Focus on Nursing - Next on Kukui Connection

Rep. Marilyn Lee, a nurse herself, talks to Gail Tiwanak, RN and director of the Hawaii State Center for Nursing on the next edition of Kukui Connection. The show airs on Sunday, October 3, 2010, on Olelo, Channel 54 at 4:00 p.m. It repeats on 10/17 and 10/31.

Gail Tiwanak practiced nursing for 30 years starting as a staff nurse at Queens Hospital. She retired from Queens in 2004, but due to her vast knowledge and experience, and her love for the nursing profession, she took on the job at the Hawaii State Center for Nursing in April 2009. The center was created by the legislature in 2003 for the purpose of exploring workforce issues related to nursing, particularly recruitment and retention, and quality of care. The center is located at the University of Hawaii but serves the entire nursing community throughout the state.

The average age of nurses in Hawaii is 45 years and a great number are part of the baby boomer generation and expected to retire in the next 20 years. Gail discusses nursing education, as well as the expanded scope for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses who will be key in the state's healthcare reform given the need for more primary care providers.

Gail would like to hear from nurses and the general public on the state of nursing in Hawaii and what the center can do to help improve conditions. More information can be found on the center's website here.