Resolutions

Resolutions Adopted 2002-2011

To review Resolutions Adopted prior to 2002 please visit our Archives Page.

Adopted 2002

IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED AWARENESS OF THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF THE BACTERIAL LOAD FOUND ON ARTIFICIAL NAILS
SNAP supports educating its members on the current information on prevention of the WNV and providing periodic information updates to its members via articles in Insight, workshops on infection control at convention, and information on the SNAP website, if feasible.

IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED AWARENESS ON AIDING THE BEREAVED CHILD WHOES PARENT OR PARENTS HAVE DIED
SNAP supports providing current information about aiding the bereaved child through articles in Insight and chapter education programs and through workshops at convention.  SNAP also encourages education about caring for the bereaved child within nursing programs.  This resolution was adopted in memory of Jamey Thiel Miller, a past SNAP board member who died from glyoblastoma at a very young age, leaving behind a loving husband and two young children.  The nursing community will greatly miss this energetic nursing leader.

Adopted 2003

IN SUPPORT OF INCREASING AWARENESS OF THE BENEFITS OF CONTINUOUS LABOR SUPPORT
SNAP promotes student nurses’ awareness of research on and benefits of labor support through Insight articles and/or focus sessions and will publish articles on the promotion of improving maternity care and benefits of labor support and doula care.  SNAP encourages the inclusion of curricula involving the current research on the importance of maternal informed decisions during labor and birth. 

IN SUPPORT OF RAISING AWARENESS OF POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD) IN THE AFTERMATH OF A CRISIS
SNAP supports education to increase the awareness of potential victims at increased risk of PTSD.  SNAP also supports the introduction of legislation to provide prompt, convenient access to health care providers and health care services in the aftermath of a crisis.  SNAP encourages and supports collaboration between community resources, health care providers, and clients to promote early intervention.

IN SUPPORT OF PROMOTING SUN SAFETY MEASURES FOR INFANTS TO REDUCE THE RISK OF SKIN CANCER
SNAP supports educating the public, specifically expected and new mothers, about sun safety through media articles and chapter programs.  SNAP also encourages members and student nurses to educate and encourage clients to use these sun protective measures in clinicals.

Adopted 2004

IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED AWARENESS OF THE SHORTAGE OF AND NEED FOR NURSE EDUCATORS
SNAP supports that SNAP encourage its constituents to pursue advanced degrees in the area of nursing education and to collaborate with faculty to develop mentor/mentee relationships that will promote increased interest in teaching.  SNAP will also publish articles in Insight and provide focus session on this topic at conventions.

IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED AWARENESS AND RECRUITMENT FOR THE PROFESSION OF HOME HEALTHCARE NURSING
SNAP encourages efforts to inform the public of home healthcare benefits and utilization of home healthcare benefits when indicated through health fairs, bloodmobiles, outpatient clinics, and retirement homes.  SNAP also encourages its constituents to support the development and utilization of strategies for recruiting home health nurses, and the expansion of educational nursing programs and conferences that focus on home healthcare as a subset of nursing and homecare nurses as leaders.  SNAP supports further research attempts at quantifying the frequency and nature of home healthcare use.

IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED RESEARCH, AWARENESS, AND EDUCATION OBOUT CELIAC DISEASE
SNAP will undertake activities to support the education of nurses, healthcare professionals, and the community about Celiac Disease, including chapter programs, service projects, and articles in Insight.  SNAP also supports and promotes dissemination of information regarding Celiac Disease to hospitals, healthcare offices, schools, health departments, and communities through these programs and activities.

IN SUPPORT OF ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO CARRY A LIST OF ALL MEDICATIONS THEY ARE CURRENTLY TAKING AS A PERSONAL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS MEASURE
SNAP advocates those on any substance consistently, whether prescription or non-prescription medications, compile and carry a list of used substances on themselves.  SNAP members should educate those in their communities about the importance of compiling and carrying medication lists as an emergency preparedness measure.  SNAP also advocates professional nurse and student nurse inclusion of medication list education in patient teaching.

IN SUPPORT OF THE BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING
SNAP supports breastfeeding and breastfeeding education, and maternal choice and informed decision-making in regards to breastfeeding.  SNAP encourages its constituents to support organizations and healthcare facilities who advocate for breastfeeding and strive to increase breastfeeding as the initial source of infant nutrition.  SNAP further encourages participation in education programs for the public, nursing students, and health care professionals on breastfeeding, and also encourages the inclusion of curricula in nursing programs containing the current research on benefits of breastfeeding.  Information on health benefits to mother and infant is to be published in Insight.

IN SUPPORT OF AWARENESS OF BACK INJURY AMONG NURSES
SNAP supports the need to comprise a patient handling equipment list for clinical environments where patient handling takes place.  SNAP also supports the American Nurses’ Association (ANA) “Handle with Care” ergonomics campaign.  SNAP encourages the incorporation of back injury prevention education programs in healthcare institutions and the development of “no lift” facilities statewide. SNAP will disseminate information on back injury prevention to its constituents by incorporating topic sessions about safe patient handling techniques and back injury prevention at annual convention when feasible.

Adopted 2005

IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED ADVOCACY FOR IMPROVED PRECEPTOR PROGRAMS TO CREAT A ROBUST WORKFORCE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE NURSING PROFESSION
SNAP serves as an advocate for the establishment and/or improvement of preceptorship programs in statewide health care facilities that hire nursing graduates.  SNAP will provide awareness and education about the positive outcomes associated with such programs through the website and newsletter.  SNAP constituent schools and members are to encourage their local health care facilities to establish improved preceptorship programs for nursing graduates and encourage the adoption of preceptor recognition programs.  SNAP will collaborate with professional nursing organizations to increase research on the outcomes of preceptorship programs.

IN SUPPORT OF THE BENEFITS OF FAMILY PRESENCE (FP) DURING INVASIVE PROCEDURES AND RESUSCITATION EFFORTS
SNAP supports awareness of the benefits of FP during invasive procedures and resuscitation efforts.  SNAP also supports patient and family choice and informed decision-making in regards to the presence of the family during invasive procedures and resuscitation efforts.  SNAP encourages its members to support organizations and healthcare facilities who advocate for FP, and also encourages participation in education programs for the public, nursing students, and health care professionals on FP.  SNAP will print information regarding current research on the benefits to the patient and the family of FP during invasive procedures and resuscitation efforts.

IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED AWARENESS AND EDUCATION REGARDING GESTATIONAL DIABETES
SNAP supports the American College of Gynecology’s (ACOG) recommendation that all pregnant women be routinely screened for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) using a one-hour 50 g-oral glucose challenge test administered at the recommended 24-28 weeks gestation.  SNAP encourages its members to support the education of signs and symptoms associated with GDM to healthcare professionals, women and their families.  SNAP also supports the promotion for evidence-based treatment of GDM to prevent its complications described above.

IN SUPPORT OF REDUCING POLYPHARMACOLOGY IN OLDER ADULTS
SNAP encourages the use of drug guides as means for reducing polypharmacology errors in older adults, and advocates for increased communication between health care providers as means for preventing polypharmacology errors in older adults.  SNAP will promote increased awareness of the risks of polypharmacy by distributing education materials at convention concerning adverse drug reactions.  SNAP will also promote education about the risks of polypharmacology in older adults through the newsletter, workshops during convention, and other appropriate methods.

IN SUPPORT OF REDUCING CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENT OBESITY THROUGH INCREASED EDUCATION ABOUT HEALTHY DIET AND EXERCISE
SNAP encourages educators and health care providers, including school nurses and student nurses, to teach about the new Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food pyramid.  SNAP urges these same educators and healthcare providers to educate families about the importance of eating meals together in the home and planning ahead for meal times, and encourages them to educate parents and guardians about the importance of limiting the amounts of high-fat, high-calorie foods stored in the home.  SNAP supports the implementation of physical education throughout all years of schooling and urges educators and healthcare providers to educate parents and guardians about the importance of increasing the healthy diet and exercise in children and adolescents.  SNAP encourages its members to demonstrate healthy eating habits in the presence of children and adolescents, and also encourages educators and healthcare providers to implement professional and governmental evidence-based health care guidelines for the reduction of obesity in children and adolescents.

Adopted 2006

IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED AWARENESS AND INCLUSION OF NURSING STUDENTS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF STATE AND FEDERAL INFLUENZA PANDEMIC RESPONSE PLANS
SNAP is to serve as an advocate for increased awareness and inclusion of nursing students in the implementation of Pennsylvania’s Influenza Pandemic Response Plan.  Members of SNAP should collaborate with local, state, and federal pandemic response committees to establish and implement guidelines for nursing students’ involvement in these plans.  SNAP is to provide continued updates regarding the development and implementation of state and federal Influenza Pandemic Response Plans through Insight articles and website updates.

IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED AWARENESS AND EVIDENCE-BASED RESEARCH ON MITOCHONDRIAL DISEASE
SNAP encourages members to collaborate with professional nursing and healthcare organizations to advocate for increased funding towards evidence-based research related to mitochondrial disease and to advocate for accurate screening, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with mitochondrial disease.  SNAP also promotes awareness about the etiology, signs and symptoms, and treatment of mitochondrial disease through workshops during convention community health projects, and all other methods deemed appropriate by the SNAP Board of Directors.

Adopted 2007

IN SUPPORT OF IMPROVING HEALTHCARE DELIVERY FOR AMERICAN VETERANS SUFFERING FROM POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)
SNAP is to serve as an advocate for the improvement of healthcare services for American veterans suffering from PTSD.  SNAP encourages its constituents to collaborate with local, state, and federal efforts in support of increased funding for the delivery of mental health care services to American veterans.  SNAP promotes the awareness about improving the delivery of health care services of American veterans with PTSD through workshops during SNAP convention, articles in Insight, and all other methods deemed appropriate by the SNAP Board of Directors.

IN SUPPORT OF THE HPV VACCINATION
SNAP encourages its members to support legislation and funding for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in young females.  SNAP is to promote awareness among its constituents about the HPV vaccination through Community Health and/or legislative projects.  SNAP is to disseminate recommendations for the administration of the HPV vaccine through articles in Insight.

IN SUPPORT OF INCREASING THE POLITICAL AWARENESS OF NURSING STUDENTS AND THE POWER OF HIS/HER VOTE
SNAP is to provide the website of the candidates running for major offices within Pennsylvania, at the discretion of the SNAP Board of Directors, as well as candidates running for U. S. presidential office, in a manner consistent with IRS regulations governing non-profit organizations.  SNAP is to promote political awareness of nursing students and the importance of achieving power through his/her vote among its constituents through all other methods deemed appropriate by the SNAP Board of Directors.  SNAP encourages its members to become informed voters and reach out to fellow students through newsletters, campus forums, information sessions, and/or other appropriate methods.

Adopted 2008

IN SUPPORT OF INCREASING AWARENESS AND PROMOTING THE PREVENTION OF METHICILLIN RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS (MRSA)
SNAP is to promote education and awareness about MRSA among its constituents through articles in Insight, workshops at convention, and other methods deemed appropriate by the SNAP Board of Directors.  SNAP is to advocate for compliance with evidence-based guidelines for preventing healthcare associated infections, such as MRSA, by all healthcare workers, including nursing students and nurses.  SNAP is to support and disseminate research on infection control focused on the adherence to infection control guidelines and behavioral change by healthcare workers. 

IN SUPPORT OF MICROBICIDE DEVELOPMENT
SNAP encourages its members to support the research and development of vaginal microbicides.  SNAP also promotes education and awareness about vaginal microbicides through Insight to its membership about the importance of microbicide development and the barriers facing research.  SNAP urges its members to join the growing organization Students for Microbicides as part of their community health projects.

IN SUPPORT OF INCREASING EDUCATION AND AWARENESS OF THE BENEFICIAL EFFECTS MUSIC HAS ON ALLEVIATING PAIN AND ANXIETY
SNAP is to provide education and awareness about music through articles in Insight and/or linked to the SNAP website, workshops at the annual convention, and all other methods deemed appropriate by the SNAP Board of Directors.  SNAP encourages its members to use their musical talents with the intent of alleviating pain and anxiety.  SNAP acknowledges their practice through articles in Insight or on the website.  SNAP is to support and disseminate research on the effects of music therapy on pain and anxiety through articles in Insight and/or linked to the website.

IN SUPPORT OF THE EDUCATION OF POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION
SNAP supports the use of the EPDS for detection of postpartum depression for all new mothers in the postpartum period.  SNAP also supports education and awareness about the use of evidence-based tools by nurses for the prevention and screening of depressive symptoms in postpartum mothers through articles in Insight, workshops at convention and other methods deemed appropriate by the SNAP Board of Directors.  SNAP promotes the awareness of U.S. Senate bill S.1375 "The Mom's Opportunity to Access Health, Education, Research, and Support for Postpartum Depression Action" (The Mother's Act), which will ensure that mothers and their families are educated about PPD, screened for symptoms, and provided essential services.

IN SUPPORT OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR TEEN PREGNANCY PREVENTION ACT
SNAP encourages its members to support the adoption of  U.S. Senate bill s.1790 "Communities of Color Teen Pregnancy Prevention Act of 2007", which will make grants to carry out activities to prevent the incidence of unintended pregnancies and STIs among teens in racial or ethnic minority or immigrant communities.  SNAP is to provide public education and increased awareness about unintended pregnancies and STIs among teens in racial or ethnic minority communities through articles in Insight, workshops at convention and all other methods deemed appropriate by the SNAP Board of Directors.

Adopted 2009

IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED RESEARCH AND AWARENESS OF INDUCED THERAPEUTIC HYPOTHERMIA AFTER CARDIAC ARREST
SNAP supports research on the effects of therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest through informative workshops at annual convention, articles in Insight, and hyperlinked on the SNAP website.

IN SUPPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF A STRATEGIC PLAN TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF REGISTERED NURSES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS DURING PERIODS OF PANDEMIC
SNAP supports increasing registered nurses into all schools during periods of pandemic.  SNAP encourages its constituents to advocate for the education about the potential shortage of school nurses and issues that could arise during a pandemic affecting school-aged children.  SNAP encourages articles to be written on this subject and published in Insight.

IN SUPPORT OF ENSURING AVAILABLE, ONGOING, AND UNINTERRUPTED HEALTH COVERAGE FOR PERSONS WITH PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS
SNAP encourages its members to advocate that healthcare coverage be available, ongoing, and uninterrupted for persons with pre-existing conditions.  SNAP also encourages articles on this topic to be published in Insight.

IN SUPPORT OF PRESSURE ULCER PREVENTION IN IMMOBILE PATIENTS
SNAP is to educate its constituents on the topic of pressure ulcer prevention through articles published in Insight.  SNAP encourages its members to serve as patient educators regarding risk factors and consequences of pressure ulcers.

IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED AWARENESS OF BONE MARROW DONATION AND DONOR REGISTRATION
SNAP encourages its members to better educate themselves, along with the public, about bone marrow donation and donor registration.  SNAP also encourages its constituents to consider registering themselves as bone marrow donors.  SNAP chapters are encouraged to consider hosting a bone marrow registration drive as part of the community health agenda.  Articles regarding this topic are to be published in Insight.

IN SUPPORT OF PROMOTING NURSING'S ROLE IN IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH CARE
SNAP encourages its members to recognize and promote the role nurses play in providing improved mental health and medical treatment to people with mental illnesses.  SNAP encourages its members to participate in Mental Health Awareness Month in May of each year in their own communities.  SNAP also encourages its members to educate their community about proposed mental health legislation that would increase awareness in the community.  Articles regarding this topic are to be published in Insight.

IN SUPPORT OF EMPOWERING AND SUPPORTING NURSING STUDENTS TO BE POSITIVE ROLE MODELS FOR THE HEALTHY LIFESTYLES THEY PROMOTE
SNAP is to provide information regarding healthy lifestyles for nursing students through articles in Insight and/or the SNAP website.  SNAP encourages its members to model behaviors of healthy lifestyles and provide peer-to-peer support to achieve healthy lifestyles.

Adopted 2010

IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED RESEARCH AND AWARENESS OF CAFFEINATED ENERGY DRINK EFFECTS AND PATTERNS OF YOUNG ADULT COMSUMPTION
SNAP supports continued research on the adverse health implications of caffeinated energy drinks and the patterns of young adult consumption, and raise awareness of the consequences when they are combined with alcohol through workshops at the annual convention and articles in Insight.  SNAP is to use articles in Insight to inform students of safer alternative practices for students to achieve the desired increase in alertness and reduction of fatigue.  SNAP encourages all members to advocate for fellow students to consider alternative methods.

IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED AWARENESS OF ORGAN DONATION AND DONOR REGISTRATION
SNAP is to educate our constituents about the benefits of organ donation, and encourage members to educate others about organ donation.  SNAP encourages open communication between donors and their families.  SNAP also encourages members to become donors themselves.  SNAP encourages local SNAP chapters to register with their local organ donation recovery organization and educate people about the ease of online organ registration programs.  SNAP is to publish articles in Insight about organ donation.

IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED AWARENESS AND PREVENTION OF NON-PRESCRIBED USE OF THE ADHD DRUG ADDERALL AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS
SNAP is to provide education to its members to raise of the dangers involved with using Adderall for non-medical use and encourage better studying habits.  SNAP is to publish articles in Insight, warning of the dangers associated with non-medical use of Adderall, and encourage further research in this area and how all students can utilize healthier study habits.

IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED RESEARCH, AWARENESS, AND EDUCATION OF THE DANGERS OF TEXT MESSAGING WHILE DRIVING FOR THE TEENAGE POPULATION
SNAP supports enhancing nursing students' education about the dangers associated with teens' texting and driving through workshops at the annual convention, in articles in Insight, and hyperlinked to the website.  SNAP encourages local chapters to include this topic in health promotion projects.  SNAP also encourages members to consider research projects focusing on the outcomes of health promotion projects to prevent teens from texting while driving.

IN SUPPORT OF PROMOTING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SEXUAL ASSAULT NURSE EXAMINER PROGRAMS
SNAP supports and promotes the implementation of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) programs in hospitals.  SNAP is to increase awareness of SANE programs through workshops and the annual convention and articles in Insight.

IN SUPPORT OF ENCOURAGE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MULTIPLE STRATEGIES TO DECREASE MEDICATION ERRORS
SNAP supports multiple strategies to reduce medication errors, such as the reduction of multitasking, hurriedness, and fatigue, using safety checklists and bar-coding systems.  SNAP is to publish articles in Insight regarding this topic.

Adopted 2011

ADVOCATING FOR THE AWARENESS AND EDUCATION ABOUT ALTERNATIVE-TO-SICIPLINE RECOVERY PROGRAMS FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSERS AMONG NURSES HANDLING CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES
SNAP is to advocate for increased awareness of behavioral changes associated with addiction in health care providers, and facilitate education of nursing students and professionals about their legal options for reporting suspected abuse among colleagues, through presentations and workshops.  SNAP is to publish articles in Insight and post hyperlinks on the website providing information about alternative programs and peer assistance for substance abuse available in the state of Pennsylvania.  SNAP supports increased research on the implementation of alternative-to-discipline programs, versus other strategies.  SNAP encourages self-reporting among addicted health care providers handling controlled substances, as their ethical obligation in caring for patients and for themselves.

IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED EDUCATION AND RESEARCH OF THE EFFECTS OF SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA IN ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS
SNAP supports further research about the effects of synthetic marijuana on adolescents and young adults.  SNAP will educate members about potential negative effects and patterns of use among adolescents through workshops at the annual convention, articles in Insight, and postings on the website.

IN SUPPORT OF NUTRITION AND EXERCISE EDUCATION FOR ADULTS WITH SEVERE PERSISTENT MENTAL ILLNESS 
SNAP supports educational classes on nutrition and exercise for adult clients with severe persistent mental illness.  SNAP advocates that nutrition and exercise education classes be implemented at all stages of mental health treatment.  SNAP encourages members caring for patients with mental illness to measure clients participating in educational classes for progress, and set realistic goals in collaboration with client.  SNAP also encourages members to lead a nutritional and exercise program as part of their mental health rotations.

IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED AWARENESS OF MENTAL HEALTH FUNDING DEFICITS AND FUND RAISING ORGANIZATIONS' ACTIVITES
SNAP is to educate its constituents on the tremendous need for increased funding for mental health organizations, which supports the research and treatment of mental illness, and educate the general public on this issue.  SNAP encourages colleges and universities to contact their local Mental Health America affiliate to discover ways to help fight mental illness.  SNAP promotes awareness of the mental health funding deficit and the activities of Mental Health America, through articles in Insight and hyperlinks on the website.

IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED AWARENESS REGARDING VITAL DRUG SHORTAGES
SNAP supports "The Preserving Access to Life-Saving Medications Act".  SNAP will publish articles in Insight and on the SNAP website that informs members of vital drug shortages, and encourage political and social activism regarding the subject.

IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED AWARENESS OF THE DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH INDOOR TANNING
SNAP encourages each chapter to implement programs to increase awareness at their schools of the dangers associated with indoor tanning.  SNAP supports an ongoing commitment to increasing awareness of the dangers associated with indoor tanning by providing education through programs at the annual convention, articles in Insight and hyperlinks on the website that educate current and potential nursing students about the dangers associated with indoor tanning.

INCREASED AWARENESS OF THE PSYCHOSOCIAL NEEDS OF YOUNG ADULT SURVIVOERS OF CHILDHOOD CANCER
SNAP supports research on nursing interventions to improve the quality of life for young adult survivors of childhood cancer.  SNAP encourages its chapters to consider inviting speakers about young adult survivors of childhood cancer to chapter meetings.  SNAP will provide workshops and breakout sessions about the psychosocial needs of young adult survivors of childhood cancer in programming for annual convention.  SNAP also encourages the publication of articles in Insight to raise awareness on this topic.

IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED SENSITIVITY IN THE CARE OF ELDERLY PATIENTS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO SUFFER FROM DELIRIUM AND DEMENTIA
SNAP encourages its members to focus on client-oriented nursing interventions that provide quality assessment and case management, facilitating a healthier and more therapeutic lifestyle for clients.  SNAP will conduct workshops specific to geriatric nursing care at the annual convention and emphasize related interventions through articles in Insight.