2009 PNWSGNA Fall Conference: Get your calendar book out. The 2009 conference will be held October 17th at the Valley River Inn in Eugene, Oregon.
Valley River Inn 1000 Valley River Road Eugene, Oregon 97401 Website
The conference is still being planned so watch the website for more information or contact Rick Bittler at (rbit@comcast.net).
Parks Medical Contest: Parks Medical is trying to give away some money. Come up with a good idea for giveaways at this year's Fall Conference in Oregon and win $25.00. (details)
2008 Fall Conference Review from Donna Seaberg
Bellevue, Washington was the site of our 26th Annual Fall Conference. The turnout was phenomenal including a record number of first time attendees. This year we enlarged our mailing list and were able to contact many more GI units in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington, and we drew attendees from all of these areas. Another reason for our record turnout was the reduction in cost for the enrollment of LPN’S, GI techs and MA’S. Our goal, as always, is to include everyone working in GI the opportunity to attend our conference and other educational activities.
Boston Scientific hosted an educational event at the Rock Bottom Brewery.Besides the event, they provided an evening of fun and entertainment. Thank you Boston Scientific for your continued support.
We would not have a conference of course if it were not for our great speakers. They were all excellent and well received and covered a wide range of topics. Each of our speakers took time out of their busy schedules to share their knowledge and expertise with us. I cannot thank them enough for being involved in our continuing education program.
We are looking for a larger facility for our Seattle area conference in 2011. Currently Rick Bittler, our Director At Large from Oregon, and his committee is planning next year’s conference in Eugene, Oregon.It will be held October 17th at the beautiful Valley River Inn. It’s wonderful having nurses from outside the Seattle area getting involved. I am planning the conference in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho in 2010. If you have ideas for speakers please get in touch with me at donnaseaberg@comcast.net.Thank you. Donna Seaberg RN, President-Elect
PNWSGNA's Director at Large - Alaska, Michelle Murphy
Michelle Murphy has been a Registered Nurse for 13 years.Her nursing experience is varied and includes clinic nursing, school nursing and acute care nursing in the fields of Maternal/Child, Pediatrics and Medical Surgical.She currently is working as a Nurse Manager of an outpatient Endoscopy center in Anchorage, Alaska.
Michelle also has served as the Health and Safety officer of a nursing union in Alaska and she is a Health and Safety trainer for the United American Nurses.In 2006, Michelle was appointed to the Governor’s Safety Advisory Council for the state of Alaska, by Governor Murkowski. She currently also serves as the Secretary on the Board of Directors for the Alaska Nurses Association and is Chairperson for the 2008 Statewide Nurses Conference. Michelle is attending Walden University and will graduate with a Master of Science in Nursing in May of 2009.
PNWSGNA's Director at Large - Oregon, Rick Bittler
Rick Bittler is our Director at Large in Oregon and currently hard at work on our 2009 Fall Conference. Rick was born and raised in Oregon. He graduated from nursing school in 1988 from Lane Community College. Later he obtained a BA in Healthcare Administration in 2006 from Northwest Christian College and currently is enrolled in a BSN program at Linfield College.
He has worked in Endoscopy for several years, most recently as a Nurse Administrator at an ASC. He is now employed as a staff nurse at McKenzie Willamette Medical Center in Springfield, Oregon - says he needed more sleep and less gray hairs.
Rick is married with two kids in college. He enjoys training and competing in triathlons. He also practices yoga and Tai Chi though his most favorite activity is tropical walks on a beach with his wife. Welcome aboard, Rick.
2009 SGNA Membership Renewal
Reconfirm your role as an advocate for yourself, your patients and your career when you maintain your membership with SGNA. As a member of SGNA, you have many opportunities to further your education and enhance your career. Some of your SGNA membership benefits include: your bi-monthly subscriptions to SGNA News and the Gastroenterology Nursing Journal, as well as the monthly edition of e-Scope (SGNA's electronic newsletter); discounts on SGNA products, publications and Annual Course registration; discounts on ABCGN certification and recertification; members-only access to www.sgna.org; access to SGNA's Employment Network where you can search for jobs specifically for GI Nurses and Associates; and first access to the latest educational materials, standards and guidelines and position statements.
All 2009 dues renewal invoices have been sent, so check your mailbox and renew your commitment to SGNA today. Remember, in order to continue to receive your valuable SGNA membership benefits, you must renew your membership every calendar year.
SGNA offers several convenient ways for you to renew your membership. No matter how you renew, a hardcopy of your 2009 member card will arrive in the mail within 4-6 weeks upon successful receipt and processing of your dues renewal payment.
Online - A fast, easy and secure way for you to renew
Locate your username and password on the front of your 2009 dues renewal invoice.
Scroll down to "Members Only" and choose the "Login" option.
Enter your login (default is your 6 digit Member ID number).
Enter your password (default is 123456).
Press enter or select the "Sign In" button.
Locate the Profile section on the left hand side and click on the "Pay Dues" button.
Make sure your total is correct and click the "Add To Basket" button.
Confirm your contact information is correct, enter your credit card information and click the "Check Out" button ONLY ONCE.
A confirmation page will appear confirming your successful payment. Please print this for your records.
An e-mail will be sent to the email address listed in your profile confirming your successful 2009 renewal and will also provide a link to print your 2009 membership card.
If you need assistance in renewing your dues online, please feel free to call SGNA Headquarters at 800/245-7462.
By mail - Submit your 2009 renewal invoice along with your check or credit card information to SGNA Headquarters at 3943 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674
By phone - Call 800/245-7462 and pay your 2009 SGNA dues over the phone with a credit card.
Don't forget that for every new member who lists you as their referral on their new membership application, you are entered into the SGNA SHARE THE WEALTH: MEMBER GET A MEMBER drawing. The member who recruits the most individuals will receive a $599 airfare travel voucher to anywhere in the continental US. First place winners (2 winners) will be drawn randomly to receive a complimentary SGNA Annual Course registration ($410 value each), Second prize winners (3 winners) will receive complimentary 2010 SGNA membership ($105 value each; does not include Regional Society dues) and third prize winners (10 winners) will be drawn randomly to receive a $50 SGNA gift certificate to use towards SGNA products and publications.
Last year we had a total of 825 NEW members recruited through the SGNA SHARE THE WEALTH: MEMBER GET A MEMBER campaign. We encourage you all to share your enthusiasm with others and recruit a new member today!
SGNA Associates Program: Check out SGNA's Associates Program. Upon completion, participants receive a Certificate of Completion and a GI Technical Specialist (GTS) pin. Visit: www.sgna.org/Education/associates.cfm
SGNA Advanced Associates Program: SGNA is excited to announce its newest online education and training opportunity: the Advanced Associates Program (a level two to the Associates Program). Technicians and associates can earn a higher-level recognition as an Advanced GI Technical Specialist (AGTS) by successfully completing the Advanced Associates Program. Nurses can also take and complete the modules to earn contact hours. Although not required, it is recommended to take and complete the Associates Program prior to taking the Advanced Associates Program.
The program consists of three online education modules covering these topics:
Communication
Equipment
Emergency Preparedness
Modules contain slides; diagrams; supporting documents (that include case studies to address the critical thinking component); a self-study component (with skills validation); as well as a post-test that needs to be completed in order for the participant to receive a certificate of completion.
Upon completing the post-tests of all three modules, an official recognition of completion certificate is available for download and an AGTS lapel pin is awarded to the associate. Please allow four-to-six weeks to receive the lapel pin.
Visit the SGNA Marketplace to purchase the product or print an order form to mail or fax to SGNA Headquarters. Please contact SGNA Headquarters with any questions at sgna@smithbucklin.com or 800/245-7462.
Product Code: PKGTECH2 Price: $100.00 - Member $200.00 - Non-member
Made possible by the generous support of Boston Scientific.
New Certification for Endoscope Reprocessing: The Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) will begin offering certification for those who reprocess endoscope equipment. The new credential will assess the competency of those who reprocess flexible GI endoscopes and bronchoscopes
PNWSGNA SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS - PNWSGNA has four different scholarships available for it's members:
PNWSGNA Bette Shulenberger Memorial Scholarship Fund Description: Bette Shulenberger was a pioneer in endoscopy nursing here in the Northwest. In 1970, she joined the Gastroenterology Department of Group Health Cooperative and developed the role of endoscopy nurse. She received extra training to become a nurse practitioner, and in 1972 began performing independent sigmoidoscopies. Bette performed over 20,000 sigmoidoscopies during the course of her career. She began teaching sigmoidoscopies in 1984 to Group Health family practitioners, internists, and residents. Over 140 physicians were taught by Bette. She also co-authored an article in The Journal of Family Practice on teaching sigmoidoscopies to family physicians.
Bette was a founding member of PNWSGNA and was very instrumental in starting the Northwest Chapter. Over the years, she was very active in the regional activities, but her great love was attending the national course.
On January 1, 1989, Bette was tragically killed in an auto accident caused by a drunken driver who hit her care head-on.
Purpose: To honor Bette’s memory, this scholarship fund was created to enable PNWSGNA members to attend SGNA’s National Conference to experience what Bette enjoyed so much. Each year, four scholarships will be awarded, each in the amount of the early bird registration fee. The scholarship recipients will be selected by the PNWSGNA Board.
A Memorial to Andy Gilmore
Andy Gilmore was an Olympus representative in the Pacific Northwest Region. He was respected and trusted by all who had the pleasure of working with him. Every member of the health care team was important to Andy and he recognized their contribution to the team. He had such a positive and optimistic outlook and we cannot help but remember his wonderful and beautiful smile.
Andy was honored by Olympus as "Salesman of the Year" in 2000, and has now established this annual award as a memorial to him.
Andy's family was the center of life. Although he was busy with his career, and active in his community and church, he knew the importance of balancing his professional and family life.
On February 19, 2000, Andy lost his battle with cancer. To honor his memory, this scholarship fund has been created to enable health care team members in Gastroenterology to attend the SGNA National Conference.
PNWSGNA Fall Conference Scholarship Fund
Purpose: To assist PNWSGNA nurses and associates with registration fees associated with the PNWSGNA Fall Conference.
PNWSGNA Continuing Education Scholarship Fund
Purpose: To assist PNWSGNA nurses and associates with registration fees associated with gastroenterology-focused continuing educational programs. PNWSGNA supports career development by supporting gastroenterology (GI) nurse and associate members who wish to attend GI continuing education programs. These scholarship funds will be awarded as an incentive for professional growth and development, and can be used to meet the expenses associated with gastroenterology-focused meetings, workshops, courses, conferences or other activities that promote professional growth. This scholarship can notbe used to attend the SGNA Annual Course.
Getting ready to take that certification exam? One of the benefits of being a PNWSGNA member is that you are entitled to a 50% reimbursement of the cost for the successful completion of the certification / re-certification exam. Click on the following link for more information. Certification / Re-Certification Reimbursement Information.
ABCGN Exam and Gastroenterology Nursing: A Core Curriculum, 3rd Edition: There have been several questions directed to ABCGN and SGNA Headquarters regarding study material for the 2008 exam. The ABCGN 2008 exams (Spring and Fall) will be compiled and finalized during the first quarter of 2008. Therefore, all questions that are referenced to the Core will be referenced back to the current edition of the SGNA Gastroenterology Nursing: A Core Curriculum, 3rd edition. If you are planning to sit for the exam in 2008 you should not wait to purchase the new edition of SGNA's Gastroenterology Nursing: A Core Curriculum, 4th edition as it is the current 3rd edition that will be used as a reference for the 2008 exams. If you have any questions regarding this statement please contact ABCGN at 800-245-7462.
Oregon
Rick Bittler is our Director at Large in Oregon and currently hard at work on our 2009 Fall Conference. Rick was born and raised in Oregon. He graduated from nursing school in 1988 from Lane Community College. Later he obtained a BA in Healthcare Administration in 2006 from Northwest Christian College and currently is enrolled in a BSN program at Linfield College. 
