Research & Evidence-Based Practice Symposium
The Research and Evidence-Based Practice Symposium is the collaboration of several people’s interest in providing a forum for nurses to learn more about the evolving realm of nursing knowledge. Historically, secular nursing knowledge began with Florence Nightingale’s collection and analysis of scientific data to identify the best treatment modalities for patients in addition to her emphasis on the unique role of the nurse.
Currently, nursing knowledge can be generated through a variety of scientific methods. Empirical Research utilizes quantitative and/or qualitative methods to test hypotheses, describe nursing phenomenon and identify new nursing modalities. Evidence-Based Practice projects investigate current nursing actions and customs to validate their effectiveness. Quality Improvement projects are typically institutional processes that examine the current state of practice (for example, are call lights being answered quickly enough) and identify barriers and facilitators to achieving stated quality goals. On behalf of the planning committee, I invite you to join us for the upcoming Research and Evidence-Based Practice Research Symposium - a venue that, we hope becomes, an annual event.
Over 50 abstracts were submitted during the Call-for-Abstracts process. Friday evening’s poster session, along with oral presentations on Saturday, provides great breadth and a glimpse into the generation of evidence going on in the realm of nursing. During the Symposium, there will also be opportunities to participate in learning activities at The University of Vermont Dana Medical Library.
Last, the Symposium will provide participants opportunity to reflect on the contributions of our nurse colleagues who have passed away. There will be a slide presentation to honor those nurses who are no longer with us. Please consider submitting a picture and a statement about a nurse you would like to honor when you register for the event. The registration form will provide details on how to submit.
Please join us Friday and Saturday, December 4th and 5th for this wonderful opportunity to celebrate, collaborate, and honor the profession of nursing and knowledge that is shared.
Ann Laramee, APRN, MS Symposium Chair
President's Letter
“No wonder the time flew by so fast.....I feel
very grateful for belonging to such a great
chapter and having such a wonderful board.” -- Julie Jones
Dear Members:
I can not believe I have
been President of Kappa
Tau for a whole year.
The time has flown by so
quickly! It seems like we
have made great strides for the chapter
over the year. We could not have done
this without our hard working Board
Members! So if you happen to see any
of the board members, please thank
them for all their hard work!
Here is the list of our dedicated Board:
Ann Laramee, President-Elect
Sally Kerschner, Vice President
Susan Jacques, Treasurer
Gene Hicks, Secretary
Annie Parker,
Leadership Succession Chair
Christina Melvin,
Faculty Counselor Chair
Jean Beatson,
Governance Committee Chair
Rycki Maltby, Leadership Succession
Louise Moon-Rosales,
Leadership Succession
Mary Botter, Leadership Succession
Ruby Merali, Governance Committee
Chris Kasprisin, Faculty Counselor
Vicki Torsch, Awards Committee
Pat Donehower, Awards Committee
Nancy Morris, Awards Committee
Mari Cordes, Newsletter Editor
Our accomplishments over the
past year have been:
1. Awarded the Regional
Excellence Award for our 20th
Anniversary celebration at the
Annual Meeting.
2. Sent out member survey for
which we had a 23% response
rate!
3. We have increased our
programming for our chapter by
50%. The programs that we
offered for 2008-2009 are:
-Induction 2008
-Research Night
-Heart of Leadership Dinner
-Global Leadership Night (New!)
-Annual Meeting
-Barbeque: look for upcoming
details this summer! (New)
-Mentoring Workshop:
September 22, 2009 6-7pm in
Rowell 107 (New)
-Induction 2009 (Date: TBD)
-Research Symposium: Dec 4,
2009 Poster Presentation, Dec. 5,
Evolution of Nursing Knowledge:
Evidence And How We Use It.
This is a full day of nursing
research and evidence based
practice! (New)
-Annual Meeting date set for
2010: May 12, 2010. President
Carol Huston will be speaking.
4. We have applied for the
International Award for Chapter
Communications.
Education Newsletter
Welcome to the 1st edition
of the Kappa Tau newsletter!
5. We will be placing our application
for the Chapter Key Award this July.
This is a prestigious award that is
given to chapters that excel at
chapter-related activities.
6. We have been working diligently to get our program planned well in advance to communicate to the rest of the nursing population of our upcoming events.
7. This year I have worked at increasing
communication with Region 15, by
serving as Region 15 Communications
director. I also help to develop a Region
15 technology taskforce, which will assess
the technology within our region (which
includes VT, NH, RI, CT, MA, Plattsburgh,
Nova Scotia, Sweden, Netherlands, Wales,
and South Africa). This will help to
provide programming from one place to
the whole region.
8. To better understand the International
Award Process, I volunteer to review the
Nursing Media Awards for Sigma Theta
Tau International.
No wonder the time flew by so fast. As
always, my door is always open if you
want to share any concerns, suggestions,
or tell us what we are doing right.
I feel very grateful for belonging to such a
great chapter and having a wonderful
board.
Sincerely,
Julie Jones, Kappa Tau President
julie.jones@vtmednet.org
802-847-7790
News
Kappa Tau Newsletter: May 2009
Kappa Tau is the Vermont chapter of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, whose mission is to support learning, knowledge, and professional development of nurses committed to make a difference in health worldwide. Membership is by invitation to baccalaureate and graduate nursing students who demonstrate excellence in scholarship, and to nurse leaders exhibiting exceptional achievements in nursing.
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