Nancy Leigh Harless, RN BSN WHCNP Returns to One Nurse At A Time

One Nurse at a Time is so excited to have one of our very own back volunteering her time with us!
After a two year hiatus Nancy Leigh Harless RN, BSN, WHCNP returns to One Nurse as our volunteer Communications Liaison.  Nancy is a nurse and an award winning poet and writer. Her works have been included in many anthologies including Cup of Comfort, The Healing Project, Chicken Soup for the Soul, and Travelers’ Tales, as well as many professional and literary journals. She is the author of Womankind: Connection & Wisdom around the World, and Editor of the anthologies Nurses Beyond Borders, and To the Rescue.

A graduate of Intercollegiate Center for Nursing Education through EWU, Nancy received her advanced degree in Women’s Health at University of Texas S Medical Center. Her nursing career was spent in L & D, and in Public Health working largely with women and children.  As a nurse practitioner she provided well women care and family planning in rural Iowa clinics. Now retired, Nancy travels often -- usually off the well-paved road. Throughout her travels she has seen women struggle, sometimes against daunting odds. She has seen them nearly break under the weight of their own lives, but she also has felt an abundance of spirit, of wisdom and of connection with these same people -- ordinary people who live with extraordinary grace. Nancy has volunteered in Belize, Guatemala, Kosovo and Mexico and looks forward to participating on more medical missions helping to improve the lives of women.

"It is my honor to rejoin One Nurse at a Time as the Communications Liaison. What a privilege it is to be part of a team so passionate about improving the lives of others! I truly believe deep in my bones that one nurse at a time, one person at a time, we CAN change the world."

NURSES for EDNA -- Kim Law

Kimberly Law graduated from University of Northern British Columbia in 2009 and began her nursing career at Penticton Regional Hospital in the areas of obstetrics and pediatrics. In the fall of 2012 she completed her Nursing Specialty in Perinatal Nursing through the British Columbia Institute of Technology, as well as certificates in Contraception Management and Sexually Transmitted Infections Management. These certificates allowed Kimberly to obtain certified practice in reproductive health. She utilizes the advanced practice in providing reproductive health care at the Kelowna Women’s Services Clinic as and Options for Sexual Health. She is currently in training for the Penticton Regional Hospital’s Sexual Assault Response Team. There seems to be a women’s health theme running through most everything I do, eh?” Kimberly noted.

She became an active volunteer while in nursing school. She took an active part in the Community Health Initiative by Northern University and College Students (CHINUCS), a student run organization that developed outreach programs for marginalized populations in Prince George. Kimberly also travelled with International Student Volunteers to Thailand, and worked in an animal rehabilitation and community education center.

 In 2012 Kimberly traveled to Liverpool, United Kingdom to obtain a professional certificate in Emergency Obstetrical Care and Newborn Care, as well as her Diploma in Tropical Nursing, taking a step towards her long standing goal of contributing to global healthcare.

When asked to speak about her upcoming medical mission, Nurses for Edna, in Somaliland Kimberly said, “I appreciate the support from both Barcos Nightingales Foundation and One Nurse At A Ttime. I see this first trip to Somaliland as one of personal growth. I want this project to be long term. I’m passionate about women’s health and global health. The way I see it, what we need to do first, is see what they are doing there and what they need done.  I believe you can’t do short term solutions for long term goals and I see this medical mission of Nurses for Edna to be a long term project,”

The first Nurses for Edna is being assisted by the generous support of Barcos Nightingale’s Foundation as well as many others.

Barco’s Nightingales Foundation, operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was founded by Michael and Frida Donner on behalf of Barco Uniforms. The Foundation serves to advance the nursing profession and honor those women and men who devote their lives to serving others through nursing. The Foundation supports the vitality and courageous heart of nursing, while dedicating itself to honoring the spirit of those women and men who choose nursing by focusing its philanthropic efforts on helping to mend lives. For information, follow us on Facebook, contact Barco’s Nightingales Foundation headquarters at 310.719.2108 or email info@barcosnightingales.org

NURSES for EDNA -- Bethany Langlais

Beth Langlais, RN, BSN graduated from Seattle  Pacific University in 2005. She is an accomplished nurse with clinical experience working in diverse populations in Maternal Child Health.

Beth has worked at Swedish Edmonds Hospital in Labor &Delivery and has served as lead preceptor for new staff members. She is described by fellow staff members as a nurse with many strengths, among them her ability to advocate for her patients and her desire to learn.  She continually seeks new learning opportunities in the field of nursing.

In June 201, Beth will complete her Masters degree in nursing  from University of Washington, School of Nursing, Bothel with an emphasis in global health. “While working on this degree,  I have learned a lot about injustice, suffering, and lack of adequate medical care globally. I have become very passionate about these issues and want to do everything I can to change them,” Beth says. Her long term career goals include working in global health for women and children.

Beth has served on medical missions both at home and abroad.  In 2001 she volunteered in New York City in a medical clinic that served the homeless. In 2005 she served for 10 weeks in a Medical clinic in Costa Rico.  She has volunteered with Girls on the Run of Puget Sound providing a healthy living program for local youth. And, she presently volunteers with the Aurora Mobile Clinic startup, a medical clinic that serves the homeless of Seattle.  In March 2012 Beth completed a medical mission to Haiti with Global Health Outreach.

 In August, this year, Beth will travel with a team of nurses, Nurses for Edna, to volunteer at the Edna Adan Maternity Hospital in Hegesia, Somaliland. Anticipating this experience Beth says, “While completing my Master of Nursing degree I was shocked to learn about the state of healthcare for women in developing nations. Women are dying every day. It has become my life's goal to improve the health of women around the globe and without the support of ONE NURSE AT A TIME and Barcos Nightingales Foundation I would not be able to participate in serving and partnering with women Somaliland. Their support means we can start making sustainable change in women’s health now. It is a dream come true for me.”

The first Nurses for Edna team is being assisted by the generous support of Barcos Nightingale’s Foundation as well as many others.

 

Barco’s Nightingales Foundation, operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was founded by Michael and Frida Donner on behalf of Barco Uniforms. The Foundation serves to advance the nursing profession and honor those women and men who devote their lives to serving others through nursing. The Foundation supports the vitality and courageous heart of nursing, while dedicating itself to honoring the spirit of those women and men who choose nursing by focusing its philanthropic efforts on helping to mend lives. For information, follow us on Facebook, contact Barco’s Nightingales Foundation headquarters at 310.719.2108 or email info@barcosnightingales.org

 

 

 

 

Sarah David -- NURSES for EDNA

Born and raised in California Sarah David’s first degree was in Early Childhood Development from San Jose University. After a year in teaching preschool she realized she needed more of a challenge. She moved to New York City to attend NYU and completed her BSN through an accelerated track in ----. She is committed to lifelong learning and her long term education goals include obtaining a Master’s in Public Health and a doctorate degree in nursing.

She has volunteered in several different settings fulfilling various tasks and taking on new roles. From soup kitchen server for the homeless, to leading sexual health group sessions for Liberian female adolescents, to conducting home health visits for new mother’s, Sarah found her passion: providing nursing care for populations in need. This passion took her to serve in the Dominican Republic teaching English in the rural town of Montecristi and to Freetown, Sierra Leone where she focused on maternal health in the city’s maternity hospital.

Currently she lives in New York City and works in the Emergency Department in the Bronx, NY. This challenging work atmosphere has taught her to multi-task, prioritize and think critically on her feet. Sarah loves working in a fast paced environment that serves the needs of a diverse population - consisting largely of non-English speaking patients, undocumented individuals, and families living at or below the poverty line.

Her immediate career goals include becoming a Travel Nurse. This will allow her to experience not only different areas of nursing, but living in different parts of the United States as well. It also will provide the work schedule flexible she needs to allow time for her passion: international volunteering. Long term, Sarah plans to take her career into working long term in sustainable, humanitarian programs, at the global level.

Sarah feels it is a privilege to be involved with this first partnership with The Edna Adan Maternity Hospital and fully expects it will be the beginning of a long term relationship. She appreciates the generous support from The Barcos Nightingales Foundation. With great conviction Sarah says, “All the nurses involved are really strong women. It's an honor to work alongside such passionate nurses. One Nurse At A Time and Nurses for Edna have shown me what amazing things can happen when ambitious women join forces and work towards something they believe in.” 

The first Nurses for Edna is being assisted by the generous support of Barcos Nightingale’s Foundation as well as many others. 

Barco’s Nightingales Foundation, operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was founded by Michael and Frida Donner on behalf of Barco Uniforms. The Foundation serves to advance the nursing profession and honor those women and men who devote their lives to serving others through nursing. The Foundation supports the vitality and courageous heart of nursing, while dedicating itself to honoring the spirit of those women and men who choose nursing by focusing its philanthropic efforts on helping to mend lives. For information, follow us on Facebook, contact Barco’s Nightingales Foundation headquarters at 310.719.2108 or email info@barcosnightingales.org

 

NURSES for EDNA -- Wanda Chestnut

                                                     Wanda Chestnut & Edna Adan 

A committed lifelong learner, Wanda Chestnut, graduated from Widner University, Chester, PA in 1997. She received her Masters degree Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA in 2002 and her Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL in 2012. She currently holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s of Science in nursing, a certificate in Global Health, and a Doctorate of Health Science. She completed her thesis on female genital mutilation (FGM) at the Edna Adan Maternity Hospital in Somaliland in December, 2012. 

Wanda began her professional career as a staff nurse in critical care and community settings in the Philadelphia area. She joined the HIV/AIDS Bureau Division of Community HIV/AIDS Programs (DCHAP) as a Public Health Analyst in April 2010. Prior to joining the HIV/AIDS Bureau, she worked as a Nurse Consultant at the United States Marshalls Service headquartered in Crystal City, VA, where she provided case management to over 57,000 Federal Prisoners throughout the United States. Wanda has over 15 years of experience in HIV/AIDS work. During those years, she focused on the HIV/AIDS population, both in the United States and Africa. She has served as an educator for clinical research projects, one of which focused on the management and treatment of HIV infection, and utilized her expertise to provide care to members of the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) and their dependents.

During Hurricane Katrina, she was deployed to Baton Rouge, LA for 30 days to assist in the hurricane relief efforts. During the deployment she served as the Executive Assistant for the Secretary’s Emergency Response Team (SERT) Commander Rear Admiral (RADM) Craig Vanderwagen. 

 

.Even while working full time, and completing her advanced degrees, Wanda managed to participate in three medical missions to Ghana through her church in 2004, 2005 and 2006. Also, in December 2012 she traveled to Hargesia, Somaliland for two weeks to volunteer and complete her Doctoral internship at the Edna Adan Maternity Hospital.

 

When asked how she feels about her upcoming medical mission and returning to the Edna Adan Hospital in Somaliland, Wanda enthusiastically responded, “I’ve always been interested in women’s health and human rights. This is an awesome opportunity to be sponsored by both Barcos Nightingales and One Nurse At A Time to go to a county with such deep need. All I can say is -- Thank you! It is amazing. I am truly grateful.” 

 

The first Nurses for Edna medical mission will be funded thorugh the generous support of Barcos Nightingales Foundations, as well as many other supportors.

Barco’s Nightingales Foundation, operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was founded by Michael and Frida Donner on behalf of Barco Uniforms. The Foundation serves to advance the nursing profession and honor those women and men who devote their lives to serving others through nursing. The Foundation supports the vitality and courageous heart of nursing, while dedicating itself to honoring the spirit of those women and men who choose nursing by focusing its philanthropic efforts on helping to mend lives. For information, follow us on Facebook, contact Barco’s Nightingales Foundation headquarters at 310.719.2108 or email info@barcosnightingales.org.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nurses for Edna

Within just a few weeks last Fall, seven nurses, from different parts of the States, as well as Canada, reached out to One Nurse At A Time. Each had questions about women's healthcare volunteer work. All wanted to volunteer in the global arena. Sue Averill, President, One Nurse At A Time, met with those nurses who live in the Seattle area, and arranged a Google Hangout later to include the entire group.

Several of the nurses had read the Book, Half the Sky; some had seen the documentary by the same name. They were all inspired, particularly by the work being done by a nurse/midwife, Edna Adan in Hegesia, Somaliland. The idea of Nurses for Edna was born.

Located in the Horn of Africa, Somaliland is an unrecognized, self-declared state. Women of the country struggle to receive equal rights and healthcare services due to gender inequalities, weakened infrastructure, lack of education, poor literacy rates, and limited access. After learning about the issues women and girls face across the globe, Nurses for Edna is joining the movement to empower and uplift women and prove that you can make a difference.

Nurses for Edna hopes to build a lasting relationship, and empower the nurses of the Edna Adan Maternity Hospital, as well as create a pathway for future nurses to volunteer. Those participating in the first mission include Wanda Chestnut, Sarah David, Beth Langlais, Kimberly Law, and Nancy Harless, Playing a supporting role during the first medical mission are nurses Lynn Calkins, and Fiona Smith, who both plan to go on future missions.  

Edna has expressed the greatest need is teaching. Nurses for Edna will teach courses in Basic First Aid and General Physical Assessment, as well as share nursing practice and skills on the hospital floors while supervising student nurses.

“I’m hopeful that the success of Nurses for Edna will inspire other nurses to join with us, sharing their passion, skills and knowledge to benefit those most in need at home and around the globe,” said Sue Averill, President. “I do believe we can change the world, One Nurse At A Time.”

The August 2013 medical mission for Nurses for Edna is being supported through your donations which can be made via our website www.onenurseatatime.org. ; and, through the generous support of the Barcos Nightingale’s Foundation.

Barco’s Nightingales Foundation, operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was founded by Michael and Frida Donner on behalf of Barco Uniforms. The Foundation serves to advance the nursing profession and honor those women and men who devote their lives to serving others through nursing. The Foundation supports the vitality and courageous heart of nursing, while dedicating itself to honoring the spirit of those women and men who choose nursing by focusing its philanthropic efforts on helping to mend lives. For information, follow us on Facebook, contact Barco’s Nightingales Foundation headquarters at 310.719.2108 or email info@barcosnightingales.org.

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