+ Welcome. REGION 13 Newsletter INSIDE THIS ISSUE : Important STTI places. Vol. 2, No. 1 Fall 2014

Transcription

1 + Welcome This is the first of semiannual newsletters for Region 13 Sigma Theta Tau International INSIDE THIS ISSUE : REGION 13 Newsletter Greetings from the Regional Coordinator, Vol. 2, No. 1 Fall 2014 Important STTI places The Circle This is the place for all STTI members to be up to date with the latest news from our region and international. Take a peek regularly Chapter Management System This area of the STTI website is a must go to for all chapter leaders. 1 : Coordinator Greetings 2 : Conference Highlights 4 : Poster Session 5 : STTI Membership Impact 5 : Nursing Student Response 6 : Meeting Minutes Welcome to the first Sigma Theta Tau International North America Region 13 Newsletter of the 2013/2015 Biennium. On April 11 & 12 in Winston-Salem North Carolina Region 13 held its 4th Biennial Research Conference hosted by Rho Lambda Chapter, Winston-Salem State University. Over 60 attendees were present. The Regional Communication Committee chose to devote this issue of the Newsletter to coverage of this amazing conference so those of you who could not attend could benefit from the conference content. Those of you who did attend will enjoy reliving the event. Twenty-three student members of STTI attended the conference and have been invited to contribute to this newsletter by predicting how they envision attendance at the conference will influence his or her professional career. At the conclusion of the conference all students were sent an in which they were invited to respond to this question, How has attending this conference impacted you as a nursing student and a future nurse? See page 5 for one response. This Newsletter was produced by the members of the Region 13 Communication Committee: Lori Byrd, Chair, Marlienne Goldin, Susan Hall, Cecil Holland and Denise Isibel. Pictures were also contributed by the Historian of Rho Lambda Chapter, Maria Withrow and by Jayne Lutz. Remember: Please share this Newsletter with members of your chapter. The newsletter is distributed to chapter leaders only through our Region 13 Circle. Jayne 1

2 Research conference planners still hard at work. Dr. Cecil Holland, Conference Chair, Dr. Wanda Lawrence, President Rho Lambda Chapter, Dr.Joanette Campbell, Registrar, Abstract Reviews Region 13 Research Conference Highlights Dr. Arlene Lester, the Regional Minority Health Consultant with the US Department of Health and Human Services began the conference with a riveting presentation related to the Affordable Care Act: A Transformative Healthcare Initiative. Dr. Lester s presentation focused on activities targeted at the achievement of health equity and elimination of health disparities in the south eastern US. She praised the state NC for being the leader in her region in health reform and improving access for its citizenry. Dr. Lester shared that the primary aim of the work that she does is to lead systematic planning, implementation and evaluation of efforts to achieve better results relative to minority health improvements and health disparities reductions. Dr. Vernell DeWitty was the plenary speaker on day one of the conference. Dr. DeWitty, Deputy Director of New Careers in Nursing funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, discussed doctoral advancement in nursing education and research. She shared extensively the work that the IOM and RWJF initiative on the future of nursing. Key points of emphasis were related to nurses practicing at the full extent of their education and training and achieving a higher level of education and training through an improved education system that promotes seamless academic transition. Participants were stimulated and motivated by the presentation. Students particularly were excited about the prospect of continuing their education toward a terminal degree in nursing. The first day concluded with an exciting and motivational presentation by Dr. JoAnne Banks, the Bertha Shelton Endowed Chair for Research at Winston-Salem State University. Through a warm and engaging story, she shared a unique perspective of how creating a culture of nursing research. 2

3 Day 2 of the conference began with a look at interprofessional education and the link between practice and research. Dr. Janice Brewington, Chief Program Officer at the National League of Nursing shared why IPE is important in healthcare, challenges or barriers to IPE, and provided recommendation regarding how healthcare providers should and must work together to improve the healthcare outcomes of our nation. Dr. Brewington shared several student comments and left us with this comment from a student, it is important to be resilient as a team and still stay cohesive no matter what the problems are. Pictured Upper Left: Dr. Lawrence & Dr. De Witty Upper Right: Dr. Arlene Lester Lower Right: Dr. Brewington & Dr.Campbell 3

4 Included with all the presentations were some wonderful door prizes, a fabulous dinner, great breakout sessions, poster presentations and wonderful networking opportunities. Right: Joan LoPresti from Gamma Zeta Chapter at UNC Greensboro wins a great door prize Poster Session: Informative, Educational, and Thought Provoking A total of 14 posters were submitted for the poster presentations session. The authors were students, faculty, and clinicians. They presented valuable information on such research topics as genetic counseling, military nursing, simulation, student retention, and emergency preparedness, to name a few. Posters were judged and there was actually a tie for the winning slot. Both of these authors were doctoral students in the nursing program at East Carolina University. One of the winners described the lived experiences of military nurses seeking health care after returning home from deployment to a combat zone. The second winner explored nurses perceived experiences of caring for patients who underwent withdrawal of life support measures for clients at the end of life stage. Both presenters used qualitative methodology and had a purposive sample. One used Colaizzi s hermeneutic-phenomenological approach to inquiry and analysis; and the other used Van Manen methodology of hermeneutic phenomenology for her analysis. Frequent evaluative comments were that they wished all poster presenters could have presented their findings in an abbreviated format. Clearly, the poster session was informative, educational and very thought provoking for the conference attendees. 4

5 How Membership in Sigma Theta Tau can Impact a Nursing Career Marlienne Golden Region 13 Communication Committee Member I was in my last semester of the RN to BSN Program. I d been practicing as an Emergency Department Nurse for 5 years and was very satisfied with my nursing knowledge and skill level. My performance evaluations had been really good and I was a permanent Charge RN. In my opinion at that time the BSN would be the finishing touch to solidify my career. Working full time, attending college part time and raising a family, led me to believe that my life was pretty full. One afternoon at the start of my theory class my favorite professor came in the class room. She said, Marlienne I ve nominated you for induction into Sigma Theta Tau. Two things came immediately to mind; I heard words that I hadn t heard since my high school Latin class, and wondered what those words meant. She explained that Sigma Theta Tau was the International Nursing Honor Society. I replied, Why would I want to be in that? I was already in my college honor society, and didn t need to join another one. She went on to say that STTI was a scholarly nursing organization. I replied assertively, I m no scholar. She asked me to think about it and I promised that I would, after all she was my favorite professor Well here I am now 26 years later. I was inducted in the spring of 1989, and have renewed my membership every year since. Membership in STTI is one of my proudest accomplishments in my nursing career. The learning opportunities are awesome. Participating and presenting at Biennial Conferences renews my passion for nursing. Membership in STTI means being part of the advancement of nursing science. Reading research articles in the journal keeps me on the cutting edge of improvements in patient care. I presented my 1 st podium presentation at an international conference 18 years ago. I dedicated that presentation to the professor who convinced me to become a member of STTI. Since then I ve presented at 13 international conferences, and numerous national conferences. Presently I m pursuing a PhD in Caring Science. My professor was correct. I am a scholar. STTI has encouraged me to participate in advancing the science of nursing. I am a proud member of the Gamma Zeta Chapter at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro School of Nursing. Thank you Professor Sheila Melli. You saw in me something that I wasn t able see in myself. Nursing Student Response to this question: How has your attendance at the STTI Region 13 Conference impacted you and your plans for your nursing career? One student s response: As a current nursing student attending, I was able to learn about the new measures faculties are taking in order to better prepare students to be successful graduates in the field of nursing. It was great to speak to faculty, directors, deans, etc. on a more personal level. Speaking with everyone and getting real time responses to questions, plus getting feedback helped with my future plans and goals. Learning about all of the different dimensions of nursing and nursing research opened my eyes to new aspects of nursing that I would have not known about previously. I truly enjoyed every minute at this conference and can't wait for the next one! Sincerely, Nichole A. Samuel WSSU ABSN c/o 2015 RWJF Scholar 5

6 Region 13 Business Meeting Minutes April 11, Welcome and appreciation to Rho Lambda for hosting the conference 2. The Region 13 PowerPoint Slide Show shown at our Regional meeting at the Biennial Convention in Indianapolis was shown to the group 3. Regional Committee Reports A. Awards and Recognition: Pam Reis, Chair. Members: Katy Kat; Sherri Saunders-Golden, Marian Newton, Frances Thunberg Recognition Certificates were presented to the following Chapters: 50 th Anniversary, Alpha Alpha UNC Chapel Hill 40 th Anniversary, Beta Nu, East Carolina University 30 th Anniversary, Eta Psi, Western Carolina University 20 th Anniversary, Nu Omega, University of North Carolina Wilmington Chapter Anniversaries: Beta Kappa, University of Virginia, 5 th time recipient Chapter Key Award Beta Nu, East Carolina University, 11 th time recipient Chapter Key Award Showcase of Regional Excellence Recognition Recipients: Alpha Alpha (UNC Chapel Hill, NC): Engaging in Collaboration Beta Nu (East Carolina University, NC): Creating Your Legacy Gamma Zeta (UNC Greensboro, NC): Responding to Vulnerable Populations Tau Phi (Jefferson College of Health Sciences, Roanoke, VA): Creating Your Legacy Rho Lambda (Winston Salem State University, Winston-Salem, NC): Responding to Vulnerable Populations Individual Award by Chapter Nomination Dr. Mary Gibson was recognized by Beta Kappa for her outstanding efforts at chapter revitalization Goals for this Biennium discussed by Dr. Reis with examples given: To provide education to chapters on the changes to the Chapter Key Award application To increase the number of applicants for the Chapter Key Award this Biennium 6

7 B. Communication Committee. Lori Byrd, Chair. Marlenne Goldin, Susan Hall, Cecil Holland, Denise Isibel Goals for this Biennium: Create two Newsletters for Region 13 this Biennium Assist the Regional Coordinator in writing the Leader Lines which is distributed to all Region 13 Chapter Leaders each month. 4. Group Discussion a. Second Newsletter 2013/2015 Biennium could be summaries of current research by regional members. b. Suggested themes for the Region 13 5 th Biennial Research Conference: Bridging the Education-Practice Gap Social Media in Nursing Education 5. Melissa Crowe, STTI Chapter Operations Specialist Ms. Crowe presented a template for developing a Chapter Strategic Plan 7