January 5, 2005                                                                       Contact: Janet D’Alesandro

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                    janetd@ajj.com; 856-256-422

 

This release is available on-line at
www.annanurse.org, ‘Press Room.’

 

American Nephrology Nurses’ Association (ANNA) Symposium to Highlight Patient Self-Management

 

ANNA National Symposium

Partnering with Patients in Self-Management: A Winning Combination

April 18-21, 2005 • MGM Grand Hotel • Las Vegas, NV

www.annanurse.org

 

PITMAN, NJ – The American Nephrology Nurses’ Association (ANNA) will hold its 36th National Symposium in Las Vegas, Nevada, April 18-21, 2005, at the MGM Grand Hotel. Along with a diverse slate of clinical sessions, the conference will explore the winning combination of nurse-patient partnerships. Attendees will discover ways to encourage patients to actively participate in their own health management.

 

Full program information and registration details are provided on ANNA’s Web site, www.annanurse.org.

 

Education sessions, which will be taught by nationally recognized experts, are designed to meet the needs of nephrology nurses at all levels and practice settings. Sessions include such topics as treatment advances for chronic kidney disease, transplantation, pediatrics, leadership, and ethics. The conference also offers the opportunity to earn continuing education credits, network with colleagues, visit the exhibit hall, and attend special events.

 

Program

Preconference workshops are scheduled for Monday, April 18, and will include sessions on health literacy, pain management, gerontology, viruses in the chronic kidney disease patient, cultivation of leaders, and health policy. Later that evening, the symposium’s Opening Ceremonies will be hosted by ANNA President Lesley Dinwiddie, MSN, RN, FNP, CNN. Immediately after, one of Canada’s most admired professional speakers, Alvin Law, will speak about the incredible power of humanity and show that obstacles can be overcome with the right attitude. Law was born without arms yet overcame his challenges to become a trombonist, drummer, vocalist, and successful entrepreneur.

 

On Tuesday, April 19, Vice Admiral Richard H. Carmona, RN, MD, MPH, FACS, Surgeon General of the United States, has been invited to deliver the Janel Parker Memorial Keynote Address. Dr. Carmona has been a paramedic, a registered nurse, a physician’s assistant, a police officer, and a physician. The three issues of importance to the Surgeon General are prevention, public health preparedness, and health care disparities. Dr. Carmona will focus on the need for health care professionals to work with patients to change behaviors, and will address the costs of treating chronic illness.

 

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Concurrent sessions run from Tuesday, April 19, to Thursday, April 21. Topics include:

  • Strategies for promoting self-esteem in patients
  • Expanding the living donor kidney pool
  • Innovations in drug therapy for chronic kidney disease
  • Art and legalities of delegation
  • Fistula First project
  • Economic impact of chronic kidney disease
  • Partnering with patients for improved outcomes
  • Planning a career in nephrology nursing

 

On Thursday, April 21, there will be an optional postconference workshop, “Help Yourself to a More Satisfying Slice of Life.” Brent Bost, MD, MBA, CPA, FACOG, will teach attendees how to evaluate patients for depression and describe how the pathophysiology of stress produces physical symptoms. Attendees will learn how to apply principles of stress management to their daily lives and share these skills with patients.

 

Special Events

On April 17, Abbott Laboratories, Renal Care Division, is sponsoring a complimentary Dinner Symposium for the first 500 registered attendees. The dinner will be held from 5:30-7:30 pm.

 

On April 18, American Regent, Inc. is hosting a Lunch Symposium from 11:15 am-1:00 pm for preconference workshop participants. Later that day, ANNA will sponsor a First-time Attendees and New Members Welcome Discussion.

 

That evening, ANNA and co-sponsor Amgen will present ANNA’s 36th National Symposium Big Event – Dance Party. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be served.

 

On Wednesday, April 20, Amgen will host the Amgen Breakfast Symposium. Later that day, the annual Nephrology Nurse Day Luncheon will honor the accomplishments of ANNA and nephrology nurses throughout the past year. The 2005-06 ANNA Board of Directors will assume their elected positions, highlighted by the passing of the gavel from current President Lesley Dinwiddie, to Suzann VanBuskirk, BSN, RN, CNN.

 

That evening, Ortho Biotech Products, L.P., will sponsor the Ortho Biotech Dinner Symposium on “Complications of Anemia and the Chronic Kidney Disease Patient.”

 

On Thursday, April 21, Watson Pharma, Inc. is sponsoring the Watson Breakfast Symposium on “Treating Patients with IV Iron Therapy: Special Considerations.”

 

Continuing Education Information

Up to 22.2 continuing education credits may be earned for the symposium (including corporate-sponsored meal symposia and networking sessions), with additional credits available for the preconference workshops with luncheon (7.5) and the postconference workshop (3.6). ANNA is an accredited provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center-Commission on Accreditation (ANCC-COA).

 

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NNCC Certification Exam Offered

The Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC) will be offering the Certified Nephrology Nursing (CNN) Examination, the Certified Dialysis Nursing (CDN) Examination, and the Certified Clinical Hemodialysis (CCHT) Examination on April 17 from 12:30-5:00 pm. Separate registration fees and forms are required for each exam. For more information and applications, call the NNCC National Office toll free at 888-884-6622 or 856-256-2321; or visit the NNCC Web site at www.nncc-exam.org.

 

Symposium Brochures Available

To receive a registration brochure for the ANNA 36th National Symposium, contact the ANNA National Office, East Holly Avenue Box 56, Pitman, NJ 08071-0056; phone 856-256-2320; fax 856-589-7463; e-mail anna@ajj.com. The complete registration brochure is also available on ANNA’s Web site, www.annanurse.org.

 

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ANNA is a professional nursing association comprised of 10,800 nephrology nurses. The association is dedicated to advancing

 nephrology nursing practice and positively influencing outcomes for patients with kidney or other disease processes requiring

 replacement therapies through advocacy, scholarship, and excellence.