CRONA
Committee for Recognition of Nursing Achievement
Area Representatives and Membership Meetings
April 1 and 3, 2008

Retirement
With the across-the-board salary increase of 5.5 % effective April 6, 2008 (thanks to the solidarity of CRONA members during the February/March 2007 contract negotiations), we encourage you to increase and/or maximize your retirement contributions including your TDA. The impact on your take home pay will not be as noticeable and you will significantly be helping yourself and your family’s future. Drop in at the Benefits Satellite Office, SHC, ground floor if you need assistance. No appointment is necessary.

Education Benefits
You have four (4) months left for this fiscal year that ends August 31, 2008 to use your education hours and funds. Log on to crona.org. Type “educational benefits” in the Search box and check your eligibility for these benefits.

Mandatory Overtime
Some nurses are experiencing mandatory overtime. CRONA realizes the potential adverse effects of mandatory overtime to the patient and to the nurse. The CRONA contracts state that “A nurse who is too fatigued or ill to perform his/her duties safely will inform the manager and be relieved of duty.” SHC and LPCH Section 7.6.3. Invoke this right if you are not able to work mandatory overtime.

HIPAA and Medical Records
Do not access medical records of a patient who is not assigned to you. Do not access medical records of a patient from any computer other than the computer on your unit. In addition, do not access your own medical record or any of your family member’s medical records without submitting a proper written consent to Medical Records.

EPIC at SHC
Several nurses have expressed the need to have more EPIC training before go-live on April 25, 2008. Starting the first week of April, nurses will have the opportunity to “practice and play” by either 1) spending time in the computer lab on the ground floor while the super-user assigned on your shift (who is out of the count) takes care of your patient or by 2) practice and play on the computer on your unit while the super-user assigned on your shift (who is out of the count) takes care of your patient.

An Instructor will be present in the computer room. Hours of operation for the Lab will likely be limited. Inform your super-user if you prefer to practice and play in the computer lab. Practice and play time on your unit or in the computer lab will be done during your shift.

The number of hours you will need to practice and play during your shift will depend on your needs. For example, you may find it more effective if you practice in increments of thirty minutes, one hour, or more. It depends on your learning methodology. The goal is for you to be competent in EPIC and not necessarily to be comfortable.

We encourage you to use this additional training opportunity. Do not be embarrassed to ask your super-user to take care of your patients for a period of time so you can practice. CRONA has been informed that all super-users have been informed of this expectation.

Please note that you cannot use PTO, ATO or B time for practice and play.

When we go-live at midnight, April 25, there will be super-users who will be out-of-the count plus IT/EPIC personnel (red shirts) on the unit for support. There will be no one-to-one coverage.

Lorie Johnson, President
On behalf of the CRONA Executive Board

It Is Tax Time!

Per the Revenue Act of 1987, your CRONA dues are tax deductible. Please consult a qualified tax advisor to find out whether you are eligible.