American Red Cross Nursing Network

One Nurse At A Time has updated the American Red Cross in our online directory of volunteer organizations to reflect the current nursing needs of the American Red Cross.  Several states are in need of a State Nurse Leader.  If you are a nurse and are able to volunteer your time with the Red Cross, please visit our online directory for contact information.  The following is the job description for the State Nurse Leader Position. 

American Red Cross Nursing Network

State Nurse Leader (SNL) Position Description - VOLUNTEER

Purpose and Organizational Alignment:

The State Nurse Leader (SNL) provides state level leadership to build and sustain the Regional Nurse (RN) Network for Red Cross. This primarily “virtual” network is designed to recruit, receive, retain, and recognize Red Cross nurses so they can better develop regional and chapter capacity.  SNLs translate nursing and health direction, working within the nursing network and its guidance.  The whole of the nursing network includes the National Nursing Committee, Office of the Chief Nurse, and business line and focus area Nurse Consultants.  

The work of an SNL is about statewide relationships and network building and regional support of Regional Nurse Leaders (see separate RNL Position Description).  SNLs provide operational guidance, coaching, and clear support to their assigned RNLs.  SNLs consistently assure that there is a full complement of RNLs across the states so as to achieve Red Cross health integration and nursing network goals.  The SNL is the external face of nursing across all business lines at the State level, partnering at the state and regional level to assure Red Cross nursing and health integration is effective integrated a the chapter and SAF/blood region unit to ensure local capacity.   The SNL develops and sustains the State Nurse Network Roster (SNNR).

Unique to the SNL position is that they work within state geographic boundaries to facilitate practice parameters established by regulatory boards and support regions, helping them build their health professional capacity, achieve their mission, and develop and sustain healthy partnerships.  One of the primary relationship points of the SNL is at the state health organization and education levels:  public health, nursing boards, nursing programs, and nursing organizations.   

As a part of the Red Cross nursing leadership, SNLs work directly with the DNLs and Nurse Consultants in the nursing network, and other state level Red Cross Partners (e.g., Health Service Advisors and Disaster Mental Health Advisors) as well as other non-health partners.  The National Nursing Committee (NNC) provides strategic priorities based on the business line goals of Biomedical Services, Disaster Services, Preparedness, Health, and Safety Services (PHSS), Service to Armed Forces (SAF) and International Services.  In addition, the Office of the Chief Nurse sets direction for the nursing network through the Chief Nurse Initiatives.  How Nursing Works in the Red Cross, provides a pictorial layout of Red Cross nursing organization.  

Time Commitment, Reporting Requirements, and Term:

Approximately 6 -8 hours per week are required to carry out SNL leadership and support functions. This workload may increase when recruiting and orienting new RNLs.

Although travel may sometimes be required to network with Red Cross units and

external nursing organizations, most work is done by email, phone, and on the Nursing Neighborhood (a shared announcement, document, and discussion site only available with a Red Cross CrossNet account).  Nursing network team success is measured by a quarterly report on selected metrics, reported via an online questionnaire (March, June, September, and December).  SNL participation is an integral part of Division meetings and All Hands Leader Development calls.  Ongoing communication with RNLs (e.g. monthly statewide meetings and Nursing Neighborhood postings) is required to align operations, strategic goals, and update information.  Also, partnering and networking at the statewide level to accomplish Red Cross services is expected.  

The initial SNL appointment is a two-year term with two (2) additional 2-year appointments possible (i.e., six years maximum) per the DNL recommendation.  SNLs are expected to bench build (i.e., recruit and mentor their own replacement).

Qualifications:

• Current, unencumbered active licensure as a Registered Nurse
• Knowledge of Red Cross structure, governance system, and programs/services
• Track record as an experienced nurse leader
• Willingness to work across ALL Red Cross business lines
• Solid interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to manage projects, collaborate, lead change, and motivate others
• Familiarity with computer technology, basic office software (e.g., Powerpoint, Excel) and social media (e.g., Facebook) for virtual interaction
• Ability to research and know state regulation in nursing practice and education

Key Responsibilities:

• Maintain State Nurse Network Roster (SNNR), a roster of the RNLs and other key individuals (nurses and non-nurses) who help get the Red Cross job done.
• Provide assistance to RNLs to coordinate projects and meet with the Regional Nurse Core Workgroup, a group of individuals that the RNL can call together for advice and/or project management.  
• Proactively support and guide Red Cross units as they recruit, receive, retain, and recognize nurses to build health capacity and full integration
• Increase Red Cross nurse and health professional involvement, partnerships, and service delivery in the community
• Act as a resource for nursing and health in the assigned state for Red Cross
• Actively promote nurse and health professional involvement in all business lines of services and at all levels of the organization
• Assist/assure health programming and projects as well as training

Benefits:

• Personally make a difference in the American Red Cross
• Provide nurse leadership for the American Red Cross in assigned state
• Strengthen communities, building resiliency through health component
• Develop personal leadership skills in a highly recognized NGO
• Gain additional leadership opportunities made available through the SNL position
  
  

Ways to Help

It has been a long hard winter and spring is not really looking completely as positive and bright as I thought it would. These days horrific and devastating events are occurring at a higher rate...doesn't it seem like that is true?
I don't have hard facts to back me up with this opinion, and maybe since I am in tune with the news more than I ever have been as an adult - it just seems more apparent. The other factor may be that every time I go to a trauma conference we talk about disaster preparedness and training and THAT makes me always feel unprepared and vulnerable.

I was reading some news releases about West, Texas and the shock, fear, and sadness that has resulted from that explosion. Many people say that if you were standing outside watching the fire you would probably be dead - mainly because of the concussive  blast that occurred. All pets that were outside are dead, windows are all broken - shattered into pieces and/or stuck into walls. All doors of houses were blasted open, including shelf doors and cupboards. The pictures are horrendous. The story is unbelievable. The questions are the same - Who? Why? How?
Then to the earlier part of the week - The Boston Marathon - again, this seems insane? Right? I spent the better half of the day reading about the older brother's life history, his marriage, his wife and their toddler daughter. I've seen the amazing pictures, the graphic and truly shocking pictures and have wondered - has the World become battle field? If it is not a terrorist bombing, it is an earthquake, plant explosion, building cracks and crumbled in India, Tsunami's, radiation poisoning, drought, the list goes on!

All of us need to be prepared to take care of ourselves, as well as be prepared to help others. Whether that means signing up for the next CPR course or signing yourself up as an American Red Cross Volunteer. Everyone has to be able to care and help out each other.

Here are some ways in West, Texas that you can help if interested:
1.  Sign up with the Red Cross in Texas - at Dallas American Red Cross
2.  Donate Blood - Blood Center of Central Texas, Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, LifeShare Blood Center, Louisiana
3. This was an easy way to find a non-health volunteer opportunity in Texas - Volunteer Match - Texas

Now, if Boston is more in your neck of the woods I have checked out a couple of opportunities here as well.
1.  Sign up with the Red Cross in Boston at - Boston American Red Cross
2.  Donate Blood at Mass General - Mass General Blood Donation
3.  And again, another easy way for a non-health volunteer to find ways to help in Boston - Volunteer in Boston

Please extend a hand, donate some blood, take that CPR course you have always wanted to take, and just do something for you, your friends, your family and your loved ones.

Good luck,


ONAAT CREW

Happy New Year Wishes from One Nurse At A Time

Can you believe that the year is already coming to an end? I find it amazing as I get older how much faster time seems to fly. It's almost as if my life is on a constant fast forward!

One Nurse At A Time has had a wonderful year, but we also had several sad parts along the way- we lost two of our very active and incredibly valuable volunteer nurses - Staci Kelley and Nancy Leigh Harless. Both nurses gave their heart and soul to the organization and were incredibly gifted in their talents!

With losing two volunteers we also gained help as well!  Our team has grown in leaps and bounds this year. We are very happy to have David Fox, Helen Jose and Christine Van Horn be part of our team. The three of them have provided tremendous energy and work towards our goals and mission.

As usual Sue has been working non-stop! She has met with several people this year, connecting and marketing our organization, even to top organizations like the Red Cross!  With Sue's never-ending energy, she gives us all life and energy to continue our work for the mission and goals of One Nurse At A Time.

Jo's Mission will be a the big kick-off for the beginning of 2013. We are excited and ready to start the process of assisting new nurse volunteers merge into the volunteering community. We will be reporting on the mission and updating our blog with it's progress.

Lastly, if you have not had the opportunity to see our latest short film we would love for you to take about 3 minutes and watch - we are very honored to be working for this organization and we hope that we can continue to provide assistance, education and help to those who have the passion and drive to volunteer throughout our world.

Here is our video:

Thank you for a wonderful year, looking forward to what 2013 brings us!


Cheers-

ONAAT Crew

Ever Ready ER Nurse

  October is the month of several things, its Breast Cancer Awareness, Lupus Awareness, National Fire Prevention week, Domestic Violence Awareness, Dwarfism Awareness, Rett Syndrome Awareness, Pregnancy Loss and Infant Loss Awareness, Emergency Nurses Week, Physician Assistants Week, Auto Battery Safety Month, Autism Awareness, and even National Squirrel Awareness Month. It’s frankly a very busy month.

What I would like to guide you into thought is a couple of things. First be aware of those listed today and throughout the month. Secondly, how do you support your awareness months? Do you take clothes or toys to your local women's shelter? 

Since October sparks thoughts of others during this month, I also want to reflect upon the inevitable. Halloween is the start of a several holidays. It is also the start of high school dances, college football games, family get-together and holiday parties. Because October is such a busy month – I would really like to invite you to think about those around you and prepare yourself, your family, and your friends for the up-coming winter months.

My thoughts traveled to these two separate topics, partly because of Hurricane Sandy and the destruction that the hurricane has already left in its path. But also because tomorrow One Nurse At A Time is participating in a benefit for "Care for Seattle's Homeless" at Seward Park's "Pumpkin Push" 5k and 2 mile walk. I should also mention that I tend to be sightly obsessive when it comes to emergency preparedness, sometimes my husband scoffs at me a bit when I tell him that I really really really want him to make sure he has his emergency kit in his truck, but I like to think of myself as the "Ever Ready ER Nurse". 

With that in mind, I know I put out an emergency preparedness info listing of things you should keep in your house, but I thought today it may be helpful to list some sights that may have those packs and items already for you to buy and place in your car, home or at work. Today, I thought I would review a couple of bags and gear that can be easily found online for you to purchase for your Emergency/Disaster Kit.

Of course the first item that would be apparent for emergency preparedness kits would be the American Red Cross First Aid / Emergency Kits, here is a great link to many differing types of kits you can buy for different parts of your day/life. Go here to check it out --> Red Cross Store

-     These kits are great, unless your home is destroyed – if so, there has been reports that when you wear a red/yellow “emergency” bag you are more visible to other people who are not prepared and they will most likely want to take your pack it is bright and easy to see that it is an emergency bag.

-     The other thing about this site is that they are selling each item separately. So if you want a 4 person emergency kit, you will have to buy several things to make it work. I didn’t work out the financial details to compare them to the rest, but it seemed like a little bit of a hassle if you are trying to find something for the whole family.

Next up is a store online called EDS Emergency Disaster Systems. These kits are similar to the kits/buckets that Costco was selling up in Washington this last year. Go here to check them out --> EDS Emergency Disaster Systems

-     These kits have enough food and water in them to last four people 72 hours. They have great “grab and go” designs for at work, or the “essentials” bag. Again, the bag is read and has the words “Emergency Kit” written on the outside. The bucket is not bad, it is white and the lettering is small enough that you could probably get away with ripping off the sticker and walking down the street. But if you have to carry it a long way it could be a pain. The larger bag has the works, even a tube tent, and 70 piece first aid kit.

Costco’s American Preparedness Emergency Backpack Kit. This one is pretty cool. It thinks of the down time and has a deck of cards and coloring books for the kids. Costco American Preparedness Emergency Backpack Kit

-     The weight on this pack is 30 lbs. and as any backpacker knows, that’s a lot of gear for little weight (no sleeping bags..etc). However, this is probably the most all around solid pack. It has a hygiene kit, food/water and other contents kit, and a first aid kit. Not bad for $140.00  Again this is designed to care for 4 people. So if you have a larger family, consider buying two.

So, I can’t leave out Amazon. I would have to say that Amazon has the mother of all disaster bags…the BUG OUT BAG or as the experts call it “BOB”. There are several good reviews on amazon of BOB gear and what to put into your pack. I think I have found the all mighty reviewer, because this person has tried, tested and swears by the materials in his bag. Here you go --> Amazon

-      I might leave out the crush-able hat, but that’s just me. J Otherwise the bag, gear and stuff listed is great!

Well, I hope I have given you some food for thought at the end of this last month. It is going to be a doozy of a winter and I hope all of you take some time to reflect upon being prepared for everything. I also hope that I have opened your eyes to the different awareness ribbons and issues, so that you can take some time to give a little, share with others or just reflect. 

Cheers - ONAAT Crew

Tropical Storm Isaac

As Tropical Storm Isaac picks up and leaves in its path destruction and devastation, several organizations are gearing up to start assisting with repairs, and medical help.

Two teams are already packing up and sending crews from San Diego. American Red Cross has sent five disaster workers to the Gulf Coast, while San Diego’s International Relief Teams are working in San Diego preparing to be shipped out in case more hands are needed.

During disaster times such as these, at times I have found it oddly difficult to find ways (other than money) to support organizations providing disaster relief. Sometimes, it takes a lot of digging on the Internet to find little bits and pieces of needs – such as blankets, batteries, canned food or medical supplies – and where to send them.

One of the things that I would love to see on our organization’s website is the ability to post simple ways for people to help – and not always money – during times of disasters. (If you are reading this and know of a way for us to post immediate information during times of disasters- please contact us and we will be happy to post it. Email us at onenurseatatime@gmail.com )

Since Tropical Storm Isaac is our current national disaster that is catching the headlines, the easiest organization I could think of to look at was The American Red Cross. So with this in mind, I thought I would walk you through getting set up to volunteer in the American Red Cross. The first step is easy, search our website! www.onenurseatatime.org I searched our website in the Alphabetical Listing tab. I clicked on American Red Cross (General Nursing). You are directed to our page which gives general details about the organization. From here you can click on the link provided. The first page of the ARC displayed a simple way for me to help by donating. But I was interested in ways I could help physically as a nurse, so I kept looking. 

After spending 5 minutes searching on the website, I finally realized that I needed to look at my state chapter and then my county or local  chapter for detailed information. Here is the page to find your local chapter: http://www.redcross.org//find-your-local-chapter  

Reading the Volunteer tab on my local chapter’s website, I recognized that there is a process which must take place first before I just fling myself into the arms of Tropical Storm Isaac.  It appears time consuming, but I believe if you take the steps now, you can help out easily and quickly, now and in the future.

After completing an informational session, fill out an application, and do an interview, you will be contacted by the specific volunteer department – that fits your skill set – and they will help complete the training needed to be an American Red Cross Volunteer.  

Sounds like a lot of steps and hoops to jump through…but I think that if I just check one off at a time I can get it done.  So maybe for Tropical Storm Isaac I will donate money, but for the next emergent need, I can think about being deployed. J

-JUST IN CASE YOU HAVEN’T DONE IT YET-  

Here is a great emergency preparedness list of supplies that everyone should have in case of an emergency!

·         Water—one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)

·         Food—non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)

·         Flashlight

·         Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)

·         Extra batteries

·         First aid kit – Anatomy of a First Aid Kit

·         Medications (7-day supply) and medical items

·         Multi-purpose tool

·         Sanitation and personal hygiene items

·         Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)

·         Cell phone with chargers

·         Family and emergency contact information

·         Extra cash

·         Emergency blanket

·         Map(s) of the area

Local Opportunities to Help Midwest Tornado Victims

If you're wanting to help the tornado victims from the latest devastating twisters to rip through the midwest this past Friday, check with your local Medical Reserve Corp Chapter or American Red Cross Chapter.  Both organizations need and use nurses with all different skills sets.  Find your local chapter in our directory of organizations under "disaster" at:  http://onenurseatatime.org/volunteer/directory/