Every one of these nurses has made great strides in establishing mental health as the foundation of whole health and wellness.
Falls Church, VA (PRWEB) September 11, 2017
Each year, the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) highlights the achievements of psychiatric-mental health nurses with the APNA Annual Awards. This year, nine psychiatric-mental health nurses were nominated by their colleagues and chosen by a committee of their peers to receive these awards. They will be honored in person at the APNA 31st Annual Conference in Phoenix, Arizona October 18-21.
“Every one of these nurses has made great strides in establishing mental health as the foundation of whole health and wellness,” said APNA President Kris McLoughlin, DNP, APRN, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN. “Their commitment to the psychiatric-mental health nursing profession and those we serve is truly extraordinary.”
Jaclene A. Zauszniewski, PhD, RN-BC, FAAN is the 2017 APNA Psychiatric Nurse of the Year. This award recognizes a nurse who demonstrates vision, perseverance, and dedication in the delivery of mental health nursing care to the community. Zauszniewski currently works as Professor of Nursing and Director of the PhD in Nursing Program at Case Western Reserve University. She is also a nurse researcher, whose current research examines the ways in which family caretakers of individuals with bipolar disorder can maintain and improve their health. This study received a $2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health and is one of the first of its kind. “Dr. Zauszniewski’s meaningful program of research has added knowledge that has improved clinical practice and reduced depressive symptoms in older adults, those with chronic illness, and caregivers, especially those caring for individuals with severe mental illness, broadening traditional perspectives and methods of intervention,” says Joyce Fitzpatrick, PhD, MBA, RN, FAAN of Zauszniewski’s work.
Cheryl Puntil, MN, APRN, PMHCNS-BC is the recipient of the 2017 APNA Award for Distinguished Service in recognition of her exceptional and meritorious service to APNA. A member since 1983, Puntil played an integral role in the creation of the first suicide assessment competencies specifically for inpatient psychiatric nurses, the APNA Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Essential Competencies for Assessment and Management of Individuals at Risk for Suicide. Through her work with the APNA Education Council Suicide Competencies Workgroup she also helped to develop an 8 hour suicide prevention course for nurses based on these competencies. “Through her vision, determination, and perseverance, the APNA competencies initiative became a reality and an exemplar, continues to expand, and addresses both a major national public health problem and gap in nursing education,” says Janet York. Since their inception, this training has reached more than 500 providers across 9 states. Puntil currently teaches several courses on psychiatric-mental health nursing at Hawaii Community College.
In addition to Zauszniewski and Puntil, seven psychiatric-mental health nurses are being honored with APNA Annual Awards for their commitment to excellence in specific aspects of psychiatric-mental health nursing. Each name links to the full profile of the recipient.
Sattaria “Tari” Dilks, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FAANP, Lake Charles, LA: Award for Excellence in Education
Richard Ray, MS, RN, PMH-BC, Skokie, IL: Award for Excellence in Innovation – Individual
Lora Peppard, PhD, DNP, PMHNP-BC, Springfield, VA: Award for Excellence in Leadership – APRN
Marybeth McManus, MPA, BSN, RN-BC, Port Washington, NY: Award for Excellence in Leadership – RN
Julie Worley, PhD, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, Chicago, IL: Award for Excellence in Practice – APRN
Aimee-Lynn Sheltry, BSN, RN-BC, Belmont, NH: Award for Excellence in Practice – RN
Jill Bormann, PhD, RN, APRN-BC, CNS, San Diego, CA: Award for Excellence in Research
The APNA 31st Annual Conference will be held at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona, October 18-21. In addition to honoring this year's awards recipients, the APNA Annual Conference will feature more than 80 continuing education sessions in 34 tracks and daily face-to-face time with 1600+ psychiatric-mental health nurses, including RNs and advanced practice nurses.
The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is a national professional membership organization of more than 11,000 members committed to the specialty practice of psychiatric-mental health nursing and wellness promotion, prevention of mental health problems, and the care and treatment of persons with psychiatric disorders. APNA’s membership is inclusive of all psychiatric-mental health registered nurses, including associate degree, baccalaureate, advanced practice (comprised of clinical nurse specialists and psychiatric nurse practitioners), and nurse scientists and academicians (PhD). APNA serves as a resource for psychiatric-mental health nurses to engage in networking, education, and the dissemination of research.
The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.