The personal and professional benefits of the ENT Nursing Foundation.

SOHN created the ENT Nursing Foundation at the 21st Annual Congress. This article describes the Foundation, the basics of its operation, and the benefits to SOHN and donors. The establishment of the ENT Nursing Foundation at the 21st Annual Congress of the Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head-Neck Nurses (SOHN) in San Francisco marked a professional milestone for SOHN. The Foundation established a funding method for charitable activities, professional education, and research for our members, affiliated corporations, the overall community and most importantly, our patients. The Foundation's mission is to enrich the care of the ENT patient through education and research. This Foundation can provide great personal and professional benefit to all of us by enhancing the image of SOHN as an important force in the Otolaryngology community. The Mission Statement of the ENT Nursing Foundation is to enhance the care of the ear, nose, and throat patient, by advancing the art and science of nursing through education and research funded by donations from individuals, corporations, and health care providers. Establishment of the ENT Nursing Foundation signifies a commitment to our members and our constituents through the creation of a financial entity that allows members to develop a proud legacy. This permanent endowment, entrusted to the Foundation, assists and complements the work of SOHN and other health care professionals in the care of otolaryngology patients. With funding efforts permanently established, SOHN is in a better position to provide benefit to individuals and corporations as philanthropy is encouraged throughout the ENT community. Many small donations paired with larger donations and grants can make a very powerful funding source. This funding vehicle provides a service for donors with varied interests and at various levels of giving.

The Nurse Reinvestment Act revisited.

The United States is in the midst of a widely recognized critical nursing shortage. In 2002 the "Nurse Reinvestment Act" was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in an effort to address this serious public health threat. The Act is due for reauthorization of funding in 2007. This paper provides a brief overview of the programs contained within the Act and describes practical ways in which members of the nursing community can take action to insure renewed support for the Act.

"Code 99"--SOHN chapter extreme makeover.

Regional Chapters, both old and new, often experience a lack of participation and interest despite large membership numbers. Often, a few overworked members keep the Chapter afloat. This article, co-authored by two Chapter leaders, explores reasons for these changes and offers some tips for an "Extreme Chapter Makeover".

Capital issues for ORL nurses.

As the 1997 Nurse in Washington Intern for SOHN, I was awed by the quality and quantity of information and experiences shared during the workshop. The three major concerns in healthcare policy on Capitol Hill are cost, quality, and access. Healthcare costs have escalated at tremendous speed, bypassing the growth of the Gross Domestic Product. Medicare is projected to go broke by 2007. The United States population is aging rapidly. The Federal Government must make changes to Medicare and Medicaid legislation or the U.S. Treasury may be consumed. As costs are cut, quality and access must be ensured. These are years of rapid change in healthcare. Nurses face many challenges and have many opportunities to participate in and influence the formation of healthcare policy. Nurses must be armed with information about key players, the processes, and what nursing can contribute to the healthcare system. We need to step up to the plate; we need to be part of the solution.