The official magazine of the School of

Nursing2019

Grant funded programs bring JMU and VCU students together to support rural healthcare Page 13 TABLE OF CONTENTS

2 Letter from the director 15 Tackling mental healthcare 26 2018-19 JMU school of By Melody Eaton, PhD, RN, FAAN in nursing faculty and alumni publications By Shannon Shevlin (‘19) 3 Health Policy Summit 27 2018-19 JMU school of nursing focuses on opioid epidemic 17 Interim director becomes faculty podium presentations By Shannon Shevlin (‘19) an AAN fellow 29 The last lecture: By Sara Banton 6 Students advocate for Celebrating meaningful careers immunization programs 18 Social media sensation Nurse and saying goodbye By Eric Gorton Blake comes to JMU 31 Alumni update By Shannon Shevlin (‘19) 7 JMU Health Policy Institute: DNP students take the lead on 19 Nurses of the year: Editorial Team critical national healthcare needs Virginia March of Dimes Victoria Martineau - Team leader By Victoria Martineau recognizes JMU Michele Dombrowski nursing students & alumna 9 Nursing faculty in the news Melody Eaton By Victoria Martineau Teresa French 10 Omega Zeta 2019 20 JMU nurses win 40 under Christine Letsky-Anderson 10 JMU NSA students recognized at 40 awards Graphic Design the state and national levels By Shannon Shevlin (‘19) Josh See 11 Nursing introduces 22 Building global relationships Photography perioperative elective By Betsy Herron JMU Creative Services team By Sara Banton 24 Nursing convocation awards JMU School of Nursing faculty 13 JMU UPCARE grant scholars and recognitions: December 2018 and students partner with VCU pioneers to and May 2019 JMU Creative Media team support rural healthcare Michele Dombrowski By Victoria Martineau Aimee George

1 SCHOOL OF NURSING MAGAZINE “I am pleased to serve as the Interim Director as we move towards a new decade and continue our mission of “Being the Change” at local, national and international levels.”

– Melody Eaton, JMU Nursing professor and interim director

Dear Readers,

The James Madison University School of Nursing is achieving our vision to be nationally recognized for academic excellence and innovative contributions to healthcare. I am pleased to serve as the Interim Director as we move toward a new decade and continue our mission of “Being the Change” at local, national and international levels.

After receipt of a $2.7 million HRSA grant last year, our UPCARE scholars are currently immersed in rural Page County primary care, focusing on mental health and opioid addiction. They recently partnered with Virginia Commonwealth University students in a collaborative Primary Care Camp exchange, which is our cover story for this issue.

The Health Policy Institute (HPI), our immersive Capitol Hill experience for DNP students, continues to break ground. The HPI’s impact, along with our undergraduate level Health Policy Summit research on political astuteness, resulted in national recognition with awards including the AACN Innovation in Professional Nursing Education. These innovations, viewed as an educational curricular best practice model for civic engagement and advocacy, were published in Peer Review and the research findings were featured in .

In response to an incredibly complex global healthcare environment, our students continue to engage in learning opportunities that challenge and enrich their scholarship. Study abroad programs in Tanzania, Malta, Costa Rica and Spain provide students with valuable, interprofessional, sociocultural learning experiences. Members of JMU’s chapter of Nursing Students Without Borders (NSWB) were invited to attend the annual Shot@Life – a group that advocates for childhood immunizations around the world – Champion Summit in Washington, D.C. for the third year. Finally, recognizing the universal need for improvements in mental healthcare, our simulation team developed a psychiatric mental health experience that strives to prepare students to successfully navigate a high-risk healthcare setting and form therapeutic relationships with patients.

The School of Nursing is truly committed to “Being the Change!” I hope that you will read more about our initiatives and the opportunities that I have just touched upon. We invite and welcome your participation as students, alumni or community partners.

Best Regards,

Melody Eaton, PhD, RN, FAAN Interim Director and Professor James Madison University School of Nursing

2019 2 Interim director Melody Eaton HEALTH POLICY SUMMIT directs students on their activity.

FOCUSES ON OPIOID EPIDEMIC While prior HPS events have tackled By Shannon Shevlin (‘19) issues including Medicaid expansion and the Affordable Care Act, this year’s Understanding the intersection of opioid epidemic and discussed innova- topic represents another multifaceted health and public policy can help com- tive solutions to a national crisis. case with no clear solution. munities build more affordable, effec- tive and accessible care systems. Every Opioid misuse and addiction are Prior to the summit, students researched semester, JMU’s Health Policy Collab- widespread and costly public health 15 current bills and familiarized them- orative provides a forum for students concerns. According to the Center selves with the nuances of each. Putting to engage with compelling public health for Disease Control (CDC) more than their research into action, they applied issues while exploring how legislative 400,000 Americans died from an opi- JMU’s ethical reasoning framework and advocacy can improve wellness, work oid-related overdose between 1999 and considered how it could strengthen each and quality of life for many Americans. 2017, and the crisis generated nearly bill. During the event, students used a In March 2019, more than 200 students $78.5 billion in annual economic loss. Team-Based Learning (TBL) approach and faculty – along with Virginia House The U.S. Department of Health and that allowed for inter-disciplinary col- of Delegates representatives Dawn M. Human Services (HHS) declared opioid laboration in a small-group learning Adams (‘86) and Tony Wilt – attended overdose a public health emergency environment. Students from nursing, the Health Policy Summit (HPS) where in 2017, but the crisis continues and social work, occupational therapy and they analyzed issues related to the demands comprehensive solutions. health sciences as well as students from

3 SCHOOL OF NURSING MAGAZINE business and political science contrib- from a task force to prevent illegal sale Above: A student group prepares uted to the dialogue. of narcotics, to education and addiction their proposal poster. resources for local clinics. Professor and associate director for Below: Virginia Delegate undergraduate programs, Jamie Rob- Social work professor Laura Hunt Trull Dawn M. Adams (‘86) addresses inson, is passionate about issues in reflected on the power of this event, the students on the importance public health and was excited about emphasizing how it inspired a mean- of becoming civically engaged in the opportunity to facilitate the HPS ingful discussion across diverse pro- their communities. event. She discussed how interprofes- gram lines. She expressed, “Everyone sional education events not only sup- brings unique perspectives, resources port accuracy, longevity and success in and expertise to the table which can patient-centered care, but also improve be really important and valuable.” She students’ confidence to tackle complex continued, “Necessity breeds empower- challenges. She explained, “All together ment as students are in a place to speak the HPS broadens students’ perspectives up and raise concerns others might not of advocacy regardless of their discipline. have considered.” Each discipline brings its own lens to the table but it is when we take into account Delegate Dawn M. Adams is a JMU each diverse point of view that we can Nursing alumna (’86) and represents reach innovative, feasible and sustainable Virginia’s 68th district. She attended solutions to big problems.” the HPS along with Delegate Tony Wilt who represents Harrisonburg in the 26th Students were then tasked with brain- district. Adams encouraged students to storming solutions to the crisis and lead advancement in their communities developing detailed legislative propos- through civic engagement. She said, “As The HPS concluded with a discussion als to amend current legislation. They a clinician and a policy maker, hearing and reflection about how society can designed posters to share their ideas the proposals of the participants was work together to prevent disease, pro- and took a gallery walk to observe super interesting. Students bring the long life and promote health through other teams’ recommendations. Next, voice of the next generation to Virgin- organized efforts and informed choices. students voted on the top three teams ia’s legislature and it is through civic Practitioners are both the constituents who then presented their proposals in engagement that law makers are made and experts on public health concerns full. The event generated several excel- aware of issues most important to those and they are ready to use their voice to lent policy recommendations, ranging they represent.” make a difference.

2019 4 IN THE NEWS

5 SCHOOL OF NURSING MAGAZINE STUDENTS ADVOCATE FOR “It breaks my IMMUNIZATION PROGRAMS heart that there By Eric Gorton are children both

Four James Madison University nursing This is the third year members of the in the U.S. and students and their advisor were selected JMU chapter of Nursing Students and attended the annual Shot@Life Without Borders (NSWB) have com- globally that are Champion Summit Feb. 25-27 in Washing- pleted the champion training. In 2017, ton, D.C., where they spoke to members two student members were accepted not able to get of congress about the importance of to attend the summit, and in 2018, an global childhood immunization programs. advisor and two student members these potentially were accepted. life-saving Maureen MacLeod, Amanda Mcguire, Valerie Torres and Nellie Young com- Tammy Kiser, an assistant professor of vaccinations due pleted a training session in the fall to nursing and the advisor for JMU Nursing become eligible for the opportunity to Students Without Borders, said eight to a lack of access apply for and attend the summit, where JMU students were selected to attend they joined more than 100 Shot@Life this year’s summit, but only four were and funding.” Champions from across the country. able to fit it into their schedule. Also While in Washington, the students selected were Mary Light (recent grad- received additional training as advo- uate), Taylor Nirich, Bridget Reilly and cates for global childhood immunization Michaela Allen. – Nellie Young, programs, met with legislators on Capi- JMU Nursing student tol Hill, connected with other Champions “I believe it is important for nursing and heard from speakers. students because we teach them that advocacy is so important in bringing will benefit from what they have learned Shot@Life is a grassroots advocacy positive health changes to individuals about the importance of advocacy. campaign of the United Nations Foun- and communities,” Kiser said. “Shot@life “This will be an asset to them and their dation that champions global childhood gives them the opportunity to advocate patients as they work in the nursing pro- immunization for polio, measles, pneu- for the health of children at a higher sys- fession,” she said. monia and rotavirus. tems level, and to see that their efforts actually do have an impact on the health MacLeod, president of JMU NSWB, Below: (L-R) Professor Tammy Kiser of the population.” attended the Shot@Life summit for the and student attendees Amanda second consecutive year and said she Mcguire, Nellie Young, Maureen Kiser said many additional students wants to learn more about global immu- MacLeod, Valerie Torres. completed the training in the fall and nization needs and ways she can help.

“As a Shot@Life champion, I can help educate others on this issue,” she said. “It is also a great way to network with other healthcare professionals, not just those in nursing.”

Young, a senior majoring in nursing, said, “It breaks my heart that there are chil- dren both in the U.S. and globally that are not able to get these potentially life-saving vaccinations due to a lack of access and funding. These children need advocates to fight for them.”

2019 6 JMU HEALTH POLICY INSTITUTE: DNP STUDENTS TAKE THE LEAD ON CRITICAL NATIONAL HEALTHCARE NEEDS

By Victoria Martineau

The Health Policy Institute (HPI), an leaders. These leadership positions, DNP students take time to snap a immersive interprofessional practicum previously held by faculty, required selfie in between meetings. experience, was developed in 2016 to the students to lead the entire student expose Doctor of Nursing Practice experience, making appointments on [year’s] HPI immersion followed a very (DNP) students to the political process Capitol Hill, scheduling legislator visits controversial time when a state senator of effectively advocating for the nation’s and running debriefing sessions with implied that ‘nurses play cards all day.’ most crucial healthcare needs. Built to other students. Caitlin Crowder and Hearing this comment made me recog- meet the American Association of Col- Brandon Lipscomb were selected as nize how important it is to be engaged leges of Nursing’s (AACN) DNP Essential student leaders this year, and rose to in healthcare’s future. It is imperative to V (a policy for advocacy in healthcare), the challenge of organizing and running use my voice to guide the decisions of students attend the week-long event in the event. lawmakers that will impact the future of Washington, D.C. where they are paired patient care.” with policymaker mentors, and meet After attending the HPI for the first time with legislators and key stakeholders last year, Crowder realized how vital it Lipscomb also reflected on the benefit on issues impacting healthcare, nursing was for nurses to get involved in policy of having attended the HPI previously education and practice. that affects healthcare in our nation. and how that experience strengthened She stated, “Nurses who influence his ability to perform as a student leader, A major change to this year’s HPI was policy help shape the care that will be stating, “I recalled how I grew in navigat- the appointment of two DNP student provided today and years to come. This ing the Washington, D.C. environment

7 SCHOOL OF NURSING MAGAZINE “Nurses who influence policy help shape the care that will be provided today and years to come.”

– Caitlin Crowder, JMU Nursing student

and how [attending the HPI last year] Above: Students gather before a prepared me to critically appraise health meeting in Senator Warner’s office. policy and to advocate for the nursing profession. It’s through these [kinds of] attended by Congressman and presi- experiences that nurses are given the dential candidate Tim Ryan, and also in tools and [skill] to advocate not only two Bloomberg Government breakfast for the nursing profession, but also the panel discussions, “A Deep Dive into the patients we care for daily.” State of Environmental Policy” and “A Discussion on Healthcare, Drug Pricing One of the key roles of the student and What’s Next in Healthcare Policy.” leaders was to support their peers with Above: (L-R) Brandon Lipscomb, their individual organizational projects. Similarly, Karen Weeks spent her time Micaela Ross, Interim Director For these projects, each student was with the American Nurses Association Melody Eaton, DNP Program paired with a different healthcare orga- (ANA), an organization that strongly Coordinator Jeannie Garber, nization to engage in activities to pro- supports the Title VIII Workforce Reau- Christine Fasching-Maphis, Karen mote health policy that have a positive thorization Act through lobbying and Weeks, Katherine Hagan-Aylor, impact on both the nursing profession grassroots actions. Karen, along with Caitlin Crowder. and patient outcomes. other DNP students, were able to meet with Congressman Ben Cline and his extent of licensure and scope of practice DNP student Chris Fasching-Maphis senior legislative aide to discuss H.R. by allowing them to order home health was paired with the AACN, where she 728. “I reinforced the need for Con- services; and support for the Workplace worked on a policy brief identifying the gressman Cline’s support, not only for Violence Prevention for Healthcare and necessity of clinical preceptorships for nursing education for safety and quality Social Service Workers Act (S. 851), healthcare education and preparation. of care for patients, but for the issue of requiring OSHA to develop standards “Vital to meeting population healthcare the faculty shortage that perpetuates requiring healthcare to implement a needs nurse researchers will do well the by turning away workplace violence prevention plan. to translate, contribute to and apply qualified applicants.” the evidence towards bolstering and With healthcare at the forefront of many sustaining the supply chain of clinical Other legislation students brought issues that intersect at the local and preceptors,” she stated. Later she par- forth to Senator Mark Warner’s office federal levels, the Health Policy Insti- ticipated in a Politico breakfast panel included the Home Healthcare Planning tute continues to be an impactful and discussion focusing on teaching coping and Improvement Act (S. 293), allowing enlightening part of the JMU School of skills in the classroom that was also nurse practitioners to work to their full Nursing’s DNP program.

2019 8 NURSING FACULTY IN THE NEWS

Christine Fasching-Maphis, MSN, RN-BC, and teaches psychiatric and mental FNP-BC was selected and has begun a health nursing and impact of chronic year-long Environmental Health Nursing illness at James Madison University Fellowship program initiated by the Alli- School of Nursing. Christine is pas- ance of Nurses for Healthy Environments sionate about our planet and natural (ANHE). ANHE developed this first-of-its- resources, as well as the huge impact kind fellowship program to train nurses to that nurses can have in influencing pop- work with communities in tackling serious ulation health through initiatives that environmental health threats, including mitigate and bring awareness to climate toxic chemical pollution, water contam- change. Through the ANHE fellowship ination, climate disruption and related program, Christine hopes to learn more health impacts, and more. about empowering nurses to engage personally and professionally in their Fasching-Maphis is a Psychiatric Mental communities to initiate and support Health Nurse, Family sustainable solutions.

Christine Argenbright, PhD, RN was the 2019-2020 cohort attended a work- selected to take part in the first cohort shop in Chaska, MN where they partici- of Elevating Leaders in Academic Nurs- pated in intensive classes and exercises ing (ELAN). This year-long leadership designed to build their leadership skills development program is part of AACN’s and prepare them for more senior roles new leadership development portfolio, in academic nursing administration. AACN LEADS, and is designed for aspir- Argenbright is the Program Coordinator ing deans and senior faculty in leader- for the Leadership concentrations for ship roles. It provides participants with a the School of Nursing. She states, “The focused assessment experience, a range experience was truly transformative. of content and exercises related to suc- At times, the content was extremely cessful executive leadership and the intense, but it left me with an increased opportunity to establish a peer network understanding of coaching, leadership that fosters long-term partnerships and skills, and a deeper acknowledgement collegial support. From July 28-August 2, of who I am as a nursing leader.”

Laureen Donovan, PhD, RN, CCRN was experiment with technology and pro- selected and participated in the second vided a greater appreciation on how annual Digital Innovation Bootcamp: technology impacts student learning.” From Concept to Action. Hosted by the Donovan looks forward to sharing strat- AACN and Apple Education, 35 faculty egies with fellow nursing faculty. from across the USA attended the event held at Austin Apple Campus this past June. Apple Development Executives and Distinguished Educators provided an interactive experience sharing their expertise on the leading technologies available to enhance and transform learning in the classroom, online and in the clinical setting. Donovan said, “The hands-on experience allowed faculty to

9 SCHOOL OF NURSING MAGAZINE OMEGA ZETA 2019

On Tuesday, February 26, 2019 the Lovell and Julie Sanford provided words as Counselor, Christine Argenbright as JMU School of Nursing chartered their of welcome. The new chapter board of Governance Committee Chair and Lau- new chapter of Inter- directors was installed with Julie Strunk reen Donovan as Leadership Succes- national nursing honor society, Omega as president, Betsy Herron as Vice sion Committee Chair. Twenty-six new Zeta. Richard Ricciardi, President Elect President, Jamie Robinson as President members were present for induction. of Sigma Theta Tau International was Elect, Christina Lam as Treasurer, Car- Congratulations to the newest members present as Chartering Officer. Sharon roll Ward as Secretary, Lisa Carmines of Omega Zeta!

Left: Board of directors - (L-R) Lisa Carmines, Carroll Ward, Julie Strunk, Betsy Herron, Christina Lam, Christine Argenbright, Laureen Donavan and missing from photo Jamie Robinson. Right: New Omega Zeta inductees.

JMU NSA STUDENTS RECOGNIZED AT THE STATE AND NATIONAL LEVELS

The JMU School of Nursing welcomed Awards: over 400 nursing students from schools JMU NSA across the state to the 67th Annual Most Active Constituency Virginia Nursing Students’ Association Karen Weeks State Convention this past February. Most Supportive Faculty Member Students had the opportunity to attend JMU’s “Scrubs Camp” a variety of breakout sessions on cur- Breakthrough to Nursing rent topics relevant to today’s nursing Natalie Chao profession. With more than 30 sessions Student Nurse of the Year to choose from, we thank all our speak- JMU selected state board members: ers and exhibitors for their contributions Above: Current nursing students Meghan Andrews - Treasurer in making the day a success. The House work with pre-nursing students Natalie Chao - Director-at-Large of Delegates conducted their annual in the skills lab during “Scrubs Tess Seibel - PRN member (this is a meeting where nominations took place Camp” event. new role created this year for a stu- and an election was held to appoint the dent who is pre-nursing) new board members for 2019-2020. We are excited to announce that JMU NSA At the National Student Nurses’ Associ- was recognized with four awards and ation Annual Convention, JMU Nursing had three students elected to the board. was recognized with two awards. The “Scrubs Camp” JMU students held in Right: Alyssa Williams, VNSA 2018- the fall won the Breakthrough to Nurs- 2019 President conducts the VNSA ing Monthly Award for November, and annual meeting. then won the overall Breakthrough to Nursing Award.

2019 10 Shawn Craddock (‘17DNP) with the NURSING INTRODUCES inaugural class of NSG 490: PERIOPERATIVE ELECTIVE Introduction to . By Sara Banton academic portion of the class and Craddock works with the students Perioperative nurses work with surgery graduating. Since Sentara RMH is one during their clinicals. patients, surgeons and anesthesiolo- of the few hospitals that hires new gists; most significantly, they work graduates for their perioperative pro- “The course is set up to be a fun learn- “behind the red line,” where only those gram, he wanted to change this. When ing experience and it’s really tailored having surgery or performing surgery he shared his observation with Karen around the student,” Craddock said. He are permitted. There are three phases Weeks, a nursing instructor, she realized emphasized the differences between in the perioperative setting and nurses that students were missing the exposure these clinicals and the medical surgi- are an integral part of the periopera- to perioperative care in the curriculum. cal clinicals. “We have the flexibility tive team. to change clinical days because it’s Two months later, the course they a small group of people, locally con- Shawn Craddock, Director of Perioper- planned was approved and the NSG trolled between Professor Weeks and ative Services at Sentara RMH, noticed 490: Introduction to Perioperative me. The students also get this exposure a lack of JMU nursing students applying Nursing became an elective in the pro- in a more nurturing type of way than in to work in perioperative nursing after gram. Weeks administers the online, a typical nursing clinical.”

11 SCHOOL OF NURSING MAGAZINE The clinicals take place over the course of three eight-hour days. Each day, the student spends the entirety in one of the three phases of perioperative nursing, but prior to going into the clinical setting, the students have to complete the online por- tion of the course for that particular phase.

On the first day, the student shadows nurses preparing a patient for surgery, observing IV starts and learning why nurses ask the patient the questions that they do. On the second day, the student works in the operating room, gaining experience scrubbing in for surgeries, putting on the medical gowns and gloves and assisting the surgeon. On the third day, they work in the post- care unit (PACU), where they care for the patient waking up from the anesthetic and during the immediate recovery phase.

“The main focus, which is a thread that runs through the core of this course, is understanding the safety aspects that the nurse does to make sure the patient is safe throughout the process,” Crad- dock said. “So by the last day, the stu- dent sees this common thread of safety that runs through the entire department and how what you did in pre-op impacts what you did in OR and post-op.”

Mallori Mendez (’18) took the elective the first time it was offered, during the summer of 2018. Surgical services had always been an interest of hers and this elective allowed her to experience it in a clinical setting. With Craddock’s help, she interviewed for a position in the PACU as a Patient Care Technician (PCT) after the course ended. She worked there through the summer and during her last semester at JMU. a position in the PACU at UVA Health Fourth semester students Kathryn System as an RN after I graduated.” Heisig and Lexi Scott prepare for “This course was the first stepping stone the operating room. that led me to my job today,” Mendez Having the experience from the perioper- said. “After seeing the teamwork and ative elective was beneficial for Mendez. the perioperative field, where they get flow of care through the perioperative The course helped her gain two positions a glimpse of something they haven’t experience, I knew that surgical services and exposure to a new field; it proved to seen before,” Weeks said. “Students were something I could see myself doing be life changing. are standing next to surgeons and it’s after becoming a licensed RN. I learned amazing to them. That’s something they a lot from the nurses in the PACU while I “It’s a different type of course and the are so enthusiastic about.” worked as a PCT there and was offered goal was meant to be an immersion into

2019 12 JMU UPCARE scholars Jacob Payne and Jessica Discua-Aguilar during their visit to the RBHA in Richmond, Virginia.

13 SCHOOL OF NURSING MAGAZINE JMU UPCARE GRANT SCHOLARS PARTNER WITH VCU PIONEERS TO SUPPORT RURAL HEALTHCARE

By Victoria Martineau “This experience definitely expanded my horizons of places where I could possibly work.” This past semester, the first cohort of JMU and VCU students gather nine UPCARE (Undergraduate Primary for the beginning of Primary Care and Rural Education) Scholars was Care Camp. selected and began clinical rotations in – Jessica rural Page County, Virginia. Funded by to teach students and healthcare pro- the 2.7 million HRSA’s , fessionals about primary care and rural Discua-Aguilar, Practice, Quality and Retention Program, health concepts and nursing inter- JMU Nursing student the purpose of the grant is to increase ventions. This unique urban and rural the BSN workforce working in primary exchange joined students on campus care settings. Over the next four years at JMU to collaborate on various topics PIONEER grants,” Discua-Aguilar stated. a total of 56 students will be chosen for related to rural primary care, from qual- “Getting to do clinical observations at this experience. A collaborative effort, it ity improvement and medication reconcil- Richmond was absolutely amazing! I is a win-win situation: the scholars gain iation, to healthcare financing and safety shadowed medical assistants, nurses, valuable experience in developing the net programs. In the middle of the week, and doctors. The staff of each of the enhanced primary care RN role, and Page VCU students visited Valley Health Page four locations made sure me and my County Hospital - along with four other Memorial Hospital Rural Health Clinics peers were participating and learning,” rural healthcare clinics - benefits from while JMU students visited two VCU hos- she continued. Onyeador shared, “The the students’ clinical engagement. pital system clinics, Crossover Ministries entire week was a phenomenal teaching, and the Richmond Behavioral Health learning and networking experience! We This summer, JMU UPCARE scholars were Authority (RBHA). Students reunited on got to understand and see for ourselves asked to join with Virginia Commonwealth the final day at Piedmont Valley Com- the true essence of rural healthcare.” University (VCU) for the second week munity College for debriefing of their of their own HRSA-funded PIONEER experiences and developed small-group Although the UPCARE Scholars pro- (Primary care Improved Outcomes with case study presentations to share with gram is still in its early stages, faculty, Nurses in Evolving and Expanding Roles) the larger group. students and involved community grant in a synergistic learning activity partners are working hard to grow the called Primary Care Camp. Both programs JMU UPCARE scholar and first-gener- network so their goals can be achieved share the common goals of educating ation student, Jessica Discua-Aguilar, and more opportunities like the Primary nursing students to begin practice in pri- was excited to participate in the Primary Care Camp can become possible. As mary care settings, enhancing quality of Care Camp, where she connected with Discua-Aguilar stated, “This experience care, and developing the advanced prac- VCU PIONEER student Ikenna Onyeador. definitely expanded my horizons of tice nursing role in rural and underserved Both students expressed a great sense places where I could possibly work. I am communities. These mutual objectives of fulfillment from the experience. “It grateful for the UPCARE grant [making] naturally led to this partnership. was great getting to meet other nurs- this enriching opportunity available.” ing students from a different school The Primary Care camp is a week-long and getting to know the similarities and The UPCARE Scholars program welcomed venture consisting of exercises designed differences between the UPCARE and its second cohort this fall.

2019 14 TACKLING MENTAL HEALTHCARE IN NURSING

By Shannon Shevlin (‘19)

What does innovation and engage- supportive space. SON began incorpo- Above: Second semester students ment look like in action? As bright rating simulations in 2007 and has since observe and record as standardized problem-solvers and driven profes- developed several laboratories ranging patient, Clare, plays the role of a sionals, JMU School of Nursing (SON) from pediatrics to women’s health. patient in need of psychiatric care. students demonstrate how technology, Each is dedicated to exploring a spe- creativity and collaboration lead to cific aspect of nursing and professional to learn and grow. She emphasized the better outcomes in their studies and skills students will use throughout their power of these simulations, and is hope- practice. Fostering an innovation-rich careers. From performing a physical to ful that students will draw inspiration and environment, JMU SON created a psy- mitigating cardiac arrest, simulations take away valuable lessons from their chiatric mental health simulation that are a crucial way students can assess experiences. She said, “We want students will empower and prepare students to their abilities, gain valuable insight and to gain the competence and confidence develop clinical competencies in psy- reflect on learning prior to entering a they need to form relationships with chiatric healthcare. high-risk healthcare setting. any patient,” adding, “It’s necessary for students to experience a level of real- Laboratory and simulation experiences Lab director Lauren Mullen has overseen ness and the emotions that come with it. are vital to a nurse’s education as they the creation of lab simulations since 2014 Students will be better prepared when challenge students to address real and is passionate about creating immer- they are faced with these situations in patient needs, but in a controlled and sive and engaging spaces for students real life.”

15 SCHOOL OF NURSING MAGAZINE The psychiatric simulation is located some have been discharged from the Above: Standardized patients on the third floor of JMU’s Health and hospital but are not ready to go home. use both verbal and non-verbal Behavioral Studies building and has cues while realistically enacting several functions for learning. Equipped The simulation features five patient their roles during assessment by with leading-edge technology and inte- profiles based on SON instructor Chris the students. grative audio-visual capabilities, the Fasching-Maphis’ work as an advanced psychiatric simulation is designed to practice nurse who cares for individu- conditions, needs and emotions likely mimic a crisis stabilization unit (CSU). als with mental health disorders. Each to be observed in an everyday CSU set- Small inpatient facilities like CSUs pro- patient is diverse in background and ting. On simulation days, students are vide intermediary care for individuals represents someone who suffers from pre-briefed and review their objectives in a crisis who are transitioning in their a common psychiatric disorder such as before beginning and initiating a thera- journey toward recovery. CSUs are vol- depression, anxiety, bipolar, schizophre- peutic relationship. They are given two untary and community-based, and serve nia or substance abuse. Highly trained hours of contact time with the patient, in a unique capacity by giving patients actors known as standardized patients followed by a critical and analytical a five-seven day treatment window as enact the patient role and portray reflection of their actions and experi- ences in the simulation.

Mullen and her lab team are excited for students to feel more confident in their abilities to administer medicine, take on leadership positions and manage group dynamics. Mullen expressed, “We want students to graduate with ambitions of supporting wellness in every way possible, but exposure and immersion in this way are important first steps.”

Left: Students look on as instructor Christine Fasching-Maphis interacts with a standardized patient helping to set the scenario for the psychiatric simulation experience.

2019 16 Above: Melody Eaton (center) with INTERIM DIRECTOR BECOMES her AAN sponsors, Robin Remsburg AN AAN FELLOW (left) and Julie Sanford (right) By Sara Banton

The American Academy of Nursing Eaton led a coalition of specialty groups (AAN) is a prestigious organization that implementing a model political action “...The knowledge promotes the nursing profession through plan to achieve state budget improve- education, practice, research and policy. ments, leading to increased nursing I gain on any Their fellows are the accomplished lead- program enrollments, workforce devel- professional ers and the members of the Academy. In opment and improved access and quality November 2018, Melody Eaton, Interim of care. As the VNA Commissioner on platform is Director of the School of Nursing was Nursing Education, she exponentially formally inducted as a Fellow of the expanded Virginia nursing educational brought back to American Academy of Nursing. offerings. Partnering with the Virginia Action Coalition and the Robert Wood our students...” To become a Fellow, candidates must Johnson Foundation, she headed ini- submit an application and have two tiatives contributing to an increase in Fellows in good standing sponsor RN-BSN graduates. their application. With just 2,500 Fel- – Melody Eaton, lows across the nation, the Academy is In addition, Eaton directed a faculty JMU Nursing professor selective in their choices. Fellows must team to build a Health Policy Collabo- and interim director demonstrate accomplishments within the rative and engage interprofessional stu- nursing profession prior to acceptance dents in a Health Policy Summit, during and afterwards continue to aid in trans- which students study team-based learn- forming the United States’ health sys- ing to increase advocacy knowledge and “Everything I do reflects the JMU School tem. They challenge applicants by asking skills. She also developed a Health Policy of Nursing,” Eaton said. “The more we get the impact and outcomes of their work Institute, a Capitol Hill immersion pairing involved on state and federal levels and and how they can contribute to the AAN. Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) stu- the more we set examples for students to dents with federal policymakers. She has get involved, the greater the chance that Eaton’s background includes work pro- also been awarded the March of Dimes our students will influence health policy in ducing state, national and international Nurse of the Year award and her advo- the future. The knowledge I gain on any impact. Chairing the Legislative Coalition cacy work has been published in Policy, professional platform is brought back to of Virginia Nurses and collaborating with Politics & Nursing Practice, Peer Review our students to empower them to engage the Virginia Nurses Association (VNA), and Nurse Educator. in the health policymaking process.”

17 SCHOOL OF NURSING MAGAZINE SOCIAL MEDIA SENSATION NURSE BLAKE COMES TO JMU By Shannon Shevlin (‘19)

JMU School of Nursing (SON) students, In addition to delivering an entertaining alumni, faculty, staff and friends attended and inspiring show, Nurse Blake is an a one-of-a-kind show designed just for advocate for nurses and patients every- nurses to celebrate the joys and chal- where. He has founded several success- lenges of their profession. An Orlando ful social campaigns including Nurses native, Blake Lynch graduated with Support Their Young and Banned4Life. his BSN from the University of Central Nurse Blake connects with the Florida in 2014. While he has worked in “As other nurses follow in our footsteps, audience through his engaging a variety of nursing roles ranging from we need to always inspire, motivate and sense of humor. medical-surgical to trauma and ICU, Lynch help them. We are all in this together,” doubles as an internet sensation known as said Nurse Blake about changing the “Its not about the letters behind your “Nurse Blake”. With content that reaches culture of entry level nursing through name but about what you do with them,” more than 12,000,000 people every his Nurses Support Their Young initia- said Nurse Blake to students on Monday, month, Nurse Blake has over 875,000 tive. The organization strives to end the April 15. He reminded them how nurses followers and his videos have been viewed ‘nurses eat their young’ cliché, and build make a difference in the lives of patients more than 200,000,000 times. His hilari- healthier work environments for all. and they should take that seriously. ous, honest and relatable spirit made him “What are you passionate about?” he an ideal guest for JMU Nursing. In 2013, Blake founded Banned4Life to asked. His message to students was to raise awareness about an outdated FDA find and pursue their passions, and not In February 2019, Nurse Blake ran an policy that permanently bans gay men to give up on the impact they hope to online contest, promising a live show for from donating blood. After being turned make as a nurse. fans in five cities that received the most away from donating blood because of votes. Contending sites spanned across his identity as a gay man, Blake decided For more information about Nurse the U.S. and Canada, but Harrisonburg, to take action. The movement’s passion- Blake or to watch his video content, visit VA won in the final count among four ate energy has since led to a revised FDA www.nurseblake.com other cities including Queens, New York; policy, lifting the lifetime ban in 2015. Dallas, Texas; Tuscaloosa, Alabama and While there is still more progress to be Las Vegas, Nevada. made, Blake’s initiative curbed discrim- inatory effects of the policy, allowing “As other nurses Nurse Blake visits the Women’s more people to meet blood shortage Health Simulation Lab. needs and save lives. follow in our footsteps, we need to always inspire, motivate and help them. We are all in this together.”

– Blake Lynch, Internet sensation “Nurse Blake”

2019 18 NURSES OF THE YEAR: VIRGINIA MARCH OF DIMES RECOGNIZES JMU NURSING STUDENTS & ALUMNA

By Victoria Martineau

This past November, the 2018 Virginia as a one-on-one tutor once per week March of Dimes (MOD) Nurse of the for anatomy, physiology, chemistry and Year Awards luncheon was held at the statistics. She completed a summer beautiful Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, internship for MedStar Georgetown Virginia. This event celebrates and University Hospital in the summer of recognizes the contributions to the 2018, providing care on the thoracic IMC profession of the most outstanding unit. After graduating in May 2019, Ken- nurses in 20 different categories. The dra accepted a position at Georgetown JMU School of Nursing was well-rep- University Hospital in Washington, D.C. resented with Christine Argenbright, finalist for Nurse Educator of the Year; Kendra Graham and Courtney Covert, Sarah Nash (’12) accepts her award who both won Nursing Student of the from the event host. Year honors; and alumna Sarah Nash winning Charge Nurse of the Year. We Sarah Nash (’12) was honored as the are proud of and congratulate all the Virginia March of Dimes Charge Nurse finalists and winners! of the Year. She is currently the clinical care leader on the orthopaedic joint replacement unit at Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital in Richmond, Virginia. Sarah also serves as the Central Virginia Courtney Covert (’19) holds her MOD Chapter President of NAON (National Nursing Student of the Year Award. Association of Orthopaedic Nurses) and on NAON’s national committee, Courtney Covert (’19) chose nurs- Advancing the Career of Orthopaedic ing because, as she stated, “Nursing RNs (ACORN). allows you to help a patient and their family during such a critical time in their lives, and it gives you the oppor- Kendra Graham (‘19) (with parents) tunity to make a big impact.” During “Nursing allows celebrates her Nursing Student of the her time at JMU she was the Nursing Year Award win at the MOD luncheon. Student Association (NSA) Fundrais- you to help a ing co-chair and an active member As a student, Kendra Graham (‘19) of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. patient and their immersed herself in activities that would She is currently serving out her 2018- support her nursing journey at JMU. 2019 term as treasurer for the Virginia family during She served as the community outreach Nurses Student Association (VNSA). such a critical director for the JMU Nursing Student Her nursing interests are pediatric Association (NSA) where she orga- and adult oncology. After graduating time...” nized a prom event for senior citizens, in May 2019, she began working at UVA coordinated a relay for life team and Medical Center on the Hematology/ engaged 40 middle school students in Oncology Unit. an after- day program. – Courtney Kendra also served as a delegate for the Virginia Nurses Student Associ- Covert (’19), ation (VNSA). She provided services JMU Nursing alumna

19 SCHOOL OF NURSING MAGAZINE JMU NURSES WIN “There is so 40 UNDER 40 AWARDS much you can By Shannon Shevlin (‘19) do with nursing and I hope future nurses know they should never settle...”

– Ava Speciale (‘17), JMU Nursing alumna

the University of Virginia Health System. In her role at UVA, Speciale is responsible for overseeing staff and patient care, as well as activities like risk management, emer- gency management and patient relations.

A driven and energetic 35-year-old, Speciale is recognized with a 40 under 40 award for her achievements in rais- ing awareness of workplace violence and efforts to end nurse abuse. Since April 2018, Speciale has served on the Protecting, promoting and improving RN to BSN graduate, Ava Speciale American Nurses Association’s #End- health through quality care is every (‘17), is currently enrolled in the MSN NurseAbuse professional issues panel nurse’s mission – and today’s generation Nurse Administrator concentration and collaborated with steering commit- of nurses is ready to tackle this challenge. at JMU. tee members to identify the barriers for Through action and initiative, young effective reporting of violent and abu- nurses in Virginia apply this mission in in rural communities, actively working to sive incidents. In her role as a situational everyday duties while leading advance- expand access to and improve quality of awareness and violent events (SAVE) ment in the field. Two exceptional young services. Tacy has recently accepted an prevention workgroup member, Speciale nurse leaders, former JMU professor Joe associate dean position at the University addresses mitigation, preparedness and Tacy and RN-to-BSN graduate Ava Spe- of Mississippi School of Nursing. response efforts regarding violence and ciale (‘17) were recognized by the Virginia abuse nurses endure on the job. She Nurses Foundation’s (VNF) 40 under Speciale knew she wanted to be a nurse is passionate about improving safety 40 award initiative for their outstanding when she was 17 years old and her grand- for nurses, patients and hospital staff, leadership, professional practice and mother was diagnosed with cancer. In car- reminding others how powerful educa- community impact. ing for her grandmother, Speciale found tion and incident reporting can be. Spe- she had the drive and heart to be a com- ciale articulated, “There is so much you While this was Tacy’s last year of eligibil- passionate, effective and impactful nurse. can do with nursing and I hope future ity before his 40th birthday, his achieve- After earning her associate’s degree in nurses know they should never settle,” ments in the nursing field are impressive 2006 from a local community college, she added, “Just because one aspect of for his young age. Tacy holds a PhD in Speciale spent eight years as a trauma nursing isn’t a good fit, doesn’t mean Nursing from the University of Texas at nurse in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Speciale you won’t excel in another. Speciale is Tyler and an MSN from JMU. He is pas- then earned her BSN from JMU in 2017 currently enrolled in the MSN Nurse sionate about nursing education and care and is currently a nursing supervisor for Administrator concentration at JMU.

2019 20 YEAR THREE IN TANZANIA

21 SCHOOL OF NURSING MAGAZINE BUILDING GLOBAL RELATIONSHIPS

By Betsy Herron

On May 20, 2019, 16 JMU nursing Shirati Hospital is a 180-bed healthcare Lauren Morris (center) and Jessie students boarded planes and headed facility that provides general care, Huff (right) share a lighthearted to East Africa. They arrived in Dar es surgical services, mother-baby care, a moment with a community member. Salaam, Tanzania to learn about the leprosy clinic and hostel, a community culture, healthcare system and history outreach program and services for held a class discussion on diabetes for of the country. After a few days in the those living with HIV. Students were all of the nursing students and each city, the students boarded a bus for also able to learn about the nursing JMU student was paired with a local a five hour ride to Shirati where they profession in Tanzania during their student to learn more about the culture would spend the next ten days learning ten-day stay at the facility. The hos- and the profession. from the doctors, nurses and commu- pital supports a where nity healthcare planners about how students can earn a Upon leaving Shirati, the group healthcare is delivered within areas of and provide care throughout Tanzania embarked on a safari through the the country that lack resources. upon graduation. JMU nursing faculty Serengeti National Park. Students and

2019 22 faculty spent two days of absolute Above: (L-R) Taylor Kilgour, Jenna awe and wonderment at the amazing Kosyla and Julia Schwartz celebrate animals that roam free throughout the with a photo after taking part in the park before preparing for their next labor and delivery of a child. learning experience. Right: Cathy Dang assists with the The last week of the trip was spent in care of a pediatric patient. Moshi, Tanzania working with the local church to provide healthcare to peo- be easily remedied were treated on-site, ple in the outer villages who otherwise while those with more complex problems have no resources available. The stu- were referred to the hospital 20 kilome- dents spent the first day touring the ters away. The students learned valuable villages and speaking with the people to lessons about the lack of resources and experience impacted each person in determine their healthcare needs. The how to be creative in providing care to their own way; however, every person following two days were spent triaging those with the most need. on the trip left Tanzania enlightened patients and then caring for them along with the passion to make a difference in with an advanced healthcare provider. After 22 days in-country, students and patients’ lives by utilizing every resource Patients with health issues that could faculty were ready to head home. The available to them and become better, more innovative healthcare providers.

The JMU School of Nursing contin- ues to be committed to international experiences through the JMU Center for Global Engagement (CGE) study abroad programs. With this being the third successful year of student travel to Tanzania, faculty look forward to furthering the beneficial relationships that have been created with the people of this beautiful country.

Instructor Jayme Haynes teaches nursing care of diabetic patients to JMU and Shirati School of Nursing students.

23 SCHOOL OF NURSING MAGAZINE NURSING CONVOCATION AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS: DECEMBER 2018 AND MAY 2019

This past year JMU graduated 168 BSN, 30 MSN and eight DNP students

BSN Awards:

Honors Program Graduates - The The Marcia Dake Rockingham Memo- The Merck Scholar Award - This award honors program at JMU is an academic rial Hospital Award for Excellence in is given to the undergraduate nursing community that engages highly moti- Clinical Practice - This award is deter- student who has achieved the highest vated and intellectually gifted students mined by faculty in recognition of the cumulative GPA. in exceptional experiences that develop graduate who is the most outstanding excellence in leadership, scholarship in clinical practice. Elizabeth Spellman (’18) and and service. Sarah Berger (’19) Shaolin Mosley (’18) and Elizabeth Spellman (’18), Ashley Kim (’19) Morgan Timberlake (’19) and The Outstanding Undergraduate Nicole Phillips (’19) Senior Peer Award - is given to a stu- The Victoria Alcantara Outstanding dent who is nominated by the senior class Undergraduate Student Award - This is and then chosen by a vote of the class. BSN ROTC graduates - These grad- the highest undergraduate student honor. uates have made a commitment to the The faculty members select a student who Maria Rivera-Hernandez (’18) and armed forces and to serve our country. demonstrates excellence in promoting the Ashley Kim (’19) The additional rigors of the ROTC expe- profession of nursing, actively pursues rience promote excellence in leadership knowledge, is involved in the university for these graduates. and the community and exemplifies caring in their nursing practice. Ashley Kim (’19) – Army ROTC, Margaret Lavery (’19) and Brooke Thompson (’18) and Jaclyn Lynch (’19) - Air Force ROTC Alyssa Williams (‘19)

BSN graduates during the 2019 commencement ceremony.

2019 24 RN to BSN Awards: MSN and DNP Awards: DNP Award:

The RN to BSN Scholar Award - This The Outstanding Graduate Student The Doctoral Award for Outstanding award is determined by the highest GPA Leadership Award - This is presented DNP Project - This award is voted on and outstanding academic performance. to a student who excels in academic by faculty and it honors the DNP stu- In 2019 there was a three-way tie. and clinical performance, service and dent whose project has the potential leadership, innovation and is voted on to directly or indirectly influence out- Bonnie Schreiber (’18), by the faculty. comes related to healthcare, practice, James Plummer (’19), or policy; demonstrates scholarly rigor, Emily Helm (’19) and Audrey Myers (’18DNP) and innovation and contributes to the pro- Jill Richmond (’19) Maria McDonald (’14, ‘19M) fession; demonstrates a measurable improvement in quality or impact on care delivery and/or outcomes; may be The Outstanding RN-BSN Peer Award The School of Nursing Award for implemented in other settings or with - Students are nominated for this award Excellence in Nursing Practice - This other populations, exemplifies innova- by the class and the winner chosen by award, voted on by the faculty, is pre- tion and leadership in nursing practice. a vote. sented to a graduate who demonstrates clinical excellence, compassion, caring Jill Delawder (’18DNP) recieved this Mark Stevens (’18) and and respects human dignity. award with her project titled: An Elizabeth O’Connell (’19) Interdisciplinary Code Sepsis Team to Melissa Bond (’19) Improve Sepsis Bundle Compliance in the Emergency Department

2018 DNP Graduates: (L-R) Rebecca Howdyshell, Audrey Myers, Cynthia Atkinson, Chinor Fattahi, Kristen Hanger, Jill Delawder, Carlissa Lam and Katherine Skiff

25 SCHOOL OF NURSING MAGAZINE 2018-19 JMU SCHOOL OF NURSING FACULTY AND ALUMNI PUBLICATIONS

Schminkey, D., Liu, X., Annan, S. & Adams, P. & Hulton, L. (2018). Exploring Lewis, E.J.,​ Ludwig, P.M., & Nagel, J., Sawin, E. (2019) Contributors to health the sexual assault response team per- (PAP). Ethical reasoning confidence: inequities in rural Latinas of childbearing ception of interprofessional collabora- Pre/post an interdisciplinary empathy age: An integrative review using an eco- tion: Implications for Emergency based design course. ​Nursing Education logical framework. Sage Open, 9(1), Department Nurses. Advanced Emer- Today. doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2019.01.011. 1-20. DOI: 10.1177/2158244018823077 gency Nursing Journal, 40 (3), 214-225. McCarthy, S., Barnes, A., Holland, K.S., ​ Donovan, L. & Mullen, L. (2019). Kiser, T. & Hulton, L. (July-September Lewis, E.​, Ludwig, P. &, Swayne, N. Expanding nursing simulation programs 2018). Addressing healthcare needs in (2018). Making it: Institutionalizing col- with a standardized patient protocol on the homeless population: A new laborative innovation in public therapeutic communication. Nurse Edu- approach using Participatory Action higher education. ​Printed proceedings cation in Practice, 38(C), 126-131. Research. Sage Open Special Collection: from HEAD’18: Fourth International Con- Community-Based Participatory ference on Higher Education Advances. deValpine, M., Hanula, K., Trinkle, D., Pos- Research. DOI: 10.1177/215824491878950 ton, R., Owen, J., Brashers, V., & Lewis, E. Greco, S., Lewis, E., Sanford, J., Sawin, (2019). Expanding Rural Opioid Addictions Jagiello, K. P. (2018). Seeking to do E.M., Ames, A. (2019). Ethical reason- Treatment: An Inter-institutional, Interpro- what’s best for baby: A grounded the- ing debriefing in disaster simulation. fessional Telehealth Case Study Simulation. ory (Order No. 10845130). Available Journal of Professional Nursing, 35 Virginia Journal of Public Health. 3(1); 3-23. from ProQuest Dissertations & The- (2). 124-132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. ses Global. (2102131158). Retrieved profnurs.2018.09.004 deValpine, M., & Trull, L. (2019). Health from https://search.proquest.com/ Equity in Community Assessments: A Sawin, E.M. & Kiser, T.C. (2019) “Com- docview/2102131158?accountid=11667 Participatory Approach in Rural Virginia. municable and Infectious Disease Risks” Sage Open Special Collection Communi- Sawin, E.S., & Kiser, T., (In Press) Com- Practice: Popula- ty-Based Participatory Research: Pop- municable and infectious disease risks. tion-Centered Healthcare in the Com- ulation Health and Patient Center Care In Stanhope, L. & Lancaster, J. Public munity, edited by Marcia Stanhope and at the Cross-Roads. January-March; 1-8. Health Nursing: Population Centered Jeanette Lancaster. 10th Edition. Else- DOI: 10.1177/2158244019838925 Care. Elsevier: St. Louis, MI. 2019. vier: Maryland Heights, Missouri.

Kile, D., Eaton, M., deValpine, M., & Gill- Bond, M., and Knopp A. (2018). Pallia- Robinson, J., Swift-Scanlan, T., & Salyer, bert, R. (2018). The Effectiveness of tive care in northern Tanzania: doing a J. (2019). Obesity and one-year mortal- Education and Cognitive Rehearsal in lot with a little. International Journal of ity in adults after sepsis: A systematic Managing Nurse-to-Nurse Incivility: A Palliative Nursing, 24, 6,296-303. Doi: review. Biological Research for Nursing. Pilot Study. Journal of Nursing Manage- 10.12968/ijpn.2018.24.6.296 Accepted with revisions. ment. DOI: 10.111/jonm.12709. Lam, C. and Schubert, C. (2019). Evi- Burnett, C., Crowder, J., Bacchus, L. J., Powers, K. A., Herron, E. K., & Pagel, J. dence-based practice competence in Schminkey, D., Bullock, L., Sharps, P., & (2019). Nurse preceptor role in new gradu- nursing students: An exploratory study Campbell, J. (2019). “It Doesn’t Freak Us ate nurses’ transition to practice. Dimensions with important implications for educators. Out the Way It Used to”: An Evaluation of of , 38(3), 131-136. Worldviews in Evidence-based Nursing, the Domestic Violence Enhanced Home 16(2), 161-167. doi: 10 .1111/w v n .12 357 Visitation Program to Inform Practice and Houlahan, B. (2018). The Origins of Policy Screening for IPV. Journal of inter- School Nursing. The Journal of School Leisen, M., Schmucker, E., & Schneider, L. personal violence, 0886260519827161.1-28. Nursing, 34, (3), 203-210. doi. (2019). Respite Care for Children and https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260519827161 org/10.1177/1059840517735874 Youth with Special Healthcare Needs. Chi- cago, IL: Society of . Samankasikorn, W., Alhusen, J., Yan, G., Houlahan, B. (2019/2020). The Promo- Schminkey, D. L., & Bullock, L. (2019). Rela- tion of Early School Nurses in Virginia: Lewis, E.J., Ludwig, P., McCarthy, S., Hol- tionships of Reproductive Coercion and Learning from Our History (1900 to land, K., Barnes, A., & Swayne, N. (In review). Intimate Partner Violence to Unintended Present) to Build a New Future. The Innovation happens at the interface: A case Pregnancy. Journal of Obstetric, Gyneco- Journal of School Nursing study in developing transdisciplinary faculty logic & , 48(1), 50-58. networks. Innovative​ Higher Education.

2019 26 Schminkey, D.L., & Duffy, A. (2019 in press) pre-service school-based professionals: McDonald, M., and Eaton, M. (2018). Genetics and Genomics in Professional Faculty and student collaboration. Teach- An Update on Healthcare Reform. Vir- Nursing. In Friberg, E.E. (Ed..), Conceptual ing and Learning in Communication Sci- ginia Nurses Today (August, 2018 issue). Foundations: The Bridge to Professional ences & Disorders, 13(1), 1-19 Baldwin, S., Zook, S. Sanford, S. (2018). Nursing Practice, Sixth Edition. Herron, E.K. and Strunk, J.A. (2019, in Implementing Post-Hospital Interprofes- Cangin, C., Focht, B., Harris, R., and press). Engagement with Community sional Care Team Visits to Improve Care Strunk, J.A. (2019). Rise in hepatitis E Partners to Promote and Enhance the Transitions and Decrease Hospital Read- seroprevalence in the United States: Transition of Evidence Based Nursing mission Rates. Professional Case Man- NHANES 2013-2014 and NHANES 2015- from the Classroom to Clinical Practice. agement 23(5)264-271. 2016. Journal of Medical Virology, 91(1), World Views in Evidence-Based Nursing Gandy, J., Sawin, E., Zook, S., Eggert, 124-131. doi: 10.1002/jmv.25299 Carnago, L., Bowers-Lanier, B., Eaton, M., L. (Accepted 2018, in press). Improving Strunk, J.A., Kipps-Vaughan, D., Pavelko, and Deveneau, L. (2018). From practical to Adherence to Mental Health Treatment, S.L., Allen-Bronaugh, D., Myers, K., Gilligan, powerful: how a nursing student health Sage Open Special Collection on Com- T., Kielty, M.L., Richardson, E. and Tacy, J.W. policy fellowship transformed my political, munity Based Participatory Research. (2019). Interprofessional education for professional, and patient advocacy. Journal of Practical and Professional Nursing, 2(1).

2018-19 JMU SCHOOL OF NURSING FACULTY PODIUM PRESENTATIONS

Argenbright, C. & Sanford. J., Sher- ethical practice obligations? Sigma Houlahan, B. (2019, February). From wood, G., Jimenez Herrara, M., Bengts- Theta Tau Pi Mu, Omega Zeta, Profes- Student Nurse to Professional Nurse; son, M., Moriyama, M., Iwamoto, Y., sional Conference, Harrisonburg, VA. How do I Get There? Career Counseling Jordan, P., Lui, L. (2018) Nursing Stu- on Resumes, Cover Letters and Inter- Herron, E. K., Strunk, J. A., & Puffen- dents’ Global Perspectives on beliefs, life views. Paper presented at the 67th barger, N. (July 2018)Engaging Commu- events and values during an international Annual Virginia Nursing Students’ Asso- nity Partners to Transition EBP from event in Hiroshima, Japan. Presented at ciation Annual State Convention.; It’s Classroom to Clinical Practice (Podium) STTI 29th International Your TuRN! James Madison University, Nursing Education in the Rockies Con- Congress, Melbourne, Australia. Harrisonburg, Virginia. ference, Vail, Colorado. Poston, R., Lewis, E., Owen, J., Trinkle, Houlahan, B. (2018, September). “Those Herron, E. K., Powers, K. A., Pagel, J., D., deValpine, M., Hanula, K. & Brash- were not schoolrooms we inspected; they (September 2018) Video Simulation as ers, V. (2018, February). Harnessing were contagious wards with all the dif- Preparation for Nurse Preceptors in Telehealth and Interuniversity Collabo- ferent diseases so mingled it was a won- Practice: Addressing the Development ration for Interprofessional Education der that each child did not have them all. of Clinical Reasoning in Pre-Licensure and Care of Complex Patients: Address- Many of them did…all at once.” (Baker, Nursing Students & New Graduate ing the Opioid Crisis. VCU Emswiler 1939, p. 79). Paper presented at the 35th Nurses (Podium) NLN Education Sum- Conference on Interprofessional Educa- Annual American Association of the His- mit, Chicago, IL. tion, Richmond, VA. tory of Nursing, Nursing and Healthcare Houlahan, B. (2019, March). The Per- Conference, San Diego, California. Weeks, K, & Donovan, L (2019) 45th sonal and Professional Became Politi- Biennial Sigma Theta Tau Convention; DeLawder, J. & Hulton, L. (2018). An cal: The Emergence of School Nursing Podium Presentation; “Nursing Students interdisciplinary code sepsis team to through Policy Change; Virginia, 1900 Response to Alarms: Does Alarm Fatigue improve sepsis bundle compliance in the -1925. Paper presented at the Joint Start in Nursing School?” ED. The 11th National Doctor of Nursing Meeting of the Southern Association Practice Conference. September 27-29, Fasching-Maphis, C. (2019, April) The for the History of Medicine and Sci- 2018: Palm Spring, CA. biggest population health threat of the ence and the Agnes Dillon Randolph 21st century: Climate Change. Are we International History Conference, Hulton, L., Zook, S. & Kiser, T. (2018). fulfilling our scope, standards, and Charlottesville, Virginia. Pathways to Sustainability: A community-

27 SCHOOL OF NURSING MAGAZINE based program in a homeless popula- Robinson, J., Lam, C., Herron, E., Weeks, K. (2019, February). Alarm tion. The 11th National Doctor of Nursing Strunk, J., & Weeks, K. (2019). Brown Fatigue. It’s Your TuRN. Harrisonburg, VA. Practice Conference. September 27-29, Bag Discussion Series on Clinical Weeks, K., Garber, J. & Kile, D. (2019, 2018: Palm Spring, CA. Teaching. School of Nursing. James April). Implementing the Discharge Nav- Madison University. Hulton, L., (2018). Engaging community igator on 30-day Readmissions: A Pilot partners: Healthcare for the Homeless Robinson, J., Lam, C., Herron, E., & Study. Sigma Theta Tau Research Day. (lightning round). Engagement for the Pub- Strunk, J. (2019). Clinical Reasoning and Harrisonburg, VA. lic Good Conference: Connecting Learning the Next Gen NCLEX. School of Nursing. Brown, C, Carmines, L. (2018, Septem- to Community & Civic Engagement. James James Madison University. ber) Professional Issues in Nursing; Madison University. Nov 7-9, 2018. Selznick, B. S., McCarthy, S., Ludwig, P, Esoteric to students, Essential to all! Jagiello, K. P. (2019, April). Seeking to Swayne, N.*, &​ Lewis, E. ​(Accepted). Virginia Nurses Association Fall Innova- do what’s best for baby. Research Day: University innovation and innovators: A tions Conference, Richmond, VA Working to the Top of Your License. response-able conceptual model. Eaton, M. (2019, April 17). Virginia Symposium conducted at the Omega Podium presentation at the Annual Nurses Association Spring Meeting: The Zeta chapter of Sigma Theta Tau con- meeting of EAIR: The European Business of Caring. Moderator/Planner, ference in Harrisonburg, VA. Higher Education Society, Central Euro- Richmond, Virginia. pean University, Leiden, Netherlands. Jagiello, K. P. (2019, February). Seeking to Crance, J., Eaton, M., and Zook, S. (2019, do what’s best for baby. 33rd Annual Con- Lipscomb, B., Lewis,​ E.J.​, & Zook, S., April 9). What Is Baseline? Collegiate Stu- ference of the Southern Nursing Research (2019, March). Nursing​ Innovation: Steps dents In High-Stress Settings: A Concussion Society. Symposium conducted at the to Full Practice Licensure. Podium pre- Policy Analysis, Omega Zeta Chapter of SNRS Annual Conference in Orlando, FL. sentation at ​Omega Zeta Research STTI Research Day, Harrisonburg, Virginia. Day, Harrisonburg, Virginia. Jagiello, K. P. (2019, February). Quality Eaton, M. (2019, January 15). Taking your Matters: Insights from faculty implemen- McCarthy, S., Barnes, A., Holland, K.S., ​ Message to Legislators. Central Virginia tation. 2019 Virginia Student Nurses Asso- Lewis, E.​, Ludwig, P. &, Swayne, N. Chapter of AMSN, University of Virginia. ciation Convention, Symposium conducted (2018, July). Making it: Institutionalizing at the VSNA 2019 Convention at the James collaborative innovation in public Garber, J. (2019). Exploring Nurse Man- Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA. higher education. ​Podium Presentation ager Moral Distress: Moving from Colle- at ​HEAD’18: Fourth International Con- gial Conversations to a Collaborative Kiser, T., Maiewski, S., Akerson, E., & Walsh, ference on Higher Education Advances, Research Study. Sigma Theta Tau J. (2019). An Interprofessional Approach to Omega Zeta JMU Research Day. Community Health and Nutrition at an Sawin, E. “Association Between Nursing Emergency Shelter. Omega Zeta Chapter of Curriculum Diversity-Related Simula- Garber, J., Zellefrow, C., Guthrie, S., & STTI Research Day, JMU. April 9, 2019. tions and Developing Nursing Students’ Rousell, L. (2019). National Survey of Confidence for Providing Culturally DNP Programs: Commonalities and Dif- Knopp, A. DNPs implementing and Sus- Competent Care. 44th Annual Transcul- ferences in the Implementation of the taining Practice Change in Tanzania,2018 tural Nursing Society Conference, San DNP Project. AACN Doctoral Education National DNP Conference, Palm Springs, Antonio, TX, October, 2018. With L. Conference. San Diego, California. CA, September 26-30, 2018. Sobel and J. Harnage. Garber, J., Whitehead, P., Carter, K., & Lam, C. & Herron, E. (2019). Baccalaure- Sawin, E “Community Assessment.” Epstein, B. (2018). Exploring Nurse Man- ate nursing students’ perceptions of evi- Inaugural Conference: Engagement for ager Moral Distress: Moving from Collegial dence-based practice competence in the the Public Good, James Madison Univer- Conversations to a Collaborative Research clinical setting: Implications for educators. sity, November, 2018. With M. DeVal- Study. Virginia Nurses Association, Inno- Virginia League for Nursing. Richmond, VA. pine, L. Trull, & J. Nussbaum. vations Conference, Richmond, Virginia. Metzler-Sawin, E., Robinson, J., Lam, C., Sawin, E 67th Virginia Nursing Students’ Garber, J. & Argenbright, C. (2018). Harnage, J., Switzer, T., & Skillman, A.C. Association Convention. “Rurality as an Designing the DNP Pathway for Master’s (2019). Rural Health in Virginia: Disparities, Aspect of Cultural Diversity.” in Nursing Education Colleagues. Vir- Dilemmas, and Overview of a JMU School of ginia Doctor of Nursing Practice Annual Nursing Solution. Sigma Theta Tau Omega Hollar, J., Lawson, P., Smith, C., Chappell, Conference. Richmond, Virginia. Zeta Research Day. Harrisonburg, VA. J., Zurakowski, T., & Robinson, J. (2019). Two-Year/Four-Year A&P/Nursing/Allied Zook, S., Knopp, A. (September 28, 2018). Lam, C. & Schubert, C. (2019). Exploring Health Departments Round Table Discus- “DNPs Implementing and Sustaining Evidence-based practice Competence in sion. Virginia Community College Sys- Change in Tanzania.” Doctorate of Nursing Baccalaureate Nursing Students. Southern tems STEM Peer Group Conference. Practice Conference. Palm Springs, CA. Nursing Research Society. Orlando, FL.

2019 28 THE LAST LECTURE: CELEBRATING MEANINGFUL CAREERS AND SAYING GOODBYE

By Michele Dombrowski

The Last Lecture event was held this of Pennsylvania. She came to James (L-R) Professors Linda Sobel, past spring to honor four faculty serv- Madison University in 1985 and worked Sharon Strang Zook, Joy Harnage. ing out their final semester before part-time in the BSN program until 1995. Not pictured, Margaret Bagnardi. retirement. In a room filled with sup- She left to pursue her education as a portive family, friends and colleagues Family Nurse Practitioner and returned Zook has numerous publications in both each member gave a short presenta- later to JMU in 2003 to help start the books and professional journals. She has tion sharing thoughts, experiences and adult and family nurse practitioner pro- received college and state awards for highlights from their nursing careers. grams. She completed her DNP at UVA practice, education and service. She We are thankful for the years they spent in 2003 and helped initiate the DNP is a member of the American Nurses at the JMU School of Nursing and wish program at JMU. Association, Virginia Nurses Association, them health and happiness in this next Sigma Theta Tau and the Virginia Coun- chapter of their lives. Zook’s research includes teaching cil of Nurse Practitioners. She plans to pedagogy, international work, interpro- remain active in the nursing profession Sharon Strang Zook most recently fessional education and chronic illness. and the nurse practitioner community. served as a professor in the School of She initiated short-term study abroad In addition Zook will be traveling and Nursing and the Graduate School at JMU. programs for nursing in Kenya and Tan- spending time at her condo in Davidson, Earlier in her career as a RN she prac- zania. She served as a faculty member enjoying her children, four grandchil- ticed in the ICU and ED. After becoming a in residence for the College of Business dren and anticipating the one that is family nurse practitioner she worked with in Antwerp, Belgium. She is licensed as coming in December. several family practices in Bridgewater a Master Trainer for the Chronic Dis- and Harrisonburg, and at the Harrison- ease Self-Management and Diabetes Linda Sobel joined the faculty at JMU in burg Rockingham Free Clinic. Self-Management Program initiated at 2001. Over the years she taught multiple Stanford University, and implemented courses including Pathophysiology and Zook began teaching in 1981 as an assis- those programs in the Shenandoah Pharmacology, Nursing Applications III, tant professor at Edinboro University Valley, which continue today. the Fourth Semester Capstone Clinical

29 SCHOOL OF NURSING MAGAZINE experience and Nursing Research. She As an Assistant Professor at JMU’s School continued to teach Nursing Research of Nursing she participated in a HRSA “...Giving back to for her entire teaching career. More Interprofessional Education grant, provid- recently, Sobel taught Nursing Foun- ing faculty and student team coordination the community dations and Art & Science of Nursing and giving advice in her area of expertise in some capacity along with a chronic illness minor course. (Psych/MH DNP). She is currently part She coordinated several summer study of a second HRSA grant, Undergradu- to help with the abroad trips to Costa Rica, and, most ate Primary Care and Rural Education recently, created a (UPCARE) Project: A Community-Based local opioid crisis online course. Nursing Education Collaboration. and continuing In addition to teaching, Sobel contrib- Harnage shared her thoughts on retire- uted to knowledge in the field of nursing ment: “It will include spending much to teach part through her research and multiple pub- more time with my four grandchildren lications and presentations. Her focus because they are all growing up so fast. time in an on- in recent years has been on developing Travel… There are so many places in the cultural competence in nursing practice. world I would love to explore, Ireland line capacity. Sobel and Erika Metzler Sawin collab- is the first on my bucket list. Spending Gardening, orated to study “What nurses need to more time in Australia with family, my know when caring for patients of His- very special aunt is 92 now and I would sewing, reading panic culture” and created a model of love to take her on a special vacation. culturally competent care. Giving back to the community in some and just taking off capacity to help with the local opioid Sobel is a member of several nursing crisis and continuing to teach part-time for an adventure organizations, including the Transcultural in an online capacity. Gardening, sew- Nursing Society, where she served in var- ing, reading and just taking off for an whenever I have ious leadership positions. At JMU she has adventure whenever I have the urge to served on school, college and university do something. I don’t have to put off the urge to do committees and boards. Much of her ser- doing things another day [when] I can something.” vice has been associated with developing do them today.” cultural sensitivity and competence. Margaret Bagnardi joined the JMU Sobel is looking forward to spending School of Nursing from Miami Shores, – Joy Harnage, even more time with her grandchildren Florida in 2008 as an assistant profes- JMU Nursing emerita and helping her husband with the gar- sor and earned her associate professor den. Her first travel destination will be designation in 2013. During her over to Italy this fall after taking an Italian ten years at JMU, Bagnardi contributed language class this summer. Sobel will much to the School of Nursing, drawing committees, most notably the CHBS continue to give back by volunteering from her background as a staff nurse (College of Health and Behavioral Stud- with Meals on Wheels and Literacy in various ICU settings and her doc- ies) Diversity Committee at JMU, and Volunteers, and working with the Joint torate of education (EdD) from Florida the Clinical Leader Association, Ameri- Area Board of Aging (JABA) within their International University. She earned can Nurses Association, Virginia Nurses chronic illness program. the JMU Nursing Department Faculty Association and American Association Service Award in 2014 and taught of Critical Care Nurses externally. She Joy Harnage came to JMU in 2014 numerous courses in both the graduate is also passionate about community with an extensive background working and undergraduate programs. She also service and has served with a number in the field of mental health. From 1988 developed and taught the first online of organizations, including the Valley to the present, she has held Psychiatric graduate pathophysiology course, NSG Aids Network as a board member, the and Mental Health Nurse Certification 521, and was instrumental in developing Rockingham Memorial Hospital Research through the American Nurses Creden- the first online RN to BSN pathophysiol- and Evidence Based Practice Council as tialing Center (ANCC). Joy has 15 years ogy course, NSG 461, which she taught a faculty advisor, and with the HARTS/ of experience in the field of “Chemical in as well. Open Doors program which hosts the Dependency,” working as director for local homeless population at Blessed an adult inpatient and day treatment Bagnardi is a member of several uni- Sacrament Church. program in Virginia. versity and professional development

2019 30 ALUMNI UPDATE

31 SCHOOL OF NURSING MAGAZINE She currently works on the Parent/Baby unit part-time at Lenox Hill Hospital in NYC, and started her own private prac- tice, EverLatching Love, in 2015. Ever- Latching Love provides breastfeeding/ chestfeeding support and education by way of home visits throughout Man- hattan. Steph is the current Treasurer of the New York Lactation Consultant Association (NYLCA) and is a member of the United States Lactation Consul- tant Association (USLCA) as well as a Shelby (Hughes) Kirillin (’98) left member of the International Lactation neuro-trauma critical care nursing after Consultant Association (ILCA). She has twenty-two years and is now a private been featured through Romper.com and practice death doula in Richmond, VA. the Breastfeeding Outside the Box pod- Shelby is also an instructor for the Inter- cast series. Steph grew up a proud navy national End of Life Doula Association brat living many places before settling (INELDA). “Nursing has taught me that in Harlem, NYC, where she currently our culture needs to change our para- resides. Her family currently resides in Sentara Rockingham Memorial Hospital digm in how we care for, and support Hawaii, and she loves to visit there as Cath Lab Nurses: Ann Thomas (’03), the dying process. My mission is to lead often as she can! Steph says, “I LOVE Ceci (Early) Weaver (’86), Janene the way in the conscious dying, death JMU! I have done A LOT in the past 18 (Osborn) Good (‘90), Amy (Harold) positive movement.” years since becoming a RN, but my big- Hess (‘11M) gest accomplishment was becoming an Megan (Pottinger) Lubitz (’99) is cur- IBCLC in 2014 and opening up my own rently the Manager of Donor Services private practice, EverLatching Love, in for the Department of Defense Marrow 2015. I also now speak at breastfeeding/ Program at Georgetown University. Her chestfeeding conferences on teaching team manages approximately 350 dona- other healthcare professionals how to tions per year and provides volunteer use LGBTQ+/Gender inclusive language donors with education, advocacy, and and how to be an inclusive provider who case management. Megan just com- works with ALL families!” pleted her Master of Science in Health Services Leadership and Management from the University of Maryland School of Nursing.

Amy (Yoder) Spurlock PhD (’90) has been in nursing education since 1993 and is currently a Professor at Troy University in Alabama where she has directed the DNP Program for the past seven years. Amy has published quite a bit, most recently on the use of blended tube feeding in pediatric and head/ neck cancer patient populations. “Blair Alex Thompson (’09) went on to get (Gregory) Blanks (’90) and I are still Stephanie Wagner (‘01) “Steph” has her MSN in Nurse Administration from best friends and we get to see more of been a for 18 years with Penn State in 2019. Since graduating each other now that our children are all a background in Labor and Delivery the from JMU she has continued to work in college.” Blair lives in Tappahannock, first 13 years of her career. She became at Johns Hopkins Hospital initially as a VA where she is editor/owner of several an International Board Certified Lacta- pediatric oncology nurse, and the last regional magazines. She is a proud JMU tion Consultant (IBCLC) in 2014 and now two years as a Sr. Research Nurse in Mom now, as her son Tri will be a junior. works solely as a Lactation Consultant. Pediatric Oncology.

2019 32 at Thomas Jefferson University to obtain my Doctor of Nursing Practice with an expected Graduation in May 2023. All my nursing success is due to my incredible education from JMU. I would not have been able to be where I am today without the help of JMU and it’s an amazing nursing program to help set a strong foundation. I am a proud Whitney (Graham) Wilkins (’10) com- JMU alumna, Go Dukes!” missioned into the U.S. Army Nurse Corps after graduation. She is no longer active duty as she has become a Clinical Alexa (Bruno) Toohey (‘12) currently Nurse for the Department of Defense. works as a Dermatology Nurse Prac- On November 27th, 2018 she was pre- titioner in Maryland after graduating sented with the Junior Civilian Nursing with honors and receiving the Dean’s Excellence and Leadership Award. This Award of Academic excellence in May is the highest award a GS Civilian Nurse 2018. She attended graduate school on can achieve. “I am thankful to James academic scholarship and continued Madison School of Nursing and the JMU working full time as a Clinical Nurse Army ROTC Duke Battalion for helping at Georgetown University Hospital. to mold me into the Nurse and Leader Prior to graduate school, she worked that I am today.” at Georgetown University Hospital for six years in both PACU and Inter- Betina (Tina) Muse (’14M) (FNP mediate Care Units. There she served Concentration) is currently employed as Preceptor of new graduate nurses with Carilion Clinic and works within and charge nurse. Alexa has found her the Community and Family Medicine passion in the Dermatology field and Department at Carilion Family Medi- loves seeing patients for skin checks cine, Franklin in Rocky Mount, VA. She to prevent skin cancer. has been employed with Carilion Clinic for almost 20 years now. “I returned to JMU in 2017 to obtain my Doctorate in Nursing Practice. I am a candidate for graduation in December, 2019. I am a proud graduate of JMU and happy to say that I am a ‘Double Duke!’” Joseph (Joe) Wood (’12) worked at UVA in the Medical ICU for a little over Cathy Shell (’15) upon graduating five years after graduating from JMU. At JMU was able to elevate her clinical UVA he completed his MSN in the FNP career to a clinical ladder RN IV in home track and graduated in May of 2018. health, serve in an interim home health Joe took a job with Bon Secours Mercy manager position and work as a Care Health at the new Short Pump Primary Coordinator for United Healthcare. She Care office in September of 2018. Kathleen Timm (’14) is currently work- is currently working with Valley Health ing on the Neuro Intensive Care Unit at as an Infection Control Preventionist in Heather Galang (’14M, ‘17DNP) has Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Front Royal, VA, and per diem as a home transitioned to the Nursing Profes- in Philadelphia, PA. She recently grad- health nurse. “I am pursuing my Master’s sional Development Specialist (Clini- uated with her Masters of Science in Degree at Spring Arbor University in cal Educator) in the Adult from Thomas Jefferson Uni- Michigan, and I plan to graduate as an Department at the Medical University versity and will be working as an Adult Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner of South Carolina. Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practi- in September, 2020.” tioner. Kathleen was also inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing. “I am continuing my education

33 SCHOOL OF NURSING MAGAZINE Lydia Kranz (‘16) previously worked at St. David’s facilities. In Spring 2019, she advancement of practice for orthopae- on a Cardiac Progressive Care Unit at started as a clinical instructor’s medica- dic nurses across the country. Addi- Cooper University Hospital for over tion assistant for a local Austin college tionally, Michele recently published a a year but wished to experience a where she assisted with skill check-offs, position statement on the Opioid Crisis different specialty. She now works at safe medication administration, and run- on the NAON site, and co-authored an Vanderbilt University Medical Center in ning a simulation lab. Kiera said, “I look article on the opioid epidemic published Nashville, TN on the Myelosuppression forward to continuing my career as a in the March/April issue of Orthopaedic and Stem Cell Transplant Unit. Vander- wound care RN and teaching others the Nursing Journal. Finally, she has been bilt is among one of the nation’s best joys and reality of nursing.” invited to present two podium lec- programs for stem cell transplant sur- tures at the annual NAON Congress on vival, as studies have shown for 2018 the basics of a spine program and on (http://news.vumc.org/2018/11/02/ “Success-I-O-N: Putting Success Into cancer-center-among-best-in-nation- .” for-stem-cell-transplant-survival/). Lydia has experienced the hard work of patient care at the bedside, along with tending to the families who are also affected by such diseases, as well as being a primary RN with research and study patients while learning about new and upcoming chemotherapy and treat- ments, such as CAR-T therapy. Michele M. Hughes (‘17DNP), Lead Phyllis Adams (’16DNP) currently Advanced Practice Clinician at Memo- works as a Women’s Healthcare Nurse rial Regional Medical Center, and Nurse Practitioner for the James Madison Uni- Practitioner for Orthopaedic/Neuro- versity Health Center. She recently pub- surgical Services, was recently elected Katrina Seaver (’17) currently works as lished, An Interprofessional Practicum to serve a three-year term as director a charge nurse at Sentara Northern VA Experience: An Innovative Application of of a national board for the National Medical Center on the medicine floor. a Doctor of Nursing Practice Essential IV Association of Orthopaedic Nurses She was recognized with a Daisy Award in the Journal of Doctoral Nursing Prac- (NAON). This amazing opportunity this past year for providing a level of tice. Phyllis also presented a poster this allows for professional development, compassionate care that truly made a past year at the International Associa- collaboration with colleagues, and the difference in her patients’ lives. tion of Annual Confer- ence in Reno, NV titled, Decision-Making Tool for Sexual Assault. The poster was a joint effort with fellow alumna, Kris- tina Blyer (’12M, ’16DNP). Kristina is also employed by the JMU Health Center and serves as the Director of Nursing and Clinical Operations.

Kiera Weaver (’16) recently started as a Wound Care RN with a goal to obtain the WOCN certification. She previously worked as a Neuro-med/surg and psychi- atric nurse in Austin, TX with numerous opportunities to precept new employees. From her unit, she was nominated “super- woman” for being the most caring and patient centered. Kiera was also selected to obtain the certification to teach non-violent de-escalation techniques through CPI for healthcare professionals

2019 34 Stay connected to the JMU School of Nursing by giving back!

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