Abstract
Over the past couple of years, I have had the opportunity to speak in various settings on childhood obesity. Surprisingly, I have found that there is significant hostility toward parents of children who are overweight. This hostility is furthered by parents and other family members who are overweight/obese by appearance. I have been asked how to speak to a parent of size when they do not fit in the chairs in the examination room. My response is to get a bigger chair, have them sit down, and begin the conversation.
As many of us know, the alarming rise in obesity rates is not slowing down. Recently it was reported on the national news of the efforts of a 700-pound young man (via a youtube.com broadcast) who called himself trapped in his home and who was seeking assistance from anyone who would help. It is stories like these, these pleas for help, that help motivate us to want to provide educational opportunities for members and non-members alike; to promote and support excellent patient care and not to have another patient of size experience this feeling of entrapment and isolation, with nowhere to go.
NABN has a well-documented history of compassion and caring for patients of size and their caregivers. At our most recent conference in Nashville, we heard Dr. Mary Brandt of Baylor University speak of compassion fatigue. She emphasized the importance of caregivers taking care of themselves, in addition to the difficult challenges of taking care of their own patients. NABN is there to support you as you manage these situations in hospitals, in the community setting, and at home. Now we are looking to you for assistance. We are finding new and exciting ways to reach out to you and others in our common crusade to protect, support, and care for our clients of size.
Currently, more than 1,000 nurses have joined the organization. More than 250 remain active at this time. We know the economic crisis of the last few years has taken a toll on our membership. However, the implementation of several strategies is proving effective. We have streamlined our home office. We are achieving significant cost savings and being environmentally responsible in the reduction of paper use, as we have transitioned to the online-only publication of Bariatric Nursing and Surgical Patient Care. As of this writing, our first state-chapter conference will have taken place in Wilmington North Carolina in late April, and there is talk of a combination North Carolina/South Carolina Chapter forming. I am so excited to see this growth and see the positive impact it is having on the organization. Moreover, members of our Board are about to embark on a project to develop a Scope and Standards Policy Statement regarding Care of the Obese Patient. This will further broaden our initiative of excellence in care to obese clients and their families.
What can you do? First, continue to reach out to all of those around you with your knowledge, expertise, guidance, and support as we care for more and more obese clients in all types of settings. Share your expertise; settle for nothing less than the ‘right way’ to care for these people who need us. Second, write your case studies; share your experiences; speak on topics about which you have gained expertise. Third, write for Bariatric Nursing and Surgical Patient Care and NABN. Speak to the Forum about the important issues you confront. Consider writing a short continuing education activity we can post for you or that can be included in the Journal. Let the light coming from NABN continue to shine farther into the darkness of obesity.
Finally, in closing, a bit of news from your Board Members. We learned recently that our Secretary, Shirley Thomas, from San Francisco has accepted an exciting position with Shriner's Hospital in California and has resigned her post with us. We are fortunate, however, to welcome Kristen Barbee from East Carolina University as the new Secretary for NABN. Kristen began her responsibilities in February and we are so thankful that she will continue to collect and record the wisdom of the Board Meetings for all of us. Our very best wishes to Shirley and her new endeavors and many thanks for all that she has done. Her excellence as Secretary has set a high bar for anyone who ever takes such a position in any organization.
Also, we are blossoming and blooming! Dr. Shannon Idzik and her husband are expecting their first child, who will have been born by the time you are reading this announcement. Shannon has additionally taken on the responsibilities for oversight of all the Advanced Practice Programs at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. Her plate is quite full. Shannon has done an excellent job of clarifying the necessity of a zero-line budget and has moved the organization to clarify financial goals. We thank her for an enormous amount of hard work and wish her all the best in her newest role. Shannon is being followed as Treasurer by Liz Rochin who is from Rex Hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina, and home of our first state chapter. Liz has truly embraced this opportunity, making the transition that much smoother by speaking with Shannon countless times over the phone before assuming the role in February of this year. Thank you, Liz.