Sigma Theta Tau Alpha Lambda Chapter Newsletter December 2003

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1 From the President s Desk Sigma Theta Tau Alpha Lambda Chapter Newsletter December 2003 Congratulations and welcome to our newest members of Alpha Lambda Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau. At our November 16 th ceremony, 72 new members including undergraduate, graduate and community leaders were inducted into our nursing honorary society at the University of Illinois at Chicago and the regional sites. We are very pleased and privileged to welcome you to Sigma Theta Tau International and look forward to involving you both locally and in the larger organization as you move along in your nursing careers. The STT website will be your starting place for information about your new membership. Sigma Theta Tau International offers many advantages to its members and provides a variety of tools to assist members achieve career success and develop skills in research, scholarship, and education. For those of you who have just joined, you have come at a very opportune time. There are now more resources available for your use, including publications, conferences, career counseling and research grants. The Journal of Nursing Scholarship, a quarterly journal, is the official publication of Sigma Theta Tau International and it is an excellent resource of nursing educational and research topics. Leaders from around the world provide timely articles on topics ranging from world health to clinical outcomes research. CareerMap: Log on to for online nursing career information including employment opportunities, articles on nursing careers, scholarships and more. CareeRxel TM is a six-session online learning experience designed to clarify and develop an individualized career action plan. This will be available in January, with the first session offered free at Online CE opportunities that are authored by nurse experts in many fields. These interactive activities are presented in various learning formats, including case studies and evidence-based articles. Research and Scholarship opportunities through the Virginia Henderson International Library, small research grants from $2500 to $10,000 offered exclusively from the honor society through partnerships. Conferences: a variety of conferences are offered each year. This year, the International Nursing Research Congress Building Community Through Research will take place in Dublin, Ireland, July 22-24, the Evidence- Based Practice Preconference will be held in Dublin on July 21, Nursing Knowledge International TM is a new source developed as a result of member surveys. It will provide quick access to information for patients, students and nurses, increase access to professional development and CEU offerings and

2 provide internet-based information and services. This resource will be available early in 2004 for your use. You have worked hard to achieve this honor and we are looking forward to involving you at the national and the local level. Locally, our Alpha Lambda Chapter was begun in 1966 at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Our membership is approximately 439 and our board meets every month. The meetings are open to all members (first Monday of the month at 12:30 in room 711). We welcome new members (and old members) and hope for new ideas from you. Typically, each year we provide a variety of activities and services. 3 educational/research programs, participation in the welcome back activities fair, a team for the Alzheimer s Association walk in September provide a student information session to assist students who are interested in applying for membership in STT assist with the winter College of Nursing Research Day a newsletter research monies for qualified member applicants outstanding student awards at graduation outstanding member awards at induction student mentoring session (new this year). a website (under construction this fall, with a total revamping which will get it ready by January, 2004). visit our website at Or click on chapters, then Alpha Lambda, under the main STT website For those of you who indicated a desire to participate in a committee or activity, a member will be contacting you to ask you to join in. But let us know how we can best serve your needs as you move along through your school and career. We are very, very pleased to have you as members of Alpha Lambda, Sigma Theta Tau Jean Berry RN, PhD, CNP President, Alpha Lambda

3 Upcoming Events Please join us for lunch and a presentation by Mary Beth Fry, RN, MSN, Infection Control Coordinator on Emerging Infectious Diseases, Thursday February 19, University of Illinois Hospital, Room 1135, 11:30-1:00 pm Consortium meeting: Wednesday February 18 Alpha Lambda Chapter is a member of the greater Chicagoland Sigma Theta Tau Consortium. This year the Loyola University chapter will be hosting the annual Consortium program meeting. Dr. Mary Ann McDermott, RN, EdD, FAAN will present on Self-care and the Arts: A reflection on Personal Well-being. The presentation will be held in Damen Hall, 10 th floor, Hussey Lounge, Lake Shore Campus, Loyola University. Further details will be available soon. Please plan to attend this program free of charge to members of the Consortium. The Annual College Research Day is scheduled for Friday, January 23. Please join us that day to hear about the latest research in which faculty and students are involved. We will be hosting the breakfast that day and need volunteers. Please contact Sue Boyer (sgboyer@uic.edu) if you can help Induction, Fall 2003 On Sunday November 16, Alpha Lambda chapter held the induction ceremony for the current academic year. This year 55 undergraduate students, 11 master s students, 2 doctoral students and 4 community leaders were inducted. Lynn Tepper, MS, RN, CNS, gave the keynote speech helping us all better understand the need for excellence in our profession. Last year, Lynn was the recipient of the Mary Kelly Mullane Excellence in Clinical Nursing Award. During the ceremony, two members received the Nurse Recognition Award. Karan Fachet, MS, RN for her work in cardiology research and Arlene Miller, Ph.D.,RN for her contribution to cross cultural research in women. The chapter wishes to thank Dr. Barbara Berger, Senior Counselor and Dr. Barbara Simmons, Junior Counselor for all their hard work preparing the induction class of 2003 The following is a list of new inductees. When you see any that you know welcome her/him to the chapter. Undergraduate Students Adekola-Conley, Katie Agnew, Michelle Benson, Kaci Bottiglier, Catrina Buhrmester, Amy Buishas, Elizabeth Checchin, Lena Coverdill, Celeste Coy, Kimberly Cramer, Alexis Drahos, Anne Marie Duheric, Jasmine

4 Ellis, Amanda Garcia, Maricela Gates, Erin Gibson, Kiley Grivetti, Rachel Grzybowski, Melissa Guerrier, Anne-Marie Guldberg, Steven Hammitt, Anna Hastings, Jennifer Heitzenrater, Heather Hertz, Laura Hoban, Amy Holmes, Victoria Hruska, Ashley Jensen, Stephanie Kloth, Krista Leasure, Michelle Linder, Jennifer Lock, Michelle Manaois, Monica Martin, Lydia Mazzoni, Ligia McCallum, Tiffany Meyers, Erin Nguyen, Hang Nguyen, Mai Ohiku, Iriere Panergalin, Candice Quirch, Christine Ricci, Jennifer Saletnik, Jessica Stanton, Christy Stein, Kevin Szafranski, Jacob Van Harlingen, Rebecca Vanek, Dawn Villalobos, Shelly Walan, Stephanie Warapanyaseni, Apasara Wood, Kathleen Woodard, Katie Zollers, Jennifer GRADUATE STUDENTS (Master's and PhD) Adegboro, Eunice Alcain, Charina Bishop, Megan Carrigan, Timothy Creedon, Kevin DeMorrow, Pamela Hinton, Cathy Marks, Julie Phelps, Beth Sutkowski, Jane Tjandra, Cornelia Warren, Nicole Yingling, Charles NURSING LEADERS Bonner, Gloria Coffia, Marcia Littau, Susan Smith, Melanie Visit our Wed site In the near future our web site will be re-constructed and ready to go. We hope to begin to use this format for distribution of newsletters in the upcoming year ( ). The easiest way to view it is to go to the STT website, and click on our chapter, Alpha Lambda. Please let us know what other items you would like to see on the site. Contact Dr. Jean Berry with your comments.

5 Mentoring Program for Undergraduates: March 15, 2004 As part of the Take a Break program that was initiated this year, Alpha Lambda chapter will be organizing a panel discussion for undergraduates on various specialties in nursing that they might want to consider. The program will be held 12:00-1:00 in the College and Pizza will be provided. If you are an undergraduate student, please plan to attend! If you would like to be a part of this panel or if you would be willing to serve as a mentor for a new graduate, let us know! Students are most appreciative of any information they can get when planning their career. Support is crucial during that first year and you can make a difference. Please contact Sue Boyer at sgboyer@uic.edu if you are interested in being involved. Research Award Applications Sought Due Date January 30 The Research and Awards Committee of the Alpha Lambda Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau is accepting applications for research funds. The purpose of the Research Fund is to encourage qualified nurses to contribute to the advancement of nursing through research. Budget requests typically range from $ to $2,500. Applications for awards will be considered according to the following criteria. 1. A well-defined research project that advances nursing knowledge. Master s thesis and doctoral dissertation research projects will be considered. 2. The applicant gives evidence of scholarly ability. 3. The applicant(s) should have the ability to use research monies within one year of the award date. 4. Current membership in Sigma Theta Tau /or at least one person of a research team must be a member of Sigma Theta Tau. Applications are due January 30, 2004 at 4 pm. Please contact Dr. Linda Cassata (lcassa1@uic.edu) or Dr. Melissa Faulkner (melissaf@uic.edu)