What does Courageous Care look like in nursing today? Do we, as nurses, think of ourselves as coura-

geous? It wasn’t until NTI 2015 in San Diego when oncoming AACN President Karen McQuillan an-

nounced our organization’s new theme that I really thought about courage in nursing. In asking you to

embrace this year’s theme of Courageous Care, I wanted you to really think about the word courage,

how it applies to your personal life, your professional nursing careers, as well as to GMAC. So what is

courage? The definition I found I like best came from Dictionary.com (2015). It says that courage is

“the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear;

bravery.” I’m sure that we can all apply words like quality, mind, spirit, danger, pain, fear, bravery, and

all the other synonyms out there for courage to our personal and professional lives.

As students, bedside nurses, critical care nurses, palliative or hospice nurses, nurse leaders, nurse

educators, advanced practice nurses and all the other specialties of nurses that we encompass here at

GMAC and throughout AACN, we are challenged on a daily basis with difficult and complex patient con-

ditions, complex or unhealthy work environments, feelings of emotional and physical burnout or under

appreciation, and lack of education or professional development sup-

port. It takes COURAGE to come to work on a daily basis and do what

we do, to fight for and advocate for what our patient’s need whether

in the acute care setting or upon discharge. We don’t stop when we

go home either. We continue to remember our patients, think about

the work we did that day and did we do enough. We bond with fami-

lies and patients when they are at their most difficult time in life, and

when they need a shoulder to cry on. We have the COURAGE to be

that person for them.

Courage goes beyond the bedside though. Courage goes into your

professional development, education, and personal lives. It is impera-

tive that as nurses, we continue to strive to gain knowledge, and chal-

lenge ourselves, but remember to take care of ourselves as well. It

takes a courageous person to take pride in their career and their pro-

fession. To take that extra time out of their personal time and put it towards education and profession-

al development, like those of us who are active members in GMAC. For some of us, GMAC is all about

the professional development and education, but for others it has an additional component to it and

that it the renewal and recharging of our passion for why we became nurses. I can personally attest to

this component of courage. If you would have asked me 5 years ago to join a professional organiza-

tion, I would have told you there was no point in it. It wasn’t going to do anything for me. I was wrong.

Three years ago, a very courageous Anne Putzer talked to me about my abilities as a nurse, my leader-

ship qualities, and my potential endless career opportunities and places I could go. Then she said,

“Have you heard about GMAC?” Well, here we are today.

I took to heart what Anne has instilled in me over the last few years working side by side at St. Mary’s

Ozaukee, and now through GMAC. With the support of so many others I have taken on Courageous

Care with a whole new meaning. I have taken this role as President of our Chapter, an experience I

never envisioned for myself, I just passed my CCRN exam, and now I am entering an Adult-Gero Acute

Care Nurse Practitioner Program. I work full time an ICU, where like many of your units, the patients are

becoming sicker, there are more of them, and the requirements placed on nurses are constantly

Continued on Page 2

Message from the President — Carrie Brandt

American Association of Critical Care Nurses - Greater Milwaukee Area Chapter

September 2015

Volume 43, Issue 1

The Monitor

Inside this issue:

Membership 2

Treasurer’s Report 3

CNS Recognition 3

Al’s Run 4

Education Calendar 5

September Education 6

September “Homework” 7

2015-2016 Board Members:

President: Carrie Brandt

Treasurer: Lyndee Torres

Member At Large: Jessica

Panfil

Secretary: Val Kolmer

Interested in becoming a

board member? Let us

know at milwaukeee-

aacn@gmail.com

Continued from page 1…

changing. Yet, many of us remain resilient and come back day after day. Then we take time to come to GMAC or take part in

other educational and outreach programs to support our patients, our education, our profession.

As GMAC President for the 2015-2016 year, I am very excited thinking about the opportunities that exist for our current mem-

bers and our future members. Together we have an opportunity to take Courageous Care to a whole new level. A level I envi-

sion reaching beyond your local hospitals, clinics, and other health care facilities, beyond GMAC, and now into the community.

Our recent strategic planning meeting was more fun, believe it or not, than I could have imagined. We came up with fabulous

ideas on how to take courage from our group of nurses to other local, state, and regional nursing organizations. Our education

committee has taken on the courageous task of meeting the educational demands of our GMAC nurses, while ensuring the

education reaches out to more than just critical care nurses.

Through strategic planning we are taking on some courageous ef-

forts to engage and retain members, encourage leadership and col-

laboration within the chapter as well as take our chapter to a new

level of local nursing and community outreach.

I end this message to you with open ended opportunities to show us

your courage this year. Throughout the year, we will ask for your help

in both big and small ways. Please, dig deep and value what it is that

you have to offer your patients, your family, your GMAC family, your

profession, as well as your community. I look forward to meeting all of you throughout the year and hearing about all your sto-

ries and ideas for COURAGEOUS CARE! Thank you for your time and dedication to the success of GMAC.

Message from the President (Continued)

Page 2 The Monitor

Membership—Holly Clanton

Welcome to a year of courageous caring for our patients and their families. My name is Holly Clanton and

I am the membership chair for GMAC. I look forward to meeting you at our chapter meetings this year. I

have included the GMAC membership form and the National AACN bulk membership form which are lo-

cated at the end of the Monitor. As a friendly reminder you must be a member of National AACN to be a

member of our local chapter GMAC. You can save $9 off the cost of general AACN membership by join-

ing with the BULK discount that will be collected at the September and November meetings. I dare you to

include yourselves and colleagues in AACN’s theme this year of Courageous Care. Share this monitor

with your units, discuss it at a staff meeting, leave it on the break room table and dare I say post it in the

bathroom and

locker room. In-

vite a colleague

to attend our

September meet-

ing with you.

Print a copy and

fill out the mem-

bership applica-

tions with a sepa-

rate check for

each registration.

See you soon!

Treasurer’s Report—Lyndee Torres

Page 3 The Monitor

Winston Churchill said: “Success is never found. Failure is never fatal. Courage is

the only thing.”

It is with courage that I report we had a successful year as a chapter for 2014-

2015. I kept my pledge to you all until the last event of the year. I had some over-

whelming events, and was not able to make a deposit for the June dinner meeting.

Making a long story short- I am asking that if your check for the June dinner did not

clear, please consider issuing a new one to the chapter.

It is with courage that I take the pen and checkbook again in hand for the upcoming year. Please consider the role of Treasure

Elect for the 2015-2016 fiscal year, with intent to be Treasurer for the 2016-2017 year. I am willing to work with you both in

your learning year and then even during your term as Treasurer. Consider showing your Courageous Care for our chapter.

As a board we have made the decision to courageously move up in the digital world by attaining a PayPal account. You as an

individual do not need an account to use this service so we are hoping it will be easier for

everyone. I hope you have seen our updated webpage too. Soon you will find a link to pay-

pal for your GMAC membership and donations. We can also collect reservations and depos-

its for events through this service. We will have a device reader at the September 17th Edu-

cation meeting, to swipe cards too.

Ending as I started, with a Churchill statement—“Courage is what is needed to stand up and

speak; Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen”.

Current Account Balances:

Wells Fargo Checking 5,656.21

Wells Fargo Savings 12,071.21

Baird Investments: 21,471.00

Total $$ 39,198.53

CNS Recognition Week—Pam Konrath

The week of September 1 –7 is National Clinical Nurse Specialist Recognition Week. Clinical nurse specialists are an often

unrecognized, yet crucial, part of our health care system. We are the vital link in health care reform and the best kept secret in

healthcare.

A Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is minimally a Master's prepared Advance Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) whose function is

to improve outcomes in patient care. National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) just announced by 2030 the

level of entry for a CNS will be a DNP. Nurse Midwives hold the honor of trailblazing and being the first APRNs. Certified Regis-

tered Nurse Anesthetics and Nurse Practitioners complete our APRN team.

The advanced knowledge and skills required of the CNS include clinical practice, patient educator, researcher, informatics and

consultant influencing the three spheres of practice: patient care, nursing and systems. We are a conduit that links practition-

ers and patients to all the system resources available to them.

Our advanced knowledge is essential because we work to advance the practice of nursing and the professional development of nurses. Our

work improves clinical processes to achieve greater safety and quality of care by bringing best practice to the bedside. As the conduit, the CNS

is accountable for collaborating with members of the health care team to design, implement, and measure safe, cost-effective, evidence-based

care strategies. The CNS is also responsible for maintaining current professional knowledge and competencies and contributing to the ad-

vancement of nursing practice at the unit/system, local, state, national, and/or international level.

To simplify: as a conduit, CNSs are positioned as the voice at the table representing patients and caregivers in discussions about performance

improvement and policy changes. We assess barriers and look for ways to implement rapid improvement practices. We work with everyone,

from administration to board members and new orientees to connect the dots and ensure clinical best practices are being followed. As a team,

we have set our sights on the industry’s highest quality standards, such as Magnet and the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators. We

report on and our systems may hold us accountable for hospital acquired incidents, these may include: pressure ulcers, central line infections

and ventilation associated events, and patient experience.

Reflective of the CNS week theme, we are the vital link in healthcare reform. There are more than 72,000 of us across the country who are

working every day to improve health care delivery for our patients and health systems. Though we may be the best kept secret in nursing, we

are spreading the word to health care providers, policymakers, and health care consumers so you all may fully understand the key role that

CNSs play in health care. If every health care setting employed CNSs and utilized CNSs to the Scope of our Practice, more of the care provided

would be based on research and best practices, our health care system would be more efficient, and we would all be healthier.

Wisconsin is well aware of this secret and CNSs being the vital link in healthcare reform. Systems across our State are adding CNS roles to fill

the gaps in bringing best practices to cover all patient populations they serve. Wisconsin CNSs are the legislative table in hopes to fill additional

gaps positioning CNSs to function to the highest scope of practice, including utilizing prescriptive authority. We are also fighting for all Advanced

Practice Nurses and Registered Nurses, truly answering the call of the IOM Future of Nursing report:

http://www.thefutureofnursing.org/recommendations

Join me in acknowledging the best kept secret in nursing, the Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Looking for volunteers to help staff the First Aid Tent at Briggs & Al's

Run Saturday, September 19th. This is a simple way to give back to

your community, get engaged with GMAC, while having fun and build-

ing relationships within our AAACN-GMAC family. My little Meghan, RN

in training is excited to be back. I have been volunteering for over 20

years. The few years I missed, I truly felt incomplete not being a part of

this excellent fundraiser for CHOW; especially since I can’t run it. SO If

you are not running it, hope to see at the First Aid Tent by 0900, race

begins at 1030! The finish line is located on Chicago St, next to the

Italian Community Center.

PS… Bring a friend, even if they are not a GMAC member. Your guest

will see how fun we are and want to join. Tell your friend to bring their

IV skills and stethoscope. Dress casual, weather appropriate. Jeans/

shorts are fine, no white coats or ties are requested by officials. Be

prepared to slide on a commutative Al’s Run t-shirt over your layers. It

does tend to be cooler by the lake so layers are recommended. Some

of us will be chauffeured along the course on a golf cart.

This is an 8K run starting at Marquette University proceeding through downtown, ending in the Third

Ward. See the link below for a course map.

http://events.chw.org/site/DocServer/12AlsRunRoute_Map_CMYK.pdf?docID=121 . Several college

students participate. They all do not necessarily prep with the proper fluid the night prior. Or, if the heat

index is up, we may need to place an 18 gauge in the AC. Normally we simply need to provide shade for

heat exhaustion or oranges and bananas for hypoglycemia, clean some scrapes, or splint. ‘Tis the sea-

son for Epi pens, which are also on hand along with EMS for transport.

If for some crazy reason you have been stuck inside your hospital or a classroom advancing your degree

or prepping for the CCRN and don’t remember how to get to Summerfest, here are directions to Sum-

merfest grounds: http://summerfest.com/getting-here/

Some things in life are free - parking. There is free parking in lots H and P on the grounds. See below for

directions to the parking lots.

http://www.chwevents.org/site/TR/Events/General?

pg=informational&fr_id=1130&type=fr_informational&sid=1100#three

Another option for parking is the Italian Community Center which is right next to the finish line (corner of

Jefferson and Chicago). Cost is $5. You can park on the street, but Milwaukee is notorious for ticketing in

this area ($22 for a meter violation).

We are generally done around noon, unless you have my luck. Volunteers may stay and play in the Sum-

merfest grounds with free music and activities. My little Meghan and I like to get cultured; we explore the

Third Ward and Lakefront. Last Al’s Run we beach hopped all the way home.

If you have any questions, please let me know. See you the 19th!

Al’s Run—Pam Konrath

Page 4 Volume 43, Issue 1

We are entering another year of great educational programs. The education committee

met during the summer to discuss and plan the year’s sessions. The fall programs are

finalized and are described below.

We have also made progress on the programs for 2016. There will be meetings in Febru-

ary and April – specific dates, topics, and speakers are not yet established.

Education Sessions Calendar 2015-2016

All Educational Programs are held at: Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-Wauwatosa

201 North Mayfair Road, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin (Conference Center, Rooms 5A & 5B)

Registration: 5:30-6:00 pm: Light dinner served

* Topics are subject to change & cancellations for severe weather will be posted on AACN-GMAC website*

If you would like any further information about topics and/or board meetings please contact us at *www.milwaukeeaacn.webs.com

The education committee will meet again after the September 17 programs.

All GMAC members are welcome to become in-volved.

Any questions – call me at 414-476-5817 or email at mkfmke1@wi.rr.com.

9/17/2015 6:00 – 7:00 Cultural Diversity Within Nursing Dr. Julie Ellis - Cardinal

Stritch

7:30 – 8:30 Forum – Identifying Barriers to

Practice (AACN Initiative)

Beth Hammer

Linda Bay

11/12/201

5

6:00 – 8:30 Organ Transplant – Panel

NP Jess Weber

MD – Lung George Haasler

Patient – Heart JB

Transplant Coordinator Judi Knipper

Education—Mary Kay Feeney

Page 5 Volume 43, Issue 1

September Education

Page 6 Volume 43, Issue 1

September Education

Page 7 Volume 43, Issue 1

AACN - Greater Milwaukee Area Chapter

PO Box 1836

Milwaukee, WI

53210

milwaukeeaacn@gmail.com

We’re on the Web!

Milwaukeeaacn.webs.com

Facebook: AACN: Greater Milwaukee

Area Chapter of Critical Care Nurses

Twitter: AACN_GMAC

GMAC is the local professional "home" for nurses in South-

eastern Wisconsin who work with patients who are acutely

or critically ill. With over 85,000 members, AACN is the

largest specialty nursing organization in the world, repre-

senting the interests of more than 500,000 nurses. The

association is dedicated to providing our members with the

knowledge and resources necessary to provide optimal

care to patients along the critical care continuum.

The goal of GMAC is to:

Uphold the American Association of Critical-Care Nurs-

es' vision, mission, and values at the local level.

Support nurses working in a variety of acute and criti-

cal care settings, whose patients require specialized

knowledge and skills to assure optimal outcomes. Our

members work in intensive care units, medical and surgical

- telemetry units, interventional radiology, emergency de-

partments, on transport teams and are faculty at ar-

ea colleges and universities.

Support includes educational programs, networking

with professional colleagues, mentoring relationships and

scholarships.

Promote quality care of acutely and critically ill pa-

tients in Southeastern Wisconsin.

American Association of Critical Care Nurses - Greater Milwaukee Area Chapter

AACN is a community of exceptional nurses. GMAC is your local portal to that community.

Submissions

Want to submit something to be included in the next Monitor?

Everyone is welcome to submit—please send your submissions to: milwaukee-

aacn@gmail.com

We look forward to another great year with you. Thank you for your membership!