This presentation describes a six-year grant funded academic-practice partnership project aimed at improving population-based public health nursing practice in Wisconsin. Project objectives, structure, activities, and products are described. Project evaluation revealed increased competency for contemporary practice; broad project reach among intended participants including students, faculty, and practicing nurses; and improved education for undergraduate student nurses and nurses new to public health practice. The presentation will provide both academic and practice perspectives.

Sponsored by the Academic Practice Partnerships Initiative.

Webinar SpeakerS

Rebecca Hovarter, MS, APHN, RNBC, Lecturer, University of Wisconsin, Green Bay

Becky Hovarter is a lecturer at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay, Professional Nursing Program, starting in August 2013.  She was an ad hoc lecturer at UW Green Bay for 4 years before starting full time. Becky was the Public Health Director/Health Officer at Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department in Wisconsin from July 2011-August 2013. Other public health work experience includes being a Public Health Nurse Consultant for the Wisconsin Division of Public Health, providing technical assistance to 22 health departments and three tribal community health centers in a 17 county area of Northeast Wisconsin. Becky is a graduate of the University of Minnesota School of Nursing with a Master of Science, Nursing, Public Health Nursing track and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and is a board certified Advanced Public Health Nurse.

Susan Zahner, DrPH, RN, FAAN, Villas Distinguished Achievement Professor, University of Wisconsin, Madison

Dr. Susan J. Zahner is a Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Nursing. She teaches graduate students and conducts research in local public health system performance, multi-sector health improvement partnerships, and public health nursing education and practice. She was the Project Director for a six year federally funded academic practice partnership called the LEAP Project.  She is the current Co-Director of the Wisconsin Public Health Research Network. Leadership positions have included serving as the Chair of the Board of Health for Madison and Dane County and as the Chair of the PHN Section of the American Public Health Association.

Webinar Overview

The eLINE Military Model is a method to award veterans & active duty military credit for their military medical education and training. Credit is awarded  by assessing their current nursing knowledge, filling in the gaps and post testing to validate competency in knowledge and skills. This webinar will discuss the assumptions, steps, and processes of the eLINE Military Model.

Webinar SpeakerS

Mary Jane Hamilton, PhD, RN Dean and Professor of Nursing, College of Nursing & Health Sciences, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

Dr. Hamilton’s area of interest and expertise in nursing education is increasing capacity through innovative programs to underserved populations including the military. Major accomplishments in the area of increasing capacity are built on three innovative grants (1) Assisting Minorities to Success (ARMS) based on a tutoring, mentoring program designed to identify and assist underserved minority students to succeed in nursing (to develop self-competence) and (2) the implementation of the first web-based, articulated, modular, and competency based pre licensure BSN online program in the country under her direction called eLine. (3) eMilitary (ELM) is an online program  to award academic credit for military medical education and experience to fast track active duty military and veterans into BSN nursing programs. The eMilitary program has been awarded the American Association of Colleges of Nurses Innovative Program Award and also the Presidential Silver Waves Award for bring National and International acclaim to the university

Patti Conard, PhD, MSN, Assistant Professor, College of Nursing & Health Sciences, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

Patricia Conard served as Project Manager of the eLine Military Program feasibility study for the HRSA grant.She received her PhD from Texas Woman’s University in Nursing Science and MSN in Leadership at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMUCC). Her research interest is military veterans. In 2009, she began teaching as an Assistant Professor in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Currently Patti works with the TAMUCC eLine Military nursing program where the goal is to help military veterans with medical experience transition to the BSN and into the nursing workforce. 

Bunny Forgione, PhD, RN, CNS, Associate Dean, College of Nursing & Health Sciences. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

Bunny Forgione is the Associate Dean for the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Texas A & M University – Corpus Christi. In addition to her administrative duties, she has played a pivotal role in creating, implementing and evaluating a mechanism for students seeking initial licensure. The online delivery system eLine (electronic learning in nursing education) is competency based and modular in design and affords students the opportunity to learn anywhere, anytime.  ELine was the first online Baccalaureate program for initial licensure offered in the United States.   In addition to working with the eLine Military, she was the PI on a HRSA grant addressing Nursing Workforce Diversity.  Her CAREER project has dispersed $300,000 in stipends and scholarships to nursing and pre-nursing students. 

Jason Saladiner, EdD, Director of Innovative Programs, College of Nursing & Health Sciences, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

Dr. Saladiner is the Director of Innovative Programs in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Dr. Saladiner previously served as the Project Manager and as the initial caseworker for the eLine Military Program. Past experience includes: Director, Student Leadership & Campus Life and Adjunct Instructor - Del Mar College, Associate Director of Campus Recreation – Stephen F. Austin State University, and a veteran of the United States Army. Dr. Saladiner completed his Bachelor of Science at Texas A&M University, Master of Education at Stephen F. Austin State University and his Doctor of Education at Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi.  Past Activities and Awards Include: Joint Meritorious Unit Award United States Army, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal United States Army, National Defense Service Medal United States Army, Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Ribbon United States Army

Webinar Overview

This Webinar will feature Janet Haebler, MSN, RN, Associate Director of State Government Affairs with the American Nurses Association and Taynin Kopanos, DNP, NP, Vice President of State Government Affairs at the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, who will discuss how policy decisions at the state level impact the nursing profession and ultimately America’s patients. Listeners will hear how current issues at the state level are being shaped by political dynamics and policy decisions. Ms. Haebler will provide examples of how the collective voice and nursing’s expertise is integral to informing state laws, such as safe staffing and will share key insights for how nurses can be engaged in the process. Dr. Kopanos will provide her insight into current scope of practice issues for advanced practice registered nurses, and what efforts are being implemented to remove barriers to full practice. This Webinar is the second of a three-part series to prepare students attending AACN’s Student Policy Summit in March.

Webinar SpeakerS

Janet Haebler, MSN, RN, Associate Director of State Government Affairs, American Nurses Association

Taynin Kopanos, DNP, NP, Vice President of State Government Affairs, American Association of Nurse Practitioners

Webinar Overview

AACN will launch the only comprehensive online CNL Certification Exam Review Course. Developed by practicing CNLs and academicians, the course is based upon the content outline of the CNL Certification Exam. With 12 modules and 17 topics, this is definitely a resource for anyone preparing for the certification exam! During this Webinar, you will be provided with an overview of the course, learn how the course can be used to prepare for the CNL Certification Exam, and discuss an actual module with the author.

Webinar SpeakerS

Kim Hall, MSN, RN, CNL, VHA-CM
Nurse Educator, VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System

Kim Hall has more than 20 years of diverse nursing experience, 17 years nursing practice was in direct care settings. She has had extensive nursing experience through a variety of positions in Emergency Room, Geriatric outpatient clinic,  Post-operative Unit as well as a  Primary Care Lead Nurse for Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) at the Sierra Pacific Network, which consists of coordinating and planning for the implementation and management of the Medical Home Initiative (PACT) and the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (HPDP) Program as well as other key primary care programs throughout VISN 21 and other Special Clinical Projects. She implemented the CNL role in two care settings - an outpatient Geriatric clinic and a post-operative inpatient unit. Hall is a member of the AACN CNL Certification Exam Review Course Advisory Group and a CNL Ambassador. In addition, she is a member of the American Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau, and National Gerontology Nurses Association and is a certified Veterans Health Administration mentor.

Susan Penner, DrPH, MN, MPA, RN CNL
University of San Francisco

Susan Penner teaches the Financial Resource Management course in the CNL program at the University of San Francisco (USF). She designed the Financial Resource Management course curriculum in 2006, when the CNL program was established at USF. Dr. Penner also oversaw the recent redesign of the Financial Resource Management course for the all on-line CNL program at USF. Dr. Penner is the author of Economics and Financial Management for Nurses and Nurse Leaders, 2nd Edition, Springer Publishing Company, 2013. She is also a contributing author to Financial & Business Management for the Doctor of Nursing Practice, K.T. Waxman, Editor, Springer Publishing Company, 2012. 

Tracy Lofty, MSA, CAE
Executive Director, Commission on Nurse Certification

Tracy Lofty has more than 20 years of experience in the professional development field of association management. She has been responsible for developing and managing career and employment services, national educational conferences, distance learning programs, and professional certifications. Ms. Lofty currently serves as Executive Director of the Commission on Nurse Certification, an autonomous arm of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Previously she served as Director of Postdoctoral Training Standards and Evaluation for the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons and has held other positions with national organizations. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence and as an advisor to the Clinical Nurse Leader Association. Ms. Lofty has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Master of Science in Administration (Human Resource Development concentration) from Trinity College in Washington, DC. Ms. Lofty earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the American Society of Association Executives and the Advanced Certification Administrator (ACA) from the National Certification Commission. In addition, she has a certificate in Event Management from George Washington University’s School of Business.

Webinar Overview

This presentation will lead participants through research CDC has conducted with parents and health care professionals to learn more about their educational needs when it comes to vaccines. The presenters will describe a suite of materials that can be used as teaching tools for nursing students to prepare them for vaccine conversations with parents. Specific talking points in response to parents most frequently asked questions will be discussed, as well as how the tools can help your students stay up-to-date on information related to vaccines, vaccine safety, and vaccine preventable diseases.

Webinar Speaker

JoEllen Wolicki, BSN, RN, Nurse Educator, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

JoEllen Wolicki is a Nurse Educator in the Education, Information and Partnership Branch, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA.  She is a recruited guest lecturer for professional conferences, grand rounds, and academic programs. She has conducted immunization presentations at national, state, and local levels, for immunization providers addressing a vast variety of immunization and vaccine issues. She is a contributor to the text, Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine Preventable Disease (Pink Book). JoEllen is a member of a number of Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices workgroups, including general recommendations, childhood schedule, human papillomavirus, and pertussis. She has developed and revised comprehensive educational materials for providers and consumers. Prior to joining CDC, she was an Immunization Nurse Consultant for the Michigan Department of Community Health for 15 years.