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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force Updates

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION TASK FORCE UPDATES

SPN recognizes the importance of creating and supporting a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion across our organization, nursing, and the pediatrics specialty. In order to advance SPN's strategic DEI objectives, the Board of Directors convened a DEI Task Force in 2020.

The task force began by creating an organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion statement. They then developed, administered, and analyzed a membership survey to understand the characteristics of the membership and perceptions of the organization with respect to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

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What I learned from attending a Mental Health First Aid Course

What I learned from attending a Mental Health First Aid Course

By: Tina Spagnola, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, NE-BC, Director of Programs, Society of Pediatric Nurses

The number of patients with behavioral health needs has been on the rise, and this is well-documented. It is also evident that stress, burnout, and depression are impacting our healthcare professionals. In a study conducted by Melnyk et al. (2022), it was found that 79% of nurses reported their mental health worsening due to the pandemic. Additionally, an earlier study by Melnyk et al. (2018) established a correlation between mental health stresses and increased medical errors.

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Healthcare Policy and Advocacy Committee Updates

HEALTHCARE POLICY AND ADVOCACY COMMITTEE UPDATES

SPN continues to advocate for you and our patients, and it is our stance that every child deserves access to medical care and consultation. As we shared last year, the Healthcare Policy and Advocacy Committee set in motion SPN’s partnership with a coalition of 20+ other medical societies to advocate the necessity of medical access for all children, especially those children who are currently under threat of losing access such as those seeking gender affirming care.  Currently, legislation in the following states is being brought forward in a variety of different paths to block access to medical care. We’ve included a list of those states and a relevant news article regarding the legislation within that state. If this is a topic of interest for you, we encourage you to:

  • Continue to educate yourself on the individual bills and lawsuits within the state of interest by reviewing the actual bill, available legal proceedings, and a variety of news articles.
  • Then review SPN’s State Advocacy Resources for guidance on grassroot level advocacy.

STATE-BY-STATE INFORMATION

Coffee Break: School Nursing Bridging the Healthcare Gap

COFFEE BREAK: SCHOOL NURSING BRIDGING THE HEALTHCARE GAP

Thursday, September 21, 20233:00 PM - 4:00 PM CDT

School nurses are crucial in bridging healthcare gaps and ensuring that students receive care. They have the ability to identify disparities and recognize when students may not be receiving optimal healthcare. SPN invites you to join our respected panelists in an interactive discussion on how to collaborate with school nurses effectively. Share your successes and learn valuable lessons from others in this vital conversation. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of students.

REGISTER HERE

Beating Burnout: Empowering Nurses in 2023 and Beyond

BEATING BURNOUT: EMPOWERING NURSES IN 2023 AND BEYOND

Wednesday, September 20, 2023, 12:00 pm CT 
Instructor:
 Dr. Lorelle Wuerz, PhD, MSN, BS, RN, VA-BC, NEA-BC, Director of Nursing Quality, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY

Description: Dr. Lorelle Wuerz, Director of Nursing Quality at New York Presbyterian Hospital will share best practices on nursing empowerment and preventing burnout through the effective utilization of new technology in the pediatric space.
Registration Fee: Free for everyone

REGISTER HERE!

August 2023 President's Letter

Greetings SPN Members!

The Latest Gun Violence Data

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August Self-Care Corner: Breathing Techniques

AUGUST SELF-CARE CORNER: BREATHING TECHNIQUES

Tuesday, August 15, 2023

11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. CT

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SPN 34th Annual Conference Abstracts

In preparation for the SPN 34th Annual Conference, taking place April 17-19, 2024, SPN is now accepting abstract proposals for poster and podium presentations. This is your opportunity to showcase your latest research project, innovative solutions you've put into use within your hospital or to highlight evidence-based practice changes.

SPN is currently seeking submissions that tie to the following tracks: Clinical Practice, Education, Evidence-Based Practice (EBP), Quality Improvement (QI), Research, Leadership and Management, or Information Technology.

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Pediatric Nursing Excellence Unit Recognition Task Force

SPN is seeking 5-6 volunteers to serve on a taskforce that will develop criteria for our new pediatric unit recognition program. We anticipate this project to start in August 2023 and go through January 2024. The ideal volunteer will be passionate about pediatric nursing, work in a clinical setting, and be available 3-4 hours a week to work on this project (both via email, individual work and taskforce calls). On this exciting project you will be using the framework of the Pediatric Nursing Excellence Model and determining how pediatric units can demonstrate these competencies. SPN believes all of our pediatric nurses deserve to be recognized for the amazing work they do every day and on this taskforce you will have a direct impact on that recognition. If you are our ideal volunteer, please fill out the response form so we can start this important initiative!

*All selected taskforce volunteers will receive a 50% discount for their unit to apply for the finalized recognition program.

Volunteer now

Responding to the Challenges Facing Pediatric Nursing

Responding to the Challenges Facing Pediatric Nursing

Instructor: Kathy Van Allen, MSN, RN, CPN 
Tuesday, July 18, 2023, 3:00 pm CT
NCPD Contact Hour(s): 1.0

This webinar will discuss key challenges facing the pediatric nursing profession as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. This presentation will share the current state and provide evidence based resources and exemplars to foster active engagement of attendees in finding solutions to these challenges in their workplace.

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June 2023 President's Letter

Greetings SPN Members!

The SPN Pediatric Excellence Model prioritizes advocacy, defined as acting or speaking on behalf of and in support of children and families, as one of the core concepts in the Values domain. While nurses instinctively advocate for patients and families in their workplace, many may not be as engaged in advocacy efforts in their community or with state and federal legislation to advance issues impacting children, families, and the nursing profession.

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July 2023 President's Letter

Greetings SPN Members!

This past month, I had the privilege of representing SPN with Jenni Baird, SPN President-Elect, at the Emotional Safety Summit II hosted by our Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) colleagues. I am so grateful for the work ACLP has spearheaded and for the invitation for a seat at the table for this important discussion.

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Call for Subject-Matter Experts for Leadership Skills Development Program

SPN is seeking subject matter experts to participate in our new 12-month Leadership Skills Development Program, launching in January 2024, aimed at providing leadership skills to aspiring, emerging, and current frontline pediatric nurse leaders. Serving as a volunteer subject matter expert (SME) provides you with the opportunity to create a presentation and develop a learning activity to engage participants, having a direct impact on educating and cultivating the next generation of pediatric nurse leaders. If you are interested in taking part, please fill out the survey below by August 3rd. 

Complete Survey

Cultural Humility in Working with Gender Diverse Youth

Cultural Humility in Working with Gender Diverse Youth

Instructor: Bianca Salvetti, DNP, CNS, CPNP-PC
Friday, June 23, 2023, 2:00 pm CT
Contact Hour(s): 1.0

In the past 5 years, the number of adolescents and young adults (AYA) who identify as gender diverse has doubled however most nurses receive minimal if any education on caring for LGBTQIA+. Historically invisibility and discrimination of this population has contributed to significant health disparities, including suicidality, homelessness, and substance use. This session will explore best practices in working with gender diverse youth. The audience will learn basic language, medical management, and interventions to creating an affirming space.

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CELEBRATING PRIDE MONTH

CeLEBRATING PRIDE MONTH

These SPN Courses and Webinar Recordings are great ways to celebrate and become more informed about LGBTQIA+ Pediatric Issues


CULTURAL HUMILITY IN WORKING WITH GENDER DIVERSE YOUTH


Webinar Price: SPN Member: Free | Non-Member: $40
Instructor: Bianca Salvetti, DNP, CNS, CPNP-PC
Friday, June 23, 2023, 2:00 pm CT
NCPD Contact Hour(s): 1.0

In the past 5 years, the number of adolescents and young adults (AYA) who identify as gender diverse has doubled however most nurses receive minimal if any education on caring for LGBTQIA+ . Historically invisibility and discrimination of this population has contributed to significant health disparities, including suicidality, homelessness, and substance use. This session will explore best practices in working with gender diverse youth. The audience will learn basic language, medical management, and interventions to creating an affirming space. 

This webinar is provided by the DEI Task Force.

REGISTER HERE 

Caring for Gender Expansive Youth

Webinar Recording Price: SPN Member: Free | Non-Member: $40
Don't miss this opportunity to learn about the care of the transgender youth. This webinar provides information regarding treatment guidelines and providing patient-sensitive care. Learn recommendations you can incorporate into your practice as a pediatric nurse.
 
REGISTER HERE 

Moving the Needle for LGBTQ Youth: Effective Practices to Promote Well-Being

Webinar Recording Price: SPN Member: Free | Non-Member: $40
The webinar content will build knowledge on how best to assess the sexual orientation and gender identity of patients, to identify any specific health or safety risks related to these identities, and to effectively educate and engage parents and other providers in affirming LGBTQ youth identities. This webinar is especially valuable for pediatric nurses as they often have limited access to this subject matter both pre and post-licensure programs and there are emerging data and evolving approaches to practice that can greatly move their practice forward.

REGISTER HERE 

Caring for the Transgender Patient Course Bundle

Course Price: SPN Member: $95 | Non-Member: $165
Providing gender-affirming care for the pediatric patient is essential to maintaining open communication. This bundle will provide the pediatric nurse with the information to promote culturally competent care for the LBGTQ patient and their family. The bundle includes a webinar, self-paced computer module and a downloadable quick reference guide to help pediatric nurses learn how to implement practices that support and empower the LBGTQ pediatric patient.
Included in this bundle:
  • 1 60 minute webinar
  • 1 self-paced online module
  • 1 downloadable quick reference guide

Access Resources Here

Call for Leadership Candidates Now Open

The SPN Board of Directors and Nominating Committee are looking for the next leaders in SPN. Showcase your leadership competency skills through your commitment to serve.

The Call for Candidates is a critical part of the Nominations and Election process, during which SPN members are encouraged to consider if they have the time and resources to effectively serve in a nominated position. The term of office will begin at the close of the SPN 34th Annual Conference in April 2024.

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Closing Keynote recording “Stewards of the Precious”: Nursing’s History and Leadership in Research

Closing Keynote recording “Stewards of the Precious”: Nursing’s History and Leadership in Research

Description: Review the history of nursing practice and research to understand the past and how to use it as a bridge to create the future of nursing.

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COVID 19: Holistic Health Impacts on Children and their Families

COVID 19: Holistic Health Impacts on Children and their Families

Instructor: Jessica L. Peck DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, CNE, CNL, FAANP, FAAN
Thursday, May 25, 2023, 11:00 pam CT
Contact Hour(s): 1.0

This webinar will provide a comprehensive, holistic look at the health impacts of COVID-19 across the pediatric care continuum while exploring direct ramifications for children and their families. Nurses will be engaged and equipped to deliver care that optimizes pediatric health. 

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2023 Annual Business Meeting Recording

SPN held our 2023 Annual Business meeting on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. This meeting provided an opportunity for members to learn about all that SPN had accomplished over the past year, including a full business summary featuring membership and financial reports.

VIEW THE RECORDING HERE:

Leadership Skills Development Program

SPN is in the initial stages of creating a Leadership Skills Development Program. This program is aimed at providing leadership skills to aspiring, emerging, and current frontline pediatric nurse leaders.

If this sounds intriguing to you, we want your feedback! SPN is seeking input on the topics, framework, and overall structure of the program. Please let us know your thoughts by Friday, June 2 via our survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/V9F63F7. Thank you for helping direct the future education of SPN!