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When assessing a patient for possible side effects related to acetaminophen, the pain management nurse asks the patient about the use of: alcohol, marijuana, opioids, tobacco.

Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby was joined by more than 1,000 tribal officials, citizens, employees and guests in a dedication ceremony 11:30 a.m., Monday, July 19 for the new Chickasaw Nation Medical Center in Ada, Okla

Healing presence St. Anthony South nurse team is dedicated to mental health Depression is a common experience everyone experiences during their lifetimes, said Rita Hamner, the registered nurse for STAGES, the outpatient mental health program at the St. Anthony South campus, located at SW 59th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in Oklahoma City.

Missouri does not require mandatory continued education classes for license renewal while Kansas nurses must receive at least 30 continued education hours prior to license renewal (every two years). Arkansas requires 15 contact hours every two years prior to renewal (20 if license expires) and Texas requires 20 contact hours prior to renewal. Oklahoma’s Nursing Times want to hear your thoughts on this subject an you could win a $25 Gift Certificate to Sophabella’s Chicago Grill! Please email your response, along with your name, nursing credentials, city, and contact information to news@okcnursingtimes.com or fax it to 405-631-5103. 07-26-10 No. It is an added expense with minimal benefit. I have friends who are RN's in states that require CEU's - one in particular who has not worked as an RN in years but obtains the CEU's to renew. She says she basically pays the expensive fees and goes through the motions to renew -- with very little useful, practical information. Continuing education should be provided by the employer so it is more tailored to the RN's actual job duties, not something completely irrelevant just to renew the license. Nancy J. Reed, RN, BSN, MPH 07-26-10 After 25 years of practice in the nursing field, I have seen tremendous changes and I have also seen nurses who can’t or won’t keep up with those changes. I feel continued education is what we do on a regular basis, if we want to be “safe” and “skilled” nurses. Yes, I support the idea of requiring continued education for all licensed nurses in OK. I soon will be in the “older adult population” and I want to know that those who will be caring for me will know what they are doing, I pray. Roberta Kelly, RN, BS PN Instructor Gordon Cooper Technology Center Practical Nursing Program 07-19-10 I am not supportive of requiring annual mandatory CE for all nurses licensed in Oklahoma. The reason I am not supportive is twofold. The first is that I am unaware of any research findings that support engaging in mandatory CE results in greater competence. I agree with noted researcher and author Dorothy del Bueno that a score on a test does not establish competence. Secondly, in ten years of online teaching and communicating with many nurses across the U.S. who live in states requiring CE, I find that in the majority of cases these nurses report completing CE unrelated to their practice area in order to meet the mandatory requirements. Years ago I conducted a research study examining nurses and uses of learning resources. Part of the findings were that nurses who want to learn will engage in activities without the requirement of mandatory CE. I do believe a positive aspect of mandatory CE is that it sends a message to the public that nurses believe in education and leave the impression we support continued competence. The public probably wouldn’t be aware of the lack of research about mandatory CE and whether or not is has an effect on competence and that nurses practicing often take CE unrelated to their practice area in order to meet the CE requirements. I support the “BSN in 10” as way to support continued competence for ADNs and diploma nurses and graduate level education for BSNs. I also believe that national specialty certifications that require CE related to the practice area is more beneficial than a blanket mandatory CE requirement. In addition, I believe the value of experiential learning in the workplace and the role it has in continuing competence should not be underestimated. Respectfully, Barbara Patterson, EdD, RN, CNE Weatherford, OK

Loretta's Home Health Care, Inc. What do you want to be when you grow up? A nurse educator. I love to get people information and I love the learning process. Theresa Tillman, R.N. What would you do with a month off? I would probably do some volunteer work at our recovery unit in Pauls Valley. LaBerta Baker, L.P.N., Administrator If you knew then what you know now ... I would have went to school for nursing a long time ago and not wait. Amber Wagaman, L.P.N. What one thing always has to be in your refrigerator. It always has to be fruit. It just refreshes my body. Tracie Wright, C.H.H.A