ENACK Meeting, January 23, 2006, Wesley Medical Center, ED Conference Room.

Meeting called to order by Mitch Jewett, President. Attendees included Mitch, Newton Medical Center; Becky Jack, Denise Spaeth, Diana Lippoldt, Karen Lehman, Jim Wright, Catherine Keck, Doug Koehler, Jane Ross, Wesley Medical Center; Charla Holman, Via Christi St Joseph.

The November/December meeting was the annual Christmas party and election of officers held at Olive Garden. The only minutes were the announcement of the officers who were elected to serve in 2006. Mitch Jewett will be the 2006 President, Jane Ross, President Elect and Charla Holman, Secretary/Treasurer. Attendance at the dinner was outstanding, dinner was delicious, and the networking was fabulous.

Discussion ensued regarding the high census everyone is dealing with. It seems as if it just goes up and up. Every ED in the state is bursting at the seams and there seems to be no relief in sight. No solutions were forthcoming for any attendees but the venting was helpful to all.

The upcoming CEU being planned in conjunction with Wesley Medical Center and the Kansas State Council was discussed. This will be on meth labs, hazardous materials, bombs and related topics and will be held at Wesley on April 21.

Government Affairs: Bill being tossed around in Topeka to require booster seats for children over 4 years of age (who must be in a child seat) up to 8 years of age, 80 pounds or 4’9”. Testimony will be presented Wednesday afternoon in Topeka if anyone is interested in observing or speaking. Let Mitch know if you are interested.

Wesley and Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital announced the dates of their classes (TNCC, CATN, and ENPC) for the upcoming year. See the listing of classes on the state website (KansasENA.org), the national website (ENA.org), or contact one of the officers for further information.

Discussion was held regarding the needs of members – are we meeting them? How can nursing ensure that our profession exists and thrives into the future? Rather than “eating our young” as we frequently have, we need to nurture the new graduates and new nurses to enjoy their profession as we do to ensure they remain ED nurses. Who will care for us as we age?

Meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Charla Holman, RN, BSN; Secretary/Treasurer