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Iowa Board of Nursing - News You Can Use

October 26, 2021 - Vol. 2, Issue 10

nursing.iowa.gov

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News & Updates


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Annual Report Released

The Iowa Board of Nursing Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Report was released today and is available on the Board's website. The report includes licensure, education, and enforcement statistics; and the administrative activities from July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021. Board members, board staff and committee member information is also provided. 

For comments or questions, please email Laura Hudson, Associate Director of CE/Workforce, at laura.hudson@iowa.gov.


Diversity, Equity and Inclusion In the News

Throughout the pandemic, the topic of diversity, equity and inclusion has surfaced over and over as certain population groups have suffered greater illness and death from the SARS CoV-2 virus and COVID-19 disease. Untreated health conditions, inadequate housing, loss of employment, and childcare issues all contributed to the disparities and less-successful outcomes for diverse populations. 

The Iowa Hospital Association, IHA Today publication, dated October 21, 2021, announced the development of an IHA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. That committee, along with the Iowa Organization of Nursing Leadership, has rolled out a pledge to champion diversity, equity and inclusion among the IHA member hospitals. See the news release at this link: IHA Today

The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity sets forth the way "nurses can help address health inequities and improve the health and well-being for all." The report recommendations encourage the involvement of state and federal agencies, healthcare organizations, nursing education programs, employers, nurse leaders and nurses to think about the social determinants of health and ways to advance health equity for all. 

The Iowa Action Coalition (IAC), led by Dr. Mary Tarbox, Emeritus Dean, Martin-Herold College of Nursing and Health, Mount Mercy University, is soon re-convening the IAC to review the recommendations from the Future of Nursing report, and to determine partners who can help move the efforts forward. 

The Iowa Center for Nursing Workforce Committee had guest speaker, Dr. Doreen Mingo, DNP, MSN, RN, CNE, CDP, at their zoom meeting on October 20th. Dr. Mingo's presentation was titled "Improving Minority Underrepresentation in Nursing: At the Bedside, In the Classroom, and In the Boardroom." Improving the diversity of nurses across this nation will improve the health of the diverse people they serve. Dr. Mingo challenged the committee participants to be intentional about increasing the diversity of the population who pursue a degree in nursing. 

The Iowa Department of Public Health, Health Equity Drivers Forum (HEDF), is a workgroup of IDPH employees who have spent almost two years performing self-assessments, developing work plans and working towards building a framework to improve the health equity of all Iowans. In April 2021, IDPH hired a full-time health equity coordinator, Oliviah Walker. Ms. Walker has public health experience in Minnesota, Oregon and has held leadership positions in the Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa. Oliviah will oversee the implementation and development of the IDPH framework and develop and increase the training for all staff. Board staff is taking part in the activities of the HEDF. 

The topic of diversity, equity and inclusion is at the forefront of many news stories. Nurses are encouraged to explore the topic and consider ways to get involved to improve health equity for all. 


Thank you to Board Member - Stephanie Carr

I would like to take this opportunity to extend a sincere thank you to board member Stephanie Carr for her service to the Iowa Board of Nursing (IBON). Ms. Carr has served on the board since May 2020, representing nursing practice. Stephanie has resigned her position on the Board due to a State employment opportunity. 

Please join me in thanking Stephanie for her commitment to the Iowa Board of Nursing and wishing her the very best in her new endeavors. 

Kathy Weinberg, Executive Director

The IBON currently has two open positions: One public member and one practicing nurse member. For information about how board members are appointed and chosen, see this link: Iowa Talent Bank


Maggie Schwarck

Staff Retirement Announcement

Long-time state employee, Maggie Schwarck, MSN, RN, retired from her position as associate director of licensing for the Board of Nursing on September 30, 2021. Maggie was employed by the Board in 2017, and had previously worked at the Iowa Veteran's Home in Marshalltown as a nurse supervisor and educator and at Iowa Valley Community College in nursing education; among other staff nursing jobs throughout her 36 year nursing career. 

Board staff honored Maggie with a gathering on September 28th at the Board office. The Board members and board staff wish Maggie the best in her retirement! 


NLC tip of the week logo

Question:
TRUE OR FALSE?:

When a nurse who holds a multistate license is hired in another compact state for a temporary position or commuting to a remote state from the primary state of residence (usually an adjacent state), employers should not require the nurse to apply for licensure in the remote state when the nurse has lawfully declared another state as the primary state of residence.

Answer:
TRUE!
Primary state of residence (PSOR) is based on where you pay federal income tax, vote and/or hold a driver’s license. The remote state board of nursing cannot issue a license to a nurse who has declared another compact state as the PSOR and is not changing the PSOR, since the multistate license from the home state applies to both states. You have the privilege to practice in any remote compact state with your multistate license issued by your home state.

For additional information for nurse employers visit our available fact sheets and videos.

REMINDER:

The Board of Nursing office will be closed on November 11, 2021, in observance of the Veterans Day State Holiday. 


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The latest podcast about the topic of Continuing Education has been posted! Check out Nursing Sound Reports at the following link:

All Things CE


News to Know

Click on the underlined headings for more information. 

Upcoming Board Meetings are listed on the Board's website

The next regularly scheduled conference call is November 10, 2021. Agendas (posted no later than 24 hours before a meeting) and approved minutes can be found at Board Meeting Records

COVID-19 EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION UPDATE

The latest proclamation of disaster emergency was signed by Governor Kim Reynolds on October 15, 2021, and now runs through November 14th. For ongoing guidance and information please refer to the Board's COVID-19 website page, or the State's Iowa COVID-19 information page, where a more comprehensive overview can be viewed.  

Future Ready Iowa - Last Dollar Scholarship Information

Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses - Take a look at these scholarship opportunities: 

https://www.iowacollegeaid.gov/lastdollar

The National Health Service Corps Students to Service Loan Repayment Program (NHSC S2S LRP) application is now open through November 4 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Students in their final year of school may qualify for up to $120,000 in tax-free loan repayment for your medical, nursing, or dental school student loans in exchange for a three-year service commitment in a high-need rural, tribal, or urban community. 

The Iowa Nurse Assistance Program is offered by the Iowa Board of Nursing as a resource for individuals who are impaired due to substance use or by any mental or physical condition. Contact staff at INAP@iowa.gov for assistance. 


News You Can Use is the official means of communication from the IBON to Iowa Nurses

News archives may be found at this LINK


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