DING Newsletter

May 2011

In This Issue:

Facts about Insulin 3

Review of Insulin Injection Considerations 4

Financial Assistance Programs for People with Diabetes in Ontario 6 How to Become a Diabetes Educator 8

Upcoming Conferences 11 DNIG Funding Update/ 2011 Bursary Winner 12 Get Involved with DNIG! 14

…the voice of the nursing profession for diabetes nursing in Ontario

Report from the Chair by Sandi Dennison, BScN RN CDE It is so hard to believe that we

are now into May. This has been the never-ending winter but my flowers have arrived in time and are blooming. April 7and 8th I had the honour of representing DNIG at the RNAO Annual General Meeting. Thursday evening we heard from the Hon. Deb Matthews, Ontario Minister of Health and Long Term Care as well we were introduced to Hon. Tim Hudek, Leader of the Official Opposition, Progressive Conservative Party and the Hon. Andrea Horwath, Leader, New Democratic Party. Friday afternoon the Hon Dalton McGinty, Premier of Ontario addressed the audience for 20 minutes and received 8 standing ovations when announcing that there will be a Chief Nursing Officer will sit on all public health agency and hospital boards and that by July 2011 Nurse Practitioners will begin to discharge patients from hospitals and will be admitting by July 2012.

This year the DNIG will be supporting the RNAO Best Practice Guidelines for Diabetes care is in these newsletters. We encourage nurses to send us a small summary of your diabetes programs and successes as well as any information you think would benefit your practice and your clients. You may send this to me Sandi Dennison sdennison@sandwichchc.org and I will forward it to our newsletter editor Jillian. You can now download the Aboriginal and South Asian Just the Basics and visit the Diabetes and You section of diabetes.ca to find consumer-friendly tools, resources and interactive presentations which will help your patients learn more about diabetes and how to self-manage. There is much activity in the diabetes world and we look forward to an exciting year. Regards to All Sandi

ATTENTION STUDENTS!!!!

The DNIG is currently seeking a new student

representative. The ideal candidate would be entering his/her second or third year this fall and would have a

keen interest in diabetes nursing. This is a great opportunity to get involved with the DNIG as well as the

RNAO! All interested in the position should email jillian_chandler@ymail.com

DING Newsletter

Sandra Dennison: DNIG Chair sdennison@sandwichchc.org

Nancy Benn: Co-Treasurer nanmaggie@yahoo.com

Jillian Chandler: Communications jillian_chandler@ymail.com

Margaret Little: Treasurer

Alwyn Moyer: Past Chair alwyn.moyer@sympatico.ca

Hilda Swirsky: Policy & Political Action Officer hswirs2198@rogers.com

Shelley Esposto: Membership & Education esposto@nhchc.ca .

DNIG Executive Team Members

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Facts about Insulin in the 21st Century

FACT #1: Type 1 diabetes is an

auto-immune disease in which insulin is no longer produced by the body. Insulin is a life-sustaining hormone and therefore must be replaced.

FACT #2: Type 2 diabetes is a

progressive disease in which the body is resistant to using the insulin produced and the beta cells slowly lose function.

FACT #3: Experts believe at the

time of diagnosis half of beta cell function is lost and the loss continues. About six years after diagnosis, most people have only about a quarter of their beta cell function left (Anthony McCall, MD, PHD endocrinologist and James M Moss Professor in Diabetes at the University of Virginia Health System).

FACT #4: The goal of taking insulin

is to mimic the body‘s normal insulin response.

FACT #5: Adults without diabetes

produce about one unit of insulin per hour. This is called basal or background insulin.

FACT #6: People without diabetes

release insulin in response to food in two waves. The first occurs within 15 minutes of the first bite of food and the second wave happens more slowly over one to three hours. This is called bolus or mealtime insulin.

FACT #7: There are now three

main types of insulin for people with diabetes: bolus, basal and premixed.

FACT #8: Rapid acting is a

bolus insulin which works quickly. Common names are Humalog (lispro), NovoRapid (Aspart) and Apidra (glulisine).

FACT #9: Short acting is a

bolus insulin but it takes longer to lower blood glucose compared to rapid insulin. This was also known as regular or Toronto. It was the only bolus insulin available prior to 1995 and is used less today.

FACT #10: Intermediate acting

works slower and lowers blood glucose levels through the day to cover both basal and bolus needs. The common name is NPH (Humulin N and Novolin N).

FACT #11: Long-acting is a

basal insulin and controls blood glucose during the between meal period. It can be taken once or twice a day. They are clear in colour like the rapid and short acting insulins. The two on the market are Lantus (Glargine) and Levemir (Detemir).

By Sandi Dennison, BScN RN CDE

“Starting insulin sooner

rather than later will

improve and maintain

blood glucose for a much

improved health status”.

FACT #12: There are also

combinations of insulin which have various amounts of basal and bolus insulins. They are usually taken before breakfast and before supper. The names include Humulin 30/70, Novolin 30/70, 40/60, 50/50, Humalog Mix25, Humalog Mix50 and NovoMix 30.

FACT #13: Insulin is proven and

effective in achieving blood glucose control but is underutilized. To quote Dr Alice Cheung and the ―Rule of 3‘s‖: There are 3 categories of insulin (bolus, basal, premixed). The 3 principals of dosing insulin are -Whatever starting dose of insulin is selected will be wrong -Titration is the key to success and -There is no maximum dose of insulin.

Long acting insulin does n ot have a peak and lasts for 18 - 24 hours;

Rapid insulin will peak within 30 minutes, therefore this insulin should be taken just prior to (or just after) eating;

Mixed insulin should also be taken with meals and client must eat within 15-30 minutes.

Insulin should be stored in the refrigerator before using;

Once taken out of the refrigerator and placed into the insulin pen for current use, most insulin is good for 30 days at room temperature;

Insulin injected at room temperature will be less painful than insulin which has just been taken out of the fridge;

Cloudy insulin needs to be suspended by rolling the cartridge in your hand; avoid shaking the insulin.

Most clients will use an insulin pen, which should be manufactured by the same company as the insulin. For example, Levemir (detemir) should only be administered with a Novo Nordisk manufactured insulin pen. Using mismatched insulin and insulin pen may lead to the incorrect amount of insulin being administered. While the use of syringes is rarely seen in the community, syringes are still widely used in the hospital setting. Continued on next page…

Starting insulin can be a devastating and life changing event. Some clients break down in tears and others outright resist insulin initiation, preferring to have a family member give the injections. Nurses can help guide clients through this process and make it easier to accept. Nurses can also help clients to develop a safe injection technique. Adults with Type 2 diabetes sometimes feel they are to blame for having to start insulin. For instance, they may think that they have failed to follow the treatment plan. Spending time with your client and explaining the natural progression of diabetes will help them to understand why insulin is necessary for their therapeutic regimen. This conversation should also be part of client teaching for newly diagnosed clients with Type 2 diabetes. Before actually starting insulin, it is the nurses‘ responsibility to teach clients the basics of insulin injections. This includes, explaining the type and action of the insulin that has been prescribed, its storage, proper injection techniques, sharps disposal, and how to get appropriate follow up support.

It is imperative for clients to understand the type and name of the insulin they are taking, and its action time. Some key points to review with a client new to taking insulin include:

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Review of Insulin Injection Considerations with Type 2 Adult Clients

By Shelley Esposto, BScN RN CDE

“Nurses are in a position

to help guide clients

through the process of

insulin initiation and can

make it easier for them

to accept”

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You can find a list of pharmacies providing the Orange Drop program at www.makethedrop.ca. Clients taking insulin are at an increased risk for hypoglycemic episodes, which makes self-monitoring of blood glucose a necessity. Advise clients to treat blood glucose levels below 4.0 mmol/L as hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia should be treated with 15 grams of a fast acting carbohydrate such as ¾ of a glass of juice or regular pop or a total of 15 grams of dextrose tablets. If it still is below 4.0 mmol/L after 15 minutes, then re-treat with another 15 grams of carbohydrate. If the next meal is more than one hour away, the client should have a snack consisting of 15 grams of carbohydrate and protein (eg. ½ a cheese sandwich). There are many things for the health provider and client to consider when starting insulin. Keep in mind that the client may not be able to absorb all the information in one session. Follow up support and review will be warranted to ensure that clients understand their regimen and continue to perform safe injection techniques. One way to do this is to encourage your clients to demonstrate injection technique periodically during

follow up appointments. Follow

up appointments give you a chance to evaluate technique and give the client an opportunity to ask questions.

When teaching clients how to use a syringe, follow hospital protocol to ensure proper technique.

Assess your client and choose the correct needle length to avoid the possibility of an IM injection of insulin. This is important. Insulin should be injected only into the subcutaneous space. Research now indicates that a 4-6 mm needle is suitable for most adults (Frid et al., 2010). Some basic reminders when teaching insulin injection:

Alcohol swabs are not required for insulin injections. However, if they are used, ensure the site is completely dry before proceeding with injection;

To prevent IM injections when injecting into limbs or slim abdomens, use a skin fold;

Hold the needle in place (for insulin pen) for at least 10 seconds before removing;

Teach clients to rotate injection sites and inspect regularly to assess for any signs of lipohypertrophy;

Set up a site rotation guide with your client to help them to choose different sites for injection.

A more complete discussion of insulin administration is provided in the references at the end of this article Stress the importance of safe sharp disposal. Some pharmacies offer the Orange Drop program, which provides clients with a sharps container that can be returned to the pharmacy, free of charge, once filled.

The Orange Drop

program can help your

clients dispose of their

sharps safely. For more

information visit:

www.makethedrop.ca

References: 1) Nursing Best Practice Guideline. Best practice guideline for subcutaneous administration of insulin in adults with Type 2 diabetes. Vhttp://www.rnao.org/Storage/60/5454_FINAL_Insulin_FULL_BPG_-_Revision_2009.pdf 2) Frid A., Hirsch R., Gaspar D., Kreugel G., Liersch J., Letondeur C., Sauvanet JP., Tubiana-Rufi N., Strauss K. New injection recommendations for patients with diabetes. Diabetes &

Metabolism 2010; 36,S1-18.

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Financial Assistance Programs for People with Diabetes in Ontario

As Registered Nurses working with people with diabetes, we often find ourselves looking for resources to help our clients pay for their supplies and medications. The following is a list of financial assistance programs compiled by the Canadian Diabetes Association which may be of interest to you and your clients.

Monitoring for Health Program

(MFHP)

1-800-361-0796 • If you use insulin and have no other coverage, you can apply for a 75% reimbursement of the cost of your strips and lancets, up to a maximum of $820 a year • You can also get a 75% reimbursement of the cost of a meter, up to a maximum of $75 (The MFHP can also help with the cost of a ‗talking meter‘ if you are visually impaired)

Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB)

1-888-405-0405 • Your prescription medications, insulin and strips are covered under ODB if you belong to any one of the following categories: receiving social assistance, Senior 65+, resident of a long-term care facility or Trillium Drug Program recipient • A small deductible and dispensing fee may apply to seniors over a certain income; all others pay up to $2 each time they fill a prescription

Trillium Drug Program (TDP)

1-800-575-5386 • If you are not on social assistance and you do not have private health insurance (or your private health insurance does not cover 100% of your drug costs), you can apply to the Trillium Drug Program to help pay for the cost of prescription medications, insulin and strips • You will have to pay a deductible based on your household income

Insulin Pump & Supplies Program

1-800-268-6021 • If you have type 1 diabetes and you‘re not having success managing with multiple daily injections, this program may be able to help you purchase an insulin pump and help pay for the supplies. Program covers 100% of the cost of a pump and provides a $2400 yearly grant for insulin pump supplies • Your Diabetes Team will do the initial assessment and help you fill out the application form.

Syringes for Seniors

1-800-268-6021 • If you are over 65 years of age and use insulin on a daily basis, you can apply for a yearly grant of $170 to help pay for your needles and syringes • Note: If you use insulin, you can also get back 75% of the cost of your lancets through the Monitoring for Health program (please see top of page) Continued on next page…

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Social Assistance (OW or ODSP):

Please speak to your Caseworker directly • If you are receiving social assistance (OW or ODSP), your prescription medications and strips are covered through your Ontario Drug Benefit card. • You should also be receiving a monthly amount to help pay for the cost of other supplies like needles and syringes • If you are using insulin, you will need to apply to the Monitoring for Health program to get back 75% of the cost of your lancets; the other 25% will be covered by social assistance.

Assistive Devices Program (ADP)

1-800-268-6021 • If you have a long-term physical disability and you need help with purchasing specific equipment or supplies, the ADP may be able to help cover 75% of the cost (or provide a fixed amount). The program covers over 8000 pieces of equipment and supplies. Full list available online or by calling program directly.

Lilly Canada Cares Insulin &

Glucagon Program

1-888-545-5972 • If you are using insulin, have a low income and your insulin is not covered by any private health plan OR government program, you may be eligible to get a 3-month supply of insulin (Eli Lilly products only) through Lilly Canada Cares. Program can also help provide Glucagon and an insulin pen, if needed • Ask your doctor or Diabetes Educator for more information; they will have to apply for you.

Diabetes Hope Foundation

905-670-0557 • Assists the families of children and youth with type 1; scholarship opportunities and financial assistance programs available

Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) – for First Nations and Inuit only Look in the Blue Pages of your local phone book for local NIHB office • Can help cover the cost of those prescription drugs and medical services that are not covered by any other provincial or federal government programs

Veterans Health Benefits Program – Veterans Affairs Canada 1-866-522-2122 • Can help cover the cost of prescription drugs and a variety of medical services for Veterans, released/still-serving CF members, RCMP members and certain civilians, as well as their dependants and survivors

Tax Credits & Deductions

1-800-959-8281 • To find out more about tax credits and deductions, including the Medical Expense Tax Credit, the Disability Tax Credit and the Child Disability Benefit, please visit www.craarc. gc.ca/disability or contact Revenue Canada directly. Information subject to change. Please contact individual organizations directly to verify.

a) Gaining the knowledge and b) Obtaining the required number of practice hours.

Gaining the knowledge The two main options are course work and independent study. Depending on where you live, it might be possible to join a study group.

Diabetes Courses:

The Michener Institute Diabetes

Educator Certificate Program.

The Michener program is now offered twice a year. It is delivered by distance education (on-line) and a 3-hour workshop. You study on your own time, at your own pace and the program can be completed in ten months. This curriculum based program follows the International Curriculum for Diabetes Health Professional Education (available from the International Diabetes Federation) and approved by the CDA. Tuition is approximately 1480$, not including textbooks. Admission Requirements: • Degree or diploma in a related health profession • A minimum of two years of current patient care experience. • If English is your second language, you require proof of an English language assessment. All the information is available on the website: http://www.michener.ca/ce/ Follow the links: Continuing Education—Certificate & Advanced Practice Programs—Diabetes Education. Continued on next page…

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Becoming a Diabetes Nurse Educator By Alwyn Moyer

The prevalence of diabetes is growing to epidemic proportions in Canada and more and more nurses are considering a career in diabetes prevention and care. DNIG receives many requests for information about how best to prepare for a career as a Diabetes Nurse Educator. Certification as a Diabetes Educator (CDE) is the gold standard but acquiring this qualification requires a lot of work. Here are some suggestions about where to start. The DNIG executive put together the information a few years ago with the help of DNIG member Aileen Knip RN BScN MN CCHN CDE. The paper has been updated and will be posted on the DNIG website at www.dnig.org.

Canadian Diabetes Educator

Certification Board (CDECB) The CDEC Board is responsible for the development and administration of the certification program for Certified Diabetes Educators (CDE) in Canada. The Board is independent and separate from all other diabetes related organizations and associations. Please note the CDA is not involved with certification.

In order to apply for initial certification, you must be registered with a regulatory body in Canada as a healthcare

professional. In addition, you must have accumulated 800 hours of practice in diabetes education within the 3 years prior to the application deadline. This practice must have been obtained while registered with a regulatory body in Canada as a health professional. The examination is competency based. An examination handbook lists the competencies, together with 10 test questions and a list of study resources, including a link to educational materials on the CDA website. The application deadline for the certification examination is February 1st each year; the examination is written in May. The cost for sitting the examination is $450 (application and examination fees). Certification is good for 5 years and can be maintained by writing the examination or by accumulating a credit portfolio. For additional information, go to the CDECB website and download the examination handbook: http://www.cdecb.ca/ Or, you can contact CDECB by e-mail: cdecb@sympatico.ca

Getting Ready for

Certification The next section considers how to prepare for certification:

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Becoming a Diabetes Nurse Educator continued…

As well, Michener offers specialty diabetes courses. See the brochure: http://www.michener.ca/pdf/Diabetesbrochure_print.pdf

Aileen Knip comments:

“This is an excellent way to learn the basics of diabetes

and to see if this is a specialty you wish to pursue. I have spoken with

people who have taken the Michener program and

hear it is excellent.”

Northern Diabetes Health Network

(NDHN); Confederation College and

Cambrian College

NDHN promotes a fully accredited Diabetes Education Certificate Program. Designed in collaboration with NDHN, the fully accredited program is offered jointly by Confederation College in Thunder Bay and Cambrian College in Sudbury. The program is designed for Registered Nurses and Registered Dietitians but some courses may be open to other health providers. The program is described as an excellent step towards certification as a Certified Diabetes Educator. An internet web-based version of the program is being piloted. As listed on the Confederation College website, the program comprises 4 elearning courses and two practical courses. • Diabetes: The Basics • Introduction to Patient Education • Living with Diabetes • Special Issues in Diabetes • Fieldwork I for RN and RD • Fieldwork II for RN and RD Prior Learning Assessment is available for a fee. Link to the following websites to get more information or to

Cambrian College, Sudbury:https://secure.cambrianc.on.ca/coned/home.cfm

Ontario Learns

The Ontario Learns consortium offers elearning diabetes

courses. This consortium of 22 Ontario Community Colleges (which includes Confederation and Cambrian Colleges) is dedicated to developing and delivering online courses. The elearning diabetes courses are hosted by Confederation College (see above). Registration is through the individual colleges and it is not clear whether all four courses are offered each year. The fieldwork courses are not offered through Ontario Learns. For information on courses and fee schedules at a college near you, go to Ontario Learn.com: http://www.ontariolearn.com/index.php?page=aboutonline_29538 Search using ‗diabetes‘ as keyword

Other Community College Courses

Community colleges may offer other continuing education courses related to diabetes care. For instance, in the past, Algonquin College, Ottawa has offered basic and advanced nursing skills for foot care courses.

Independent Study

You can find a lot of information on the web.

The DNIG web site at www.dnig.org provides links to many online

resources, including the RNAO

Diabetes Best Practice Guidelines.

The diabetes related guidelines, which DNIG members helped to develop, are available in English, French and Italian. The three diabetes guidelines are listed below: Reducing Foot Complications for People with Diabetes and the Diabetes Foot: Risk Assessment Education Program Assessment and Management of Foot Ulcers for People with Diabetes Best Practice Guideline for the Subcutaneous Administration of Insulin in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Other RNAO BPGs, like Strategies to Support Self-Management in Chronic Conditions: Collaboration with Clients, are relevant also. All the guidelines are available on the RNAO website http://www.rnao.org (follow the link to the Nursing Best Practice Guidelines at the top to the page, then click on Clinical Practice Guidelines on left toolbar).

The Canadian Diabetes Association

(CDA) web site has many resources for professionals: http://www.diabetes.ca:80/for-professionals/

The Diabetes Educator Section

(DES) of the CDA is a national multidisciplinary association with 41 chapters in Canada, of which 12 are in Ontario. Approximately 40% of DES members are nurses. Many Ontario nurses belong to both DNIG and DES. DNIG offers a discounted membership to DES nurse members in Ontario. Continued on next page…

Some Ontario DES chapters offer educational sessions, which DNIG members can arrange to attend. The DES membership includes subscriptions to the following journals:

Diabetes Dialogue a quarterly publication for people with diabetes including an annual consumer guide listing meters and products for diabetes care

Canadian Diabetes: a publication for family practitioners on diabetes management and research,

Diabetes Communicator: a 16 page, quarterly publication for Diabetes Educators

The Canadian Journal of Diabetes: Canada's only diabetes oriented, peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary journal for diabetes healthcare professionals.

Diabetes Conferences and

Workshops Conferences and workshops provide an opportunity to get an overview of diabetes care and support and help you to keep abreast of the trends. As well, they are good place for networking.

DNIG advertises conferences on its websites and periodically provides funding opportunities for members to attend conferences (see our funding update on page 13).

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CDA The Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA)/Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (CSEM) brings together educators, clinicians and scientists to share expertise, ideas and experience in diabetes and other endocrine disorders. The Professional Conference and Annual Meetings this year will be held in Toronto from Oct 26-29th. In 2012, it will be in Vancouver. (DES members can register at a discount.)

Options for Diabetes This conference is held annually around the second week of April in Kingston. The date for next year’s conference is April 13-14, 2012.

RNAO Centre for Professional

Excellence offers a diverse range of educational opportunities for professionals at every level of healthcare. Many of the clinical conferences offered are relevant to diabetes care. RNAO members receive up to 40% off registration fees.

Educational Funding RNAO Educational Funding

As a member of RNAO, you have access to grants, bursaries and fellowships and to discounts on publications. Go to http://www.rnao.org/ Click on Education Funding in the sidebar.

Nursing Initiatives Fund

This tuition reimbursement program funded by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care provides grants to support continuing education of individual nurses so that they can improve their knowledge and professional skills.

The Advanced Clinical/Practice

Fellowships (ACPF)

Proposals can be submitted in one of three focus areas;

1. Clinical 2. Leadership 3. Best Practice Guideline

Implementation

RNAO Education Loans &

Scholarships

After one year of membership, RNAO members and associates are eligible to apply for an education loan. Repayment of your loan does not start until after the completion of your course. There is no interest until one year after repayment begins. Interest is prime plus 1%.

DNIG Bursaries and Conference

Funding

Since 2002, DNIG has offered three bursaries to support diabetes education. To date, 13 bursaries have been awarded to 14 members. As well, DNIG supports members to attend diabetes related conferences. Please see our funding update on pages 12-13 for more information.

Acquiring clinical experience in

diabetes care presents a challenge. Let us know how you gained practical experience in diabetes care so that we can pass the information on to members. Submit your experience or ideas to any member of the DNIG executive.

Becoming a Diabetes Nurse Educator continued…

DNIG Newsletter Page 11

Upcoming Conferences & Courses

For more information or to register visit: www.diabetes.ca/for-professionals/conference/program-

updates/

The Norfolk Diabetes Prevention Study is a 5 year Randomized

Controlled Trial funded by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) in England. The study will screen 10,000

people at risk for developing type 2 diabetes and will test the impact of a lifestyle intervention (the Norfolk DPS Lifestyle

Intervention) on diabetes prevention. The study will be one of the largest of its kind and will test the impact of a realistic

diabetes prevention program that can be used in the real world of primary care.

For more information on this important study please visit:

http://www.norfolkdiabetespreventionstudy.nhs.uk/

We Need Your Help! If you know of an upcoming conference that would be of interest to other DNIG members send the details to jillian_chandler@ymail.com and we will include it in our next newsletter!

Diabetes Research

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DNIG Funding Update

DNIG Bursaries: Changes to

Funding

MEMBER INPUT REQUIRED

Each year DNIG offers THREE bursaries totaling $4,000 which are managed through the Registered Nurses Foundation of Ontario (RNFOO). In previous years these bursaries have been funded through generous donations from our sponsors. Unfortunately, this year our usual funding sources fell through and as a result DNIG has provided the funding using a portion of our membership fees.

It is not clear if we will be able to secure donations to fund these bursaries in future years. Going forward, we need to know how you, the members, feel about us using DNIG membership fees to fund these bursaries and also to support our RN conference fund. We would like to know what percentage of the membership fees, above our operating costs, you would like to see devoted to bursaries and would appreciate any feedback on how we could improve the application process etc. Please send all feedback to jillian_chandler@ymail.com

DNIG Bursary Recipient 2011 We offer congratulations to Winnie Sun (photo left), the

winner of the DNIG‘s Margaret

Myers Diabetes Clinical Practice

Award -$1000 for 2011. The Ernie

‘Aieh’ Jacobs Bursary - $2000, and

the Mary Ann Murphy Memorial

Diabetes Award –$1000 were not awarded this year. Winnie Sun graduated from the BScN program at the University of Toronto. She worked as a RN on the medical unit at the Mount Sinai Hospital, and then later worked in community health nursing as a Home Care Case Manager. After receiving her MN degree, she became a faculty member for the Nursing program at Trent University. She is currently a third year doctoral student at the Faculty of Nursing at U of T. Due to her employment background, she has a special research interest in community health nursing with the focus in gerontology and chronic disease management.

Congratulations to Winnie

Sun, the winner of the

DNIG’s Margaret Myers

Diabetes Clinical Practice

Award for 2011.

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DING Funding Update

DNIG RN Conference Fund

We are pleased to report that we have received two successful applications for conference funding for 2011. We are also pleased to report that we have funding to support three additional members to attend diabetes focused conferences in 2011. Applications will be accepted until September 1st 2011 and will be processed on a first-come-first-served basis:

Purpose: The purpose of this funding is to support DNIG members to attend a Diabetes Conference in 2011.

Amount: The funding will cover costs of travel, accommodation, and meals, up to a maximum of $1000 per member.

Selection: The selection committee will be comprised of DNIG Executive Team Members.

Process: A completed funding application must consist of:

a. Attached DNIG Member Funding for Conference Attendance– APPLICATION FORM (found at the end of this newsletter)

b. A brief personal summary (<500 words as identified in selection criteria).

The DNIG is pleased to

announce additional

funding available to its RN

members for conference

attendance in 2011

Successful applicants will be asked to write a brief summary of their experiences and learning from participation for a future issue of the DNIG newsletter.

Eligibility Criteria: Applicant must have been an RN member of DNIG for one year

Personal Summary Selection

Criteria:

Brief personal summary must include: 1. Identified professional

objectives for attending the diabetes conference.

2. Identified involvement (past/present) in diabetes professional practice/DNIG.

3. Identified strategy for sharing learning with your nursing colleagues

4. (i.e. article in DNIG newsletter).

Please send completed scanned applications and any questions to Jillian Chandler, DNIG Communications Officer at jillian_chandler@ymail.com

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Finance Officer Prepare the annual budget Submit a financial statement for every general meeting Report the state of the finances, at the request of the Chair Maintain the DNIG accounts:

Issue and sign cheques for payment of authorized expenditures

Keep a record of all moneys received and expended

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Chair Provide leadership of the DNIG Act as a link between the DNIG and RNAO:

Attend Assembly meetings

Attend the Interest Group Chairs meeting

Recruit DNIG Executive

Secretary

CURRENTLY VACANT Keep a record of all meetings of DNIG and the Executive Committee Send a copy of the minutes to RNAO office Ensure notice of meetings and agenda are sent to members for the Annual Meeting Address correspondence with the DNIG

Policy and Political

Action Officer Seek opportunities for DNIG to be politically active in issues relevant to the objectives of the organization Address issues arising pertaining to policy and/or political action relevant to the DNIG

Communications and Public Relations

Officer Maintain communication with DNIG members:

Ensure the DNIG newsletter is published three times per year.

Ensure display materials are available for the purpose of promoting DNIG.

Ensure DNIG website is kept up-to-date

Address issues pertaining to communications and public relations related to the DNIG. Facilitate / maintain current links with DES

Membership and Education Officer Maintain an up-to-date list of the DNIG membership Lead DNIG recruitment and retention initiatives: Prepare a ‗welcome‘ package for new members Ensure DNIG brochures are displayed at

relevant conferences Provide information to members about educational opportunities, including the DNIG bursaries Provide leadership for educational initiatives:

Provincial diabetes nursing conference every 2 to 3 years alternating with education sessions across the province

Advocate for diabetes certification and education

Address membership and education issues arising in DNIG

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DNIG is a volunteer run group and we depend on you, our members, for leadership. We believe that our members have the expertise and skills in many facets of diabetes nursing and can contribute immensely towards advancing the mission, vision and values of the group. Join the Executive Committee and help to shape DNIG! Being on the Executive is a great way to share your expertise and enthusiasm and provides opportunity to participate in the RNAO Assemblies and AGM, which are held in Toronto each year in October, January and April. DNIG Executive Positions

Get Involved With DNIG!

RNAO Diabetes Nursing Interest Group

APPLICATION FORM

Name Phone Number Address

Postal Code

Email address: RNAO Membership #: Are you are DNIG member?

Yes No

Employment status:

Full-time Part-time

Employer: ____________________________________ Position: ____________________________________

The following information is important for budgeting purposes not for decision-making. From where will you travel to attend diabetes conference? __________________________________________________________________________ Approximate distance (km)? __________________________________________________________________________

What type of transportation will you use? Airplane: Bus:

Train: Personal vehicle: Approximate cost? __________________________________________________________________________ Would hotel costs need to be covered? _________________________________________________________ * An expense report and receipts should be submitted to DNIG following the conference. Please attach a 1-page document (maximum 500 words) outlining why you should receive the funding. Be sure to:

Describe your professional objectives for attending the diabetes conference.

Describe your involvement (past/present) in your professional association/DNIG.

Describe your employment status, location, role in diabetes nursing?

Describe how you will share what you have learned with your nursing colleagues Please supply one professional reference: Reference Name_________________________

Phone Number___________________

I certify that all information contained in this application is true and accurate: Applicant Signature____________________________ Date _______________________ Please scan completed form and send to: jillian_chandler@ymail.com Or fax to: 416-599-1925