THE CURRENT 

A publication of the Rum River Chapter AACN Chapter

A note from the President Please welcome our new and returning board members: President Sue Gallagher; President elect-Louise Jacobs; Past president-Lisa Pederson; Treasurer; Lori Weaver; Secretary and membership-Debra Ferguson; Newsletter-April Lenzmeier; Webmaster-Theresa Anderson; Education Chair- KJ Shultz; Education Co-Lead- Angelina Buerck. The chapter is entering it’s fifth year. It’s taken a lot of work to get us here. At the August board meeting, we did review the officer job descriptions, and  begin strategic planning for the year. Our accomplishments include, increased membership, awesome education presentations, an annual  CCRN/PCCN review, and volunteer opportunities. A brochure for new members is in development. KJ and Angelina have some great educational offerings planned.  A new member brochure and the budget are in development. My goals for this next year include increasing member involvement as this will help us to grow as a chapter.  A volunteer sign-up sheet  will be available at each meeting. I am asking that each member volunteer one time, at least one activity throughout the year.  We will continue to collect food shelf donations at each meeting. Can we collect 350 pounds of food this year? See you in September, Sue Gallagher RN, PCCN

Educational  Events September 22nd Rum River Chapter Educational CEU Trauma surgeon Dr. Kissner will talk about blunt and penetrating abdominal trauma. The critical care focus will include initial treatments and interventions, RN assessments and reassessments, and the sequela of recognized and unrecognized abdominal trauma. Come and join us at 4pm on September 22nd in the Mercy Hospital auditorium for a great learning opportunity, chapter updates, and light refreshments. Thank you -Thank you Sheila for hosting the August meeting at your home. -Thank you to those who volunteered at the safety camps this summer. -Thanks to the Rum River Chapter Board for the thoughtful gift of flowers I received at our meeting on my birthday. They not only made that day special; but they have continued to remind me of your thoughtfulness for the past week. Thank you. Sheila Micka -Thank you to the CCRN/PCCN study group and leaders/educators for the study group leading up the last CCRN review course with Deborah Tuggle, it was a great help in my studying adventures to pass the CCRN exam. Thank you for your support. April Lenzmeier -Thank you for your patience while I get up and running with the Newsletter. April Lenzmeier

Free CEU Offerings for AACN Members AACN offers over 300 free online educational CEU offerings for AACN members. The AACN Online CE Center contains features to store and track your CEUs obtained through AACN but also allows you to enter CEUs obtained outside of AACN. Explore the CE center by logging into http://www.aacn.org and click on the Continuing Education link. The short tutorial is very helpful and the list of available educational offerings is extensive. FYI – Changes to CEU Credit for ACLS, BLS, PALS AACN announced in the September 2009 Bold Voices magazine the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Commission on Accreditation will award CEU credit only for initial BLS, ACLS, and PALS courses and not the renewal courses. This new change will take effect on June1, 2011. The rational is the renewal courses validate previously obtained knowledge and do not change knowledge. This is important information for certified nurses in planning for the required number of CEUs needed recertification. Take advantage of the free CEUs as mentioned above!

Congratulations!!! April Lenzmeier, CCRN    Louise Jacobs, Certified Nurse Manager and Leader If I have missed anyone, please let me know and I will include you in the next newsletter. april.lenzmeier@allina.com WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Elizabeth Daniels Melissa Soderquist Brian Anderson Katherine Forseth Interested in joining? Membership is available at our meetings. All meetings are held at Mercy Hospital. Enquires regarding membership can be directed to: Debra Ferguson (Secretary/Membership) Mercy 4 Heart                                            debra.ferguson@allina.com What does membership include? -Free attendance to the RRC bimonthly educational meetings, which include an educational presentation and dinner. -National members receive discount on CCRN/PCCN exam. -Discounted rate for the spring CCRN/PCCN review course. -Discount to attend the annual NTI for seminars, workshops and CEU’s. -Free subscription to AACN -Access to AACN website and CINAHL -Scholarship/grant eligibility