Published May 02, 2018 
Weekly Digest
A new study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that having more nurses prepared with at least a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the bedside improved the likelihood of positive outcomes for all patients, but it had a much greater effect for patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Dr. Elizabeth White and her colleagues from the Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing and the University of Pennsylvania Health System are the first to examine the effects of clinician education on surgical outcomes for patients with ADRD.
On April 30, CNN Money focused on academic nursing's struggle to expand student enrollments to meet the current and future demand for care in an article titled "Nursing schools are rejecting thousands of applicants -- in the middle of a nursing shortage." Framing the issue with AACN's data on the number of qualified applications turned away from nursing programs, reporter Parija Kavilanz highlighted how a shortage of nursing faculty and clinical training space is restraining the number of registered nurses able to enter the workforce each year. See below for details on two AACN initiatives launched to address the issues raised in this article.
- NursingCAS Connects Students to Open Seats in Nursing Schools: AACN established NursingCAS, the centralized application service for nursing, to maximize capacity in schools of nursing and fill available seats. For schools that turn away applicants, NursingCAS provides free web-based admission tools to effectively manage a large pool of interested students. For schools with open seats, NursingCAS can point students directly to your programs and facilitate the application process. Read more >>
- CB Bridges Facilitates the Clinical Education of Nursing Students: CastleBranch Bridges (CB Bridges) is designed to facilitate the clinical education of nurses and ensure quality outcomes. Through a partnership announced last fall, nursing schools affiliated with AACN can gain access to this comprehensive easy-to-use online platform designed to streamline each phase of a student's clinical journey from compliance tracking, clinical placements and scheduling, site orientation, skills assessment, and evaluation. Read more >>
AACN Updates
AACN Board Chair Ann Cary Testifies Before House Appropriations Subcommittee >>
Over 100 Faculty and Dean Vacancies Posted Through AACN's Career Link Promotion Honoring Nurses Week >>
AACN Seeks Representatives for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Group >>
ELNEC Undergraduate Champion BSN and Pre-licensure Programs: Is Your School on the List? >>
The Social Pulse
Celebrate Nurses Week by Joining AACN's Thunderclap Campaign!
In celebration of Nurses Week (May 6-12), AACN has launched a Thunderclap campaign to encourage the public to express gratitude to nurses for their commitment to improving healthcare and the patient experience. To support this campaign, simply visit the Thunderclap campaign page and click "Support by Twitter" or "Support by Facebook." By joining this campaign, you will lend your voice to a positive message encouraging your social media followers to thank nurses for their commitment to quality patient care.
Washington Weekly
Inside this edition of Washington Weekly: GAO releases report examining oversight of schools' loan default rates; the NIH GeroScience Summit Request for Information is extended to non-governmental organizations; a recent survey by The Commonwealth Fund found health insurance coverage is on the decline; and the PCORI Board approved $94M in research funding to support high-burden healthcare issues like opioid addiction and to promote partnerships.
Read AACN's Washington Weekly >>
Member News & Announcements
- Herbert and Nicole Wertheim, longtime benefactors of Florida International University, have pledged an additional $1 million for the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences. In 2013, the Wertheims donated $10 million to name the college and support the strategic development of its health and research programs, bolster scholarships for students, and sponsor professional advancement for faculty. Read more >>
- The E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation of Philadelphia has given $6 million to the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing to fund the expansion of its current Anne M. Pinkard building. Since its first gift in 1990, the Carpenter Foundation has given more than $12 million in support of School of Nursing initiatives, including the building, community health efforts, and an endowed professorship. Read more >>
- The Pitzer Family Foundation has pledged $3 million to The Ohio State University College of Nursing in memory of former faculty member and alumna, Dr. Martha S. Pitzer. In recognition of Dr. Pitzer's passion for women and children's health and pending The Ohio State University Board of Trustee approval, the family's gift will establish the Martha S. Pitzer Center for Women, Children, and Youth, and fund research targeting improvement of health and well-being outcomes of vulnerable populations. Read more >>
- The University of Rhode Island College of Nursing has received a $1 million gift to provide scholarships for students in the College. The gift comes from the estate of Eleanor Ferrante Barlow and her late husband, Edward. The Barlows' bequest will establish the Eleanor F. Barlow Nursing Scholarship Endowment. The scholarships will support students from Rhode Island public high schools who enroll in URI's nursing program. Read more >>
See Past Issues of AACN News Watch