New Hampshire Nursing News - December 2021

Quarterly publication direct mailed to approximately 1,250 Registered Nurses and LPNs and delivered electronically via email to 16,500 Registered Nurses and LPNs in New Hampshire.
New Hampshire
Nursing News
Official Newsletter of New Hampshire Nurses Association
December 2021 | Vol. 46 No. 1
www.NHNurses.org
Happy New Year!
Please be sure to notify us with address
changes/corrections. We have a very large list
to keep updated. If the nurse listed no longer
lives at this address – please notify us to
discontinue delivery. Thank You!
Please call 603-225-3783 or
email to office@nhnurses.org with
Nursing News in the subject line.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
This is my final address as
president of NHNA and I want
to thank you for the opportunity
to serve with so many talented,
passionate nurses from all
nursing specialties and regions
of the state! Together we have
been able to accomplish so
much on behalf of nurses and
the people of NH. Five years
ago when I asked for your
vote, I promised to focus on
succession planning. I didn’t
Carlene Ferrier
really know what that meant,
but I knew we needed to do better than, “tag you’re it!”
Fortunately, the first leadership training provided by the
American Nurses’ Association to all new presidents and
executive directors was on the Standards for Excellence: An
Ethics and Accountability Program for the Nonprofit Sector
(2017). This framework supports implementation of robust
systems so the work of the association is well documented,
ensures accountability of sustained action, and is mission
driven. Long term planning is the priority.
During my tenure we carried out the goals and objectives
of the 2017-2020 Strategic plan, revised the NHNA bylaws
twice, (I’ll come back to this one), participated in practices
to retain members, executed multiple well attended
programs for nurses including our signature events; the
Legislative Town Hall Forum, the Graduating Student
Nurse Conference and the Annual Meeting; advocated
for multiple pieces of legislation; supported nurses through
a pandemic; engaged all volunteers in developing a new
current resident or
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2021-2024 Strategic Plan; and now we are preparing for
accreditation through the Standards for Excellence. You can
read about the many contributions of our volunteers in the
2021 Annual Report which is included in this issue. You will
also find the current revision of the bylaws which we were
not able to pass because we did not have a quorum at the
Annual Meeting. I am asking you now, if you are member
of NHNA, please plan to attend our Special Meeting on
January 18, 2022 from 5-6, details to follow. We need your
vote to approve edits to the bylaws which will allow more
flexibilities for the association to meet the mission into the
future. If you are not a member yet, please consider joining
NHNA. Visit nhnurses.org.
There is one more thing. Through this amazing experience, I
have learned the importance of nurses’ voices in leadership
roles from C suites to boardrooms, at the bedside, in the
community, in Congress, in churches: anywhere decisions
are made that affect our work, our patients, our families
and our communities. Nurses have innovative answers to
what is wrong in our healthcare system and what is wrong
in society. We see first-hand how the social determinants of
health affect the people we care for daily and must advocate
for health equity. We have been voted the most trusted
profession for 19 years in a row because we have values
and professional ethics. We make up the largest healthcare
workgroup. We are the experts of our craft and are skilled
problem solvers. For all of those reasons, we must speak up!
Below I am sharing a letter to the editor I submitted because
it is time to hold the media to task and for nurses to have the
last word!
On October 24, there was an article on the front page of
the Concord Monitor about the nursing shortage
and price gouging from staffing agencies. Five
people were quoted: two CEOs, two nursing home
administrators and one hospital spokesperson. One
CEO complained about federally mandated staffing
ratios. I have not worked in a long term care facility
for some time now, but it is a good thing staffing
ratios are in effect. As an RN on the evening shift,
I cared for sixty-two patients with one LPN and a
handful of nursing assistants.
Let me tell you what nurses would have said if
they were interviewed. The nursing shortage
is not new. There has been a shortage for more
than thirty years before I attended nursing
Index
President's Message ..............page 1
Reflections from the ED ..........page 2
Annual Membership Meeting .....page 3
NHNA 2021 Election Results .....page 5
2021 President’s Report ....... pages 6-8
By Laws Review .................page 8
Strategic Plan 2021-2024 .........page 9
NHNA 2022 Business Plan ...pages 10-11
NHNA Annual Awards Program ..page 12
CGA Annual Report 2020-2021 ...page 13
2021 Commission on Nursing
Practice Annual Report ............page 16
2021 Commission on
Membership Engagement ........page 17
NHNA Organizational Affiliates ...page 18
In Memory .....................page 19
school and NH has never developed a long term
plan to address the problem or prioritize a solution.
Nursing school is expensive and extremely competitive.
One NH nursing school charges $62,145 per year or
$248,580 for a four year degree. UNH reports 1400
applicants to their nursing program per year for 60
spots. The starting salary for a new nurse is $58,000
per year. Granted, this is better than my starting salary
years ago of $17,680 at Federally Qualified Heath
Center. I was recently offered a faculty position with a
starting salary of $56,000 per year and yet, there is also
a shortage of nursing faculty. Let’s prioritize affordable
education and stop treating nurses as a commodity.
Let’s choose to end the nursing shortage!

Page 2 • New Hampshire Nursing News December 2021, January, February 2022
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REFLECTIONS FROM THE ED
As Executive Director I
began my reflections on the
concept of one word. The
words have reflected on this
past year have been mindful,
gratitude and powerful. To
me these words describe our
being within the profession.
We are or should be mindful
of the great responsibility
we hold as stewards of
the health care profession;
we should be grateful that
Pamela P. DiNapoli
we belong to such a great
profession and finally we should not need to be told
how powerful the nurses’ voice is. In this, the last
reflection of 2021 the word I have chosen is “forward.”
One definition of “forward” is “moving, tending, or
leading to a position in front.” It also means ahead,
onward or time in advance. It is time for us all to
embrace this concept and act in this direction.
We have probably said countless times this past year
“before Covid” or “when the pandemic ends,” let us
all just now move to a position in front. Onward to
2022. Just what lies ahead for nurses and the nursing
profession? While we cannot predict the future, from
a position in front we can create a future by looking
at the past. We know as the result of the pandemic
how quickly things change and how rapidly we must
react to these changes across the board in healthcare.
The Future of Nursing 2020-2030 has given us a
blueprint for moving forward. If you have not read the
document, do yourself a favor and at least read the
executive summary or watch one of the many webinars
that are posted on our website when they become
available. In summary the document is a call to action
for nurses, in short over the next decade nurses will
work “to reduce health disparities and promote equity,
while keeping costs at bay, utilizing technology, and
maintaining patient and family-focused care.” That is
no small feat, but I believe we are up to the challenge
if we continue to look ahead and not dwell on what
some see as the troubles of the present. Yes, we have
a nursing shortage, resource constraints will be a
permanent feature of our healthcare system, technology
will continue to evolve, and care will increasingly move
to the community. We must lead from a position in
front. Core elements of nursing practice will always
remain the same, nursing will always be a profession
that protects patients from the hazards of health care
(risks associated with illnesses and their diagnosis and
treatment); act as “glue” in the health care system; be
“go to experts” to resolve challenges and find solutions
for healthcare across the continuum. What we cannot
do is meet these challenges from behind. We need
to maintain nursing as knowledge work, emphasizing
thinking as well as doing is critical. In general nurses
are motivated individuals who have learned to work
as a team. In these times of uncertainty, we need to
be optimistic and not be stuck in the here and now.
Onward, to meet the goals set forth in the Nurse of
the Future 2020-2030 report. Nurses, lets build a
system that educates us to be knowledge workers, use
our voices to demand pay and employment consistent
with the contributions we make to the health of the
population and lets work to break down any barriers to
access to care. This will require rapid action in nursing
education, practice and policy.
Nursing professionals, let us pull together as a team
and lead. NHNA will be focusing on this call to action
in 2022 and I am optimistic that you will respond.
Continue to be mindful, grateful, and powerful as we go
FORWARD.
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New Hampshire
NURSING NEWS
Vol. 46 No.1
Official publication of the New Hampshire
Nurses’ Association (NHNA), a constituent
member of the American Nurses Association.
Published quarterly every March, June,
September and December. Library subscription
rate is $30. ISSN 0029-6538
Editorial Offices
New Hampshire Nurses Association, 25 Hall St.,
Unit 1E, Concord, NH 03301. Ph (603) 225-3783,
E-mail office@NHNurses.org
Editor: Pamela P. DiNapoli, PhD, RN, CNL
NHNA Staff
Pamela P. DiNapoli, PhD, RN, CNL,
Nurse Executive Director
NURSING NEWS is indexed in the Cumulative
Nursing Index to Nursing and Allied Health
Literature (CINAHL) and International Nursing
Index.
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VISION STATEMENT
Inspire New Hampshire nurses as leaders to expand
the power of the nursing profession to improve the
health of the people of New Hampshire.
MISSION STATEMENT
Promote nursing practice and the wellbeing of
New Hampshire nurses by providing professional
development, fostering nurse innovation and
leading in health advocacy to enhance the health
of the people in New Hampshire.
Adopted 11-10-2021.
CORE VALUES
Caring • Integrity • Excellence
Diversity/ Inclusion/Belonging

December 2021, January, February 2022 New Hampshire Nursing News • Page 3
NHNA – 2021
Identifying Targets
of Bullying
Melinda Linane, MSN, RN
Abstract
The 2021 Annual Membership Business Meeting was held on the evening of
November 10, 2021. 66 members and 18 non members registered for the event
while 59 members and 11 non members were able to tune into the event from their
homes and offices. The necessary quorum for voting on ByLaws was 63 members,
there was no quorum called so no vote was taken on the proposed ByLaws changes.
A special meeting for the ByLaws vote will be taken on January 18, 2022. Carlene
Ferrier, President of NHNA, welcomed the attendees and introduced Representative
Chris Pappas to address the attendees. Representative Pappas applauded the work of
nurses during the pandemic and thanked them for their continued service. He vowed
to listen to the issues of nurses and work hard to pass legislation to improve the work
environment for nurses.
Ferrier then launched into the Year in Review-2021 presentation. The full text for the
Year in Review 2021 is included in the 2021 Annual Report posted on the NHNA
website at this link: https://nhnurses.nursingnetwork.com/page/62891-missionand-vision.
In addition to this overview, the 2021 Annual Report also contains the
Treasurer’s Report and the reports from each of the Commission and Task Force
Chairs:
• Commission on Government Affairs by Marcy Doyle
• Commission on Nursing Practice by Carol Allen
• Commission on Membership Engagement by Pam DiNapoli
• 2021-2024 Strategic Plan by the Board of Directors
Next was a presentation by Amy Matthews, Board Treasurer. This presentation
showed that the Association is experiencing continued financial strength. The year-todate
financial performance through October 31, 2021 is still ahead of budget at the
bottom line as a result of judicious financial management, consistent membership
numbers and several grant funded projects. Matthews also presented the 2022 Budget,
which has been based on very conservative membership growth projections. More
information regarding this presentation is in the 2021 Annual Report.
Background: Bullying is an ongoing problem in the nursing profession,
one that often begins in nursing school and adversely affects nurses
throughout their careers. Research indicates that a significant number
of nurses will leave the job they love because of workplace bullying
behaviors. The literature suggests that nurse bullying is a growing
epidemic, one that affects nurse, patient and organizational outcomes,
and is likely to exacerbate the growing nurse shortage we are facing
today. This educational module includes results of a survey of New
Hampshire Nurses Association (NHNA) members who identified as
nurse leaders who are or have been bullied by those they serve or by
someone they report to. The presenter’s own story is shared.
Purpose: To assist individual nurses to identify bullying behaviors,
understand the importance of documentation and the mechanisms for
reporting, provide guidance for properly documenting and managing
bullying behaviors, and identify coping strategies and sources for support
if they are the target of bullying or witness bullying in the workplace.
Methods: Information presented reflects the current nursing literature and
results of a qualitative survey of NHNA members.
Intervention: This quality improvement intervention includes an
educational module to help nurses identify, properly document and
manage bullying behaviors when they are the target letting them
know they are not alone, providing them with a voice and information
necessary to feel empowered, valued and worthy. A pre- and post-test
were used to measure participants understanding of the material and to
provide an opportunity for feedback.
After the business meeting the members were offered a continuing education program
sponsored by Southern New Hampshire University. The one credit program was led
by a presentation from the NH Commissioner of Health and Human Services Lori
Shibinette. Shibinette who is an RN with a long history of active service to NHNA
gave an impassioned presentation on the importance of giving nursing a voice. She
recalled many of her experiences using her voice and encouraged members to do
the same. The transcript of her prepared remarks appears in this issue. We recognize
that her impromptu words are not captured here and were much appreciated. The
second presenter was Melinda Linane who presented “Identifying Targets of Bullying.”
The presentation aimed to raise individual awareness of bullying, assist nurses to
identify, properly document and report when they are targeted, and to support
nurses’ who have experienced or been witness to bullying in their workplace. The
presentation focus on the early identification of bullying behaviors, the importance
of early recognition and intervention, how one might respond when targeted, how to
document and report these behaviors, and suggestions by fellow nurses as to how to
cope and move on after being bullied. Linane presented her own story of being bullied
in the workplace and her conclusions were drawn from results of a survey that she had
circulated to NHNA members.
The meeting closed with Carol Allen representing the Commission on Nursing Practice
who presented the 2021 Annual Nursing Awards and Raffles. The results are printed in
a companion article.
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Page 4 • New Hampshire Nursing News December 2021, January, February 2022
Prepared Remarks presented by Lori Shibinette
at the NHNA Annual Meeting 2021
Good Evening, Welcome and Thank You
I want to start with a little history about myself so that you
have insight into my perspective. Unlike many of my peers
I never wanted to be a nurse. I grew up dreaming of law
school or business school. In fact, right out of high school
I entered business school on a full scholarship. During
my first semester, I tragically lost a young family member
and found myself sitting bedside in the ICU for almost a
week. I was in AWE of the nurses. As they navigated the
complex systems that kept my family member stable, they
also brought comfort and compassion. The perfect blend
of intellect and genuine empathy and compassion. Not
only did I trust that the nurses were providing an excellent
standard of care but I BELIEVED that they CARED about
the work they did. I wanted to be part of this profession.
Within 30 days I dropped out of business school, and
applied for nursing school. They accepted 50 students
out of hundreds of applicants into the next class…..old
school diploma school where we wore white uniforms,
white nursing shoes and had nuns for teachers. We
weren’t affiliated with a university. We were in class from
7am-2pm and worked a hospital floor from 2pm-10pm.
A significant part of my education was instilling nursing
values. Our responsibility to our patients, our responsibility
to our community and our responsibility to our profession.
As our education progressed I learned that fulfilling those
responsibilities also came through our commitment to
science, research and being a valued member of the
health care team.
Character and trustworthiness were of equal importance
to technical skill and competence. You must be able to
blend these character traits with technical competence to
be the best representative of the nursing profession.
Now I will admit, I grew up and went to nursing school
in a small rural town. In the early years of my nursing
career I just thought I was a nursing geek. I was the nurse
that gravitated towards other nurses…..didn’t matter if
they were friend or stranger. Being a nurse was the same
as being kin. I felt that being a nurse and part of a health
care team took precedence above all else. It outranked
political affiliation, demographics, social economic status,
marital status, etc. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve
been introduced as “This is Lori and she’s a nurse.” It
was implied as “She’s a nurse and can be trusted.” The
“She’s a nurse intro” has added honor, credibility and
trustworthiness my entire professional and person life.
I try very hard to live up to that expectation both for
myself and for my profession. This perspective has never
changed for me. I still see all healthcare professionals this
way, especially nurses.
Every now and then I run into someone that feel this
strongly about our profession. Many times it’s new nurses
that are excited to join our profession but sometimes it’s a
seasoned professional.
During a political event, I was standing alone listening
to a speaker. A lady in mid-fifties approached and stood
beside me for 15-20 minutes. When there was a break in
the program, she turned to me and said, “Hi, I’m Mary
and I’m a nurse. I understand that you are also a nurse.”
We both relaxed and continued to chat for the next 15
minutes and then continued to stand together unified in
our common profession.
During an outpatient medical appointment, my weariness
was written all over my face. I was lying on the exam
table and the nurse approached and took my hand and
said, “As nurses sometimes we are so busy taking care of
others we forget to take care of ourselves.”
These are the moments that I remember how proud I am
to be a nurse.
When we stand united as a healthcare team there is a
no more powerful voice. As a united voice, the health
care sector can move mountains. Our professions have
a history of trustworthiness. When we stay silent, or are
divided, we provide a platform for the outliers in our
profession to disparage our good reputation.
When our community and our citizens react with fear,
they seek opinions based on confirmation bias. This is
especially true when their opinion is not in line with the
widely accepted opinion. There is no better example
of this than what has happened during covid. I’m not
talking about mandates, I’m talking about the actual
science behind the covid vaccine, mRNA, masks, social
distancing, etc.
The best fight the anti-vax community has, conspiracy
theorists or fear mongers has is when they can point to a
nurse or a doctor and say, “But that nurse says covid isn’t
real or the vaccine doesn’t work.” It AUTOMATICALLY
adds legitimacy to their argument. But those are the
outliers. The fact is, that 88% of all nurses and 96% of
doctors have taken the covid vaccine.
When we as health care professionals discredit the
CDC, NIH, WHO and all of academic research centers,
we discredit ourselves. Those organizations have led
innovations in health care for decades, they are filled with
doctors, nurses and other health care professionals like
you and I that are trying to do their work on a national
level.
I was asked once during an informal legislative hearing
what legitimate source I had to back up my claims
that covid is now more proportionally impacted the
unvaccinated. I quoted the CDC data of the unvaccinated
were:
5 times more likely to get covid
10 times more likely to get hospitalized and
11 times more likely to die from covid
I was stopped and they said “They are LYING to us. That
is not a credible source. Who besides the CDC.” No
matter what health care source I cite…..they would be
dismissed. This person cited a nurse who doesn’t believe
in the “experimental vaccine.” She was quoted in the
media so I looked up her source. This is what she said,
“My intuition tells me that……”
I stopped there.
Did her intuition tell her about the over 46 million cases
in the US and over 750,000 deaths in the last 18 months
or the 186,000 nursing homes deaths in the last 18
months. The data clearly shows the impact of covid has
had on our country, yes significant in the elderly and frail
population but when did we stop valuing those citizens.
As nurses we have a RESPONSIBILITY, as the most
trusted profession in our country to base our opinion
on fact and research. Doing otherwise discredits our
profession.
Many years ago, I sat where you sit. I was on the board
at NHNA and we talked a lot about lifting each other
up. We needed more nurses in political positions, in the
C-suite and in positions of influence. We had a united
voice, a voice of science, data and compassion. Our
voices needed to be heard, we are a trusted voice. We
must remember that when we discredit our professional
entities, CDC, NIH, WHO, “the state” etc, we discredit
ourselves. Do they get everything right? No.
Covid is new, especially early on, there was a lot we
didn’t know but our guiding principles revolve around
taking care of our communities. The nurses and the
doctors in those national roles are guided by the same
principles. Are they influenced by politics…..yes. Is
it frustrating to need to wade through the politics…
absolutely. I would like to see our profession get back
to being united. Standing with a clear voice based on
science and research. Can we still say, ” S/He’s a nurse, I
trust that person.” If we can’t say it about ourselves, how
can we expect the public to continue to have trust in us.

December 2021, January, February 2022 New Hampshire Nursing News • Page 5
NHNA 2021 Election Results
NHNA drew a large slate of interested volunteers
submitting candidate applications to serve NHNA on
the BOD, Commissions and Committees. The following
results were announced at the Annual meeting on
November 10, 2021, Candidate profiles are available for
review on our NH Nursing Network Website
Newly Elected NHNA Board Members
• Treasurer: Amy Mathews
• Director at Large: Megan Gray
• Director at Large-Recent Graduate: Lisa Hale
Newly Appointed to Legislative Advocacy Council
The Commission on Government Affairs is probably
our most visible work group, focusing on legislative
and regulatory affairs related to healthcare and the
practice of nursing. The commission hosts an annual
LEGISLATIVE FORUM that marks the opening to each
session of the New Hampshire legislature. Healthcare
bills are culled from the many hundreds of bills
submitted for consideration by our elected officials.
Typically there are about a dozen bills that could have
a substantial impact on nurses and healthcare and
this commission works to influence the public policy
debate. This event now incorporates the educational
component formerly offered as part of Health Policy
Days – explaining the legislative process and the
important role that nurses can and should play. To assist
the Commission with its work during the legislative
session Legislative Advocacy Councils were created in
2018, the purpose was to increase nurse participation
in legislative advocacy by providing tools and support
for writing letters to the editor, op eds, offering
testimony at legislative hearings and otherwise support
the legislative agenda of NHNA. To that end the
following nurses have been appointed to the Legislative
Advocacy Council. Assignments to one of four
councils, Nursing Practice, Licensure, Public Health
and Maternal/Child will be made based on interest.
• Schelley Rondeau
• Emese Nemeth
• Mary Graces
• Amanda Hodges
• Nicole Ineson
• Bonnie Lee Fecowicz
• Amanda Fay
• Elizabeth Martell
• Jennifer Michelson
• Lisa Kennedy Sheldon
Newly Elected to Commission on Nursing Practice
The Commission on Nursing Practice focuses on the
non-legislative healthcare policy that affects the daily
lives of New Hampshire's nurses. This work might
include Workplace Safety, Occupational Health,
Workplace Advocacy, Health Insurance issues, the
Nursing Shortage, or overtime hours. Most, if not
all of NHNA's position statements are developed by
this group before being presented to the Board of
Directors for adoption. The Commission sponsors the
signature events each year including the Graduating
Student Conference in April and the Annual Fall Event
associated with the Annual Membership Business
Meeting in October/November of each year. Beginning
in 2022 the Commission will take on some of the roles
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played by the Commission on Continuing Education
including providing low cost Continuing Education
programs. Receipts from the programs will go to fund
the NHNA Scholarship fund.
• Odalie Bernash
• Noreen Sullivan
• Elizabeth Martell
• Lisa Kennedy Shelton
• Susan Guertin
Commission on Continuing Education
The CCE will sunset and the BOD wishes to thank
all the members for their years of service to this
Commission
• Amy Guthrie, Chair
• Kris Irwin, Vice Chair
• Carole Boutin
• Nancy DeSotto
• Jeanne Hayes
• Lynn Lagasse
• Karen Tollick
• Ashley Ponce
Newly Elected to Commission on
Membership Engagement
The Commission on Membership Engagement (CME)
uses data and trends from New Hampshire
Nurses Association (NHNA) and other sources to
collaboratively create enhanced opportunities for
membership engagement, in order to increase the
ability of NHNA to impact the lives of NH nurses
and the health of the citizens of NH. The goal
of the CME is to increase the number of NHNA
members who engage with the organization at various
levels. The commission designs and implements
activities that help inspire New Hampshire nurses to
expand the impact of the nursing profession, to improve
the health of the people of New Hampshire. Goals
of the CME include increasing the number of new
members and encouraging ongoing membership
renewal. The commission will also work to increase
community awareness of NHNA and the important role
nurses play in improving the health of New Hampshire
residents. CME will continue to recruit members who
display enthusiasm for networking, engaging with a
multi-generational, diverse professional community,
along with a strong desire to promote NHNA
membership and activities.
• Roberta Silva
• Kerri Ann Reynolds
• Catherine Curtis
We’re
Looking For
The Best.
Come Join
Our Team!
We have many opportunities available at
Memorial Hospital in North Conway and the
Merriman House.
Now hiring for multiple full-time, part-time,
and per diem RN & LPN openings!
Offering sign-on bonuses to experienced RNs up
to $20,000, up to $5,000 for new grad RNs,
and up to $10,000 for experienced LPNs – all
pro-rated for part-time.
Candidates can apply online at
www.memorialhospitalnh.org
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Newly Established Commission on Climate Action
and Health
The Commission on Climate Change Action and
Health was established to bring attention to the
relationship between climate change action and health.
The Commission will work to advance the practice of
nursing by promoting and translating research on the
impact of climate on the public’s health by providing
training opportunities to build climate awareness,
advocate for policies and systems that support equal
access to climate healthy living and work environments
and partner with other healthcare and professional groups
to broaden the scope of the message. This founding group
will develop strategic goals and an action plan to guide
the development of this relevant and timely Commission
• Judy Joy, Chair
• Kaitlyn Liset, Co-Chair
• Robin Moses
• Angela Diori
• Brooke Hall
• Sharon Tweedle
• Emese Nemeth
• Raelene Shippee-Rice
• Jacob McGinnis
The Finance, Investment and Audit Committee. This
Committee will review NHNA's quarterly financial
statements and supporting accounting reports, review
and analyze the annual operating budget, review the
annual tax return, monitor and make recommendations
related to the organization's investments and other
related tasks as may be assigned by the Board. The
NHNA Treasurer will serve as the Chair of this
Committee. This Committee will meet quarterly in
Concord or remotely as needed.
Newly Elected Member of FIAC: Rita Morin
The Policy Review Committee (PRC) was established
to address policies and bylaws for the organization. The
committee will be guided by the ANA Standards for
Excellence. The Standards were established "to promote
the highest standards of ethics, effectiveness, and
accountability in nonprofit governance, management,
and operations." The goals of the PRC are to identify
gaps in structure and guide policy development to
address gaps. The members of the PRC will conduct a
current state review of the organization's efforts to meet
the Standards for Excellence and guide the organization's
Strategic Planning Process.
Newly Elected Member of PRC: Gwendolyn Dovholuk

Page 6 • New Hampshire Nursing News December 2021, January, February 2022
New Hampshire Nurses Association 2021 President’s Report
Vision: Inspire New Hampshire Nurses as leaders to expand the power of the nursing
profession to improve the health of the people of New Hampshire.
Mission: Promote nursing practice and the wellbeing of New Hampshire nurses by
providing professional development, fostering nurse innovation, and leading in health
advocacy to enhance the health of the people of New Hampshire.
Core Values:
Caring | Integrity | Excellence | Diversity/ Inclusion/Belonging
NHNA is a volunteer led, staff supported organization and relies on engaged
volunteers to carry out the mission, vision and strategic plan. This report, based on
the 2017-2020 Strategic Plan, provides a year-in-review of the hard work carried out
by one FTE in paid staff, and the many volunteers who make up the NHNA Board of
Directors, Commissions and Task Forces to achieve the mission of NHNA.
NHNA’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic:
• Investment in Executive Director’s time to address the challenges nurses have
faced during the prolonged pandemic. NHNA staff reviewed information from
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Nurses
Association (ANA), the NH Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS)
and other reliable sources to post to our website in a timely manner to help NH
nurses stay informed of the ever changing recommendations. As the pandemic
continued, along with ANA, NHNA identified resources to help nurses combat
the stress of the pandemic.
• NHNA applied for and received two grants to provide outreach to nurses. The
first was RN2 Action which provided weekly wellness messages and resources
via text to nurses who opted in for 12 weeks and the second is Project Firstline
which is an effort to disseminate infection and prevention education and training
to NH nurses in collaboration with ANA and the CDC. The project will prioritize
school nurses, long term care, home health and hospice and ambulatory care
sectors.
• NHNA responds to inquiries from the media, including WMUR, NHPR, the
Union Leader, Keene Sentinel, Seacoast Media Group and Valley News. As a
result of these NHNA and NHNA members were featured in televised responses
to stories about COVID-19 response, the nursing shortage and legislative activity.
Letters to the editor and editorials have appeared in the print media because of
these outreaches.
• We surveyed our members in response to a request by Executive Councilor Janet
Stevens to identify if ARP funds were being distributed to direct care nurses as
purported by Governor Sununu. The report concluded that:
o A total of 404 nurses responded to the survey which was made available for
one week. Of the 404 nurses who responded:
• 13% received stipends for their frontline work
• 20% received incentives for working beyond their typical work hours
• 25% received non financial incentives (eg pizza parties, gift cards)
• A total of 50 nurses reported receiving stipends while 327 did not
Senator Tom Sherman contacted NHNA seeking potential volunteers for the Alliance
Senior Support Team. The Alliance SST was a volunteer based organization where
teams of volunteers called on long term care facilities each day to check on their
COVID-19 status and inquire if there were any needs at the facilities (such as PPE). This
team of trained volunteers provided long term care facilities with vetted information
and resources to help them address COVID-19 related needs. The information from
each of the facilities was then collated and shared with the appropriate departments
within DHHS. NHNA assisted with identifying over 100 volunteers for this important
initiative protecting NH residents in long term care facilities. NHNA Past President,
Judy Joy, led the Alliance SST Liaisons who called on facilities each day. The senior
support team ended regular daily operations on June 30th, 2021.
Strategic Plan 2017-2020
Strategic Goal #1: Membership: Growth and Sustainability
Goal: Strengthen and actively grow a relevant and financially secure organization.
• Investment in the Membership & Communications Intern, Lillian Bennett, who
began October 1, 2021. She will design digital media campaigns, increase web
presence, maintain a strong organizational voice through social media, and
develop a weekly E-Flash to provide updates on NHNA activities and events
while reducing the number of discrete emails to members. Between July 2020
and September 2021, Facebook followers have increased from 1,147 to 1,421
(↑ 8%) with 186 posts to date in 2021. Twitter followers have increased from 166
to 215 (↑ 7%). There have been 61 tweets to date, and Instagram followers have
increased from 311 to 432 (↑ 7%) with 256 posts.
• Based on participation in the NH Center for Nonprofits initiative, the High
Impact Volunteer Engagement (HIVE) Program, the board approved elevating
the Membership and Engagement Task force to Commission level. Engagement
of members is a shared objective among all commissions in the 2021-2024
Strategic Plan.

December 2021, January, February 2022 New Hampshire Nursing News • Page 7
Strategic Goal #2: Nursing Practice
Goal: Advance nursing practice and promote wellness in New Hampshire.
• Commission on Nursing Practice. The Commission put the activity of position
statements on hold. Work is in progress to create a webinar series on the Social
Determinants of Health consistent with the 2020-2030 NAM Future of Nursing
Report. The series will focus on the topic of Social Determinants of Health
and will include an overview of the Healthy People 2030 goals, followed
by applications for clinical practice within various practice areas, such as VA-
Ambulatory care, Home Care, Long Term Care as examples. The series should
be available in the Fall of 2021.
• Graduating Student Nurse Conference: This signature event took place on April
8, 2021 via Eply virtual platform with 206 registrants. All planned presentations
were posted to the NHNA website for the students to review at their leisure. In
addition, the platform allowed for a virtual exhibit hall and 18 exhibitors were in
attendance.
• Spotlight on Nursing: Cancelled this year due to pandemic.
• Spotlight on the Healthy Nurse: Cancelled this year due to pandemic.
• Excellence in Nursing (EIN): An MOU was drafted to formalize the relationship
between NHNA and McLean Communication for the EIN awards and specify
profit sharing. In 2021, 86 nominations were received for 13 nursing awards.
A team of 42 reviewers, from the 13 nursing practice areas reviewed the
nominations so that each nomination was reviewed by three different reviewers;
with one reviewer coming from outside of New Hampshire. The 2021 winners
were recognized in the May/June issue of New Hampshire Magazine, and in the
September issue of New Hampshire Nursing News. A virtual presentation took
place on 11-19-20.
• NHNA and New Hampshire Magazine collaborated to revise a few of the
Excellence in Nursing Awards for 2021. A small team of experts in the respective
areas of nursing revised and/or developed several new awards for 2021: Senior
Nursing Leader, Frontline/Administrative Nursing Leader, Nurse Educator, Nurse
Researcher and Hospice/Palliative and/or Gerontologic Nursing.
• CNP reviewed and awarded the NHNA Nursing Awards during 2021, including
the Student Nurse of the Year Award, the Rising Star Award, the Distinguished
Member Award and the Champion of Nursing Award.
• CNP did not award the Healthy Nurse Scholarships during 2021 due to not
holding the Spotlight fundraising events. Funds will be raised from the voluntary
scholarship donation at the Annual Meeting and planned virtual trainings on the
social determinants of health.
• Commission on Nursing Practice (CNP) has five members as of 10-27-21, with
several potential new members on the 2021 Election Ballot.
• Organizational Affiliated Members: The New Hampshire Association of Nurse
Anesthetists, the NH Chapter of the AWHONN and VT/NH Association of
Perianesthesia Nurses, Alliance of Home Health, Palliative Care and Hospice
• 2017-2021 Program Attendance Report can be found on page 25.
o HB 207 Relative to Hearings of the NH Board of Nursing opposed by NHNA
referred to the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee
o SB133 Relative to the Authority of the Office of Professional Licensure and
Certification.
o Emergency order #75 authorizing certain nursing students to obtain
temporary licensure
o Advocating for sufficient resources to ensure timely process in executing the
Nurse Practice Act.
Strategic Goal #4: Nursing Professional Development
Goal: Foster nursing professional development and continued education.
• NHNA withdrew from NEMSD effective February 1, 2021. The recommendation
was made based on the projected value of the partnership versus the actual
value of the partnership.
• The CNE met to discuss their ongoing role given the intent of NHNA to
withdraw from NEMSD. The group voted to sunset the Commission. Volunteers
were given the opportunity to join other commissions and/or continue in their
role as reviewers for NEMSD. The members were thanked for their hard work
over the past many years.
Strategic Goal #5: Leadership
Goal: Identify and mentor members to assume leadership roles within organization.
• Invested in the ED’s time to write numerous articles for New Hampshire Nursing
News and solicit articles from members and other nursing organizations to raise
awareness of the contributions of nursing to our communities and the profession.
Several NH nursing organizations contribute articles on a quarterly basis: New
Hampshire Nurse Practitioner Association, New Hampshire Association of Nurse
Anesthetists and the New Hampshire Chapter of the Association of Women’s Health
& Neonatal Nurses.
• Invested in the ED’s time to attend all Commission and Task Force meetings and to
provide mentoring and leadership to team leaders between meetings.
• The 2022 Business Plan (p.13) which was developed based on the 2021-2024
Strategic Plan and reflects the many investments by NHNA to achieve our strategic
goals.
• Governance of the Association, is executed according to The Standards for
Excellence, An Ethics and Accountability Program for the Nonprofit Sector. NHNA
updated the following documents in 2021:
o Bylaws were updated to allow more flexibility for the Board of Directors (BOD)
to stand up or sunset commissions, committees, task force groups and ad hoc
groups to achieve the mission and vision of NHNA. The Bylaws Task Force
President's Report continued on page 8
Strategic Goal #3: Advocacy
Goal: Engage nurses in advocacy
• In 2019 we formed the Legislative Advocacy Council (LAC) to support the
work of the Commission on Government Affairs (CGA). The LAC consists of
four teams led by CGA members who provide encouragement to volunteers to
become active advocates for public policy issues in the areas of public health,
nursing licensure, mental/behavioral health and maternal/child health. We
hosted an advocacy training event in December 2020 and will be repeated in
November 2021 in conjunction with the annual meeting.
• Investment in a new lobbyist after CGA team developed a comprehensive
process to determine desired skills and responsibilities. Six firms were invited
to submit a proposal in response to the RFP and the firm of Demers and Prasol
was selected.
• Investment in ED to participate in the virtual ANA Lobbyist meeting spring of
2021, to be apprised of hot legislative and regulatory topics such as compact
licensure issues, nurse staffing, workplace violence, APRN scope of practice.
• Investment in the ED to participate on ANA’s GOVA and Nursing Practice
calls, which occur every other month. Information is shared with the NHNA
Board of Directors and the CGA.
• Two CGA members, Mary Behnke and Marsha Davidson were selected to
participate in the American Nurses Advocacy Institute, a year-long training
program to engage nurses in public policy.
• Legislative Town Hall Forum: Was held on 1-26-21 at via Zoom web
conference. Ten bills were presented, and twenty bills were selected to be
watched. 74 members and 196 nonmembers attended.
• Breakfast for Legislators: Cancelled this year due to pandemic.
• ANA Virtual Hill Day with NH Delegation: June 10,2021 attended by ED and
three members
• CGA has nine members as of 10/27/21 and all members intend to continue.
The 2021 nominations for elections will be used to strengthen the legislative
advocacy structure.
• Appointment to state-wide Commissions and Task Forces:
o Governor’s Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Intervention, Prevention
and Treatment (Kate Thomson)
o Crisis Standards of Care Committee and State Disaster Medical Advisory
Committee (SDMAC) (Pam DiNapoli)
o Health Care Task Force (Carla Smith)
o NH Commission on Primary Care Workforce (Pam DiNapoli)
o VaxWell NH Coalition (Pam DiNapoli)
o Autism Council (Pam DiNapoli)
o Seatbelts4All Coalition (Pam DiNapoli)
o Tobacco 21 Coalition (Pam DiNapoli)
o Health Care Decisions (Michele Lovell)
• Investment in ED’s time to provide oral and/or written testimony on bills. (Refer
to CGA Report for details).
• Investment in the ED’s time to attend the monthly New Hampshire Board of
Nursing meetings to stay abreast of regulatory issues impacting nursing practice
and education. Information is shared with the NHNA Board of Directors and the
CGA. Key issues included:

Page 8 • New Hampshire Nursing News December 2021, January, February 2022
President's Report continued from page 7
was chaired again by Carmen Petrin, and the
board approved document was submitted to the
ANA Committee on Bylaws for consistency and
harmony with the ANA bylaws.
o An onboarding and orientation program was
initiated with the NHNA BOD and will be
expanded to include all commission and task force
members.
• The Financial, Investment and Audit Task Force was
elevated to committee level in recognition of the
ongoing valuable contributions to financial health of
the association. The committee meets quarterly and
provides recommendations to the BOD on financial
performance to budget, budget preparation, and
other fiduciary matters.
• NHNA BOD voted to elevate the new Membership
Engagement Task Force to commission level.
Volunteer position descriptions were updated for
elections.
• NHNA BOD voted to form the new Commission
on Climate Action and Health in response to timely
concerns.
• The president and ED facilitated discussions via zoom
at all commission meetings beginning in June to
collaboratively develop the 2021-2024 Strategic Plan
(p.30).
• The president and ED attended the ANA Leadership
Summit and the ANA Membership Assembly in June
with president-elect Holly McCormack and alternate
Judy Joy.
• A comprehensive Succession Plan will be submitted
to the BOD by the outgoing president in December
2021 based on the Standards for Excellence; An
Ethics and Accountability Program for the Nonprofit
Sector.
• ED and BOD are preparing to become the first
Constituent State Nurses’ Association of ANA to be
accredited.
Respectfully submitted,
Carlene Ferrier, MPH, RN, NEA-BC, President
By Laws Review
The areas representing a change in our current bylaws
include:
Article IV. Nominations and Elections, Terms of Offices/
Positions, and Vacancies in Elective/Appointive Offices/
Positions, Section 2. Terms of Offices/Positions, letter C:
Current bylaws: Officers and Directors may serve a
maximum of three consecutive terms in the same
office on the Board of Directors.
Change to: Officers and Directors may serve a
maximum of two consecutive terms in the same office
on the Board of Directors and not more than eight
consecutive years on the NHNA Board of Directors
unless appointed by the Board of Directors to meet the
needs of the association.
This change provides increased opportunities for
NHNA members to serve on the BOD and contribute
to the work of the organization, providing fresh
perspectives and ideas.
Article VI. Board of Directors, Section 3, letter J:
This statement was added to the current bylaws:
Except as otherwise specified in these bylaws, create
and dissolve commissions, committees, ad hoc
committees, task forces, special interest groups, and
other entities of the Board as deemed necessary to
conduct NHNA’s business and define the purpose and
authority of such entities. The Board of Directors may
designate and change their charges and determine their
size, member qualifications, and terms of service, and
may appoint members and fill vacancies as needed.
This statement is consistent with ANA Bylaws. It
provides flexibility for the BOD to create and dissolve
functional units of NHNA and to determine the
structure and function of these units in order to
better meet the needs of the organization without
necessitating a change in bylaws prior to enacting
those changes.
Article VII. Commissions, Committees, Ad Hoc
Committees, Task Forces, and Special Interest Groups:
Current bylaws have three separate articles: Article VII
for Commissions, Article VIII for Ad Hoc Committees
and Task Forces, and Article IX for Special Interest
Groups. In addition, Article VII identifies three NHNA
Commissions and specifies the responsibilities of each
commission.
Bylaws affecting these separate functional units have
been combined into one article (Article VII). The
article provides general information regarding the
qualifications, composition and responsibilities of these
functional units. It no longer delineates any functions
of specific commissions. More detailed information for
specific commissions, committees, ad hoc committees,
ad hoc committees, task forces and special interest
groups will be specified in the NHNA Strategic Plan,
and Policy and Procedure Manual.
This change provides flexibility for the BOD as stated
above for Article VI.
A dilemma came to light when NHNA withdrew
its participation in the Northeast Multistate Division
(NEMSD) this past spring. Approval of continuing
education programs and approved provider units
remains under the purview of the NEMSD. Therefore,
there is no longer a need for NHNA to have a
Commission on Continuing Education (CCE) since
approval of continuing education programs and
approved provider units is no longer a function of
NHNA. Since the current NHNA Bylaws specify that
NHNA has a CCE, the NHNA BOD cannot dissolve
this commission unless the bylaws are amended to
allow the BOD to do so. There is no longer a role for
the CCE within NHNA. By adding the above statement
in Article VI and amending Article VII, the BOD has
the authority to dissolve the CCE and to create and
dissolve any commission, etc., to meet the needs of the
organization without requiring amending the bylaws in
future. This is also consistent with ANA Bylaws.
Please review the proposed bylaws amendments and
be prepared to vote for their approval at the LTHF on
January 18th. Prior to this meeting, if you have any
questions or concerns about these amendments please
email your feedback to nhna.ned@gmail.com, or to
carmen.petrin@cmc-nh.org and we will respond. Your
active participation is truly appreciated. For the full By
Laws Revision document please visit our website at
https://nhnurses.nursingnetwork.com/
100 Saint Anselm Drive
Manchester, NH 03102
(603) 641-7086
www.anselm.edu/cne
Committed to Promoting Excellence
in the Practice of Nursing
Saint Anselm College is approved as a provider of nursing
continuing professional development by the Northeast
Multistate Division, an accredited approver by the American
Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation

Todayy
Apppplyy
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December 2021, January, February 2022 New Hampshire Nursing News • Page 9
Strategic Plan 2021-2024
Vision: Inspire New Hampshire nurses as leaders to
expand the power of the nursing profession to improve
the health of the people of New Hampshire.
Mission: Promote nursing practice and the wellbeing
of New Hampshire nurses by providing professional
development, fostering nurse innovation and leading in
health advocacy to enhance the health of the people in
New Hampshire.
Core Values:
• Caring
• Integrity
• Excellence
• Diversity/Inclusivity/Belonging
1. Goal: Elevate the profession of nursing in New
Hampshire by supporting nurses to lead and
innovate.
A. Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)
for underrepresented populations through
professional development for BOD, commission
members and volunteers.
i. https://www.nhbsr.org/nh-workplace-racialequity-challenge.
ii. Incorporate DEI principles into programming,
strategic plan, and work of NHNA.
iii. Strengthen partnerships with external
organizations consistent with the mission of
NHNA.
iv. Ensure activities meet the needs of
constituency, engaging using a wider swath of
members by utilizing evidence-based practices
in volunteer engagement from the Membership
Benchmarking Report https://s3.amazonaws.
com/nursing-network/production/files/104212/
original/The_2021_Membership_Marketing_
Benchmarking_Report.pdf?1628617819
v. Establish a DEI standing committee of NHNA.
B. Raise visibility of the work of NHNA through
use of standardized branding and consistent
communication exemplifying the work of NHNA.
C. Create opportunities for professional development
and sharing nurse innovation at conferences,
meetings, social events, and electronically.
D. Recognize nurses through use of think tanks/
round tables and quarterly spotlights.
2. Goal: Strengthen organizational capabilities
through operational excellence.
A. Prepare for accreditation by applying Standards
for Excellence principles to all operations by May
2022.
B. Complete organizational assessment by
conducting a gap analysis by March 2022.
C. Align policies and procedures with updated
Bylaws by May 2022.
D. Develop a plan for addressing each of five guiding
principles: mission, leadership, legal compliance,
finance, resource development, and succession
planning by March 2022.
E. Submit application for accreditation in June 2022.
3. Goal: Increase new member engagement with NHNA
through regular outreach to new members thereby
reducing attrition.
A. Engage each new member in the month following
their join date utilizing EBP measures.
i. Call/text/email each new member each month,
use at least two methods of outreach.
ii. Send personal invitation to NHNA’s “signature”
events and then spend time at event acquainting
new members with NHNA.
iii. Organize quarterly networking/social events in
various geographic regions.
B. Collaborate with all commissions to establish
orientation program for new members and raise
visibility of work of NHNA.
C. Establish mentor program by connecting interested
volunteers with an experienced volunteer with the
same interests.
i. Review literature for models of mentor programs
that could be applicable to NHNA and establish
a plan for implementation.
ii. Provide warm handoff with chair of the team of
the particular volunteer effort.
D. Develop communication tree and standardized
documents for reaching out to Student Nurse
Associations to engage students in volunteer
activities.
E. Guide communication plans for target groups such
as new graduates, nurse leaders, acute care nurses,
etc.
i. Collaborate with Media Communications
Specialist in developing a communication plan
to raise visibility of the work of NHNA.
4. Goal: Advance nursing practice and promote
wellness in New Hampshire.
A. Raise visibility of the work of CNP to engage
more members.
i. Post quarterly message from Chair/Co-chair
on activities.
ii. Advertise Webinars; utilize fee for scholarship
fund.
iii. Ask for profile update; include cell phone
number (for text messages).
iv. Network with new members at Annual
Meeting and other events.
B. Nurses: Self-care
i. Recovery (from fear, anxiety, and unknowns).
ii. Get out, social networking. What did we
learn?
iii. Outreach to workout places who may
discount or host a session for nurses.
iv. Running club.
v. Manicure/pedicure/massage.
vi. Yoga in the park for nurses (across organizations,
affiliate members) beyond fundraising.
C. Resiliency skill set to be developed
i. Provide education and support about resiliency
skills/resiliency tool box.
I. Seeking peer support.
II. Coping strategies; discourage maladaptive
behaviors.
III. Emergency preparedness.
ii. Leadership: DON, CEO, etc.: link with leadership
organizations to provide training.
I. Need to understand people skills: emotional
intelligence, communication, diversity, equity,
inclusion, etc.
II. Leadership skills.
III. Coping skills.
iii. Advocate for resiliency training within EAP systems.
iv. Increase capacity for peer support and create a
model for staff support that includes how to help
one another.
v. Board of Nursing support for resiliency in nursing.
I. Review Nurse Practice Act to see if covers
resiliency.
D. Identify and evaluate trends, developments, and
issues in nursing practice and disseminate information
and resources.
i. Collaborate with other commissions on shared
objectives.
ii. Utilize national resources to provide training or
disseminate i.e. Future of Nursing 2020-2030
Report, ANA publications.
iii. Solicit need from members on what they need
for policy or white paper.
iv. Share Nursing Scope and Standards of Nursing
Practice update.
E. Encourage and promote nursing advancement by
supporting lifelong learning of nurses.
i. Administration of scholarship program.
ii. Administer Graduate Student Conference.
iii. Project First Line.
F. Celebrate member achievements at every event and
at other opportunities.
i. Longevity years of membership: milestones;
5-10-15-20-20+
ii. Rolling screen with list of names.
iii. Extra drink ticket or corsage for 20 yrs.
5. Goal: Engage Nurses in Advocacy
A. Initiate advocacy efforts on bills selected annually
for prioritization
i. Conduct Legislative Town Hall Forum yearly for
members and nonmembers to engage nurses
from novice to expert.
ii. Build Legislative Advocacy Council (LAC) and
provide evidence-based training and support at
scheduled meetings.
iii. Provide support to nurses in preparing written
and oral testimony, submitting letters to editors,
and contacting legislators to advocate for public
policy.
iv. Draft and disseminate position papers on topics
pertinent to health care.
B. Expand and enhance the presence of New
Hampshire nurses in the public policy process
through engagement activities.
i. Inform and educate utilizing Nursing News,
quarterly email updates from Commission on
Government Affairs (CGA), and weekly email
blast updating legislative activity.
ii. Utilize a text messaging platform for specific
outreach by town, region or constituent base.
iii. Draft and circulate messages for print and social
media.
C. Support partnerships with organizations that set
strategic and operational direction within the state
of NH that impact nurses and nursing care.
D. Support the Board of Nursing in working with
Office of Professional Licensure and Certification
for the allocation of sufficient resources to meet the
statutory mandate of the Nurse Practice Act.
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Page 10 • New Hampshire Nursing News December 2021, January, February 2022
NHNA 2022 Business Plan
This business plan is built on the pillars of leadership, operations, membership,
advocacy, nursing practice and professional development as outlined in the strategic
plan and consistent with the current governance structure.
Leadership: Expenses associated with these efforts include compensation for the
Executive Director’s time. Travel expenses will be limited with the opportunity to
continue to attend meetings and programs virtually.
Operations: Cost of application for accreditation: $300.
Membership:
The end of year membership 2021 was 1,297 current year to date membership
is 1,292 as of August 1, 2021. To date in 2021 we have 144 new members and 169
cancelled members and 23 graced members. Based on ANA predictions for 2022 they
assume a 0% increase in membership. This is likely due to the influx of members as a
result of the Coronavirus and the concern that these members may not be sustaining
members with expired memberships offset by new membership.
NHNA will continue to actively market to both members and non-members.
The membership engagement task force will be elevated to a Commission signifying
the association’s commitment to engaging and retaining active members and recruiting
new members particularly from the early career sector. As the Commission begins to
set goals for 2022 there will need to be an increased social media (digital marketing)
presence using FB/Twitter and Text messaging which particularly target millennials one
to five years from graduation. NHNA will increase the number of touchpoints with
members including:
• Personalized targeted communication from the ED, president and commission
members.
• Targeted communication from the Commission on Nursing Practice with
emphasis on events and professional development activities.
• Quarterly surveys to member segments asking “what can we improve upon”
brief with questions such as more emails/fewer emails, request for suggestion
programs. Emphasis is also placed on encouraging volunteering with NHNA.
• Each quarter NHNA will host a town hall style social event; will locate events
around the state (Manchester, Keene, Portsmouth/Exeter, Lebanon).
• Prior to each signature event: LTHF, Spotlight on the Healthy Nurse and the
Annual meeting NHNA will host a new member social event.
• Grace period members will receive a text message during their graced month to
remind them to renew.
• Lapsed member communications will continue for six months after they have lapsed
and including a lapsed “we miss you” member survey.
The 2022 budget assumes a no increase in membership over 2021 membership levels.
Membership - Programs/Events:
Planned programs that are membership growth related in 2022 include the Graduating
Student Conference (April 2022), the Excellence in Nursing Awards (May 2022) and
continuing education activities.
• Graduating Student Conference
o This event was able to generate unexpected income of $2800.00 this year relying
on returning sponsors. SNHU has been contacted as a potential venue for 2022 if
in-person events return.
o NHNA will pull together a free Student Nurse Career Resource Handbook and
will sell “ad space” in this handbook at $50.00 per ad and generate about $1,500
in additional revenue (based on 30 ads).
• Excellence in Nursing Awards Banquet
o The host NH Magazine has offered receipts from “the door” generating a possible
non-member revenue source of $2000.00
o Non-Member attendees will receive a targeted communication within one month
of the event encouraging them to join.
• Social Determinants of Health Webinar Series
o Commission on Nursing Practice will prepare an on demand continuing
education series offering 1 CE for each of four programs in the series. Each
program will be $25 to members and $50 to non-members. It may be possible
to have this event sponsored. Based on a projected attendance of 50 people this
could generate approximately $1250.00 which could be added to the scholarship
fund.
Additional expenses to support membership activity include:
• The purchase of the Board of Nursing list-serve two times during the year ($100 each
in March and August). This list-serve will be used to send “Join NHNA” emails at
least once per quarter; these emails will share recent NHNA activity, membership
benefits and contain active links to join and key NHNA web pages.
• Cost of postage for direct mailings
• Secure an intern for the role of Membership/Communication Coordinator to focus
on Communication (including digital) and the membership outreach as noted above
for 10 hours/week. The cost for two interns (one fall, one spring) would be $12,000.
• New member social events prior to our signature events $750.00 and set aside
$250.00 for regional social events one located in each of Keene, Manchester,
Portsmouth/Exeter and Lebanon for possible room fees and other incidental
expenses for each of the events. The membership engagement Task Force will take
the lead on planning these events.
• Consider using discretionary funds from investments to support a loan repayment
program
Advocacy:
In 2018, the Commission on Government Affairs (CGA) formed the Legislative
Advocacy Council (LAC) with the purpose to increase nurse participation in legislative
advocacy by providing tools and support for writing letters to the editor, op eds,
offering testimony at legislative hearings and otherwise support the legislative agenda
of NHNA. Four legislative teams were formed. There has been an increased interest
in membership on these councils. The firm of Demers and Prasol was contracted to
provide public policy and advocacy services on September 1, 2021. The cost for one
year will be $18,000.00. We will use the firm to provide advocacy training to engage
members in advocacy efforts. Two members have been selected to attend the ANA
Full-time, part-time and per diem
Day and night shift
Surgical Services
Emergency Department
Geriatric Psych
Med/Surg
For more information or to apply online,
go to www.cottagehospital.org and
click on Explore Careers.

December 2021, January, February 2022 New Hampshire Nursing News • Page 11
advocacy institute starting in September 2021. One
member received a $500 scholarship. The institute will
be virtual so the only related cost will be $500 for the
other member to attend. The return on investment is
engagement of these members to increase the visibility of
NHNA advocacy efforts.
During 2021 legislative session that was held virtually
led to increased accessibility to members of the LAC to
provide and submit testimony in support of the NHNA
agenda.
In 2022, members of the CGA and LAC will again be
tasked with identifying one or two bills on which to
focus their advocacy efforts during the 2022 legislative
session. Each member will be tasked with drafting written
testimony supporting the position on the bills identified
during the Legislative Town Hall Forum. The ED will
provide technical assistance and mentoring in drafting
testimony and coaching for nurse advocates planning to
testify in-person (estimated two to three hours per week
during legislative session) The firm of Demers and Prasol
will provide weekly communication related to NHNA
legislative agenda and opportunities to provide testimony.
ED with Chair of the Commission on Government Affairs
will communicate with members weekly to engage
members and non-members who had participated in
the Legislative Town Hall Forum. The forum draws many
student groups and students will be encouraged to join as
student members.
ED time incurred for advocacy events increases from
September-May during the legislative session. Cost of
hiring of the Demers and Prasol firm will offset the time
the ED will spend at the State House because of improved
communication related to timing of hearings and
testimony.
Advocacy Work - Programs/Events:
Planned programs for 2022 are the Legislative Town Hall
Forum (Date TBD).
• Legislative Town Hall Forum
• This event will be hybrid; via Zoom Teleconference
and in person at Granite State College. Assumes
no revenue; the event has always been offered free
of charge as a service to NH nurses. Legislative
Advocacy Training Session
o This program will be planned for December
2022 to include LAC volunteers and members
interested in advocacy. To add food the cost
would be $600.00 with no offset ANA Lobbyist
meeting: Chair of Government Affairs or delegate
to attend. $1500.00
Nursing Practice:
The 2022 budget anticipates that the Commission on
Nursing Practice (CNP) will focus on increased visibility
of NHNAs opportunities for lifelong learning and
commitment to self.
Nursing Professional Development:
The Executive Director will prepare any CE related
documents for NHNA sponsored continuing
education events (Legislative Town Hall Forum,
Spotlight on the Healthy Nurse and Annual
Membership Business Meeting/Fall Social Event
and Social Determinants of Health Webinar Series).
Budget $150.00 per CE ($450.00) will seek sponsors
for webinar series and Spotlight on the Health Nurse.
Leadership:
The Executive Director will ensure that all NHNA
Commission and Task Forces will have a Chair and
Vice Chair to provide for succession planning,
and provide mentoring to Commission leadership
through contact before and after each scheduled
meeting. ED will discern information and share
opportunities with the NHNA Board members and
Commission members gleaned through attendance
of ANA national meetings, as well as the many other
communication venues afforded by the role.
Expenses associated with these efforts include
compensation for the Executive Director’s time.
Travel expenses will be limited with the opportunity
to continue to attend meetings and programs
virtually. Approximate cost of ZOOM capability is
$145.00/month
Other Revenue Sources:
• ANA Membership benefits: Payment from NSO
of $2,000 per agreement.
• Nursing Network Career Services: 50% split per
advertising $250.00/Quarter
• Nursing News: quarterly payments from ALD of
$750 each, based on 2021 contributions.
• Organizational Affiliates (OA): $100-300 per
OA with current 4 OAs. One relationship is
in kind reciprocal agreement (HC-Hospice
Alliance)
• Interest & Dividend income: $3,500 (2021
YTD= 3070.17; 2020=$1341.83; 2019=$13,875)
• Grants and Contracts: Project Firstline
$9000.00 (will offset ED and Membership and
Marketing intern time and 1/3 cost of website).
Endowment for Health Violence and Aggression
Project Funding (10% FA= $1818.00)
Major Expenses in 2022 Budget:
Programmatic Expenses: Program related expenses
include fees for the Public Policy Representation by
Demers and Prasol ($18,000; for service provided in
support of NHNA/CGA legislative events).
Payroll & Benefits: Assumed no additional staff in
2022. Executive Director’s salary reflects a 3% cost
of living adjustment. It assumes the ED will work 24
hours/week.
Other Professional Fees: Continuing present
bookkeeper’s services, at same rate as in 2022 for
two hours per month to include the generation
QuickBooks accounting system report and
generating checks. The budget also includes
$150 for a HR Block to review the annual 990
EZ tax filing prior to submission to the IRS (the
return is prepared by the ED, and reviewed by the
Finance, Investment & Audit Task Force). Stipend
for Membership and Marketing Intern ($12,000).
Stipend for the NH Nursing News Editor ($1000.00).
ANA Meetings:
Membership Assembly: Assumes that in-person
meetings may resume for the MA. Delegates will
be the President, President Elect and the Executive
Director. Assumes that ANA will again pay for two
delegates and NHNA pays for two (ED and MA
Alternate) at $1,000 each.
Person Leadership Summit: Assumes that in-person
meetings may resume. ED and President attend
Assumes NHNA responsible for all travel and hotel;
ANA pays for meals and no registration fees at $750
each/$1500.00.
Investment Management: Continued 1.5% fee
to Wells Fargo, approximately $650/quarter. The
Finance, Investment & Audit Task Force monitors
the portfolio performance and account management
fees.
Office Operations: Rent $475 per month, based
on three-year lease extension, 2022 is the final
year of this extension. Nursing Network Website
management ($300.00/month), Comcast phone
service unchanged at one landline ($95/month), ED
cell phone stipend ($10/month).
Other Administrative Expenses: All expense based
on 2022 run rates. Other administrative, postage,
office supplies, meetings and staff development
expenses, bank and credit card fees, dues for NH
Center for Non-Profits and other-miscellaneous
expenses.
Insurance: This includes a worker’s compensation
policy, general liability insurance and D&O
insurance. Assumed a 5% increase in these
expenses over 2022 rates.
Nursing Practice - Programs/Events:
In addition to the Annual Membership Business Meeting/
Social Event (Nov 2022).
• Spotlight on the Healthy Nurse
o This program will be an evening event hosted at
the Event Center by the CNP, but the topics will
be wellness based/self-help topics like resilience,
work-life balance, etc. Plan is to provide a
“healthy dinner buffet” for the attendees.
Sponsorship will be sought to offset the cost of
catering. Excess revenue will provide funds for
the Health Nurse Scholarship Fund.
o CNP responsible for reviewing scholarship
applications and selecting winners; some minimal
help on evening of activity by ED.
• Annual Membership Business Meeting/Fall Social
Event
o Hosting the Fall Social Event, tied to the Annual
Membership Business Meeting. The CNP
provides some assistance in this event, but mostly
through the selection of the NHNA nursing
award winners.
o Revenue and costs in the 2022 budget are based
on a modest event at the Granite State College
Event Center, where ticket costs will be just over
event costs/person. Assumes 75 tickets sold
at $55.00 with an event cost of $45/attendee.
Assumes no sponsorship revenue. Incurs the
time of the ED for event planning and logistics,
managing annual elections and annual reports.
• Alternative proposal $6,000.00 for off site
event with catering. Currier Museum of Art or
Concord Audubon Society. Ticket sale offset
$4125.00 seek sponsorship for break even.
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Page 12 • New Hampshire Nursing News December 2021, January, February 2022
NHNA Annual Awards Program
NHNA's Annual Awards
Program provides another
opportunity to recognize
outstanding performance
by registered nurses and
student nurses, as well as
exceptional support on the
part of others in regard to
the profession of nursing. The Rising Star, Champion
of Nursing and President's awards are presented in the
fall in conjunction with the NHNA Annual member
meeting.
Rising Star Award: Natalie Hansel
The nomination for Natalie Hansel begins “Natalie
Hansel is a rising star who contributes to the nursing
profession and demonstrates significant potential as a
leader and advocate.” Natalie began working at
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center as a Nurse
Resident on 1 East Medical Specialties in 2017, shortly
after she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing
from the University of Massachusetts. The patient
population Natalie cares for are adult patients who live
with a wide variety of acute and chronic medical and
surgical health conditions. These patients live with
confusion or dementia and some are agitated, delirious
or withdrawing. It is not uncommon for patients or
families to be combative or for them to experience
suicidal ideation.
The Commission on Nursing Practice looks for the
rising star to exemplify the following characteristics:
Caring, Professionalism, Patient Advocacy, Leadership
and Involvement (NUR/Community). From their
nomination letter it was clear that Natalie demonstrates
caring and values her role as a patient advocate but it
was also clear that she demonstrates professionalism
by embracing her role within the profession, “I feel
really passionate that we, as nurses, demonstrate our
excitement and engagement within our profession. The
first year of nursing is such a valuable time to capture
new energy and also cultivate the new knowledge and
skills that nurses embody from their recent education.”
What stood out most to the committee was Natalie’s
leadership as a nurse and within her community as
evidenced by her role as Chair of Medical Specialties’
Practice Area Council for Nursing Shared Governance,
providing “her peers with a platform to advocate,
explore, question and drive change in matters related
to their clinical and professional practice.” “Natalie
serves her community by providing excellent nursing
care to our patients, their families and by inspiring
and supporting her interdisciplinary colleagues.” In
November Natalie will complete her Master of Science
in Nursing, Clinical Nurse Leader from Colby-Sawyer
College. She has recently accepted a position as the
CNL on 1 East Medical Specialties.
In sum, “Natalie is a swiftly rising star and a leader in
every sense of the word. She challenges the status quo
by being involved, articulate and committed. It is truly
inspiring to simply work alongside Natalie.”
The Commission members would also like to
acknowledge the other nominees for the award and
congratulate them for being recognized by their peers.
The nominees were:
Bonnie Campbell who works at Dartmouth Hitchcock
Medical Center in the Pediatric Clinic; Grace Kelley
who works in the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical
Center’s Emergency Department; Kayla Kendall who
works as Nurse Manager of the Interventional Care
Unit (IVCU) and Intermediate Care Unit (IMCU) at
Portsmouth Regional Hospital and Stacie Linfied who
also works at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in
the Medical Intensive Care Unit.
Distinguished Member Award: Susan J. Fetzer
It was not hard this year
for the commission
members to select the
Distinguished Member.
Sue Fetzer is known
widely by the nursing
community and has
been a long time
committed member to
NHNA. As keynote
speaker
HHS
Commissioner Lori
Shibinette said in her
remarks, Sue Fetzer has
been her long time
mentor. In her remarks
congratulating Sue on her reward Carol Allen, Chair of
the Commission on Nursing Practice listed these
following contributions to NHNA:
New Hampshire Nurses Association 1986 – present
President, 2002 – 2004; 2004 – 2006
Vice President, 2006 – 2008 (filling role of President
2006-2007)
Secretary, 2013-2014
Council on Nursing Education 2000-2002
Chair, 2001 – 2002
Government Affairs Commission 2008 – 2012
Editor, New Hampshire Nursing News, 2006 -
present
American Nurses Association 1982 – present
Delegate, House of Delegates, 2002 -2006, 2008,
2010
New Hampshire Nurses Association Cornerstone
Award, New Hampshire Nurses Association, 2016.
New Hampshire Nurses Association President’s Award,
New Hampshire Nurses Association, 2010.
Nurse Leader of the Year. New Hampshire
Organization of Nurse Leaders, 2006.
Member, State of New Hampshire Commission to Study
Nursing Education (HB 542, Laws of 2007), appointed
by the Governor.
Member, State of New Hampshire Commission to Study
Medical Errors and Their Causes (HB 255:6, Laws of
2003), appointed by the Governor.
One nominator notes “in my estimation (Sue)
personified the vision and operationalized the mission
on NHNA…..Her influence has most certainly
improved the health of the citizens of New Hampshire
and likely the nation and abroad.” Sue has both been
the editor and frequent contributor to NH Nursing
News authoring columns including:
In my opinion – editorial
Kudos-Accomplishments and awards across NH
Nurses on the Move – Nurses in new positions
Nurses on Boards – Nurses promoted to outside Board
positions
NCLEX Review
Humor Me
Management Minute
In Memory of our Colleagues – abstracted obituaries
since last issue
Board of Nursing News – if any
School of Nursing News – abstracts of dissertations or
accomplishments of faculty/students
The Commission was honored to bestow this award
upon Sue. While she is leaving her role as editor of
NH Nursing News we anticipate we will continue
to see her contributions and accolades role in for this
extraordinary NHNA Distinguished Member.
President’s Award: Carmen Petrin
This year’s President’s
Award, selected by
Carlene Ferrier, NHNA
president was awarded
to another long standing
active NHNA member,
Carmen Petrin. Carmen
is completing her term
as Director at Large in
December 2021.
Carmen most recently
chaired the By Laws
revision committee and
will take the lead on the
Policy Review
Committee to align
policy with current By Laws.
In her remarks honoring Carmen, Carlene Ferrier said
the following:
“This year the President's Award goes to someone
who is both an amazing clinician as evidenced by
her Excellence in Nursing award a few years ago,
and an incredible nurse leader! Carmen Petrin has
a long history of being a valuable member of NHNA
and has clearly shaped the future of the Association
through her many contributions of time and talent.
She has been an NHNA member since 1970 and was
a Commission on Continuing Education member from
1988-1995, then Chair from 1991-1995. She served
as a Director at Large from 1992-1997 and then again
from 2014-present. Most importantly, she has served
as the Chair of the Bylaws Committee for the last three
revisions in 2017, 2019 and 2021.
Carmen’s superpower is her attention to detail. If
you need something proofed, send it to Carmen! But
that is only part of the reason she is so amazing. She
is dedicated to the mission of NHNA as evidenced
by her steadfast commitment to the Bylaws revision
process which took place over months; through
holidays from Palm Sunday to her camping trips in
Maine when she brought her lap top along! And
if that isn’t enough, Carmen is also kind, caring,
respectful and inclusive. I have learned so much from
Carmen! On behalf of all of NHNA members past and
present, we are very thankful for her contributions
to the success of NHNA. For all of these reasons, I
am pleased to present Carmen Petrin with the 2021
President’s Award!”
Congratulations to the winners

December 2021, January, February 2022 New Hampshire Nursing News • Page 13
Commission on Government Affairs (CGA) Annual Report 2020-2021
The CGA began meeting to prepare for the 2020-2021 legislative session in August 2020.
Pam DiNapoli served the term as Chair until the end of 2020, Marcy Doyle assumed the
position in 2021. Because of the pandemic much of the Legislative Session was available
for public participation through Zoom, an online platform. NHNA’s CGA and Legislative
Advisory boards provided education and advocacy from January through September of
2021, until Demers and Prasol was hired. A rigorous request for proposals and vetting
process was undertaken culminating with two final candidates and the ultimate selection
of Demers and Prasol as the 2021-2022 lobbyist. The 2021 Legislative year was incredibly
busy for both CGA and the four Legislative Advisory Committees which were entirely
responsible for communication on behalf of the membership absent a lobbyist.
2021 Town Hall Legislation Results by Bill and Attendee (Nurse, Student and Total)
The Legislative Town Hall was held in the first quarter of 2021 over 270 individuals
attended the session, 196 non-members, 74 members.
The membership voted and prioritized the top 10 pieces of legislation to monitor and
provide education and advocacy.
1. HB 251 Relative to Children Under the Age of 2 Years be restrained in a Motor
Vehicle. NHNA: Supported. Outcome: establishing a committee to study requiring
New Hampshire children to be placed in rear facing restraints in motor vehicles.
2. HB 103 AN ACT establishing a Dental Benefit Under the State Medicaid Program to
extend dental benefits under the Medicaid managed care program to individuals 21
years of age and over. NHNA: Support. Outcome: Sine Die
3. HB 349 Relative to School Nurse Certification. NHNA Oppose. Outcome: Died in
Chamber
4. HB 604 AN ACT expanding the New Hampshire Vaccine Assn to include adult vac-
NHNA: Support. Outcome: Assignment to House Health, Human Services & Elderly
Affairs Committee
5. HB 578 Relative to standards for mental health courts. NHNA: Support. Outcome:
Died in Chamber
6. HB 244 An ACT relative to the membership and duties of the Joint Health Care
Oversight Committee. NHNA Support. Outcome: Died in Chamber
7. HB 582 Relative to Prescriptions for The Treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder or
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity. NHNA. Support. Outcome. Died in
Chamber
8. LSR 899 Relative to The Authority of The Office of Professional Licensure and
Certification: NHNA Watch: Outcome became part of Licensure Omnibus bill
9. HB 207 Relative to Hearings of the NH Board of Nursing. NHNA: Oppose. Outcome:
Assigned to the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee
10. LSR 1006 An Act Relative to Health Facilities Providing Care in Declared
Emergency. NHNA: Watch. Outcome became part of the Health and Human
Services Omnibus Bill
This was the first year of the biennium (2020-2021), a budget year. The pandemic
contributed to a reduction in the number of bills through the development of “omnibus
bills,” single pieces of legislation comprising a variety of topics.
We continued to work with our affiliate organizations and partner with other health
care entities on pressing topics including: the New Hampshire Medical Society, the
New Hampshire Hospital Association and the NH Office of Professional Licensure and
Certification.
Two position statements were made public via the website and social media platforms:
• Immunizations/Vaccinations
• Workplace Violence and Aggression
CGA had two guest presenters this year Lucy Hodder-lawyer, Director of Health Law and
Policy UNH, Franklin Pierce and the Hon. Laurie Harding, a previous NH legislator who
had also been a lobbyist for NHNA in years past.
CGA is an active and well attended group. Many members participated in additional
meetings to facilitate hiring a new lobbyist and begin developing the NHNA strategic plan.
The group looks forward to mentoring and developing leaders. This year two new CGA
members Marsha Davidson and Mary Behnke attended the American Nurses Association
training on Legislation and Advocacy.
Respectfully submitted by,
Marcy Doyle, DNP, MHS, MS, RN, CNL

Page 14 • New Hampshire Nursing News December 2021, January, February 2022
Fluoridation of community water to prevent dental caries
is practiced in the United States, but it has not been
without controversy. According to Lanphear et al. (2020),
“the debate on the fluoridation of drinking water—one
of the most polarized, long-running, and high-decibel
controversies in public health—has been reignited as new
studies find that fluoride is toxic to the developing brain”
(para. 1). This occurs “at levels routinely found in the
general population” (para. 9).
Consider the following:
• An important research study concerning the
association between maternal fluoride exposure
during pregnancy and lower IQ scores in offspring
appeared in the Journal of the American Medical
Association-Pediatrics in August, 2019 (Green et
al.). The study states: "Fluoride exposure during
pregnancy may be associated with adverse effects on
child intellectual development, indicating the possible
need to reduce fluoride intake during pregnancy”
(Key points section, para. 3). Three of the authors (Till
et al., 2020a) state, “Our study is consistent with other
high-quality research; it is not a standalone study.
More than 50 studies have shown an association
between higher fluoride exposure and lower IQ"
(Point 2, para. 2).
• Bashash et al. (2017) also found IQ decrements in
children exposed to fluoride in utero. They report,
“In this study, higher prenatal fluoride exposure, in
the general range of exposures reported for other
general population samples of pregnant women and
nonpregnant adults, was associated with lower scores
on tests of cognitive function in the offspring at age 4
and 6-12 y” (Abstract, para. 5).
• Riddell et al. (2019) “found that higher tap water
fluoride levels and fluoridation of municipal water
supplies were associated with a higher risk of an
ADHD diagnosis as well as increased symptoms
of hyperactivity and inattention, especially among
adolescents.” This points “to a potential cumulative
effect of fluoride exposure” and highlights “the need
for further investigation of the potential for fluoridemediated
developmental neurotoxicity in populations
with water fluoridation” (Discussion section, para. 7).
• Till et al. (2020b) found, “Exposure to increasing
levels of fluoride in tap water was associated with
diminished non-verbal intellectual abilities; the effect
was more pronounced among formula-fed children”
(Abstract, para. 4). In a 2021 video, Till states that
“formula-fed infants living in fluoridated areas have
an approximate 70-fold higher fluoride intake than
exclusively breastfed infants” (video at 15:33).
• Amiri (2020, July-August) looked at the safety,
effectiveness, and ethical controversies associated
with water fluoridation. Citing the National
Toxicology Program (2019), she reports on the
“mounting evidence showing the potential
harms of exposure to fluoride, including low IQ,
neurobehavioral deficits, and endocrine dysfunction”
(p. 475).
The American Nurses Association (ANA) understands that
“Nursing as a health care profession and environmental
health as a public health discipline share many of the same
roots” (ANA, 2007, p. 4). ANA’s principles of environmental
health for nursing practice with implementation strategies
are a “call to action” that “encourage nurses to gain a
working understanding of the relationships between human
health and environmental exposures” with the integration
of this knowledge into nursing practice (ANA, 2007, p. 4 ).
In October 2003, the ANA Board of Directors adopted the
Precautionary Principle which states “if it is within one's
power, there is an ethical imperative to prevent rather
than merely treat disease, even in the face of scientific
uncertainty" (ANA, 2007, pp. 6 and 47).
The ANA presently supports water fluoridation (ANA, 2016)
but has conditioned this support partly on whether "the
most current, evidence-based, sound research supports
the benefits of public water fluoridation and does not
indicate harmful risks" (p. 1). The research, however, does
indicate harmful risks. This is a call to action for the nursing
profession.
Till (2021) states, “A lot has changed since the 1940s when
water fluoridation was first introduced. We now have
topical fluorides like toothpaste. We know more about
how fluoride works.” Amid “mounting scientific evidence
showing a consistent pattern of lower IQ associated with
early-life exposure to fluoride,” Till asks, “How much more
Fluoride's Risk to the Developing Brain
information is needed before we raise concern, at least
for a particular subset of the population?” She cautions
that “failure to act could amount to enormous costs at the
population level” (video at 21:54).
Nurses can proactively prevent harm from water
fluoridation by acknowledging “safe alternatives are
available” and “there is no benefit of fluoride to babies'
teeth before they erupt or appear” (Lanphear et al., 2020,
para. 17).
It would be prudent for the American Nurses Association to
rethink its support for water fluoridation in light of research
showing fluoride’s risk to the developing brain.
Katie Lajoie, BSN, BA, RN
Mary Schissel, BSN, RN
Disclosure: Ms. Lajoie is on the Board of Directors of the
American Environmental Health Studies Project (AEHSP),
and she is a member of AEHSP’s fluoride advisory
committee.
REFERENCES
Amiri, A. (2020). Water fluoridation: When current research
contradicts public practices. Public Health Nursing, 37(4),
475–477. https://doi.org/10.1111/phn.12758. Cited in https://
www.researchgate.net/publication/342943905_Water_
fluoridation_When_current_research_contradicts_public_
practices
American Nurses Association. (2007). ANA’s principles of
environmental health for nursing practice with implementation
strategies. Silver Spring, MD: Author https://ojin.nursingworld.
org/MainMenuCategories/WorkplaceSafety/Healthy-Nurse/
ANAsPrinciplesofEnvironmentalHealthforNursingPractice.pdf
American Nurses Association. (2016, March 18). Fluoridation of
public drinking water systems [Position statement]. https://
www.nursingworld.org/globalassets/practiceandpolicy/
nursing-excellence/ana-position-statements-secure/socialcauses-and-health-care/fluoridationpublicwaterdrinkingsyste
ms-ana-positionstatement.pdf
Bashash, M., Thomas, D., Hu, H., Angeles Martinez-Mier,
E., Sanchez, B. N., Basu, N., Peterson, K. E., Ettinger, A.
S., Wright, R., Zhang, Z., Liu, Y., Schnaas, L., Mercado-
García, A., María Téllez-Rojo, M., & Hernández-Avila,
M. (2017). Prenatal fluoride exposure and cognitive
outcomes in children at 4 and 6–12 years of age in Mexico.
Environmental Health Perspectives, 125(9), 097017. https://
doi.org/10.1289/ehp655
Green, R., Lanphear, B., Hornung, R., Flora, D., Martinez-
Mier, E. A., Neufeld, R., Ayotte, P., Muckle, G., & Till, C.
(2019). Association between maternal fluoride exposure
during pregnancy and IQ scores in offspring in Canada.
JAMA Pediatrics, 173(10), 940. https://doi.org/10.1001/
jamapediatrics.2019.1729
Lanphear, B., Till, C., & Birnbaum, L. (2020, October 7). Oped:
it is time to protect kids’ developing brains from
fluoride. Environmental Health News. https://www.ehn.
org/fluoride-and-childrens-health-2648120286/costsoutweigh-benefits
Riddell, J. K., Malin, A. J., Flora, D., McCague, H., & Till, C.
(2019). Association of water fluoride and urinary fluoride
concentrations with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
in Canadian youth. Environment International, 133, 105190.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2019.105190
Till, Christine. (2021, September 28). Fluoride and the developing
brain [Video]. https://vimeo.com/621670463
Till, C., Green, R., & Lanphear, B. (2020a). Association
Between Maternal Fluoride Exposure and Child
IQ-Reply. JAMA Pediatrics, 174(2), 216–217.
https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2019.5251
Cited in https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/
PMC8101555/
Till, C., Green, R., Flora, D., Hornung, R., Martinez-Mier, E. A.,
Blazer, M., Farmus, L., Ayotte, P., Muckle, G., & Lanphear, B.
(2020b). Fluoride exposure from infant formula and child IQ
in a Canadian birth cohort. Environment International, 134,
105315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2019.105315

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Page 16 • New Hampshire Nursing News December 2021, January, February 2022
2021 Commission on Nursing Practice Annual Report
The Commission on Nursing Practice (CNP) had
another successful year. The CNP has been consistently
supported by Carol Allen, Jamye Cutter, Shelley
Friedman, and Holly McCormack. The CNP welcomed
the addition of Bonnie Crumley Aybar. Erika Corbett
resigned from the commission citing COVID-19 impact
on work and family obligations.
Throughout the year, the commission provided
education related to nursing practice and nursing
practice issues to the nursing community as follows:
Student Nurse of The Year Award and Career Fair:
Facing another year of restrictions related to the
COVID-19 pandemic, the CNP got creative and prepared
a virtual event. We were able to purchase a venue and
planned live and recorded events which allowed students
to view all portions of the program for up to a week.
Buy-in from the schools of nursing was solicited and 206
registered with 167 attending the live webinar. We also
obtained sponsors for the event, including Dartmouth
Hitchcock Medical Center, Cheshire Medical Center,
New Hampshire Hospital, Cottage Hospital, Concord
Hospital, Encompass Health, Granite State College, Home
Health and Hospice Care, Advanced Nursing Education
Workforce at University of New Hampshire, Prudential
Insurance, Rivier University, Southern New Hampshire
University, Chamberlain University and Salve Regina
College, University of Rhode Island, Wentworth Douglas
Hospital, Speare Memorial Hospital, Brattleboro Retreat.
The 2021 Student Nurse of the Year award was presented
to Julie Williams from Rivier University. Seven senior
nursing students were nominated by their faculty, each
with impressive accomplishments, displaying a passion
for nursing care for New Hampshire citizens. Other
students who were nominated include: Faith Farnum and
Alexandra Stroup from University of New Hampshire,
Emily Hackert from River Valley Community College,
Elizabeth King and Katherine Visich from Massachusetts
College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and Haley
Wakefield from Plymouth State University.
Spotlight on Nursing 2020:
This year’s spotlight on nursing was canceled due to
COVID restrictions for an in-person event. There was
consensus that nurses were “Zoomed-out” and planning
for another virtual event would not be beneficial.
However, the CNP planned for developing a Webinar
Series to be started in the fall 2021. The series will focus
on the topic of Social Determinants of Health and will
include an overview of the Healthy People 2030 goals,
followed by applications for clinical practice within
various practice areas, such as VA-Ambulatory care,
Home Care, Long Term Care as examples.
NHNA Spotlight on the Health Nurse and Scholarship:
We were not able to offer nursing scholarships this year
as we were not able to offer a fund-raising event for
the scholarship. Alternative venues for raising funds for
scholarship will be incorporated in events planned late
2021 and throughout 2022.
Annual Meeting and Nursing Conference:
The CNP has assisted with planning the Annual Business
Meeting, which is scheduled for November 10th, 6pm-
7:30pm and will be hosted on line to allow virtual
attendance. The Commission members do not have a
specific assignment.
The CNP will review the award nominations and select the
awardees for the upcoming Business Meeting. Nomination
deadlines were extended. The awards are as follows:
• Rising Star Award
• Champion of Nursing Award
• Distinguished Member award
• President Award
Other NHNA CNP Accomplishments:
The CNP applied for a grant to participate in First Line.
The objective is to disseminate their infection control
curricula. The grant was awarded in September.
The CNP worked with the NHNA President Carlene
Ferrier to review goals and objectives for the next
strategic plan.
Progress on 2020-2021 Objectives:
1. Identify and evaluate trends, developments, and
issues in nursing practice and disseminate that
information.
a. Publish position statements, white papers, and
articles to promote best-practice.
b. Present conferences on timely nursing topics.
Progress to Date: The Commission put the activity
of position statements on hold. Work in progress to
create a webinar series.
2. Encourage and promote nursing advancement by
supporting lifelong learning.
a. Build a scholarship fund.
b. Create and develop criteria for awarding
scholarships.
c. Celebrate achievements among nurses and student
nurses.
Progress to Date: Healthy Nurse Scholarship Fund
was created in 2018. Because of COVID restrictions,
there was no fund-raising event in 2020, leaving
us without a scholarship offering for fall 2021.
Alternative venues for raising funds for scholarship
will be incorporated in events planned late 2021 and
throughout 2022.
The Commission reviewed nominations and selected
winners for NHNA nursing awards in 2021. The
awards include Rising Star Award, Distinguished
Member Award, and Champion of Nursing Award.
3. Seek out and participate in opportunities where
current health care issues are brought to light.
a. Participate in bimonthly ANA’s Organizational
Affiliate, Nursing Practice and Work Environment
conference call.
b. Review the NEMSD continuing education certified
programs list periodically.
c. Utilize summary of feedback from events to
improve future program offerings.
d. Optimize professional and personal diversity
among commission members and NHNA
members.
Progress to Date: Participation in NHNA orientation.
Call for volunteers to serve on the CNP were
requested. Seven applications were accepted as of
9-21-2021.
Respectfully submitted:
Carol Allen, EdD, MSN, RN,
Chair, Commission on Nursing Practice

December 2021, January, February 2022 New Hampshire Nursing News • Page 17
2021 Commission on Membership Engagement
Background:
In October 2019, the New Hampshire Nurses
Association (NHNA) was one of 10 teams selected
to participate in the New Hampshire Center for Non-
Profits’ High Impact Volunteer Engagement program.
The HIVE Program was a year-long, cohort-based
training, coaching and education program designed to
build NHNA’s capacity to fulfill its to improve member
engagement. NHNA’s HIVE team was comprised of
four member volunteers and two staff participants.
Participants included: Cathy Cuchetti, team champion
(joined February 2020), Cheryl Abbott, Pat Lazaro,
Julie Taylor (resigned June 2020), Paula MacKinnon
and Joan Widmer.
As a result the Membership Engagement Taskforce was
created. The Goals of the Taskforce are to:
1. Assist to strengthen and actively grow a relevant
and financially secure nursing organization.
2. Assist to identify and mentor members to assume
leadership roles within the organization.
The Taskforce met monthly via Zoom. Joan Widmer
served as Champion until August 2021 when Pam
DiNapoli began serving as interim Champion until
the 2022 elections for new members is complete
team. The team included Kaitlyn Liset (co-Champion,
Recorder), Anthony McLean, Patricia Lazarre, Board
Liaison Pam Kallmerten, Dansir Minser (resigned),
Austin Ritter (resigned) and Paula MacKinnon
(resigned).
B. Collaborate with all commissions to establish
orientation program for new members and raise
visibility of work of NHNA.
C. Establish mentor program by connecting interested
volunteers with an experienced volunteer with the
same interests.
i. Review literature for models of mentor programs
that could be applicable to NHNA and establish a
plan for implementation.
ii. Provide warm handoff with chair of the team of
the particular volunteer effort.
D. Develop communication tree and standardized
documents for reaching out to Student Nurse
Associations to engage students in volunteer
activities.
E. Guide communication plans for target groups such
as new graduates, nurse leaders, acute care nurses,
etc.
i. Collaborate with Media Communications
Specialist in developing a communication plan to
raise visibility of the work of NHNA.
Respectfully submitted,
Pamela DiNapoli, PhD, RN, CNL
Accomplishments:
• The importance of the Task Force was
recognized as integral to maintaining a strong
membership association. The importance
resulted in the decision to elevate the Task Force
to the level of a Commission. Commission efforts
will be guided by the 2021-2024 By Laws and
Strategic Plan with all NHNA Commission’s
identifying one strategic goal related to
membership.
• Produced and submitted a video welcome
message shown to students at the March Virtual
Student Nurse Conference.
• Pam DiNapoli participated on the ANA ARNP
Committee working to engage more ARNPs
in the association. The NHNPA became an
affiliate member of the organization in October
2021.
• Increased efforts to draw potential members to
the NH Nursing Network website by creating a
widget dedicated to METF.
• Introduced Nightingale meme’s to Instagram
to increase presence on social media to attract
younger members who use social media.
• Thanked Paula MacKinnon for her service as
Membership Engagement and Communications
Coordinator. Her contract ended on April 1,
2021. Paula established NHNA presence on
Instagram and Facebook and published weekly
Eflash as communication tools to members and
to increase visibility of NHNA to non-members
with the goal of increasing membership.
• Contracted with UNH Paul School of Business
for a Membership and Marketing Intern. Lily
Bennett was hired on October 1, 2021.
• Trended Grace Membership data to identify
whether Grace Member calls were translating
to renewal rates. Because NHNA uses the
ANA VPP program most Graced members are
automatically renewed so calls were ended.
The Commission will continue to monitor the
data for graced and cancelled members to
identify areas of improvement.
• Strategic Goal
Increase new member engagement with NHNA
through regular outreach to new members thereby
reducing attrition.
A. Engage each new member in the month following
their join date utilizing EBP measures.
i. Call/text/email each new member each month,
use at least two methods of outreach.
ii. Send personal invitation to NHNA’s “signature”
events and then spend time at event acquainting
new members with NHNA.
iii. Organize quarterly networking/social events in
various geographic regions.
• Inpatient Medical Surgical Unit
• Charge RN- Emergency Room
• Primary Care
• Flex Pool RN
• Operating Room
• PACU
• Maternal/Child Health
• OB/GYN Practice
• Cardiology Office

Page 18 • New Hampshire Nursing News December 2021, January, February 2022
NHNA ORGANIZATIONAL AFFILIATES
AWHONN 2021 Convention:
Adapt, Innovate, Evolve
Alyssa J. O’Brien
AWHONN NH Steering Committee
University of NH Assistant Professor of Nursing
The October 2021 National
AWHONN convention had
a virtual synchronous and
asynchronous format and aptly
called upon women’s health,
obstetrical, and neonatal nurses
to Adapt, Innovate, and Evolve.
Despite the virtual format,
the conference included
high quality educational
opportunities for nurses and
many ways to interact and
network with other members.
Alyssa J. O’Brien
Conference organizers
expressed that despite the different format, it was their hope
that the conference would help members to feel inspired
and to reignite their purpose in a challenging time for
nurses. Topics included many facets of the care of women
and children, including finding calm in the delivery room,
intimate partner violence screening, and the many ways
that COVID-19 has impacted patient care, from vaccine
information to staffing problems. Each presentation gave
practicing nurses real tools and techniques they could bring
back to their units or practice settings to innovate their care
practices to solve everyday issues in nursing.
Early on the first day of the conference, Kathleen Rice
Simpson, PhD, RNC, FAAN, set the stage by bringing
attention to issues around maternal morbidity and mortality
in the United States. The presentation felt like a call to arms
for nurses to find ways to make an impact and change
practices to improve care. Rice Simpson explained,
Maternal mortality rates in the United States
compare very unfavorably with other high-income
countries. Overall, 96 more women died while
pregnant or within 42 days of their pregnancy in
2019 than in 2018 (754 compared with 658). There
were 20.1 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2019,
an increase from 17.4 per 100,000 in 2018. Black
women continued to experience the highest rate of
maternal mortality compared with White women
and Hispanic women. Black women’s maternal
mortality rate of 44 deaths per 100,000 in 2019
was 2.5 times the mortality rate of 17.9 for White
women, more evidence of racial disparity and health
care inequities that must be addressed to improve
maternity care and outcomes.
Topics that followed on the first day of the conference
focused on ways to improve maternal and newborn
outcomes. I attended a session on early identification
of preeclampsia, cardiac conditions, and sepsis
through a better understanding of lab values. The
focused learning was facilitated using case studies
that allowed attendees to apply these assessment
skills to their clinical practice. I found the sepsis
discussion most relevant to my own practice and was
surprised that sepsis accounts for 12.7% of maternal
deaths in the United States (CDC, 2020). This was a
reminder to me that maybe we don’t always need to
innovate, but rather return to our basic core nursing
skills to recognize symptoms of infection before
women become septic. I began to think about
the presentation I saw earlier in the day regarding
maternal mortality rates, and I realized that maybe
the innovation and adaptation isn’t in the assessment
skills themselves, but upon the personal reflection
of our practice to identify why we are missing these
infections before women become septic. How can
we improve education, policies, and practice to
break this cycle of loss? I truly enjoy how attending
the AWHONN national conference creates a space
to engage and reflect upon ways to improve our own
individual practice.
On the second day of the convention, I attended a
presentation by Elizabeth Rochin PHD, RN, NE-BC and
Ann E. Kurth PhD, CNM, MPH, FAAN that highlighted
ways to mitigate maternal and infant inequities
worldwide to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is no longer a question of if COVID-19 will have
a lasting impact on our healthcare infrastructure,
but what that lasting impact will be. COVID-19
brought to light issues in our maternal-infant health
system such as health inequalities, structural
racism, and economic disparities; underinvestment
in public health; a problematic “just-in-time”
supply chain; workforce limitations; and a lack of
historical understanding from previous pandemics.
The presenters explained that COVID-19
coupled with the inequities in our care system
have created a “syndemic," or a situation where
many different epidemics develop under social
and health disparities. Essentially that systemic
racism, gender inequities, and our social-political
landscape have allowed the COVID-19 pandemic to
disproportionately impact marginalized populations
in the United States and globally. Rochin and Kurth
called on nursing to become more comfortable
with data and to use that information to innovate
care and to develop a clinical system that refocuses
the work of nurses on “activities that patients find
meaningful” and allows “clinicians to provide high
quality care."
The virtual format of the conference has allowed
me to attend many more sessions than I would
have been able to in a standard convention format.
Throughout the entire convention and when I revisit
the presentations and posters, I am inspired to chat
with colleagues about our current care practices
or new research ideas that can develop a deeper
understanding and innovative care strategies around
the needs of marginalized populations. I think that
is the spirit of the annual AWHONN convention.
It creates a spark, a brief introduction to the state
of our knowledge regarding the care of women
and infants, and that spark spreads to care settings
across the country, igniting conversations that will
drive real change in practice, improving our care on
the most vulnerable and at-risk among us.
Happy Holidays
from the Board and Staff of the
New Hampshire Nurses Association

December 2021, January, February 2022 New Hampshire Nursing News • Page 19
IN MEMORY OF OUR COLLEAGUES
The New Hampshire Nurses Association honors
the memory of and acknowledges the practice of
deceased nurses who have graduated from New
Hampshire nursing schools or who have actively
practiced in New Hampshire during their career.
Sharing their names and information about their
careers is one way we honor their contribution to
the profession. Brief submissions are welcome.
LPN
NHTI Grad
Ellen M. (Durkee) Bogardus, 81, passed
away August 3, 2021. She earned her
LPN from the Mary Hitchcock Memorial
Hospital School of Nursing and
practiced at the VA hospital in White
River Junction.
Carole "CeCe" Power, died after a tough
battle with Alzheimer's disease, August
5, 2021. She graduated from NHTI
Nursing School in 1977 and practiced
for many years at the Elliot and CMC
hospitals as a CICU and ICU nurse, and
the Elliot Pain Center.
Concord Grad
Lois (Perkins) Loomis, 78, died August
22, 2021. A Connecticut native, she
graduated from the Concord Hospital
School of Nursing in 1963. She practiced
at Concord Hospital, Crotched Mountain
Rehabilitation Center in Greenfield,
Camp Union in Greenfield and
Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinic, Concord
where she ultimately retired.
Notre Dame Grad
Mary Lorraine (Nerbonne) Therriault,
90, passed away August 22, 2021. A
Manchester native, she obtained her
nursing diploma from Notre Dame de
Lourdes Hospital School of Nursing in
1951.
LPN to RN
Rebecca "Becky" (Emerson) Conrad, 67,
died August 22, 2021, following a period
of failing health with multiple sclerosis. A
Vermont native she attended the
Claremont (NH) Vo-Tech and became an
LPN in 1979. She continued her
education and graduated from NHTI as
a registered nurse in 1986. She practiced
at Speare Memorial Hospital in Plymouth as an LPN.
As a RN she spent over 19 years in the Birthing Pavilion
at the old Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital in
Hanover, NH and then at the new Dartmouth
Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH before
retiring in 2004.
NHTI Grad
Dolores 'Lorie' Ann (Kingsbury)
Boynton, 70, passed away August 29,
2021. She earned her Associates Degree
in Nursing from New Hampshire
Technical Institute in 1973. Her 45-year
career was focused on elder care
Sim Educator
Donna Lynn (Steele) Coty, 60, died
September 6, 2021, after a brief illness.
She was a travel nurse in critical care
including ICU at the Monadnock
Community Hospital. She also spent
more than two decades providing inhome
care with New England Life Care.
Since 2017, she had been the
coordinator of the simulation laboratory for the Keene
State College Nursing Program.
Mary Hitchcock Grad
Joanne T. (Phelps) Borda, 81, died
September 8, 2021, at her home after a
long battle with Parkinson's Disease. A
Vermont native she obtained her nursing
diploma from the Mary Hitchcock School
of Nursing. After living in New York, she
moved to Laconia where she practiced at
Lakes Region General Hospital, McKerley
Health Care Center, and the St. Francis Rehabilitation
and Nursing Center, from which she retired.
Dual Health Career
Mary Ellen (Avery) Forrestall-Nicholls,
75, died September 19, 2021. A Concord
native she obtained her BSN in Rhode
Island and a Masters in Social Work in
Connecticut. She practiced nursing and
social work during her dual career. She
was employed as a RN by Concord
Hospital, Mckerley's Nursing Home, and
Department of the Army. She was a nursing instructor
at NH Hospital, Sacred Heart Hospital and NHTI. She
had practiced as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social
Worker since 1984 and started Counseling Dynamics.
She was selected as the Social Worker of the Year in
2004.
Visiting Nurse
Norma Jean McClelland Sands, 93, died
on October 6, 2021. After a year at UNH
she received her nursing diploma from
the New England Baptist School of
Nursing in September 1949. She
returned to New Hampshire and resided
in Jaffrey doing private duty nursing.
After raising her family, she returned to
practice at the Monadnock Community Hospital. In
1965 she practiced as a visiting nurse with the
Monadnock VNA.
Lakes Region Nurse
Mary Ann (Morton) Ettelson, "Mam,"
89, died after a long period of failing
health on October 7, 2021. She obtained
a BA in nursing in New York. She
returned to New Hampshire and
practiced at LRGH, at Lakes Region OB-
GYN, and as office manager at
Orthopedic Professional Association.
Elliot Grad
Virginia E. “Ginny” (Hutton)
Fitzpatrick, 86, passed away October 7,
2021. She was a 1956 graduate of the
Elliot Community Hospital School of
Nursing in Keene, NH. She practiced in
Boston and obtained a Post Graduate
Certification in Clinical Anesthesia. She went on to
have a 38-year career in nursing and retired in
1994.
Monadnock Nurse
Janet (McArthur) Fiedler, 83, passed
away on October 22, 2021. A
Connecticut native and first generation
of Scottish-Irish parents she obtained her
RN diploma in 1958. After moving to
NH, she held various leadership roles at
Monadnock Community Hospital and
Pheasantwood Nursing Home in a 44-
year career.
Case Manager
Kathy Davis Douglass, 64, passed away
October 22, 2021. Born in North
Carolina, she took the opportunity to go
back to school in 2002 and earned her
degree in Nursing. She retired as an RN
Case Manager with St. Joseph's Home &
Hospice Care.
Cadet Nurse
Mary (Fahey) Frost, 96, died at home
October 25, 2021. She was a graduate
of the Cadet Nursing Corps and
became a Navy wife. She did public
health nursing in Bayonne, NJ, in her
earlier years, following the lead of her
own mother who was a World War I
nurse. Mary ran the office of Laconia
surgeon William Gage for many years.
Later, she was in charge of the
Laconia Hospital Emergency Room,
Director of the Foster Grandparent Program in
Laconia, Director of Adolescents and Children Unit
at New Hampshire Hospital in Concord and
traveled the state as a nurse consultant on
Community Living with the N.H. Division of Public
Health. She also found time in the 1970s to enroll at
the University of NH and graduate with the degrees
of Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of
Science in Nursing, focusing on developmental
disabilities. She never ceased to be a healthcare
advocate nor to fight for the rights of people to die
at home.
NH Hospital Grad
Beverly A. (Lane) George, 90 died
October 27, 2021, at home. A Vermont
native she graduated from the NH
Hospital School of Nursing in Concord.
She practiced at the NH State Hospital &
Prison as a forensic nurse for 40 years
until her retirement in 1994.
Concord Grad
Lois "Willy" Ida Willson Cole, 94, died
November 1, 2021. She was a graduate
of the Concord Hospital School of
Nursing.
Air Force Nurse
and Centenarian
Cecile A. (Sirois) Sartorelli, 100, of Manchester, died on November 5, 2021.
Born in Berlin, NH she was a 1943 graduate of Notre Dame De Lourdes
Hospital School of Nursing. Cecile served in the US Army Air Corps and was
a flight nurse during WWII. She was honorably discharged at the rank of 1st
Lieutenant in 1946. Cecile completed the Flight Nurses Training at AAF School
of Aviation of Medicine at Randolph Field, Texas in 1945 and then became
a flight nurse in the European Theatre. She earned her private pilot's license
upon return from the war. She practiced at Sacred Heart Hospital, Manchester
and was the head nurse in the Intensive Care Unit upon the hospital opening.