Region 2 - Baton Rouge
The Baton Rouge Regional Action Coalition (RAC) includes the following parishes: Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, Washington, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana.
2016 Activities
At the October 13, 2016, meeting of the Baton District Nurses Association (BRDNA), Erica Joseph, APRN, gave a presentation about nursing's role in building a culture of health. In 2015, Joseph one of 10 nurses in the country awarded with the Culture of Health: Breakthrough Leaders in Nursing award, sponsored by the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action.
The Baton Rouge District Nurses Association is co-lead for the Louisiana Action Coalition's Baton Rouge RAC.
Baton Rouge RAC leadership, spent time speaking to prospective members at three events. On October 28, they participated by exhibiting at the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) in Baton Rouge. On November 5, they attended the Transforming Research Into Practice (TRIP) Conference in Mandeville and spoke about the Louisiana Action Coaltion to RNs in attendance. And registered nurses and students received information during the November 10 BRDNA Meeting in Baton Rouge.
GRANT
In 2016, LAC’s regional coalitions were offered an opportunity to apply for grants to execute one of the strategies identified in the LAC Diversity Think Tank summary report, Embracing the Challenge: Enhancing Diversity in Louisiana's Nursing Workforce. The Baton Rouge RAC applied for and was given a small grant for their project: Increasing the Diversity of Louisiana’s RN and APRN Workforce. Through the grant, a packet of information was created and distributed to junior high and high school guidance counselors during a staff development meeting in Tangipahoa Parish for the purpose of educating counselors about the opportunities and prerequisite courses required for all professional nursing programs in the region. A Q & A document was created specifically for this purpose and included in the packet.
Baton Rough RAC representatives also met with other groups of adults and students including the Girl Scouts, and student athletes.
Due to the historic flooding that took place in the Baton Rouge area in August, 2016, and its effect on residents and schools, the group was not able to accomplish all of its goals. They will continue to work with schools, counselors and other groups in the region to further education about careers in nursing.
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The Baton Rouge RAC is currently seeking members.
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Those interested in working with the group please contact:
Clara Earl at clarabrd@yahoo.com.