Essential Estrogen

When the state's newest task force on nursing meets for the first time today, the vast majority of those in the room will be female. Women currently hold 26 seats on the 30-member commission.

While the percentage may seem high, only about 6 percent of all nurses nationally are male. Iowa's percentage of male nurses ranks below the national average. Call it gender stereotyping with an unusual twist. Also call it something the commission, charged with addressing the many challenges facing Iowa's nurses, may very well discuss in the coming weeks.

The commission will be chaired by Lt. Gov. Patty Judge, a former nurse, and is scheduled to provide recommendations in early March. In addition to discussing the obvious gender bias currently in the profession, the commission will also tackle such challenges as low wages and an overall declining workforce.

"As a former nurse, I know the difficulties that direct care workers face," Judge said. "I am looking forward to working with my fellow task force members from across the state, and providing a report that outlines the problem and presents some short term steps and also long term solutions for some of the challenges our nurses currently face."

The commission, something Gov. Chet Culver called for in his Condition of the State Address in mid-January, is comprised of 22 organizational representatives, four state legislators and four gubernatorial appointees.

Members of the new task force and their affiliations are:

• Jennifer Steenblock of Des Moines, Department of Human Services
• Michelle Ficken of Independence, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
• Lorinda Inman of Des Moines, Nursing Examiners Board
• Cindy Baddeloo of Des Moines, Iowa Health Care Association
• Rachel Setz of Ames, Nursing Student Association
• Aaron Pierson of Urbandale, recent graduate of a four-year program
• Sara Swisher of Iowa City, Service Employees International Union
• Cheryl Jones of Bloomfield, Iowa Board of Public Health
• Connie Boyd of Fort Dodge, Iowa Community Colleges
• Julie McMahon of Des Moines, Iowa Department of Public Health
• Laura Malone of Des Moines, Iowa Hospital Association
• Ginny Wangerin of Des Moines, Iowa Nursing Association
• Barb Decker of Des Moines, Iowa Private Colleges
• Rita Franz of Iowa City, University of Iowa College of Nursing
• Beverly Zylstra of Des Moines, Department of Inspections and Appeals
• Di Findley of Peosta, direct care worker
• Dr. Brian Mehlhaus of Boone, Iowa Academy of Family Physicians
• Heidi Goodman of West Des Moines, Iowa Medical Association
• Kim Cisna of Ankeny, Iowa School Nurse Association
• Mary O'Brien of Tiffin, Iowa Association of Nurse Anesthetists
• Linda McCabe of Burlington, Iowa Association of Nurse Practitioners
• Mary Ann Osborn of Cedar Rapids, gubernatorial appointee
• Sheryl Barnes of Des Moines, gubernatorial appointee
• Teri Murphy of Dubuque, gubernatorial appointee
• Michele Kelly of Spencer, gubernatorial appointee
• Mary Mascher of Iowa City, Iowa House of Representatives
• Linda Upmeyer of Garner, Iowa House of Representatives
• Amanda Ragan of Mason City, Iowa Senate
• James Seymour of Woodbine, Iowa Senate

One slot on the commission, reserved for a recent graduate of a two-year program, remains vacant. The commission will meet for the first time today at 9 a.m. at the State Capitol. Comments from the public will be taken between 12:30 and 1 p.m.