Dear Members and Community,

As President of the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of HPNA for 2024, I am thrilled about the direction of our organization and what we have in store for you this year! Our board has hit the ground running, planning an exceptional year of education and advocacy. Our organization has a rich history of excellence in the Bay Area, and we are eager to continue providing you with amazing opportunities to learn, grow, and network. I want to thank our members for your continued support and commitment to our mission. I look forward to working with you as we chart a course of success and impact in the year ahead!

If you are not a member yet, you are invited to become a part of our mission and help make a difference. By joining our organization, you'll have access to the best resources available in the field and receive significant discounts on our workshops and in-service programs. In addition, you will have the chance to network with other professionals. Remember that your small investment goes to educating and advancing hospice and palliative care in the San Francisco Bay Area! I invite you to join us in this exciting journey towards a brighter future for hospice and palliative care education. Let's work together to make a real difference in the world and help those in need.”

Sincerely,

Brad Macy RN, BSN, CHPN

Welcome to our Online Community.    We are excited to share the different features which will bring you opportunities to network, share ideas and participate in events. 

If you aren't already a member, please consider joining.  There are at least 8 great reasons to join and they are listed on our Membership page.  You don't have to live in the Bay Area or be a nurse to join us; we welcome all Hospice and Palliative Care Healthcare Professionals from all areas of the county.  If you are a member, please take a moment to update your member profile and password.  You can update your profile and password by locating the small icon on the top right portion of this page.

Here are a few things you can do to get started

• Download our Phone App (Wild Apricot) to keep updated and register for events at your fingertips.
• Visit HPNA Happenings for up-to-date information. 
• Learn about Leadership Team Opportunities on our About Us page.
• Take a spin at our  Resource Center.  You'll find Covid-19 & National Resources and Videos & Short Films.
• Follow us on Facebook.
  

HPNA National offers Resources Guides to Members

NRG LIBRARY

Nursing Resource Guides (NRGs) offer HPNA members a quick reference on a variety of symptoms and topics, and include an overview of the symptom, common causes, and nonpharmacological and pharmacological interventional strategies.  As a member, you must log into your HPNA account to access the full NRG library.  Recently added to the NRG library: Advance Care Planning Telehealth Opioid Dosing and Conversion Calculations Fungating Wounds Tips to Develop Into a Strong Nurse Leader Palliative Wound Care Evaluating Published Research How to Conduct a Literature Review How to Create a Scholarly Abstract How to Create a Scholarly Presentation Submitting a Scholarly Abstract Hypercalcemia Superior Vena Cava Syndrome Spinal Cord Compression Nausea and Vomiting Dementia Dyspnea Seizures Anxiety End-of-Life Fatigue Delirium Bereavement During a Pandemic COVID-19 Anxiety COVID-19 Communication COVID-19 Delirium COVID-19 Dyspnea COVID-19 End-of-Life COVID-19 Nausea COVID-19 Pain COVID-19 Terminal Secretions

What we'e recommending... CSU Shiley Institute for Palliative Care 

What we're pondering... Bronnie Ware's, The Top Five Regrets of the Dying

Who we're following... Dr. Samantha Boardman's Positive Prescription

What we're reading... The Beauty in Breaking, A Memoir by Michele Harper, MD

What we're listening to... Reiki Meditative Sounds

What we're watching... Ted Lasso, Bridgerton & Yellowstone

What we're talking about... End Well,  Making Your Death Plan .

What we're creating... When life gives you lemons..use them.  Check out these 67 lemon recipes. 

February Connections 

This winter, I have been reflecting on the importance of connections and collaboration with other nurses. Consider that feeling when talking with another hospice and palliative nurse. I often think, "They GET it – what a relief!" Our colleagues understand our work's joys, beauty, and challenges better than anyone. As a Chapter, we have these connections with other members. The beauty of palliative care is that all nurses are palliative nurses. In all specialties, nurses work to relieve suffering by supporting patients and their families. Do you know a nurse who needs this encouragement?

Knowing that all nurses are palliative nurses energizes me as I consider the San Francisco Bay Area Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association. By connecting as a Chapter, we can also better engage our communities, workplaces, and all healthcare professionals. This was a primary takeaway from our recent 2023 Member Engagement Survey.

Watch your inbox for the launch of our new quarterly newsletter! It will highlight:

• Chapter News and Updates
• Upcoming Educational events
• Informal ways to connect and engage as a Chapter
• Creative arts, poetry, and writing (and chances to contribute!)
• Leadership and Service Opportunities

Are you seeking opportunities for connection and collaboration with Chapter members? Here are some initial ways to plug yourself in:

• Make sure to follow our chapter on social media! 

Follow the NEW LinkedIn page: SFBA HPNA LinkedIn Page

Join the NEW Member LinkedIn Group: LinkedIn Member Group

Follow the SFBA HPNA Facebook page: SFBA HPNA Facebook Page

• Do you enjoy spreading the word that all nurses are palliative nurses? We have opportunities for Community Outreach volunteers.

• Do you love education? Volunteer to help plan Chapter Programming and Educational Events.

• Do you love technology? Volunteer to help the Chapter with communication and social media presence.

REACH OUT for more information and we would love to plug you in!

For myself, I am enjoying connecting with the Chapter - and look forward to more. Here’s to the future!

Rebecca V. Hoden, DNP, RN, CHPN

President

https://sfbahpna.org

Congratulations!  The San Francisco Bay Area Chapter is a winner in HPNA’s Clinical Practice Forum Chapter Challenge.  There was a tie with the Metro New York Chapter.  Each had four members in attendance at the CPF, and both chapters have been declared the winners!

The prize is a waiving of the chapter renewal fee for 2022! 

Again – congratulations!