USF College of Nursing faculty, staff and students, led by Cindy Tofthagen, PhD, ARNP, AOCNP, Assistant Professor and  Oncology Concentration Director, helped provide a voice for neuropathy patients in the Tampa community during the Neuropathy Awareness Week, May 13 through May 17, 2013. USF College of Nursing students, faculty, and staff closely collaborated with the local Neuropathy Support Group to encourage the community to help raise money and create awareness for the disease.

Dr. Tofthagen, who is the member of the Neuropathy Association Neuropathic Pain Management Advisory Council, the coordinator of the Tampa Neuropathy Support Group, and a volunteer for the Neuropathy Association, worked hand-in-hand with Neuropathy Support Group Volunteers from USF Nursing including Coordinator for C.A.R.E. Data, Melissa Leggatt, USF Nursing student, Ian Loy, Associate Professor and Associate Dean, Student Affairs & Community Engagement, Connie Visovsky, PhD, RN, ACNP-BC, and others, to help Neuropathy Support Group Members get their voice heard in the local community.

“I am proud to be a part of a group of local volunteers who are committed to bringing both local and national attention to peripheral neuropathy and honored to be able to recognize the millions of people whose lives have been dramatically impacted by neuropathy,” Dr. Tofthagen said. “This past week, USF and the city of Tampa, amazed us with the incredible amount of support we received! Thank you!”

USF College of Nursing volunteers and Neuropathy Support Group members, led by Mary Busch, spear-headed communication with the City of Tampa and Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn to declare May 13 through May 17, 2013 Neuropathy Awareness Week in the City of Tampa. Busch and other support group members also contacted the Mayor’s Office to light up the SunTrust Bank building in downtown Tampa to honor patients suffering with the chronic illness. Their efforts helped make possible the Mayor’s Proclamation as well as SunTrust Bank’s ziggurat to light up in purple and yellow in honor of Neuropathy Awareness Week on May 5 and 6, 2013.

“This has been a wonderful experience,” said Busch, who has been suffering with neuropathy for about 10 years. “It shows to me that the local government and the community is willing to get involved to help patients suffering from neuropathy and people who are caregivers. It’s been such a rewarding experience.”

The Neuropathy Support Group is part of The Neuropathy Association, which is a national non-profit organization that helps increase public awareness of the nature and extent of peripheral neuropathy, and educate the public and healthcare providers about the disease. All the members of the Neuropathy Support Group are neuropathy-diagnosed patients.

Neuropathy is a chronic disease that affects more than 20 million children and adults in the United States, six million of whom struggle with neuropathic pain. Neuropathy Association reports that the disease impacts one in 15 Americans making it the leading cause of adult disability in the country. According to the Neuropathy Association’s website, peripheral neuropathy is a disorder of the peripheral nerves, which usually affects hands and feet causing weakness, numbness, tingling and pain.

“In my role as an oncology nurse practitioner, I see, firsthand, the negative impact on health and quality of life, that peripheral neuropathy can have,” Dr. Tofthagen said. “My involvement with the support group really opened up my eyes to the fact that it is not just people with cancer or diabetes that suffer with peripheral neuropathy. It is my desire that every patient with peripheral neuropathy be able to function at their very best and receive excellent medical treatment, education, and support. That is why I am actively involved in the Neuropathy Association and why peripheral neuropathy is the primary focus of my research.”

USF College of Nursing students, staff, and faculty voluntarily joined the Neuropathy Support Group members at Wiregrass Mall in Wesley Chapel on May 5, 2013 and again on May 19, 2013 to raise money and provide information about peripheral neuropathy.

“For anyone who is suffering from this disease can be very isolating because a lot of times you can’t get out or see other people,” Busch said. “The support group pulls people together to give comfort to each other, and that’s important. So if there’s anyone out there that is suffering from any kind of neuropathy should come join our support group and see what it is about. It does help, and it makes a difference. It really gives you information about the symptoms, doctors, and everything else.”

“I just want to thank USF, Dr. Tofthagen, Mrs. Busch and everyone who gave us the opportunity to get together and talk about different topics every week, and create a strong group that supports one another,” said Janie Kennett, who suffers with neuropathy and has had eight orthopedic surgeries to overcome the disease.

Even though Neuropathy Awareness Week activities have wrapped up, there is a continued need for people with neuropathy to obtain appropriate diagnosis and treatment as well as education and support. In addition to the resources available through the Neuropathy Association, there are also two local resources for people in the Tampa Bay community including the Tampa Neuropathy Support Group and the Supportive Care Clinic for People with Peripheral Neuropathy.

For questions or general information about the Neuropathy Support Group or the Supportive Care Clinic contact Dr. Cindy Tofthagen at neuropathyhelptampa@gmail.com.

University of South Florida College of Nursing alum, Sarah Jo Spears, helped Pre-Nursing Living Learning Community (LLC) students achieve their dreams while accomplishing hers. Spears, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Nursing in spring 2013, tutored LLC students for two years while working on her degree at USF.

“I wanted to help the students navigate through the obstacles that came their way during their first year of college,” Spears said. “Above all, I feel like this position helped me hone my patient teaching skills, which is very valuable as a nurse.”

As a tutor, Spears helped students learn how to study, in addition to teaching them good study habits. Spears was also the go-to-person for other subjects and a resource for general questions on admission tips, clinicals, and even College life.

“Anatomy is really another language and the biggest hurdle is learning how to study it…for example, I taught them to focus on concepts rather than rote memorization,” Spears said. “I just wanted to be a resource for the students, and be someone they could go to for any questions.”

“Spears has been such a great tutor for two years in the pre-nursing LLC,” said USF College of Nursing Academic Advisor for Pre-Nursing Freshman, Astride Edouard. “Students have really appreciated her knowledge and dedication in tutoring them. There were several students within the two years that would come into USF confused with Nursing courses, but Spears really helped them learn the material and gain a better study habit. She will truly be missed by pre-nursing LLC.”

USF Nursing undergraduate student, Kyla Hoffer, said Spears was not only an amazing tutor, but also a great friend to everyone. “She did her job wonderfully making difficult topics easy to understand,” Hoffer said. “She taught us how to study and always reassured us that we could do well if we worked hard. As the new tutor for the fall, I have a lot to live up to, but an amazing example to follow. I only hope to emulate her job well done and her great spirit.”

Throughout her education at USF Nursing, Spears stayed involved in the local community doing more than 40 hours of volunteer work. In the past two years, she has been on five medical mission trips abroad including Panama, Jamaica, and Nicaragua, Honduras, and Dominican Republic.

“Service really is my passion and the reason I went into the field of nursing,” Spears said. “I believe that is the duty of medical professionals to devote their lives to the less fortunate and to do their best to provide care to all people. I am also a member of Grace Bible Church of Tampa for nearly three years where I volunteer. My faith is really what guides me as a nurse. I believe that God cares for the oppressed, poor and downtrodden, and, therefore, so should I.”

Before Spears graduated, she was one of the only 26 students of spring 2013 graduating class to receive the Undergraduate Scholars Award from USF. She also received the USF College of Nursing’s Service Award, and graduated Cum Laude from the Honors College. Spears is spending three weeks this summer studying abroad in London, England where she is studying infectious diseases and medical anthropology.

For related stories on Sarah Jo Spears click here.

University of South Florida College of Nursing presented eight Preceptor of the Year Awards to preceptors working at the College’s clinical partners during National Nurses Week (NNW). The award was given to those preceptors who were strong clinical nurses and excellent mentors to USF College of Nursing undergraduate students during their clinical training. The Preceptors of the Year were selected by students and faculty.

Preceptor of the Year awardees include:

• Whitney Freeman – All Children’s Hospital
• Karen Craven – Bayfront Medical Center
• Sasha Wright - Florida Hospital of Tampa
• Bolanale Oni – Morton Plant Mease Hospital
• Kristin Spahlinger – St. Joseph Hospital
• Melissa Kelley – Sarastoa Memorial Hospital
• Leeann Venesky – Tampa General Hospital
• Roger Graves – Veterans Administration

The USF College of Nursing Clinical Collaborative Preceptor Partnership model, created in 2001 in partnership with the College’s clinical partners in the Tampa Bay area, facilitates practice collaboration among health care facilities and employs traditional education combined with clinical training for undergraduate nursing students.

For students, the preceptors serve as role models during their professional nursing practice. Throughout this journey, they help students engage in aspects of patient care management appropriate to their level of study and reinforce the needed psychomotor skills.

“During this experience, students to learn the essential nursing skills under the guidance of an experienced nurse preceptor at a partner health care organization facility from the first day of their clinical rotations,” said USF Nursing Instructor and Team Coordinator, Morton Plant Mease, Cassandra Vonnes, MS, ARNP-BC, FAHA. “The students learn at the side of their preceptor, and the clinical faculty supports the preceptors by facilitating the patient care experiences.”

NNW is celebrated annually from May 6 through May 12 to celebrate nurses and the diverse ways America’s 3.1 million registered nurses work to save lives and to improve the health of millions of individuals. USF College of Nursing appreciated nurses and what they do by presenting the Preceptor awards during that week. The college also held an event with alumni, students, friends, faculty, and staff to celebrate NNW. To read that story click here.

Beckstead, J. W. (2013). On measurements and their quality: Paper 1: Reliability – History, issues and procedures. International Journal of Nursing Studies. 2013; May 8. [Epub ahead of print]. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2013.04.005.

University of South Florida College of Nursing faculty members participated in a Joining Forces Webinar Series: Teaching Nursing Students to Care for Veterans  Part VII on May 1, 2013. USF College of Nursing Assistant Professor and Assistant Dean, Master’s Program & Academic Affairs, Brian Graves, PhD, RN, ACNP-BC, and Military Liaison, Instructor and Coordinator, Graduate Simulation, Alicia Rossiter, MSN, ARNP, FNP, PNP-BC, spoke at the webinar series to discuss strategies for teaching students to care for active duty service members, veterans, and military families.

Joining Forces, a national initiative to support and honor America’s service members and their families, designed the webinar series to educate nursing faculty that are members of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) on how to implement initiatives set forward by the campaign. More than 650 schools of nursing around the country have pledged their support to the Joining Forces campaign. One priority of this national initiative is to make health care professionals more knowledgeable about veterans and their health care needs, particularly, as they return from modern deployments with characteristic injuries.

“The USF College of Nursing contributed to the webinar series to provide educational resources and assist schools that are AACN members as they engage in curricular development,” said Rossiter. “We are transforming the healthcare, transforming the lives of our active military, veterans, and their families. USF Nursing has become known nationwide as a leader in veteran research and how to care for our veteran population. We are very fortunate to have a Dean, Associate/Assistant Deans, faculty, and staff who are so committed to veteran health and research that improves the lives of our veterans and their families as well as the many educational initiatives that have helped make USF the 4th Friendliest Military University in the country.”

AACN reached out to Graves and Rossiter as well as Senior Associate Vice President, USF Health and Dean, USF College of Nursing, Dianne Morrison-Beedy, PhD, RN, WHNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN, and Associate Professor and Associate Dean, Academic Affairs and Interprofessional Initiatives, Rita D’Aoust, PhD, ACNP, ANP-BC, CNE, FAANP, FNAP, to speak at two out of seven webinar series. They were invited to participate for demonstrating leadership in military and veteran education and research and for the USF College of Nursing’s reputation as a leader in veterans healthcare. Rossiter, along with Dr. Morrison-Beedy and Dr. D’Aoust, were also part of the Joining Forces Webinar Series: Teaching Nursing Students to Care for Veterans  Part VI on April 24, 2013.

“We participated to support the Joining Forces campaign,” Rossiter said. “Many colleges of nursing are looking for ways to meet the challenge to educate nurses to care for the active duty and veteran population.  USF College of Nursing has become a leader in veteran health care, by creating initiatives such as RESTORE LIVES: Education and Research to Rehabilitate and Restore the Lives of Veterans, Service Members, and their Families, which helps develop life enhancing treatments through nursing research, and educate nurses with the knowledge and skills specific to the needs of treating veterans and service members. We were joining forces before Joining Forces was cool–we have had multiple veteran initiatives in place long before the Joining Forces campaign started.  Because of this, other colleges and universities are looking at us to see how they can develop and implement curriculum into their programs.”

Before speaking at the webinar series, faculty members from USF College of Nursing participated in a series of military and veteran focused presentations at AACN. Rossiter presented at the AACN Baccalaureate Conference in November 2012 in San Antonio, TX, and Dr. Graves presented at the AACN Master’s Conference in March 2013 in Orlando, Florida. In addition, USF Nursing Dean Morrison-Beedy, presented at the AACN Deans Conference in March 2013 in Washington, DC.

“We are meeting the challenge–our PhD researchers are creating the knowledge; the DNPs are translating the knowledge; our nurse practitioners and nurses are delivering the care; and our nurse educators and leaders are disseminating the knowledge and educating our students,” Dr. Graves said.

For more information on the Joining Forces webinar series click here.

 -RESTORE LIVES at USF Nursing-

Through ‘RESTORE LIVES: Education and Research to Rehabilitate and Restore the Lives of Veterans, Service Members, and their Families,’ USF College of Nursing faculty develop life enhancing treatments through nursing research, and educate nurses with the knowledge and skills specific to the needs of treating veterans and service members with innovative solutions, and conduct research specific to veteran and military health issues through training nursing leaders within military, and educating nurses at all levels in the special needs of the military, veterans and their families. For more information on RESTORE LIVES or the other priorities  at the USF College of Nursing visit  health.usf.edu/nursing/priorities

Budhrani, P. H. (Feb. 2013). Shades of survivorship, the importance of symptom survivorship in cancer survivors. Podium presentation in Belize City, Belize.

Translating Veterans’ Skills to Create the Nursing Leaders of Tomorrow

USF College of Nursing Dean Dianne Morrison-Beedy attends White House Forum on Military Credentialing and Licensing

On April 29, 2013 the White House Forum on Military Credentialing and Licensing, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced a new program to help military veterans with health care experience or training, such as medics, to pursue nursing careers. Dianne Morrison-Beedy, PhD, RN, WHNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN, Senior Associate Vice President of USF Health, and Dean of the College of Nursing, was one of only a few nursing leaders nationwide to attend the event in Washington, D.C. that focused on helping veterans obtain bachelor’s degrees by building on their unique skills and abilities.

“There is a great need nationally to address how we move those who have served the country into educational programs leading to healthcare careers,” said Dianne Morrison-Beedy, PhD, RN, WHNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN, Senior Associate Vice President of USF Health, and Dean of the College of Nursing. “It was critical for nursing academics to be involved and at the table for this discussion.”

Administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) at HHS, the Veterans’ Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program plans to fund cooperative agreements at accredited schools of nursing to increase veterans’ enrollment in and completion of baccalaureate nursing programs, and to explore ways to award academic credit for prior military health care experience or training.

 “It helps veterans formalize their skills to get jobs, while strengthening Americans’ access to care,” said Secretary Sebelius.

The University of South Florida College of Nursing has prioritized veteran and military healthcare and education in their RESTORE LIVES initiative: Research and Education to Rehabilitate and Restore the Lives of Veterans, Service members and their Families.

-USF Health-

USF Health’s mission is to envision and implement the future of health. It is the partnership of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, the College of Nursing, the College of Public Health, the College of Pharmacy, the School of Biomedical Sciences and the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences; and the USF Physician’s Group. The University of South Florida is a global research university ranked 50th in the nation by the National Science Foundation for both federal and total research expenditures among all U.S. universities. For more information visit: health.usf.edu/nursing

University of South Florida College of Nursing Professor and Associate Dean for Research and Innovation, Cindy L. Munro, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, FAAN, was selected as one of the 120 Visionary Leaders of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Nursing.

“VCU has been such an important part of my professional life,” Dr. Munro said. ”It is truly an honor to be selected as one of the Visionary Leaders of the School of Nursing.”

The Visionary Leaders award is part of a celebration of the School’s 120th anniversary, which recognizes 120 outstanding alumni and faculty, living and deceased, as Visionary Leaders. Dr. Munro will be honored as a Visionary Leader during VCU School of Nursing’s Gala at the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Va. on May 30, 2013.

Prior to joining USF College of Nursing, Dr. Munro was a successful faculty member and researcher at VCU for almost 20 years. She began her career at VCU as Assistant Professor and was a Nursing Alumni Endowed Professor before she left. Before joining USF, VCU also named her Emeritus Professor. Dr. Munro earned a post-master’s nurse practitioner certificate and a PhD in Nursing and Microbiology and Immunology at VCU.

Dr. Munro is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing and serves on the Academy’s Acute and Critical Care Expert Panel. She is nurse co-editor of the American Journal of Critical Care. Dr. Munro practiced as an adult nurse practitioner at Petersburg Health Care Alliance in Petersburg, Virginia, and was an active member of the Chesterfield County Virginia Medical Reserve Corps.

Her funded research as a principal investigator or co-investigator includes grants from the NIH National Institute of Nursing Research, NIH National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, and the NIH National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, as well as the Department of Defense, among others.

She is currently the principal investigator on a study funded since 2001, which is looking to reduce the incidence of pneumonia associated with the use of ventilators in critically ill patients.

For related stories on Dr. Munro click here.

University of South Florida College of Nursing PhD student, Glenna S. Brewster, MS, RN, FNP-BC, received the 2013– 2015 John A. Hartford Foundation Patricia G. Archbold Scholar Award from the National Hartford Centers of Gerontological Nursing Excellence (NHCGNE) for her excellence and leadership in education.

“The receipt of this grant is the launching pad for my career,” Brewster said. “I intend to capitalize on all the opportunities to network with and learn from seasoned researchers and mentors. In order for me to conduct life-changing research, I have to understand all aspects of the research process and this funding will allow me to remain at USF and continue to work, observe and participate in research. I am excited about my growth as a researcher over the next 2 years.”

Brewster will receive a total of $100,000 for two years to cover for tuition waivers, research assistantships, teaching assistantships, grants-in-aid, and more. As an Archbold Scholar, she will continue to work as a Graduate Research Assistant, under the mentorship of USF Nursing Professor and Endowed Chair, Meredeth Rowe, RN, PhD, FGSA, FAAN, in the College’s Caregiving Lab.

“Brewster earned this award through hard work and dedication in her professional and academic endeavors,” Dr. Rowe said.  ”She is dedicated to improving the lives of older adults particularly by furthering our understanding of depression and its ramifications.  Her potential to make a difference through research is exceptional given her talents and the richness of this award.  It will be a pleasure to work with her and enjoy her successes.”

Brewster will conduct research on the R01 National Institute on Aging (NIA) funded study, led by Dr. Rowe, entitled “Improving Dementia Caregiver Sleep & the Effect on Heart Disease Biomarkers.” She will also continue to participate in study activities including data recruitment, data collection and analyses, and research publication and presentation.

As a mentor, Dr. Rowe will meet with Brewster weekly to advise her in the researcher role, help her develop poster and paper presentations, grant submissions and applications for the postdoctoral period. Brewster will have two additional mentors including Professor and Ronald and Elizabeth Blake Distinguished Professor in Nursing from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Christine L. Williams, DNSc, PMHCNS-BC, and Assistant Professor of Aging Studies from USF Health, Aryn Harrison, PhD. Dr. Williams will mentor Brewster regarding depression in older adults and leadership in geriatric nursing, while Dr. Harrison will provide mentoring in measuring cognitive performance.

 “I am very proud that I received this award but I know that this would not have been possible without a team believing in me and my potential,” Brewster said. “Dr. Rowe, who assisted me throughout the entire process, my advisor, USF Nursing Associate Professor and Academic Affairs and Interprofessional Initiatives Associate, Rita F. D’Aoust, PhD, ACNP, ANP-BC, CNE, FAANP, FNAP, my other mentors, the professors who wrote my recommendation letters, and the research lab team who guided me with the budget and the final assembly of the grant submission respectively. One of the most important persons in my team is my mother who funded the start of this journey and I would not have been here without her.”

NHCGNE Scholar Award Program, created to increase academic gerontological nursing capacity in the United States, helps develop academic gerontological nursing capacity in the United States. NHCGNE Scholars, in collaboration with their mentors, will implement a tailored professional plan which supports development of new competencies and enhanced effectiveness as an academic leader.

For related stories on Glenna Brewster click here.

This semester the University of South Florida College of Nursing graduated a total of 146 students including one Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP), six PhDs in Nursing, 49 Master’s of Science (MS), and 90 Bachelor’s of Science (BS).

At the University of South Florida College of Nursing Spring 2013 Pinning Ceremony featuring the Alumni Path of Light, May 3, 2013,  Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Community Engagement, Connie Visovsky, PhD, RN, ACNP-BC, welcomed alumni, faculty, family and friends who were celebrating an incredible milestone in the graduates’  journey of lifelong learning as health professionals. The Pinning Ceremony is a nursing tradition which marks the transition of baccalaureate graduates from students to professional nurses.

Many of the students graduated with University honors: 20 Cum Laude, 22 Magna Cum Laude and 2 Summa Cum Laude. Additionally, 1 student,  Temre Smith, earning the highest honors, Summa Cum Laude, has been chosen by the USF Alumni Association to receive the King O’Neal Scholars Award at commencement for graduating with an outstanding 4.0 GPA. Exemplar students were also recognized with several awards including Academic Excellence, Clinical Excellence, Leadership Award, Spirit of Nursing Award, Service Award, Capstone Award, Evidence Based Practice Award, and Quality & Safety Award.

Class mates and room mates, Carolyn Steel and Rachel Tax, both became the third generation of nurses in their families, and both of their mothers and grandmothers were there to celebrate with them at the Pinning Ceremony on May 3, 2013.

“I am fortunate to be able to participate in this pinning tradition with all of our graduating students, and was delighted to meet these two families of 3^rd generation nurses (2^nd Generation Bull Nurses!),” said Assistant Professor, Melissa Molinari Shelton, PhD, RN. “A call to nursing is a special bond they share with one another.  As our College continues to educate the nursing leaders of tomorrow, I expect that we will certainly welcome many more Bull Nurse legacies into our family.”

At the USF Commencement Ceremony recognizing graduate students from all colleges of the university on Saturday, May 4, 2013, Spring 2013 Nursing BS-PhD graduate, Crystal L. Chapman-Lambert, MS, FNP-BC, ACRN, AAHIVS, spoke to more than 730 graduates and their friends and family during the student address. ”I cannot deny that I will forever be a bull, more specifically, a bull nurse,” she said, humbled and grateful for being selected.

“I was honored and horrified because my public speaking is something that I fear, but I was up for the challenge,” Chapman-Lambert said. “Thank you to everyone at the USF College of Nursing for recognizing my hard work and dedication to the advancement of nursing science.”

Chapman-Lambert has shown tremendous success throughout her education journey at USF College of Nursing. In 2007, she was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International, Honor Society of Nursing, and was the USF Nursing McKnight Doctoral Fellow. In 2011, she also received the Sigma Theta Tau International/Virginia Henderson Clinical Research Grant from Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) Honor Society of Nursing to allow her to conduct research on HIV-infected women’s knowledge, perceived susceptibility and seriousness of cervical cancer.

“We are all proud of Crystal, and what she has accomplished,” said USF Nursing Distinguished Professor and Thompson Professor of Oncology Nursing, Susan C. McMillan, PhD, ARNP, FAAN, who has been Chapman-Lambert’s mentor during her dissertation. “My perspective is that she is bright and articulate and will be a talented researcher and teacher. I’m proud of her, and wish her an amazing career.”

To read Crystal Chapman-Lambert’s story in its entirety click here.

For related stories on Chapman-Lambert click here.

For information about USF Commencement visit www.usf.edu/commencement 

For more photos from USF Commencement  May3-5, 2013 click here.

For details about USF Commencement Ceremonies held May 3-5, 2013 click here.