THE HIGHLIGHT

THE SAN ANTONIO

CHAPTER QUARTERLY

NEWSLETTER

Volume 46, Number 3

HERE’S THE SCOOP FROM

THE PRESIDENT

Faith, Hope, and Compassion! Three words that have

significant relevance in today’s world. This year has been

particularly unsettling for a host of reasons: the pandemic,

racism, terrorism, and the list goes on. We seem to be a

world divided. Couple this with the ravages that we, as

emergency nurses see, on a daily basis related to disease

and the trauma, it is no wonder that we are prone to

becoming jaded, cynical, depressed, or burned out.

I have been an emergency nurse for 32 years. During

my career, I have seen some horrific events unfold in the

world and have experienced some of these events first

hand. The outbreak of the AIDS epidemic, mass casualty

shootings, bombings, starvation, homelessness, drug abuse,

violence, and being held at gunpoint to name a few. Yet, I

still get up every day, go to work, and try to make a

difference. I do my best to keep my family safe and share

the love I have in my heart with my family and friends. My

goal is to make a difference in the world, however, small

that may be. Some days I do a better job at it than others.

Why do I share this with you? Because 2020 has

been a particularly trying time for emergency nurses. I know

you are exhausted both physically and mentally. It is easy to

focus on the negative. However, the positive thing to focus

on is that YOU make a difference. I want you to remember

why you became an emergency nurse. I want you to see

how important you are to improving the lives of people in

SAENA Meetings - 2020

• August 17, 2020 – Business Meeting

VIRTUAL – ZOOM MEETING!

• September 21, 2020 No Chapter

meeting due to National ENA Conference

• October 19, 2020 - Business Meeting

2020 OFFICER ELECTIONS

VIRTUAL – ZOOM MEETING!

• November 16, 2020 - Business

Meeting & Education Event: Lecture ‘Human Trafficking: Training for the Healthcare Personnel and Support Staff ’ presented by Muriel Lanford MSN, RN, TCRN

VIRTUAL – ZOOM MEETING!

• December 14, 2020 - Dinner Meeting

Location TBD

For ZOOM access information see the SAENA website Meetings page and click on the ‘Online Meeting’ link.

www.sanantonioena.org

SAENA CEN REVIEW COURSE

VIRTUAL FORMAT

The SAENA is hosting a virtual CEN Review Course on October 1-2, 2020 8am – 5pm. Jeff Solheim will be presenting the course.

Registration costs:

• Members - $150.

• Non-Member - $200.

For more information and to register see the flyer below or go to the SAENA website Education tab at:

www.sanantonioena.org/education/cen-review

this world. If we all take small steps to improve the world,

we can make a huge difference.

During my 32 years as an emergency nurse, I have seen the

development of drugs that prevented AIDS patients from

certain death, a reduction in the number of deaths

associated with drunk driving, the collapse of the Berlin

wall, the end of the Cold War, the development of

computer technology that sometimes resembles the original

Star Trek devices, and a vast number of emergency nurses

helping disaster victims around the world. Think about all

the changes in healthcare you have seen over the year. I

have seen patients with myocardial infarctions have a much

higher survival rate, glass bottle chest tubes collection

devices go the way side (for the young nurses, yes we used

to use glass bottles), CT scans that can be done in minutes

rather than hours, and a plethora of other changes.

What do all these things have in common? Despite,

the many failures and setbacks, individuals throughout time

have continued to move forward envisioning a better world.

Not all people are comfortable with change but we must

not lose faith and hope that we can make a difference. We

all have something in common, we are all human, we all

have a limited amount of time in this world, and none of us

can truly understand what others are going through. Try to

be compassionate with one another. Make it a point to

acknowledge the successes of your colleagues as well as

your own successes. Make sure to take care of yourself both

physically and mentally. Do not be afraid to ask for help.

Recognize that we do not always have to agree but we

should respect one another. Continue to make a positive

difference in the world as often as you can. Simplicity can

be a roadmap to a better world. Remember faith, hope, and

compassion. Thank you for all that you do to make this

world a better place. I am proud of each of you for having

the courage to become an emergency nurse. Make sure to

celebrate the successes during Emergency Nurses Week

2020. You deserve it. For more information about

emergency nurses week or clinical practice issues, please

visit www.ena.org.

Michael Moon, PhD, MSN, RN, CNS-CC, CEN, FAEN

SAENA 2020 TNCC and ENPC Courses

TNCC Provider Courses October 10-11, 2020 – University Hospital

ENPC Provider Courses

All courses will be held at Methodist Stone Oak Hospital.

October 3 - 4, 2020

See the ‘Education’ tab on the SAENA

website www.sanantonioena.org for more

information on the courses and the

registration forms.

Courses are held using Covid-19 restrictions

and requirements.

Official SAENA shirts are now available. These embroidered polo

shirts cost $16 - $24 + shipping depending on size.

For more information see flyer below or the link on the website

banner at www.sanantonioena.org

Safety Whys’

Child Care Course This is a 7 hour training program for students 11 -17 years of age who want to be more confident when babysitting. It focuses on the child’s action, logical consequences and interventions necessary to keep

the child safe.

For more information click on the on the SAENA website ‘Education’ tab

4th Q State Council Meeting and Awards Gala October 9-10, 2020 will be held Virtually.

For more information see the TxENA website at www.txena.org/meetings/

Meetings have been changed to virtual platforms due to Covid-19 restrictions.

SAENA President, 2020

2020 SAENA OFFICER ELECTIONS

October 19, 2020

SAENA Officer Elections will be held during the October 19, 2020 virtual Business Meeting.

Current Officer Nominations are:

• Secretary Tabitha Selvester

• Director (2 year) Carol Twombly

Nominations will be accepted during the Election portion of

the meeting. All nominations from the ‘floor’ will be subject

to verification of eligibility based on the current SAENA

Bylaws.

The following officer positions are available:

• President-Elect

• Secretary – one year

• Treasurer -one year

• Director – two years

Qualifications for the above positions can be found on SAENA web site in the SAENA Bylaws at:

https://www.sanantonioena.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SAENA-2020-Bylaws.pdf

If you have any questions about the requirements for any position after reviewing the information in the Bylaws, feel free to ask me or any of the other current officers.

If you are interested in running for a 2021 officer position, please contact me via text at 210-363-1662 prior to the October 19th meeting.

Nominations will also be taken from the floor at the October 19th SAENA Business meeting.

Janet Pena, RN Immediate Past President, Election Process Chair

Texas ENA’s 2021

Conference at Sea!

The Texas ENA is sponsoring an 7 day cruise

including a CNE approved conference

aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship from

July 18 – July 23, 2021. Information

regarding the cruise and the educational

opportunities will be posted on the Texas

ENA website in the near future at:

https://txena.org/2021-conference/

YOUR 2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President: Michael Moon

President-Elect: Curtis Townsend

Past President: Janet Pena

Treasurer: Erick Christensen

Secretary: Tabitha Selvester

Directors: Bill Barbre, Dorine Barbre

ENA Liaison: Jennifer Schmitz jennifer.schmitz@ena.org

EN20X - A Virtual Xperience!

The ENA 2020 General Assembly and Scientific Assembly, September 9-11, 2020 has been changed to a VIRTUAL MEETING due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions.

Registration will open on June 3, 2020.

Members - $100.

Non-Member - $215. Includes a one-year ENA membership.

For more information see below or go to the ENA website at:

https://www.ena.org/events/emergency-nursing-2020#reg

ENA National Elections

Exercise your RIGHT to VOTE! The 2020 ENA National Election opens on August 20, 2020. The 2020 ENA National Election Slate of Candidates are:

President-Elect candidate (1 position open)

Jennifer Schmitz (Maine)

Secretary/Treasurer candidates (1 position open)

Terry Foster (Kentucky)

Kristen Cline (South Dakota)

Director candidates (2 three-year positions; 1 one-year position)

Cheryl Randolph (California)

Steven Jewell (Texas)

Jack Rodgers (Georgia)

Nancy Denke (Arizona)

Jaime Stephens-Davenport (Kentucky)

Nycole Oliver (Arkansas)

Catherine Janson (California)

Dustin Bass (Nevada)

Nominations and Elections Committee Region 1 candidates (1 position open)

Steven Hobbs (Hawaii)

Tami Wheeldon (Washington)

Nominations and Elections Committee Region 3 candidates (1 position open)

Benjamin Coe (Missouri)

Stephen Stapleton (Missouri)

Nominations and Elections Committee Region 5 candidates (1 position open)

Marge Letitia (Connecticut)

Dawn MacMullen (New York)

To learn more about each candidate, read their biographical information and view their personal videos, visit the ENA election website.

YOUR 2020 COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Bylaws / SOPs, Media: Curtis Townsend

Election Process: Janet Pena

Government Affairs, Nursing

Practice: Mary Leblond

Membership, Conference: Yvonne Moseley

Pediatrics / ENPC: Diane Walcutt

Professional Education, Newsletter: Carol Twombly

Scholarship: Thomas Culwell

Trauma /IQSIP: Susan Douglass

The ENA National Election opens August 20, 2020 closes at 5 closes at 5 p.m. Central time on September 10. 2020

Meet the ENA Candidates Before casting your vote, you’re invited to meet the candidates in a virtual format.

The ENA Nominations and Elections Committee will host a virtual Meet the Candidates Event and encourages voting members to attend on August 18th from 3-4 p.m. Central time. This will be a great opportunity for members to get to know the candidates before electing the future leaders of ENA. This event will be held through the virtual platform Remo, which allows members to meet with election candidates at individual tables for conversations. Registration is required so be sure to save your spot by August 14th at: https://live.remo.co/e/meet-the-candidates-2/register

Continuing Education Requirements

for Licensure in Texas!

The Texas legislature has mandated certain continuing education requirements for all nurses as a

stipulation for relicensure. These requirements cannot be met by certification. For instance,

certification as an emergency nurse (CEN) meets the continuing education requirement for relicensure,

however, it does not meet the specific continuing education requirements below. For

the most up to date, detailed information regarding these requirements, you can visit the Texas Board

of Nursing website https://www.bon.texas.gov/education_continuing_education.asp#D

Here is a summary of the current requirements as of today for both RNs and APRNs.

Registered Nurse Requirements

• Forensic evidence collection (all nurses whose practice includes the emergency setting) – one time requirement, 2 contact hours (content stipulations apply)

• Older adult or geriatric care (all nurses whose practice includes older adults or the geriatric population) – every renewal cycle, 2 contact hours (content stipulations apply)

• Nursing jurisprudence and nursing ethics (all nurses) – every third renewal cycle, 2 contact hours (content stipulations apply)

• Human trafficking prevention (all nurses who provide direct patient care) – every renewal cycle, Must be an approved course by the Executive Director of Texas Health and Human Services Commission

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Requirements

• Pharmacotherapeutics (all APRNs with prescriptive authority) – every renewal cycle, 5 contact hours

• Pain management and prescription of opioids (all APRNs with prescriptive authority authorized to prescribe opioids) – every year, 2 contact hours for a total of 4 contact hours per renewal cycle (content stipulations apply)

• Prescription of opioids (all APRNs with prescriptive authority authorized to prescribe opioids) – every year, 1 contact hour for a total of 2 contact hours per renewal cycle (content stipulations apply)

• Authorization to receive information from the Texas Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) (all APRNs authorized to receive information from the PMP) – one time requirement, 2 contact hours

• Tick-Borne Diseases (all APRNs whose practice includes the treatment of tick-borne diseases) – one time requirement (content stipulations apply).

Michael Moon, PhD, MSN, RN, CNS-CC, CEN, FAEN SAENA President, 2020

NURSING PRACTICE AND GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

What’s Happening and What’s New for Nursing Practice?

• There are continuing changes to the information and best practices related to Covid-19. Changes and practices occur frequently and the Emergency Nurses Association (www.ENA.org)1 has a COVID-19 site to help Emergency Nurses in their practice. There is also the CDC (www.cdc.gov)2 Guidelines for Coronavirus available. Many other organizations are offering Covid Webinars and Educational events related to the Coronavirus. If you are interested in any of the webinars contact those organizations like TNA, ANA, AACN and others.

• There is a Human Trafficking requirement for licensure, be sure that the course taken is an approved course. www.bon.texas.gov 3

1. Any nurse who provides direct patient care must complete a human trafficking prevention course that is approved by the Executive Director of Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) that covers identifying and assisting victims of

SAENA’s NEW MEMBERS The SAENA welcomes our new members who joined since June 1, 2020:

Brittany Booker, Jessica Dehler, Victoria Fonseca, Nicole Martinez, Brittany Norment, Vanessa Rodriguez, Brook

Sifuentes, Kelly Singleton, Brean Sosa, Ella Tate, Christina Zuniga, Andrea Yosko, Kristense Oberle, Irasel Guerra,

Alexis Moran, Priscilla Mandel, Rudy Esparza, Gricelda Garcia, Marissa Lopez, Enrique Salinas, Alicia Messer, Reina Wilson, Alexander Saucedo, Dawn Bishop, Denisse Pacheco, Garret Clark, Jonathan Caceres, Angela Waldinger, Brandy Martinez, Christine Cosgrove, Trevor Wolfe, Veronica Schmitt, Katherine Langford, Anolda Jones, Joel Melendez, Angelica Webb, John Gonzales, Tori Leal, Richard Trevino and Linda Ward.

human trafficking before the end of every licensing period (applicable to licensure renewals on or after September 1, 2020). Please visit the HHSC Health Care Practitioner Human Trafficking Training webpage for information on approved trainings.

2. Contact hours completed for this requirement do count towards completion of the 20 contact hours of CNE required for all nurses.

3. Certification may not be used to fulfill this requirement; an HHSC-approved course, as described above, must be completed.

4. Background: House Bill (HB) 2059 is responsible for the Human Trafficking Prevention CE requirement for select nurses. This bill was passed during the 2019 Texas Legislative session; adding Sections 116.002 and 301.308, among others, to the Texas Occupations Code. As a result of HB 2059 HHSC will adopt rules to implement Texas Occupations Code Chapter 116, a new chapter being added to the Texas Occupations Code, effective September 1, 2019. This bill also requires HHSC to approve training courses on human trafficking, including at least one that is free of charge, post the list of approved trainings on the HHSC website, and update the list of approved trainings as necessary.

What’s Happening and What’s New in Government Affairs?

Local • Get the latest information, data, and help for the residents of San Antonio. COVID-19 4 has

affected everyone and everyone is working hard to get through it together. • There is information on this site about:

1. Case Numbers (Table Data). Enforcement of Public Health Emergency Declaration 2. Testing questions and for information contact the COVID-19 hotline. The San Antonio

Metropolitan Health Department 3. Dashboards & Data. Risk Level: Steady right now. 4. Progress Indicators. Daily Case Numbers Reported. 5. About Covid-19. Facts and information

State

• Governor Abbott mandates a 14-day self-quarantine for air travelers from NY, NJ, CT and New Orleans. Protective equipment, testing supplies, onsite staffing and assessment assistance to nursing home, prisons, packing plants and other facilities to contain COVID-19 flare-ups. Jul 31, 2020 5.

• Election results from the Texas July 14 for some runoff for some of the elections in Bexar County.6

1. U.S. Senate, Democratic: Mary “MJ” Hegar 2. State Senator, District 19, Democratic: Roland Gutierrez 3. State Representative, District 119, Democratic; Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Campos 4. Bexar County Commissioner, Precinct 1, Democratic: Rebeca ‘Becky’ Clay-Flores 5. Bexar County Constable, Precinct 2, Democratic: Leticia Vazquez 6. Bexar County Constable, Precinct 4, Democratic: Kathryn Brown 7. Bexar County Chair, Democratic: Monica Alcantara 8. U.S. Representative, District 15, Republican: Monica De La Cruz Hernandez 9. U.S. Representative, District 20, Republican: Mauro Garza 10. U.S. Representative, District 23, Republican: Tony Gonzalez

11. U.S. Representative, District 35, Republican: Jenny Garcia Sharon

Federal

• Pandemic Brings New Fears, Anxieties to Health Care Professionals

ENA has signed on to support legislation that specifically targets monitoring and treating the

mental health of health care workers during and following the pandemic. The Coronavirus

Health Care Worker Wellness Act of 2020 (H.R. 7255) would allow grants to health care

providers to establish or expand mental wellness programs to benefit their employees

tackling the front lines of COVID-19. The bill would also lead to a study on health care

worker mental wellness and burnout. This assessment would also review the impact of the

COVID-19 pandemic. The bill is designed because of the recent statistics. According to the

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, by the end of May, some 63,000 U.S. health care

workers contracted COVID-19 and about 300 had died. Health care providers share worries

about having sufficient personal protective equipment, concerns about family, being short-

staffed, and feeling emotional stressors.

• ENA Hosts First Virtual Advocacy Event

On July 9, ENA hosted Day off the Hill, its first-ever virtual advocacy event to promote the advocacy efforts of ENA members and leaders and call them to action to lobby their members of Congress in the coming months. More than 100 members attended Day off the Hill, which featured a welcome message from ENA President Mike Hastings, MSN, RN, CEN, followed by ENA’s Government Relations team discussing the association’s legislative asks for 2020. Brad Fitch, CEO and President of the Congressional Management Foundation and a regular guest at Day on the Hill events, provided a new storytelling session to complement his updated discussion that helps prepare attendees for their interactions with their elected lawmakers. This session provided detailed instruction on organizing and presenting their experiences in a compelling and effective way.

• Congressional Hearing Spotlights COVID-19 Mental Health Crisis

On June 30, the Energy and Commerce Committee's Health Subcommittee conducted a

hearing on more than 20 bills designed to battle the country’s mental health crisis. Included

in the hearing on “High Anxiety and Stress: Legislation to Improve Mental Health During

Crisis,” was the Effective Suicide Screening and Assessment in the Emergency Department

Act (H.R. 4861 and S. 3006), an ENA-supported bill which would create protocols for

identifying, assessing and treating individuals in the ED who may be at risk for suicide.

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S with research indicating that many

patients who report to the ED with suicidal ideation are not identified.

• COVID-19 Cases Surge, PPE Supply Concerns Return

The surge in COVID-19 cases across the majority of the country has resulted in renewed

concerns about the supply of personal protective equipment available to emergency nurses

and other front- line health care workers. The Medical Supply Transparency and Delivery

Act of 2020 (H.R 7611 and S.3627) would take immediate steps to improve the logistics

management for all things needed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, including PPE and

other critical supplies. It would compel the appointment of an experienced civilian to

oversee the federal acquisition, production and distribution efforts through the National

Response Coordination Center at FEMA7.

References:

1). www.ENA.org Covid -19 Resources

2). www.cdc.gov. Guidelines for Coronavirus

3). www.bon.texas.gov

4). www.covid19.sanantonio.gov

5). www.gov.texas.gov

6). www.ksat.com › vote-2020 › Texas-runoff-election-results

7). www.ena.gov. Washington Update July 20, 2020.

Mary Leblond MSN, RN, CEN, CA-SANE, CP-SANE, FAEN Chair of the Nursing Practice and the Government Affairs Committees

Flyers for events or additional information on items mentioned in the

Newsletter are listed below.

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ENA National General Assembly and Scientific Conference

EN20X

ENA is excited to announce EN20X – A Virtual Xperience! Serving as the association's annual conference for 2020, EN20X promises to deliver high-quality emergency nursing education, meaningful member engagement and networking opportunities, a celebration of ENA's rich 50-year history as an organization and a robust exhibit hall including featured events and competitions that will be available to you virtually everywhere.

Mark your calendar! Registration launches June 3 for this dynamic Xperience scheduled to take place Sept. 9-11. Here's what you can expect with EN20X:

• Dynamic learning opportunities brought to you by experts in the field in an engaging virtual environment – this isn't your everyday virtual meeting, it's a virtual Xperience reimagined.

• Affordability and accessibility. EN20X is a members-only event for just $100. Recordings and presentations included. For $215, nonmembers get access to EN20X and receive a one-year membership to join our growing community of nearly 50,000 members. PLUS, earn ANCC contact hours.

• A virtual exhibit hall where attendees can engage with ENA's partner community of industry leaders and participate in additional educational opportunities.

• Fun! Celebrate ENA's 50th and get together with your friends and colleagues at the virtual 50th Karat Gold Anniversary Celebration.

ENA is eager to bring you EN20X – it'll be a virtual Xperience you won't want to miss.

For the latest information on EN20X, please visit www.ena.org/EN20.

The Emergency Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

The Emergency Nurses Association is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #2322.

Emergency Nurses Association

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Cost of shirts: S-XL- $16

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