Are you not a member of PNWSGNA but want to be on our mailing list for upcoming conferences and classes? Click here: (mailing list).
Marianne Houlne Awarded the 2008 Certified GI Professional of the Year: Every year the ABCGN recognizes one of its certified members with the Certified GI Professional of the Year. This year it was awarded to our own, Marianne Houlne, CGRN. The honor is given to recognize the recipient's dedication to enhance the practice of gastroenterology nursing through certification as well as their commitment and leadership among colleagues.
Marianne, was presented with the award at the ABCGN Gala at the SGNA 35th Annual Course in Salt Lake City, Utah. Congratulations to Marianne from all of PNWSGNA.
A Note From Donna Seaberg, President Elect PNWSGNA
Everyone: Going to the SGNA conference in Salt Lake City as your President Elect and representative was a pleasure. I was able to talk to GI nurses from around the country. It is interesting to note how we do some things at work the same and how we do some things differently. It was fun to be able to say “I wish we had thought of that", or "we were able to do this and it worked for us".
I was able to connect with Dee Tvedt from the OregonEndoscopyCenter. She is working on the conference we are having in Eugene, Oregon in 2009. I attended a dinner and sat near Michelle Murphy and found out she lives in Anchorage and works at the AlaskaDigestiveCenter. We are talking to her about becoming a Director at Large for us.
I want every one to know becoming a board member comes with some perks. We will pay for your registration to our annual PNWSGNA conference. Two board members are attending the SGNA leadership conference this year from our region and we are paying their expenses. We need new board members and we have on the job training. The only thing you need to bring with you is the desire to learn and the wish to participate. Please consider joining us on the board.
Thank you.
Donna Seaberg RN
President Elect PNWSGNA
2008 PNWSGNA Fall Conference: The PNWSGNA Fall Conference will be held October 18th at the Embassy Suite Bellevue. Watch the site for more information or contact: Heather Blyth-Foss (hbfkentt@comcast.net). Embassy Suites Bellevue 3225 158th Ave SE Bellevue, WA 98008 Website
Digestive Disease Center/Edmonds Endoscopy Center
2008 March Colon Cancer Awareness Activities
These centers were active last March promoting colon cancer awareness by hosting a Colon Cancer Awareness Fair at StevensHospital and at the Alderwood Mall. Flyers and informational handouts were given to the public.The nurses and providers answered questions to help alleviate fears associated with colonoscopy.Cheryl Leamer, Nurse Manager, even had her mom come along to tell her personal story.Cheryl writes that both events were successful and well received by the public.
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.
2008 Betty Shulenberger Scholarship Award
I had the opportunity to attend the 35th Annual SGNA Conference in Salt Lake City, UT in May thanks to the PNWSGNA Board awarding me the 2008 Bette Schulenberger Scholarship.This was the first annual course I have attended and feel I benefited greatly from my experience.
The conference was well organized and the learning opportunities were extensive.I feel I have gained new information that can better serve our patients.The excitement and enthusiasm of the speakers and fellow nurses from around the U.S. was a great encouragement to me.It is so wonderful to be involved with a supportive group of nurses through SGNA.I learned of new information on some disease processes and different ways to treat.It was also interesting to see some of the possible future delivery of care options being studied.I will pass on the information I gained from the conference to my fellow nurses as opportunity presents.
One of the highlights of the conference was attending the ABCGN Recognition Dinner and Meeting.One of the nurses, Marianne Houlne, from Southlake Clinic where I am employed was given the Certified Nurse of the Year award. This was a very emotional event for all and I am so proud to be working with a nurse with so much knowledge and willing to apply that knowledge to assist other gastroenterology nurses.
The most impressive class I attended was presented by Melinda Huffman, MSN RN CGRN, cancer screening nurse Navigator in Bethel, Delaware. She presented a most impressive plan the state of Delaware implemented to get as many residents in the state screened for colon cancer.The highest number of residents screened were from Melinda’s area of the state.How great is that!You wouldn’t expect anything different from a gastroenterology nurse.
Thanks to my physician, co-workers and clinic for supporting me in attending the SGNA 35th Annual Course. Thanks again to the PNWSGNA Board for awarding me the 2008 Bette Schulenberger Scholarship.
Dianne Spanski RN, CGRN
Southlake Clinic
Renton, WA.
After attending the Annual SGNA Course in Salt Lake City last month, I can only say wow!I came away with an enormous amount of information, education and renewed excitement for GI Nursing.The SGNA puts on an excellent event.
As a new manager, I chose to attend the Train the Trainer and Management 101: Business Tools for Effective Nursing Leadership during the extra sessions portion of the conference.Both classes provided huge amounts of very pertinent information and also allowed me to network with other managers of Ambulatory GI Clinics. I have so much in-service material now that I will be able to have a different topic each month during our staff meetings for the rest of this year and beyond!
I was fortunate enough to receive one of the Bette Schulenberger Scholarships which paid for my registration and made the trip more affordable.I want to thank the PNWSGNA for their encouragement of GI nurses with their support of our continuing education and professional development through our attending this national gathering of GI nurses and associates.
If you have never attended our annual course, I encourage you to go next year and give yourself a professional shot-in-the-arm – you won’t regret it!
Dee Tvedt
Eugene, Oregon
2008 Andy Gilmore Scholarship Award
June 9, 2008
To the Board of Pacific Northwest SGNA,
The theme of the national SGNA annual conference in Salt Lake City was the Power to Make a Difference, SGNA and YOU.As I begin to write this letter I see how both SGNA and PNWSGNA have given me the means and power to make a difference in my GI nursing practice.
Through the Andy Gilmore Scholarship which I was awarded this past March, I have gained lasting knowledge from all the courses I attended at the annual conference.Just prior to May this year, the SGNA revised their Infection Control guidelines for Disinfecting Endoscopes and I attended two courses on this subject.
Remarkably HERE, (Hands–On Education for Reprocessing Endoscopes) was taught by SGNA Past President, Carol Stevens, along with SGNA Chairwoman Barbara Sullivan. During this course I learned how to clean scopes the proper way and this knowledge has helped me in educating and managing my staff and GI facility.I came back to WA with new ideas and a competency checklist to empower my staff.Most importantly, during the course I was able to network with other nurses and exchange ideas of what they are doing in their practices.
Another hot topic on the horizon for GI nurses is the use of Propofol for sedation during Endoscopy procedures.I attended an all day Moderate Sedation course for Non-anesthesia nurses and learned that there are currently five states that are using this method of sedation with very satisfactory results.
I have to mention the amazing GI Vendor Exhibits, where I visited and audio taped my thank you to OlympusAmerica for being a part of sponsoring my trip to Salt Lake City.Multiple vendors had sessions on the use GI equipment in procedures and a nurse presenter was from our WA chapter.
Lastly, the greatest highlight of the conference was the Opening Ceremony where over 1,500 GI nurses and associates came together to honor one another. The President and other motivational speakers were so inspirational.I have an overwhelming feeling of pride belonging to an organization whose members all believe in the same goal; spreading the word about the importance of Colon cancer screening and helping people achieve this safely.My motivation has skyrocketed to stay connected to SGNA for current practice information to use in managing my facility and to personally grow and learn from my peers.
I want to thank you very much for opportunity to fulfill my goal of attending a national conference.I am so grateful to the Board for choosing me to represent our region in 2008.
Sincerely,
Becky Winvick, BSN, RN, CGRN
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.
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
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.
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.(Click here for more information)
Membership Renewal: It is once again time to renew your commitment to the profession of gastroenterology and endoscopy nursing by renewing your membership with SGNA! So, get ready to receive your 2008 DUES RENEWAL FORM in mid-October. Remember, in order to continue to receive your valuable membership benefits, you must renew your membership. 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; discounts on SGNA products, publications and Annual Course registration; discounts on ABCGN certification and recertification exams; and first access to the latest educational materials, standards and guidelines and position statements.
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. Two first place winners will be drawn randomly to receive a complimentary SGNA Annual Course registration. Three second place 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 737 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!
Prepare to Renew - You can take the following steps to get ready and prepare to renew your SGNA membership for 2008:
1. Find your SGNA profile online at www.sgna.org. 2. Review your profile to ensure that your contact information and any other information is correct and up-to-date. a. If you need to edit any information, you can make the changes right there, online. b. If you do not remember your login, please note that your login is the same as your Member ID #. c. Please contact SGNA Headquarters if you have any difficulty accessing your information or making updates.
Renew Online - It is easier than ever to renew your SGNA Membership. We encourage you to renew your membership dues online this year. We have received positive feedback from SGNA members regarding how they enjoy renewing online. It is fast, easy and effective. If you would like any help in renewing your dues online, please feel free to call SGNA Headquarters at 800-245-7462 for assistance.
SGNA Membership Dues Scholarship Deadline: October 1st!
SGNA Membership Dues Scholarships have been established to financially assist SGNA members with their annual membership dues. Grants of $85-95 will be awarded each year to those members who meet the established criteria. The number of grants awarded will depend upon funds available.
You are eligible to apply if: 1) you have previously been a member of SGNA for two or more years; 2) you are currently employed as a caregiver in the field of gastroenterology; 3) you actively support the goals and philosophy of SGNA; 4) you can demonstrate financial need. You are ineligible if: 1) you have previously received a Membership Dues Scholarship from SGNA, or 2) you are a member of the SGNA Board of Directors.
