Description: This program will provide an overview of substance use disease and the danger of illicit drug use. The increase in overdose deaths during the pandemic will be discussed. Different drug substances and the effects and treatment modalities will be analyzed. Presenter: Charlene Verga, MSN, RN, CEN, LNC Date: Wednesday, April 24 Time: 5 –... Read more »

Description: CSEC is an ever-changing form of interpersonal violence impacting all communities across the Commonwealth. Nurses are in a unique position to identify and support patients who are experiencing this abuse and provide interventions that can connect survivors to services for a safe exit and healing trajectory. Hear from a survivor of CSEC, turned doctoral-prepared... Read more »

Description: This program will provide nurses with the advocacy skills and communication strategies to respond when they hear, “Just do your best” while nursing judgement determines they cannot safely meet the needs of the patient. Discussion topics will include patient abandonment, mandatory overtime, and assuming an assignment under duress or objection. Documentation of unsafe assignments... Read more »

Description: CSEC is an ever-changing form of interpersonal violence impacting all communities across the Commonwealth. Nurses are in a unique position to identify and support patients who are experiencing this abuse and provide interventions that can connect survivors to services for a safe exit and healing trajectory. Hear from a survivor of CSEC, turned doctoral-prepared... Read more »

Description: The nursing workforce today includes members of five different generations. Generational differences can create new challenges for achieving a harmonious workplace because of the merging of generations, including diverse work attitudes, beliefs, and values in the workplace. Presenter: Donna M. White, RN, PhD, CARN, CADC II, LADC 1 Date: Thursday, May 23 Time: 5:30... Read more »

Description: Drug addiction is a brain disease. Although initial drug use might be voluntary, drugs of abuse have been shown to alter gene expression and brain circuitry, which in turn affects human behavior. Once addiction develops, these brain changes interfere with an individual’s ability to make voluntary decisions, leading to compulsive drug craving, seeking, and... Read more »

Description: Nurses are now ranked as the second most commonly named defendant in a malpractice lawsuit. This program will describe the anatomy of a lawsuit including potential sources of claims and documentation issues as well as the chain of command utilized to address patient concerns. The program will include case study and analysis. Presenters: Janell L.... Read more »

Description: With the need for life-saving organs being more critical than ever, nurses play a key role in organ donation and have the unique opportunity to care for both the dying patient and support the patient’s family. This experience allows for the nurse to improve countless lives through the gifts of organs, tissue, and eye donations.... Read more »

Description: This program will describe the difference between antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and antibiotic resistance as it explores the broader scope of AMR worldwide. The global concern and threat posed by antibiotic-resistant bacteria in healthcare facilities will be explained. Evidence-based infection control procedures will be described to combat antibiotic resistance, including when to isolate patients with AMR;... Read more »

Description: Work-related injuries or diseases can alter a worker’s life. Nurses and healthcare professionals need to know typical barriers in accessing timely Workers’ Compensation-related healthcare, including current legal and union protections. The presentation will utilize case studies to focus on the essential steps individuals must take when reporting and documenting an injury to avoid greater... Read more »