gvsu fall 12 kcon€¦ · considerable attention. it noted, “nurses should achieve higher levels...
TRANSCRIPT
www.gvsu.edu\coe
KCONA PUBL ICAT ION OF THE K I RKHOF COL LEGE OF NURS ING | GVSU I SSUE 1 VOLUME 6 | FALL 12
Graduate Education Cynthia McCurren Closing the Education-Practice Gap
Reflections From Our First DNP-APN Graduates Introducing Our Next DNP Graduates
Exploring the Role of CNL
KIRKHOF COLLEGE OF NURSING
As I write this message, I am pausing to reflect on how rapidly events are occurring
that could greatly influence nursing education. In June 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court
issued its decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act, stimulating controversy and
elevating the public visibility of health care reform. The nursing profession is fortunate
to have visionary leaders who have engaged in important work that gives us direction
in this unsettled time. Reports from the Institute of Medicine and the Robert Wood
Johnson Foundation have supplied key messages and action plans related to nursing
education. They call for nurses to achieve higher levels of education, so they can
be prepared for significant advancements in science and technology and make
meaningful contributions to health care reform.
Without a doubt, the role and importance of nurses in health care will grow in the
coming decades. To meet this challenge, we need to ensure that our programs
prepare nursing professionals with the advanced education they will need. A university
college of nursing cannot achieve this alone. It requires partnerships with practice
partners, professional organizations, the insurance industry and political leaders.
This edition of KCON Magazine provides insight into how we are addressing the
challenges for enhanced graduate nursing education. We have showcased the first
graduates of our DNP degree program. We have highlighted the Clinical Nurse Leader
(CNL) role by featuring a KCON alumna who is contributing to creative care delivery
models. And we introduce two new professionals who have joined our leadership team,
demonstrating our commitment to practice engagement and health care reform.
The future holds an expansion of nurses’ roles in health care. Our work has just begun.
We hope this edition of KCON Magazine will motivate you to contemplate the question,
“What if YOU could help transform health care?” We invite you to seek ways to be
part of our educational programs as a practice partner, a financial supporter or a
dedicated educator. Together we can make a difference!
CYNTH IA McCURREN, PhD , RN, FNAP
DEAN AND PROFESSOR K I RKHOF COL LEGE OF NURS ING
A PUBL ICAT ION OF THE K I RKHOF COL LEGE OF NURS ING | GVSU
From The Dean
K IRKHOF COLLEGE OF NURS ING
Su i t e 300 Cook -DeVos Cen te r f o r Hea l t h Sc i ence s 301 Mich igan S t r ee t , NE Grand Rap id s , M I 49503 -3314 Web S i t e : www.gv su .edu/kconPhone : 616.331.3558
KCON MAGAZINE PRODUCT ION
CYNTHIA McCURREN | EXECUT IVE ED I TORDean , K i r k ho f Co l l ege o f Nu r s i ng
L INDA BOND | PROJECT COORDINATORFacu l t y, K i r k ho f Co l l ege o f Nu r s i ng
JAN ANDERSEN | ED ITOR & CONTR IBUT ING WRITERBeyond Words , I n c .
BRAD H INEL INE | CREAT IVE D IRECTOR & GRAPH IC DES IGNERHine l i ne Des ign
BERNAD INE CAREY- TUCKER | CONTR IBUT ING PHOTOGRAPHERGVSU News and I n fo rma t i on Se r v i ce s
PR INT ING SERV ICESFo remos t G raph i c s
KCON MAGAZINE ADV ISORY COMMITTEE
ANGELA CARUSO
CYNTH IA McCURREN
SUSAN MLYNARCZYK
BRENDA PAWL
L INDA SCOTT
KCON ALUMNI ASSOCIAT ION BOARD MEMBERS
TRACY HOSFORD ( ’02 ) | PRES IDENT
KR IST I COOPER ( ’94 & ‘02 ) | SECRETARY
RUTH ANN BR INTNAL L ( ’85 & ’97 ) | BOARD-AT- LARGE
STACY McCARRON ( ’97 & ’00 ) | BOARD-AT- LARGE
L EE McCORMICK ( ’81 ) | BOARD-AT- LARGE
J ENNIFER P I E TRAZ ( ’09 ) | BOARD-AT- LARGE
BETH READ ( ’02 ) | BOARD-AT- LARGE
REBECCA SYPNIEWSK I ( ’03 ) | BOARD-AT- LARGE
L INDA BOND | KCON FACULTY L IA ISON
JU L I E BULSON ( ’99 & ’07 ) | GVSU ALUMNI ASSOCIAT ION
AB IGAYLE S LOAN ( ’07 ) | GVSU ALUMNI L IA ISON
CONTACT US
KCON Magaz ine i s a pub l i ca t i on o f G rand Va l l e y S ta t e Un i ve r s i t yK i r k ho f Co l l ege o f Nu r s i ng . | Commen t s and s ugges t i on s a re we l come.
Grand Valley State University is an af firmative action/equal opportunity institution. 10/12 © 2012, Grand Valley State University Kirkhof College of Nursing
www.gvsu.edu\coe
KCON | TABLE OF CONTENTS
2 Closing the Education-Practice Gap
Cynthia McCurren
4 Reflections From Our First DNP-APN Graduates
8 Introducing Our Next DNP Graduates
9 Exploring the Role of CNL
10 Alumni Update
13 Student/SNA Update
14 Faculty/Staff Update
19 KCON in the News
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A PUBL ICAT ION OF THE K I RKHOF COL LEGE OF NURS ING | GVSU
Closing the Education-Practice Gap By Cynthia McCurren, PhD, RN, FNAP
In nursing education we have long worried about the “education-
practice gap.” This traditionally referred to the ability of practice
settings to adopt and reflect what was being taught in academic
programs of nursing. In today’s health care environment, the practice
community is turning the tables on academia. There is a perception
that education does not keep pace with rapid changes in practice
— that academia is failing to produce health professionals who are
ready for complex care issues and collaborative teamwork.
There is truth on both sides of the issue. In October 2010, the Institute of
Medicine, in collaboration with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation,
released a report titled “The Future of Nursing: Leading Change,
Advancing Health” [http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2010/The-Future-
of-Nursing-Leading-Change-Advancing-Health.aspx]. One of the key
messages related to nursing education in this report has received
considerable attention. It noted, “Nurses should achieve higher levels
of education and training through an improved education system.”
Embedded in this discussion were directives to address concerns
about educational capacity and the urgent need to transform nursing
curricula. In another 2010 report, “Educating Nurses: A Call for Radical
Transformation” [http://www.carnegiefoundation.org/newsroom/
press-releases/educating-nurses-call-radical-transformation],
Using Graduate Nursing Education to Transform Health Care
the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching stated,
“Nurses are ill-prepared for the profound changes in science,
technology and the nature and settings of nursing practice.”
These and many other reports, journal articles and presentations
have clearly shown us that practice and education — especially
graduate nursing education — must work together to achieve our
common goal of improved health outcomes through excellence in
nursing practice and team-based care. These circumstances could
be viewed as overwhelming, but at GVSU-KCON we see this as an
opportunity!
In the last few years, our perspectives about nursing education have
broadened and our collaborations have been extended. We have
fostered communication between academia and practice, creating
effective feedback loops that inform both curricular needs and
clinical practice. We have created graduate degrees that embed
the advanced competencies needed for a rapidly evolving health
care system that is challenged to the meet the triple aims of better
care, better health and reduced cost.
Increasingly, the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) serves as the central
point of contact between the patient and other care providers,
including physicians and nurse specialists. A strong emphasis on
evidence-based practice ensures that patients benefit from the latest
innovations in care delivery and that quality improvement and systems
thinking improve efficiencies. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
degree enhances the skills of advanced practice nurses in a context
that includes information systems/technology; health care policy
advocacy; interprofessional collaboration across the continuum;
and clinical prevention, evidence-based practice and public health
approaches for improving the nation’s health.
We are complementing these educational reforms with intentional
collaborations within the practice community. The individuals depicted
in the sidebar to this story are just three examples of the many ways
KCON has formed connections that close the gap between graduate
nursing education and practice. With their assistance — and the help
of many others — we will continue to create the effective feedback
loops that inform both curricular needs and clinical practice.
• A 12-member KCON Advisory Board was formed in 2010. It includes
members of our regional community who influence health care as
providers, consumers, politicians, philanthropists or health care executives.
Joann Hoganson, MSN, RN, is one of our current board members. She is the
director of community nursing for the Kent County Health Department (KCHD),
and she supports the integration of public health perspectives related to
health promotion, disease prevention and protection of the community in our
education-practice partnership.
Hoganson’s recommendation led to the “Kent County 2011 Community
Health Needs Assessment and Health Profile,” becoming an integral resource
to inform clinical education. KCON students participate in a number of
initiatives within the KCHD as part of their clinical education. Overall, the
Advisory Board ensures the exchange of communication. Strategic aims of
the College of Nursing are considered in the reality–based context of health
care delivery.
• Elizabeth Murphy, MSBA, BSN, RN, serves as the vice president and chief
nursing officer for Saint Mary’s Health Care. Her visionary leadership has led
to enhanced education-practice partnerships. The Clinical Nurse Leader
concept is used throughout her facility as a care delivery model, and Saint
Mary’s CNLs serve as preceptors for KCON CNL students. Also, her
appreciation of the DNP degree has led her to increased placement sites for
the mental health in primary care practicum that is a unique aspect of our
DNP degree.
Two of our faculty members have joint appointments with Saint Mary’s. One
serves as a consultant for nursing research and evidence-based practice.
The other works as an advanced practice nurse in neuroscience, which
complements her program of research and allows her to mentor KCON DNP
students within a clinical site. In addition, Murphy personally serves as a
mentor/preceptor for a DNP student in the Nursing Administration and Health
Care Systems track.
• Dianne Conrad, DNP, FNP-BC, practices in a rural primary care clinic,
blending her practice with her faculty role at KCON. She continually brings
the reality of practice issues forward, and facilitates learning experiences
for students in the classroom and in her clinical practice. As an experienced
advanced practice nurse, Conrad earned her DNP and now she clearly
articulates her “lived experience” of bridging the education-practice gap. The
educational components of the DNP degree have enhanced her practice and
her contributions to health care. In turn, her unique insights are invaluable for
faculty, students and our other practice partners.
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KCON | FEATURE
Photo Right: (Left to Right) Joann Hoganson, Elizabeth Murphy, Dianne Conrad
Reflections From Our First DNP-APN GraduatesOn April 28, 2012, KCON proudly celebrated commencement for the
first class to graduate from the Advanced Practice Nursing (APN)
track of its new Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. These
pioneering doctoral nursing students are Elaine Leigh, Emily Quiney
and Rebecca Sypniewski. As this issue went to press, Jaclynn (Jaci)
Lubbers was completing the implementation of her doctoral project.
In this story, the four women share some thoughts and reflections
about their DNP experience, what led them to take on the challenge
of a new program, and where they go from here.
Rebecca Sypniewski, DNP, MSN (‘03), RN, FNP-BC
Dissertation: “An Evidence-Based Approach for the Development
of a Health and Wellness Program Within a Community Center for
Older Adults”
Rebecca Sypniewski, a family nurse practitioner, has been employed
at the GVSU Family Health Center for more than three years. “My
decision to begin the DNP program initially started as a requirement
for my current position,” she says, “but it really blossomed into a
desire to look at our health care system through a different lens or
perspective — the lens afforded by the DNP degree.”
As she continues her work at the Family Health Center, Sypniewski
now has the credentials to serve as a faculty member for both
undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. “While I am still
practicing within the scope of an advanced practice nurse as I
did prior to the DNP degree, my perspective is much different than
before,” she explains. “I’m much more in tune with patients’ stories
and how it affects their decisions regarding their health care. So when
people ask me, ‘What can you do with a DNP?’ I respond that it is not
what I can do, but how I do it. The knowledge I have gained from the
DNP degree not only forces me to question how I provide care, our
health care system and patients’ stories, but to put them all together
more effectively as I provide patient-centered care.”
And what would Sypniewski tell someone about her KCON DNP
experience? She says, “I would tell anyone that this was the most
challenging task I have ever undertaken. I am extremely proud of
my accomplishments and recognize my professional and personal
growth. As an advanced practice nurse, I’m enacting the roles that
are inherent in the DNP degree: leader, scholar, advocate, educator,
innovator and clinician. But with added wisdom and knowledge from
the DNP program, I am able to enact these same roles from a much
different, broader perspective.”
Photo: REBECC
A SYPN
IEWSK
I
A PUBL ICAT ION OF THE K I RKHOF COL LEGE OF NURS ING | GVSU
About KCON’s MSN Degree
KCON’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree prepares professional
nurses as advanced generalists who will serve as leaders with in
clinical microsystems (patient care units/settings). Graduates willhave an
exceptional blend of clinical, organizational, economic and leadership
skills and will be fully prepared to:
• Provide patient care using current evidence-based practices.
• Integrate and coordinate care delivery processes.
• Apply advanced knowledge synthesized from nursing and related
disciplines.
• Improve client outcomes in a cost-effective, fiscally responsible
manner.
• Improve health care by assuming leadership roles in collaboration
with others.
• Contribute to health care reform and the advancement of the
profession.
Some program highlights:
• Class delivery formats designed to accommodate working
professionals (hybrid online delivery)*
• Fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing
Education (CCNE)
• Open to full- or part-time students
• Degree requires approximately 41 credit hours and 480
clinical hours
• MSN admission cohort begins each fall semester; application
and supplemental materials due by February 1
Why Should You Earn the MSN?
KCON’s MSN degree program prepares graduates to obtain certification
for the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) role. Support for this role is gaining
momentum as an increasing number of practice sites report positive
outcomes attributed to the CNL. For example, the Veterans Health
Administration, the nation’s largest employer of RNs, has embraced the
CNL role and is moving to introduce this clinician into all VA hospitals
nationwide. And Trinity Health System, the fourth largest Catholic health
system in the U.S., is connecting the CNL role to its strategic commitment.
With a KCON MSN degree, you can join and contribute to this growing
professional trend.
For more information, visit www.gvsu.edu/kcon/
*For information about hybrid online course delivery, see www.gvsu.edu/online/
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Emily Quiney, DNP, MSN (‘04), RN, FNP-BC
Dissertation: “Evaluating Health Care Services for the Medically
Underserved Residents of a Western Michigan Lakeshore
Community”
Emily Quiney, a nurse practitioner, currently works at Spectrum Health
Butterworth in Grand Rapids as an OB triage specialist. “I chose to
pursue the DNP to learn strategies for improving health care for
vulnerable populations and everyone else who accesses the health
care system,” she says. “I wanted to gain the knowledge necessary to
improve the way we deliver health care.”
Quiney notes that she chose the GVSU program so she would have
intensive, face-to-face interactions with her professors and peers.
“By meeting for class in person, we had the opportunity to have very
intensive discussions about health care and the role of the DNP,” she
says. “It was a challenge to be part of the first KCON DNP cohort, but
I was able to form many important relationships with professors and
peers that will continue long into my career.”
What are Quiney’s plans for the future? “My DNP education has
prepared me to address the changes necessary to improve our
fragmented health care system, to use evidence-based practices
as a guide, and to deal with the issues faced by vulnerable
populations.” She continues, “I hope to better educate patients
on how to take personal accountability for their health status as a
way to increase patient autonomy and the effectiveness of the
health care system. And I now can help lead policy initiatives and
promote independent practice for nurse practitioners — one way
to increase access to primary health care services while maintaining
clinical skills and improving health care delivery. The DNP role fits
very well with health care reform,” Quiney states, “and we have
been trained to be leaders in transforming health care delivery and
quality initiatives.”
Photo: EMILY Q
UIN
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KCON | FEATURE
Elaine Leigh, DNP, MSN (‘02), RN, FNP-BC
Dissertation: “Hepatitis C Treatment: A Community-Based,
Multidisciplinary Approach to Increase Access and Improve
Health Perceptions”
Elaine Leigh manages a hepatitis C treatment clinic at Mercy Health
in Muskegon and is a nurse practitioner with Spectrum Health Medical
Group-Gastroenterology in Holland. This fall, she also is working
with current DNP students as one of KCON’s affiliate clinical faculty
members.
Why did she pursue a DNP degree at GVSU? “I needed a platform
from which to change health care delivery for those with hepatitis
C,” Leigh says. “The doctoral program gave me the tools to make
real change and the credentials to partner with a community in need
of improved hepatitis C services. I received my MSN from KCON, so I
knew the environment and faculty and thought the new DNP program
would be a professional, academic challenge.”
As her dissertation title indicates, Leigh spent her time in the DNP
program focused on improving access and care for those with
hepatitis C. After implementing an innovative practice in Muskegon,
she is now managing care for those being evaluated and treated at
a new dedicated hepatitis C clinic. “My project included an early
evaluation of the clinic’s programming,” she notes. “The treatment
programming focuses on education, self-management support and
psychological/emotional support, and we’ve already seen trends
toward improved health perceptions.”
Leigh points out that two significant initiatives will likely change the
country’s health care delivery model for hepatitis C: the Affordable
Care Act and changes in the hepatitis C screening guidelines, which
suggest that everyone born between 1946 and 1964 be screened.
“We don’t yet know precisely what these initiatives will mean for
clinical practice,” she says, “but I wanted to have the knowledge
and expertise needed to be part of this health care transformation.
“Students will enter the DNP program with a variety of experiences
and levels of expertise,” she concludes. “Having been through the
program myself, I think KCON does a nice job of individualizing the
program plan to meet each student’s interests and needs.”
Photo: ELAIN
E LEIGH
“I Needed A Platform From Which to Change Health Care Delivery…”
ELAINE LE IGH
A PUBL ICAT ION OF THE K I RKHOF COL LEGE OF NURS ING | GVSU
About KCON’s DNP Degree
KCON’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is designed for nurses
seeking a terminal degree in nursing practice who prefer an alternative to
research-focused (i.e., PhD) doctoral programs. We offer two emphasis
areas: (1) Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) in child/adolescent or
adult/older adult, and (2) Nursing Administration and Health Care Systems.
Graduates are thoroughly prepared for career advancement in:
• Clinical and health systems leadership
• Changing health care delivery
• Improving patient outcomes
• Clinical teaching in higher education
Some program highlights:
• Class delivery formats designed to accommodate working
professionals (hybrid online delivery)*
• Fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing
Education (CCNE)
• Open to full- or part-time students
• Students entering with BSN: degree requires approximately
90 credit hours and a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours
• Students entering with MSN: customized course plan will be
created based upon DNP program emphasis and previous
graduate coursework
• DNP admission cohort begins each fall semester; application
and supplemental materials due by February 1
Why Should You Earn the DNP?
Join nearly 10,000 other students who are committed to making a
difference in health care. They are responding to the rapid expansion
of knowledge underlying practice, the increased complexity of patient
care, national concerns about the quality of care and patient safety, and
shortages of nursing leaders who can design and assess care. With a
DNP, you can be a leader who transforms health care.
For more information, visit www.gvsu.edu/kcon/
*For information about hybrid online course delivery, see www.gvsu.edu/online/
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Jaclynn (Jaci) Lubbers, MSN (‘00), RN, CPNP
Dissertation (Project Completion Pending): “Meeting Teens Where
They Are: The Feasibility of a Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention for
Depressed Adolescents
For the past 12 years, Jaci Lubbers has been a pediatric nurse practitioner
with Holland Pediatric Associates. Recently, she accepted a faculty
position at Calvin College teaching pediatric nursing, and she plans
to continue her practice in Holland.
Lubbers, who was the first recipient of the Jean E. Martin Doctor of
Nursing Practice Scholarship, earned her master’s degree at GVSU.
“I chose KCON’s DNP program because of the people who are
there,” she says, “and I knew the leadership would build a program
that was exceptional. I loved the location. I also loved the ‘hybrid’
style of coursework. I wanted more skills to really do my job well:
things like a better understanding of evidence-based practice, a
better understanding of the mental health/primary care interface,
advocacy skills and a foundation in informatics. GVSU is preparing
me with those skills to move forward and help transform practice.”
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KCON | FEATUREPhoto: JAC
LYNN
LUBBERS
A PUBL ICAT ION OF THE K I RKHOF COL LEGE OF NURS ING | GVSU
Introducing Our Next DNP Graduates
On December 8, 2012, KCON will celebrate another first in Doctor
of Nursing Practice (DNP) program commencements. This time,
recognition will go to the first class of KCON DNP students to graduate
from the Nursing Administration and Health Care Systems track. All
of these pioneering individuals came to KCON with master’s-level
credentials in 2009.
Dennis Bertch, MSN (‘93), RN
Current Professional Position: Associate vice president for academic services
at Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC)
Scholarly Subject: Identify QSEN (quality and safety education for nurses) core
competencies needed for newly hired RNs and RNs in staff leadership roles
Kelli Damstra, MSN, RN
Current Professional Position: Affiliate faculty member at GVSU-KCON
Scholarly Subject: Improve breastfeeding knowledge, self-efficacy and intent
through a prenatal education program
Karen Delrue, MSN (‘01), BSN (‘94), RN, CEN
Current Professional Position: Clinical nurse specialist, emergency services,
at Spectrum Health
Scholarly Subject: Identify best practices in emergency department admission
handovers to improve and standardize patient handoff processes
Mary Dougherty, MSN, RN, AOCNS
Current Professional Position: Clinical nurse specialist, oncology, at Spectrum Health
Scholarly Subject: Prevent central line-associated bloodstream infections on LTACH
(long-term acute care hospital) units
Barbara Hooper, MSN (‘92), RN, NE-BC
Current Professional Position: Affiliate faculty member at GVSU-KCON
Scholarly Subject: Improve the development of critical thinking skills in new graduate
nurses by using case studies and videotaped vignettes
Carol Robinson, MS, RN
Current Professional Position: Evidence-based practice consultant at Elsevier CPM
Resource Center
Scholarly Subject: Evaluate the impact of the ELNEC (End of Life Nursing Education
Consortium) communication module on nurse death anxiety and communication
apprehension scores
Photo: (Clockwise) Dennis Bertch, Karen Delrue, Kelli Damstra, Carol Robinson, Barbara Hooper, Mary Dougherty
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KCON | SHORT FEATURE
Exploring the Role of CNL
For Bridget Graham, MSN, BSN (‘04), RN-BC, CNL, every day at work as
a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) is a day in what she says is her perfect
role — “keeper of the patient’s story.”
Graham is a CNL on a 32-bed, acuity adaptable, senior adult unit
at Saint Mary’s Health Care in Grand Rapids. “My unit is fortunate to
have two CNLs,” she explains. “I work full time and my partner, Dawn
Borreson, works part time. We cover anywhere from 16 to 32 patients
daily. I’m responsible for core indicators, nursing sensitive indicators,
interdisciplinary rounds and patient satisfaction. I also do a lot of staff
mentoring and education at the bedside.”
Graham knew from the beginning of her career that she wanted
to pursue a graduate degree in nursing. “I enjoy learning and the
challenge of looking at the evidence and asking questions about
clinical practices,” she says. “I remember first hearing about the CNL
role from my chief nursing officer and thinking that it was perfect
for me. I was intrigued by the idea of being the consistent patient
information link for the nurses and physicians. What really made me
passionate about the role is that the CNL is at the bedside. We meet
the patients, create relationships, and mentor the bedside nurses.
And we do all this while pursuing process improvement opportunities
to achieve better patient outcomes.”
In her role as a CNL, Graham has worked on many projects. One of
her proudest accomplishments has been improved patient outcomes
emerging from higher vaccine administration rates in her team’s
patient population. Patients who are 65 and older are at a higher
risk for a pneumococcal infection, and the unit’s staff has been able
to consistently achieve vaccine administration rates between 90 and
100 percent.
Graham is also proud of the staff development and education she
and Borreson have been able to offer their staff. “We’ve developed
intermediate education to better prepare our nurses for the higher
acuity patients that we see coming into the hospital,” she explains.
“We also prepare a weekly case study to present to the staff, and we
invite guest speakers as often as we can to generate a continual flow
of new ideas.”
What does she see in the future? “I believe strongly in the CNL role. I
think that as hospitals around the country see the outcomes that CNLs
have achieved, interest in the role will grow exponentially. Hospitals
must achieve exceptional patient outcomes because reimbursement
will be directly tied to those outcomes. I believe the CNL can be
instrumental in shaping the future of health care.”
A PUBL ICAT ION OF THE K I RKHOF COL LEGE OF NURS ING | GVSU
F R O M T H E P R E S I D E N T
Hello to all KCON alumni! I am truly excited to embrace my
new role as your president and look forward to a bright future
for our alumni group. In thinking about the presidency I was
reminded of a letter I read a year or two ago in a nursing
journal. It referenced a poem by Ilan Shamir titled “Advice
From a Tree.”
• “Sink your roots deeply.” Be truly connected to the field
of nursing. Draw nourishment from the connections you
make in your career.
• “Go out on a limb.” Take risks. Agree to tackle new
challenges.
• “Be flexible.” Bend with the challenges you face
in nursing.
• “Let your limbs sway and dance in the breeze.” Enjoy
yourself and spread your passion for nursing to others.
• And finally, “Embrace the changing seasons, for each
yields its own abundance.” Be willing to let go of the
old and embrace change.
Nursing is a career and profession to all of us, and a passion
and life journey to most. Please join me in taking advice from
a tree as we renew our KCON alumni board!
Tracy Hosford, BSN (’02), RN, PCCN
Find us on Facebook at “Alumni of the Kirkhof College of Nursing GVSU”
KCON Shines in NCLEX (Again!)
For yet another round, KCON’s graduates continued to shine when it
comes to NCLEX-RN exam scores. For the quarter ending April 2012,
KCON alumni taking the exam had a 93 percent pass rate, matching
the national rate for that period. In the year from April 2011 through
March 2012, the pass rate was 95 percent compared to a national
rate of 87 percent. Congratulations, everyone!
ALUMNI UPDATE
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KCON | ALUMNI
A L U M N I B R I E F S
Angie Bishop, BSN (‘06), is working at Saint Mary’s Health
Care in Grand Rapids in the older adult intermediate unit.
Phyllis Boone, MSN (‘10), BSN (‘02), is working at Porter
Hills Village in Grand Rapids with elderly residents in the
continuum from independent to assisted living and skilled
nursing.
Lola Coke, PhD, MSN (‘93), ACNS-BC, RN-BC, FAHA,
FPCNA, assistant professor and clinical nurse specialist
at Rush University College of Nursing, is the 2012-2013
president of the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses
Association.
Robert Durkee, BSN (‘89), is a field representative for the
hospital accreditation program at The Joint Commission.
Sharon (Zinnah) Greer, BSN (‘96), is a care manager
in North Carolina, currently working on an MSN in Nurse
Management/Organizational Leadership.
Abby Hegstrand, MSN, BSN (‘07), is working as a clinical
documentation specialist for Bronson Battle Creek and is
an adjunct faculty member at Spring Arbor University.
Jenn LaVigne, BSN (‘07), is working at Saint Mary’s
Health Care in Grand Rapids on the inpatient oncology unit.
Jan Looman, MSN (‘87), contributed to the February 26,
2012, Grand Rapids Press nursing column in an article titled
“Helping a Person Who’s Having a Seizure.”
Kathryn Niemeyer, MSN (‘02), MSC, APRN-BC, is finishing
her PhD studies in complementary and alternative medicine
with the Department of Family and Community Medicine at
the University of Arizona.
Dawn Overbeek, BSN (‘91), formerly worked in labor
and delivery at Holland Hospital’s Boven Birth Center.
One of her four daughters began studying nursing this fall.
Ann Marie Poli, BSN (‘07), recently received the Sigma
Theta Tau Thelma Ingles Award, presented by Duke University
School of Nursing’s chapter of the International Honor Society
of Nursing.
Jessica (Easterday) Pulling, BSN (‘05), is a nurse practitioner
with Bronson Rambling Road Pediatrics in Portage, Mich.
Linda Scott, MSN (‘95), PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN,
has been appointed associate dean for academic affairs
at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing.
Michelle Troseth, BSN (‘83), MSN (‘99), RN, FNAP,
has been selected for induction as a Fellow in 2012 by
the American Academy of Nursing.
Jennifer VanWyhe, BSN (‘07), is working at Faith Hospice
in Grand Rapids.
Kristine Weaver, MSN (‘08), nurse practitioner, owns
The People’s Clinic in Elkhart, Ind. (www.npforwellness.com)
Lori Reitman Wild, PhD, BSN (‘80), RN, has been
appointed professor and dean of the School of Health
Sciences at Seattle Pacific University.
The following KCON alumni earned their DNP degree
from Rush University in 2012:
• Amy Manderscheid, MSN (‘08), BSN (’03)
• Marla Niedzwiecki, MSN (‘97)
• Jeanne Roode, MSN (‘95)
• Coleen Smith, MSN (‘93)
Have news for the next issue of ”Alumni Briefs“?
Send it to the GVSU Alumni Relations Office:
E-mail: www.gvsu.edu/alumni
Phone: 616-331-3590 or 800-558-0541
All KCON alumni are automatically members of
the KCON Alumni Chapter. Please stay in touch
and consider joining in on some of our activities.
Bache lor o f Sc ience in
Nurs ing – Fa l l 2011
Laura N. AmbersSara M. BakerAbigail M. BarbourKevin L. Bennett IIShawn M. BlattnerAshley A. BoyerMegan R. BrondykeKatelyn M. BrownNicole M. BrownLindsey BuchananMichael A. ChinneckChristopher CoppensNicole R. CrawfordLisa J. CzarnopisMegan J. DisslekoenMelissa J. ElzingaAlysha S. EnjaianJoshua D. FickAnnah FollettMelissa M. GoleKayla M. HaggertyKimberly L. HemmingStephanie V. HendrickJessica R. JackiewiczMarie L. KeuningSamantha N. KramerAustin N. LangleyOksana K. LidkeMegan A. MaceratiniSarah H. JamesJoseph M. JoostensNatalie G. KahnVanessa M. KatsRyan M. MannJonathan P. McDanielKelly A. McIntoshAnne K. MehrtensKeli B. MisakNadine M. MushimbeleKara NelsonSara T. ParksRhonda PatrickJulie M. PauldineLindsay PawlakHeather N. RaabSarah E. RaneyAllyson J. RedekerKailey A. Regalo-MillerLauren E. RuppChristopher G. SandisonAshley L. SchmidtDanielle R. Schoenegge
Lauren SeinoJennifer M. SenitaJerod A. SinclairKendra A. SmithJames StrodtbeckBrooke A. TelepMeghan M. TorresMitchell Van OverloopJulia C. VanderhoefKelley M. VeltmanKristyn A. WheatonKaitlyn J. WinterRebecca R. Wohlfert
Bache lor o f Sc ience in
Nurs ing - Win te r 2012
Lindsay M. AmanMeridith L. BaileyKatie E. BartonJennifer D. BeukemaStephan J. BodnarBrianna J. BowersMathew S. BrandKatelyn M. BrownTrijntje BuursmaMary B. CampbellNicole R. CrawfordNicolas CulverArianna C. DavisTerra L. DeckerAllyssa J. DeJongeJaleen M. DingledineFrank E. DuranteLauren M. DykstraMark A. Edwards Jr. Edmond G. EisenhauerEmily K. Forth Ashley E. GaebelMargaret E. GruberKatherine E. HaroldBrian M. Hartley Jr.Marc D. HemmekeTina K. HorneNicole E. HusenShannon ImperisJordan L IrwinChristi L. KettelhutHeather M. KozlowskiAshley M. KrauseMichael R. LeonardTiffany A. LewisSarah P. LovelandStephanie A. Lyons
Laran A. MattaLindsey K. MazzolineLeighann S. McAlaryJane M. McCarthyJennie K. McDonaldElizabeth R. MikesErica E. MulderErin M. NicosonBethany J. NiesBianca M. OrdunaAbby M. PhillipsAmberly N. PinkletonBrandon D. RileyCheryl A. RiordanJared L. RoeErica L. RogersHeather R. RoossinkErika N. SchilkeyDana H. SchmidtAshley M. SheppardNicole L. ShoemakerKeith A. SikkemaCarmen L. SlachterChristine R. SmithMolly E. SteensmaSarah M. StoddardLaura J. Vander WalCara M. VanDusenJana R. VanDykenLauren E. VocklerBrittney R. WescheTaylor J. WestersHannah M. WightJennifer A. WolffisAshley Zahn Taryn N. Zyburt
Doc tor o f Nurs ing
P rac t i ce - Win te r 2012
Elaine A. LeighJaclynn L. Lubbers Emily J. QuineyRebecca J. Sypniewski
Bache lor o f Sc ience in
Nurs ing - Spr ing/Summer 2012
Carrollann R. BaileyJanee BrancheauSarah E. BrowerAshley D. BruusemaEmily M. Call
K C O N G R A D U A T E S 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 2
Ashleigh F. ClappAnne M. ConwellLaura C. CourtrightMacie L. DealEric DeJongLarisa L. DeJongJessica L. DelkovJessica DickHeather I. DunnNatalie M. ErvinAndrea L. FaasseBarbara FitzgeraldJoya R. FosterLauren R. FransStephanie P. GibbonsLauren N. GilfillanKristen GormanJustin F. GrayDawn R. HatchewTessa J. HilgendorfJohn HipolMarissa R. HulsingLeah JenningsMichelle JohnsonAshley J. KohlbeckDaniel J. KorteringJustine L. KozlinaAudra L. KugelMichelle K. LeoneErin F. MicaleStephanie MooreBrooklynne A. MoosCierra MorganKelly L. MorrenPeter T. NguyenAshley M. PascoeCasie L. PedleyDonna S. PerryAmanda S. PickfordMelissa A. PitschVincent R. PizzinoTheresa PullenTricia L. RitzemaSoheila RoossienLauren M. RosascoCassandra K. RussellBrent R. SmithNicole C. SnyderNancy L. SquiresAmy J. SturrusBrittany E. SwitanowskiAlyssa R. TassielloMeredith L. VisserFaith J. Wallner
A PUBL ICAT ION OF THE K I RKHOF COL LEGE OF NURS ING | GVSU
AWA R D R E C I P I E N T S 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 2
December 2011 Award Rec ip ien t s
Banta-Perkins Award for Nursing ExcellenceNicole Crawford, BSN
Mary Horan Nursing Scholar AwardKevin Bennett, BSN
Apr i l 2012 Award Rec ip ien t s
Banta-Perkins Award for Nursing ExcellenceMichael Leonard, BSN
Clinical Preceptor Award for Excellence in Nursing Leadership (DNP)Patricia Hawkins, RN
Clinical Preceptor Award for Excellence in Nursing Leadership (Undergraduate)Jeffrey Fleese, BSN, RN
Dorothy E. Freeman Award for Outstanding Effort in Global CareErin Nicoson, BSN
Future of Nursing Award (DNP)Jaclyn Lubbers, MSN
Future of Nursing Award (Undergraduate)Beena Philip, BSN
Graduate Student Recognition Award for Nursing ExcellenceRebecca Sypniewski, DNP
Mary Horan Nursing Scholar AwardMargaret Gruber, BSN
Phyllis E. Gendler Gerontological Nursing Scholar AwardLauren Vockler, BSN
Augus t 2012 Award Rec ip ien t s
Banta-Perkins Award for Nursing ExcellenceDawn Hatchew, BSNPeter Nguyen, BSN
Clinical Preceptor Award for Excellence in Nursing Leadership (Undergraduate)Patrick Sage, BSN, RN
Mary Horan Nursing Scholar AwardNicole Snyder, BSN
Phyllis E. Gendler Gerontological Nursing Scholar AwardAlyssa Tassiello, BSN
13
KCON | STUDENTS
STUDENT/SNA UPDATE
SNA Contributes Again to National Agenda
Following up on a resolution successfully passed at the 2011 national
convention, KCON’s SNA chapter had another resolution passed at
the 2012 convention held in April in Pittsburgh. This year’s resolution
promoted educating children about the importance of healthy
eating habits. KCON presented the resolution after seeing the benefits
of the local CATCH program, which targets children in underserved
school districts and teaches them about nutrition lessons and physical
activity. In Pittsburgh, GVSU also received a national award for
outstanding newsletter.
We thank Michele Coffill, News and Information Services, who wrote the original
extended version of this story for GVSU’s “Success Stories” online feature site.
KCON Attends “Pure Nursing” Conference
Sixteen GVSU SNA members attended the 61st annual Michigan
Nursing Students Association (MNSA) conference this year. The theme
was “Pure Nursing,” in keeping with the state’s highly successful “Pure
Michigan” tourism and economic development campaign. GVSU’s
SNA was honored by the MNSA with several awards. The scrapbook
committee was recognized for excellence in the content and
aesthetics of GVSU’s SNA scrapbooks. A tandem of community health
project awards was received. And Katie New, SNA treasurer, received
scholarships for her exemplary commitment to nursing.
An extended version of this story can be found in the February 2012 issue of
“SNA Newsletter.”
A PUBL ICAT ION OF THE K I RKHOF COL LEGE OF NURS ING | GVSU
FACULTY/STAFF UPDATE New Administrators Join KCON
Dean Cynthia McCurren recently announced two additions to
KCON’s administration team. “It is my pleasure to introduce two
new colleagues,” she says. “Dr. Ann Sheehan is our Assistant Dean
for Practice, and Dr. Evelyn Clingerman is the Executive Director of
the Bonnie Wesorick Center for Health Care Transformation. We are
delighted they are joining us this fall.”
Evelyn Clingerman, PhD, RN
Dr. Clingerman holds degrees from Old Dominion University (BSN,
MSN) and Catholic University of America (PhD), and completed a
postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Texas at Austin. She has
more than 20 peer-reviewed manuscripts published and/or in review
and has completed more than 40 regional, national and international
presentations. She has manuscript reviewing experience with more
than 10 professional journals; has been a research abstract reviewer
for six professional organizations; and has served on numerous
dissertation, qualifying exam, thesis and honors project committees.
Clingerman is noted for her expertise as a professional mentor. Her
program of research focuses on diabetes and stress among Hispanic
migrant farm workers. She has provided leadership in a number of
university and professional initiatives, including the Bridging Disciplines
Program at the University of Texas at Austin.
McCurren Elected NAP Fellow
Cynthia McCurren was elected to the National Academies of Practice
(NAP) as a distinguished scholar and fellow in late March. The NAP is
composed of 10 academies representing dentistry, medicine, nursing,
optometry, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, podiatric medicine,
psychology, social work and veterinary medicine. Each academy can
elect 150 active distinguished practitioners.
“It’s an incredible honor,” McCurren says. “No other organization has
the breadth of knowledge and experience within its membership to
discuss today’s health care delivery questions from an interdisciplinary
perspective. I am motivated by the goals of NAP and excited to work
with colleagues who share my passion to advance interdisciplinary
work through practice and to advocate at the policy level.”
A version of this story was originally published in the April 23, 2012, issue of GVSU’s “Forum.”
Photo: CYN
THIA
McC
URREN
Photo: EVELYN
CLIN
GERM
AN
15
KCON | FACULTY/STAFF
Photo: AN
N SH
EEHA
NAnn Sheehan, DNP, RN, PNP-BC
Dr. Sheehan has degrees from Nazareth College (BSN) and the University
of Iowa (MSN, DNP). She has 20 years of experience in advanced
practice as a pediatric specialist and has extensive knowledge
related to efficiencies, quality, cost and regulatory requirements.
Sheehan has served as a clinical preceptor in her role as an advanced
practice nurse. For the past two years she has been a visiting
professor at KCON, contributing to the education of DNP students.
Noted as a leader in practice and as an advocate for quality health
care and policy issues, she is active in local, state and national
professional organizations, assuming leadership roles particularly in
the area of health policy and patient advocacy. She has completed
numerous publications and presentations in her career related to this
specialization.
Welcome, New Faculty & Staff
Kim Fenbert, DNP, PNP-BC, is on the clinical faculty with the Family Health Center (60% practice, 40% teaching). Kirsten “Carrie” Hansen, BA, is academic coordinator of the graduateprogram. Kelley Monterusso, BBA, is administrative assistant to the dean. Kristin Norton, MA, is director of the Office of Student Services.
Patti Townsend, BA, is academic coordinator of the undergraduate program.
Farewell & Thank You
Linda (Nicki) Grinstead, PhD, RN, CPN, CNE, professor, has retired. Susan Jensen, PhD, RN, CCM, associate professor, has started phased retirement. Kay Reick, MS, RN, assistant professor, has started phased retirement. Marilyn VanderWerf, MSN, RN, assistant professor, has retired.
Coreen Bedford, secretary for the undergraduate program Lori Brown, BS, MEd, secretary for the graduate program Sue Jarchow, MSN, RN, affiliate faculty Linda Scott, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, professor and associate dean for graduate programs
Cathy Weisbeck, PhD, MSW, adjunct faculty
Bair, D., Washburn, J. (May 2012-August 2012). Grand Valley State University, Pew Faculty Teaching & Learning Center. Presidential Teaching Initiative Grant; $15,000.
Davis, R. (2012). Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, NIH Academic Research Enhancement Award. Wayfinding in Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease Within a Virtual Senior Residence; $316, 073.
Houghton-Rahrig, L., Schutte, D., & Fenton, J. (2011). Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Nursing Research. Symptoms, Genetics, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Persons with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; $30,280.
Mlynarczyk, S., Schafer, P., VanderWerf, M., D’Amour, C., & Cooper, K. (2012). Kappa Epsilon Chapter-at-Large of Sigma Theta Tau International. The CATCH Program in an After-School Venue: Children, Undergraduate Nursing Students and Families; $1,500.
Scott, L. (2012). Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration. Advanced Education Nurse Traineeship; $32,446.
Vanden Bosch, M., Burritt, K., Butler, K., & Harrington, S. (May 2012). Grand Valley State University, Centers of Distinction – Human Responses to Health and Illness. Purchase of Accelerometers; $1,500.
R E C E N T G R A N T S
F A C U L T Y & S T A F F T R A N S I T I O N S
A PUBL ICAT ION OF THE K I RKHOF COL LEGE OF NURS ING | GVSU
R E C E N T F A C U L T Y P R E S E N T A T I O N S
Here are some of the presentations KCON faculty made
during the past year:
Bambini. (2012, February). Using the simulation learning system to enhance student
learning. Human Patient Simulator Network Annual 2012, Tampa, Fla.
Bambini. (2012, June). CAE Healthcare/Elsevier partnership to advance health
science education. Central Regional Human Patient Simulator Network, Kansas City, Mo.
Barry. (2012, March). Educational preparation for nursing administrators: A
paradigm shift. Poster presentation. 2012 Masters Conference, American Association
of Colleges of Nursing, San Antonio, Texas.
Beel-Bates. (2012, April). Does the NDB model explain wandering? Midwest
Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, Dearborn, Mich.
Beel-Bates & Bambini. (2011, November). A pilot study: An interprofessional
educational approach to polypharmacy in community-based older adults.
Collaborating Across Borders III, Tucson, Ariz.
Beel-Bates & Smith. (2011, November). Faculty development for IPE - Unfolding the
HOW. Collaborating Across Borders III, Tucson, Ariz.
Beel-Bates & Smith. (2012, January). Faculty development for IPE - Unfolding the
HOW. West Michigan Interprofessional Education Initiative 4th Annual Conference,
Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, Mich.
Beel-Bates & Wallace. (2012, February). Take charge: Become your own health
advocate. 7th Annual Art and Science of Aging Conference, Grand Valley State
University and Michigan State University Geriatric Education Consortium, Grand
Rapids, Mich.
Booth, Beel-Bates, Bambini, Grapczynski, & Schuurman. (2011, November).
An interactive model for IPE with health professions students. Collaborating Across
Borders III, Tucson, Ariz.
Bostrom. (2012, September). Addressing mental and physical health care needs:
Preliminary results of including mental health content in a Doctor of Nursing Practice
curriculum. European Festival of Psychiatric Nursing 2012, European Psychiatric
Nurses, Stockholm, Sweden.
Brintnall. (2012, April). Virtual reality for cancer-related fatigue self-management for
persons with non-small cell lung cancer post-thoracotomy. Midwest Nursing Research
Society Annual Conference, Dearborn, Mich.
Burritt. (2012, April). Factors influencing 6th and 7th grade boys’ participation in
an after-school physical activity club. Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual
Conference, Dearborn, Mich.
Burritt. (2012, April). Predictors of health perceptions in lumbar degenerative
spine conditions. Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference,
Dearborn, Mich.
Butler, Davis, & Yarandi. (2012, April). Circadian rhythm of cortisol and estradiol
in healthy women. Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference,
Dearborn, Mich.
Butler, Davis, & Yarandi. (2012, April). Phase-entrainment of cortisol and estradiol
in healthy women. Poster presentation. Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual
Conference, Dearborn, Mich.
Conrad. (2012, March). The DNP and me. Michigan Council of Nurse
Practitioners Annual Conference, Lansing, Mich.
Conrad, (2012, June). Rural health nursing and overview of the DNP. Panelist.
Rural Health Nursing Conference, Saginaw, Mich.
Coviak, Westra, Collins, Olson, Fletcher, Sharma, et al. (2012, April).
Abstraction of nursing minimum data set elements from special care nursery
records. Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference,
Dearborn, Mich.
Davis. (2011, November). Strategies identified during wayfinding in a virtual
reality environment in middle aged and older adults. Gerontological Society of
America, Boston, Mass.
Davis. (2012, April). Wayfinding in early stage Alzheimer’s Disease: A feasibility
study using virtual reality. Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference,
Dearborn, Mich.
Houghton-Rahrig, Schutte, Fenton, Given, Hord, & von Eye. (2011, October).
Symptoms, genetics, and health-related quality of life in persons with nonalcoholic
fatty liver disease. National Institute of Nursing Research 25th Anniversary
Celebration, Washington, D.C.
Houghton-Rahrig, Schutte, Fenton, Given, Hord, & von Eye. (2012, April).
Symptoms, genetics, and health-related quality of life in persons with nonalcoholic
fatty liver disease. Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference,
Dearborn, Mich.
Houghton-Rahrig, Schutte, Fenton, Given, Hord, & von Eye. (2012, September).
Symptoms experienced in persons with obesity-related nonalcoholic fatty liver
disease. All-conference abstract. 2012 State of the Science Congress on Nursing
Research. Washington, D.C.
17
KCON | FACULTY/STAFF
Mlynarczyk. (2011, September). Medication administration. Grand Valley State
University Child Enrichment Center Staff Meeting, Grand Rapids, Mich.
Mlynarczyk. (2011, September). Safety culture transformation study. RN-AIM 6th
Annual Conference and Assembly, Grand Rapids, Mich.
Mlynarczyk, Lyte, & DeWys. (2012, May). Development of nursing diagnoses
for pediatric nursing practice. North American Nursing Diagnosis Association
International 40th Anniversary Biennial Conference, Houston Texas.
Nagelkerk, Mlynarczyk, Teman, & Pawl. (2012, April). Safety culture
transformation study. Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference,
Dearborn, Mich.
Pattison. (2012, August). Student assessment of barriers and facilitators of RN-
BSN degree attainment. Poster presentation. Health Resources and Services
Administration Summit, Bethesda, Md.
Schoofs & Grinstead. (2011, September). The lived experience of NCLEX-RN
failure. RN-AIM 6th Annual Conference and Assembly, Grand Rapids, Mich.
Vanden Bosch, Robbins, Anderson, Corser, Given, Gossain, et al. (2012, April).
Comparison of demographic, clinical and social-cognitive factors associated with
physical activity among middle-aged women with and without diabetes. Midwest
Nursing Research Society Annual Conference, Dearborn, Mich.
Winner: Health-Seeking Behaviors Research Section Dissertation Award.
Vanden Bosch, Robbins, Anderson, & Pfeiffer. (2012, September). Comparison
of two methods of measuring physical activity in middle-aged women with and
without type 2 diabetes. National State of the Science Congress in Nursing
Research, Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science, Washington, D.C.
Vanden Bosch, Robbins, Anderson, Pfeiffer, Corser, Given, et al. (2012,
September). Comparison of middle-aged women with and without type 2
diabetes on demographic, clinical, and social-cognitive factors associated with
moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity. National State of the Science
Congress in Nursing Research, Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science,
Washington, D.C.
Wallace. (2011, October). Head and neck cancer among older adults: A
lifecourse perspective on disease development and treatment decision making.
American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.
Washburn. (2011, October). It’s a YouTube® world: C U online. Poster presentation.
41st Sigma Theta Tau International Biennial Convention, Dallas, Texas.
Washburn. (2011, October). The relevance of person-environment fit theory for
transition to professional nursing practice. Poster presentation. 41st Sigma Theta Tau
International Biennial Convention, Dallas, Texas.
Washburn. (2011, December). Back to the future: Military nursing is part of our
story. Registered Nurses Association in Michigan Regional Meeting, Grand Rapids,
Mich.
Washburn & Hodges. (2011, October). One healthcare facility + two graduate
nurse orientation programs = successful transition to practice. 41st Sigma Theta Tau
International Biennial Convention, Dallas, Texas.
Winter, Moran, Conrad, & Wightman. (2012, March). The Doctor of Nursing
Practice: Shaping the future of health care. Doctor of Nursing Practice Panel
Presentation. Panel discussants. Kirkhof College of Nursing, Grand Valley State
University, Grand Rapids, Mich.
2012-2012 officers for Kappa Epsilon Chapter-at-Large (Sigma Theta Tau International) include: • Amy Lodenstein, MSN, RN, vice president • Luanne Shaw, MSN, RN, CEN, treasurer • Elaine VanDoren, PhD, RN, secretary • Mary Ellen Bollman, MSN, RN, and Karen Burritt, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, faculty counselors • Cynthia Beel-Bates, PhD, RN, FGSA; Rebecca Davis, PhD, RN; Susan Jensen, PhD, RN, CCM; Susan Mlynarczyk, PhD, RN, PNP; and Patricia Schafer, PhD, RN, research committee
Larry Boekeloo, MPA, practice manager for the Family Health Center, has been appointed to the Michigan Medical Group Management Association’s program committee.
Paulette Chaponniere, PhD, BSN, MPH, has been invited to participate as a member of GVSU’s leadership team during 2012-2013 for the American Council on Education (ACE) Internationalization Lab.
Family Health Center (FHC). The staff collaborated on an article for the March 25, 2012, Grand Rapids Press Inside Information section, titled “Center Offers Immunizations, Advice to Travelers.”
Susan Jensen, PhD, CCM, has been elected as the 2012-2013 chair-elect of the Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC). She will become the organization’s chair in 2013-2014.
Sylvia Mupepi, PhD, RN, was naturalized as an American citizen on April 18 at the Gerald R. Ford Museum.
Linda Scott, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, participated in the July 2012 National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) Fatigue/Sleep Methodologies Boot Camp.
The following KCON faculty served as volunteers at the 36th Annual Research Conference of the Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS), held in April in Dearborn, Mich.:
Abstract Reviewers • Cynthia Beel-Bates • Cynthia Coviak • Rebecca Davis
Moderators • Cynthia Beel-Bates • Ruthann Brintnall • Karen Burritt • Karyn Butler • Cynthia Coviak • Susan Harrington • Susan Mlynarczyk • Linda Scott • Melodee Vanden Bosch
F A C U L T Y & S T A F F B R I E F S R E C E N T P U B L I C A T I O N S
Kline Tilford, Jones, Keesing, & Sheehan. (2012). A description of nurse practitioner practice: Results of a NAPNAP membership survey. Journal of Pediatric
Health Care, 26(1), 69-74.
McCurren. (2012, Summer). The significance of 25 years. Kappa Chronicle, 1-2.
Mupepi, Yim, Mupepi, & Mupepi. (2011). Can a knowledge community situated in an African village create and advance human rights practices beyond love thy neighbor principle? International Journal of Knowledge and Learning, 7(3/4), 233-252.
Mupepi & Mupepi. (2011). Unlocking entrepreneurial capabilities: Appreciating knowledge and technology transfer in advancing micro-enterprises. In Laouisset (Ed.) Managerial Technology Transfer. New York, NY: Nova Science Publishers Inc.
Van Doren & VanderWerf. (2011). Developing nontraditional community health placements. Journal of Nursing Education, 11, 1-4.
The following faculty have been serving as members of review boards for scholarly journals:
• Bambini, D. - Nursing Education Perspectives • Barry, J. - Clinical Nursing Research • Barry, J. - Journal of Nursing Administration • Grinstead, L. - Journal of Advanced Nursing. • Grinstead, L. - Western Journal of Nursing Research. • Harrington, S. - Journal of School Health • Washburn, J. - Journal of Christian Nursing
A PUBL ICAT ION OF THE K I RKHOF COL LEGE OF NURS ING | GVSU
19
KCON | NEWS
DNP Program Granted Accreditation
The Board of Commissioners of the Commission on Collegiate Nursing
Education (CCNE) acted at its meeting on April 26-28, 2012, to grant
accreditation to KCON’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program for
five years, extending to June 30, 2017.
“This is a wonderful accomplishment,” says Cynthia McCurren, KCON’s
dean. “Our sincere appreciation goes to Dr. Linda Scott for her
leadership, to the faculty who have implemented an impressive degree
program, to the students who have enriched the program endeavors,
to Linda Buck who has worked tirelessly on the recruitment and
retention of DNP students, and to the many staff who have supported
our graduate education efforts. We look forward to continuing to build
a highly successful DNP program at GVSU!”
KCON Signs Agreements
KCON recently signed collaboration agreements with Calvin College
in Grand Rapids and Hope College in Holland. Under the agreements,
BSN nursing students from the two colleges will have a streamlined
placement process for admission to KCON’s advanced degree nursing
programs: the DNP program or the MSN-CNL program.
“We’re excited to offer this opportunity to qualified and motivated
nursing students from Calvin and Hope colleges,” Dean Cynthia
McCurren says. “This innovative partnership with Hope and Calvin
nursing faculty will promote intentional mentoring for students who
want to pursue advanced nursing education. The ultimate goal is to
increase the number of nurses in Michigan with advanced degrees.”
A version of this story was originally published in the April 9, 2012, issue of GVSU’s “Forum.”.
Breaking News: KCON Receives AENT Award
On September 26, Dean Cynthia McCurren learned that KCON has
been awarded an Advanced Education Nursing Traineeship (AENT)
grant worth $695,300 over two years, funded by the federal Health
Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). AENT grants are designed
to increase the number of nurses fully prepared to practice as primary
care providers. AENT traineeship recipients receive assistance with the
costs of tuition, books, fees and reasonable living expenses during the
period of their training.
“Highly educated, advanced practice nurses are playing an increasingly
critical role in improving access to primary care,” McCurren says. “We
are delighted and grateful to have been chosen for an AENT grant,
as only 65 awards were made across the nation. This will allow KCON
to support a greater number of students in our DNP degree program.”
KCON IN THE NEWS
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
www.gvsu.edu/kcon | Contact the Office of Student Services at (616) 331-7160 or [email protected] for more information
What if YOU Could HelpTransform Health Care?
No matter what nursing degree you currently hold,Grand Valley State University offers programs thatcan help you take the next step in your career.
Kirkhof College of Nursing…transforming tomorrow’s health care!
RN to BSN degree completionBSN to MSNBSN to DNPMSN to DNP
KCON Centers of Distinction
The Aging Population: Best Practices
Human Response in Health and Illness
Reforming Health Care Delivery and Education
Vulnerable Populations: Best Practices
www.gvsu.edu\coe
For more information, please contact the dean, Dr. Cynthia McCurren, (616) 331-5726.
Apply online at www.gvsujobs.org; for assistance call Human Resources at 616-331-2215.
Review will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled. For more
information about Grand Valley, see our website at www.gvsu.edu TDD Callers:
Call Michigan Relay Center at 1-800-649-3777.
Kirkhof College of Nursing Positions Available
Seeking faculty eager to promote distinction in teaching, research, service and practice.
Associate Dean for Graduate Programs: Seeking applicants for this position, which provides leadership
in managing all areas of the graduate programs (MSN and DNP), including faculty and student affairs,
program coordination, program evaluation, resource development and management, and public
relations activities that facilitate the educational mission of the Kirkhof College of Nursing. Earned doctorate
in nursing or related discipline required; master’s degree in nursing, and previous teaching experience
at the undergraduate and graduate levels required. Academic administrative experience desirable.
Eligible for RN licensure in Michigan.
Tenure track faculty positions available in the undergraduate and graduate (MSN and DNP) programs
(www.gvsujobs.org.) Earned doctorate required (in nursing preferred, or related discipline); master’s
degree in nursing required. All qualified applicants welcome; critical need for psych/mental health,
nursing administration and applicants with certification as GNP. KCON is housed in a state-of-the-art
facility in Grand Rapids, with our Academic Nurse Managed Center located in close proximity.
THE K I RKHOF COL LEGE OF NURS ING CURRENTLY OFFERS THE FOL LOWING PROGRAMS:
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Traditional Undergraduate Program
- Second Degree Program
- RN to BSN Program
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
“We are creating exceptional learning opportunities for our nursing students. We launched a revised curriculum in January 2012 for our BSN program to ensure that our students attain the nursing competencies needed for health care in the 21st century. A revised MSN program began in Fall 2010 to prepare Clinical Nurse Leaders, an emerging role critical for the transformation of care delivery. Our Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program began in Fall 2009. Enrollment is approaching 75 students, and our first class graduated this April. Our commitment is to continue to provide nursing education that prepares nurses with the knowledge, skills and insights needed to effectively contribute to health care reform and improved outcomes.”
The Kirkhof College of Nursing is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and recognized for its outstanding teaching, scholarship, service and research.
www.gvsu.edu\coe
Web Site: www.gvsu.edu/kcon Phone: 616 -331 -3558 Fax: 616 -331 -2510 E-mail: Use “Contact Us” page on KCON’s Web site
Dean, Kirkhof College of Nursing
Dr. Cynthia McCurren
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERS I TYK IRKHOF COL LEGE OF NURS ING
SU I TE 300
COOK-DEVOS CENTER FOR HEALTH SC IENCES
301 MICH IGAN STREET, NE
GRAND RAP IDS , M I 49503 -3314
NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE
PAIDGRAND VALLEY
STATE UNIVERSITY