Epsilon Omicron Chapter Sigma Theta Tau International

Tri-Chapter Research Day to be held at UCA

2012-01-23T11:33:00.000-06:00

April 3, 2012 is the date for the annual Tri-Chapter Research Day hosted by Kappa-Rho-at-large chapter. The conference will be held at the UCA campus in Conway, AR. More information can be obtained at http://clubs.atu.edu/kapparho.

Spring 2012 Research Poster Awards

2012-01-23T11:29:00.001-06:00

As customary, the Epsilon Omicron chapter awarded certificates and monetary awards to the Harding University Carr College of Nursing Nurs 412 research class. Posters were judged by members of the chapter and other disciplines across campus, including the College of Pharmacy and the Department of English.
There was a tie for first place this semester. Winners were Suzanne Anderson and Alexandra Overstreet for The Power of Humor Therapy on Stress and Comfort in End-of-Life Geriatric Cancer Patients and Charlotte Hatch and Monica McCormick for The Birds and the Bees: Preventing Teen Pregnancy Through Sex Education. These winners received $50 each.
Second place winners were April Keith and Molly Thomason for Be Smart! Protect Your Heart. Second place prize winners receive $40 each.
Third place prizes were awarded to Andrea Knappe and Erika Reid for Stress in the Critical Care Setting: Implementation of Debriefing for Nurses. Andrea and Erika received $30 each.
Prizes were awarded during the spring semester's opening ceremonies. Juli Lane, current Epsilon Omicron president and Carr College of Nursing faculty, presented the certificates and monetary awards.

21st Annual TriChapter Research Day

2011-04-05T15:22:00.001-05:00

On March 31, 2011, the 21st Annual TriChapter Research Day was held on the Harding University Campus. The Epsilon Omicron chapter hosted Kappa Rho-at-large and Eta Theta chapters. Students from Harding University, Arkansas State University, Arkansas Tech University, and the University of Central Arkansas were in attendance. This year's theme was Genetics and Genomics: Unraveling the Intricate Mystery. The keynote speaker was Ann Cashion, PhD, RN, FAAN, Professor and Chair of the Department of Acute and Chronic Care in the College of Nursing at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, TN. Her funded research and clinical interests target genetic/genomic and environmental components associated with outcomes of organ transplantation.

Other speakers were:

• Landry Kamdem, PharmD, PhD, who covered the topic of pharmacogenomics;

• Rita Monsen, DSN, MPH, RN, FAAN, speaking on the topic of genetics and ethics;

• Carol Enderlin, PhD, RN & Julia Goodwin, PhD, RN, who gave information on the development of a multiple myeloma registry;

• Suzanne Huetter, APN, CPNP, MSN, who discussed the APN role in pediatric genetics and metabolism; and

• Christina Pettey, PhD(c), MNSc, FNP-BC, APN, RN, whose topic covered DNA and stress.

Quite a large crowd, approximately 450, were present for the seminar. Posters were presented and awards given to the best posters. First place went to Summer Cooper, Madlin Harris, Tiffany Linz, and Kelli Strack, all from UCA, for their poster "The PACU - the New ICU? Evidence-Based Research on ICU Overflow in the PACU."

Save The Date - Induction Ceremony Announced

2010-09-08T15:35:00.002-05:00

Epsilon Omicron chapter of Sigma Theta Tau will have its induction ceremony for new members on November 8, 2010, at 5:30 p.m. Please save the date! More information to follow.

Fall Research Awards

2010-09-08T15:14:00.001-05:00

The tradition of presenting research awards to Harding University Carr College of Nursing seniors continued on August 24, 2010. Awards were presented during the Transition Ceremony in the Cone Chapel on Harding University's campus. Spring nursing research course posters were evaluated by members of Sigma Theta Tau for general appearance, design, and summary of clinical problem. Based on the results of those evaluations the following prizes were awarded:

First Place: Changing Thoughts, Transforming Lives: CBT for Children with PTSD, by Elaina Stockstill and Sam Strange.

Second Place: One Check A Day to Keep the Doctor Away, by Whitney Hall and Inem Ned.

Third Place: Kangaroo Care: Don't Take Me Away, by Kerri Hesselrode and Brandi Sims.

Congratulations to our winners! We expect great things from you in the future.

2010 Annual Business Meeting

2010-01-27T11:22:00.003-06:00

When: Monday night, February 15, 2010, 7 p.m.
Where: Harding University College of Nursing, Olen Hendrix Bldg. 106
Who: All active & inactive members of Epsilon Omicron chapter, Sigma Theta Tau International
What: Business meeting and educational event

Please join us for 1 CE (free of charge) and finger foods!

This event is co-sponsored by the Harding University College of Nursing.

Harding University College of Nursing is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by Arkansas Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Spring 2010 Research Poster Awards

2010-01-27T11:05:00.000-06:00

The Epsilon Omicron chapter presented its research awards to outstanding research posters in the nursing research class at Harding University College of Nursing. These students will also enter their posters at the Tri-Chapter Research Day in April. The first place award was given to Natalie Jocoy and Emily Burroughs for Creating Confidence in Care. Tessa Markum (Epsilon Omicron member) and Kelli White received second place for their poster, License to Give. Leigh Counts (Epsilon Omicron member) and Whitney Evans presented Parental Presence and were awarded third place. Congratulations to these senior nursing students and thank you to the membership for your continued support of these awards.

TriChapter Research Day - Call for Abstracts

2009-11-10T22:13:00.003-06:00

ANNUAL TRI-CHAPTER RESEARCH DAY April 1, 2010

ASU - Jonesboro
You are invited to submit an abstract of a scholarly clinical project, quality assurance project, or research study for consideration for paper or poster presentation at the Tri- Chapter Research Day sponsored by Eta Theta Chapter, Arkansas State University; Epsilon Omicron Chapter, Harding University; and Kappa Rho Chapter-At-Large, University of Central Arkansas/Arkansas Tech University.

Guidelines for Abstracts:

1. For research studies include:

Statement of the Problem

Research Question or Hypothesis
Methodology
Participants or Data Source
Major Findings, Conclusions or Implications
Project

For clinical or quality assurance projects include:

Goals
Description of the Project
Major Findings, Conclusions or Implications

2. Typed on one sheet of 8 ½ X 11-inch bond paper. Times New Roman or Aerial Font Size 10.
3. One-inch top margins on top, bottom and sides.

4. Project title centered at tope of page with author(s) name(s) and credentials (RN, BSN, PhD, etc.) centered below title. Double space between title and listing of author(s).

5. Body of abstract should be typed single spaced between lines and double spaced between paragraphs.

6. APA guidelines for references.

7. All submitted abstracts will be reviewed for poster display only. Posters should be table top display. Submission of an abstract signifies the intent of the author to present and give permission for the abstract to be included in the conference proceedings, if selected.

Send two copies as instructed above and the Submission Data Form to:
Debbie Shelton, APN, FNP-BC
President, Eta Theta Chapter
PO Box 910
State University, AR 72467 or as an e-mail attachment to dshelton@astate.edu
All submissions must be received by December 15, 2009. Notification of acceptance will be no later than January 15, 2010.

New Member Induction Fall 2009

2009-11-10T15:24:00.002-06:00

Epsilon Omicron inducted 11 new members on Monday, November 9, 2009. The induction ceremony was held in the Heritage Center on Harding University's campus. Ronda Reely, BSN, RN, chapter president, presided over the ceremony. Epsilon Omicron member and past president Sheila Sullivan, PhD, RN, CNE, spoke to attendees about evidence-based practice in nursing.

Members inducted were Julia Amend, Joni Bauguss, Marcus Binns, Leigh Counts, Paul Habegger, Emily Henton, Hannah Johnson, Deborah Kady, Tessa Markum, Whitney McMullan and Luke Otwell. We look forward to having these new members and congratulate them on their achievement.

40th Biennial Convention Delegates

2009-11-09T11:42:00.000-06:00

Epsilon Omicron members Patty Smith and Lisa Engel were the chapter delegates to this year's convention in Indianapolis, IN. They attended two meetings of the House of Delegates, during which Sigma Theta Tau International business was conducted. New international board of directors members were elected, bylaws were updated, and resolutions were passed during these meetings. Patty and Lisa also attended many educational sessions while at the conference. They will present summaries of those activities, as well as House of Delegates activities, in a report to the Epsilon Omicron board and on the blog to update chapter members.

New Member Induction 2009

2009-10-08T16:41:00.000-05:00

All members are invited to this year's induction ceremony on November 9th. Dinner will be served. Our guest speaker will be Epsilon Omicron member Sheila Sullivan, RN, PhD, CNE. Dr. Sullivan is the former president of Epsilon Omicron chapter and currently serves as the Associate Chief Nurse of Research at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System.

The induction ceremony and dinner will take place on the Harding University campus on the second floor of the Heritage Center. Dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m. The price for current members is $9.50. RSVP to Lisa Engel (501)-279-4941.

International Biennial Convention

2009-10-01T10:35:00.002-05:00

Greg Mortensen to speak at the Honor Society of Nursing,

Sigma Theta Tau International Biennial Convention Monday,

2 November 2009

Indianapolis – The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) welcomes keynote speaker and award recipient, Greg Mortenson, to its 40th Biennial Convention in Indianapolis, Ind., USA, on Monday, 2 November 2009 at 8:00 a.m..

Mortensen is the founder of nonprofits Central Asia Institute and Pennies For Peace and co-author of New York Times bestseller Three Cups of Tea. His book has been a number one New York Times bestseller since its January 2007 release, and was Time Magazine Asia Book of The Year.

Mr. Mortenson has a nursing degree from the University of South Dakota and worked as a registered nurse for 10 years before dedicating his life to promoting the education of children, especially girls, in remote regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
In 2009, Pakistan’s government awarded Mortensen Pakistan’s highest civil award, Sitara-e-Pakistan (“Star of Pakistan”) for his courage and humanitarian efforts to promote education and literacy in rural areas for the past 15 years.

During the convention, STTI will honor Mortensen with the Archon Award, which is granted biennially to individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership in promoting health and welfare throughout the world. The award title, Archon, is derived from the Greek word, meaning “first to lead.” The International Awards presentation is Monday, 2 November 2009 from 7-9:00 p.m..

WHAT: STTI 40^th Biennial Convention

Nurses from around the world will gather in Indianapolis, Ind., to learn and share nursing knowledge and leadership skills that sustain the health of the world’s people. Nurses will present original research projects that advance nursing science, practice, education, administration and policy.

Presenters will address subjects such as:

Advanced practice initiatives
Clinical models/innovations
Collaborative partnership models
Health promotion/disease prevention
Technology in practice
Quality improvement
Benchmarking
Research utilization
Case-management
Research translation
Evidence implementation
Ethical issues
Global health
Outcomes measurement
Public policy
Transcultural research developing leaders for the future
Global leadership
Leading change
Leadership in nursing education
Models for leadership development

WHEN: 31 October–4 November
WHERE: Indianapolis, Ind., USA
HOW: Nurses who wish to attend convention may register online at www.nursingsociety.org. The early registration deadline is 16 September 2009

Cathleen Shultz, Epsilon Omicron member, to be NLN president

2009-09-12T18:17:00.001-05:00

Dr. Cathleen Shultz, Epsilon Omicron chapter member, has been elected president of the National League for Nursing (NLN). She will assume this office in late September during the NLN conference in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Shultz is the dean of the College of Nursing at Harding University, which houses the Epsilon Omicron chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, International.

Dedicated to excellence in nursing education, the National League for Nursing is the preferred membership organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. NLN members include nurse educators, education agencies, health care agencies, and interested members of the public. The NLN offers faculty development programs, networking opportunities, testing and assessment, nursing research grants, and public policy initiatives to its 28,000 individual and 1,200 institutional members.

Beverly Malone speaks at HU campus

2009-09-12T17:55:00.000-05:00

Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN, the current CEO of the National League for Nursing (NLN), spoke to a gathering of nurses and nursing students at Harding University on Wednesday, September 9, 2009. Dr. Malone was on campus for a reception honoring College of Nursing Dean Cathleen Shultz, PhD, RN, FAAN. Dr. Shultz will assume the presidency of the NLN later this month.

Dr. Malone offered leadership advice during the well-attended session. She urged nurses to become stronger leaders, using the power to care that nurses possess. After her speech, Dr. Malone spent the afternoon speaking individually to nursing students, faculty, and community leaders at the reception. It was impressive to witness the students seeking out one-on-one time with Dr. Malone. They were very engaged by her thoughts and enthusiasm for nursing.

Prior to February 2007, she served as general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing for six years. Malone sits on numerous advisory boards and committees and is an internationally renowned speaker. A former psychiatric nurse, she has also served as president of the American Nurses Association (1996-2000) and a year as deputy assistant secretary at the United States Department of Health and Human Services. She also represented U.S. nurses in the Congress of Nurse Representatives of the International Council of Nurses.

New Officers for 2009-2011

2009-09-11T14:51:00.000-05:00

Thank you for your input during the election process this spring. We are so excited to introduce our new board of officers to you. These officers will serve until June 2011.

President - Ronda Reely, BSN, RN
Vice-President - Juli Lane, MSN, RN, CNE
Secretary - Lisa Engel, MSN, RN
Treasurer - Cheryl Lee, PhD, RN, CNE
1st Counselor - Jeanie Burt, MSN, RN, CNE
2nd Counselor - Patty Smith, BSN, RN
Governance Committee Chair - Jeanie Burt, MSN, RN, CNE
Leadership Succession Committee - Jennifer Varner, BSN, RN, Sara Grady, BSN, RN, and Laura Counts, BSN, RN
Publicity/Newsletter Chair - Lisa Engel, MSN, RN

....AND we're back!

2009-09-10T14:45:00.001-05:00

After a little summer vacation, the Epsilon Omicron news blog is back and will be providing you with updates on our chapter and national/international events.

Epsilon Omicron Paves the Way for Nursing Scholarship

2009-04-29T10:09:00.000-05:00

Epsilon Omicron chapter has contributed $500 to the Sigma Theta Tau International Foundation for Nursing Brick Paver Campaign for Nursing Excellence. The funds from this campaign will strengthen the society's future, advance the scholarship of nursing through research and bolster leadership initiatives such as mentoring and board training programs. The campaign has raised $178,000 of its $200,000 goal.

Epsilon Omicron will have a brick paver bearing its name placed in the walkway outside the International Center for Nursing Scholarship, located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The chapter will be recognized at headquarters during the national convention in November 2009.

Election ballots in the mail!

2009-04-27T14:43:00.001-05:00

Check your email and land mail for your Epsilon Omicron ballot for officers for 2009-2011. Thank you to all who volunteered to be officers.

Epsilon Omicron Research Posters

2009-04-17T14:39:00.000-05:00

Tri-Chapter Research Day was held April 2, 2009 on the Arkansas Tech campus. Kappa-Rho-at-large chapter hosted the event. This year's theme was Nursing Research and Family Centered Care. Judith McFarlane, DrPH, MN, RN, from Texas Women's University College of Nursing, was the keynote speaker. Dr. McFarlane has conducted much research in the area of violence against women and children. Other presenters were:
- Michelle Frost, RN
- Julia Gist, PhD, RN (HU BSN '83)
- Cheryl Lee, PhD, RN, CNE (Epsilon Omicron member and HU BSN '84)
- Julia Goodwin, PhD, RN

Harding's senior nursing students participated in the poster session, along with 2 current faculty/Epsilon Omicron members. We took top prizes in both graduate and undergraduate categories. Congratulations to:
Johnnetta Phillips Kelly, MNSc, RN, CNE - Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Using Black and White Evidence to Address Health Disparities - 1st place, graduate poster division.
Bronwyn Alexander, HUNS, & Hailey Grant, HUNS - Canine Comfort - 1st place, undergraduate poster division.

Announcement - Officer Nominations 2009

2009-02-07T10:28:00.001-06:00

It is fast approaching time to elect new officers. All positions will be open this year. If you are interested in serving or wish to nominate someone, please notify Lisa Engel (lgengel@harding.edu) or Michelle Mason (mmason@wcmc.org). Officer qualifications and responsibilities can be found at the STTI website(http://www.nursingsociety.org/Chapters/Resources/Pages/chapter_officer_resources.aspx). We are always looking to get people from outside the College of Nursing involved!

Spring 2009 Research Poster Awards

2009-02-06T15:04:00.000-06:00

Each semester members of Epsilon Omicron review the College of Nursing's student posters from the Nurs 412 research course. The posters are judged on scholastic merit and presentation. The prizes are certificates and a monetary reward. We currently award $50 for first place, $40 for second, and $30 for third. For the fall 2008 course, we had a tie for third, so 4 posters received recognization. The winners and poster titles are:

1st Place "Culture is the Key" by Elizabeth Allen Fonville (Epsilon Omicron member) and Jillian Florence.

2nd Place "Canine Comfort" by Bronwyn Alexander and Haley Grant.

3rd Place "What to Expect When You're Expecting as a Teenager" by Katrina Miller (Epsilon Omicron member) and Gwendolyn Scott (Epsilon Omicron member).

3rd Place "Sun Protection is Fun" by Sarah Cox (Epsilon Omicron member) and Samantha Jones.

Congratulations to our winners! It is great to see so many of our current members honored.

Member spotlight - Kathy Parrish

2009-01-31T21:22:00.000-06:00

Epsilon Omicron member Kathy Parrish was inducted into the chapter in 1982. She currently lives in Judsonia, AR, with her husband Donnie, daughter Cindy, and grandson Joseph. She also has 2 "grown" sons, Ronnie and Daniel. Her daughter-in-law, Steffie (married to Daniel), graduated this past spring from Harding's nursing program, and Kathy is "very proud of her." Steffie works at White County Medical Center. Kathy is currently employed as an APN by Heart Clinic Arkansas, Searcy office, and works with Dr. Leon Blue in cardiology. Most of her work is done at WCMC.

Kathy has been a nurse 30+ years. Graduating in the Beta class from Harding University in 1978, she furthered her education at University of Arkansas Medical Sciences with a Master's of Nursing Science as a family nurse practitioner in 1997. Regarding her nursing interests, Kathy states, "I am very much a 'clinician' with a strong interest and background in cardiology. Nursing has been very good to me - I have been a staff nurse, nurse manager, nurse administrator, educator, and now advanced practice nurse. I feel nursing was a 'calling' for me and it has been a wonderful experience. I love being a nurse, and am always proud of it. When patients try to compare me to a doctor, I always correct them. I am a nurse because I want to be. I get to relate to patients in a unique way because of that. I value my physician colleagues but don't want to BE them."

When asked what she has seen change in nursing, Kathy says, "Things have changed SO MUCH!! When I graduated as RN, we still wore caps and white uniforms (dresses, even). One RN, one LPN, and 4 nurses aides cared for 28 patients. I remember the first IV pump at the local hospital - before that we 'counted drops' to control rate of infusion. Patients routinely got IM medications for pain. Nurses proudly wore not only school pins, but Sigma Theta Tau pins and evidence of ACLS and PALS certifications on uniforms. Nothing was computerized. I can even remember as nurses aide in 1977 doing 'p.m.' care, including rubbing backs with lotion, for patients. I also remember patients being admitted to the hospital just for "tests" or as a "rest"!! Now everybody is really, really sick and care routinely includes things like dialysis, which once was considered 'heroic'."

What would Kathy like to see change in healthcare? There are so many bureaucratic rules about reimbursement that fail to acknowledge the value of the APN/physician "team". And so much nurse time is taken up by documentation that sometimes patients don't get as much "personal" attention as before. There are so many checklists, etc., to meet different regulatory and "quality" measurement programs.

Kathy's advice for new members---read, read, read. "Read journals every month, even after you graduate. Your education as a nurse has just begun when you get that license. Learn something new every day. Pay attention, ask questions, THINK! Stay active in professional groups (as your life will allow), but also have 'a life' outside of nursing."

Initially, Kathy became a member of Sigma Theat Tau because it was an honor and privilege. "Now," she states, "(it is) because I value the profession of nursing and want to support organizations that advance the profession. And it's still an honor and privilege."

We value the membership of our graduates and nurse leaders!

Spotlight on Nell Ard

2009-01-28T16:37:00.000-06:00

Nell Ard, PhD, CNS, RNC, CNE, was inducted into Epsilon Omicron on February 1, 1983. She currently lives in McKinney, TX. Dr. Ard is the Director of Nursing for Collin County Community College and Research Consultant for Medical Center of Plano. She graduated from Harding University (BSN) in 1983; West Texas State University (now West Texas A&M) - MSN in 1988; and University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio - PhD in 1994. Currently her research interests focus on nursing education. She is working closely with the National League for Nursing.

When asked what she has seen change in nursing, Dr. Ard writes, "Overall the acuity of patient care has changed significantly during my career - many who didn't survive then are now are "regular" units while really sick patients are in ICU. I would like to continue to see more individuals come into the wonderful profession of nursing - we need more nurses to meet the needs of America. We also need more nurses willing to teach in our nursing programs - even though you do not 'get the BIG bucks'."

Her advice for new members is to "find your love of nursing and get involved. There is a need to add to the evidence base practice of nursing whether in direct patient care or in nursing education. Find someone younger to mentor in the process - even boys/girls in elementary and/or junior high school."

Dr. Ard's reasons for being a member of Sigma Theta Tau International are:
#1 it is a means of staying and/or getting involved in the future of the nursing profession.
#2 - I've always had a passion for research - now if I only had the time to do what I want.
#3 - It assists in keeping the nursing profession at the forefront of academia - wearing your cords with your regalia at graduation - always brings opportunties.

Spotlight on members

2009-01-21T21:33:00.000-06:00

Each week we will spotlight two Epsilon Omicron members. Be looking for an email message asking for your update information. We want to use this space to keep in touch and start networking.

Fall 2008 - Induction of 23 New Members!

2009-01-21T13:27:00.000-06:00

On November 10, 2008, Epsilon Omicron welcomed 23 new members at its induction ceremony. The ceremony took place in the American Heritage Conference Center on Harding University's campus. The guest speaker for the evening was Dr. Helen Lambert. Dr. Lambert spoke to the new members about making their practice their own. It was wonderful to have Dr. Lambert with us again. The new members come to us from all across the country and world. The new members are listed below along with their hometowns.
Elizabeth Allen, Corvallis, OR
Hannah Buzhardt, Pawleys Island, SC
Lauren Caldwell, Duluth, GA
Erica Casey, White House, TN
JM Corella, Scottsdale, AZ
Sarah Cox, Midlothian, TX
Jes Ellis, Dallas, TX
Ali Gerber, Hendricks, IN
Sara Grady, Nashville, TN
Kendyll Helf, Henderson, TX
Ashley Hunt, Searcy, AR
Tanya Johnson, Texarkana, AR
Christa Lewis, Transylvania, LA
Jesaca McCartney, Beebe, AR
Joanna Meeks, Stafford, TX
Katrina Miller, Cambridge, OH
Sarah Morgan, Bergamo, Italy
Kelly Passafiume, Little Rock, AR
Sarah Rummage, Antioch, TN
Gwendolyn Scott, Fulton, MO
Jessica Snell, Florence, AL
Lori Wise, Louisville, KY

Current Officers - 2009

2009-01-20T15:11:00.000-06:00

President – Lisa Engel
Vice-President – Jackie Harris
Secretary – Patty Smith
Treasurer – Cheryl Lee
1st Counselor – Juli Lane
2nd Counselor – Lisa Engel
Chair – Governance – Cathleen Shultz
Chair – Leadership Succession – Michelle Mason

Tri-Chapter Research Day 2009

2009-01-20T14:22:00.000-06:00

This year's Tri-Chapter Research Day is being held at Arkansas Tech University, in Russellville, AR, on Thursday, April 2. The theme is Nursing Research and Family-Centered Care and Judith MacFarlane will be the keynote speaker.

Deadline for submissions is February 23, 2009. Abstracts should be submitted by email to jhelms@atu.edu (Jennifer Helms, PhD, RN).

Hope to see you there!

New members inducted, November 26, 2007

2009-01-20T14:08:00.001-06:00

Epsilon Omicron chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International inducted new members on November 26, 2007. The induction ceremony was held at the American Heritage Conference Center on the Harding University campus. The chapter was honored to have Elizabeth Lee, MSN, RN, speak regarding her recent trip to the National Convention. Inductees and their guests enjoyed a dinner prior to the ceremony. Inducted this year were:
Tracy Bailey, Searcy, AR
Anne Marie Coors, Golden, CO
Deron Johnson, Heber Springs, AR
Cara McCormick, Chattanooga, TN
Kala McNally, Louisville, KY
Reginald Randle, Lake Charles, LA
Sara Kathryn Smith, Conway, AR
Mary Valen, Searcy, AR
Jennifer Varner, BSN, RN, Searcy, AR

Induction - Fall 2006

2009-01-20T13:32:00.000-06:00

Epsilon Omicron welcomed 17 new members on Monday, November 6, 2006. Kyle Vath opened the ceremony with a prayer. Cathleen Shultz was our guest speaker. She addressed the history of the honor society at Harding University College of Nursing. Chapter President Lisa Engel inducted the new members. A belated welcome to these members:

Cali Anderson, Nashville, TN
Jennifer Arnold, Romance, AR
Kristen Edwards, Jamestown, TN
Erin Griffith, Alpha, IL
Erin Guin, Tuscaloosa, AL
Jennifer Johns, Lancaster, OH
Meredith Lacy, Searcy, AR
Cynthia Landon, Groton, CT
Michelle Mason, BSN, RN, Searcy, AR
Meredith Pence, Jacksonville, FL
Sarah Petrillo, Littleton, CO
Erin Reese, Tulsa, OK
Millie Rummer, Utica, OH
Amy Sanders, Port Orchard, WA
Krista Spencer, Columbus, TN
Maribeth Thompson, Floral, AR
Brandon Thornton, Jonesboro, AR

Tri-Chapter Research Day 2008

2009-01-20T12:59:00.000-06:00

The 18th annual Tri-Chapter Research Day was held March 13, 2008, at Harding University. The consortium of Epsilon Omicron, Eta Theta, and Kappa Rho-at-large chapters work each year to put together this seminar. This year's planning chapter was Epsilon Omicron.

The theme for the day was Research and Ethics: Protecting Vulnerable Populations. The theme was identified as nurses must have the ability to identify ethical dilemmas as research consumers and investigators. The program addressed the ethics of research, giving nurses and nursing students the tools to critically think about the situations they face in current practice.

The term “vulnerable populations” refers to groups that are at risk for developing “higher comparative mortality rates, lower life expectancy, reduced access to care, and diminished quality of life” (UCLA School of Nursing Center for Vulnerable Populations Research). These groups include pregnant women, unborn fetuses, newborns, children, prisoners, racial and ethnic minorities, the chronically ill, the mentally ill, and the financially impoverished. As researchers, nurses must work to create a balance: safeguard patients from the inherent risks of research, but also ensure that quality, applicable, and safe investigation is conducted to benefit all groups.

Our keynote speaker was Mr. Fred Gray. As a young attorney, Mr. Gray represented Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr. In 1972, he represented the participants in the notorious Tuskegee Syphilis Study. The U.S. Public Health Service recruited 623 African American men from Macon County, Alabama, for a study of the “the effects of untreated syphilis in the [African-American] male.” For the next 40 years—even after the development of penicillin, the cure for syphilis—these men were denied medical care for this potentially fatal disease. Mr. Gray has published two books, Bus Ride to Justice (1995) and The Tuskegee Syphilis Study (1998). In 1997, he established the Tuskegee Human and Civil Rights Multicultural Center. Mr. Gray is a graduate of Nashville Christian Institute, Alabama State University and Case Western Reserve University. He is a senior partner at the law firm of Gray, Langford, Sapp, McGowan, Gray and Nathanson in Tuskegee and Montgomery, Alabama. He has served as president of the National Bar Association and the Alabama Bar Association.

The seminar was well attended, with around 500 attendees. Other speakers at the Research Day were:

Nelda New, PhD, RN
Jennifer Helms, PhD, RN
Cheryl Slaughter Smith, PhD, RN

DeeAnn Martin, MSN, APN
Julie Meaux, PhD, RNC

Angela Green, PhD, RN

Cathleen Shultz, PhD, RN, CNE, FAAN

Johnnetta Kelly, MNSc, RN
Rebecca Matthews, DNP, MNSc, IBCLC, RN

Epsilon Omicron Research Poster Awards Spring 2008

2009-01-20T10:30:00.001-06:00

The Epsilon Omicron Research Poster Awards were given out during the HU College of Nursing Transition Ceremony in January 2008. The winners were:

1st Place - Beating Middle School Inactivity - Anne-Marie Coors and Kristin Stewart

2nd Place Tie

Improving Outcomes for Hispanics with Diabetes: A Holistic Approach by Laura Lemmons and Kala McNally

Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension by Melissa Higgins and Kristen Smith

3rd Place Tie

The Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes in Hispanic Women by Triston Graham and Amy Thomas

Educating Nurses to Screen for Intimate Partner Violence Victims by JoJo Elliott and Cara McCormick

Congratulations to these graduating seniors on their hard work!

Epsilon Omicron Research Poster Awards Fall 2007

2009-01-20T10:24:00.000-06:00

Each semester, Epsilon Omicron recognizes outstanding student research from the Nursing 412 research course. In the spring semester of 2007, this course was taught by Sheila Sullivan, Cheryl Lee, Jeanie Burt and Johnnetta Kelly. Winning posters receive a small monetary reward and a certificate of recognition. This fall's winners are:

1st Place Stress Reduction - Click a Button by Katelyn Kirby, LeaAnn Grieb, Jennifer Hughes, and Elizabeth Cramblett.

2nd Place Talking Through the Grief by Brian Hall and Anyan Parsons.

3rd Place Simple Olympics for a Sharp Mind by Morgan Booth and Stephanie Upchurch.

Congratulations to our winners!

Epsilon Omicron Research Poster Awards Fall 2006

2009-01-20T10:13:00.001-06:00

Yes - you read that right! I'm playing catch up! During the August 2006 Transition Ceremony at Harding Univeristy College of Nursing, Epsilon Omicron presented awards to the following Nurs 412 (Nursing Research) students.

1st Place - Terminal Restlessness by Jennifer Arnold & Mandy Black

2nd Place - Unspoken Grief by Melanie Green and Rachel Rivas

Tie for 3rd Place

Simulating Natural Feeding in the NICU by Jenny Cummings and Jamie Jansen

Benefits of Kangaroo Care by Cali Anderson and Erin Reese.

The students received certificates and monetary awards. Very belated congratulations!

Welcome to Epsilon Omicron's Blog

2009-01-20T09:58:00.000-06:00

After several attempts to communicate through the internet, I chose to establish a blog for Epsilon Omicron. By using the blog, Epsilon Omicron can communicate with its members all over the world. We'll use this to post articles, announcements, etc. Your comments and ideas are welcome!