UAHuntsville Nursing News

Nursing News Stories

Nursing Picnic Fall 2008

Regional nurse practitioners tackle current health care issues at annual symposium

Primary and acute care, and their latest treatment and legal options will be addressed by at the 13th Annual NANPA (North Alabama Nurse Practitioner Association) Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Symposium, Sept. 19-20 at the Huntsville Marriott.

The purpose of the workshop is to "enhance and update the assessment, diagnostic and clinical skills of the nurse practitioner;" and "highlight the current trends affecting the evolving role of the nurse practitioner in today’s changing health care environment."

Speakers will include: Cindy Cooke, MSN, CRNP, and President of the Nursing Practitioner Alliance of Alabama (NPAA). Her welcoming address will be "NPAA State Issues and Legal Status." "Lawful Prescribing & Prevention of Diversion," by Landon Gibbs, Director of Law Enforcement, Liaison/Education, who has 29 years experience, will follow her talk.

Additional faculty will include: Michael Trotter MD, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon, Decatur General Hospital; William Lane Edwards, Jr., MSN, ARNP, ANP, The Edwards Plantation of South Florida, Inc.; Robert C. Galagan, MD., University of New Mexico School of Medicine and medical director of Inpatient Diabetes Program, Albuquerque, N.M.; Craig Lincoln, MD, The Orthopedic Center, Huntsville, Ala.; Carol White, JD, APRN, (BC), clinical associate professor and director of nursing, University of South Alabama; Wendy Wright, MS, APRN, BC, FNP, FAANP, Wright & Associates Family Healthcare, PLLC, Amherst, N.H.; Keith Young, MD, Huntsville Pulmonary Medicine; Mary Adams, APRN, BC, Pulmonary Associates, P/A, Newark, Delaware; Dianne Bronner, RN, DCM, Carol Collins, MA, Ed, PharmD; Ray Massengill, PharmD, MBA., and Ed Eiland, Pharm D, MBA .

Four individual workshops are scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20 on the following topics: acute care, primary care, orthopedic assessment (taught by the physicians of SportsMed) and an insulin pump workshop.

The cost of the two-day seminar is $200 for non-members, $165 for members, and $85 for students. Friday only sessions will cost $125 for non-members, $100 for members and $50 for students. Saturday only sessions will cost $75 for non-members, $65 for members and $35 for students. Twelve continuing education units will be provided to those attending all sessions.

Register online at www.nanpainfo.com, preferably by September 12. Make hotel reservations by calling 1-888-299-5174 or 256-830-2222. A brochure, containing the complete seminar schedule, can be found online.

New nursing students get mentoring

UAHuntsville nursing students observe England's healthcare system first hand

Six nursing students of The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAHuntsville) recently traveled to England for two weeks to observe that country's national healthcare system.

The annual trip is arranged through the UAHuntsville College of Nursing course "Global Health." These graduate and undergraduate students had the chance to observe British healthcare methods through its system of a universal system.

Making the trip were Beth Clark of Huntsville, Elizabeth Clinard of Ardmore, Sandy Daniel of Lawrenceburg, Tenn., Spencer Holden of Huntsville, Jennifer Nail of Danville, and Bonnie Pearson of Huntsville. They were accompanied by faculty member Dr. Haley Hoy, substituting for Dr. Dorothy G. Foote, course instructor.

"The lectures for nursing leaders taught the students that the U.S. will have to set the example in nursing leadership," Hoy said. According to Hoy, nurses with master's and other advanced degrees are much more common in the U.S.

"I think here we go more in depth with nursing schools to allow our RN's to have information on every aspect," said Clinard, "the pathophysiology, what to do, why things are happening, and also how to help the patient emotionally. We have great technology here, and can get a CT or MRI the same day, but over there it could take weeks!!!

"Overall I was reassured that we are a very VERY blessed country!"

The students made the 12-day journey to England after four weeks of classes. The travel curriculum included: Parliament, to observe how health care issues are legislated; lectures at St Thomas Hospital; a visit to the Florence Nightingale Museum; an all-day seminar at St Christopher's Hospice; and the performance of a Shakespeare play at the Globe Theatre.

Fay Raines honored with resolution

State Rep. Howard Sanderford came to the Nursing Building to present Dean Fay Raines with a joint resolution of the Alabama Legislature. The resolution honored Dr. Raines for beingnamed president of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) for a two-year term.

Dean of UAHuntsville Nursing selected finalist for national healthcare award

Dr. Fay Raines, dean of The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAHuntsville) College of Nursing, is a candidate for Modern Healthcare Magazine's "100 Most Powerful People in Healthcare."

The list currently includes 300 names, and the winners will be selected online between now and Friday, June 27. (The original list of nominees included 14,600 names.) The website is: http://vovici.com/wsb.dll/s/4509g343fe.

Raines is currently serving a two-year term as president of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). She has served AACN as president elect (2006-2008), treasurer (2002-2005), and as a member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors (2002-2005 and 2006-2008).

Raines has served as dean of the UAHuntsville College of Nursing since 1990. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing at the University of Virginia, and her Ph.D. in nursing at the University of Maryland in Baltimore.

In addition to serving as dean of nursing, Raines also served UAHuntsville for more than nine years as associate provost for Institutional Effectiveness.

UAHuntsville College of Nursing student named national vice president of student organization

Laura Chapman of Decatur, a senior in The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAHuntsville) College of Nursing, has been elected vice president of the National Student Nurses Association (NSNA).

Chapman served this past year as NSNA Director South, making her the first nursing student in the College of Nursing to serve on NSNA's board of directors for two straight years. The election was held at the 2008 national convention in Grapevine, Texas in April.

"I've learned a greet deal being on the national board of NSNA," Chapman said. "I believe that it is of great value to be involved in a pre-professional organization. It has been a remarkable experience to work with so many influential nursing professionals."

Chapman was one of three co-authors of a resolution that was approved at this year's national convention, addressing the need for increased disaster preparedness in the nursing curricula. She plans to push for implementation of a plan where NSNA state organizations can partner to help one another in times of a disaster crisis, and help state and local nursing organizations create their own disaster preparedness committee.

For the next year, Chapman will serve as NSNA's chair for the Disaster Preparedness Committee, chair of Convention Committee, and serve as a member of the Executive Committee and Finance Committee.

Chapman will attend planning and training for her new board position in New York City in May.

"With a year's experience on the National Board of Directors, I am ready to continue working diligently on the mission of NSNA and to encourage other nursing students to get involved and make a difference in the nursing profession," Chapman said.

Chapman is president of the UAHuntsville College of Nursing's Association of Nursing Students, and served as vice president last year. She also served last year as ex-officio to the Alabama State Nurses Association Board of Directors and is currently serving on the state organization's Convention Committee and Disaster Preparedness Committee.

UAHuntsville grad makes 2008 Nurse of the Year

Shealy Lynn, a 1976 graduate of The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAHuntsville) College of Nursing, was named 2008 Nurse of the Year for Madison County.

Lynn serves as nursing supervisor for Madison County Schools, and started out in 1989 as the only nurse in the school system.

"I love working with the children," Lynn said. "They are like a breath of fresh air." Lynn was surprised by the award and was greeted that night by many of the nurses who serve under her direction.

Country Cottage Assisted Living is the sponsor of the annual award. Company representatives Dawn White Pumpelly and Michelle Anderson commended all of the nominees for how they serve health care in Madison County.

"You do extraordinary things and do not get thanked enough," said Pumpelly. "This is a special way to say thank you." Pumpelly expressed that it said great things about the nominees that someone took the time to send in the forms to nominate them.

Keynote speaker for the event was Dr. Pam O’Neal, associate dean of the UAHuntsville College of Nursing, who spoke about lighting the way. Using references to Florence Nightingale, she said, "Florence Nightingale used a lamp to check on the soldiers. I challenge you to think about how you can light the way where you are."

UAHuntsville College of Nursing instructor appointed to state nursing board

Rose Sharon Towery Linsky of Arab, clinical instructor in The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAHuntsville) College of Nursing, has been appointed by Alabama Gov. Bob Riley to serve a three-year term on the Alabama Board of Nursing.

Formed in 1915, the 13-member board regulates nursing practice and education in the state.

Linsky is credentialed as a family nurse practitioner and teaches in both undergraduate and graduate programs. Her teaching curriculum includes: course manager for Health Assessment (with a focus on health care across the life span) in the traditional undergraduate and the RN-BSN tracks; “Spirituality in Nursing” in the distance learning program; and Coalition for Health Enhancement in Eldercare and Referral Services (CHEERS), the college’s program designed to teach students to care for the elderly in their home settings. In the graduate program, she serves as one of the clinical instructors in the nurse practitioner program course “Primary Care of Adults.”

UAHuntsville College of Nursing presents convocation

The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAHuntsville) College of Nursing presented academic achievement awards during the 2008 Convocation. Students from Madison were among the honorees.

Karen Amborski, a senior in the basic BSN Track, earned the Dean’s Award, recognizing "a graduating senior who exemplifies outstanding academic achievement with at least a 3.2 grade point average in nursing, and has exhibited leadership in university and community activities."

Deborah Hoenig of Cullman (from the basic BSN Track) and John Willis of Madison (from the RN to BSN track) earned the Highest Academic Achievement Award. The award is "also based on service and work commitments, communication skills, and leadership skills."

Honor Scholars Awards were presented to seniors of both tracks in three categories. Clinical Excellence Awards went to Erin Percy of Huntsville (basic BSN track) and Jennifer Wright of Arab (RN to BSN track). Jennifer Colvin of Geraldine (basic BNS track) and Giselle Krieger of Madison (RN to BSN track) were awarded the Honor Scholars Award for Leadership Excellence. Brenda Wright (basic BSN track) and Shatone Foster (RN to BSN track), both of Huntsville, were presented the Academic Excellence Award.

The Honor Scholars Awards are "also based on service and work commitments, as well as communication leadership skills."

The ROTC Award for Academics was presented to Kelly Hornbrook of Arab and James Sedbrook of Fairford, England. ROTC’s Leadership Award went to James Thompson of Huntsville.

The Dean’s List Award honors excellence in academic achievement. The following students earned a grade point average of at least 3.5, based on 20 or more semester hours during the past year.

Christopher Achord, April Adams, Kristen Banes, Stephanie Bridges, Brittany Brown, Whitney Burchell, Vicky Chesser, Jennifer Colvin, Katelyn Conner, Katherine Dague, Sarah Davis, Meagan Deffenbaugh, Stormy Dismuke, Mary Fox, Ashley Froscello, Ryan Gant, Katrina Gervais, Melanie Gibson, Samantha Gurley, Suzanne Hamilton, Abby Hand, Jennifer Harris, Leah Harwell, Janna Hobbs, Deborah Hoenig, Kelly Hornbrook, Marcie Hutson, Chasity Hyde, Rachel Lewis, Amy Marter, Jana McLaurin, Vasiliki McLaury, Allison McLeory, Miranda McMillen, Steadman McPeters, Christina Metcalf, Amanda Moody, Jordan Napier, Christopher O’Barr, Sarah O’Meara, Erin Percy, Kelli Pry, Jessica Sams, Sarah Sanders, Meagan Schwartz, Shandra Starnes, Melissa Suhs, Karl Swinson, Samantha Vance, Lauren Walley, Brandy Warren, Cadeatrizilius Williams, Dana Williams, Brenda Wright, Crystal Young.

Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing inducted new members for Spring 2008 on Honors Day.

Sigma Theta Tau "is committed to fostering nursing excellence, scholarship, and leadership with the aim of improving health care worldwide."

The following nursing students were inducted into UAHuntsville’s Beta Phi Chapter: Karen Amborski, Brittany Anderson, Ashley Bishop, Amanda Bors, Nichole Brooks, Cameron Brown, Whitney Burchell, Stefanie Burgett, Devon Campbell, Jennifer Clark, Kristine Cole, Jennifer Colvin, Sarah Davis, Megan Deffenbaugh, Christy Dickson, Shatone Foster, Ashley Froscello, Samantha Gurley, Suzanne Hamilton, Leah Harwell, Deborah Hoenig, Giselle Krieger, Kristina Lindsey, Margarita Marmolejo, Karen Metz, Kristan McGowan, Jana McLaurin, Allison McLeroy, Miranda McMillen, Jessica Moseley, Julia Mosher, Jennifer Nail, Laura Noblitt, Erin Percy, Kelli Pry, Robert Redfearn, Sarah Sanders, Grant Tate, Crystal Tillery, Lauren Walley, Brenda Wright, Jennifer Wright, Kelly Young, Kristina Zuschlag.

The Dean’s List Award for graduate students includes those graduate students who have a minimum GPA of 3.85 on all graduate work, completed at least 12 hours of graduate work at UAH in the past 12 months, and have a 4.0 on the last 12 semester hours of graduate work.

The Dean’s List Award for 2008 includes the following master’s students: Christy Bitzer, Jacqueline Blanton, Babette Brock, Stefanie Brown, Amy Carlota, Patricia Collins, Carla Foster, Lisa Hardy, Lori Harris, Lisa Hill, Mindy Holloway, Jinjerita Lucas, Jo-Ann Mullins, Tammy Noble, Andrea Primm, Mahealani, Reagh, Alicia Reaves, Lisa Sanders, Heidi Slappy, Karen Smialek, Barla Thomas.

Nursing program earn U.S. News rankings

The graduate program in nursing at UAHuntsville tied for 115th with 26 other nursing schools, including the Ole Miss Medical Center, Drexel, Central Florida and North Dakota. There are at least 420 graduate programs in nursing in the U.S.

"This ranking is another indication of the quality and visibility of our Master of Science in Nursing program," said Dr. Faye Raines, dean of UAHuntsville's College of Nursing. "Our graduate program produces excellent nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, clinical nurse leaders and nursing administrators."

The College of Nursing offers a bachelor of science in nursing and a master of science in nursing degree. The College of Nursing offers the following master’s degree programs: “Family Nurse Practitioner,” “Acute Care Nurse Practitioner,” “Clinical Nurse Leader,” “Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist,” “Leadership in Health Care Systems,” “Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner,” and “Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education.”

The college’s new Ph.D. track is the “Doctor of Nursing Practice.”

UAHuntsville College of Nursing senior prepares for nursing career as a multiple achiever

Jerrikka Aaron of Guin has learned from The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAHuntsville) how to be a leader in her future health care career and in life.

Aaron graduated this month from the UAHuntsville College of Nursing with a bachelor of science in nursing degree (BSN) and a college history of leadership in university and community project support.

In June, Aaron will begin her career as a nurse in Crestwood Medical Center’s obstetrics and gynecology department, in the mother and baby unit. This is the department where she completed her precept work, serving within the oversight of a registered nurse, assigned to her own patients and reporting on their progress.

"You get to take on more responsibility when you’re precepting," Aaron said. "You jump right into it. After 11 12-hour shifts, you learn that you CAN do it." Aaron’s goal is to start in the mother and child unit, then transfer to labor and delivery.

"I enjoy working in women’s health," said Aaron. "It’s exciting."

In addition to her nursing studies, Aaron has been a UAHuntsville cheerleader for four years (This year, she served as captain.), and a member of Delta Zeta Sorority. Much of her university and community work has been served through these organizations.

This spring, Aaron was the winner of the Distinguished Student Leader Award for Fraternities and Sororities, and placed third for the Dr. B. Jeanne Fisher Most Outstanding Student Award. She served Delta Zeta in Recruitment Day (Chairman), Nominations Committee, social chairman, t-shirt chairman, Regional Spirit Award, Scholarship Award, and Best Big Sister Award.

Aaron worked over 300 hours of community service as a volunteer for Chaffee Elementary School, Breast Cancer Awareness Walk, Multiple Sclerosis, nursing homes, Crestwood Medical Center, Diabetes Walk, Care Assurance System for the Aging and Homebound (CASA) and University Fitness Center Swim Program.

She is the recipient of four scholarships, including: UAH Cheerleading Scholarship, State of Alabama Nursing Scholarship, Crestwood Annual Scholarship and the MaryEllen Locher Foundation Breast Cancer Survivor College Scholarship.

Aaron’s mother, June Melton, died from breast cancer as Aaron was beginning her nursing classes. She spent much of her teenage years helping her stepfather, Russell Melton, care for her younger brothers, Garrett, 13, and Conner, 10. Her father, Eric Aaron, died before she was born.

Although it’s been difficult at times, Aaron feels her situations have made her strong.

"I have learned so much and come so far," said Aaron. "I couldn’t have done it without the College of Nursing. The faculty cares about us as students. That’s made a world of difference to me."

UAHuntsville College of Nursing honored for organ donation education

The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAHuntsville) College of Nursing was honored by the Alabama Organ Center for having 200 nursing students complete the course "Issues in Transplantation." UAHuntsville Nursing is the only college or school of nursing in the state to reach this milestone for educating nursing students about the issues of transplantation. Ann Rayburn, the center¹s education manager, made the presentation.

"This is a significant milestone and the Alabama Organ Center wishes to thank the College of Nursing for its efforts," Rayburn said. "These nursing students now have a greater appreciation and understanding of the importance of organ and tissue donation. The students are better equipped to work with grieving families and to serve as advocates for donation and transplantation." UAHuntsville College of Nursing Associate Professor Dr. Linda Riley, the course instructor, is a former organ procurement coordinator for the Alabama Organ Center. In this role, she was responsible for facilitating the process of organ donation from local hospitals in north Alabama upon the death of an organ donor.

"The UAHuntsville transplant course has provided a wonderful opportunity for our students to learn more about transplantation and the essential role of the nurse," said Riley. "They have benefited from hearing the experiences of both donor families and transplant recipients. Without a doubt they are now well informed about the multifaceted process that leads to successful treatment of end stage organ failure and improved quality of life." The month of April is National Donate Life Month to increase awareness of the continued need for donation. Nationally, over 100,000 people are listed on the waiting list for a vascular organ transplant. The Alabama Organ Center reports currently more than 3,100 people are waiting for an organ transplant.

For more information, log onto www.alabamaorgancenter.org.

Let’s Pretend Hospital 2008

The University of Alabama in Huntsville College of Nursing and Huntsville Hospital admitted almost 3,000 first graders to ‘“Let’s Pretend Hospital” for 2008. This marked the 23rd annual event to teach area first graders about hospital procedures.

Dean of UAHuntsville Nursing becomes AACN president

Dr. Fay Raines, dean of The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAHuntsville) College of Nursing, has been named president of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) for a two-year term.

AACN serves as the national voice for baccalaureate and higher-degree nursing education in the U.S. Its goals include: maintaining quality standards in nursing education, assisting in implementing these standards, influencing better health care through the nursing profession, and promoting public support of nursing education.

Raines has served as dean of the UAHuntsville College of Nursing since 1990. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing at the University of Virginia, and her Ph.D. in nursing at the University of Maryland in Baltimore.

In addition to dean of nursing, Raines also served UAHuntsville for more than nine years as associate provost for Institutional Effectiveness.

She has served AACN as president elect (2006-2008), treasurer (2002-2005), and as a member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors (2002-2005 and 2006-2008).