Digital Commons Network^™

Perception Vs. Reality: Assessing The Health Of Organizational Shared Governance, Tamara L. Dubose, Carliss D. Ramos, Nicole M. Fontenot

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Background & Purpose: Healthy Shared Governance contributes to a Healthy Work Environment.¹ Shared governance (SG) is derived from Kanter’s theory of structural empowerment. Organizations with structurally empowered nurses are provided access to information, resources, support, and opportunities for learning and development and have the capability to affect change.² Effective councils contribute to organizational safety, efficiency, and quality while reducing financial and patient loss.⁴ A large academic medical center in the Southwest United States has had SG since 2008. Council engagement and effectiveness are signals of healthy SG. This project aimed to assess the health of the organization’s …

Balancing Work And Life: Barriers And Facilitators For Working Caregivers Of Adults With Parkinson's Disease, Natalie Hellmers, Amy Witkoski Stimpfel, Jason Fletcher, Victoria Vaughan Dickson

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

The purpose of this study was to explore family caregiver perspectives on the barriers and facilitators to work-life balance while caring for adults with Parkinson’s Disease. A convergent mixed methods design was used. An adapted version of the Work-Life Conflict Model by Greenhaus and Beautell guided the study. Participants were recruited through Parkinson's Disease support groups. Formal, paid caregivers were excluded from the study. Forty family caregivers completed surveys such as the Work-Life Balance survey, Job Content Questionnaire, Zarit Burden Interview and other measures on stress, wellbeing, and quality of life. Following completion of surveys, the same forty caregivers participated …

Virtual Journal Club- A Strategy To Improve Evidence Translation And Peer Collaboration, Rachel E. Wood, Joy Huston

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Nurses are a critical component of the healthcare delivery system, weaving together science, critical thinking, empathy, compassion, and empowerment to deliver relational, expert care (Wood et al., 2023). To translate current evidence into practices that transform healthcare, nurses need to have confidence in their ability to access, evaluate, and integrate evidence. To provide compassionate, relational care, nurses themselves need to be well. This project sought to address both goals: transforming healthcare delivery by improved nurse wellbeing through peer collaboration and enhanced confidence in evidence-based practice (EBP) skills.

EBP is the intentional use of current, relevant research combined with sound clinical …

Nurse Leader Application Of The Five Practices Of Exemplary Leadership, Nicole E. Roebuck

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

There are many leadership development programs, but only some focus on the unique perspective of nurses. The organization that served as the project site has leadership development programs for aspiring nurse leaders, a leadership core for newly appointed nurse leaders, and executive coaching for executive-level nurse leadership. The project site identified a need for a leadership development program focused on nurse managers. This project aimed to fulfill that need. The project goal was to increase nurse manager application of the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership to operationalize transformational leadership principles and foster Joy in Work. The leadership development program consisted …

"Wellness 2 U” Program To Promote Nurse Leaders' Loving- Kindness Toward Self And Others, Linda Y. Kim, Akal Khalsa, Jennifer Astasio

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Problem/Background: A 2021 study by the American Organization for Nursing Leadership reported that sustainment of staff emotional health and well-being were top priorities for 75% of the nurse leader respondents.¹ Compassionate caring of others begins with loving-kindness toward self.² Nurse leaders must practice self-care and loving-kindness for themselves and role model it as a means of empowering and promoting wellness for their staff. Holistic and integrative strategies aimed at promoting nurse leader and staff well-being consequently promote a healing environment for authentic caring presence for patients.

Purpose/SMART Aims: This project aimed to promote nurse leader wellness …

Nurse Resident Job Satisfaction With A Formal Mentorship Program, Jessica Hoehne

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Purpose: Job satisfaction is a predictor of nursing turnover and intent to stay. New nurses are especially vulnerable to turnover during their first year creating a significant barrier to building the nursing workforce. Research shows reasons contributing to the high attrition rates of new nurses include a lack of confidence, an inability to cope with work-related stress and a decreased sense of belonging. Several studies have shown that mentorship promotes personal and professional development, increases learning, and builds confidence. The goal of implementing a mentorship program is to create a culture of support for nurse residents resulting in increased job …

Baccalaureate Nursing Students Identify Positive And Negative Belongingness Behaviors In Clinical Practice: Lessons For Clinicians, Missy Ofe Fleck, Cathrin L. Carithers, Lynnette Leeseberg Stamler, Leeza A. Struwe

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Creating inclusive clinical learning environments in which students thrive is a priority in nursing education and practice to foster belongingness (Metzger & Taggert, 2020), address person-centered care needs (Marjadi et al., 2023), and prepare a diverse nursing workforce (Charania & Patel, 2022). Relationships nurtured among health care team members and nursing students provide the fundamental social context for acceptance and efficacious learning (Levett-Jones et al., 2007). Levett-Jones and Lathlean (2008) identified belongingness as a “deeply personal and contextually mediated experience that evolves in response to the degree to which an individual feels (a) secure, accepted, included, valued, and respected by …

Transforming Orthopedic Clinic Workplace Culture Using The Pdsa Cycle, Tania Mae Golo-Atkin, Jodie Mae B. Shiba, Daniel A. Collins, Chrystal Leigh Lewis

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

BACKGROUND: Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the work environment was already associated as a contributing factor to nurses’ intention to leave the workplace (Nantsupawat et al., 2016; Shah et al. 2021). Additionally, peer-to-peer nursing isolation is a problem within ambulatory nursing (Allen, 2016). However, specific investigation into intent to leave in ambulatory nursing is limited. The National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) survey was first used in this setting’s ambulatory clinics in 2021. The Orthopedic Clinic RN Coordinators (RNC) initial 2021 NDNQI scores on the specific metric exploring nurses’ intentions to leave their current workplace within 3 years was …

An Innovative Program: R3 Renewal, Resilience And Retention For Nursing Practice Starts In Nursing Education, Cynda Hylton Rushton, Vickie Hughes, Krysia Warren Hudson, Sandra Swoboda, Erin Wright, Nancy Reller, Ginger Hanson, Rita F. D'Aoust

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Burnout due to workload and work-life imbalance is reducing nursing capacity in Maryland and nationally. Faculty and staff burnout rate is 40% and new graduate nurse turnover rate is 19%. The R³: Renewal, Resilience and Retention Initiative (R³) is an educational initiative to build nurses' resilience and increase their well-being that will help sustain the workforce and bridge the gap between education and practice. Many sound initiatives have addressed this shortage which primarily focus on pipeline entry by increasing (a) enrollment in nursing programs and (b) the number of nursing faculty. Fewer initiatives have targeted …

Client Feedback Effects On Enjoyment, Motivation And Self- Efficacy In A Project- Based Learning Course, Krista Stacey, David Bourrie

SoTL Commons Conference

No abstract provided.

Is It Relevant? Understanding Students' Perceptions Of A General Education Communication Course, Lauren Johnsen

SoTL Commons Conference

No abstract provided.

Student Perceptions Of Anti-Racist Pedagogy: A Cross-Disciplinary Descriptive Study, Ashley Davis, Melisa Osborne, Hope Haslam Straughan, Maria Datel, Christina Michaud, Danielle Rousseau

SoTL Commons Conference

No abstract provided.

Exploring Embodied Learning: A Taxonomy Of Space, Sensation, And Movement, Leslie Bayers, Julaine Fowlin, Susan Hrach

SoTL Commons Conference

No abstract provided.

Science Belongs To Everyone: Cultivating Identity And Inclusion In Stem, Cassandra Armstrong

Professional Learning Day

What does it take for our students to truly see themselves as scientists? Too often, young people imagine scientists as: the person in the white lab coat, the genius in the laboratory, the stereotype in the textbook photo. If we want our students to consider themselves in this role, we must intentionally design classroom experiences that build scientific identity. In this session, participants will explore practical strategies to position their students as scientists, including: reframing every day labs as investigations, analyzing how representation shapes student perceptions, and engaging in role-play as scientists tackling real-world problems. We'll discuss ways to integrate …

A New Take On Gamer Grading, Cynthia Smyser

Professional Learning Day

My version of Gamer Grading turns earning points into fun.   Students earn level-ups and side quests. Points earned cannot be lost which helps anxious or struggling students. Points earned by accomplishing extra units add additional motivation.  An entire system for grading and rewards for all grades will be presented. Come find out how to add another layer of fun to your classroom!

Smarter, Faster Lesson Planning With Ai: Supporting Math Instruction Without Sacrificing Quality, Marti Shirley

Professional Learning Day

This session demonstrates how AI can streamline lesson planning for secondary mathematics without reducing instructional integrity or depth. Teachers will learn how to use AI tools to generate hooks, worked examples, misconceptions, guided practice sets, and exit tickets that are all aligned to specific mathematical standards. The focus is on using AI to save time, generate ideas, and support differentiation while maintaining teacher control over content accuracy and pedagogical intent. Teachers will learn how to use a predeveloped prompt to create and refine a complete lesson plan, and leave with a bank of effective lesson-planning prompts and editable mini-lesson templates.

The Course Of Empire: Romantic Art And The Origins Of American Conservation, Dr. Shawn Bailey

Professional Learning Day

This panel will discuss the creation of the world's first national park through the lens of nineteenth century nationalism. Specifically, we will answer the question: how does Romantic art lead directly to the creation of Yellowstone in 1872? This will include a run through of a full lesson plan, with audience participation, and include access to all necessary sources, slides, and a fun homework assignment. While I use this lesson in an environmental history class, it would also work well in a United States survey when discussing the rise of American nationalism in the nineteenth century.

Conditions Affecting Mental Health - Definition And Strategies, Crystal England

Professional Learning Day

This session will empower educators and staff to recognize, support, and respond to teen mental health needs. The topics covered are Autism Spectrum Disorder, Anxiety, Depression, OCD, ADHD, and Panic Attacks with evidence-based prevention and crisis strategies. Inclusive DEI insights, classroomready tools, and student resources ensure every learner feels seen and supported.

Uncovering Marginalized Groups In Local History, Zach Bishop

Professional Learning Day

Local history is often told through the voices of the "victors" - the wealthy, white male landowners who founded towns and cities. Yet the stories of women, Native Americans, Black Americans, and various immigrant communities are equally vital to understanding our communities' pasts. This presentation will highlight research strategies and resources for uncovering and teaching the experiences of these historically marginalized groups in your area's history

Why Are There Microscopes In The Art Room?, Joyce Symoniak

Professional Learning Day

During this presentation we will explore how working cross curriculum enhances learning within the visual arts, science and mathematics. We will discuss how the visual arts curriculum can be created in order to bond with STEM courses for student success. Through exploration we will discuss how collaboration within these courses can be used to solidify cross curriculum understanding and learning.

Integrating Neuroscience And Technology: Experiential Learning Through Muscle-To-Robot Systems, Dr. Ashwin Mohan, Dr. Mark Carlson

Professional Learning Day

In this interdisciplinary module, participants engage in hands-on exploration of neuroengineering by recording and interpreting electromyographic (EMG) signals to control robotic devices, bridging human physiology and technology. Through guided experimentation, they investigate neural pathways, signal processing, and biofeedback to understand brain-machine interfaces. The module highlights real-world applications of neuroscience, engineering, and computer science in biomimetics, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity through experiential, technology-driven learning.  *It would be helpful for participants to have the Spike Recorder App from BackyardBrains downloaded on a laptop*

From Equations To Innovation: Applying Mathematics In Engineering, David Hernandez

Professional Learning Day

This hands-on workshop invites educators to explore the critical role mathematics plays in engineering. Participants will discover how applied mathematics enhances problemsolving, precision, and innovation compared to purely theoretical approaches. Through engaging activities that connect mathematical concepts to real-world engineering challenges, educators will gain strategies to help students see math as a powerful tool for designing, analyzing, and improving solutions in authentic STEM applications.

Building Purposeful Communities: Integrating Service Learning For Lasting Impact, Emma Wilson Parker

Professional Learning Day

IMSA’s Service Learning Program connects student passion to community need through intentional, reflective engagement. This session explores how service learning fosters empathy, belonging, and leadership while strengthening campus and local partnerships. Participants will gain practical tools to design and implement meaningful service frameworks in their own settings—creating spaces where students connect purpose with practice and contribute to sustainable community growth.

Connecting The Dots: Preparing Students For High School Math Success, Paul Rummelhoff, Diane Martin

Professional Learning Day

The session highlights the key mathematical concepts and learning habits that high school teachers consider essential for success in Algebra and beyond. Drawing on classroom experiences, We will share common gaps that often appear as students transition from middle school - such as proportional reasoning, algebraic and arithmetic fluency, and number sense. The session will show how addressing these areas leads to a deeper understanding and provide practical strategies to strengthen the foundations

Using Games To Teach Quantum Concepts, Anastasia Perry

Professional Learning Day

Bring quantum mechanics phenomena into your science class through quantum games such as quantum tic tac toe and quantum chess. This session will go over the fundamentals of quantum mechanics phenomena such as superposition, entanglement, and measurement collapse.These concepts will be reinforced through playing games. The games can be introduced to motivated middle and high school students.

Virtual: An Introduction To Astronomy Research, Matthew Mccutcheon

Professional Learning Day

Have you ever wondered how research in astronomy is conducted? Is it possible for high school (or even middle school) students to participate in astronomical research? This session will provide a brief introduction to the process of stellar evolution. Then we will see how a program with the Pulsar Search Collaboratory can potentially help educate and train students on how to analyze previously unexamined data in a fascinating search for pulsars.

You Can't Beat The Classics! Adding Scientific Rigor To Elephant Toothpaste And Baking Soda Volcanos, Dr. Zachary Conley

Professional Learning Day

Students love watching and filming chemical reactions. In this interactive lesson we will discuss how to turn classic demonstrations into NGSS aligned, inquiry driven student learning opportunities.

Latex > Ms Word, Evan Brummet, Lingyi Meng

Professional Learning Day

Explore how LaTeX can help you create clear, well-formatted mathematical content for your classes. In this workshop, we will introduce participants to the basics of LaTeX and demonstrates how it can support your work on platforms like Desmos, Canvas, and Microsoft Word. Learn simple techniques for writing equations, symbols, and formulas that look professional and consistent across your teaching materials. *Participants should bring a laptop to this session*

From Empathy To Innovation: Applying Human-Centered Design In The Classroom, Lisa Evans, Melissa Schoeplein, Leah Avila, Dr. Saad Shehab,

Professional Learning Day

This workshop introduces Human-Centered Design (HCD), a creative, collaborative approach to real-world problem-solving. Educators from University Laboratory High School (University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign) will share how HCD fosters empathy, innovation, and critical thinking across disciplines—including math,  fine arts and civics/social studies.  Also, in partnership with the university’s Siebel Center for Design, HCD has been employed to support school improvement. Participants will explore HCD strategies and leave with tools to integrate HCD into their classrooms.

Computer Architecture For Any High School: Designing Cpus In The Browse, Dan Campbell

Professional Learning Day

Learn how students can explore what’s happening inside a computer without needing any hardware or budget. This session shows how to teach core computer architecture concepts using free, browser-based tools from the Elements of Computing Systems (Nand2Tetris) project. Participants will see how simple logic gates lead to a working CPU and leave with ready-to-use, no-cost resources for bringing computer architecture to any high school classroom. *Participants should bring a laptop to this session*