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Volume 29 Issue No. 1
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Spring
2015
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Donna Scott
Tilley, Chair
Southern Connections Subcommittee
Denise
Linton, Editor
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Editor's Note - Denise Linton,
DNS, FNP-BC
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It is the fourth month of the year and like me you are
probably reflecting on where you are regarding the New Year's
resolution(s) that you made in January. I have to admit that
other things "got in the way" but I view spring as another
opportunity to reorganize my priorities. Therefore, I began the
process for disseminating my pilot study result and analyzing my
research data. And, I am researching grant and award opportunities
because we can emulate the 2015 annual awards recipients and 2014
grant winners who are highlighted in this issue of our Society's
Newsletter. If you are on track regarding your New Year's
resolution(s), congratulations, and if you are not, use this season
to reevaluate and reorganize yourselves.
Now that I
have shared my thoughts, I bid you "so long" as Editor
of the SNRS Newsletter, Southern Connections. Indeed, it has been a
pleasure and honor to serve in our Society. I would like to say
a heartfelt thank you to all my supporters and contributors; I could
not have done it without your assistance. My journey, in this
capacity, ends here and the journey of another begins in the
upcoming issue. Thank you.
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Cindy L.
Munro, PhD, RN, ANP-BC,
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As I embark on the second year of my term as President
of SNRS, I continue to work toward SNRS members being engaged,
enabled, and energized. The SNRS 29th Annual Conference, held in
Tampa, Florida, February 25-28, 2015, offered a wonderful opportunity
for members to become energized. Saddlebrook Resort provided a lovely
venue that was perfectly in tune with the theme of the conference,
"Conducting Research in Difficult Times: Come Revitalize your
Research Spirit." The warm weather and tropical setting provided
some relief from the winter weather for members who traveled from
colder climates. While we did have some precipitation, it was at
least liquid instead of frozen!
The
outstanding attendance at the annual conference is indicative of SNRS
member engagement. More than half of the SNRS membership attended the
conference, and there was active participation in all aspects of the
conference, including the town hall meeting and the business meeting.
The general sessions, scientific sessions, and networking events all
provided occasions for attendees to engage with each other and ideas
to enable growth of research. Research Interest Groups met during the
meeting, and SNRS Board members visited the RIGs to elicit ideas for
how we can strengthen and enable these vital member groups.
Periodic
revitalization of your research spirit is important. In the beautiful
setting of Saddlebrook, engaged with research colleagues from
throughout the Southern region, it was easy to feel energized! I
returned from the conference with enthusiasm, ready to incorporate
what I had learned from others into my own research.
However, the
SNRS conference happens only once a year. If we are to stay energized
all year long, the annual conference is necessary but not sufficient.
After returning home, I reflected on what aspects of the annual
conference had been most energizing. For me, three key elements
emerged: first, interaction with colleagues; second, exposure to new
data and new ideas; and third, dedicated time to focus my thinking on
research. I then thought about how incorporating those key elements
into my work life throughout the year could keep me energized year
round.
I treasure
reconnecting with collaborators and meeting new colleagues at the
SNRS annual conference. Prior to the conference, I arrange times to
meet with old friends and mentees. I attend the formal networking
events, and I make an effort to talk to people I don't already know.
But there are many ways to interact with SNRS colleagues throughout
the year. Following up with contacts made at the conference,
participating in the ongoing work of the RIGs, and using electronic
communications (such as the SNRS Facebook page) are all ways to stay
energized.
The science
presented at the annual conference is exciting and energizing. I
particularly appreciate the opportunity to hear about research that
is tangential to - or very different from - my own work. Often,
podium or poster presentations which seem to be unrelated to my areas
of interest offer intriguing insights that benefit my research. In an
effort to experience the energy that results from exposure to new
ideas, I have resolved to read every issue of the official journal of
SNRS, Research in Nursing and Health (RINAH), from cover to cover
this year!
The annual
conference offers an occasion to step outside of our daily routine,
which can revitalize our research spirits. The time to reflect about
research is valuable. Although it is difficult to dedicate time
during the daily work routine to just thinking (rather than doing), I
believe it is energizing to find ways to pause periodically to permit
contemplation.
Scheduling
these pauses is important to making them happen. How will you
plan to stay engaged, enabled, and energized between now and February
24-27, 2016, when the 30th Annual Conference will be held in
Williamsburg Virginia?
Serving SNRS, Cindy L. Munro, President
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SNRS Awards Committee
Outgoing Director Robin Bartlett, PhD, RN and
Incoming Director Patricia Kinser, PhD, WHNP-BC
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Patrica Kinser, PhD, WHNP-BC
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The Southern
Nursing Research Society offers a number of annual award
opportunities to its members. The recipients of the 2015
awards, presented at the annual meeting in Tampa, Florida
in February are depicted below. An award offered by the society,
not listed below, is the SNRS/John A. Hartford Foundation
Geriatric Research Award. Consider nominating yourself or a
colleague for the 2016 awards. The deadline for applying is
October 1, 2015. To learn more about the awards please click here.
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2015 Award Recipients
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SNRS
Distinguished Researcher Award
The 2015
recipient of the SNRS
Distinguished Researcher Award is Elizabeth J. Corwin, PhD, RN, FAAN from
Emory University. The purpose of the SNRS Distinguished Researcher
Award is to recognize the contribution of an individual whose
established program of research has enhanced the science and practice
of nursing in the Southern region.
SNRS
Leadership in Research Award
The
2015 recipient of the SNRS
Leadership in Research Award is Marti Rice, PhD, RN from
University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Nursing. The purpose of
the Leadership in Research Award is to recognize outstanding
leadership, contribution, or promotion of nursing and health care
research. This award is bestowed by the SNRS Board of Directors.
SNRS Research In Minority Health Award
The 2015
recipient of the SNRS Award for Research
in Minority Health is Jane Dimmitt Champion, PhD, DNP, RN, FNP, FAANP,
FAAN from University of Texas at Austin. The purpose of
the SNRS Award for Research in Minority Health is to recognize the
contributions of an individual or group conducting and/or promoting
research that has significance for improving the health care of minorities
and other under-represented groups in the Southern region.
SNRS
Mid-Career Researcher Award
The
2015 recipient of the SNRS
Mid-Career Researcher Award is Ann L. Horgas, PhD, RN from
University of Florida. The purpose of the Mid-Career Award is to
recognize the contribution of a member whose scholarly work influences
outcomes in nursing practice, nursing education, health policy, or
population health and who has demonstrated progress in a program of
research following doctoral education completed at least 10 years
earlier.
Early
Science Investigator Award
The 2015 recipient of the SNRS Early Science
Investigator Award is Jeanne Alhusen, PhD, CRNP,
RN from Johns Hopkins University.The purpose of the
SNRS Early Science Investigator Award is to seek to recognize the
contributions of a nurse scientist early in her/his research career who
shows potential to develop a sustained program of research to enhance
nursing science and practice.
Clinical
Researcher Award
The
2015 recipient of the SNRS
Clinical Researcher Award is Karen Rice, APRN, ACNS-BC,
ANP from Oschner Health Systems. The purpose of the
SNRS Clinical Researcher Award is to recognize the contribution of an
individual (with greater than 50% of their appointment working as a researcher
in a clinical setting) whose established program of research has
enhanced the science and practice of nursing in the Southern Region.
RINAH
Authorship Award
The
2015 recipient of the RINAH
Authorship Award is Bonnie Mowinski Jennings,
PhD, RN from Emory University for the publication
she co-authored entitled "Turning over patient turnover: An
ethnographic study of admissions, discharges, and transfers." The
purpose of the Research in Nursing & Health (RINAH) Authorship
Award is to recognize a SNRS member who disseminated research findings,
or important theoretical, or methodological advances in the official
SNRS journal, RINAH, within the past year. The SNRS member may have
served as sole author or first author of a team-based paper during the
designated time period.
The award
acknowledges the partnership between SNRS and RINAH to support high
quality, peer-reviewed research/scholarship that covers a broad range
of research and theory that impacts nursing practice/science and other
health disciplines. The award also supports the SNRS mission to
"promote the image of nursing as a scientific discipline" and
recognizes a SNRS member's contribution to research dissemination,
facilitation of career development of nurses and nursing students, and
enhancement of science and nursing practice in the Southern Region.
D.
Jean Wood Nursing Scholarship Award
The
2015 recipient of the SNRS
D. Jean Wood Nursing Scholarship Award is Valerie Lander McCarthy,
PhD, RN from University of Louisville for her paper
entitled "Promoting self-transcendence and well-being in
community-dwelling older adults: A pilot study of a psychoeducational
intervention." The purpose of the D. Jean Wood Nursing
Scholarship Award is to recognize the contributions of a researcher who
has enhanced the science and practice of nursing in the Southern
region. The award is named in honor of the first SNRS President, D.
Jean Wood whose leadership set the course for the positive growth and
development of the Society
Grant
Award Recipients
SNRS
Dissertation Award
Mary
Kutash from the University of South Florida, College of Nursing
was the recipient of the 2014
SNRS Dissertation Grant Award. The title of her
dissertation was The
Relationship Between Nurse's Emotional Intelligence and Patient
Outcomes.
CANS/SNRS
Dissertation Award
Marcy
C. Purnell, MSN, FNP-C, PhD(c) from University
of Tennessee Health Science Center was the 2014 CANS/SNRS Dissertation
Grant Award recipient for Modulation of Bioelectrodynamics in Cancerous
and Noncancerous Cells
SNRS
Research Grant Award
Debra
Whisenant PhD, MSN, MSPH from University of
Alabama was the recipient of the 2014
SNRS Research Grant Award for her research, Adapting a community-based
participatory health promotion model implemented in Haiti and Jamaica
to effectively engage poor, rural, southern residents of a medically
underserved community in Appalachia
SNRS/ANF
Scholar Award
Karen Wickersham, PhD, RN
from University of Maryland, Baltimore was the recipient of the 2014 SNRS/ANF Scholar Award
for Transcriptional
Expression Profiles of Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Taking
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors
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SNRS
Membership Committee
Membership
Committee Chair - Willie Mae Abel, PhD, RN, ACNS-BC
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Willie Mae Abel, PhD, RN, ACNS-BC
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It is a pleasure
to serve as the new Director of Membership on the SNRS Board and Chair
of the Membership Committee which is comprised of State Liaisons. I
applaud our State Liaisons for their invaluable work and service to
this Society.
Our primary goal
is to increase and maintain the membership growth of nurse researchers
in our region. To accomplish this goal, State Liaisons recruit new
members from their respective states, recruit researchers for
presentations at the annual conference, and recruit members for
participation in the Research Interest Groups. In addition, State
Liaisons collect information from members on issues or items of concern
and play a pivotal role in maintaining communication between the Board
and members.
Our future goal
is to foster a connection between academia and clinical practice. To
achieve this goal, State Liaisons will identify all PhD programs and
Magnet hospitals in their states to promote the mission of SNRS.
Working with PhD programs (and students) along with nurse researchers
in Magnet hospitals will enhance the dissemination and utilization of
research findings and create collaboration between nurse scientist in
academia and clinical practice.
For SNRS, our core strength is nursing research, and I
believe that the membership of SNRS reflects some of the best nurse
researchers/scientists in the United States.
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Doctoral Student Corner
Lori Vick, BSN
MAT, RN, PhD Student
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Lori Vick, BSN MAT, RN, PhD Student
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I was an
attendee at the Southern Nursing Research Society's (SNRS) 29th Annual
Conference: 'Conducting Research in Difficult Times: Come Revitalize
Your Research Spirit'! I want to extend my thanks to Denise
Linton and the team at Southern Connections for the opportunity to
share a first-time-attendee-new member's experience.
I am completing
my PhD coursework at the end of this spring term in the on-line program
at the Medical University of South Carolina. My research proposal
is entitled, Depression
and Self-Efficacy in a Sample of Adults with Sickle Cell Disease: A
Secondary Analysis. I am inspired by social justice and
caring in the Jean Watson sense of the word, individuals I have served
in my various work capacities as a nurse, educator, and researcher and
by my nurse and research mentors. I felt it important to attend the
conference in the region of my educational institution and to acquaint
myself with the regional researchers.
The conference
cultivated my research aspirations by highlighting excellence through
various mediums. It was particularly meaningful and inspirational to me
to witness the support for new researchers and the honoring of nurse
leaders! The conference provided an opportunity to make
connections with researchers that share common interests and promoted a
sense of community. I am grateful to the MUSC faculty who welcomed and
mentored me during our time together. My thanks to the dedicated
nurse leaders throughout the SNRS organization, we aspire to emulate!
It was surreal for
this native Iowan to see and smell the blooming flowers, large palms,
and ferns. It was truly a lovely, ecological environment for spirit
revitalization. I look forward to attending and presenting next year in
Williamsburg, Virginia; the opportunities are absolutely worth it!
Warm regards to
all! Lori
Doctoral
Student Poster Award Recipients
1st Place
N. Edward Damron
from the University of Alabama was the First place recipient for his
poster presentation, Analyzing
the Presence of Bacterial Colonies within a Neonatal Suctioning Device:
The Blue-Bulb Syringe
Hanzhang
Xu from Duke University was the Second Place recipient
for her poster presentation, Self-Reported
Diabetes Education among Chinese Middle-Aged and Older Adults with
Diabetes: Comparison of Urban Residents, Migrants in Urban Settings,
and Rural.
3rd Place
Alexandra
Milam from University of Kentucky was the Third Place recipient
for her poster presentation, Implications
of Tooth Loss for Increased Cardiovascular Disease.
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