Digital Commons Network^™

Harnessing The Power Of The Digital Age: Best Practices For Chapter Websites, Michelle Coburn

Leadership Connection

Session presented on Thursday, September 25, 2014: Do you know how to develop a website that is visually appealing to your virtual visitors? Attend this session to find best practices in website maintenance and navigation.

Geriatric Nursing Leadership Academy: Outcomes Across The Care Continuum, Christy Oakes, Laura Engledow, Kayla Woodward

Leadership Connection

Session presented on Thursday, September 25, 2014:

Across practice settings, significant needs exist for improvement in delivery models, clinical outcomes, and preparing the next generation of leaders in gerontological nursing. The Fellows of the first three cohorts of Sigma Theta Tau's Geriatric Nursing Leadership Academy (GNLA) have achieved extraordinary outcomes within the three academy domains: individual leadership and career development, advancement of practice through leadership of interprofessional team projects, and expanded scope of influence at the organizational, community, and professional levels. Fellows of GNLA are positioned to lead and coordinate change within all practice environments that focus on care of …

Fundamentals Of Creating A Policy And Procedure Manual, Jessica R. Wendorf

Leadership Connection

Session presented on Thursday, September 25, 2014: A policy and procedures manual is a book that describes in detail the policies, or rules, and procedures that identify the course of action to be taken to address a policy issue. This session will explain how to establish important policies and procedures, in a wide-variety of topics, for day-to-day operations.

Five Factors To Foster Board Unity, Jessica R. Wendorf, Katherine Rogers

Leadership Connection

Session presented on Thursday, September 25, 2014:

With multiple personalities and work styles conflict is natural in any professional environment. Attend this session to learn how you can build relationships and expectations to address and accept conflict.

Eta Eta: Beyond The Classroom And Into The Community, Stacyann Okoth, Deborah A. Lampo

Leadership Connection

Session presented on Thursday, September 25, 2014, and Wednesday, September 24, 2014: Description: Eta Eta chapter is celebrating its 30th year as a chapter at York College in York, PA. Chapter leadership identified that while membership was stable, opportunities existed to revitalize and engage both nursing students and nursing leaders in the community. The governing board identified opportunities to revitalize and engage faculty, students and nursing leaders though scholarship, education, and community service. A number of strategies were targeted for student membership. These strategies include: 1) increasing student awareness of Eta Eta with a prominent display in the nursing department. …

Equipping For Leadership: A Key Mentoring Practice, Aris Eliades, Meghan Weese, Jennifer Huth, Louise D. Jakubik

Leadership Connection

Previous studies examining predictors of mentoring benefits among pediatric staff nurse protegees representing healthcare organizations across 26 states demonstrated that protegee perception of quality was the single best predictor of mentoring benefits. The ability to identify the mentoring practices that predict specific benefits for individual nurses provides a better understanding of how mentoring relationships can be leveraged within health care organizations to promote the mutual benefits of mentoring. The primary aim of the study was to determine if mentoring practices predict mentoring benefits. In addition, the researchers were interested in exploring the relationship between the subscales of mentoring practices and …

Emergent Leadership: A Novel Perspective Of Frontline Clinical Leadership, Eduardo C. Chavez, Linda H. Yoder

Leadership Connection

Session presented on Friday, September 26, 2014:

Approximately, 44,000 - 98,000 preventable deaths and over 1 million patient injuries occur yearly due to medical errors in health care delivery in hospitals in the United States (U.S.). Despite changes to health care policies and systems, improvement of the quality and safety of patient care have not met expectations because rates of preventable deaths and harm remain high in the U.S. More recently, the promotion of leadership at the point-of-care has been proposed as a strategy for improving the quality and safety of patient care. In the landmark report, The Future of …

Effective Leadership For Bsn Recruitment In Rural Communities, Amber Proctor Williams, Karen Worthy

Leadership Connection

Session presented on Friday, September 26, 2014: Purpose: With 44% of the United States hospitals located in rural communities, the need for highly educated nurses is critical in these areas where supply has historically been low. Additionally, rural communities typically do not have access to traditional BSN education and those who reside in rural areas tend to have barriers to attaining further education such as competing work-life demands, familial obligations, tuition costs, insufficient preparation for college level work, few successful role models, and a lack of incentive to pursue higher education. This distance-based program offers a traditional baccalaureate education through …

Developing Nursing Agency And Clinical Leadership Through Evidence-Based Practice, Wendy C. Kooken, Ann L. Eckhardt

Leadership Connection

Session presented on Saturday, September 27, 2014:

To eliminate healthcare errors, the Institute of Medicine (2001) challenged organizations and providers to adopt evidence based practice (EBP) and to use advanced technology to safely and effectively care for complex patients. Nurse clinicians may lack the educational preparation to initiate an EBP project and may be less familiar with published empirical studies than nurse academics, but may be more likely to recognize a clinically relevant topic that needs to be researched. Creating mutually beneficial academic-clinical partnerships is one way to advance EBP at the bedside and to assure quality and safety in …

Developing Civically Engaged Nursing Student Leaders Through Mentoring And Community Engagement, Michele Montgomery, Paige Johnson

Leadership Connection

Session presented on Friday, September 26, 2014:

Purpose: Primary care and health promotion, with a community-based orientation, is the driving force of healthcare reform. The Institute of Medicines 2010 report on the future of nursing recognizes the need for strong and capable leadership if the vision for transforming healthcare is to be realized and emphasizes the need to provide student nurses with opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills to lead change. Nursing students rarely enter programs of nursing with strong leadership skills. The education and development of students as leaders is a central purpose of baccalaureate nursing programs. An …

Cultivating Future Leaders, Michelle Coburn

Leadership Connection

Session presented on Thursday, September 25, 2014: Do you feel like your group is recycling the same leaders on your board each election? Attend this session to learn how to create a sense of community and local pride to attract and mentor future leaders.

Closing Plenary: Providing Global Leadership, Cathy D. Catrambone

Leadership Connection

Session presented on Saturday, September 27, 2014:

A discussion of some of the global challenges facing leaders today and what STTI as an organization and its members are doing to address these issues. In addition an overview of STTI initiatives that influence leadership globally will be presented. Strategies will also be identified to support nurses in developing professionally as leaders.

Clinical Leadership Skills Acquisition In Nurse Residents, Susan Anne Pettorini-D'Amico

Leadership Connection

Purpose and Rationale: The purpose of this non-equivalent comparison group post test research study was to measure clinical leadership skills acquisition in two groups of new nurse residents. The skills include the ability to effectively communicate with the health care team, organize data, resolve conflict, manage a patient assignment, and understand patient flow and throughput issues. Nurse residents represent a group that may be developed into future nurse leaders. Building clinical leadership skills in this population is thought to be important because planning for and developing new nurse leaders can help the nursing profession achieve leadership succession planning and their …

Clear Channels: A Communications How-To, Michelle Coburn, Julie J. Adams

Leadership Connection

Session presented on Wednesday, September 24, 2014:

It takes diverse methods to clearly deliver a message. Attend this session to learn the privacy rules and best practices to effectively communicate with large audiences.

Board Leadership: Why Nurses Belong In The Board Room, Christy Oakes, Cynthia Vlasich

Leadership Connection

Session presented on Friday, September 26, 2014:

The 2011 Institute of Medicine (IOM) report The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health acknowledged the significance nurse leaders have in promoting change and improvement to Americas health care system. In order to effectively initiate this transformation nurse leaders need to shift their care delivery knowledge and expertise into the boardroom. Developing the leadership skills, and competencies to assume board positions require an understanding strategic governance, networking, community awareness and a strong desire to volunteer. Sigma Theta Tau International's Board Leadership Institute (BLI) provides executive nurse leaders with the relevant information enabling …

Board Boot Camp: How To Effectively Orient Your Board Of Directors, Jenny Paugh Hoffman

Leadership Connection

Session presented on Wednesday, September 24, 2014: In order for your board of directors to be successful during their term, your group will need to effectively orient them to the position. This session will explore topics such as role delegation, board transitioning, and incorporating leadership assessments.

Back To Basics: Understanding Chapter Expectations And Responsibilities, Katherine Rogers, Jessica R. Wendorf

Leadership Connection

Session presented on Wednesday, September 24, 2014:

The minimum requirements in the 2013-2015 Chapter Bylaws are just the starting point for successful groups. Attend this session to learn what your chapter will need to achieve in order to be successful and sustainable.

Antipsychotic Reduction And Increased Resident Engagement In Long-Term Care, Amy Berkley Ellis

Leadership Connection

Session presented on Friday, September 26, 2014:

Purpose: Long-term care organizations are working to reduce the use of antipsychotic medications, particularly among residents with dementia. Non-pharmacological methods of managing behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) include engaging cognitively impaired residents in enrichment activities. Nursing managers need to alter the work environment so that residents preferences and capabilities are communicated in a format that is accessible to staff, particularly non-native speakers of English and staff with lower levels of education.

Significance and Background: Directors of Nursing at an Austin, TX, continuing care facility allocated an extra Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) …

Answers To Frequently Asked Financial Questions, Jenny Paugh Hoffman, Malika T. Abdullah

Leadership Connection

Session presented on Thursday, September 25, 2014: Although STTI chapters manage their own finances, STTI headquarters has a wealth of knowledge and resources to help you! This session will provide answers to frequently asked financial-questions, and provide an opportunity for you to ask your own.

Analysis Of Improvement In Nurse Leaders' Professional Presentation Skills Following A Unique Educational Intervention, Debra L. Fowler, Deborah J. Jones

Leadership Connection

Session presented on Saturday, September 27, 2014:

Expert communication skills are essential for nurse leaders to effectively influence health care delivery at institutional, community, national, and global levels. Communicating a concise message to an audience that results in complete understanding or a change in opinion is essential. Faculty and communication experts developed and implemented an educational strategy designed to promote development of effective professionalpresentation skills for students in an MSN in Nursing Leadership and Administration program.

An Interactive Evaluation Of Patient/Family Centered Rounds On Pediatric Inpatient Units, Michelle J. Palokas

Leadership Connection

Session presented on Friday, September 26, 2014:

In order to provide excellent patient care and customer service, communication among caregivers should be efficient, effective, and timely. In addition, patients and families should have the opportunity to be included in those discussions, to ensure accurate information is relayed and to provide an opportunity for patient/family input into care planning. Unfortunately, the Batson rounding process prior to implementation of patient/family centered rounds did not promote collaboration among team members, nor provide the patient/family a consistent opportunity to be involved in their own healthcare decision making. If Batson Childrens Hospital continued to utilize …

Advocacy: Are You Prepared?, Dale M. Mueller

Leadership Connection

Session presented on Friday, September 26, 2014:

The initial purpose of the research was to assess curriculum effectiveness on the topic of the nurses role as advocate in a Health Care Policy course through pre- and post-test scores on the Political Astuteness Inventory (PAI) (Clark, 1984). A secondary purpose at this time is that the findings of the initial study can serve to inform all nurses as to how to participate more fully as advocates to benefit the profession, current and future patients, communities and the nation as a whole.

Advancing Global Excellence In Nursing Education, Cynthia Vlasich, Pegge Bell, Matthew S. Howard

Leadership Connection

Session presented on Saturday, September 27, 2014:

This Special Session will discuss the programs offered through the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International and Chamberlain College of Nursing Center to achieve its mission to advance global excellence in nursing education.

Using Photography As A Data Elicitation Technique With African American Mothers Living With Hiv, Courtney Caiola, Sharron Lee Docherty

Leadership Connection

Session presented on Thursday, September 25, 2014:

The strength and vulnerability of African American mothers living with HIV functions at the intersection of gender-, race-, and class-inequality, HIV-related stigma, and motherhood, requiring multidimensional and transdisciplinary approaches to address the complex social and economic conditions of their lives, collectively known as the social determinants of health. Photography offers a means for participants to conceive of, take, and describe visual representations of their social determinants of health, but can also introduce important methodological issues and ethical challenges. This pilot study aims to explore the methodological issues and ethical challenges of using photography …

Transgender 101: Increasing Nursing Cultural Competence To Address Health Care Disparities, Paula M. Neira

Leadership Connection

Session presented on Thursday, September 25, 2014:

Historically, transgender individuals health needs have been largely ignored by American medicine and nursing. It is only within the past few decades that the American Medical Association has acknowledged that transgender-related care is medically necessary and should be covered by insurance. Only in 2014, did the American Psychiatric Association recognize that merely being transgender was not a mental health disorder. The American Nurses Association is silent on any issue directly related to the care of transgender individuals. Transgender-related issues are either completely lacking, or are mentioned only in passing, in most current nursing …

The Unethical Treatment Of Psychiatric Patients, Brittany L. Sullivan

Leadership Connection

Session presented on Thursday, September 25, 2014:

The healthcare system aims to provide appropriate support and treatment to enhance the quality of a persons emotional and psychological health. However, the United States has not fulfilled this aim when providing patient centered care to people with mental illnesses, and consequently, they have unmet needs for healthcare. Annually, approximately 30% of people, will be diagnosed with a mental illness. A national report card of the United States, observing each states service to psychiatric patients, revealed that treatment for psychiatric patients is not at an optimal level. One category in this report observed …

The New Experiential Learning Model: One Student's Hypotheses Tested, Ernesto Carnota

Leadership Connection

Session presented on Friday, September 26, 2014:

Helping people and caring for others has always been a passion of mine. Nursing was the road that lead me to great satisfactions and great learning experiences. However, it was not until I decided to study nursing in Chamberlain College of Nursing at the Miramar campus, that I discovered an undeniable passion inspired my magnificent professors, the passion of teaching. Is a dream of mine that one day I can give to others the knowledge and the love that I have for this career, as a nursing educator. I feel proud to be …

The Culture Of Patient Safety In United States Hospitals, Mary Ann Wafer, Charlotte Thomas-Hawkins

Leadership Connection

Session presented on Friday, September 26, 2014:

Patient safety is one foundation of high quality care, and the Institute of Medicine recommends that all healthcare facilities across the care continuum develop and maintain a culture of patient safety. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), a culture of safety is a commitment at all levels of the organization to minimize adverse patient events in the face of inherently complex and potentially hazardous procedures. It also signals the attitudes, beliefs, values, and perceptions that employees share about the way safety is done in their job settings. Patient safety …

Shared Mental Models Of Survivorship Care: A Qualitative Analysis, Megan C. Hebdon, Rosanne R. Griggs, Sara A. Mccomb, Kathleen Abrahamson

Leadership Connection

Session presented on Thursday, September 25, 2014:

Introduction: While the number of cancer survivors is projected to increase to 18 million by 2022, validated approaches for the care of cancer survivors are limited. There is a need for patient-centered cancer survivorship care with improved communication, care continuity, and coordination. In order to achieve this, patients and their support network should be included as members of the healthcare team. The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of health care team members, including survivors and their family and friends, regarding cancer survivorship care.

Conceptual Framework: Shared mental models, a …

Rapid Response Team Model For A School For Autistic Children, Kimberly A. Mihelich

Leadership Connection

Session presented on Friday, September 26, 2014:

Rapid response teams have been utilized in industries and acute care for decades. However, in other settings change to the more efficient and preferred model has been slow. Research overwhelmingly supports that public schools have action plans in place for medical emergencies such as seizures, collapsed student, anaphylaxis, and hazardous ingestion. It is even more crucial for schools with a high population of students with medical conditions that predispose them to emergencies. Many states now recommend and have enacted legislation allowing for unlicensed assistive personnel to administer emergency medications. This article suggests a …