MRHC Announces Plans to Form First AACN Chapter in North Mississippi
Magnolia Regional Health Center announced plans to form the first chapter of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) in north Mississippi. With its first meeting having been held in February 2010, this group has already launched a program to promote AACN’s key initiatives: the Beacon Award, certification and healthy work environments, providing resources and information for nurses and fostering interaction and networking among its members.
“Our nurses are committed to providing the highest quality care to our critically ill patients and their families,” stated MRHC Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) Manager Pam Wallis, RN, BSN. “To that end, we are excited to lead this group of nurses to improved patient health by establishing and promoting high standards of professional practice through AACN certification.”
Representing the interests of more than 500,000 nurses charged with the responsibility of caring for acutely and critically ill patients, AACN is the largest specialty nursing organization in the world. The association focuses its efforts at providing its members with the knowledge and resources necessary to provide optimal care to critically ill patients.
As the first chapter in north Mississippi to be sanctioned by AACN, the MRHC Chapter boasts 12 members applying for certification through the association’s bulk membership program. In the coming months, two of those members-Deborah Weeks, RN and Barbara Leatherwood, RN-plan to pursue additional certification through the CCRN (Adult, Neonatal and Pediatric Acute/Critical care Nursing Certification) subspecialty exam offered by the AACN Certification Corporation. Additionally, Pam Wallis, RN, BSN, SICU Manager, plans to pursue additional certification through the CNML (Nurse Manager and Leader Certification) subspecialty exam.
MRHC Chief Nursing Officer Shelia Calvary, RN, BSN, MBA stated, “I am excited to support development and excellence in nursing practice.” She added, “Our goal is to provide nurses with an environment which promotes outstanding performance demonstrated by the highest quality of care our patients receive.”
Exams are open to nurses, who meet the eligibility requirements including a specified period of clinical practice in the role being tested, caring for acutely and critically ill patients. AACN offers more than six types of certification. Certification provides patients and their families with validation that the nurse caring for them has demonstrated experience, knowledge and skills in the complex specialty of critical care. Additionally, certification benefits a nurse’s employer by reducing exposure to risk and preparing the nurse to make informed decisions that encompass a larger scope through ongoing education and experience.
The group also hopes to draw nurses from facilities in the surrounding communities to join the chapter as a means of promoting AACN’s initiative of fostering interaction and networking. Once formed, the chapter will begin to offer regular meetings, education symposiums and networking opportunities to area nurses and encourages those interested to watch for coming events.
Deborah Weeks, RN, stated, “I am looking forward to the education opportunities and interaction with nurses in our area that this AACN chapter will offer. We have each diligently worked toward obtaining certification and are really excited to participate in bringing this association’s great work into north Mississippi.”
Since its origination in 1965, Magnolia Regional Health Center has had a time honored tradition of focusing on the local community in the provision of health, as well as having a strong commitment to those it serves. MRHC is licensed for 164 beds and is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. A non-profit city/county owned facility, MRHC is certified for Medicare participation by the Department of Health and Human Services.
For more information regarding MRHC and a full listing of physicians, visit www.MRHC.org.
For more information, contact Annie Rhoades
Marketing/PR Department, 662-293-7682 |
Magnolia Regional Health Center 611 Alcorn Drive, Corinth, MS 38834, (662) 293-1000
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