Idaho Nurses Monthly Updates
Table of Contents
Ho, Ho, Hold Your Horses!
Advocacy Idaho Legislature -- 2025 Leadership and Committee Assignments
NSO News
Why patients sue --- and how effective communication can help avoid a lawsuit Nurse Case Study: Alleged failure to appropriately resuscitate patient after complex cosmetic surgery Nurse Practitioner Case Study: Alleged delay in diagnosis of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
ANA News Registered Nurses Leaving the Profession in the First Two Years Hispanic Culture and Health: How RNs can help reduce disparities in health outcomes
Join ANA-Idaho Today  Join ANA-Idaho Today
December 2024
Monthly News & Updates

ANA-Idaho (known as the Idaho Nurses Association 1932-2013) is the state constituent organization of the American Nurses Association and represents registered nurses (RNs) throughout Idaho. ANA-Idaho advances the nursing profession by promoting professional development, fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the safety and well-being of nurses in the workplace, and by advocating on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.

Ho, Ho, Hold Your Horses!
Taking Time to Be Present.
Teresa Stanfill, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, RNC-BC

The holiday season, regardless of the specific traditions you celebrate---Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, or others---is a time that invites reflection, joy, and connection. Amid the sparkle of lights and the warmth of shared meals, it's easy to lose sight of the deeper purpose of this time: celebrating togetherness and gratitude. Each holiday holds unique meanings and customs, but they all share a common thread of love, renewal, and kindness. By focusing on the joy these moments bring, we can cultivate a sense of belonging and appreciation for the diversity of traditions that make the season truly magical.

One of the most powerful ways to honor the season is by being fully present in the moment. When we're preoccupied with planning or rushing from one event to another, we risk missing the beauty of the here and now. Whether it's lighting the menorah, sharing stories around a kinara, or decorating a Christmas tree, these moments are precious opportunities to connect deeply with loved ones. Putting away distractions and immersing ourselves in these rituals allows us to experience their full richness, strengthening bonds and creating memories that linger long after the season has passed.

Yet, as joyous as the season can be, it also brings its share of stress. Between shopping, cooking, and attending events, it's easy to become overwhelmed. That's why prioritizing self-care is essential. Taking time to rest, nourish your body, and set boundaries ensures you can approach the season with energy and positivity. Self-care might look like a quiet evening with a book, a mindful walk to enjoy holiday lights, or simply saying "no" to an event when you need downtime. By nurturing yourself, you can show up more fully for others and savor the season's spirit of joy.

Ultimately, the holiday season is as much about giving to yourself as it is about giving to others. Embracing joy, practicing presence, and caring for your well-being create a foundation for a meaningful celebration. When we allow ourselves to slow down, we find the greatest gifts of the season: connection, peace, and a renewed sense of gratitude for the moments that make life special.

Advocacy
Idaho Legislature -- 2025 Leadership and Committee Assignments

As we prepare for the upcoming legislative session, please make note of the leadership and committee assignments. This is your "go to guide" for selecting the correct state senator or representative to share your thoughts, concerns, and opinions.

From Benn Brocksome & Associates

Idaho Legislature -- 2025 Leadership and Committee Assignments

House:

  • Majority (Republican)

    • Speaker: Mike Moyle

    • Majority Leader: Jason Monks

    • Asst. Majority Leader: Josh Tanner

    • Majority Caucus Chair: Jaron Monks

  • Minority (Democrat)

    • Minority Leader: Ilana Rubel

    • Asst. Minority Leader: Steve Berch

    • Minority Caucus Chair: Todd Achilles

Senate:

  • Majority (Republican)

    • Pro Tem: Kelly Anthon

    • Majority Leader: Lori Den Hartog

    • Asst. Majority Leader: Mark Harris

    • Majority Caucus Chair: Ben Toews

  • Minority (Democrat)

    • Minority Leader: Melissa Wintrow

    • Asst. Minority Leader: James Ruchti

    • Minority Caucus Chair: Janie Ward-Engleking

SENATE COMMITTEES:

Agricultural Affairs: Chair: Tammy Nichols. Vice Chair: Christy Zito.

  • Republicans: Todd M. Lakey, Dave Lent, Julie VanOrden, Camille Blaylock, Joshua Kohl.

  • Democrats: Carrie Semmelroth, Ron C. Taylor.

Commerce and Human Resources: Chair Daniel D. Foreman Vice Chair Brian Lenney

  • Republicans: Todd M. Lakey, Jim Guthrie, Tammy Nichols, Treg A. Bernt, Christy Zito

  • Democrats: Janie Ward-Engelking, James D. Ruchti

Education: Chair Dave Lent. Vice Chair Kevin Cook.

  • Republicans: James W. Woodward, Tammy Nichols, Cindy J. Carlson, Van T. Burtenshaw, Christy Zito

  • Democrats: Janie Ward-Engelking, Carrie Semmelroth

Finance: Chair C. Scott Grow. Vice Chair: James Woodward.

  • Republicans: Kevin Cook, Carl J. Bjerke, Phil Hart

Cindy J. Carlson, Glenneda Zuiderveld, Codi Galloway

  • Democrats: Janie Ward-Engelking, Melissa Wintrow

Health and Welfare: Chair: Chair Julie VanOrden. Vice Chair: Carl J. Bjerke

  • Republicans: Mark Harris, Glenneda Zuiderveld, Brian Lenney, Brandon Shippy, Camille Blaylock, Josh Keyser

  • Democrats: Melissa Wintrow

Judiciary and Rules: Chair Todd M. Lakey. Vice Chair: Brandon Shippy

  • Republicans: Doug Ricks, Daniel D. Foreman, Dave Lent, Brian Lenney, Josh Keyser

  • Democrats: Melissa Wintrow, James D. Ruchti

Local Gov & Tax: Chair Doug Ricks. Vice Chair: Ben Adams

  • Republicans: C. Scott Grow, Kelly Anthon, Treg A. Bernt, Lori Den Hartog, Ben Toews

  • Democrats: Alison Rabe, Ron C. Taylor

Resources and Environment: Chair: Chair Van T. Burtenshaw. Vice Chair Phil Hart

  • Republicans: Jim Guthrie, Mark Harris, Doug Okuniewicz, Kevin Cook, Julie VanOrden, Joshua Kohl.

  • Democrats: Ron Taylor

State Affairs: Chair: Chair Jim Guthrie. Vice Chair Treg A. Bernt

  • Republicans: Kelly Arthur Anthon, Mark Harris, Ben Toews, Lori Den Hartog, Ben Adams, Brandon Shippy

  • Democrats: James Ruchti

Transportation: Chair Doug Okuniewicz. Vice Chair Josh Keyser

  • Republicans: Van T. Burtenshaw, Phil Hart, Ben Adams, Codi Galloway, Joshua Kohl

  • Democrats: Alison Rabe, Carrie Semmelroth

HOUSE COMMITTEES

Agricultural Affairs: Chair: Kevin Andrus. Vice Chair: Jerald Raymond

  • Republicans: David M. Cannon, Lori McCann, Jeff Ehlers, Dan Garner, Jack Nelsen, Douglas T. Pickett, Mark Sauter, Steve Miller, Robert Beiswenger, Shawn Dygert, David J. Leavitt, Ron Mendive, John Shirts.

  • Democrats: Chris Mathias, Todd Achilles

Appropriations: Chair Wendy Horman. Vice Chair: Steve Miller

  • Republicans: Rod Furniss, Clay Handy, James Petzke, Josh Tanner, Dustin Manwaring, Brandon Mitchell, Elaine Price.

  • Democrats: Soñia R. Galaviz.

Business: Chair: Lance W. Clow. Vice Chair: Jordan Redman

  • Republicans: Brent Crane, Joe A. Palmer, Vito Barbieri, Jeff J. Cornilles, Jaron Crane, Jeff Ehlers, Jason A. Monks, David M. Cannon, Kyle Harris, Kent Marmon, Cornel Rasor, Faye Thompson, Josh Wheeler.

  • Democrats: Steve Berch, Brooke Green.

Commerce and Human Resources: Chair: James Holtzclaw. Vice Chair Tony Wisniewski.

  • Republicans: Jon O. Weber, Lori McCann, Richard W. Cheatum, Dori Healey, Robert Beiswenger, Chris Bruce, Tanya Burgoyne, Lucas B. Cayler, Ben G. Fuhriman, David J. Leavitt, Steve C. Tanner

  • Democrats: Megan Egbert, Todd B. Achilles

Educations: Chair: Douglas T. Pickett. Vice Chair Dale R. Hawkins

  • Republicana: Lance W. Clow, Ron Mendive, Barbara Ehardt, Tony Wisniewski, Dan Garner, Jack Nelsen, Mark Sauter, Kyle Harris, Kent Marmon, Steve C. Tanner.

  • Democrats: Chris Mathias, Monica C. Church.

Ethics and House Policy: Chair Brent Crane

  • Republicans: Britt Raybould, Vito Barbieri -- Alternate

  • Democrats: John Gannon, Brooke Green, Chris Mathias

Health and Welfare: Chair John Vander Woude. Vice Chair Marco Adam Erickson

  • Republicans: Dori Healey, Jordan Redman, Josh Wheeler, Robert Beiswenger, Tanya Burgoyne, Lucas B. Cayler, Ben G. Fuhriman, David J. Leavitt, Lori McCann, Cornel Rasor, Faye Thompson.

  • Democrats: Ilana Rubel, Megan Egbert.

Judiciary, Rules and Admin: Chair Bruce D. Skaug. Vice Chair: Joe Alfieri

  • Republicans: Heather Scott, Barbara Ehardt, Marco Adam Erickson, Dan Garner, Clay Handy, Dale R. Hawkins, Edward H. Hill, Clint Hostetler, Mike J. Pohanka, John Shirts.

  • Democrats: John Gannon, Chris Mathias, Ilana Rubel.

Local Government: Chair: Barbara Ehardt. Vice Chair: Jeff J. Cornilles.

  • Republicans: Marco Adam Erickson, Bruce D. Skaug, Jon O. Weber, Joe Alfieri, Richard W. Cheatum, Dale R. Hawkins, Dori Healey, Elaine Price, Lucas B. Cayler, Cornel Rasor, Josh Wheeler.

  • Democrats: Steve Berch, Monica C. Church.

Resources and Conservations: Chair: Ron Mendive. Vice Chair: Charlie Shepherd

  • Republicans: Judy Boyle, John Vander Woude, Dustin Manwaring, Britt Raybould, Stephanie Jo Mickelsen, Jack Nelsen, Douglas T. Pickett, Jerald Raymond, Josh Tanner, Steve Miller, Kevin Andrus, Shawn Dygert, James Petzke, Mark Sauter.

  • Democrats: Soñia R. Galaviz, Monica C. Church.

Revenue and Tax: Chair: David M. Cannon. Vice Chair: Jon O. Weber.

  • Republicans: Charlie Shepherd, Jason A. Monks, Richard W. Cheatum, Jeff J. Cornilles, Jeff Ehlers, Jerald Raymond, Kevin Andrus, Chris Bruce, Edward H. Hill, Britt Raybould, John Shirts.

  • Democrats: John Gannon, Steve Berch.

State Affairs: Chair: Brent Crane. Vice Chair: Heather Scott.

  • Republicans: Joe A. Palmer, Vito Barbieri, James Holtzclaw, Bruce D. Skaug, Joe Alfieri, Jaron Crane, Judy Boyle, Shawn Dygert, Clint Hostetler, Stephanie Jo Mickelsen, Mike J. Pohanka.

  • Democrats: Todd B. Achilles, Brooke Green.

Transportation and Defense: Chair: Joe A. Palmer. Vice Chair: Brandon Mitchell

  • Republicans: James Holtzclaw, Jason A. Monks, Charlie Shepherd, Jaron Crane, Clay Handy, Edward H. Hill, James Petzke, Judy Boyle, Lance W. Clow, Kyle Harris, Stephanie Jo Mickelsen, Mike J. Pohanka.

  • Democrats: John Gannon, Brooke Green.

Ways and Means: Chair: Jeff Ehlers

  • Republicans: Jason A. Monks, Josh Tanner, Jaron Crane.

  • Democrats: Ilana Rubel, Steve Berch, Todd B. Achilles.

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NSO News
Why patients sue --- and how effective communication can help avoid a lawsuit
Nurses Service Organization

No healthcare provider welcomes being on the receiving end of legal action from a patient. This article explains the reasons behind why patients often file lawsuits, as well as steps nurses can take steps to help prevent them.

Read More

Nurse Case Study: Alleged failure to appropriately resuscitate patient after complex cosmetic surgery
Nurses Service Organization

This case involves a healthy, 32-year-old male patient who underwent elective cosmetic surgery, including a necklift, facelift, chin implant, rhinoplasty, turnbinoplasty and an abdominoplasty with liposuction. The duration of the surgery was 8 hours and 45 minutes with no reported anesthesia or surgical complications. Following the initial recovery phase at approximately 6 p.m., the patient was transferred to the “overnight” unit for a planned 24-hour stay. Notably, the insured registered nurse (RN) was working alone in the overnight unit, which was standard procedure for this surgery center.
Read More

Nurse Practitioner Case Study: Alleged delay in diagnosis of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Nurses Service Organization

This case involves a 22-year-old female who presented to the clinic, accompanied by her mother, with a complaint of left calf pain (5/10 pain level) over the previous several days. The patient weighed more than 400 pounds, and she reported that she had been sedentary and not engaging in her normal physical activities for four to six weeks due to episodes of depression. Based upon the patient’s chief complaint, the treating DNP ordered a Doppler ultrasound of the left lower extremity to rule out a DVT. The DNP intended for the ultrasound to be performed the same day. However, the DNP’s order was entered as a “routine order”, rather than a “same-day order,” and a newly hired medical assistant interpreted a “routine” order as “non-urgent”. As a result, the medical assistant scheduled the ultrasound for the following week.
Read More

ANA News
Registered Nurses Leaving the Profession in the First Two Years
American Nurses Association

Registered nurses are leaving the profession within the first two years of practice at rates as high as 33%. It has been suggested that nurses leave due to factors such as bullying by coworkers, inadequate educational preparation and/or orientation as a new hire, and more recently, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Retention and work dissatisfaction remain key areas of study within nursing research. However, most studies consider intent to leave, versus studying those nurses who have actually left the profession. The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify the reasons that novice nurses have left their positions within this timeframe. The study included interviews with 17 registered nurses to examine reasons why they left the nursing profession and how they might have been retained. Themes that emerged from this study included Overworked, Family Obligations, Management, Not Completely Gone, and Additional Findings. The discussion of study findings describes potential interventions that may be helpful to retain nurses, such as self-scheduling with manager training and buy-in, and implications for future research.

Read the full article in OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing.

Hispanic Culture and Health: How RNs can help reduce disparities in health outcomes
American Nurses Association

The Hispanic population accounts for roughly 19% of Americans—the largest minority group in the United States. However, Hispanic adults are the least likely ethnic or racial group to have health insurance or receive preventive care. Their health outcomes reflect this gap.

Several disparities in health outcomes experienced by Hispanic patients span both physical and mental health, according to Giovanna Cecilia De Oliveira, PhD, MSN, RN, ANP-C, PMHNP-BC, a clinical associate professor at the University of Miami, who’s dedicated to reducing health disparities in the Hispanic population. She recognizes that large-scale change needs to come from organizations and communities, but she also understands the power of nurses to improve their patients’ lives. Read De Oliveira’s recommendations for nurses.

Join ANA-Idaho Today 

The American Nurses Association is slightly increasing dues starting January 1st, 2025.  This is the first dues increase in more than a decade and will enable the ANA to continue providing top tier support to nurses.  Lock in the low 2024 rates by joining or renewing before the end of the year.

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