Jan/Feb Newsletter

January/February 2023

Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletters. I hope you find each one informative and enjoy reading them as much as I have enjoyed putting them together.

2022 brought many accomplishments for faculty and students at the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing and we look forward to this new year ahead.

We welcome your input. Please keep sending in your accomplishments, upcoming events, announcements, recipes, photos and anything else exciting that’s happening in our community.

Sue Collette Senior Educational Program Specialist

Appreciative Reflection of the Day

No one who achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude.

Alfred North Whitehead

Faculty Spotlight

Learn more about our faculty

Amanda Cornine, PhD, RN, CNE Assistant Professor Graduate Entry Pathway Program (GEP)

Join the faculty January 2023

What year did you graduate and from which program(s)?

2021: PhD, Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing; 2014: MS in Nursing Education, Framingham State University; 2011, BS in Nursing, University of MA, Boston; 2007 AD in Nursing, Central Maine Medical Center School of Nursing; 2005, BFA, Creative Writing, Univeristy of Maine Farmington. I am definitely a “chronic student.”

Tell us about your job at Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing?

I am teaching in the Graduate Entry Pathway, currently as part of the Biomed and Pharmacology team. I really enjoy working with prelicensure students as they learn to think like a nurse and start shaping themselves into the nurses they want to be. I particularly enjoy teaching in biomed because this course provides the foundations for so much other learning in the nursing program; it helps students understand why their patients are exhibiting certain symptoms and why we plan certain nursing or medical interventions to treat them. I am interested in research regarding nursing education and I hope to continue my work in this area as well.

What do you enjoy doing on your days off?

I enjoy spending time with my family, my daughters Sammy (age 8) and Ginny (age 10), my husband, Frank, and my cat, Stella. I also really enjoy reading and hiking.

Do you have a hobby or a special talent you can tell us about?

My most recent hobby is learning how to ski. Although I grew up in Central MA, I never learned. But I got tired of watching my kids skiing while I was cold at the bottom of the trails. As someone who is used to being the teacher, it was a little humbling to start taking lessons from a teenager, but she has helped me become steady enough to enjoy this winter sport while my kids whiz by me.

Anything else you would like to share?

I truly enjoyed my time as a student in the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing and feel privileged to have the opportunity to return as a faculty member.

Kenneth Peterson, PhD, MS, FNP-BC, Assistant Professor in the DNP Program; Mary Antonelli, PhD, RN, MPH Assistant Professor & Director of the Master’s Program; Aisling Ryan, MS, FNP-C DNP Alumni, Class of 2022 had their article “Critical Reflection Practice in Nursing Health Care Policy Education” published in the Journal of Nursing Education.

A call to action is in effect for nurses to be change agents and bridge the gaps between the delivery of health care and the social needs of individuals, families, and communities. Response to this charge requires nurses to address long-standing inequity in health care policy and practice realms. This article describes the creative teaching-learning approach of critical reflection practice as a first step in developing skills and attitude for nurses to do this work.

Read the full article here: https://journals-healio-com.umassmed.idm.oclc.org/doi/10.3928/0148483420230105-01

Faculty Spotlight

First a police officer in Ghana and then a nurse, Akwasi Duah, PhD'17, RN, knows how to guide fellow career changers into the nursing field through UMass Chan’s Graduate Entry Pathway Program: https://bit.ly/3WzpFRf

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Susan Feeney, Director of Adult Gerontology and Family Nurse Practitioner Programs on her recent well deserved promotion from Assistant to Associate Professor. Susan has been on faculty for more than 8 years and has done a superb job in her various roles within our DNP program.

Dani Hebert, DNP, MBA, MSN, ANP-BC Coordinator of Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Track had her article “Implementation of Educational Escape Rooms in a Nurse Practitioner Doctorial Curriculum” published in the Journal of Professional Nursing. Read the whole article here: https://bit.ly/3HpJ4NZ

Faculty Spotlight

Under the leadership of Jill Terrien, the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing received a $4million grant to advance the teaching and precepting skills of nurses across New England. During the four year grant period, the New England Nursing Clinical Faculty and Preceptor Academy will support 20 nurse preceptors in each state with a small stipend to attend Teaching of Tomorrow, a clinical faculty training program developed by the Dept. of Family Medicine and Community Health and participate in periodic webinars. The grant is also budgeted each year to support preceptors for the GSN. This is an opportunity to recruit new preceptors and/or support current preceptors with skills development. For more information, contact Jill.

The project is also looking for faculty to present on teaching and precepting skills in the webinars. The grant focuses on nurse educators at all levels for nurses from the LPN/ADN level to DNP and NP residents. Nurses have expressed interest in learning more about many things. This is a sample: techniques to improve patient teaching, how to build a structured interprofessional bedside shift report, self-care for learners, supporting atypical/non-traditional leaners on their development, addressing diversity, positions of power and language, understanding learning styles and how to respond, and so on. If you are interested in developing a webinar (there is ad-comp funding available), please contact NENurseAcademy@umassmed.edu Here is the link to the first edition: February Edition 1.1 (constantcontact.com) If you want to be added to the newsletter circulation list, please contact NENurseAcademy@umassmed.edu

Dr. Joan Vitello, Dean of the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing gave a presentation titled “PhD Attrition: Ideas, Strategies, Solutions” at the AACN Doctoral Education Conference in Coronado, CA.

The conference explores national trends in doctoral nursing education, strategies to increase enrollment, and ways to increase or maintain rigor in terminal degree programs

Patricia White, PhD, ANP-BC, FAANP Associate Professor spoke at the 2nd International Palliative Care Masterclass in January 2023. The conference was held virtually and hosted by the University of Transylvania and Hospices of Hope in Romania. Over 40 participants attended from Romania and surrounding countries in Central and Eastern Europe. Her topic was “Ethical Analysis and Decision Making in caring for patients and families”.

Chrystina Soloperto, PhD, RN, CPNP-PC Assistant Professor wrote a story for Worcester Medicine titled “A pandemic’s role on vaccine hesitancy in the pediatric population”. Read the full article on pages 22-23 Worcester Medicine October 2022 by wdms - Issuu

Student Spotlight

Teaching colleagues told Wendy Arena, MSN, about our nursing PhD program. Now she's doing research work to help military families. Read her story here: https://bit.ly/3j9II6g

Congratulations

War refugee, women's health advocate chronicles life as a UMass Chan nursing student on YouTube

Graduate Entry Pathway (GEP) student Jeneba Aruna chronicles her journey through the UMass Chan Medical School Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing on YouTube to inspire women of color to enter STEM professions. Read the story behind her passion for women's health: https://direc.to/iFXr

Melissa Anne DuBois, RNC-OB/EFM, BSN, CE, LC PhD student talks about postpartum obsessivecompulsive disorder, one of a spectrum of mental health conditions that can occur after childbirth and the importance of having support for new parents. Read the full article in the Boston Globe: https:// bit.ly/3knyWy3

Samantha LaPlante Turner, RN PhD Candidate passed her certified pediatric nurse (CPN) exam recently.

Student Spotlight

PhD Program

Meet Native American students Autaquay Peters-Mosquera & Chyla Bigham-Hendricks

Both were awarded a Tan Chingfen GSN Pre-Doctoral Minority Fellowship

Autaquay Peters-Mosquera

She earned a Bachelors of Science in Nursing and holds a Master's degree in Business Administration in Healthcare. She is an enrolled member of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe of Massachusetts and the daughter of the late Supreme Medicine Man of the Wampanoag Nation, John "Slow Turtle" Peters. Her culture and traditions are a large part of her life due to the closeness with her family and tribal community.

She was referred to the Tan Chingfen School of Nursing by a family friend and was introduced to Dr. Teri Aronowitz. I was thrilled to learn about what UMass had to offer and applied immediately.

She is looking forward to obtaining key research skills through her PhD training and using her nursing experience to help her tribal community and other tribes across the US. Her research focus is mssing and murdered Indigenous women and violence prevention.

Chyla Bigham-Hendricks

She is from Mashpee, a small town on Cape Cod. A Mashpee Wampanoag, “People of the First Light”, because living on the east coast, they are the first ones to see the sun rise. Native American women’s sole purpose in her hometown has become known to stay home and local to tend and care for their family. She refused to limit myself to this belief and instead took this as a challenge. She decided to work towards the most appropriate degree available and use that education, skills, and research to fulfill and meet the health needs of the Native population.

She received a BSN from UMass Boston where she was given on-site clinical opportunities of a lifetime, she knew if she were ever to pursue a post-baccalaureate program she would want to stay within the UMass system. The faculty and staff within UMass Chan Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing have offered strong support since day one. It was quickly clear that the academic, elective, and research opportunities the program offered would benefit her beyond fulfillment.

She is looking forward to becoming a PhD prepared Native American woman! Statistics continue to display the lack of education and awareness of substance misuse and treatment in the Native American population. She believes that reaching this level of continued nursing education at Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing and becoming a PhD prepared nurse scientist would supply her with the knowledge to access, develop, and provide evidence-based practices and care to the marginalized Native American community. Her research focus is substance misuse and corresponding policies related to treatment focusing on the Native American population.

DNP year 1 students Basirat Quadry, Anita Tran, Ama Agyei and Erika Marrero-Olmeda volunteered at the Heart Health Education Event thru the Office of Well-Being (OWB). People stopped by to get their blood pressure checked, participate in CPR training and learn more about how OWB is building a heart-healthy lifestyle.

Student Spotlight

PhD Program

Congratulations Heather Briere on a successful Dissertation Defense

DNP year one students Basirat Quadry, Anita Tran, Ama Agyei and Erika Marrero-Olmeda volunteered at the Heart Health Education Event thru the Office of Well-Being (OWB). People stopped by to get their blood pressure checked, participate in CPR training and learn more about how OWB can be supportive in building a heart-healthy lifestyle.

Student Spotlight

UMass Chan Nurses for Sexual and Reproductive Health (UMass Chan NSRH) is a student organization co-founded by Rachel Stroh, RN, DNP1 and Liz Vequist, APRN, DNP3 in response to the Roe v. Wade decision by the Supreme Court. UMass Chan NSRH is focused on nursing curriculum changes, educational workshops and advocating for healthcare policies that support sexual and reproductive health. There are currently approximately 25 members participating, with monthly speakers and skills workshops addressing areas of sexual and reproductive health requested by our members.

We'd love new members to join us! Do you care about sexual and reproductive health? Do you want to be part of changing the academic curriculum to include more sexual and reproductive health? Would you like to plan and participate in sexual and reproductive health workshops? We'd love your ideas, participation and input. Become a member by filling out this google form: https://forms.gle/ fdiHwhpRgZc6TF3PA

February 14, 2023 PhD student Ian Lane, RN was a speaker for the Nurses Special Interest Group Speaker Series for UMass Center for Clinical and Translational Science. The title of his talk was "Recommendations for Measuring Gender Identity in Clinical Nursing Research."

Mr. Lane’s research interests focus on pain experiences and pain disparities in sexual and gender minority emerging adults (SGM-EA). As a predoctoral investigator, he will use mixed methods to understand the experiences and self-management strategies of SGM-EA with migraine. SGM-EA are at 58% greater odds of migraine compared to cis-gender, heterosexual individuals. Connecting his previous work as a statistical analyst in Psychiatry with his current dissertation work, Mr Lane worked as a project coordinator and data analyst on a UMass-led longitudinal survey from 2017-2022 designed to assess the social engagement of 279 emerging adults (ages 16-25) struggling with mental health conditions, called the Sequences of Employment and Education (SEED) Study. This project included questions related to participants' gender identity. In addition, it asked these questions about gender at every follow-up timepoint for a total of 20 months. These results will be presented in this discussion, to guide best practices for nurse researchers considering how to formulate their gender identity demographics survey questions.

Photo of Carina Ashkar, RN, DNP 1, practicing manual vacuum aspiration technique on a papaya as part of the Papaya Workshop, hosted by Medical Students for Choice December 13, 2022

The Nurses Special Interest Group, part of the UMCCTS, is hosting this webinar series and encourages nurse scientists, clinicians and individuals from all UMCCTS campuses and disciplines to attend.

Dr. Susan Feeney, Director of Adult Gerontology and Family Nurse Practitioner Programs accompanied Maria Danna, Casey Gallagher, Emily Everett, Sophia Mirageas, Matthew Tsianco, Liz Vequist, Katy Walker all DNP Year 3 students to Washington DC in January for the AANP Health Policy Conference. The students spend 3 days in Health Policy sessions and had the opportunity to lobby on Capital Hill where they had the opportunity to with senators and representatives.

Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing was the only school that brought students to the conference. Generously sponsored by Dean Joan Vitello and Dr. Ken Peterson this was a unique opportunity to expand their health policy knowledge and network with their peers.

“Participating in the AANP conference with the opportunity of attending meetings with legislative staffers of our home states was an incredible experience. It was a great introduction into our roles that will expand as policy experts in our fields. “ Sophie

Mirageas

“The leaders at the conference emphasized the importance of removal of legislation that maintains barriers to nurse practitioners providing care to the full extent of their education and training. NPs being politically active both locally and nationally is essential to expand patient access to healthcare and increase patient choice in selecting a healthcare provider.” Casey

Gallagher

“The trip was so empowering. It was inspirational to be in the room with so many incredible nurse leaders and truly made me feel like I could make a difference. The experience also gave me hope for the future, knowing that there are people that are willing to sit at the table and make changes for the better so that we can provide safe, quality care to our patients while also taking care of each other as professionals. We as nurses are in the perfect position to sit at that table because we know how to communicate respectfully and effectively.” Kathryn

Walker

“We met with Representative McGovern, Senator Markey, and Senator Warren's health policy advisors to discuss practice issues that would improve access to timely and effective care. I have always had an interest in becoming involved in health policy, but this conference truly motivated me to do more. It was staggering to be surrounded by so many nurse practitioners (NPs) who were politically active or held elected positions in government. Having the ability to see how nurses use their skills educating, advocating, and networking to change policies to improve healthcare made me proud to be a part of the nursing profession.” Emily

Everett

Alumni Spotlight

Nicole Navis is a 2008 graduate of the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing.

She shared her story during American Heart Month.

Kaitlyn Fishman, Brittany Rosenthal, Mimi Oupravanh and Emily L. Davenport Alonso alumni from the DNP Class of 2022 had their doctoral quality project published in a major cancer nursing journal - Oncology Nursing Society (ONS). Titled “A Nursing Educational Intervention to Improve Antiestrogen Adherence and Self-Management of Side Effects”. Read the full paper here: https://bit.ly/3YJAkug

Education Updates

ChatGPT and Its Impact on Education: On January 23rd, Ricardo Poza hosted a session exploring AI-generative tools, including a variety of ChatGPT examples, as well as potential uses by faculty, staff, and students. The session also featured an informal group discussion about how ChatGPT may have an effect on different departments across campus (ex: Admissions: application essays; Library: authorship, accuracy, citations).

APA Academic Writer Orientation: During the last week of January, Andrea Delaney offered a series of one-hour sessions designed to introduce faculty and staff to APA Academic Writer features, functionality, and potential uses in instruction.

If you missed either session, you can find the recordings for both presentations on theGSN Professional Development Resources Sharepoint Site

Launch of N6000 - Student Support Course in Blackboard: This course has been designed to host resources that all Tan Chingfen GSN students can benefit from, including guides from the Center for Academic Achievement, links to Student Resources, and now direct APA Academic Writer access. It was made available to all students, faculty, and staff on January 27th Max, Ricardo, and Andrea hope to collaborate with all of you to create new and exciting content for N6000 for all students, including for specific groups and programs, in the near future.

Ricardo Poza, Assistant Dean of Curriculum Innovation

Andrea Delaney, Senior Instructional Technologist

Announcements

2023 AANP Grants and Scholarships Program Funding Cycle Announced NPs apply for funding from AANP! Applications are open for the 2023 AANP Grants and Scholarships program with $147,000 in total awards. Learn more about the program and apply today: http://bit.ly/3kY0xWi

Pulse–voices from the heart of medicine is pleased to announce a writing contest open to health and mental health professionals, to patients and caregivers, and to students in the health and mental health professions.

The purpose of this contest is to heighten awareness and deepen understanding of differences among us as we learn from one another, work together on a team or receive care from one another. Our goal is to foster more sensitive and compassionate communication, teaching, teamwork and care.

Entries are due by March 31, 2023. The first place winner will be awarded $1,000. Runner-up awards totaling $2,000 will be distributed to other noteworthy submissions. More info here: 2023 Writing Contest – Call for Entries – Pulse (pulsevoices.org)

Refocus your nursing career with a master's in nursing and interprofessional leadership.

Five students make up the inaugural cohort of the Master of Science in nursing and interprofessional leadership in the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing. This new program offers professional nurses the chance to advance their leadership skills within the health care system: https://bit.ly/3kyy1e3

Apply to UMass Chan's program today and the application fee will be waived.

Visit our website for more information: https://www.umassmed.edu/gsn/academics/masters-program/

The below communication is part of our ongoing strategy to educate our community on cultures and the multifaith sharing of holidays and events that hold meaning with members of our community.

January 1

Civilizations around the world have been celebrating the start of each new year for at least four millennia. Today, most New Year’s festivities begin on December 31 (New Year’s Eve), the last day of the Gregorian calendar, and continue into the early hours of January 1 (New Year’s Day). Common traditions include attending parties, eating special New Year’s foods, making resolutions for the new year and watching fireworks displays. In the United States, the most iconic New Year’s tradition is the dropping of a giant ball in New York City’s Times Square at the stroke of midnight.

January 6

In Mexico and many other Latin American countries, Santa Claus isn’t as popular as he is in the United States. Rather, it is the Three Wise Men who are the bearers of gifts and leave presents in or near the shoes of small children. The holiday is also known by the name Epiphany and dates back to the 4th century. A grand feast would be held on this day to honor the occasion of Jesus’ baptism and to pay homage to the Three Wise Men. Many believe mysterious events preceded Jesus’ birth with perhaps the most notable being the appearance of the star in Bethlehem.

January 6

Christmas In Armenia:

When 'Light from The Church' Brightens the Darkest Days

As the world’s oldest Christian nation, the spirit of Christmas runs deep in Armenian culture, even if the festive season took a bit of a battering under decades of secular Soviet orthodoxy. Like much of the former U.S.S.R., New Year was the main winter celebration for most of the 20th century, despite the fact that January 6 the date on which the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Christmas had previously been the focal point of festivities.

January 16

Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929. He was a Baptist minister and leader of the civil rights movement, championing justice and equality from the mid -1950s until his death by assassination in 1968. As he said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Dr. King was also a strong advocate of change through nonviolent civil actions based on his Christian values. He was a great speaker, and his powerful words still resonate with us today.

January 22

Lunar New Year is one of the most important celebrations of the year among East and Southeast Asian cultures, including Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean communities, among others. China’s Lunar New Year is known as the Spring Festival or Chūnjié in Mandarin, while Koreans call it Seollal and Vietnamese refer to it as Tết. Tied to the lunar calendar, the holiday began as a time for feasting and to honor household and heavenly deities, as well as ancestors.

The below communication is part of our ongoing strategy to educate our community on cultures and the multifaith sharing of holidays and events that hold meaning with members of our community.

Month of February

Black history is American history and it’s a varied and rich history. A wise nation honors and learns from its past. It refuses to let the most important facts about our shared and collective memory disappear into the depths of forgotten history. What happened in the past shapes and informs where we are heading in the future, and it’s of paramount importance to set aside a month for learning as much as we can about Black history.

Evening of February 5 to evening of February 6

According to the Jewish Law (Halachah), the 'New Year for trees' defines the beginning of the year for separating tithes for the poor and Levite. Tithes are 10% portions of a product, which are allocated as charity to either the Levites or the poor. Torah Law requires, that when the Holy Temple was standing, these tithes would be removed from the produce, before it was 'fit for consumption'.

February 14

Across the United States and in other places around the world, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and where did these traditions come from? Find out about the meaning and history of Valentine’s Day, from the ancient Roman ritual of Lupercalia that welcomed spring to the card-giving customs of Victorian England. Saint Valentine, who according to some sources is actually two distinct historical characters who were said to have healed a child while imprisoned and executed by decapitation

February 18

Lailat al Miraj is a Muslim holiday that commemorates the Prophet Muhammad's nighttime journey from Mecca to the 'Farthest Mosque' in Jerusalem where he ascended to heaven, was purified, and given the instruction for Muslims to pray five times daily. On the Islamic calendar, Lailat al Miraj (also known as Isra and Mi'raj, Al Isra'wal Miraj or Laylat al Miraj) is generally observed on the 27th day of the month of Rajab.

February 20

Although the holiday is most often referred to as “Presidents’ Day,” the observed federal holiday is officially called “Washington’s Birthday.” Neither Congress nor the President has ever stipulated that the name of the holiday observed as Washington’s Birthday be changed to Presidents’ Day. Additionally, Congress has never declared a national holiday that is binding in all states; each state has the freedom to determine its own legal holidays. This is why there are some calendar discrepancies when it comes to this holiday’s date.

This year, February 22

If you are giving up something for Lent, then you need to know about Ash Wednesday - the day that marks the official beginning of this repentant period in the Christian calendar. Ash Wednesday is observed by many sectors of Western Christianity - including Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, and Methodists - and the traditions associated with the day span back centuries.

Recipe of the Month

Savory Slow Cooker Beef Tips

Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef stew meat

• 2 (10.75 ounce) cans cream of mushroom soup

• 1 (1 ounce) envelope dry onion soup mix

• 1 onion, minced

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 (8 ounce) package sliced cremini mushrooms

• 1 cup ginger ale

Directions

1. Place beef in a slow cooker. Stir cream of mushroom soup, dry onion soup mix, onion, garlic, cremini mushrooms, and ginger ale in a bowl until thoroughly combined and pour the mixture over the beef.

2. Cover, set slow cooker to High, and cook for 1 hour; turn cooker down to Low and cook for 5 more hours.

Basic Biscuits

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tablespoon baking powder

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ cup shortening

• ¾ cup cold milk

Directions

• Gather all ingredients and preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).

• In a large mixing bowl sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Cut in shortening with fork or pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

• Pour milk into flour mixture while stirring with a fork. Mix in milk until dough is soft, moist and pulls away from the side of the bowl.

• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead dough briefly, 5 to 7 times.

• Roll dough out into a 1/2 inch thick sheet and cut out biscuits with a floured cookie cutter. Press together unused dough and repeat rolling and cutting procedure.

• Place biscuits on ungreased baking sheets and bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 10 minutes.