On Thursday, February 1, 2024 the Pennsylvania Action Coalition had the pleasure of attending the 36th Annual National Black Nurses (NBNA) Day on Capitol Hill with students from the Independence Blue Cross (IBC) Foundation's Healthcare Scholars Program (HSP). This year marks an exciting chapter for the Pennsylvania Action Coalition Cohort of Exchanged Learning (PA-ACCEL) Mentorship Program as we are supported by a grant from the Independence Blue Cross Foundation to extend the reach of our mentorship initiatives for nursing students enrolled in their Healthcare Scholars Program.
Building upon the success of the PA-ACCEL Mentorship Program, we are partnered with the Independence Blue Cross (IBC) Foundation to expand mentorship opportunities to students in their Healthcare Scholars Program (HSP). This scholarship initiative supports up to 36 first-year students, covering the entirety of their 2-year or 4-year degree programs at nursing schools participating in the Nurses for Tomorrow grant program. The PA-ACCEL Program Support Team is working with the Independence Blue Cross (IBC) Foundation to build out a mentorship program to include development and leadership engagement activities for students receiving the scholarship.
This strategic partnership aims to enhance the educational journey of nursing students by providing tailored mentorship experiences, fostering meaningful connections, and contributing to their overall professional growth.
The nursing students, along with members of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Area Black Nurses Association, educated legislators on these advocacy topics. They also had the opportunity to hear from Congressional Black Caucus members regarding promoting health equity and strengthening health.
Reflecting on their experience at NBNA Day, Healthcare Scholars Gabrielle Linder and Blessed Masawi from the Community College of Philadelphia (CCP), along with Natasha Hampton from Holy Family University, share insights into what they gained from NBNA Day. They discuss their plans for applying these valuable lessons to shape the future of nursing and highlight the most inspiring aspects of attending this event.
We had the opportunity to interview members from the Southeastern PA Area Black Nurses Association (SEPABNA) to capture their insights about NBNA Day. Members enthusiastically conveyed their anticipation for NBNA Day, detailing what the event signifies to them. They elaborated on the most inspiring moments they encountered during the day and generously shared advice for nursing students aspiring to engage in health policy.
Our sincere thanks go to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Area Black Nurses Association (SEPABNA) for offering invaluable professional development opportunities and unwavering support to the student-mentees in the PA-ACCEL Mentorship Program. We truly appreciate your commitment to their professional growth and for the invaluable opportunity you've granted our students to interact with esteemed nurse leaders and policy experts, gaining profound insights into the intricacies of health policy development.
Harm Reduction Panel - Program
On Wednesday, October 25, 2023 the Pennsylvania Action Coalition and the National Nurse-Led Care Consortium joined forces with Kouvenda Media's Obscured Journalism Initiative to host a thought-provoking and insightful harm reduction conversation series. The event, held at 4601 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19139, marked the beginning of a crucial dialogue surrounding survivors of law enforcement trauma.
The event commenced at 8:30 am EDT and continued until 11:30 am, providing a platform for an interactive discussion on harm reduction within the context of interactions with law enforcement. The goal was not only to shed light on the challenges faced by survivors of law enforcement trauma but also to explore viable solutions that could contribute to the promotion of community well-being.
Panelists included:
The conversation series delved into the multifaceted aspects of harm reduction, emphasizing the need for compassionate and effective approaches when addressing trauma resulting from interactions with law enforcement. Attendees actively participated in discussions that covered topics such as mental health support, community resources, and the role of healthcare professionals in advocating for harm reduction strategies.
The recent Harm Reduction Conversation Series brought forth profound insights from distinguished panelists, each offering a unique perspective on law enforcement trauma and the crucial need for empathy and cultural competence in community well-being.
Laurie A. Corbin, MSS, MLSP pointed out a significant correlation: many police officers may have high levels of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), similar to those affected by substance abuse and the criminal justice system. This underscores the necessity for a more empathetic and evolved approach to law enforcement, moving away from traditional methods to better address the complexities of today's society.
Detective Chad Bruckner (Ret.) emphasized the transformative power of beginning with empathy and compassion, asserting that to influence officers positively, we must start by leading with our hearts. By prioritizing empathy, we pave the way for meaningful connections and understanding, fostering a more compassionate and community-oriented approach within law enforcement.
The event not only served as a catalyst for raising awareness but also paved the way for future conversations and initiatives aimed at creating positive change. By bringing together stakeholders from different sectors, the harm reduction conversation series in Philadelphia underscored the importance of community-driven solutions and collaborative efforts in addressing the complex issue of law enforcement trauma.
The PA-NRC was established in 2016 as a partnership of the Pennsylvania Action Coalition and Vizient, Inc. to implement residency programs in Pennsylvania and to provide an additional layer of support. All hospitals and health systems in Pennsylvania that have purchased the Vizient/AACN PA-Nurse Residency Program (NRP) are members of the PA-NRC.
Benefits of participating in the PA-NRC include:
If you want to learn more about the PA Nurse Residency Collaborative or the Nurse Residency Program, please contact Amy Ricords at
Another resource to learn more about the PA Nurse Residency Collaborative: About the PA-NRC Webinar
If you are a new PA Nurse Residency Collaborative member or have trouble accessing the PA-NRC Member page, please fill out this form.
About the PA-NRC - Download PDF Here
The Pennsylvania Action Coalition established the PA-NRC Steering Council to support the PA-NRC. The Steering Council is comprised of individuals from PA-NRC member institutions. The Steering Council leads the development of PA-NRC programs with a goal of state-wide collaboration, support of PA-NRC Coordinators, and the professional development of new graduate nurses across Pennsylvania.
We don't often hear about the work of public health nurses, but they have a big impact on the health of our communities. In this video below, we wanted to spotlight the work of some of the public health nurses in Pennsylvania, including nurses at our Philadelphia Nurse-Family Partnership and Mabel Morris Family Home Visit programs.
Special thanks to The Family Practice & Counseling Network, Face to Face, Reaching Healthy, Parents As Teachers, the Philadelphia Nurse-Family Partnership, Mabel Morris Family Home Visit Program, and the Public Health Management Corporation. This video was made possible thanks to The Promise of Nursing for Pennsylvania Small Grant Program administered by the Foundation of the National Student Nurses' Association and the Pennsylvania Action Coalition.
