Society of Pediatric Cardiovascular Nurses

Message from the President
Plan ahead for the 2004 SPCN Annual Educational and Business Meeting - November 6, 2004 - New Orleans, Louisiana--sign in closer to the date for more details!

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Welcome

Welcome to SPCN! The Society of Pediatric Cardiovascular Nurses is the only national/international organization dedicated to expanding nursing knowledge and expertise in the care of children and young adults with heart disease. This letter will tell you more about SPCN.

Each year SPCN publishes and provides an updated directory to each member, listing all current members of SPCN. Among SPCN members are nationally respected leaders in the field of cardiovascular nursing. Many of our members are principal investigators doing their own research. The annual directory will give you access to members and major cardiac centers and institutions around the world.

Our annual meeting coincides with the Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association; usually one day prior. Our meeting consists of both a business meeting and education program. The business meeting addresses the concerns of our organization. The annual business meeting is also a time when members update us on projects, recent publications, current and future trends and research projects. Several members also sit on AHA committees so we suggest topics and speakers for both the nursing and joint nursing/medical presentations at the AHA scientific sessions. We have also authored the AHA scientific statement on Parent support groups, and are working on one regarding preparation for hospitalization.

Following the business meeting we have our educational program given by SPCN members on a topic brainstormed the previous year. We are proud to now offer Continuing Education credits for the education program. Past educational programs have included long-term post-op issues such as chylothorax and protein-losing enteropathy, nutritional challenges for the pediatric cardiovascular patient, arrhythmias, pacemakers, presentation tips, RSV, immunizations, anticoagulation, genetics, clinical pathways, etc.

The 2003 SPCN education program:
"Answers to Questions that Bother Parents So..."

1. Did I cause this? Current areas of genetic research, Mary Rummell, RN, MN, CPNP

2. How can I find more information? Current, accurate Internet sites. Gwen Fosse, RN, BSN, MSA

3. Will my child need a special diet? Dietary guidelines for children with CHD - with recommendations to decrease childhood obesity in ALL children. Dana Connolly, RN, MS, FNP, PNP, PhDc

4. Will my child with a pacemaker need special care? Guidelines for care and recommendations for participation in sports. Issues related to ICDs in children. Debra Hanisch, RN, MSN, CPNP

5. Will my child be "normal"? Current developmental outcome information for parents. Pat O'Brien, RN, MSN, PNP

6. Are there gaps in family education? The Canadian experience to fill the gaps in family education -- The Heart and Soul Resource. Laurie Cender, RN, MSN.

Members receive a newsletter twice a year in the spring and fall. Each newsletter has announcements about upcoming events, new publications, summer camps, job openings, etc. The Spring newsletter provides a summary of presentations made at our annual meeting and any presentations made by members at the previous AHA Scientific Sessions. These presentations are both clinical and research oriented. The Fall newsletter contains the ballot for officers, information about the upcoming annual meeting, and highlights of the upcoming AHA scientific sessions held every November.

Membership

For more information click on 'application form' on this website. Our annual dues are only $20. The SPCN fiscal year runs from November 1st to October 31st. Dues notices are sent out mid-summer and, according to the SPCN bylaws, membership payments are payable and due by September 1 of the current year, although new members may join at any date. We look forward to seeing you!

Who

The members of this organization represent the leading pediatric cardiovascular centers in the USA and Canada. Each center is at the forefront of the management of these children and their families.

Distinguished members have key roles in pediatric nursing research, publications, experience and leadership.

Benefits

Networking and Collaboration
Information!!! -- SPCN projects and activities, updates on current activities of the pediatric subcommittee of the council on Cardiovascular Nursing, current activities of the Council on Cardiovascular Disease of the Young, publications, teaching materials, website information, research projects & MORE!
Annual directory of members - Information from membership application forms are used to print the annual directory which is distributed in November each year. To assure your entry into the directory for each year all information should be submitted by September 1.
Annual Meeting: American Heart Association meeting
Biannual SPCN Newsletter