There is a Connecticut state-wide program that needs nurses to work in (per diem/on-call).  The Gail Burns-Smith Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners (SAFE) Program is both a response program and a training program. As a response program, it provides specially trained sexual assault forensic examiners to participating hospitals for the purpose of providing care and the collection of evidence for patients, ages 13 and older, who report sexual assault.

Trainings scheduled for Fall 2023.

For more information, please go to: https://www.jud.ct.gov/crimevictim/safeprogram.htm
 
For information on how to apply, please contact:
Denise S. Covington, MBA, MSN, RN, SANE-A
Program Manager
Gail Burns-Smith Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners Program
Denise.Covington@jud.ct.gov

What is a Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner?
A Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) is a health care provider who has completed specialized education and clinical preparation enabling them to conduct knowledgeable and skilled medical-forensic exams, ensure the integrity, preservation, and documentation of forensic evidence, and testify knowledgeably in court.

What are the qualifications to become a SAFE?

• An unrestricted CT license as a Registered Nurse, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Certified Nurse Midwife, Physician’s Assistant, or Physician.
• At least two years of current or recent clinical practice, preferably in acute care. Excellent patient assessment skills are essential to the role.

What is the scope of practice for a SAFE?

• The scope of practice is that of a Registered Nurse or higher.
  • SAFEs are clinically trained to conduct genital assessment and speculum exams.
• Pelvic exams are not within the scope of practice for a SAFE at the RN level.
• SAFE practice is not within the scope of practice for a paramedic or License Practical Nurse.

What is the training to become a SAFE?

• The SAFE training is comprised of didactic and clinical training components.
• The didactic curriculum includes (but is not limited to):
  • Overview of Forensic Nursing and Sexual Violence
  • Victim Responses and Crisis Intervention
  • Collaborating with Community Partners – A Multidisciplinary Approach
  • Medical-Forensic History Taking
  • Medical-Forensic Examination and Findings
  • Evidence Collection
  • Medical-Forensic Photography
  • Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing and Prophylaxis
  • Pregnancy Testing and Prophylaxis
  • Medico-Legal Documentation
  • Discharge and Follow-up Planning
  • Regulatory issues regarding HIPAA, EMTALA and Other Regulatory Issues
  • Courtroom Testimony and Legal Considerations
• The clinical curriculum includes (but is not limited to):
  • Consent
  • Language and cultural sensitivity skills
  • Specific structures of the female and male genital anatomy
  • Preparation and set-up for the ano-genital exam
  • Proper positioning and draping of the patient for the ano-genital exam
  • Ano-genital assessment, including differentiation of normal variations from abnormal findings
  • Ano-genital injury identification
  • Speculum assessment and visualization techniques. Learning takes place with both simulation models and live models
  • Evidence and Sexually Transmitted Infection specimen collection techniques
  • Documentation of findings

Is the SAFE Training Program accredited?

• The International Association of Forensic Nurse’s SANE Education Guidelines (current edition) sets national training guidelines. The IAFN SANE Educational Guidelines require a minimum of 40 hours in the didactic portion of the training.
  
• The SAFE Training Program is approved for continuing nursing education by the International Association of Forensic Nurses, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Commission on Accreditation. A certificate for CEUs is awarded at the completion of the didactic portion.
  
• Both didactic and clinical components must be completed to practice as a SAFE.

What is the time commitment to take the SAFE Training Program?
The didactic portion of the course is 6 days in length. Classes are held two days per week for three consecutive weeks. Content experts teach on the various required curriculum topics.

• The clinical portion of the course is divided into three components
  
  • Clinical Training Evening: students develop taught genital assessment skills, speculum exam techniques, and correct evidence collection technique utilizing simulated pelvic trainers
    
  • Clinical Training Day: students develop competency in genital assessment, speculum exams and evidence collection utilizing medical models acting as patients who report sexual assault.
    
  • Mock Exam: students combine didactic and clinical learning in a table-top case scenario during which students explain and demonstrate how to do a complete, beginning to end, medical-forensic exam. During the Mock Exam students can ask “what if” questions and resolve any technique issues.
• Once training is completed, SAFEs that are joining the SAFE Response Program are required to precept at least one case with an experienced preceptor prior to becoming a fully trained SAFE are able to schedule on-call hours.

What are the dates of the next SAFE Training Program?
The Fall 2023 Training will be announced in early Spring. Please check this webpage later for updates.

What is a medical-forensic exam?
A medical-forensic exam is a comprehensive exam with several components:

• A verbatim history of the assault from the patient: Intended to guide the physical exam, it is medical in nature, rather than investigative.
• Physical Exam: There are two parts: a head-to-toe physical assessment and a genital assessment. Physical findings help to identify assault-related injury, if present, as well as location of evidence to be collected. The absence of physical findings does not mean that an assault did not take place.
• Evidence Collection: There are two general types: Physical/Biological and Toxicology. The CT100 is used for the collection of physical and biological evidence and the CT400 is used for toxicology screening and evidence collection.
• Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) and Care: Based on current Centers for Disease Control Guidelines, prophylactic medications are offered to prevent a sexually transmitted infection from the assault. Testing at the time of the exam is of limited forensic value if the adult/adolescent patient is sexually active and could have acquired an STI prior to the assault.
• Emergency Contraception: Along with prophylactic medications, emergency contraception is also offered to all patients with reproductive capability.
• Discharge, Referrals and Follow-Up: Discharge and follow-up instructions are individualized to meet the specific needs of the patients.

Will I be paid for my services as a SAFE?
For state fiscal year 2022-2023, the following reimbursement rates have been established for new Program SAFEs:
·  On-Call

• Weekday shift (Monday 7:00 am to Friday 7:00 pm) - $8 per hour
• Weekend shift (Friday 7:00 pm to Monday 7:00 am) - $9 per hour
• Holiday shift $16 per hour for both weekday and weekend responses

·  Hospital Response

• Standard response - $225 per response
• Standard response (CT100 is not opened) - $125 per response
• Night shift differential (response calls from 11:00 pm to 7:00 am) – an additional $125 per response
• Weekend shift differential (response calls from Friday 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday 7:00 am to 11:00 pm) – an additional $75 per response
  • Holiday shift differential (case response and holiday differential) – an additional $200 per response. A shift differential applies to the following holidays (the 24-hour period begins 12:00 am and ends 11:59 pm): July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Easter, and Memorial Day.
  • Preceptees are not eligible for differential pay.

·  Training Activities including, but not limited to, the following. The number of hours vary per meeting ($17 per hour):

• Monthly case review/quality assurance meetings
• Refresher training – mock exams, etc.
• Individual supervision meetings
• Annual staff training day

·  Court Related Activities - $400 per case

For more information, visit https://endsexualviolencect.org/safe-program/

April 10, 2023 | Stephanie Reitz - UConn Communications

Victoria Vaughan Dickson, PhD, RN, FAHA, FHFSA, FAAN, a highly respected nursing educator, researcher, and clinician, has been selected as the 11th dean of the UConn School of Nursing.

Dickson currently is the John W. Rowe Professor in Successful Aging at New York University’s Rory Meyers College of Nursing, where she is also the Assistant Dean for Research Innovation and Director of the Pless Center for Nursing Research.
She starts her new role as UConn’s School of Nursing dean on Aug. 1.

Anne D’Alleva, UConn’s provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, announced Dickson’s appointment in a letter Friday to the school’s faculty, staff, and students, noting she was the top choice from an “exceptionally talented pool of applicants.”
“Dr. Dickson has demonstrated a deep understanding of our School of Nursing’s needs and will bring the necessary leadership and vision to continue the school’s extraordinary achievements across teaching, research, and engagement,” D’Alleva says.
Continue Reading

April 3, 2023 / 2023 TOP 25 WOMEN IN BUSINESS
Hartford Business Journal

In 2021, Kelly Smith Papa was named president and CEO of Duncaster, Connecticut’s first LifePlan community, established in 1984 in Bloomfield.
President & CEO
She brings to this position more than 25 years of nationally recognized clinical and executive leadership in senior living. Her extensive resume includes positions as a director of nursing, a clinical educator and a national consultant in building dementia care programs.
She facilitates the Leadership Academy of LeadingAge Connecticut, a year-long development program for leaders in aging services and is the author of eight books on senior living and long-term nursing care.
Papa’s leadership combines the compassion of her clinical nursing background with a collaborative and respectful engagement with staff and residents.
What have been your biggest professional accomplishments so far?
Professionally, the accomplishment I am most proud of was being appointed president and CEO of Duncaster. Duncaster’s culture is one of trust, respect, fulfillment and relationships. I find myself drawing from my life experiences, values and education as I lead with collaboration and transparency.
What’s the next big goal you want to accomplish professionally?
My priority is to continuously foster our culture where residents and employees are encouraged to bring their authentic self, knowledge, curiosity, ideas and talents every day. It is my goal to continue to bring out the best in each person as we reposition, renovate and expand our community.
What’s one of the biggest professional challenges you’ve overcome?
I am proud that by following my guiding values and immersing myself in places of deep learning, I have developed the confidence to lead with authenticity, enthusiasm and compassion. I never imagined, starting as a young nurse, that someday I would be a CEO. I believe these practices have drawn me into this role.
Who has been your most important mentor and why?
My family members have been my most impactful mentors, from my parents, who led in their jobs with the qualities I try to emulate, to my husband and my two amazing children, who show me the importance of curiosity and love every day. I deeply respect family and encourage my team to put their families first.

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In response to the current and on-going nursing faculty shortage, the Hawaiʻi State Center for Nursing (HSCN), with the financial support of the State of Hawaiʻi, provided free, online training to clinical nursing faculty across the state.

• Related UH News story: Funding to address statewide nursing faculty shortage, October 13, 2022

Thirty nine clinical nursing faculty from all six Hawaiʻi public and private nursing schools completed the Clinical Faculty Preparation Course offered by the Connecticut Center for Nursing Workforce. The training provided education on improving clinical orientations, facilitating pre-clinical conference sessions, evaluation tools and implementation of success strategies. The training was offered to support specialty development for clinical faculty as the state works to build the teaching workforce.
The online training course was delivered in January 2023. Funding from the State of Hawaiʻi provided training to 100% of the requests from Hawaiʻi nursing schools. Training current clinical nursing faculty with the knowledge and skills to effectively educate and evaluate current nursing students in the clinical environment strengthens the existing workforce and improves student outcomes and academic success.
Clinical nursing faculty are licensed nurses who teach nursing students in a clinical environment. Nursing students learn in two different settings:

• Didactic instruction is lecture and activities in a classroom and offered to large groups of students with one teacher.
• Clinical instruction is hands-on learning in a real clinical setting and is offered in small groups, as dictated by the State of Hawaiʻi Board of Nursing. Currently, clinical instruction is limited to one clinical nursing faculty to eight nursing students.

HSCN thanks the State of Hawaiʻi for recognizing and supporting the current nursing workforce challenges. HSCN looks forward to the continued partnership with the state, Hawaiʻi nursing schools and employers to address the existing workforce needs of Hawaiʻi.
The next Hawaiʻi cohort for the clinical faculty training course will be offered in the upcoming fiscal year. Nursing instructors who are interested in participating should contact their employer.
About the Hawai‘i State Center for Nursing
The Hawai‘i State Center of Nursing (HSCN) was established by the Hawai‘i State Legislature in 2003. HSCN is the champion for nursing excellence and is a trusted collaborative partner dedicated to developing a healthcare workforce committed to the promise of quality care for all the people of Hawai‘i. Through academic and employer partnerships, the HSCN provides accurate nursing workforce data for planning; disseminates nursing knowledge to support excellence in practice and leadership development; promotes a diverse workforce; and advocates for sound health policy to serve the changing healthcare needs of the people of Hawai‘i. Visit us at hawaiicenterfornursing.org.  

Join SNHU on April 11 and 12 for SNHU's 6th annual Thought Leaders 2023 Conference.

In keeping with our mission of supporting communities through training and education, this year's event in our Thought Leaders series seeks to serve all leaders and frontline workers in the field of healthcare, education, mental health, and public health who seek to improve their community’s health through interprofessional collaboration. Our aim is to offer information and strategies to promote health equity.

Conference Objectives:  

• Reflect on experiences, challenges, and successes of interprofessional collaboration to improve health
• Discuss strategies to address social and structural determinants of health Identify ways individuals and communities can engage together to address health inequity.

​Day One - April 11, 2023, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Gail Christopher 
 
Day Two - April 12, 2023, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Chris Chanyasulkit

Earn 3.5 contact hours (ANCC) each day, a total of 7 contact hours for attending both events.

The Johnson & Johnson Nurse Innovation Fellowship Program (JJNIF) powered by Penn Nursing and the Wharton School is a ground-breaking, one-year, team-based nursing fellowship for Chief Nursing Officers (CNO), nurse executives, and senior nurse leaders.
​
The goal of the fellowship is to advance healthcare by powering up nurse-led innovation and leadership within health systems.

Program Overview
The JJNIF is designed for innovative nurse executives who have a passion for finding solutions that provide better care for patients and support a workplace environment where nurses can thrive. 
This fellowship is unique in that two nurse leaders – one Chief Nursing Officer or nurse executive and one other senior nurse leader from the same health system organization – participate and work together to address a real-world challenge they are facing in their health system.

The program will immerse fellows in the innovation process by focusing on human-centered design and design thinking methodologies and will teach fellows how to apply them to their challenge areas. The innovation curriculum provided by Penn Nursing will be paired with business acumen and leadership skills development through Wharton Executive Education.

How is the Fellowship structured? 
The one-year program (June 2023-May 2024) is a combination of in-person and virtual sessions, and teams are expected to attend all sessions. The program begins with a virtual half-day kick-off meeting in early June 2023, followed by an in-person 5-day Summer Innovation Institute at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA, from June 26-30, 2023. Following the Summer Innovation Institute, there are three 2-day virtual synchronous sessions (one each quarter) throughout the year and a 2-day in-person closing event at Johnson & Johnson in New Brunswick, NJ, on May 22-23, 2024. Click here for a list of the Key Fellowship Dates.

Application Information 
Ten two-person teams from different health systems across the United States will be selected as fellows through a competitive process using an online application. Each team will be composed of a CNO or nurse executive and a senior nurse leader. 

The application will be submitted by the CNO/nurse executive from a hospital or health system who will serve as the primary applicant. The CNO/nurse executive will choose another senior nurse leader from their hospital or health system to complete the team. A Letter of Support from your health system stating buy-in and support from the Chief Executive Officer is required. 

Program Timeline 
Applications will be accepted until March 31, 2023. Participants will be selected and notified in May of 2023. The program will begin in June 2023 and conclude in May 2024. 

JJNIF Information Sessions will take place virtually on:
March 13th 1-2p ET   -  March 16th 5-6p ET   -   March 21st 5-6p ET
March 23rd 12-1p ET -  March 29th 12-1p ET  -  March 30th 2-3p ET​

Three new professional development lunch and learn opportunities starting in February.

• Creating a Culture of Workforce Safety will be held on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 from 12:00 – 1:00 pm via Zoom.  This virtual workshop will be facilitated by Mel Cortez, RN, BSN, Founder/CEO of Cortex Gold.
• Innovative Pathways to Clinical Nursing Student Competence will be held on  Wednesday, March 8, 2023  from 12:00 – 1:00 pm via Zoom.  This virtual workshop will be facilitated by Meredith Wallace Kazer, PhD, APRN, FAAN and Audrey Beauvais, DNP, MSN, MBA, RN.
• Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice Simulations: Third Time's the Charm! will be held on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 from 12:00 – 1:00 pm via Zoom.  This virtual workshop will be facilitated by Valorie MacKenna, PhD, RN, CNE, CHSE & Dawn Sarage, MSN, RN, CNL, CMSRN, CHSE.

Registration Required. Workshops are free with a limited capacity of 100 attendees.

Learn more and Register today!

“Imagining, Innovating and Transforming the National Nursing Workforce”.

​The conference will be held on June 12-14, 2023 at the Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City, Arlington VA and will bring
together nursing, workforce, and leaders from across the country to learn, share and network.
 
Become a Sponsor or Exhibitor Today! Click for More information
 
Submit your Abstract Click for Call for Abstracts
 
Learn more at our Conference Website: https://nursingworkforcecenters.org/annual-conference/
 

Message from Lynda Benton, Senior Director, Corporate Equity, Johnson & Johnson

Nurses are innovators, lifesavers and fierce patient advocates. Where would the world be without them?

It’s a simple yet powerful question, and one that aligns to why Johnson & Johnson has proudly championed and supported the nursing profession for 125 years.

The work of nurses is critical in the nation’s ability to provide safe, quality, and equitable patient outcomes, and without enough nurses, the foundation of our health system is at risk. Today, the nursing profession is in crisis with accelerated, alarming levels of burnout, turnover, and vacancy rates.  A healthcare system without enough nurses is a healthcare crisis for us all.

Our commitment is to recognize, celebrate, support, and acknowledge the irreplaceable value and impact that nurses bring to healthcare, every day. And through advocacy, scholarships, clinical and leadership education, mental health resources, and more, Johnson & Johnson has proudly supported the nursing profession for more than a century and continues to do so today.

We’re excited to share with you a new media campaign launching this December in celebration of the nursing profession and their impact on healthcare. We invite you to join us and help share these assets! 

Starting December 1, view and share these new :30 and :15 nursing videos and GIF on your social channels, and watch the Heroes Among Us segments on the TODAY show, sponsored by Johnson & Johnson, featuring inspiring nurse innovators helping to improve patient care. A new segment is coming soon.

As this year ends, I also invite you to check out these programs in support of nurses:

• Listen to the latest episodes of the SEE YOU NOW podcast, where nurse leaders share how they are innovating to support and protect nurses, while fostering joy, well-being and clinical excellence.
• Get inspired by the first-ever NurseHack4Health Pitch-A-Thon awardees – the innovative, nurse-led health system teams that received grant funding to bring their workplace wellness ideas to life.
• Learn more about the AMN Healthcare Chief Nursing Officer Academy, a premier educational program sponsored by Johnson & Johnson convening dozens of nurses from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds to support and develop their skill sets as future nurse leaders.
• Starting early next year, sign up for The Sigma Nurse Empowerment Program, a leadership development program designed for nurses to enhance their skills in communication, collaboration, conflict resolution, self-advocacy, and resilience.
• Help inspire the next generation of nurses by sharing The Future of Nursing is Me, a video series spotlighting diverse nursing students sharing what motivated them to become a nurse.

For healthcare to work, it takes nurses.