A Message From the Chief Nurse

Nurses,

There is much going on in public health as we continue our work in Transformation of the Commissioned Corps and stand ready to serve with the advent of hurricane season upon us. My activities this past month have focused on global health, readiness, recognition and outreach.

Government Chief Nurse Global Forum & Triad Meeting

On May 17-20, I attended two World Health Organization (WHO) convened nursing meetings in Geneva. I joined Government Chief Nurse Officers and Midwives from 50 countries to discuss shared concerns and health priorities. This discussion focused on strengthening health systems; HIV/AIDS/TB treatment, control, and prevention; making pregnancy safer and reproductive health research; pandemic preparedness; human resources for health; and building health leadership capacity.

I then met with Presidents of 90 National Nursing Associations and 40 Directors of country regulatory bodies in an Inaugural Triad Meeting to address issues of common interest and to share ideas and collaborative actions germane to government, regulators and professional bodies. The focus was on issues critical to the provision of safe, quality nursing and midwifery care and included the areas of health migration and shortages, scope of practice authorities for new cadres of workers, educational service gaps, and safe/positive practice environments. Each country collaborated with its triad and submitted recommendations in each of these areas. The Office of the Chief Nurse USPHS, the ANA, and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing participated as the US delegation.

I returned with a broader perspective of the nursing issues common to the world, those unique to the U.S. and those shared among disadvantaged countries. There are many areas of common concern globally in nursing; however, strength, professionalism, caring, compassion, healing, and determination are shared among us all.

World Health Assembly Resolution

With strong international nursing support, on 26 May, the Fifty-Ninth World Health Assembly (WHA) adopted a major resolution to strengthen nursing and midwifery. The WHA sets the agenda for WHO priority activities. It was noted that 80% of the world’s health care workers are nurses and that investing in nurses will result in better health outcomes, increased vaccination coverage and reduced infant and maternal morbidity and mortality.

This resolution urges Member States to establish comprehensive programmes for the development of human resources, and to actively involve nurses and midwives in the development of their health systems.

Basic Readiness

Over 4500 officers have registered for the Tiers of deployment. The registration includes a selection of tiered response AND the opportunity to list healthcare and administrative expertise for each officer that will be used to improve specific deployment activities. Every officer needs to complete this new registration format. If you have not done so, please complete this process NOW. Also the Surgeon General has requested that all officers complete 4 on line modules on the national response plan and the national incident management system by June 30, 2006. These 4 courses as well as the registration for the Tiers are found at http://oep.osophs.dhhs.gov/ccrf/.

Over 100 officers completed response team leadership training in Atlanta this month. I had the opportunity to work with these officers and am impressed with the commitment and enthusiasm that was demonstrated.

Some of our nurses have been deployed to Louisiana to assess nursing homes and patient evacuation plans.

Our N-PAC subcommittee is working diligently to assist officers who do not meet basic readiness standards. Please be advised that all officers are REQUIRED to complete and maintain these requirements. Be Ready--NOW!!

Nurse Recognition

I was able to meet with the National Council of Nurse Administrators in Indian Health Service to present a PHS update and to recognize their leadership in creating the future of public health in IHS.

We introduced the first Nursing category PHS coin on June 1, 2006! The coin can be viewed at http://phs-nurse.org/ and instructions for purchase will be posted. The coin is a symbolic recognition of our unity as a category.

The Nursing Category also held a successful nurse recognition day on June 2, 2006 and I extend my congratulations to the award recipients:

PUBLICATION AWARDS

• The RADM O. Marie Henry Publication Award for Clinical Practice: Claiborne Miller-Davis, Nancy K. Leidy, Susan Marden–NIH
• The RADM Faye G. Abdellah Award for Nursing Research: April E. Powers, Colleen M. Campbell, Richard T. Davey, Nancy K. Leidy, Mark R. Dybul, Susan Marden, LCDR Rose McConnell, Karen L. Soeken, Chris Barker–NIH
• RADM Julia R. Plotnick Publication Award for Health/Nursing Policy: CDR James Mark Simmerman–CDC

MINNIGERODE NURSING EXCELLENCE AWARDS

• Hanzel Award for Administrative Activities: CDR Francis F. Frazier–IHS
• McLaughlin Award for Clinical Services: Susan Adams, RN–IHS
• Petry-Leone Award for Health Promotion and Education: CAPT Beverly Dandridge–BOP
• Hasselmeyer Award for Research Initiatives: John Hartman, RN–IHS
• Gregg Group Award for Teamwork: CDR Suzanne Lipke, LCDR Bridget Dickinson, LCDR Alberta McCabe, Shirley Descheenie-Effland, Bernadine Russell–IHS

As we begin the summer season, remember to renew your energy with some summer fun and respite. Thank you for your service to our Nation.

Carol A. Romano, PhD, RN, FAAN
Assistant Surgeon General
Chief Nurse Officer, US Public Health Service