ASTDN

Welcome to ASTDN Online

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Mission...

The mission of ASTDN is to provide a peer and collegial forum for public health nursing leadership, recognizing the authority as well as the responsibility of the governmental role in protecting and promoting the health of the public..

Values...

A world where health is highly regarded

Optional pathways for achieving health

Universal access to health care
Prevention as the foundation for health promotion

An epidemiological base for decision making

Cultural diversity

Community empowerment

Collaboration and partnering

Excellence in health services

Leadership as an essential public health skill

Goals...

To participate with the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) in promoting a program of national health protection and promotion.

To establish guidelines for states and territories in setting standards for public health nursing services.

To recommend and advocate the effective and efficient use of public health nurses in the provision of preventive, health promotion and personal health services.

To identify and promote methods of improving the education, utilization and distribution of public health nurses.

To develop innovative and collaborative partnerships with national governmental and voluntary agencies in programs to protect the public’s health.

To foster, advocate for and support public health nurses in leadersh6/12/09tions.

To assist in marketing public health nursing.

To assure that inputs from and perspectives of public health nursing are incorporated into position statements on the nursing profession

History...

The Association of State and Territorial Directors of Nursing (ASTDN) began in 1935 as an advisory group of state health department nurses. ASTDN continues today as an active association of public health nursing leaders from across the United States and its Territories. ASTDN is an affiliate of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO).

Save These Dates
MID-YEAR MEETING: Sunday, Nov 8th 6:30-8:30pm Marriott Hotel, Room 405 Philadelphia, PA	2010 ANNUAL MEETING: Joint ASTDN & ACHNE meeting Thurs, June 10 - Saturday, June 12, 2010 Sheraton Hotel, Crystal City, VA

Message from the President

Diana Pistole, MPH, RN
President, ASTDN

I am honored and privileged to serve as your President for the 2009-2010 fiscal year, but I must admit to feeling “a little bit nervous.” Since becoming President-elect, I have been wondering if I have what it takes to follow in the footsteps of some very dynamic and talented past-Presidents. Then I realized - I don’t have to do it alone! I have a very talented and enthusiastic group of individuals on the Executive Board who will help me lead and inspire this group of public health nursing leaders and partners. I encourage all members to become involved in the many committees of ASTDN. The products that they deliver to the membership are invaluable to those who are dedicated to achieving the highest standards in this wonderful specialty. ASTDN would not exist but for the many past efforts of the individual members – voting, associate and alumni. This year, for the first time, ASTDN will broaden its connection to those interested in the field of public health nursing by offering new classifications of membership to our organization. (Read more ....)

2009 Conference Highlights

CDC Collaborative Agreement Products
Several of the products produced for the CDC Collaborative Agreement are now available. Click links below to access:

New ASTDN Publication
Every State Health Department Needs a Public Health Nurse Leader

The Association of State and Territorial Directors of Nursing (ASTDN) is proud to present to you one of our new publications entitled, “Every State Health Department Needs a Public Health Nurse Leader.”

The brochure was developed under a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and in partnership with public health nursing leaders from across the country. It is our hope that this material will be of assistance to you in making the case for the establishment of a Chief Nurse or Public Health Nursing Director position within your state. We see consistent, effective and efficient public health nursing leadership is critical to addressing the health needs of populations, and in protecting and promoting health and wellbeing of every community in the Nation. Very shortly, a copy will be mailed to each state and territorial health official.

Hardcopies of the brochure are also available from: michelle.cravetz@astdn.org, or call: 518-952-4325.

ASTDN Paper - PHN Role in Achieving Health Equity Paper

Public Health Nurses and Public Health Nursing Leaders play vital roles in the elimination of health disparities and the achievement of health equity. ASTDN's position paper, "The Role of Public Health Nurses in Achieving Health Equity",

ASTDN News Headlines

Developing Cultural Competencies for Nurses: Evidence-based and Best Practices

The University of Michigan-Flint (UM-F) in partnership with Madonna University, and with the support of the Transcultural Nursing Society and other organizations, is providing online and face-to-face educational offerings for nurses to enhance their cognitive, affective, and psychomotor cultural competencies. The education will also help the nurses develop skills in addressing individuals, groups, and communities at risk for health disparities. A series of educational offerings focused on developing cultural competencies using a train-the-trainer model is provided. Faculty includes some of the foremost transcultural nursing leaders in the nation. The project is funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. More information go to : http://ww3.madonna.edu/library/culturalcompetenceproject.htm

Funding For Nursing Secured In The Stimulus Package
ASTDN applauds President Obama and our nursing champions on Capitol Hill for securing additional funding for nursing education in the newly enacted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (H.R. 1). Of the $500 million allocated for health professions training in the final stimulus package, $300 million will be awarded to the National Health Service Corps and the remaining $200 million will be divided between the Nursing Workforce Development Programs (Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act) and the Health Professions Training Programs (Title VII). HRSA has 90 days to determine how this funding will be split between. We are grateful for this infusion of funding, which will help address the critical nursing shortage.

Prevention & Wellness Funds Included in Stimulus Package
ASTDN was one of the 186 organizations that signed on to a letter from the Trust for America's Health urging congress to include health prevention and wellness funding in the recently passed stimulus package. The attached letter was sent to express gratitude for Congress’ inclusion of $1 billion in funding for the wellness and prevention provisions included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Click to view PDF of letter.

ASTDN Endorses Americans For Nursing Shortage Relief Document
ASTDN endorsed the 2009 Consensus Document developed by the Americans for Nursing Shortage Relief (ANSR).
This document contains the agreed upon ANSR FY 2010 request of $215 million for Title VIII-Nursing Workforce Development Programs. To see the consensus document click here

National Campaign to Interject Health Equity and The Elimination of Health Disparities Into Policy
This campaign is sponsored by the National Reach Coalition. ASTDN was one of 80 organizations that signed on to a letter to President Obama urging his consideration of a number of policy recommendations to address chronic disparities in health and move our nation closer to health equity for all. Click to view PDF of letter.

New Essentials of Baccalaureate Education Endorsed
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is pleased to announce the endorsement of a new set of competency standards that will enhance the ability of baccalaureate-prepared nurses to provide safe, high quality patient care. At AACN’s Fall Semiannual Meeting held October 20, 2008, deans and directors from the nation’s senior schools of nursing voted to endorse The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice, a re-envisioning of the previous Baccalaureate Essentials issued in 1998. The revised document was developed through a national consensus-building process and will have a significant impact on how professional nurses are prepared .... (continue)

ASTDN Executive Board Backs PHN Loan Forgiveness Legislation
The ASTDN Executive Board voted to sign on to a letter on Loan Forgiveness for Services in Areas of National Need that was sent to the members of the House and Senate committees with jurisdiction over the Higher Education Act (HEA) – namely the House Committee on Education and Labor and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (S-HELP). The House bill contains a provision authorizing a new loan forgiveness program for certain eligible professions, including both nurses and public health professionals. In total, thirty-three organizations and professional associations signed on to the letters to the House Education & Labor and Senate S-HELP Committees urging HEA conferees to include the House provision on Loan Forgiveness for Services in Areas of National Need in the final bill. The new program, while modest, is important in helping to meet national needs. The program makes certain professionals eligible for $2,000/annually for up to 5 years (capped at $10,000 per recipient) on a first-come, first-served basis. PDF of Loan Forgiveness Letter.