The Sept. meeting was held at Pardner’s Restaurant in Piney Flats. The meeting was sponsored by NETNPA for its paid members.  Vickie Lewis, FNP held a discussion regarding an ethical dilemma. 

PRESENTATION HIGHLIGHTS

CASE STUDY:   Lisa is a 16 year old high school student who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at the age of 2 years.  She has been surprisingly healthy with only minor respiratory infections.  Her cultures have always shown good susceptibilities.  Other than being very slim and generally small, she appears to be in good health. About 3 months ago, Lisa became nauseated and began vomiting occasionally and her appetite was very poor.  Fearing that she was developing worsening symptoms related to her CF, they took her to her pediatrician, where she saw the Nurse Practitioner, Ms. O.  To everyone’s surprise, Lisa was pregnant. Lisa has two siblings, both of whom are free of CF.  However, she has three cousins who have CF with various symptoms and severity.  Mr. and Mrs. B. questioned Ms. O. about when an abortion could be done.  Lisa was appalled and did not have any intention of getting an abortion.  Ms. O. was supportive of the parents and encouraged Lisa to talk to a counselor at a family planning clinic.  The father of the baby is 17 years old and a high school senior planning to go to college so there is no possibility of marriage at this time.  He has a part time job and will be of no financial help to Lisa at this time. Should Lisa’s parents be more supportive of her decision or is their concern about Lisa carrying a baby to term and the possibility of a child with CF justified?  Does Ms. O. have an obligation to Lisa to support her without question in her desire to have this baby?  What is her obligation to the baby?   DISCUSSION AND ISSUES ADDRESSED   CF FACTS

	Lisa’s prognosis at best is a life expectancy of late 20’s
	CF is a recessive trait and the risk to the fetus depends on whether the father possesses a genetic trait for CF as well
	Previous CF patients have experienced significant malnutrition with PEG tube placement during pregnancy

	Lisa is not considered an emancipated minor until she delivers
	Pregnancy does not automatically grant emancipation

	Lisa’s safety versus the safety of the fetus during pregnancy
	Insurance issues
	Financial responsibility to the parents
	The obligation of the Nurse Practitioner to Lisa’s desires
	The responsibility of the father
	Quality of life for the child after her mother’s demise
	Potential for adoption

Business Meeting

  President Kathy Sharp opened the meeting by welcoming our new secretary, Tracy Luther and thanking our previous secretary Tracey Hensley.   Secretary’s Report: The minutes were posted on the website and emailed to all members. Motion to approve was given by Elaine White and seconded by Pat Gibson. They were accepted as correct and approved with an unanimous vote.   Treasurer’s Report: Paula Countiss reported a balance in checking of $14,646. 18.  

Old Business:

	DNP:  Wendy Vogel completed the video taping in Chicago re: NETNPA rebuttal to the DNP Medscape webcast.  This response will be available on October 6th.  Please go to Medscape www.medscape.com to view the response that NETNPA has sponsored.  If you are not currently a member of Medscape you will have to set up a free account.  You may also view the reader’s responses at www.medscape.com/viewarticle/543596.
	Fall conference:  Friday, October 27th.  Brochures should have been received.  Kathy Sharp has verbal confirmation of 7.5 CEU’s approved by TNA.  Please register online www.netnpa.com or by mail to NETNPA, 186 Valley Pike Rd. Bristol, TN  37620.
	TNA annual convention:  October 13-15, 2006 at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs in Franklin, TN.  Go to www.tnaonline.org for more information.  Kay Bone will be attending and will be presenting a resolution on our behalf.  A copy of the draft was presented and opened to the floor for discussion at the August meeting.  The resolution re: the Scope of Practice of Advanced Practice Nurses in Tennessee was presented at tonight’s meeting.  The purpose is in response to the AMA regarding all mid-level providers and allied health professional that prescribe medications in the state of TN. This resolution is being co-sponsored by District 5 of the TNA.  If you have any changes re: this resolution, please email Kay Bone @ kayandpatbone@aol.com.
	National Nurse Act:  This is continuing to gain momentum.  Encourage your state senators to co-sponsor.  This Act if passed will allow for a nurse to sit as a Cabinet member for health policy decision making.  Kathy Sharp will be sending a letter on behalf of NETNPA to our representatives urging them to support and co-sponsor the bill.  Kathy has asked that all of the attendees visit www.nationalnurse.org for information and links to local representatives.
	Department of Health Survey:  Call 615-741-5226 to ask for a survey if you have not received one.  This survey looks at funding for statewide rural health initiatives.  It is very important that we make Nurse Practitioners known as providers, especially of rural health care.

	RN vs. APN license numbers: for many years now, the www.Tennessee.gov/health site has listed NP beneath our RN license with associated practitioner profile. These profiles were mandatory and listed such things as certification number, practice site, physician backup, contact information, etc.  With the advent of the APN designation which was separate from the RN license, that profession is also listed within the pulldown menu of professions.  You will see that nurse practitioners are listed in both menus.  Both have practitioner profiles with information.  It has come to our attention that when a practitioner’s profile is updated, the updated information is NOT added to the RN profile-only the APN.  When you sign for pharmaceutical sample, MAKE SURE THAT THE REP HAS YOUR APN number not the RN license in his/her database.  THIS IS IMPERATIVE. Many constituents have notified me that some of the collaborating physicians are no longer accurate, practice sites have changed, etc., but many of the pharmaceutical companies only have the RN license which references the outdated info.  List your APN number for credentialing, drug samples, etc. as the RN profiles are now obsolete.
	Online CE survey:  This is being sponsored by the University of Tennessee College of Nursing in Knoxville to assess the educational needs of nurses across TN.  The input of every nurse is valuable!  Please support this endeavor by taking a few minutes to complete the survey at http://nightingale.con.utk.edu/test/survey.html.
	National Influenza Vaccine Summit:  For the 4th consecutive year, “Influenza Vaccination Pocket Information Guides” for use by healthcare providers nationwide are being produced. The purpose of the guide is to provide front-line healthcare personnel with information about indications and contraindications for the injectable and intranasal influenza vaccines.  It also provides information on recommended target population for vaccination and details on administering.  www.nursingworld.org/news/ananews.htm#pocketguide
	Kathy Sharp will be representing NETNPA at the annual AANP leadership conference in Washington.  She was invited as an affiliate member by AANP and will be discussing some of our legislative concerns.

	Cardiovascular Associates, P.C. in Bristol has openings for 2 Nurse Practitioners
	Dr. Shamley at Dickenson County Clinic has an opening for a NP, offering $72,000 a year with one week paid vacation and possible negotiation for a 4 day week.  The clinic is in Clintwood, VA.  If interested, call 615-254-0350.
	ETSU College of Nursing is looking for a NP for the Mountain City Extended Hours Health Center.  Submit application to ETSU Office of Human Resources, Box 70564, Johnson City, TN 37614-1707 or call Nancy Alley, Executive Associate Dean for more information.
	Blue Ridge Medical Specialists in Bristol is looking for a NP for their endocrinology office.

Next Meeting:

Submitted by Tracey Luther