strong> Day at the<br />
Capitol. Make your voice heard.<br />
Join MNA, contact your local representatives, become ACTIVE, and support<br />
your profession.<br />
Stay Healthy and Safe!<br />
Now Hiring<br />
in <strong>Mississippi</strong>!<br />
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Page 12 • <strong>Mississippi</strong> <strong>RN</strong> <strong>March</strong>, April, May <strong>2021</strong><br />
<strong>Mississippi</strong> Nurses Foundation<br />
<strong>Mississippi</strong> Nurses Foundation<br />
Community Grant Summary<br />
Fannie Lou Hamer Cancer Foundation Breast Health<br />
Outreach Program (BHOP)<br />
Freddie White-Johnson, M.P.P.A. President,<br />
Fannie Lou Hamer Cancer Foundation<br />
Dr. Katherine Hughes, AP<strong>RN</strong>, FNP-BC, <strong>RN</strong>-Assistant Professor of Nursing,<br />
Delta State University<br />
Save the Date<br />
MNF Brick Garden<br />
“outside” Ceremony<br />
Saturday, May 8, <strong>2021</strong><br />
The <strong>Mississippi</strong> Nurses Foundation has tentatively scheduled the<br />
Brick Garden Ceremony for Saturday, May 8, <strong>2021</strong> during Nurses<br />
Week at the <strong>Mississippi</strong> Center for Nursing in Madison.<br />
Don’t miss an opportunity to pay tribute to someone or an<br />
organization by purchasing a brick “in honor” or “in memory” and<br />
having it engraved and placed in the Mary E. Stainton Center for<br />
Nursing Garden.<br />
Call MNF at 601-898-0850 or email kdorr@msnurses.org for more<br />
details.<br />
MNF Nurse in Need Raffle<br />
Winner<br />
The Fannie Lou Hamer Cancer Foundation’s (FLHCF) mission is to prevent<br />
cancer and improve cancer survival rates in the medically underserved 18 counties<br />
in the <strong>Mississippi</strong> Delta. It is committed to fighting breast cancer, cervical cancer,<br />
prostate cancer and colon cancer.<br />
THE GOALS OF THE BREAST HEALTH OUTREACH PROJECT: The<br />
goals of the proposed expanded Community Health Advisors’ (CHA) Breast<br />
Health Outreach Program (BHOP) are four-fold: 1) Continue to recruit medically<br />
underserved women (ages 40-64) for both first time screening and annual<br />
screening; 2) Continue to increase awareness about the MS Breast and Cervical<br />
Cancer Program (MS BCCP) and importance of early detection of breast cancer<br />
through clinical breast exam (CBE) or breast self-examination (BSE); 3) Continue<br />
to educate women about Medicaid and Medicare coverage of annual screening<br />
mammograms and assist them in obtaining the service from providers who accept<br />
Medicaid and/or Medicare; and 4) Continue to assist clients in navigating the<br />
screening and treatment process, and advocate for quality care.<br />
MEASURES OF EFFECTIVES:<br />
Counties involved: Leflore County, Montgomery County, Sunflower County,<br />
Webster County<br />
The number of underserved women who were contacted for mammogram<br />
screening: 94<br />
Number of women who received an abnormal mammogram report: 3<br />
Number of women had a positive breast cancer finding: 3<br />
For the client(s) who received an abnormal screening result during the reporting<br />
period, several steps were taken to ensure they received diagnostic testing. The<br />
steps were: 1) Two clients were given education materials on abnormal screening<br />
and diagnostic mammogram; 2) The clients were assisted with a diagnostic<br />
mammogram screening appointment; 3) The clients were provided with financial<br />
assistance for transportation; and 4) The clients were provided with a peer<br />
counselor’s contact information.<br />
Through the faith-based organizations, Community Health Advisors (CHAs),<br />
community meetings, partnerships, door-to-door contacts, health fairs, media<br />
outlets (radio and newspaper), distribution of flyers in front of local businesses<br />
such as Wal-Mart and at community/schools’ events, the Fannie Lou Hamer<br />
Cancer Foundation exceeded the required commitments to their Breast Health<br />
Outreach Program (BHOP).<br />
Congratulations to Angela McDonald of<br />
Collinsville, MS! She is the winner of the MNF Nurse<br />
in Need 2020 Raffle for a beautiful 14 Karat white gold<br />
round diamond pendant necklace donated by Dr. Janet<br />
Harris.<br />
The Nurse in Need program supports <strong>Mississippi</strong><br />
nurses during hardship, such as loss of employment,<br />
physical injury, disaster, illness or accident.<br />
Over $3,350 was raised to help support our program<br />
and our amazing nurses! Thank you to everyone who<br />
purchased a ticket to help make this possible.<br />
Katherine Hughes,<br />
AP<strong>RN</strong>, FNP-BC, <strong>RN</strong><br />
Freddie White-Johnson,<br />
M.P.P.A.
<strong>March</strong>, April, May <strong>2021</strong> <strong>Mississippi</strong> <strong>RN</strong> • Page 13<br />
In Memoriam<br />
Mark Lothenore, FNP<br />
May 20, 1968 –<br />
November 27, 2020<br />
Mark Lothenore was<br />
a long-standing member<br />
of MNA. We appreciate<br />
his devotion to our<br />
organization and his<br />
support in speaking with us<br />
during conferences, most<br />
recently one of our virtual<br />
conferences. MNA extends<br />
our condolences to his<br />
family and colleagues.<br />
Benefits of MNA Membership:<br />
1) Supporting and advocating for your<br />
chosen profession<br />
2) Discounts on ANCC Certifications<br />
3) Reduced registration at MNA sponsored<br />
CE events<br />
4) Connecting with your peers and<br />
colleagues to build your professional<br />
network<br />
5) Discounts on Long-term Health Care<br />
Insurance, Liability Insurance and much<br />
more<br />
6) Travel discounts through Orlando<br />
Vacations and Collette World Connect<br />
NOW HIRING<br />
Registered Nurses<br />
Pine Grove Behavioral Health & Addiction Services<br />
is one of the nation’s most comprehensive<br />
treatment campuses.<br />
Pine Grove is currently hiring Registered Nurses who<br />
are passionate about treating and helping<br />
patients find hope and healing.<br />
For more information about<br />
employment opportunities,<br />
please contact 601-288-4801 and<br />
www.pinegrovetreatment.com<br />
NOW HIRING!<br />
<strong>RN</strong>s<br />
LPNs<br />
CNAs<br />
We have openings at all four State Veterans<br />
Homes in Collins, Jackson, Kosciusko, and Oxford<br />
CONTACT CAROL PALMER, DIRECTOR OF HUMAN<br />
RESOURCES, AT HUMANRESOURCES@MSVA.MS.GOV<br />
OR CALL 601-576-4850
Page 14 • <strong>Mississippi</strong> <strong>RN</strong> <strong>March</strong>, April, May <strong>2021</strong><br />
Overdose Deaths Accelerating<br />
During COVID-19<br />
Expanded Prevention Efforts Needed<br />
<strong>Mississippi</strong> Nurses Foundation<br />
Over 81,000 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States in the 12 months<br />
ending in May 2020, the highest number of overdose deaths ever recorded in a<br />
12-month period, according to recent provisional data from the Centers for Disease<br />
Control and Prevention (CDC).<br />
While overdose deaths were already increasing in the months preceding the 2019<br />
novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the latest numbers suggest an<br />
acceleration of overdose deaths during the pandemic.<br />
“The disruption to daily life due to the COVID-19 pandemic has hit those with<br />
substance use disorder hard,” said CDC Director Robert Redfield, M.D. “As we<br />
continue the fight to end this pandemic, it’s important to not lose sight of different<br />
groups being affected in other ways. We need to take care of people suffering from<br />
unintended consequences.”<br />
Synthetic opioids (primarily illicitly manufactured fentanyl) appear to be the<br />
primary driver of the increases in overdose deaths, increasing 38.4 percent from the<br />
12-month period leading up to June 2019 compared with the 12-month period leading<br />
up to May 2020. During this time period:<br />
• 37 of the 38 U.S. jurisdictions with available synthetic opioid data reported<br />
increases in synthetic opioid-involved overdose deaths.<br />
• 18 of these jurisdictions reported increases greater than 50 percent.<br />
• 10 western states reported over a 98 percent increase in synthetic opioid-involved<br />
deaths.<br />
Overdose deaths involving cocaine also increased by 26.5 percent. Based upon<br />
earlier research, these deaths are likely linked to co-use or contamination of<br />
cocaine with illicitly manufactured fentanyl or heroin. Overdose deaths involving<br />
psychostimulants, such as methamphetamine, increased by 34.8 percent. The number<br />
of deaths involving psychostimulants now exceeds the number of cocaine-involved<br />
deaths.<br />
“The increase in overdose deaths is concerning.” said Deb Houry, M.D., M.P.H.,<br />
director of CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. “CDC’s<br />
Injury Center continues to help and support communities responding to the evolving<br />
overdose crisis. Our priority is to do everything we can to equip people on the ground<br />
to save lives in their communities.”<br />
CDC recommendations<br />
The increase in overdose deaths highlights the need for essential services to remain<br />
accessible for people most at risk of overdose and the need to expand prevention and<br />
response activities. CDC issued a health advisory today to medical and public health<br />
professionals, first responders, harm reduction organizations, and other community<br />
partners recommending the following actions as appropriate based on local needs and<br />
characteristics:<br />
• Expand distribution and use of naloxone and overdose prevention education.<br />
• Expand awareness about and access to and availability of treatment for<br />
substance use disorders.<br />
• Intervene early with individuals at highest risk for overdose.<br />
• Improve detection of overdose outbreaks to facilitate more effective response.<br />
What CDC is doing<br />
Measures taken at the national, state, and local level to address the COVID-19<br />
pandemic may have unintended consequences for substance use and overdose, but<br />
CDC is working with states, territories, tribes, cities, and counties across the country<br />
to continue drug overdose surveillance and prevention efforts. This includes assessing<br />
overdose data to understand trends, as well as working with funded jurisdictions to<br />
provide flexibilities where needed and technical assistance to identify strategies to<br />
inform public health action during the COVID-19 pandemic.<br />
CDC began a multiyear Overdose Data to Action cooperative agreement in<br />
September 2019 and funds health departments in 47 states; Washington, D.C.; two<br />
territories; and 16 cities and counties for drug overdose surveillance and prevention<br />
efforts. Funds awarded as part of this agreement support health departments in<br />
obtaining high quality, more comprehensive, and timelier data on overdose morbidity<br />
and mortality and using those data to inform prevention and response efforts.<br />
CDC is committed to preventing opioid and other drug misuse, overdoses, and<br />
deaths through five key strategies:<br />
• Using data to monitor emerging trends and direct prevention activities;<br />
• Strengthening state, local, and tribal capacity to respond to the epidemic;<br />
• Working with providers, health systems, and payers to reduce unsafe exposure to<br />
opioids and treat addiction;<br />
• Coordinating with public safety and community-based partners to rapidly<br />
identify overdose threats, reverse overdoses, link people to effective treatment,<br />
and reduce harms associated with illicit opioids; and<br />
• Increasing public awareness about the risks of opioids.<br />
Learn more about what CDC is doing to prevent opioid-related deaths on CDC’s<br />
Efforts to Prevent Opioid Overdoses and Other Opioid-Related Harms webpage.<br />
What you can do<br />
Not all overdoses have to end in death. Everyone has a role to play.<br />
• Learn about the risks of opioids.<br />
• Learn about naloxone, its availability, and how to use it.<br />
• Help people struggling with opioid use disorder to find the right care and<br />
treatment.<br />
• Learn more about CDC’s overdose surveillance and prevention efforts in your<br />
community<br />
XF146<br />
Learn more about what may help if you or someone you care about is increasing<br />
drug use during the COVID-19 pandemic.
<strong>March</strong>, April, May <strong>2021</strong> <strong>Mississippi</strong> <strong>RN</strong> • Page 15<br />
<strong>Mississippi</strong> Nurses Foundation<br />
Coffee Club<br />
Application<br />
The <strong>Mississippi</strong> Nurses Foundation Coffee Club was started in<br />
April 2009 with the support of Dr. Kim Hoover, with her donation<br />
for MNF daily operations. The coffee club recognizes individuals<br />
who donate between $300- $5,000 or more to the Foundation.<br />
You can join today with a monthly donation of $25.00 to the<br />
Nurses Foundation. Please select your level of support for<br />
membership into the <strong>Mississippi</strong> Nurses Foundation Coffee Club.<br />
Bank draft and credit card monthly donations will automatically<br />
renew every 12 months unless notified by the donor.<br />
_______ Espresso Level<br />
$4,000 to $5,000----Two packages of MNF signature coffee and<br />
two coffee mugs, four tickets to all upcoming events sponsored<br />
by the Foundation, Recognition on MNF’s website, newsletter,<br />
recognition at the <strong>Mississippi</strong> Nurses Association Annual<br />
Convention and a 4” X 8” engraved brick in the Mary E. Stainton<br />
Center for Nursing Garden.<br />
_______ Cappuccino Level<br />
$2,000 to $3,999----Two packages of MNF signature coffee and<br />
two coffee mugs, two tickets to all upcoming events sponsored<br />
by the Foundation, Recognition on MNF’s website, newsletter<br />
and recognition at the <strong>Mississippi</strong> Nurses Association Annual<br />
Convention.<br />
_______ Mocha Level<br />
$500 to $1,999-----One package of MNF signature coffee and<br />
coffee mug, two tickets to one of MNF’s sponsored events,<br />
Recognition on MNF’s website, newsletter and recognition at the<br />
<strong>Mississippi</strong> Nurses Association Annual Convention.<br />
_______ Coffee Level<br />
$300 to $499 -----One package of MNF signature coffee<br />
and coffee mug, a ticket to one of MNF’s sponsored events,<br />
recognition on MNF’s website, newsletter, and recognition at the<br />
<strong>Mississippi</strong> Nurses Association Annual Convention.<br />
MNF School of Nursing Scholarship $1,000<br />
Submission deadline is <strong>March</strong> 12, <strong>2021</strong> – Contact<br />
your School of Nursing<br />
Open date - January 1st<br />
Car Tag Stipends $5,000<br />
Submission deadline is June 11, <strong>2021</strong><br />
Open date - April 1st<br />
The <strong>Mississippi</strong> Nurses Foundation<br />
Scholarships and Stipends for <strong>2021</strong><br />
Eileen S. & Earl C. Whittemore Advance<br />
Practice/Nurse Practitioner Scholarship $2,500<br />
Submission deadline is July 9, <strong>2021</strong><br />
Open date - May 1st<br />
MS Nurses Foundation PhD Research Grants<br />
up to $10,000<br />
Submission deadline is July 9, <strong>2021</strong><br />
Open date - May 1st<br />
Georgia B. Hall Award of Excellence $2000<br />
Submission deadline is November 12, <strong>2021</strong><br />
Open date - September 1st<br />
Hiawatha and Eunice Northington Memorial<br />
Scholarship $1,000<br />
Submission deadline is November 19, <strong>2021</strong><br />
Open date - October 1st<br />
Arthur L. Davis Scholarly Writing $1,000<br />
Submission deadline is December 3, <strong>2021</strong><br />
Open date - October 1st<br />
Brantley-Fletcher Award of Hope Book<br />
Scholarship $250<br />
Submission deadline is December 10, <strong>2021</strong><br />
Open date - October 1st<br />
Please visit www.msnursesfoundation.com<br />
or call (601) 898-0850 for additional information.<br />
CONNECT WITH MASN!<br />
_______ No, I cannot join the Coffee Club but I will give a<br />
donation to support the MS Nurses Foundation.<br />
( ) $25 ( ) $50 ( ) $75 ( ) $100<br />
( ) $150 ( ) $200 ( ) $250<br />
Name (Please print)__________________________________<br />
Address __________________________________________<br />
City _____________________________________________<br />
State _________ Zip _________________<br />
Phone: Home _______________ Cell ___________________<br />
Email address ______________________________________<br />
Method of Payment<br />
Credit Card #_______________________________________<br />
Exp. Date______________ 3 digit code/ back of card _______<br />
Amount _________<br />
( ) Amex ( ) MasterCard ( ) Visa<br />
( ) Bank Draft 1st or 15th (circle one) Amount per month _____<br />
Month to start __________________<br />
Send a voided check to the MS Nurses Foundation<br />
( ) One time payment for yearly membership ______________<br />
Please include check or money order and mail it to the<br />
MS Nurses Foundation<br />
( ) DONATE ONLINE at www.msnursesfoundation.com<br />
Your tax deductible donation to the Coffee Club will help support<br />
the Nurses Foundation in its daily operations of carrying out its<br />
mission of raising, accepting and dispersing charitable donations<br />
to promote professional nursing and better health in <strong>Mississippi</strong>.<br />
Sponsored events exclude the Nightingale Awards Gala.<br />
<strong>Mississippi</strong> Nurses Foundation<br />
31 Woodgreen Place • Madison, MS 39110<br />
Phone: (601) 898-0850 Fax: (601) 898-0190<br />
@MSSTUDENTNURSES<br />
To access electronic copies of the<br />
<strong>Mississippi</strong> <strong>RN</strong>, please visit<br />
http://www.NursingALD.com/publications<br />
<strong>Mississippi</strong> Association of<br />
Student Nurses