S P R I N G 2 0 1 7 the Rho Gamma Chapter Newsletter Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing Board of Directors President s Message President Tammy Bocek (2016-2018) President-Elect Vicki Teribury (2016-2018) Vice-President William Godfrey (2015-2017) Treasurer Bernadette DeVaul (2015-2017) Secretary Jennifer Mullen (2016-2018) Counselor Missy Volino (2016-2018) Directors Jennifer Carapella (2016-2018) Linda Yonkin (2015-2017) Vicki Kotchka (2016-2018) Elaine Caso (2016-2017) Leadership Succession Tess Nidetch (2015-2017) Suzanne Urban (2016-2018) Newsletter Editors Suzanne Urban Marybeth Gillis Dear Colleagues, Happy Spring to all of our Rho Gamma Members. Spring is my favorite time of year: winter has finally retreated, warmer weather and longer days are here. Spring showers will be turning into beautiful flowers. Spring reminds me of the growth of new life. It is one of the most beautiful times of year in upstate New York. I look forward to opportunities to enjoy the outdoors with husband,tim, oldest son, Alex, and baby, Aiden, the new life that our family has been blessed with. National Nurses Week is May 6 12 this year. This year s wonderful theme is Nursing: The Balance of Mind, Body, and Spirit. ANA has designated 2017 as the "Year of the Healthy Nurse." This is a remarkable time for our profession, and many challenges face us. Think about what the "Year of the Healthy Nurse means to you. So many of my wonderful colleagues give their all to their profession and families, while taking time to care for ourselves is often neglected please take the time to take care of yourself, so you may continue the work you do. Enjoy Spring! Warmest Regards, Tammy Bocek, MSN, RN, NE-BC Ut ante: [Date]
2 Rho Gamma Chapter held its 18 th Chapter Induction Ceremony on April 7, 2017. Thirty-two new members were welcomed into the Chapter. Community Nurse Leaders included Wendy Bell, Carrie Locke, Lynn Dixon-Noone, Rachel Eckman-Knapp and Robert Speroni. Students inducted from Elmira College were: Alyson Antone, Renee Austin, Kelsey Callahan, Emma Collins, Mariama Diallo, Kelly Dollarhide, Jennifer Gale, Andrea Gridley, Ellie Holmes, Khadijah Kaba, Carissa Kirkwood, Erica Lockrow, Hannah Lundgren, Charles Lynch, Christy McDermott, Cheryl Schumacher, Sara Skelly, Amy Sullivan, Audrey Thames, Courtney Tibbetts, Jonathan Tunnell, Kyley Vandermark, and Valerie Zamor. Lindsey Bergey, Lindsey Price and Madaleyn Dininny represented Mansfield University. Tammy Bocek, Rho Gamma President, greeted the inductees, family and guests. Dr. Kathleen Lucke, Professor and Dean of Health Sciences, gave the welcome from the College. From the Board of Directors, Vicky Teribury explained the meaning of the insignia and coat of arms. Jennifer Carapella gave the concluding remarks. Dr. Jamie Klesh, Nursing Program Director at Mansfield University, assisted Dr. Lucke in welcoming each new member. The guest speaker was Sandra McCarthy, MSOL, MSN, DNP, RN, Chief Nursing Officer for Arnot Health. She spoke on Excellence in Leadership and the important role that nurses play in quality metrics. 2
3 SPRING 2017 L - Bernadette DeVaul MSN, RN and Corinne Ludwig, MSN, RN, The Road to Nursing Mentorship Program. R- Jennifer Carapella, MSN, RN, Factors Related to Nursing Student Success A Review of the Literature. L -Susan Gustafson, Ed.D, RN, MSN, Perceptions of Significance Regarding Prenatal Care Among Multiparous Women R - Terry Bird MSN, RN-BC, Suicide Prevention in the Nonpsychiatric Hospital Setting: A Mansfield University and Elmira College students enjoying the evening with faculty
4 The Dr. Anita B. Ogden Memorial Symposium was held on Friday, March 17, 2017. Dr. Merrily Kuhn s topics were Spices as Natural Therapies and the Gut Brain Connection. The participants took home much practical information on selected spices indicated for preventing or treating GUT and chronic disorders. Dr. Kuhn underscored how the gut-brain connection plays a pivotal role in the regulating of the human. Thirty of Rho Gamma s newest members attended the 1 st Annual New Member Tea on Friday, March 26 th, 2017, at the historic Park Church on Gray St. in Elmira. The ladies of the church provided the venue, as well as a lovely assortment of scones, pastries, fruit platters, coffee and tea. Dr. Kathy Lucke and Rho Gamma Treasurer, Bernadette DeVaul, did the honors of serving beverages from the beautiful silver service provided by our hosts. The tea gave new members the opportunity not only to meet board members, but also to socialize with other recent inductees and to learn about chapter activities. A special thank you to the church volunteers who graciously gave our new members a tour of this beautiful church where Mark Twain and his family attended church services. Suzanne Urban and Vicki Teribury chaired the program. http://nursingworld.org/yearofhealthynurse ANA defines a healthy nurse as someone who actively focuses on creating and maintaining a balance and synergy of physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, personal and professional wellbeing. We feel that nurses are ideally positioned to be the best role models, educators, and advocates of health, safety, and wellness. So come participate with us fully this year as we focus on YOU! Visit this page every month to see what is being offered as resources, events, and activities for that specific month. Join us on ANA's Facebook and Twitter pages to interact with other nurses to share recipes, success stories, challenges, and useful tips. Take our newest health survey. Engage in the Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation Grand Challenge. This year, let's improve the health of the nation's 3.6 million registered nurses and in turn improve the health of the nation! You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. Kahlil Gibran
5 If you have a community project, presentation, or research project for which you need financial backing, you are encouraged to apply for the Rho Gamma Chapter STTI Research Scholarships. The purpose of the scholarship is to provide financial assistance to members of Rho Gamma who are engaged in scholarly research either as a part of a graduate nursing program, community project or presentation (poster or podium) at a regional or international conference or program. Applications are accepted throughout the year. The scholarships will be awarded at the annual business meeting in April. Applications are accepted throughout the year. Any applications received after March 1, 2018, will be considered for the next year. Two awards of $200 each will be distributed. Applications will be sent to the membership in early 2018 or can be obtained by writing to rhogamma@elmira.edu. Completed applications are to be sent to the following address: Rho Gamma Chapter, Elmira College Nurse Education Program ATTN: Research Committee, One Park Place, Elmira, NY 14901. By using the Rho Gamma Chapter s Get-A-Member Campaign, we hope our members will honor nurse colleagues who share the commitment to research, education, nursing practice and leadership by nominating them for membership. Our next chapter induction is slated for April, 2018. There are three classifications of membership: undergraduate student, graduate student, and nurse leader. Nurse Leader membership is open to Registered Nurses, legally recognized to practice, who hold at least a baccalaureate degree in nursing or in another field and have demonstrated achievement in nursing. If you would like to nominate a nurse, please contact Tammy Bocek at rhogamma@elmira.edu. A mechanism also exists for nurse leaders to sponsor their own membership in Sigma Theta Tau International. By going to the STTI website and clicking on the membership tab, a potential member can access information on joining the organization, as well as indicating a chapter preference (Rho Gamma s Chapter number is 409). STTI then submits the self-nominee s application to the chapter, which has the authority to approve the candidate s membership. For further information on the process you can consult the SSTI website www.nursingsociety.org/membership. Share this avenue with a friend! Rejoining STTI/ Transferring Membership If you know of any inactive members who are considering becoming active again, please ask them to call 1-888- 634-7575. STTI headquarters and member services are there to assist them. This is true for those who would like to transfer their membership to Rho Gamma.
6 Become a VIP through the Circle Sign in at http://membership.nursingsociety.org to complete your Volunteer Interest Profile (VIProfile). Your VIProfile connects you with potential volunteer opportunities at various levels. Here is the link: https://membership.nursingsociety.org/vip/default.aspx. Rho Gamma receives points for each member who becomes a VIP become one today. An Open Invitation The Board of Directors extends an open invitation to all members to attend Board meetings. Usually the Board meets on the second Monday of each month at Elmira College in the 3rd floor Conference Room, Cowles Hall, 5:00 pm. In very rare instances, dates or times for meetings may be altered. Please check with Rho Gamma by phone at 607-735-1890 or rhogamma@elmira.edu for Board Meeting verification. Next board meeting: Monday, June 12, 5 PM, Cowles Hall REMEMBER to come to all general meetings! General meeting attendees are eligible for a yearly drawing which entitles the winner to attend a general meeting free of charge. Rho Gamma members may earn extra chances to win by bringing a non-member colleague to a meeting. If you need a ride to a meeting, or would like to carpool, please contact us through our email address rhogamma@elmira.edu. You can access information (newsletters, scholarship applications) by going on-line to the Elmira College website (in this order, click: academics, majors (nursing), honor society). Also, please let us know if your email changes!!!
7 Rho Gamma continues to spread the word regarding the Family Reading Partnership of the Chemung Valley s promotion of literacy in our community. The book collection campaigns are maintained throughout our area. Gently used children s books may be placed in the red boxes at the following locations: Nurse Education Program at Elmira College, Cowles Hall Arnot Ogden Nursing Program, Clute Building, Arnot Ogden Medical Center Nursing Program at Corning Community College Elmira College Library Guthrie-Mansfield Education Center, Patterson Building, Sayre, PA All donated books are given to the Family Reading Partnership for distribution in our community. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises pediatricians to encourage parents to read to their children starting in infancy. According to the AAP s research, early exposure to language has a profound influence on children s learning through life. We must get books into the hands of ALL families! Catholic Charities is in need of toiletry items for local families. If you have any hotel-size toiletry items that you wish to donate, please bring them to the next Rho Gamma meeting or drop them off at the Nurse Education Program Office, Cowles Hall, Elmira College. Items needed include: soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste. Rho Gamma is collecting empty pill bottles for use by our members who are participating in medical missions overseas. Please drop these off at the Nurse Education Office, Cowles Hall, or bring to any of our meetings.
8 Mission The mission of The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, is advancing world health and celebrating nursing excellence in scholarship, leadership and service. Vision Sigma Theta Tau International s vision is to be the global organization of choice for nursing.