Executive Committee Members 2009-2010

Co Chairs: Ginette Ferszt PCNS, Jill Moretti PCNS
Secretary: Janet Spinelli PCNS
Education: Diane Roberts PCNS
Government Affairs/Legislation: Sylvia Weber PCNS
RISNA Liaison: Mary Dwyer PCNS

The Rhode Island Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist Council is a coalition of  psychiatric clinical nurse specialists  dedicated to the promotion and practice of PCNS’  in RI. We are a non profit organization with a professional association with the Rhode Island State Nurses Association. The council recognizes the professional and political concerns psychiatric clinical nurse specialists. The PCNS Council has always played a major role in facilitating and supporting appropriate changes in legislation affecting nurse practitioners practicing in RI.

The PCNS Council engages in activities that include:

• Promoting and marketing the role of the PCNS by identifying avenues to inform other health care professionals and our consumers;
• Communicating with our membership through a listserve and quarterly news information in News and Views;
• Promoting representation of PCNSs in state organizations affecting healthcare;
• Working jointly with RISNA to monitor legislative actions affecting our practice both at the state and national levels;  
• Acting as a resource for legislative activities and facilitating appropriate changes in the RI legislation that will affect psychiatric clinical nurse specialists;
• Acting as a resource for third party reimbursement issues
• Offer networking opportunities and educational programs
• Building and maintaining a list of  PCNS providers in the state of R I;  
• Provides mentorship to other PCNS to support the development of their role across systems
• Building and maintaining our membership;

Employment opportunities are sent to all Council members through our listserve.