The Louisiana Pelican News - July 2021
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the<br />
<strong>Pelican</strong> <strong>News</strong><br />
Vol. 77 | No. 3<br />
<strong>July</strong> <strong>2021</strong><br />
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE LSNA & LOUISIANA NURSES FOUNDATION<br />
Quarterly newsletter written for the 66,076 nurses in <strong>Louisiana</strong><br />
Follow Us On<br />
INSIDE<br />
From Your President<br />
From Your President Page 1<br />
New <strong>2021</strong>–2023 Board Members Page 2<br />
New <strong>2021</strong>–2023 Elected Committee Members Page 2<br />
Nursing Excellence Celebrated at<br />
Ochsner Medical Center Page 3<br />
District <strong>News</strong> Pages 4–9<br />
National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses<br />
(NAON) Press Release Page 10<br />
Ochsner Health’s 13th Annual<br />
Evidence Based Practice and Nursing Research<br />
Conference Call for Abstracts Now Open! Page 11<br />
LSNA Leading the Way Awards <strong>2021</strong> Page 12<br />
What Nurses Need to Know About<br />
Blood Donation Discrimination Page 13<br />
New Nurses’ Corner Page 14<br />
Honoring 100 Nurses Lost<br />
Between April 2019 – April <strong>2021</strong> Page 15<br />
Greetings, dear<br />
colleagues!<br />
It is with tremendous<br />
pride and gratitude<br />
that I recognize the<br />
tremendous work that<br />
is happening around the<br />
state. This past quarter,<br />
the <strong>Louisiana</strong> State<br />
Nurses Association<br />
held our first virtual<br />
Membership Assembly.<br />
Ecoee Rooney This important meeting,<br />
where the voice of our<br />
members set the course for the two years until our<br />
next meeting, set our agenda for action. During the<br />
two meetings over 100 delegates from around the<br />
state voted on over 30 bylaw revisions submitted<br />
by the Bylaws and Resolutions committee and<br />
adopted five resolutions.<br />
<strong>The</strong> five resolutions that were authored by<br />
members and adopted by the delegates at<br />
Membership Assembly were:<br />
• COVID Vaccination for Nurses and<br />
Healthcare Professionals authored by<br />
Lesley Tilley (District 02) and Tamara<br />
White (District 07)<br />
• Mental Health and Wellbeing for Nurses<br />
authored by Patricia La Brosse (District<br />
04) and Ruth Kain and Charette Thomas<br />
(District 07)<br />
• Addressing Racism in Nursing authored<br />
by Kendra Barrier, Aimme McCauley and<br />
Ecoee Rooney (District 07)<br />
• Nurse Diversity Workforce authored by<br />
Ahnyel Burkes, Benita Chatmon (District<br />
07) and Justin Fontenot (District 04)<br />
• Violence Against Healthcare Workers<br />
authored by Yvonne Pellerin (District 02)<br />
In addition, our members elected new<br />
members to our Board of Directors and<br />
several elected Committee Positions. We<br />
wholeheartedly welcome Benita Chatmon<br />
back to the Board as President Elect, Denise<br />
Hancock as a second term as Treasurer,<br />
Brandy Borden as Secretary, Ken Cochran<br />
as the Director of Professional Development<br />
and Leadership as well as Lxchelle Arceneaux<br />
as the new Director of Organizational<br />
Advancement. Shelley Upshaw was appointed<br />
by the Board to assume the vacancy from<br />
Benita Chatmon’s elected position as the<br />
Director of Membership. We welcome Sarita<br />
James to the Nominating Committee as the<br />
Member at Large, Penny Winfield as the<br />
Southern <strong>Louisiana</strong> Delegate and Christy Book<br />
representing North <strong>Louisiana</strong>. Additionally,<br />
Christy Ready Book will represent North<br />
<strong>Louisiana</strong> on the Audit Committee and Jennifer<br />
Barrow will represent South <strong>Louisiana</strong> on the<br />
Audit Committee.<br />
This past quarter, we also actively<br />
participated in the legislative session, where<br />
LSNA advocated for three additional seats<br />
for nurses on boards and commissions, and<br />
worked very hard to garner support for HB495<br />
that did not pass, however, LSNA saw 6,000<br />
letters sent to representatives and legislators,<br />
and shifting gears to ensure our legislators<br />
were informed about the Future of Nursing<br />
2020-2030 recommendations in Charting a<br />
Path to Achieve Health Equity, published in<br />
May, <strong>2021</strong>. Further, the committee requested<br />
a concurrent resolution to address the actions<br />
that HB60 proposed to address workplace<br />
violence and this CR was passed! I would like<br />
to personally acknowledge Ahnyel Jones-<br />
Burkes for her leadership and her Health Policy<br />
and Advocacy Committee for coming into<br />
this session prepared to show up for nurses<br />
across <strong>Louisiana</strong>. We owe them all a debt of<br />
gratitude for their passionate commitment to<br />
our profession.<br />
This quarter, LSNA Board of Directors will<br />
meet to create a new strategic plan based on<br />
the voice of our members during Membership<br />
Assembly, and work to continue to create<br />
an inclusive, welcoming organization that<br />
represents the voice of ALL nurses across<br />
<strong>Louisiana</strong>.<br />
current resident or<br />
Non-Profit Org.<br />
U.S. Postage Paid<br />
Princeton, MN<br />
Permit No. 14<br />
Nurses!<br />
<strong>Louisiana</strong> has a large list of nurses to keep updated and we want to reach you all.<br />
Please be sure to email lsna@lsna.org with address changes /<br />
corrections or if the nurse listed is no longer at this address.<br />
Subject Line: <strong>Pelican</strong> <strong>News</strong> Address Change / Removal – Last, First Name
Page 2 • <strong>Pelican</strong> <strong>News</strong> <strong>July</strong>, August, September <strong>2021</strong><br />
Executive Director’s Message<br />
<strong>The</strong>a Ducrow<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Louisiana</strong> State<br />
Nurses Association is<br />
heating up this summer.<br />
Following an incredibly<br />
successful legislative session<br />
led by Dr. Ecoee Rooney and<br />
Dr. Ahnyel Burkes, we are<br />
turning our focus on new<br />
opportunities. Lisa Colletti<br />
and her Nurses on Boards<br />
Committee are working<br />
hard to vet <strong>Louisiana</strong> nurses<br />
to submit to Governor<br />
John Bel Edwards’ office for selection on boards and<br />
committees. All <strong>Louisiana</strong> nurses are eligible to serve.<br />
After a hiatus last year due to the pandemic, the<br />
<strong>Louisiana</strong> Nurses Foundation and the <strong>Louisiana</strong><br />
State Nurses Association are proud to announce that<br />
the <strong>2021</strong> Nightingale Gala will be held virtually on<br />
Saturday, October 23. It will be a fun time celebrating<br />
the amazing work and resilience of <strong>Louisiana</strong> Nurses.<br />
If you know a nurse or employer that exemplifies the<br />
best in nursing, please submit an award application at:<br />
https://lsna.nursingnetwork.com/page/95313-awardnominations<br />
543 Spanish Town Road | Baton Rouge, LA 70802<br />
P: 225-605-3090 | F: 225-381-0163<br />
www.lsna.org<br />
LNF Board of Trustees<br />
President............................................................................... Denise Danna<br />
Vice-President.....................................................................Chad Sullivan<br />
Treasurer.........................................................................Barbara Morvant<br />
Secretary............................................................................. Barbara McGill<br />
Trustee.........................................................................Cynthia Prestholdt<br />
Trustee....................................................................Ahnyel Jones-Burkes<br />
Trustee..................................................................................Ecoee Rooney<br />
Trustee.............................................................................. Benita Chatmon<br />
Trustee................................................................................. Jamie Wiggins<br />
Trustee....................................................................................Chad Sullivan<br />
LSNA Board of Directors<br />
Executive Board<br />
President..............................................................................Ecoee Rooney<br />
President-Elect.............................................................. Benita Chatmon<br />
Secretary..............................................................................Brandi Borden<br />
Treasurer.......................................................................... Denise Hancock<br />
Transition into Practice...................................................Austin Nelson<br />
Director of<br />
Clinical Practice, Health Policy.....................Ahnyel Jones-Burkes<br />
Membership, Recruitment, & Retention..............Shelley Upshaw<br />
Nursing Leadership &<br />
Professional Development............................................. Ken Cochran<br />
Organizational Advancement..........................Lxchelle Arceneaux<br />
Non-Voting Board Members<br />
Immediate Past-President...................................... Georgia Johnson<br />
LASN President.............................................................Christina Hebert<br />
LANPAC.........................................................................Patricia La Brosse<br />
LNF.......................................................................................... Denise Danna<br />
District Presidents<br />
Alexandria..........................................................................Debra Hickman<br />
Baton Rouge.................................................................... Yvonne Pellerin<br />
Northshore.................................................................... Georgia Johnson<br />
Lafayette.................................................................................. Elsie Meaux<br />
Lake Charles........................................................... Peggy Hershberger<br />
Monroe.................................................................................. Debra Walker<br />
New Orleans...................................................................... Kendra Barrier<br />
Ruston.................................................................................. Kathy Roberts<br />
Winnfield......................................................................................... VACANT<br />
Shreveport................................................................................ Lisa Wilhite<br />
Tangipahoa............................................................................. Laura Lucky<br />
Bayou........................................................................ Renata Schexnaydre<br />
Feliciana............................................................................ Yvonne Pellerin<br />
LSNA OFFICE STAFF<br />
Monday-Friday | CALL FOR APPOINTMENT<br />
Executive Director<br />
<strong>The</strong>a Ducrow, Ph.D. | executivedirector@lsna.org<br />
Nurse Lead Planner<br />
Kim Cheramie<br />
cne@lsna.org<br />
Administrative Assistant<br />
Tiara Battieste | lsna@lsna.org<br />
Head of Finance Committee<br />
Denise Hancock, PhD, RN, LCCE<br />
Article Submission<br />
Submission Deadlines for <strong>2021</strong> Editions of the <strong>Pelican</strong><br />
March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1, <strong>2021</strong><br />
(submissions by end of the business day)<br />
We appreciate your continued cooperation in adhering to the<br />
submission guidelines so we can ensure the <strong>Pelican</strong> remains<br />
a professional, highly regarded publication and resource for<br />
all professional nurses in <strong>Louisiana</strong>. LSNA looks forward to<br />
hearing from you and if you know of anyone who would like to<br />
submit an article please forward this information to them.<br />
GUIDELINES FOR SUBMITTING ARTICLES<br />
• Send all submissions to lsna@lsna.org<br />
• Subject line: <strong>Pelican</strong> <strong>News</strong> Submission: Name of Article<br />
• All submissions are subject to editing by the LSNA Executive<br />
Director<br />
• Only electronic submissions are accepted and they must be<br />
an attachment to an email (Microsoft Word only).<br />
• A submission cannot be in the body of an email<br />
• Must include the name of the author(s) and a title in the<br />
document.<br />
• All pictures must have a caption with names of all persons<br />
depicted. Names must be complete and submitted at time of<br />
picture<br />
• Pictures cannot be embedded in article; submit with the<br />
article but in a separate format (png,.tif, .jpg)<br />
• LSNA reserves the right to pull or edit any article / news<br />
submission for space and availability and/ or deadlines.<br />
• If requested, notification will be given to authors once the<br />
final draft of the <strong>Pelican</strong> has been submitted<br />
• LSNA does not accept monetary payment for articles<br />
• Any submissions after the deadline will be considered for the<br />
following issue<br />
Please email lsna@lsna.org with all inquiries regarding the<br />
<strong>Pelican</strong> <strong>News</strong>.<br />
Advertising<br />
For advertising rates and information, please contact Arthur L. Davis<br />
Publishing Agency, Inc., PO Box 216, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613, (800) 626-<br />
4081, sales@aldpub. LSNA and the Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc.<br />
reserve the right to reject any advertisement. Responsibility for errors in<br />
advertising is limited to corrections in the next issue or refund of price of<br />
advertisement.<br />
Acceptance of advertising does not imply endorsement or approval by the<br />
<strong>Louisiana</strong> State Nurses Association of products advertised, the advertisers,<br />
or the claims made. Rejection of an advertisement does not imply a product<br />
offered for advertising is without merit, or that the manufacturer lacks<br />
integrity, or that this association disapproves of the product or its use.<br />
LSNA and the Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc. shall not be held liable<br />
for any consequences resulting from purchase or use of an advertiser’s<br />
product. Articles appearing in this publication express the opinions of<br />
the authors; they do not necessarily reflect views of the staff, board, or<br />
membership of LSNA or those of the national or local associations.<br />
<strong>Louisiana</strong> <strong>Pelican</strong> <strong>News</strong> is published quarterly every January, April, <strong>July</strong><br />
and October and is the official publication of the <strong>Louisiana</strong> State Nurses<br />
Association, a constituent member of the American Nurses Association.
<strong>July</strong>, August, September <strong>2021</strong> <strong>Pelican</strong> <strong>News</strong> • Page 3<br />
Nursing Excellence Celebrated at<br />
Ochsner Medical Center<br />
<strong>The</strong> 3rd annual Nursing Excellence awards<br />
were held on May 5th, as part of the Nurses<br />
Week celebration at Ochsner Medical Center<br />
– New Orleans. <strong>The</strong> awards were created in<br />
2019 to recognize exemplary nurses working in<br />
diverse roles. Nine winners were chosen from 55<br />
nominations.<br />
<strong>The</strong> winners included:<br />
• Nurse of the Year is Valerie Jackson, BSN,<br />
MSHCM, RN-BC, from the Primary Care<br />
Center.<br />
• Nurse Educator of the Year is Maira Harris,<br />
MSN, RN-BC. Maira works as an RN<br />
Clinical Educator in Nursing Professional<br />
Development.<br />
• Patient Care Technician Preceptor of the<br />
Year is Kendra Lampton from the Cardiology<br />
Stepdown Unit.<br />
• Nurse Preceptor of the Year is Jill Buisson,<br />
RN, BSN in the Pediatric ICU (not pictured).<br />
• Outstanding Community Achievement by a<br />
Nurse is Ahnyel Burkes, DNP, RN-BC. Ahnyel<br />
is the Unit Director for the 7 West Tower<br />
nursing unit.<br />
• Rookie of the Year is Austin Yelverton, RN,<br />
BSN. Austin is a clinical RN working on the 7<br />
West Tower unit (not pictured).<br />
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurse of the<br />
Year is Leesa Suzanne Lanks, MS, RN, CRNP,<br />
in Hospital Medicine.<br />
• Clinical Practice Nurse of the Year is Alicia<br />
Strickland, RN on the Orthopedic Pre-<br />
Op/Post-Op unit. Alicia is part of the<br />
nursing team at the Ochsner Hospital for<br />
Orthopedics and Sports Medicine (not<br />
pictured).<br />
• Nurse Leader of the Year is Tia Vilardo, MSN,<br />
RN, CMSRN. Tia is the Unit Director of the<br />
Internal Medicine/Telemetry unit.<br />
<strong>The</strong> winners are featured in the attached<br />
photograph with chief nursing officer Debbie Ford.<br />
To join our Team,<br />
apply @ Amedisys.com<br />
L to R: CNO Debbie Ford, RN Valerie Jackson, RN Maira Harris,<br />
PCT Kendra Lampton, APRN Leesa Suzanne Lanks, RN Tia Vilardo,<br />
RN Ahnyel Burkes, CEO Brad Goodson<br />
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Page 4 • <strong>Pelican</strong> <strong>News</strong> <strong>July</strong>, August, September <strong>2021</strong><br />
District <strong>News</strong><br />
District IV <strong>News</strong><br />
Elsie Meaux, RN, BSN, MHA<br />
President- District IV<br />
District IV has had a very busy few months. We<br />
ended the year with a reception in honor of Patricia<br />
Labrosse to acknowledge her LSNA Nursing Hall of<br />
Fame Award. LSNA President, Ecoee Rooney, attended<br />
and personally presented the award to Patricia.<br />
Patricia’s husband and nursing friends attended and<br />
we zoomed the presentation to her children and<br />
grandchildren.<br />
In January we had the installation of our new board<br />
members. Newly elected were Ali Klentzman-Vice<br />
President, Lisa Broussard-Secretary, Christy Lenahan<br />
-Board Member and Meghan Mattison-returning board<br />
Elsie Meaux member. Continuing are Elsie Meaux-President, Kevin<br />
Besse-Treasurer, Carllene Macmillan & Justin Fontenot<br />
-Board members and Patricia Labrosse as Past President.<br />
We were happy to be a part of the <strong>2021</strong> Membership Assembly. We had<br />
several members attending as virtual delegates and are proud as Elsie Meaux<br />
served as the chair of the Nominations committee and announced the slate for<br />
officers and excited to have one of our own District members, Kenneth Cochran,<br />
elected as the Director of Nursing Professional Development and Leadership.<br />
Our thanks to Patricia Labrosse who also served on Bylaws committee.<br />
Our District IV Board put forth several nominations for LSNA awards in<br />
conjunction with the Membership Assembly in April. We are very proud that<br />
our District won the Outstanding Community Service Award for the second<br />
consecutive time. Elsie Meaux was awarded outstanding District president<br />
and was recognized as an LSNA Fellow for multiple years of service to the<br />
organization. Our board member, Justin Fontenot, received his Doctor of<br />
Nursing Practice this spring and graduated with honors. He will continue to<br />
mentor our future nurses as a nursing instructor.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Region 4 Action Coalition (RAC) has remained very active throughout<br />
all of the COVID shutdowns and Mary Broussard and Shelia Pritchett have<br />
represented us well at these meetings. RAC Leads and Core Leadership<br />
meetings were held with each group discussed plans to move forward including<br />
collaboration opportunities with both HOSA and SWLAHEC.<br />
On May 7th, we FINALLY had our 2020-21 Acadiana Celebrates Nursing<br />
Awards banquet. After postponing it three times over the past 18 months, it<br />
was a huge success as we celebrated our 25 outstanding nurses in the Acadiana<br />
region. We were pleased to have Ecoee Rooney, our LSNA president as our<br />
Mistress of Ceremonies for the presentations. It was held in the Grand Ballroom<br />
of the Doubletree Hilton with 236 family and friends in attendance. A video of<br />
local nurses in action over the past year was also presented to honor all nurses<br />
for the Year of the Nurse.<br />
Senior Nursing student, Tristan Lollis, was announced as the recipient of the<br />
<strong>2021</strong> Celina Haynie Nursing Scholarship which awarded a $1000 scholarship in<br />
recognition of his leadership and scholarship while completing his BSN degree.<br />
<strong>The</strong> award was presented by Randy Haynie in honor of his mother and our<br />
Scholarship chair, Dr Lisa Broussard.<br />
Our May meeting was held both in person and by Zoom and we had a<br />
presentation entitled “Legislative Update: Where Are We & What Do We Need<br />
to Do?” by Dr. Ahnyel Jones-Burke & Patricia Labrosse, MSN. We learned about<br />
upcoming bills in the legislature and how to provide our support. Later that<br />
week, Elsie and Shelia traveled to Baton Rouge for the House vote on House Bill<br />
495 which was passed and moved on to the Senate. <strong>The</strong>y were able to speak to<br />
both the bill authors and local representative.<br />
2020-<strong>2021</strong> Acadiana Celebrates Nursing Award recipients<br />
2020-<strong>2021</strong> Acadiana Celebrates Nursing Award Recipients<br />
Allison Aymond<br />
Angela Brown<br />
Carmen Cetnar<br />
Pamela Fontenot<br />
Jody Hover-Off<br />
Kyle Lavergne<br />
Charles Olinger<br />
Cheryl Turner<br />
Sharon Boudreaux<br />
Karen Buroker<br />
Consuella Charles<br />
Stacey Frederick<br />
Clarissa Jackson<br />
Andrew LeBlanc<br />
Laura Beth Popeck<br />
Bridget Waldrup<br />
Paula Zeanah<br />
Karl Broussard<br />
Ryan Butcher<br />
Linda Douglas<br />
Tonya Gaspard<br />
Debbie Jefferson White<br />
Penny Navarre<br />
Cynthia Suire<br />
Kassandra Williams<br />
Members of the Acadiana Black Nurses Association celebrate with their<br />
member honorees Angela Brown and Consuella Charles.<br />
District IV members Lucille Woodard,<br />
Lisa Broussard, Mary Broussard, Elsie Meaux, and Laurence Vincent join<br />
LSNA president Ecoee Rooney in toasting the election of Patricia Labrosse to<br />
the <strong>Louisiana</strong> Nurses Hall of Fame.
<strong>July</strong>, August, September <strong>2021</strong> <strong>Pelican</strong> <strong>News</strong> • Page 5<br />
District <strong>News</strong><br />
Randy & Daynese Haynie with Celina Haynie<br />
Scholarship recipient, Tristan Lollis and his family<br />
Acadiana Celebrates Nursing: Ecoee Rooney,<br />
LSNA president, Elsie Meaux-District I president,<br />
Dr. Paula Zeanah-recipient, Dr. Melinda<br />
Oberleitner, Dr. Lisa Broussard, Patricia Labrosse<br />
District IV member Shelia Pritchett and Elsie<br />
Meaux celebrate passage of House Bill 945 with<br />
Health Policy Director, Dr. Ahnyel Jones-Burke,<br />
and LSNA President, Ecoee Rooney.<br />
Elsie Meaux and Ali Klentzman present honoree<br />
Cynthia Suire with certificate and ACN pin<br />
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Page 6 • <strong>Pelican</strong> <strong>News</strong> <strong>July</strong>, August, September <strong>2021</strong><br />
District <strong>News</strong><br />
Baton Rouge District Nurses Association Celebrates Nursing <strong>2021</strong><br />
Karen Loden, MN. RN(ret), BRDNA member<br />
<strong>The</strong> Baton Rouge District Nurses Association<br />
(BRDNA) held its 32nd annual Celebrate Nursing<br />
Banquet May 3, <strong>2021</strong> at Boudreaux’s Reception Hall<br />
on Government Street. <strong>The</strong> event honors Registered<br />
Nurses from the Baton Rouge area and surrounding<br />
communities. This year the theme was Year of<br />
the Nurse and Midwife 2020-<strong>2021</strong>. <strong>The</strong> American<br />
Nurses Association extended the Year of the Nurse<br />
and Midwife to <strong>2021</strong> because of the pandemic.<br />
<strong>The</strong> month of May is again designated Month of<br />
the Nurse. Over 140 nurses, family, friends and<br />
colleagues attended the event.<br />
Dr. Rachel Tidwell, chair of the banquet, was<br />
mistress of ceremonies. Pattie Jackson, BRDNA<br />
Treasurer, provided the Invocation. Dr. Yvonne<br />
Pellerin, BRDNA president, brought greetings from<br />
the district and recognized the 2020 honorees: Laura<br />
Attleson, Iesha Bethley, Raymond Boudreaux, Ashley<br />
Campbell, Kristie Cowart, Loretta Craighton-Davis,<br />
Desiree Dillon, Jake Gaudet, Maurice Harris, Tiffany<br />
Huffman, Bridget Jones, Katherine Hillis, Corrie<br />
Presley, Shawn Simmons, Deisy Olivas Marques,<br />
and Shawn Wolkart, Our Lady of the Lake Regional<br />
Medical Center; Jaclyn Aucoin and Sharai Hurst Neal,<br />
Baton Rouge General Medical Center; Miriam Everett,<br />
Lane Regional Medical Center; Lakaisha Jackson and<br />
Paula O’Neill, Woman’s Hospital; Leigh Schexnaydre,<br />
Our Lady of the Lake Ascension; and Jamie Graham<br />
Waguespack, Southern University and A & M College,<br />
School of Nursing. <strong>The</strong> 2020 banquet was cancelled<br />
because of the pandemic, but each honoree received<br />
a certificate and lapel pin at their respective work<br />
places given by Lisa Deaton and members of the<br />
Board of Directors.<br />
Dr. Valerie Schluter and Alison Rone presented the<br />
<strong>2021</strong> honorees: Lauri Allen, Heather Best, Brandon<br />
Bridges, Lori Chauvin, John Deshotel, Jr., Leigh “Jill”<br />
Fenn, Leanne Jubin, Beverly Nipple, Todd Pellitieri,<br />
Lacey Tidwell, Sarah Wilson and April Wolleson, Our<br />
Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center; Kevin Triche,<br />
Our Lady of the Lake Livingston; Julie Blanchard and<br />
Jessica Tate, Baton Rouge General Medical Center;<br />
Russell Arceneaux, Alexandra Gabor, Neil Manuel,<br />
Margaret Moore and Stephen Yeh, Lane Regional<br />
Medical Center; Claire Elfert, Kristin O’Neal and Angela<br />
Toney, <strong>The</strong> Spine Hospital of <strong>Louisiana</strong>; Terrie Edwards,<br />
Ochsner Medical Center, Baton Rouge; Davina Jacobs,<br />
Pinnacle Care Holdings Home Health; Dell Mars,<br />
Southeastern <strong>Louisiana</strong> University School of Nursing;<br />
and Cindra Schneider, Franciscan Missionaries of Our<br />
Lady University.<br />
Also recognized at the banquet were Dr. Schluter<br />
for receiving the LSNA Fellow award and Dr. Cynthia<br />
Prestholdt for receiving the Karen Loden Volunteer<br />
of the Year award at the recent <strong>Louisiana</strong> State<br />
Nurses Association membership assembly.<br />
<strong>The</strong> evening was marked by many comments<br />
from family, friends and colleagues on how much<br />
the honorees had given of themselves during the<br />
pandemic. It was inspiring to hear what the nurses<br />
had accomplished in providing patient care during<br />
a pandemic that none of them had ever imagined.<br />
Although they saw more deaths in a few weeks than<br />
most nurses would see in years, they did not falter or<br />
become overwhelmed with feelings of helplessness,<br />
they continued to be supportive of one another and<br />
their patients and families. It was an uplifting evening<br />
for all professional registered nurses!<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>2021</strong> Celebrate Nursing Committee included:<br />
Rachel Tidwell, Chair, Yvonne Pellerin, Valerie Schluter,<br />
Lisa Deaton, Clara Earl, Denise Hart, Kristal Henson,<br />
Nikki Honore, Pattie Jackson, Michelle Jeter, Sheralyn<br />
Long, Alison Rone, Lacey Tidwell and Lesley Tilley.<br />
Comprising the <strong>2021</strong> Selection Committee were: Sheila<br />
Allen, Barbara Anthony, Lisa Deaton, Mary Dudley,<br />
Clara Earl, Denise Hart, Nikki Honore, Pattie Jackson,<br />
Charla Johnson, Karen Loden, Sheralyn Long, Cynthia<br />
Prestholdt, Alison Rone, Valerie Schluter and Rachel<br />
Tidwell.<br />
Photography by Cleve Brown<br />
Pictured from the left sitting: Lauri Allen, Russell Arceneaux, Julie Blanchard, Brandon Bridges, Lori Chauvin, John Deshotel,<br />
Terri Edwards, Claire Elfert, and Alexandra Gabor.<br />
Standing from the left: Davina Jacobs, Leanne Jubin, Beverly Nipple, Neil Manuel, Dell Mars, Margaret Moore, Kristin O’Neal, Todd Pellitieri,<br />
Cindra Schneider, Jessica Tate, Lacey Tidwell, Angela Toney, Kevin Triche, Sarah Wilson, April Wolleson and Steve Yeh.<br />
Not Pictured: Heather Best and Leigh ”Jill” Fenn.<br />
BRDNA members at 32nd Annual Celebrate Nursing Banquet.<br />
Sitting from the left: Alison Rone, Clara Earl, Dahab Ghebreg<br />
Standing from the left: Lisa Deaton, Dell Mars, Lorinda Sealey,<br />
Cynthia Prestholdt, Valerie Schluter and Karen Loden<br />
BRDNA past and present Presidents:<br />
Standing from the left, Karen Loden, Clara Earl, Valerie Schluter,<br />
Lisa Deaton and current president Yvonne Pellerin.
<strong>July</strong>, August, September <strong>2021</strong> <strong>Pelican</strong> <strong>News</strong> • Page 7<br />
District <strong>News</strong><br />
Baton Rouge, District 2 (BRDNA) has been busy this<br />
year. A transition meeting and induction of officers was<br />
held in January and many of our Board of Directors<br />
is new. We have been learning our roles and bylaws.<br />
Lisa Deaton Past President, Yvonne Pellerin President,<br />
Sheralyn Long President Elect, Heather Runnels Vice<br />
President, Michelle Jeter Corresponding Secretary,<br />
Nikki Honore Recording Secretary, Patti Jackson<br />
Treasurer, Rachel Tidwell Professional Practice, Valerie<br />
Schluter Health Policy, Denise Hart Membership, Alison<br />
Rone Public Relations, Charla Johnson Nominating<br />
Committee. <strong>The</strong> board represent many areas nurses<br />
can choose to practice. <strong>The</strong> board has conducted<br />
engaging, educational meetings, and hosted the 32nd<br />
annual and first Post-COVID-19 Celebrate Nursing<br />
Banquet.<br />
Goals were established to align BRDNA with<br />
the goals, visions, values, of the LSNA and ANA,<br />
increase engagement of membership, grow<br />
Board committees to encourage participation and<br />
continue to use technology as an outreach tool to<br />
increase participation among our membership and<br />
to collaborate with <strong>Louisiana</strong> Action Coalition and<br />
the Regional Action Coalition to increase diversity in<br />
nursing.<br />
Activities so far this year were: partnered with<br />
LSNA to distribute donated salon shampoo to<br />
<strong>Louisiana</strong> Nurses, recorded a message through Vizient<br />
to honor nurses in <strong>Louisiana</strong> during nurse’s week; held<br />
CNE sessions focused on current concerns of violence<br />
and opioids and addiction. We also had 30 delegates<br />
participate in LSNA Membership Assembly. We<br />
submitted a resolution focused on violence against<br />
nurses. A resolution is one way we share a voice and<br />
request actions for our district.<br />
District 2 Spotlight<br />
After summer recess we<br />
have many more activities<br />
planned to begin with<br />
CNE September 9th “Find<br />
your Brave,” October 14th<br />
“Remote Workforce,” and<br />
November 11th a panel<br />
discussion focused on<br />
“Impact of Contract Staffing.”<br />
Veteran recognition is<br />
planned for November 11th.<br />
If you are interested in dialing in for one of the sessions<br />
or want more information regarding BRDNA email<br />
presidentbrdnalmd@gmail.com.<br />
Chad A. Sullivan, RN, JD<br />
Keogh, Cox & Wilson, LTD.<br />
Baton Rouge, LA • 225-383-3796<br />
Offering Disciplinary Defense<br />
to Registered Nurses<br />
Email: csullivan@keoghcox.com<br />
keoghcox.com<br />
Leadership Scholars Academy<br />
Designed for Current and Emerging Leaders in All Settings<br />
“Leading from Within Using the Science and Art<br />
of Leadership and Management”<br />
<strong>The</strong> goal of the Leadership Scholars Academy Program is to provide a transformational<br />
learning experience that further develops personal and professional leadership<br />
knowledge, skills, and guidance critical for success in leadership roles. Participation<br />
in the Leadership Scholars Academy Program aims to maximize performance while<br />
increasing personal engagement in nurturing a high performing organization.<br />
Participation in this interactive leadership program will include, but<br />
is not limited to the following:<br />
• Coaching and mentoring (includes two 30 minute personalized sessions)<br />
• Increased self-awareness, • Evidence-based quality improvement<br />
mindfulness & self-care<br />
• Budget development and management<br />
• Leadership development and skills • Effective communication techniques<br />
• Leading people and processes • Business management<br />
• Networking opportunities<br />
Participants must commit to all days for successful completion of the program.<br />
Dates: September 16, October 14, November 5, 11, & December 10, <strong>2021</strong><br />
Location: LSUHNO School of Nursing – Continuing Nursing Education Classroom<br />
All-inclusive fee of $2,000 includes:<br />
• Several assessment instruments, leadership library of<br />
books and professional folio<br />
• 40 hours (5 days) of instruction (lunch provided each day)<br />
• Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) credit for RNs<br />
• Parking available<br />
• Celebration with presentation of certificates of completion<br />
and membership into LSUHNO Leadership Scholars<br />
Academy on the last day.<br />
We also offer:<br />
• Varied Continuing Nursing Professional Development Programs<br />
- New courses added frequently<br />
For more information on the Leadership Scholars Academy and other<br />
LSUHNO SON nursing continuing professional development programs<br />
and courses visit:<br />
http://nursing.lsuhsc.edu/ContinuingEducation<br />
or email: nsgconted@lsuhsc.edu<br />
Looking for a Seal of Approval? – We Have It!<br />
<strong>Louisiana</strong> State University Health New Orleans School of Nursing Faculty<br />
Development Continuing Nursing Ed & Entrepreneurial Enterprise is accredited as<br />
a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses<br />
Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.<br />
Continuing Nursing Education, Faculty Development & Entrepreneurial Enterprise<br />
1900 Gravier Street, New Orleans, LA 70112<br />
www.facebook.com/nursecontinuingeducation
Page 8 • <strong>Pelican</strong> <strong>News</strong> <strong>July</strong>, August, September <strong>2021</strong><br />
District <strong>News</strong><br />
New Orleans District Nurses Association, Region VII<br />
WELCOME<br />
New Orleans District Nurses Association welcomes<br />
our new officer, Dr. Lxchelle Arceneaux,<br />
Director of Communications.<br />
Dr. Kendra M. Barrier<br />
President, NODNA<br />
Dr. Lxchelle Arceneaux<br />
Director of<br />
Communications,<br />
NODNA<br />
PROUD MOMENTS<br />
Thirty Five (35) delegates represented NODNA,<br />
District VII, at the <strong>2021</strong> LSNA Membership Assembly;<br />
voting to change current By-Laws and accepting five<br />
resolutions. Of the five resolutions, NODNA members<br />
were co-authors of four (4) resolutions.<br />
- NODNA made a $500.00 donation to Ending<br />
Period Poverty/Nurse Nikki, founder of Bloom’s<br />
Maternal Health<br />
What is Period Poverty? Period Poverty refers<br />
to a lack of access to menstrual supplies and<br />
education, is one of the hidden and destructive<br />
impacts of COVID-19 pandemic and many<br />
women are faced with choosing between<br />
personal care items and their next meal.<br />
- NODNA’s donation helped provide donations<br />
to Kingsley House, Phyllis Wheatley School,<br />
and the homeless population of the Greater<br />
New Orleans Area.<br />
NODNA’s NEEDS<br />
NODNA has open positions for: Director of Events /<br />
Student Nurses Night, and Director of Organizational<br />
Advancement. Anyone interested, please contact Kim<br />
Guilbeau, Director of Membership, Recruitment, and<br />
Retention.<br />
WE'RE HIRING RNs<br />
• In-house training with career<br />
advancement.<br />
• Tuition reimbursement program<br />
• Affordable benefits including<br />
major medical, dental, vision,<br />
and retirement<br />
• Family oriented workplace with<br />
flexible schedules<br />
• Great work family atmosphere<br />
• Competitive wages<br />
• Great opportunity to gain<br />
experience in all facets of<br />
healthcare<br />
Apply: www.allenhealth.net • 337-738-2527<br />
CONGRATULATIONS<br />
New Orleans District Nurses Association Student<br />
Nurse Leadership Award | NODNA presented<br />
leadership awards to the following leaders:<br />
Alexis Sims (May <strong>2021</strong>) and Shondra Casby (May<br />
2020), Dillard University; Melissa St. Germain,<br />
Chamberlain University; Kiesha Brown, Charity<br />
School of Nursing Delgado Community College;<br />
Madison O’Grodnick, LSU Health New Orleans<br />
School of Nursing; Mariella Faasch,<br />
University of Holy Cross
<strong>July</strong>, August, September <strong>2021</strong> <strong>Pelican</strong> <strong>News</strong> • Page 9<br />
District <strong>News</strong><br />
Kiesha Brown, Charity<br />
School of Nursing<br />
Alexis Sims, Dillard<br />
University (May <strong>2021</strong>)<br />
MEETINGS AND PROGRAMS<br />
NODNA has several exciting programs coming<br />
up. We welcome all members to join us in fun<br />
engaging social events by attending the meetings<br />
and programs. Our meetings and programs are<br />
all via Zoom so attending meetings and programs<br />
may be done from the relaxing environment of your<br />
home. Please visit www.nolanurses.org and follow<br />
us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter for<br />
programming updates. NODNA provides nurses an<br />
opportunity to earn CE Credit and network with other<br />
nurses throughout the New Orleans Metro Area.<br />
I would like to thank each nurse for their<br />
membership, as our membership continues to grow.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Board of Directors and I want our members to<br />
know that each member is in our daily thoughts,<br />
knowing that our members will remain resilient as<br />
they continue to face daily challenges during the<br />
pandemic and drastic weather changes. I also know<br />
that your families, employers, and communities<br />
appreciate everything you do. Lastly, NODNA<br />
encourages our members to educate themselves<br />
about the COVID vaccine, share the facts about<br />
the vaccine with your community, so people are<br />
able to make informed vaccine decisions based<br />
on evidence and not myths. Vaccine information<br />
is located on the LA Department of Health (LDH):<br />
https://ldh.la.gov/covidvaccine/ and the Centers<br />
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://<br />
www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/index.html.<br />
Thank you for your support. All the best,<br />
Kendra M. Barrier, PhD, MSN, RN, CNE<br />
President, New Orleans District Nurses Association<br />
EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY<br />
for RN CHARGE NURSE in<br />
Long Term Care Facility • Jonesboro, LA 71251<br />
Shondra Casby, Dillard<br />
University (May 2020)<br />
Madison O’Grodnick,<br />
LSUHNO SON<br />
<strong>Louisiana</strong> School<br />
Nurse Organization<br />
(Affiliate of NASN)<br />
Through our specialized, evidence-based<br />
practice, we autonomously strive to protect<br />
and promote student health, facilitate optimal<br />
development, and advance academic success.<br />
Join LSNO today and help us forge the future<br />
of our profession @ www.lsno.org<br />
EXCELLENT SALARY & BENEFITS<br />
Fulltime 3pm-11pm<br />
Full time benefits include:<br />
• Life Insurance and Health Insurance offered<br />
• Long and Short Term Disability<br />
• Paid Vacation and Holidays<br />
• 401K<br />
Facility also offers part time RN positions.<br />
Contact Facility if interested at<br />
318-259-2729 or stop by<br />
171 Thrasher Drive Jonesboro, LA 71251<br />
Visit nursingALD.com today!<br />
Search job listings<br />
in all 50 states, and filter by location and credentials.<br />
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Your always-on resource for<br />
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Page 10 • <strong>Pelican</strong> <strong>News</strong> <strong>July</strong>, August, September <strong>2021</strong><br />
National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses<br />
(NAON) Press Release<br />
For Immediate Release<br />
Contact: Kristin Tamkus (800) 289-6266<br />
Charla B. Johnson, DNP, RN-BC, ONC Assumes Role<br />
as President of the Executive Board for the National<br />
Association of Orthopaedic Nurses (NAON).<br />
CHICAGO – June 7, <strong>2021</strong> – Charla B. Johnson,<br />
DNP, RN, ONC will assume the role of President for<br />
the National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses<br />
(NAON) for <strong>2021</strong>-2022. In her role as President,<br />
Ms. Johnson will work with the Executive Board to<br />
provide strategy and direction to meet the needs of<br />
its membership.<br />
“As I reflect on my professional journey and<br />
career path there have been defining moments<br />
that have guided me to this place. I have been<br />
surrounded by exceptional role models in nursing<br />
and orthopaedic nursing has always been part of<br />
my purpose and calling. My theme for <strong>2021</strong>-22 is Dare to Lead.” <strong>The</strong> theme<br />
was inspired by a quote from Rumi, a Persian Poet, ‘Be a lamp, a lifeboat, a<br />
ladder. Help someone’s soul heal. Walk out of your house like a Shepherd.’<br />
I challenge each nurse to believe in yourself and dare to lead” stated Ms.<br />
Johnson.<br />
Ms. Johnson’s nursing experience includes more than thirty-three<br />
years with a record of continuous dedicated service, achievement, and<br />
professional advancement. She has been an active member of NAON<br />
since 1990 with local membership in the <strong>Louisiana</strong> Chapter, SC-045. She<br />
has served in all Officer roles at the Chapter level and as a Director at the<br />
national level. Ms. Johnson has also published in the Orthopaedic Nursing<br />
Journal, authored Clinical Practice Guidelines, served as a reviewer, and<br />
presented numerous times at NAON events.<br />
In addition, she has served on several Boards and Steering Committees<br />
at the regional/national level which are affiliated with the care of patients<br />
with musculoskeletal conditions such as the Arthritis Foundation, <strong>Louisiana</strong><br />
Chapter and Movement is Life.<br />
Ms. Johnson has been certified in Orthopaedics since 1991. She<br />
has served on the Orthopaedic Nurse Certification Board through the<br />
Recertification Committee and a two-term Director. <strong>The</strong> majority of her<br />
nursing career has been aimed at the promotion of musculoskeletal care<br />
and the advancement of Orthopaedic nursing in her region, state, and at<br />
the national level through life-long learning and leadership. Community<br />
outreach, nursing research, nursing professional development have been<br />
embedded throughout her career.<br />
## #<br />
WE ARE<br />
WAITING<br />
FOR YOU!<br />
About the National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses (NAON)<br />
<strong>The</strong> National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses (NAON) is a nonprofit,<br />
volunteer-run organization that exists to enhance the lives and careers<br />
of orthopaedic nurses. Formed in 1980, NAON was designed to promote<br />
the highest standards of nursing practice by educating its practitioners,<br />
promoting research and encouraging effective communication between<br />
orthopaedic nurses and other groups with similar interests. NAON<br />
membership consists of more than 5,000 RNs, LPNs, LVNs, student nurses<br />
and associate members from across the country and around the world who<br />
share an interest in musculoskeletal healthcare. For more information visit<br />
http://www.orthonurse.org/.<br />
Glenwood Regional Medical Center is a 278-bed, state-of-theart<br />
hospital located in West Monroe, <strong>Louisiana</strong>.<br />
RN Medical and Cardiovascular Telemetry<br />
$7,500 Sign-on Bonus<br />
RN Behavioral Health $2,500 Sign-on Bonus<br />
New Grad $5K Sign-on Bonus with a 2 year commitment.<br />
Competitive Rates, Benefits and Shift Differentials<br />
New Grads welcome to apply<br />
APPLY TODAY by visting www.glenwoodregional.org<br />
Please contact our Nurse Recruiter!<br />
Tommy Adams<br />
318-329-4518<br />
tommy.adams@steward.org<br />
Glenwood Regional Medical Center<br />
503 McMillian Rd. West Monroe, LA 71291
<strong>July</strong>, August, September <strong>2021</strong> <strong>Pelican</strong> <strong>News</strong> • Page 11<br />
Ochsner Health’s 13th Annual Evidence Based Practice and<br />
Nursing Research Conference Call for Abstracts Now Open!<br />
Maria Nix, MSN, BSN, RN<br />
Ochsner’s <strong>2021</strong> Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)<br />
Nursing Research Conference will be held virtually<br />
on November 5, <strong>2021</strong>, 8:30 am – 3:30 pm. <strong>The</strong><br />
conference theme is Nurses Shaping Healthcare:<br />
Retaining the Nursing Workforce. <strong>The</strong> day-long<br />
virtual conference will include a keynote address,<br />
poster viewing, and presentations by healthcare<br />
vendors. Conference attendees will hear from<br />
keynote speaker, Dr. Karen Hill, RN, DNP, NEA-<br />
BC, FACHE, FAAN, Editor in Chief for the Journal<br />
of Nursing Administration, in a talk entitled<br />
Nursing Retention: What does the evidence say?<br />
About the EBP/Nursing Research Conference –<br />
Ochsner’s EBP/Nursing Research Conference<br />
was developed to provide a forum for nurses to<br />
disseminate scientific evidence and to engage<br />
nurses at all levels in scholarly discussion about<br />
improving the patient experience, promoting<br />
population health, and reducing healthcare<br />
delivery costs. Attendance has grown each year,<br />
along with participation from healthcare providers<br />
across the nation.<br />
About the 2020 conference program – In 2020,<br />
Ochsner hosted a virtual, self-paced conference<br />
celebrating the theme, Year of the Nurse:<br />
COVID-19 and Beyond. Due to the COVID-19<br />
pandemic, the 2020 conference was offered in<br />
a virtual format, opened to an internal audience,<br />
and presentations were made available online<br />
for Ochsner employees, allowing staff to view<br />
at their convenience. <strong>The</strong> conference featured<br />
27 presentations including a keynote talk, panel<br />
discussion, student presentations, nine posters,<br />
and 15 speakers. In pre-recorded talks, speakers<br />
from across Ochsner Health shared key learnings<br />
from their work during the COVID-19 pandemic as<br />
well as projects unrelated to COVID-19.<br />
2020 conference attendees learned evidencebased<br />
techniques to reduce distress from keynote<br />
speaker, Dr. Jacklyn Ruhl, clinical psychologist,<br />
Ochsner Health, in her talk entitled Create Calm<br />
Quickly, Building Distress Tolerance During<br />
COVID-19. <strong>The</strong> conference also included a<br />
panel discussion on the Social Determinants of<br />
Health, Diversity, Equity, and their Implications<br />
for Quality in Healthcare. <strong>The</strong> panel featured<br />
Ochsner Health’s Deborah Grimes, RN, JD,<br />
MSHQS, VP Chief Diversity Officer, Dr. Eboni<br />
Price-Haywood, MD, MPH, FACP, Medical<br />
Director, Ochsner Xavier Institute for Health<br />
Equity and Research, Associate Professor,<br />
Ochsner Clinical School-University of Queensland,<br />
Sylvia Hartmann, MN, RN, Director of Nursing<br />
Academics, and Dr. Richard Guthrie, MD, Chief<br />
Quality Officer Center for Quality Excellence, who<br />
offered perspectives regarding the opportunities<br />
for healthcare organizations to address health<br />
disparities that have been highlighted by the<br />
pandemic.<br />
Save the date and call for abstracts – Each<br />
year, the conference offers nurses and other<br />
providers the opportunity to share best practices<br />
and to learn and network with colleagues. <strong>The</strong><br />
<strong>2021</strong> conference is open to Ochsner employees<br />
and non-Ochsner employees and the call for<br />
abstracts is now open. Ochsner looks forward to<br />
seeing you at the conference this year! Please<br />
consider submitting an abstract by the deadline,<br />
September 3rd, <strong>2021</strong>. To submit an abstract,<br />
scan the QR code below to access the submission<br />
form. Please visit Ochsner’s nursing research<br />
website to find out how to register in coming<br />
months: https://research.ochsner.org/nursingresearch<br />
For questions, please contact conference<br />
chairperson, Jessica Peterson, PhD, Ochsner<br />
Center for Evidence Based Practice and Nursing<br />
Research at jessica.peterson@ochsner.org,<br />
conference co-chair, Maria Nix, MSN, BSN,<br />
RN, Ochsner System Nursing Professional<br />
Development at marie.nix@ochsner.org, or email<br />
nursing.research@ochsner.org.
ttttttoooooo goooooo<br />
bbeeeeeeaaaacccccoooooonnnnnbbh.cccccoooooom<br />
Page 12 • <strong>Pelican</strong> <strong>News</strong> <strong>July</strong>, August, September <strong>2021</strong><br />
<strong>2021</strong> Nightingale<br />
Awards and Gala<br />
Presented by <strong>Louisiana</strong> Nurses<br />
Foundation & <strong>Louisiana</strong> State<br />
Nurses Association<br />
Gala will be held virtually in October.<br />
General Instructions for<br />
Nominations<br />
Please see our website at<br />
www.LSNA.org for detailed<br />
instructions.<br />
Application deadline is<br />
August 31, <strong>2021</strong>.<br />
SSSEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKIIIINNNG EEEEEEEEXPPEEEEEEEERRRIIIIEEEEEEEENNNCEEEEEEEED<br />
HHHHEEEEEEEEAAALLTHHHH<br />
BEEEEEEEEHHHHAAAVIIIIOORRRAAALL<br />
NNNURRRSSSEEEEEEEESSS<br />
HHHHoooooosssspiiiittttttaaaallssss::<br />
IIIInnnnntttttteeeeeennnnnssssiiiiveeeeee OOutttttt-PPaaaattttttiiiieeeeeennnnntttttt::<br />
OOrrrrlllllleeeeeeeeaaaaaannnnsss<br />
Neeeeeeeew Baaaaaattoonnnn 5oouuuJeeeeeeee<br />
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Luuuttcheeeeeeeerrrr<br />
Buuunnnnkiiiiieeeeeeee<br />
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OOpeeeeeeeelllllloouuusssaaaaaasss<br />
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General instructions include:<br />
• Please go to our website at www.LSNA.org for<br />
all instructions. Information can be found on<br />
the home page under “<strong>News</strong>.”<br />
• All material must be received by August 31,<br />
<strong>2021</strong><br />
• Each nomination must have a separate<br />
application that includes all required<br />
information.<br />
• For individual submissions, contact<br />
information is required to allow contact with<br />
the nominee (name, street address, phone<br />
number). This must be their home contact<br />
information. Information cannot be sent to<br />
employment address. If it is an organization<br />
submission, please include a contact person.<br />
• Applications are to be complete when<br />
submitted by the deadline noted and will be<br />
presented to the judges as such. No additional<br />
information will be added after submission to<br />
the judges. LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE<br />
ACCEPTED.<br />
• <strong>Louisiana</strong> Nurses Foundation will not contact<br />
nominator or nominee for missing information.<br />
<strong>The</strong> LSNA Fellow Award Recognizes<br />
outstanding association contributions and is<br />
the most prestigious award an LSNA member<br />
can receive.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se awards recognize the importance of<br />
the outstanding performance, leadership<br />
and involvement of the LSNA membership as<br />
officers and volunteers. With this recognition<br />
we demonstrate our appreciation to the<br />
membership of LSNA.<br />
LSNA Fellow Demonstrates:<br />
• Long-term dedication and leadership<br />
commitment of our members at the<br />
State and District Level<br />
• Longevity of at least twenty years’<br />
membership in ANA/LSNA<br />
◦ State level Officer, Director, LNF/<br />
LANPAC BOD, committee/project<br />
chair, and/or<br />
◦ District level Officer, Director,<br />
Committee/special project chair, LSNA<br />
delegate<br />
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NursingALD.com<br />
can point you right to that perfect<br />
NURSING JOB!<br />
In September, each nominee will be contacted by<br />
<strong>Louisiana</strong> Nurses Foundation to notify them of their<br />
nomination.<br />
Any questions please contact:<br />
Tiara Battieste<br />
(225) 605-3090 lsna@lsna.org<br />
NursingALD.com<br />
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<strong>July</strong>, August, September <strong>2021</strong> <strong>Pelican</strong> <strong>News</strong> • Page 13<br />
What Nurses Need to Know About<br />
Blood Donation Discrimination<br />
Justin Fontenot, DNP, RN, NEA-BC<br />
Many nurses are not aware of the discriminatory<br />
practices that affect blood donation in the<br />
United States (US). In 1983, the Food and Drug<br />
Administration (FDA) implemented a lifetime<br />
ban prohibiting the donation of blood or blood<br />
products by men who have sex with men (MSM),<br />
women who have sex with MSM, and transgender<br />
people (Food and Drug Administration [FDA],<br />
2020). Numerous experts considered this ban<br />
necessary, as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)<br />
testing was inadequate in the US. However, this<br />
ban did not consider the implausible but realistic<br />
possibility at the time that any person, regardless<br />
of gender or sexual orientation, who engages in<br />
risky sexual behavior can carry HIV or other bloodborne<br />
diseases. Despite testing improvements,<br />
this ban continued for three decades until 2015. In<br />
2015, the FDA revised the ban to defer any donors<br />
who self-reported MSM activity within the past<br />
year (FDA, 2020). <strong>The</strong> COVID-19 pandemic fueled<br />
the need for donor blood. Thus, the FDA further<br />
revised these restrictions to the current ban, which<br />
excludes MSM donors unless they’ve been sexually<br />
abstinent for three months despite having one<br />
sexual partner, even if that partner is HIV negative<br />
(FDA, 2020).<br />
A recent study provided noteworthy results<br />
to understand further the current ban’s impact<br />
on the American blood supply—Clackett et al.<br />
(2020) surveyed nearly 1,500 people identified<br />
as MSM. <strong>The</strong> results indicated that approximately<br />
77% of the participants were unwilling to abstain<br />
from sexual activity with their partners but would<br />
donate blood should the current FDA ban lift<br />
(Clackett et al., 2020). Further, evidence in the<br />
literature points to HIV incidence in the blood<br />
supply similar before and after the year-long<br />
deferral policy (Grebe et al., 2020). In fact, HIV<br />
testing in this country continues to improve as<br />
testing can detect exposure as early as 11 days<br />
post-exposure (Kleinman, <strong>2021</strong>). With the ongoing<br />
availability of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP),<br />
gay men are aware of their status and have new<br />
tools and methods to limit exposure (Grant et<br />
al., 2010). Give the current realities of the HIV<br />
epidemic in this country, the current FDA ban<br />
leaves us questioning why donor deferral is limited<br />
to MSM?<br />
Due to recent and ongoing discussions<br />
regarding these, what appears to be, on the<br />
surface, discriminatory policies, the FDA requested<br />
more relevant empirical data to consider a rollback<br />
on this current ban. As such, the largest blood<br />
donation centers in the country are preparing to<br />
roll out a study entitled Assessing Donor Variability<br />
and New Concepts in Eligibility (ADVANCE)<br />
Study (Advance Study, <strong>2021</strong>). This study seeks<br />
to test the blood supply in areas of high HIV<br />
incidence without the current deferral policies.<br />
As such, Baton Rouge, <strong>Louisiana</strong>, is a site for the<br />
ADVANCE study. While this is good news, studies<br />
like these can take years to conclude. Meanwhile,<br />
the pandemic continues, and the American blood<br />
supply continues to face shortages.<br />
What can nurses do to help? Nurses find<br />
themselves in unique positions as patient<br />
advocates, and Americans widely trust nurses. We<br />
can use our influence to educate our legislators<br />
at local and grassroots efforts. We can immerse<br />
ourselves in the literature surrounding this<br />
topic first to inform ourselves so that we can,<br />
in turn, inform the broader public. Upholding<br />
discriminatory practices does nothing to protect<br />
the US blood supply further as all people with risky<br />
sexual behavior require screening, not just MSM.<br />
Changing this screening can improve access and<br />
increase the blood supply is safe and effective<br />
ways. Speak up, educate, and inform!<br />
References<br />
ADVANCE Study. (<strong>2021</strong>). Eligibility. Retrieved from<br />
https://advancestudy.org/#eligibility. Accessed on<br />
6/28/<strong>2021</strong><br />
Clackett, S., Seed, C. R., Prestage, G., Hammoud,<br />
M. A., Hoad, V., Saxton, P., Haire, B., Holt, M., Jin, F.,<br />
Bourne, A., Maher, L., & Kaldor, J. (2020). Attitudes<br />
and willingness to donate blood among gay and<br />
bisexual men in Australia. Transfusion, 60(5), 965–<br />
973. https://doi.org/10.1111/trf.15768<br />
Grant, R. M., Lama, J. R., Anderson, P. L., McMahan,<br />
V., Liu, A. Y., Vargas, L., Goicochea, P., Casapía, M.,<br />
Guanira-Carranza, J. V., Ramirez-Cardich, M. E.,<br />
Montoya-Herrera, O., Fernández, T., Veloso, V. G.,<br />
Buchbinder, S. P., Chariyalertsak, S., Schechter, M.,<br />
Bekker, L.-G., Mayer, K. H., Kallás, E. G., … Glidden,<br />
D. V. (2010). Pre-exposure chemoprophylaxis for<br />
hiv prevention in men who have sex with men. New<br />
England Journal of Medicine, 363(27), 2587–2599.<br />
https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1011205<br />
Food and Drug Administration. (2020). Revised<br />
recommendations for reducing the risk of Human<br />
Immunodeficiency virus transmission by blood and<br />
blood products: Guidance for industry. Retrieved<br />
from https://www.fda.gov/media/92490/download.<br />
Accessed on 6/28/<strong>2021</strong><br />
Grebe, E., Busch, M. P., Notari, E. P., Bruhn, R.,<br />
Quiner, C., Hindes, D., Stone, M., Bakkour, S., Yang,<br />
H., Williamson, P., Kessler, D., Reik, R., Stramer, S. L.,<br />
Glynn, S. A., Anderson, S. A., Williams, A. E., & Custer,<br />
B. (2020). HIV incidence in US first-time blood<br />
donors and transfusion risk with a 12-month deferral<br />
for men who have sex with men. Blood, 136(11), 1359–<br />
1367. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood.2020007003<br />
Kleinman S. (<strong>2021</strong>). Risk of HIV from blood<br />
transfusion. Retrieved from https://www.uptodate.<br />
com/contents/risk-of-hiv-from-blood-transfusion.<br />
Accessed on 6/28/<strong>2021</strong><br />
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Page 14 • <strong>Pelican</strong> <strong>News</strong> <strong>July</strong>, August, September <strong>2021</strong><br />
New Nurses’ Corner<br />
Austin Nelson, BSN, TCRN, CCRN<br />
Ever heard someone say, “If only I knew then what I know now”? Before<br />
the ink on my hard-earned BSN degree was dry, I started my career as a new<br />
graduate of Northwestern State in a Level 1 Trauma center Surgical/Trauma<br />
ICU. Throughout the past year and a half, I cannot tell you how many times I<br />
have said to myself, “If only I knew then what I know now.” I am here to share<br />
some of the things I wish someone had told me as a new graduate nurse.<br />
1. It Is Okay Not to Know Everything<br />
It is likely that during the first few days or even hours during that first<br />
shift, you will be asked to do or explain something that you do not know or<br />
do not feel confident about; this is okay! Take that opportunity to learn from<br />
an experienced colleague what the answer or proper method is and keep<br />
what you learn from this experience in your toolbox for next time. If you are<br />
like me, you are quick to criticize yourself and beat yourself up over your lack<br />
of knowledge of the concept or skill. Even after a year and a half, I still see<br />
and learn new things on a nightly basis. <strong>The</strong> difference is that I have trained<br />
my mind to see those mishaps I experience as a learning opportunity. I do my<br />
best to stay positive as I seek more knowledge about the matter. Using this<br />
method will keep you emotionally resilient and result in better outcomes for<br />
your patients.<br />
2. Start Training Yourself to Control Your Emotions, Instead of Letting<br />
<strong>The</strong>m Control You<br />
It is 2 A.M., and you just got the call that you are getting a deteriorating<br />
patient from the OR involved in a multi-vehicle MVC. Other nurses in the<br />
unit have been busy all night, and your other patient is touch and go on<br />
vasopressors and multiple other drips. If you are an adrenaline junkie, you live<br />
for this. If not, like most of us, every muscle in your body is tightening up and<br />
you may feel a drop of sweat roll down your back. While this is normal, just<br />
know that what you do next is vital to your own performance as a nurse and<br />
will be crucial to that patient’s outcome. Take. A. Breath.<br />
Control those emotions and those negative thoughts that are screaming in<br />
your ear, trying to tell you that you’re not prepared for this. You are ready for<br />
this, and your coworkers are going to help you get through it. Easier said than<br />
done, right? Emotional intelligence is said to be a more significant predictor of<br />
success than one’s IQ score. If you do not believe me, look it up, and then start<br />
working on training your mind and growing your emotional intelligence. You<br />
will begin to thrive in these situations if you stick with it. It will also help you in<br />
all other aspects of your life.<br />
3. Do Not Forget About Those Things You Love<br />
It is easy to get consumed with work and how draining those 12-hour shifts<br />
can be. I cannot stress it to you enough that you have to take care of yourself<br />
if you want to be successful while taking care of others. When you have days<br />
off, go to the gym, read that book that has been on your shelf since you started<br />
nursing school, or go on a weekend trip with your friends. As nurses, it is easy<br />
for us to regularly find ourselves consumed with the sadness, grief, and stress<br />
surrounding us in the workplace on a regular basis. But we mustn’t allow that<br />
to carry over into our personal lives and become detrimental to our own wellbeing.<br />
So, go visit your family that lives in another state or call that friend that<br />
you have not heard from in months because you must remember who and<br />
what makes you happy so you can be the best you can be for your patients.<br />
4. Join A Nursing Organization and Get Involved<br />
Are you looking for a sense of belonging, positive role models,<br />
opportunities to get involved in the nursing community, or networking with<br />
like-minded individuals? <strong>The</strong>se are all of the benefits of joining a nursing<br />
organization and others like the <strong>Louisiana</strong> State Nurses Association (LSNA).<br />
You have the opportunity to have your voice heard and serve as an advocate<br />
for you and other nurses. Serving on the Board of Directors for LSNA<br />
has allowed me to meet other like-minded nurses from all across the state<br />
that come from various backgrounds. I have learned what it means to be a<br />
contributing member of an organization that works diligently to serve and<br />
empower our workforce so that we can continue advancing patient care.<br />
Nursing organizations like LSNA served as a spokesperson for all nurses in<br />
the state of <strong>Louisiana</strong> as we faced staff and supply shortages during the<br />
COVID-19 pandemic. So, I strongly encourage you to join and stay involved in<br />
nursing organizations so that you can stay informed about ongoing changes<br />
that shape our practice, benefit from the various education opportunities,<br />
and develop your skills as a leader in nursing.
<strong>July</strong>, August, September <strong>2021</strong> <strong>Pelican</strong> <strong>News</strong> • Page 15<br />
Honoring 100 <strong>Louisiana</strong> Nurses Lost<br />
Between April 2019 – April <strong>2021</strong><br />
LSNA requested submissions of names of those nurses who lost their lives between<br />
April 2019 – April <strong>2021</strong> whose memory should be honored. We received 100 names.<br />
Pauline Ackel, APRN<br />
Sandra S. Adams, RN<br />
Elizabeth Ahern, RN<br />
Sharon Allen<br />
Larrice Anderson<br />
Larrice <strong>The</strong>resa Irving<br />
Anderson<br />
Myrtis Anderson, RN<br />
Irma Andrus<br />
Dominique Anotine, RN<br />
Olivia Arrant, LPN<br />
Mary Lori Avault, RN<br />
Annemarie Barber, RN<br />
Annette Barnes, LPN<br />
Edith Grace Barnhill, RN<br />
Roland Becnel, APRN<br />
Eloise Grandison Blunt,<br />
RN<br />
Ted Bosch, RN<br />
Tammy Bradford, APRN<br />
Cindy Bridges, RN<br />
Diane Westley<br />
Brocado, RN<br />
Grace Terracina<br />
Shaw-Broussard, RN<br />
Kathelena Brown, LPN<br />
Mary Ann Burnett, RN<br />
Lisa Caffrey, RN<br />
Jackie Carr, RN<br />
Myrna Harris Cassimere, RN<br />
Anne Marie Chatelier, RN<br />
Chelsea Frances<br />
Coleman, RN<br />
Billie Collins, LPN<br />
Anetha Jane “Corky”<br />
Snider Craft, RN<br />
Dianna Crenshaw, RN<br />
Rosa Mary Hollins<br />
Daily, LPN<br />
Margie Davis, RN<br />
Marjorie Dawson<br />
Barbara Deprato, LPN<br />
Judith Dowling, RN<br />
Christy Dumas, RN<br />
Pamela Fleniken, RN<br />
Cheryl Fontenot, RN<br />
Cassandra Frasier, LPN<br />
Catherine Fusek, RN<br />
Linda Garrett, LPN<br />
Travis Garman, LPN<br />
Allison Mills Gaudet, RN<br />
Susan Gray, Rn<br />
Donnell Hargrove, LPN<br />
Francis Harris, RN<br />
Irma Mimes Hayes, LPN<br />
Elaine Hebert, RN<br />
Jimmy Hebert, RN<br />
Ruth Hinchee, APRN<br />
Maya Rowden Hollis, LPN<br />
Lauren Horridge, RN<br />
Candy Jensen, RN<br />
Diane Johnson, RN<br />
Miguel Jolivette<br />
Jean Lively, RN<br />
Tina Beavers Manshack<br />
Michael Marceaux, RN<br />
Rhonda Maricelli, RN<br />
Steffany Martin, RN<br />
Veronica Meyers, LPN<br />
Catherine Miller, LPN<br />
Lora Minton, RN<br />
Tammy Moore, RN<br />
Romy Morvant, RN<br />
Debbie Neff, RN<br />
Elizabeth “Betty” Fried<br />
Olsen, RN<br />
Elizabeth D. Ours, RN<br />
Veronica Peel, RN<br />
Christopher Pena, RN<br />
Lynell Pinkozie, RN<br />
Lena Tiesti Porche, RN<br />
Carolyn Prejean, RN<br />
Desiree “Des” Raffo, RN<br />
Tanya Rich, RN<br />
Lisa Rodavich, RN<br />
Donna Ardoin Rossner, RN<br />
Jean Sanders, RN<br />
Jeanette Savoie, RN<br />
Col. Andrea Schaifer, RN<br />
Joyce Shilling<br />
Pam Sharp, RN<br />
Carrie Hausey Shorter, RN<br />
Daphne Sivils, RN<br />
Diana Bones Smith, RN<br />
Richelle Hammond<br />
Soniat, RN<br />
Mica Fitzhugh Sood, APRN<br />
Hamilton Sparks, RN<br />
Michael “Casey”<br />
Thompson<br />
Patricia Ann Thomas<br />
Lynne Truxillo, RN<br />
Brenda Turk, RN<br />
Shannon Valmore, RN<br />
Barbara Walker, RN<br />
Dorothea Waller, LPN<br />
Phyllis Wilkins, RN<br />
Gwendoline Wilkinson, RN<br />
Katrina Nicole<br />
Williams, RN<br />
Marie Young, RN<br />
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