Tag: College of Nursing

Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society Induction

The Upsilon Chi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society (Sigma) held its Induction on May 12, 2020. This event took place on the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale. Her legacy of using evidence for practice, caring, and commitment to the most needed populations was celebrated.  Over one hundred new members were inducted in to the chapter’s very first virtual ceremony. These new members included BSN, MSN, and doctoral students as well as faculty.

Highlights of the Induction Ceremony included an award presented to Marcella Rutherford, Ph.D., M.B.A, MSN, RN, Dean of the Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing, for Leadership and Vision. As the founding Dean of the Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing at Nova Southeastern University (NSU), Rutherford oversaw the development of nursing education on six NSU campuses, including prelicensure, advanced practice nursing, and doctoral programs. Additionally, understanding the value of Sigma, she sought to have a chapter established at ACON and was a founding member of Upsilon Chi. Dean Rutherford also gave a powerful address to the inductees which highlighted the importance of nursing in difficult times, such as now. Mary Ellen Mitchell-Rosen, Ph.D., RN, faculty in the BSN Program in Fort Lauderdale/Davie, was presented with the Chapter Leadership and Engagement award for her continuous leadership in the Chapter. She too, was a founding member of Upsilon Chi and throughout its history has served as an officer. Mitchell-Rosen is the past president and current treasurer of the Chapter.

Our new inductees were the focus of the address by Shena Gazaway, Ph.D., MSN, RN, the Regional Coordinator of Sigma North America Region 7. She highlighted how membership and participation in Sigma are steppingstones to support nurses and to assist them in reaching their career goals.  Students receiving special recognition for their scholarship included Yamilee Cabrol-Palma, BSN, RN, from the MSN ARPN Program in Palm Beach who received the Graduate Student award, and Chole Hollands from the Fort Lauderdale/Davie campus, who received both the Undergraduate and Community Service awards.

The president of Sigma, Richard Ricciardi‘s, Ph.D., CRNP, FAANP, FAAN call to action, to infuse joy was felt over the many miles as inductees, family, friends, faculty, and members gathered to celebrate their induction into the Upsilon Chi Chapter of Sigma.

Day in the Life of a Nurse 2019

On Friday, October 4, 2019, students and faculty from the Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing, participated in the Day in the Life of a Nurse. The Nursing Consortium of South Florida, a coalition of hospitals, nursing schools, and health care staffing organizations, organizes this annual event to promote partnerships with South Florida public school districts and many private high schools and middle schools. The Fort Lauderdale Entry-Level Nursing Program welcomed 26 students and 3 teachers from Falcon Cove Middle School, Weston, FL to our nursing lab facilities located at the Health Professions Division Annex. The middle school students had the opportunity to learn about the nursing profession by working with entry-level nursing students and faculty. The day began with entry-level BSN nursing students and faculty sharing their individual stories that led them to a nursing career as well as highlighting their experiences at Nova Southeastern University and concluded with a meeting with Dean Marcella Rutherford, sharing her perspectives on the nursing profession as well as her personal journey as a nurse. Various hands-on activities were provided for the middle school students such as taking vital signs, handwashing, and working with high-fidelity simulators. This is the seventh year Fort Lauderdale campus has participated in the Day in the Life of a Nurse. Thank you to the third and fourth semester BSN students who shared their NSU experiences as well as participating in the hands-on activities. This program was facilitated by Assaf College of Nursing professors: Lisa Soontupe, Ed.D., RN, CNE; Caroline Smikle, Ph.D., RN; Sarah Koplow, Ph.D., APRN, AGPCNP-BC; Iris Berryhill, DNP, MSN, RN and clinical faculty, Susan Kiernan, MSN, RN; Vivia Haye, MSN, RN, and Ann Edwards, MSN, RN.

Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing Teams Up With the Mathew Forbes Romer Foundation

Ron and Kathy Assaf College of nursing students were pleased to receive another impactful visit from the Mathew Forbes Romer Foundation. Among several of its contributions within Nova Southeastern University, the Romer Foundation funds nursing scholarships, helps to create simulation scenarios for in-home family care, and continues to host lecture series and genetic testing during the annual NSU Employee Health & Wellness fair.

As part of this ongoing relationship, the Romer Foundation and the Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing incorporate genetic components in the lecture series, aiming to provide nursing students with exposure to current genetic findings along with health care management of childhood Tay-Sachs disease. Additionally, the college recognized parents of children with Tay-Sachs disease who shared their experiences with the nursing students during the lecture series. The presenters were instrumental to capturing the needs of families of children with Tay-Sachs disease in the formation of a nursing simulation case study developed by faculty and staff Caroline Smikle and Lucille Graham.

Jennifer Gray, a nursing senior, former president of the Nursing Student Association and an aspiring ER trauma nurse, said, “The presentation from the Romer Foundation was inspiring, eye-opening, and humbling for every person in the room. It provided us [nursing students] with a profound insight into the journey that parents endure when their child is diagnosed with a fatal genetic disease. It is definitely a presentation you do not want to miss.”

The main purpose of the lecture series and the upcoming genetic screening during the NSU annual fair is to spread awareness about Tay-Sachs disease and other pediatric lysosomal storage disorders and to encourage students, faculty, and staff at NSU to ‘know what’s in their genes’.

Pictured from left to right, Elisa Gonzalez, Kevin Romer, Monica Gettleman, Jennifer Gray, and Oralea Marquardt

Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences and Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing Collaborate on an Interprofessional Simulation Experience

Students from the Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Healthcare Sciences, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program and the Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program collaborated in an interprofessional simulation experience. The learning objectives of the experience centered around interprofessional teamwork and communication. Small groups of students provided care to a simulated patient in the acute care setting. During this collaboration, students gained knowledge in their own ability to provide safe and efficient care as well as participating as an active member of the health care team. Each small group debriefed following the patient encounter and a large group debrief was held at the end focusing on interprofessional teamwork and communication. Student commented “I think the scenarios were well done and helped with the interactions between the different health professions”; “I appreciated the interprofessionalism and working together towards a common goal”; “It was a great opportunity to assess the importance in collaboration with physical therapist and nurses and gauge our skills when working as a team.”

We express our sincere appreciation for all students who participated as well as the faculty and staff for coordinating and planning this experience. PCHCS faculty included Shari Rone-Adams, D.BA, MHSA, Archana Vatwani, D.PT, M.B.A.s, Melissa Morris, M.S., and Elizabeth Swann, Ph.D.s, ACON faculty included Sarah Koplow, Ph.D.s, Deborah Papa, Ed.D.,M.S., Heather Saifman, Ph.D.s, Lisa Soontupe, Psy.D., M.S., B.A., Professor Bibi Khan, and Lucille Graham, M.S. Special thanks to our standardized patient, Ms. Vanessa Maloney for lending her experience and expertise.

Nursing Students Participate in Jamaica Medical Mission Trip

NSU faculty and nursing students participated in a medical mission trip to Jamaica on June 5-10, 2019. Donna Mesler, Ph.D., R.N., and Donna Williams-Newman, D.N.P., M.S.N, R.N., attended with nine students from Fort Myers: Mackenzie Green, Payton Brosche, Tabita Lepindea, Joseph Prichard, Andrea Cano, Regina Lento, Sarah Mohr, Breanna Nolan and Sarah Johnson. The students worked collaboratively with the Dental, Physical Therapy, Medical, Optometry and Pharmacy students to provide care to approximately 2000 persons in three days. Their roles included triaging for dental and medicine and most importantly they educated person with lifestyle diseases like hypertension and diabetes. They also calculated risk factors for diabetic and BMI and educated the clients on obesity and weight management.

M.S.N. Practicum Project Propels Leadership Student Forward

The Ron & Kathy Assaf College of Nursing Executive Leadership practicum provides an opportunity for students to apply what they have learned in the Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) program while in their organization. Students, in conjunction with their preceptors, select a project that will expand their knowledge base and enable them to showcase their leadership skills. Knowledge and leadership was recently demonstrated in a presentation that was done by Rebekah Babich to the leadership of Joe DiMaggio’s Children’s Hospital. The presentation Rebekah made was regarding the Magnet Recognition Program; the organization is aspiring to achieve Magnet status. The chief nursing officer (CNO) was so impressed with Rebekah’s knowledge and enthusiasm that she invited Rebekah to attend the Magnet Conference to be held this fall in Denver, CO. Rebekah stands poised to contribute to the achievement of her organization’s goal of Magnet status. It’s a win for Rebekah, a win for Joe DiMaggio’s Children’s Hospital, and a win for the Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing at Nova Southeastern University.

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