In The Spotlight

In October 2016, N2P Northeast Leader Caroline Toomey and N2P Ashlee Homer took to Washington, DC to participate in the American Nurse Advocacy Institute hosted by ANA. ANAI is a prestigious year-long mentored program for the purpose of developing nurses into political leaders while expanding the grassroots capacity for the nursing profession and health care. Upon completion, each ANAI Fellow is equipped to advise the SNA in establishment of legislative / regulatory priorities, recommend strategies for execution of the advancement of a policy issue, and educate members about the political realities as well as assist in advancing nursing’s agenda.

N2P Ashlee Homer, RN, testified today before the House Children & Youth Committee regarding neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). “Taking care of NAS babies requires extra resources … RNs must find the balance between meeting the medical and social needs for each baby and their family while determining how best to provide nursing care for each one individually. Some infants do better with nearly constant movement while holding them. Others do better in a dark, non-stimulating environment. It is heartbreaking to watch these smallest patients cry inconsolably and feed uncoordinated. This can cause growth delays, tremors and sometimes seizures. The child may also experience very limited to no bonding experiences with its parents.”