alphasigma theta tau international chi honor societynews of BOSTON WILLIAM F. CONNELL Winter 2015 COLLEGE SCHOOL OF NURSING

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Alpha Chi Chapter, Boston College Sigma Theta Tau International Officers & Committees 2014–2015

Administrative Assistant Catherine Hill [email protected] Web Master Angela Bowser [email protected]

President Kelly Stamp [email protected] Vice-President Louisa Dichard [email protected] Secretary Barbara MacIntrye [email protected] Treasurer Diana Kach [email protected] Faculty Counselor Colleen Simonelli [email protected]

Governance Committee Colleen Simonelli, Chair [email protected] Rosemary Byrne [email protected] Louisa Dichard [email protected] Maureen Connolly [email protected] Student Representative

Leadership Succession Maureen Connolly, Chair [email protected] Helen Williams [email protected]

Program Committee Louisa Dichard, Chair [email protected] Diana Kach [email protected] Barbara MacIntrye [email protected]

Publicity /Newsletter Chair & Committee Luanne Nugent, Co-Chair [email protected] Jacqueline Sly, Co-Chair [email protected] Student Representative Colleen McGauley Yvonne Shih

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Awards & Scholarships Committee Margie Sipe, Chair [email protected] Carina Katigbak [email protected]

Research Development Committee Viola Benavente, Chair [email protected] Stewart Bond [email protected] Joyce Edmonds [email protected] Allyssa Harris [email protected] Tam Nguyen [email protected]

Clinical Research Committee Susan Desanto-Madeya, Chair [email protected] Donna Hudson Bryant [email protected] Sharon O’Donoghue [email protected] Diane Carroll [email protected] Ruth Lopez

Membership Involvement Barbara MacIntyre, Chair [email protected] Louisa Dichard [email protected] Student Representative

Heritage Committee Karen Lourence, Chair [email protected] Archivist Joellen Hawkins [email protected] Beth Grady [email protected]

Finance Committee Barbara Hedstrom, Chair [email protected] Kelly Stamp, Ex-Offico [email protected] Louisa Dichard [email protected] Maureen Curtis Cooper [email protected]

alpha chi news • 2015 3 Winter 2015 | vol. 31 no. 8

leadership 5 Greetngs Letter from the President

6 Letter from Susan Gennaro

7 45th Anniversary History of Alpha Chi Chapter

9 Pictorial Review of the Alpha Chi Chapter

11 Pictorial Review of Today’s Alpha Chi Chapter

12 Alpha Chi Student Members Travel to National Conferences

scholarship 1 4 The Accomplishments of Sr. Callista Roy’s Sabbatical 2014-15

15 2014 Father Gorman Lecture

16 Effectiveness of Postpartum Education in the Reducing Symptoms of Postpartum Depression (PPD)

community 17 A Nursing Student’s Perspective on Caring in

19 Every Member Giving First Alpha Chi Student Supported Clothing Drive for “Dress for Success”

20 Community Opportunities – Volunteer Opportunities

21 Announcements

24 2014-2015 Calendar

For more information and to see the Alpha Chi Calendar, please visit our website: www.bc.edu/sigma

alpha chi news • 2015 4 leadership Greetings from the President

hope that you had a peaceful Holiday Season. As the President of the Alpha IChi Chapter, I must take a moment to look back and reflect on where our chapter has been to see our vision for the future. We know that our chapter began in March of 1970 with 131 members and here we are 45 years later in 2015 with over 500 active members and approximately 1500 inactive members. We have worked hard over the years to bring in many dynamic speakers and hold well- respected research, educational and charitable events. Alpha Chi is known for its commitment to advancing health and celebrating nursing excellence in scholarship, leadership, and service. With these respected values that our members cherish and uphold, we need to think about the future of Alpha Chi and how our membership can bring this organization to new heights. Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) and the Alpha Chi Chapter membership should not be grouped with other honor societies that are considered more of an honorary status for your resume or curriculum vitae because STTI and it’s chapters such as Alpha Chi are organizations for your entire career. STTI and Alpha Chi are about encouraging nurses to lead the way at all nursing career stages. As a member of STTI and Alpha Chi, you have the opportunity to be mentored in becoming a nurse leader by the best in our field from around the globe.

When I think about the future and Alpha Chi’s strong history of involvement by their members, I would like our inactive members to reflect on these values and our mission and re-join us to elevate the chapter to a new level. Active members, can you reach out to students and community leaders to encourage their participation in Alpha Chi? Can you volunteer on committees or help with organizing local events? I invite all active members to mentor new members and emulate the spirit and mission of Alpha Chi through volunteerism on committees, charitable drives, attending the local events planned and sponsored by the chapter, and submitting your scholarship and leadership accomplishments to the newsletter for dissemination. In addition, share your ideas of how to make our chapter more connected to nurses practicing in the community and acute care environments. My last request is to make your STTI and Alpha Chi membership more than a line item on your resume or curriculum vitae.

As we embark upon the next 45 years of the chapter, let us continue to strive to achieve the vision of STTI and Alpha Chi by improving the global health of people and providing leadership through scholarship, research, and service. I am truly honored to be your President and I will do my best to emulate the values that Alpha Chi and STTI holds so dearly.

Sincerely,

Kelly D. Stamp, PhD, ANP-C, RN, FAHA President, Alpha Chi Chapter, Boston College alpha chi news • 2015 5 leadership

William F. Connell School of Nursing

Dear Alpha Chi Members,

Congratulations to us all on our 45th anniversary as the Alpha Chi chapter of Sigma Theta Tau. I know each of us has a story of how Sigma, and most specifically the Alpha Chi chapter, has helped us to reach our professional goals. As I think about my story with Sigma I see a young nurse struggling to know how to get involved and where to get involved. Becoming a Sigma member helped connect me to a network that at every step has helped to encourage my professional growth. I remember my first national Sigma conference and how awed I was at seeing in person people whose names I had only read up to that point. Throughout the years I have continually had opportunities through Sigma to do something new. Whether it was learning how to write a good abstract, practicing public speaking at induction events, getting my first research funding, or just plain dreaming with colleagues, Sigma has been an important part of my professional life. Alpha Chi is an active chapter that helps each of us to set and meet professional goals and I am very proud to be a member and to celebrate this important 45th anniversary.

Yours,

Susan Gennaro RN, PhD, FAAN Dean and Professor, William F. Connell School of Nursing Boston College Editor, Journal of Nursing Scholarship

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45th Anniversary History of Alpha Chi Chapter

n 1970, Alpha Chi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau alumnae, all members of the classes of 1968 and “IInternational was chartered. The Installation 1969, and two representatives from the graduate Ceremonies were held on March 15th, 1970, in Mc- program in nursing. Early in 1968, the application Guinn Auditorium on the Boston College Campus. for charter was filed with Sigma Theta Tau and Officiating was Carolyn L. Widmer, Executive Sec- was approved at the 1969 Biennium as the 44th retary of Sigma Theta Tau. Five transfer members Chapter, Alpha Chi. (Hawkins, Grady, Lourence, and 128 new members constituted the 133 Charter Fontenot & Ferguson, 2010) Members of the Chapter. Our Alpha Chi Chapter has come a long way since Alpha Chi can trace its origins to the first Nursing its installation in 1970. Today we have grown to of Boston College School of Nurs- 590 members. Throughout its history, the Chapter ing. In 1960, this honor society became the Siena has developed numerous programs and events to Society for undergraduate nursing majors and further its mission. Annually the Chapter honors the Mater Spei Society for registered nurses earn- the life of Reverend Edward J. Gorman (1919-1977), ing their baccalaureate degrees. During 1963 and professor of philosophy, beloved instructor and 1964, a preliminary committee investigated es- mentor to students in the early days, by regularly tablishing a chapter of Sigma Theta Tau at Boston providing enriching lectures as he would have ap- College. In 1967, both Dean Rita P. Kelleher and preciated. Our first lecture, “Therapeutic Touch Reverend Charles Donovan, SJ, the Academic Vice as a Healing Modality” in 1978, was presented by President, gave their approval to proceed in this Dolores Krieger, PhD, RN. The first lecture topic effort. A second preliminary committee convened validated touch as something innately known to be in 1968 with representatives of the baccalaureate therapeutic. Over the years the lectures have contin-

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ued and the Chapter has brought in speakers such PhD, RN presented a program on qualitative nurs- as Dr. Patrice Nicholas, who spoke on the academic ing research. The achievements of our past and needs to improve global health that encouraged us present are not measured only by the programs to stretch our capabilities as educator’s and reach provided, but also by the dedication of the Alpha out to the less fortunate across the globe. With the Chi members to the communities they serve. Many Fr. Gorman’s third generation of family members in members have participated in educational service attendance, it was an inspiration to hear Dr. Nicho- trips around the world or volunteer locally by collect- las present solutions to nursing and physician short- ing professional attire to help disadvantaged women ages in . Lectures have included topics thrive in the workplace. The multifaceted work of that brought to light understudied subjects. For our membership continues. example, Dr. Danny Willis recently highlighted adult male survivors healing from childhood maltreat- In the 45 years of the Chapter’s existence many ment. Since 1974, we have supported scholarship things have changed, as we can see from the count- by continuing to sponsor Innovations in Clinical less accomplishments listed above, but our core Practice with one of our first evenings at the Copley mission remains the same. The mission of the Plaza Hotel with 447 pre-registered attendees on Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau Interna- April 3rd 1976. The events theme was “Regaining tional (STTI), is to support the learning, knowledge, Our Birthright – Nurses who Nurture”. Chapter and professional development of nurses committed sponsored research has continuously expanded to making a difference in health worldwide. The from the original three dedicated programs in 1971- vision is to create a global community of nurses 72 to initiating annual grants in 1977; from carrying who lead using knowledge, scholarship, service and out task forces to assist with research development learning to improve the health of the world’s people. in 1978-79 to implementing the Research Seminar Since 1970, our Alpha Chi Chapter has continued to series in 1981-82. On May 21, 1986, at the first support and promote the mission and philosophy of Alpha Chi Poster session, Veronica Rempusheski, our founding members of STTI.

In 2015, the Alpha Chi Chapter continues the mission and philosophy by supporting our annual Founders’ Night informational session.

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Pictorial Review of the Alpha Chi Chapter

First chapter officers present at installation 3-15-70 (L-R) Joyce M. Dwyer, Counselor, Phyllis H. Green, Counselor, Therese Copeland, Treasurer, Kathleen McDonald, Secretary, Dorothy Sellinger, Vice President, Elizabeth M. Grady, President First chapter pin awarded to Beth Grady (Elizabeth Grady), first chapter president, received at the first induction. SigmaTheta Tau Executive Secretary (Mrs. Carolyn L. Widmer) awards the first Chapter pin to Elizabeth M. Grady, President Installation 3-15-70

First Permanent officers: (L-R) Elizabeth M. Grady, President; Eileen Founders’ Celebration, October 21, 1972: To Mark the 50th M. Ryan, Vice-President; Eileen G. Hodgman, Counselor; Angele T. anniversary of Sigma Theta Tau, Alpha Chi sponsored a debate: (Bedard) Bennett, Treasurer; Mary E. Wilcox, Secretary Bernadette P. “Is Healthcare a Right?” Speaking for the affirmative was the Hungler, Counselor noted nurse theorist, Hildegarde Peplau, RN, Ed.D. Addressing an alternate view was Dr. Robert Sade, then chief resident of cardiovascular surgery at Children’s Hospital. The debate was moderated by Boston College School of Nursing Dean Mary A. Dineen, Ed.D. Their speeches were published in Sigma’s journal; Image: 7(1), 4-19, 1974

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Pictorial Review of the Alpha Chi Chapter (continued)

1977 Induction photo: Nancy Chevalier

1st Annual Reverend Edward J. Gorman Memorial Lecture on Humanistic Nursing. Delores 1st Newsletter in 1980 to publish photographs Krieger, May 8, 1978

1987 Newsletter:

Members of the 1980-81 Executive Committee. (L-R) Laurel Eisenhauer, President; Barbara Hedstrom, Secretary; Barbara Madden, Vice President; Jean O’Neil, Counselor; Pat Cremins, Counselor. Missing from the photo is Margie Sipe, Treasuer. Helene Krouse (left), Chair, Nominating Committee presents newly elected Executive Committee members (L-R) Jean O’Neil, Nancy McCarthy, Judity Ann Koska, and Rosemary Krawczyk.

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Pictorial Review of Today’s Alpha Chi Chapter

Pamela Grace, PhD, RN, FAAN, Kelly Stamp, Spring Student Inductions 2014 Featured speaker at the Father Edward J. PhD, ANP-C, RN, FAHA, Louisa Dichard, RN, Gorman Dinner 2014 - Danny Willis, D.N.S., MS, PMHNP, BC, and Rosemary Byrne, RN, PMHCNS-BC MS, FNP-BC at Spring Induction 2014

Featured speaker at Clinical Innovations Dinner Speaker at the 2014 Annual Interacting with students at the Research Symposium 2014 - Ann Burgess, D.N.Sc., RNCS, FAAN Research Program - Rachel Jones, poster presentation 2014 - Dorean Hurley, MSN, RN, PhD, MS, BSN, FAAN CCRN Alpha Chi Chapter Presidents 1970-1974 Elizabeth M. Grady 1998-2000 Maureen Curtis Cooper 1974-1976 Priscilla C. Almeida 2000-2002 Susan K. Chase 1976-1980 Joan M. Riley 2002-2003 Joan Agretelis 1980-1984 Laurel Eisenhauer 2003-2004 Mary Margaret Seagraves 1984-1986 Maureen McCausland 2004-2006 Robin Wood 1986-1988 Rachel Spector 2006-2008 Lois Haggerty 1988-1990 Joan Garity 2008-2010 Louisa Dichard 1990-1992 Jean O’Neil 2010-2012 Cathy St. Pierre 1992-1994 Victoria Mock 2012-2014 Louisa Dichard 1994-1996 Diane Arathuzik 2014-2016 Kelly Stamp 1996-1998 Margaret Murphy

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Alpha Chi Student Members Travel to National Conferences

Contributions by Cathy Read, Taylor Fischer, Allison Gilmer, Marina Iturralde, Grace Kalnins, Patience Marks, and Savita Sukha.

ix Undergraduate Research Fellows in the Taylor Fischer, “Translating and Piloting a SConnell School of Nursing’s class of 2015 Community Based Diabetes Prevention Intervention presented their work at the September 2014 for Vietnamese Americans,” with co-authors Tam Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) Leadership Nguyen (faculty mentor) and Cindy Cao. Connection conference in , . Marina Iturralde, “Developing an Intimate Taylor Fischer ‘15, Allison Gilmer ‘15, Marina Partner Violence Education Module for Nursing Iturralde ‘15, Grace Kalnins ‘15, Patience Marks Students,” with co-authors Melissa Sutherland ‘15, and Savita Sukha ‘15, all members of the and Natalie McClain (faculty mentors), Danielle Alpha Chi Chapter of STTI, represented Boston Gautereaux, Kathleen Marion, Amanda Farrell, and College as “rising stars” and took advantage of the Brandee Piazik. opportunity to network with nurse leaders from around the world. Grace Kalnins, “Cognitive Abilities and Coping Strategies in Chronic Health Conditions: A Pilot Also in attendance were Assistant Professor Kelly Study” with co-authors Sr. Callista Roy (faculty Stamp, President of Alpha Chi; Louisa Dichard mentor), Gulcan Bakan, and Dorothy Zirkle. (GSON ’92), Vice President of Alpha Chi, and Associate Professor and Keys to Inclusive Leadership Patience Marks, “Just Because the Hood Raised in Nursing (KILN) Director, Catherine Read. you, Doesn’t Mean you Have to Raise the Hood: A Content Analysis of Urban Literature,” with Student posters included: co-authors Allyssa Harris (faculty mentor), Kim Edouard, Sandra Dickson, and Kelsey Huckins. Allison Gilmer and Savita Sukha, “Development of Middle Range Theory to Guide Practice in a Nurse- In addition to their presentations, the students led Symptom Evaluation and Management Clinic,” attended many informative sessions at this three with co-authors Sr. Callista Roy and Stewart Bond day event. At a panel presentation on “Models (faculty mentors), and Emily Keen. of Leadership: A Panel Discussion,” Savita Sukha found that the discussion augmented her

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CSON Undergraduate Research Fellows at STTI leadership conference in Indianapolis, September 2014: (L-R) Savita Sukha, Taylor Fischer, Grace Kalnins, Patience Marks, Allison Gilmer, and Marina Iturralde.

understanding of leadership styles and made her and that I do have the opportunity to make a think about what kind of leader she wants to be. difference,” said Fischer. “It strengthened my determination to become a nursing leader and to change the challenges that Some of the sessions covered specific clinical topics. nurses face,” said Sukha. Marina Iturralde attended a presentation about nursing students’ ability to provide health care Patience Marks was influenced by a related for patients with autism. “The research revealed presentation on adaptive leadership. “I learned that students did not feel adequately prepared by the importance of adapting to unexpected changes, their curriculum and needed time in simulation seizing them as opportunities in order to succeed, to improve their confidence in caring for these and being resilient in times of turbulence,” patients,” said Iturralde. She and the other students said Marks. took the opportunity to introduce themselves to speakers and were impressed with their receptivity Grace Kalnins met inspiring individuals from and the STTI sense of community. around the globe and was able to “spend time connecting with a group of students and their As Allison Gilmer aptly summarized, the conference professor from Kentucky to discuss the similarities gave the students an opportunity to present their in our experiences as undergraduates…those own research to a receptive audience and “learn connections helped us discover the wide range of about opportunities for advancement through opportunities after graduation and will allow us to STTI and of the power of nurses to improve health challenge ourselves as future nurse leaders.” care systems, education and patient care around the world.” Taylor Fischer attended a “Career Center” session where she got advice from a professor about The attendees would like to acknowledge the career paths and selecting a graduate school and generous funding from the Connell School of gained confidence to pursue her interests. “Being Nursing and the Price Family Foundation that made surrounded by such accomplished nurses made me this opportunity possible. realize how lucky I am to be entering this profession

alpha chi news • 2015 13 scholarship

The Accomplishments of Sr. Callista Roy’s Sabbatical 2014-15

aving earned a sabbatical for the academic year After four-years on my waiting list, Kyoto Tachibana H2014 to 2015, I scheduled some professional University hosted about 1000 participants at the speaking commitments that had been waiting for Faculty of Nursing, International Forum 2014 on some time. The fall semester turned out to be more September 27 where I gave the keynote “Application demanding than anticipated, but very fulfulling. I of Roy Adaptation Model to Practice: Individual, wanted to share some highlights. On June 18, I gave Family, Community.” After a bullet train ride, a keynote entitled “Veritivity in Nursing Science: I gave the keynote “Theory and Research for Present and Future Perspectives” for the Universidad Practice: The Roy Adaptation Model and Middle de Panama Facultad de Enfermia Nursing Knowledge Range Theory” at the Second International Roy International Expo, 15th Annual Meeting of the Adaptation Association-J Conference, at St. Mary’s International Roy Adaptation Association Workshop College-Kurume, Fukukoa, Japan. The conference and Conference, 3rd Seminary of the Panama included a panel of Asian scholars from Japan and Chapter. The keynote for the second day was: Tailand highlighting developments particularly in “Roy Adaptation Model: Insights for Practice and research using the Roy Model. Since I have a 30-year Research” and on the workshop day I co-lead the relationship with this school, we had many memories workshop on “Developing Middle-range Theories to share. I also taught the two masters’ level theory based on Roy Adaptation Model- based Research” classes that I generally teach by live video from BC: with colleagues from Panama Y. Gonzalez, & E. Grand Theory in Nursing: Peplau and Roy and Grand de Osegueda. It was a successful first international Theory, Middle range Theory and Case Applications. chapter lead conference attended by about 350 students, nurses in practice and education from A few weeks later I had an extraordinary opportunity many Latin American countries. Sixty student to speak at NIH. I have been working with Dr. nurses had come 4 hours by bus to have a question Leo Saligan developing a middle range theory for and answer session which lasted about an hour and a nurse-run symptom management clinic. What ended with all 60 trying to do a selfie photo at the started as a visit to his clinic turned into an “event” same time. when I was asked to give an NIH Scientist noon Lecture, sponsored by NATIONAL INSTITUTE

alpha chi news • 2015 14 scholarship

OF NURSING RESEARCH, Division of Intramural Research, Symptom Management Branch, NIH Campus, Bethesda, MD, on October 15, 2014. The lecture was entitled 2014 Father Gorman Lecture “Symptom Management Theory Development: By Dr. Danny G. Willis Its Application to Science” and our team of scholars is Callista Roy, PhD, RN, FAAN, Stewart Bond, PhD, RN, AOCN, With r. Danny G. Willis, associate professor and Emily Keen, Master’s student and Allison Ddepartment chair in the William F. Connell School Gilmer, Grace Kalnins, and Savita Sukha, of Nursing, provided the 2014 Father Gorman lecture. Undergraduate Research Fellows. On a short The lecture focused on findings from his NIH-funded time line I really had to work to bring the research Adult Male Survivors Healing from Childhood presentation to the level demanded. The Maltreatment (CM). After acknowledging his funding work continues and the Director of NIH has source and the research team, Dr. Willis provided a approved the clinic and four other institutes brief overview of the problem, prevalence, and social plan to join NINR. significance of CM in the and worldwide. The presentation highlighted male survivors of CM as Shortly after on October 23, 2014, I was with a an understudied vulnerable population for which social different audience at Los Angeles City College, justice oriented research is needed. The major focus of Associate Degree Program in Nursing with his presentation was on explicating the phenomenon the Class to join them for of healing from CM as experienced by 52 adult male presentations of case studies based on the Roy survivors healing from emotional, physical, sexual abuse Adaptation Model, a session of questions and and/or neglect in childhood, including an overview of celebration that included the diverse foods of the hermeneutic phenomenological research approach this immigrant population of Los Angeles. used to analyze in-depth qualitative interviews with the survivors. As major findings of the research, Dr. Willis Then I was back in Washington, DC to receive described five major processes of men’s healing from the Mary Starke Harper Leadership award. For CM: breaking through the masculine veneer, meaning- this event I was interviewed on stage at the end making, choosing a life of wellbeing, utilizing diverse of the first conference day by Angela McBride complementary alternative healing methods, and engaging and presented. in humanizing supportive relationships. Additionally, both primary facilitators of men’s healing experiences and many barriers to healing were explicated as research findings. Near the end of the lecture, Dr. Willis reviewed a new situation-specific theory of men’s healing from CM that incorporates the major processes of healing, facilitators of healing, barriers to healing, and healing outcomes. The theory “Moving Beyond Dwelling in Suffering” was discussed in terms of its implications for future research and clinical practice focused specifically on promoting men’s healing from CM and amelioration of suffering.

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Deborah McCarter-Spaulding, Ph.D., RN, Associate Professor in the Department of Nursing at received the Alpha Chi Clinical Research Award to build her body of research. Deborah was kind enough to share her study findings with our newsletter committee to share with our members.

Effectiveness of Postpartum Education in the Reducing Symptoms of Postpartum Depression (PPD)

Postpartum depression (PPD) affects thousands of and in writing at the bedside to the treatment group women each year. Nurses are considered responsible by a member of the research team. Follow-up was for providing education, support and anticipatory completed at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months guidance about PPD but the effectiveness of postpartum, using a self-report questionnaire these interventions is not known. Using a quasi- including the EPDS and updates regarding health experimental design, the purpose of this study was of mother and infant, as well as any employment or to determine if an educational intervention provided major life changes. during the postpartum hospitalization is effective in decreasing the symptoms of PPD, as measured by The educational intervention did not have a the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) significant effect on EPDS scores at any of the at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months postpartum, three data collection points. History of depression compared to usual care. and anxiety was the most significant predictor of symptoms. These results suggest that the A sample of 240 women was recruited during postpartum period is important for identifying the postpartum hospitalization, with the first 120 women at risk for depression, but that education women serving as the control group (usual care) during this time may not be effective. Further and the next 120 women receiving the educational study is needed to determine a more appropriate intervention. Participants completed written time and method of intervening to ensure questionnaires including demographic, delivery adequate care. Limited nursing time during and infant feeding information, as well as the the brief hospitalization may be better spent on Postpartum Depression Predictors Inventory implementing a mechanism for ensuring adequate (PDPI). Education about PPD was provided verbally follow-up after discharge for women at risk.

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A Nursing Student’s Perspective on Caring in Tanzania By Taylor Shannon, CSON 2015

any may read this title and think: A nursing of the treatment with such high infection rates Mstudent in Africa during the Ebola outbreak, and limited means for screening plasma.1 Money. how fascinating. Disclaimer: Not a single person Knowledge. Power. It controls Ebola, and it in Tanzania has contracted Ebola. Not a single controls healthcare. doctor in Tanzania even mentioned it. 3,000 miles separated me from 3,000 deceased West Africans. While reviewing my NCLEX book on the flight But regardless of relevancy, I’m going to talk about to Dar es Salaam, I tried to remind myself to be Ebola anyhow, because it catches attention pretty calm but friendly. I pictured myself ducking in and quickly these days. Because what Ebola boils down out of my assigned patients’ semi-private rooms, to is time, money, resources, education, and power. asking, “Uko Powa? Naweza kukusiadie?” “Are “Cogito ergo sum.” I think, therefore I am. But you okay? Can I help you?” Then, having retrieved if thinking is a prerequisite to being, without the an extra blanket or a glass of water, I would chat power of knowledge, does one even exist? Does one with the healthcare team about each patient: how even matter? he’s improving, any treatment modifications, his discharge goals. But when I first stepped into Ward 2 According to the World Health Organization, two at Amana Hospital, a government district hospital, I American doctors who contracted Ebola made did not find any of this. full recoveries after they were given plasma from Ebola survivors. WHO is currently researching this Beds separated only by shared nightstands lined treatment, but is concerned about the feasibility the walls. Only a sign differentiated the two sides of the ward from “infectious” and “noninfectious”

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“Cogito ergo sum.” I think, therefore I am. But if thinking is a prerequisite to being, without the power of knowledge, does one even exist? Does one even matter?

diseases. Nurses floated by, sometimes stopping better,” a three-year-degree nurse, Sister Fortunata, for a woman crying out, sometimes ignoring her explained to me. Translation: if you cannot sustain all together. “She is complaining,” they’d translate. your shining, you better be standardizing your Well, yes. Wouldn’t you be if you had to lie on the straightening. For mouth care, I used gauze soaked same bare mattress day after day with the same dirty in normal saline and wrapped around a metal nail sheet in the same sour smelling ward with flies file. At Amana, gloves were limited to one box per picking at your skin and broken fans tormenting you shift. If a patient needed new clothes, bed sheets, or from the ceiling? I split my six weeks in Tanzania even food and water, the family must bring them. between a government district hospital, Amana, and a government regional hospital, Muhimbili. I quickly Though, I learned a lot about infectious diseases or adjusted to my role as a nurse, rather than a student, performing patient care procedures, what I gained in Tanzania. most from nursing in Tanzania was a sense of self. And while I was initially upset that my standard of Because of limited resources, the role of the nurse care wasn’t being met, I realized it is not because in Tanzania’s public healthcare system must the nurses are negligent, but because they lack the be modified from the careful set of procedural resources to provide my idea of patient centered care. competencies the students are taught. One nurse Nursing in Dar es Salaam changed my perspective intern told me the students learn their skills in the on healthcare. I know what it is like to be the classroom, but learn their actual practice during their outsider. I know what it is like not to understand the clinical internship because they must be creative doctors. I know what it is like to have no options. in providing the best care with the resources they Mostly, I saw first-hand just how important the have. The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in simple role of caring is for a nurse. How lucky we Tanzania set five standards for healthcare teams in are to be able to provide that comfort. public hospitals. Known as 5S, standards include: 1Hodges, L. (2014). Hope for Ebola treatment found in survivors. NPR. sort, straighten, shine, standardize, and sustain. Retrieved October 22, 2014, from http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo- “If we cannot give new sheets, we make the old way/2014/10/05/353778884

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First Alpha Chi Student Supported Clothing Drive for “Dress for Success”

ith more than 500 STT Alpha Chi members, Success Worldwide and its U.S. affiliates having 501(c) Wwe are well positioned to reach the goal of Every (3) charitable status and those outside the U.S. operating Member Giving to our first Alpha Chi Student Supported as registered charities. Clothing donations and financial Clothing Drive for “Dress for Success”. This year, “Dress contributions made to Dress for Success affiliates within for Success” has been chosen as a worthy recipient of our the U.S. are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. chapter’s focus on community service. Two Boston College senior students, Colleen McGauley The mission of Dress for Success is to promote the and Yvonne Shih, members of our STTI Alpha Chi economic independence of disadvantaged women by Chapter, will be supporting the “Dress for Success” providing professional attire, a network of support and clothing drive on our Boston College Campus from April the career development tools to help women thrive in 6-13, 2015. Collection boxes will be located at campus work and in life. sites which will be convenient for all our Alpha Chi members to drop off their donations. At present, Dress Founded in City in 1997, Dress for Success for Success is in need of hand bags, jewelry, light weight is a global not-for-profit organization offering services fashion scarfs, black flat shoes size 8-10 &1/2, and suits designed to help our clients find jobs and remain sizes OO-28. Donation needs vary from time to time so employed. Each Dress for Success client receives one suit an updated list of needs will be sent to our membership when she has a job interview and can return for a second in late March. suit or separates when she finds work. Prior to collecting your donations, please access: Since 1997, Dress for Success has served more than dressforsuccess.org for a detailed look at this most worthy 750,000 women around the world. Each year we reach local and global organization. Personal success stories on nearly 70,000 women in the United States, , the web site both written and in video are available for , the , New Zealand, the your viewing. A reminder of this clothing drive will be , , Poland, Portugal, Ireland, France, sent to Alpha Chi Members in late March. Luxembourg and the West Indies. All Dress for Success organizations are not-for-profit entities, with Dress for

alpha chi news • 2015 19 community Community Opportunities Volunteer Opportunities

n an effort to reach out to persons in need, each newsletter will provide a listing of meaningful community Iservice opportunities that could benefit from our members diverse skills, experience, and knowledge. Please explore these opportunities to share your talents and non-perishables with those in need.

Italian Home for Children Helping children at risk since 1919

Home for Little Wanderers Italian Home for Children in Jamaica Plain his organization provides a seamless continuum of o learn more about this organization contact Denise Tvital programs for every stage of a child’s life. For a THamilton, Director of Marketing and Admissions at: complete list of volunteer activities contact: Veronica Rosario, [email protected] or # 617-524-3116 Ext. 388. To Administrative Specialist: # 617-927-0648 or email inquire specifically about volunteer efforts in the Tutoring [email protected]. Program contact: Jane Zopatti-Lewis, Director of Education,

[email protected],or # 617-522-2221. http://www.horizonsforhomelesschildren.org/271 Huntington Avenue 1125 Center Street Boston, MA. 02115 Jamaica Plain, MA. 02130-3445 # 617-524-3116

Horizons for Homeless Children here are 1.6 million Tchildren homeless in America. Since 1988, Horizons for Homeless Big Brothers Big Sisters Children has improved the lives of young homeless children in Massachusetts and helped their families to succeed. lease visit the website to learn more about all the available Each year, they serve children through comprehensive early volunteer activities. P education centers and their shelter-based Playspace Program. www.bbbsfoundation.org For general information on Volunteer opportunities contact: [email protected] 75 Federal Street 1705 Columbus Avenue Boston, MA. 02110 Roxbury, MA, 02119 # 617-542-9090 # 617-553-5455

alpha chi news • 2015 20 announcements

Announcements

In memoriam for Nola Raye Della-Monica Nola Raye Della-Monica (March 7, 1953 - November 11, 2014), of Hudson, NH, spent more than 30 years as a clinical and culminated her career as the director of several departments at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco. She received her PhD from Boston College and served the nursing profession for her last six years as a nursing professor, most recently at Emmanuel College in Boston. She loved her students so much that she attended their graduation last spring in a wheelchair within days of being released from the hospital after major surgery. A strong advocate of lifelong learning for nurses, Nola even encouraged all of her caregivers during her six year battle with cancer to pursue advanced college degrees, sometimes from a gurney while being wheeled into surgery.

As a member of the International Association for Human Caring, she spoke passionately about her Nurse Caring Theory as close to home as Boston, and as far afield as Freemantle, Australia. Her theory, developed while at Boston College, shows that presence in the moment, technical competence and compassion for and connection with the patient are all necessary for the most effective nursing care. Nola Raye Della-Monica and her contributions to nursing will be deeply missed.

Robin Y. Wood, Ed.D., RN Professor at the William F. Connell School of Nursing and Nola Raye Della-Monica, Ph.D. were research partners for 10 years and published an article together this year titled, Breast cancer threat appraisal: Design and psychometric analysis of a new scale for older women published in the International Journal of Older People Nursing in 2014. DOI: 10.1111/opn.12054

Melissa Sutherland receives a grant from The National Institute of Health In December 2014, Dr. Melissa Sutherland received official notice of award for a grant from The National Institutes of Health (NIH) R03 titled, “Violence Screening in College Health Centers.” This project is funded by NIH’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development. The project focuses on violence screening in college health centers. Intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual violence (SV) are significant public health issues for female college students. The proposed study will utilize a cross- sectional quantitative survey design to explore IPV/SV screening from the perspectives of both HCPs and college women, and identify factors that promote or impede college health care providers’ IPV and SV screening behaviors.

Melanie Chang, RN, BSN, MSN, FNP, CSON A 2013 graduate of Boston College, CSON, completed her course of study at Columbia University earning her masters of science in nursing as a family .

Maureen Curtis Cooper, RN, BSN, CPEN, CEN Fellow of the Academy of was elected Secretary of Massachusetts Emergency Nurses Association State Council for a 2 year term 2015-2016. Maureen also presented “Pediatric Behavioral Patient: More Than Keeping Them Safe” at the Annual Emergency Nurses Association Conference in Indianapolis on October 10, 2014.

alpha chi news • 2015 21 announcements

Mary Therese Pfeffer A 2012 graduate of Boston College, CSON, was awarded “Rookie of the Year”, a nursing excellence award from Texas Childrens Hospital. To achieve this award she had to be nominated by fellow nurses and supported by letters of commendation from her peers and leadership team.

Laurel E. Radwin, RN, Ph.D. A Nurse Researcher at the Manchester, NH Veterans Administration Medical Center. Her appointment is funded in part by VISN1 Research Enhancement Funds awarded via competitive review. At the VA, Dr. Radwin is PI on an examination of the effect of nursing on patient outcomes in the context of the health care organization, and she a co-investigator on a 3-year HSR&D-funded study (Dr. Kathy Horvath, PI) that examines the implementation of a Home Safety Toolkit. Over the past year, Dr. Radwin has served on the National Quality Forum’s Steering Committee examining measures for patient-centered care, a PCORI nursing research roundtable, and has advised the ANA’s Senior Policy Fellow on care coordination measures. She has presented via refereed review an original, empirically derived model of care coordination across transitions in care that considers effects on patient-centered care. Dr. Radwin’s scales to measure patient-centered nursing care and its outcomes have now been requested by nurses in the US and in at least 35 other countries, and have been translated into numerous other languages. One scale was included after rigorous review in the AHRQ’s original Atlas of Care Coordination Measures and continues to be included in the updated Atlas. Dr. Radwin is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College and an Affiliate Investigator at the Boston VAMC Center for Health Care Organization and Innovation Research.

Ellen Mahoney, RN, PhD, FGSA Associate Professor at Boston College received notice of an award on a 5-year National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research grant titled, “Rehabilitation Research & Training Center on Family Support”. Dr. Mahoney is leading the Boston College arm of this study.

Patricia A. Tabloski, PhD, GNP-BC, FGSA, FAAN Associate Professor at Boston College co-authored a 2014 article in Lancet titled, Effect of Preoperative Pain and Depressive Symptoms on the Development of Postoperative .

Dr. Rosanna DeMarco The 2015 recipient of the Excellence in Research Award given by the New England Regional Black Nurses Association (NERBNA). The award will be given at the NERBNA annual awards dinner on February 6, 2015 at The Marriott Hotel, Copley Plaza. Dr. DeMarco is being recognized for her outstanding research with and for Black women living with HIV infection as a successful public health interventionist using community- engaged approaches to decrease HIV transmission and maintain health through treatment adherence

Karen Lourence, MS, RN A special thanks to Karen Lourence for supporting our 45th Anniversay Alpha Chi News by providing the Archival Collection of photographs.

alpha chi news • 2015 22 announcements

Student reminder: All Alpha Chi members can access Student Central at the STTI website for career and research opportunities. http://www.nursingsociety.org/default.aspx

Sigma Theta Tau International Alpha Chi Chapter Invites abstract submissions for poster presentations to the Annual Spring Research Program: Innovations in Nursing Research on April 29th, 2015. Submissions may include completed research, research in progress, and scholarly literature review. Abstracts are limited to 500 words. Submission deadline is February 2, 2015. Please submit to our Alpha Chi Chapter website at [email protected]

Submit News: News that you would like to submit to the Alpha Chi Newsletter regarding Leadership, Scholarship or Community can be emailed to Jacqueline Sly at [email protected] or Luanne at [email protected]

The Alpha Chi FACEBOOK page is up and running

Please click on or copy into your browser after you have logged into your facebook account. https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/ Sigma-Theta-Tau-International-Nursing-Honor-Society-Alpha_Chi_ Chapter/209104655821696. Click ‘LIKE’ on top of the page.

alpha chi news • 2015 23 2014-2015 calendar september 17, 2014 wednesday Alpha Chi Board Meeting 5:30–7:00pm Cushing 411/412 Committee orientation 7:00–8:00pm october 6, 2014 monday Founders Night 7:00–8:00pm Cushing 207 october 15, 2014 wednesday Alpha Chi Board Meeting 5:30-7:00pm Cushing 411/412 /413 Members Outreach october 15, 2014 wednesday Alpha Chi Board Meeting 5:00–6:00pm Murray Room All members welcome Yawkey Center Networking 6:00–6:30pm Gorman Humanitarian Night 6:30–8:00pm november 12, 2014 wednesday Alpha Chi Board meeting 5:30–7:30pm Cushing 413 All members welcome december 10, 2014 wednesday Alpha Chi Board meeting 5:30–7:30pm Cushing 413 All members welcome january 28, 2015 wednesday Alpha Chi Board meeting 5:00–6:00pm Murray Room snow date: All members welcome Yawkey Center february 11, 2015 Winter Business meeting 6:00–6:30pm All welcome Clinical Innovations Dinner 6:30–8:00pm and Program february 11, 2015 wednesday Alpha Chi Board meeting 5:30–7:30pm Cushing 413 All members welcome march 18, 2015 wednesday Alpha Chi Board meeting 5:30–7:30pm Cushing 413 All members welcome april 26, 2015 sunday Induction Brunch 11:00am - 2:00pm Murray Room Yawkey Center april 29, 2015 wednesday Alpha Chi Board meeting 5:00–8:30pm Murray Room All members welcome Yawkey Center Networking and Posters 6:00–6:30pm Annual Business Meeting 6:30–7:00pm Research 7:00–8:15pm Presentation Award 8:15-8:30pm june 10, 2015 wednesday Transition meeting 5:30 – 7:00pm Cushing 207 Officers and Chairs

Deadlines

Clinical Research Grant Applications –3/9/2015 http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/son/sigma/support/support.html Call for Abstracts: Alpha Chi May Research Poster Presentation – 2/16/2015 http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/son/sigma/abstracts/poster.html Alpha Chi Award/Scholarship Applications due – 4/1/2015 http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/son/sigma/awards/awards.html

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