Read the 2015 Issue

13 Pages·2015·2.43 MB·English

Inaugural White
Coat Ceremony
curapersonalis
Saint LouiS univerSity School of NurSiNg Winter 2015
What’s in a namE? Cura Personalis
is a Latin phrase that translates as “care
for the entire person.” The expression is a
hallmark of Ignatian spirituality and describes
the Jesuit ideal of encouraging the fullest curapersonalis
From the Dean
possible development of all people.
The phrase speaks to the School of Nursing’s Welcome to the third edition of Cura Personalis, Saint Louis University School of Nursing Maga-
mission of promoting human dignity and care zine. This has been an especially exciting year as Dr. Fred Pestello joined Saint Louis University as
for the mind, body and spirit of all students. our 33rd president in July. Dr. Pestello spent his entire 30-year career in Catholic higher education
The phrase also promotes the belief that and is the first permanent lay president in the University’s nearly 200-year history. We welcome his
educating future nurses not only requires vision and energy, which is contagious. Saint LouiS univerSity SchooL of nurSing Winter 2015
helping them develop their skills but developing
For this issue of Cura Personalis, we are reinforc-
their life purpose and vocation as well.
ing a theme in Dr. Pestello’s inaugural address ON THe COveR
that inspires us all to excellence. “The most School of Nursing’s first
important part of the education we offer is not in White Coat Ceremony
the facts that are mastered but in the character
Cura Personalis is published annually that is formed,” he told us. In this edition of our
by the Saint Louis University School of Nursing magazine, you will see examples of the formation
and is mailed to alumni and friends. of strong character within our nursing students.
We are highlighting our first White Coat Ceremo-
Editoral Board ny, which Dr. Pestello joined our nursing faculty
Teri Murray, (’79, ’93, ’97) Ph.D, A.P.H.N.-B.C., R.N., F.A.A.N. in leading. The White Coat Ceremony is a rite of
Dean, School of Nursing passage that symbolizes the student’s recognition
Joanne C. Langan, Ph.D., R.N., C.N.E. that compassionate care is the gold standard for
Associate Dean, Associate Professor, School of Nursing his or her clinical practice. The ceremony reminds
Lisa A. Roach us that nursing is the only profession that is
Business Manager, School of Nursing synonymous with caring — the origins of nursing
Jessica A. Passow lay in the most fundamental of human impulses:
Executive Assistant, School of Nursing to care for those who are sick, frail, helpless or
“
Scott K. Ragsdale in distress. We were quite proud to have as our The most important part of the 4 White Caps to White Coats
Recruitment Specialist, School of Nursing keynote speaker Marcus engel, who shared his
Margaret Dermody personal story of how one nurse’s compassionate education we offer is not in the facts Students are welcomed into
Alumni Relations Officer, School of Nursing care brought comfort to him in his darkest hour. that are mastered but in the character the profession during the
Molly Roell (E&PS ’01) I’m also inspired by stories of our students as that is formed.” School of Nursing’s first
Development Officer, School of Nursing they embrace the Jesuit ideal of service to others. PESTELLO
White Coat Ceremony
Laura Geiser (A&S ’90, Grad ’92) Whether they travel more than 1,500 miles to
Assistant Vice President, Marketing and Creative Services spend a week caring for patients in Honduras or serve in our military, they demonstrate strong
Nikole Frietsch character and a commitment to others. The gratitude that we owe our servicemen and service- 8 Healing in Honduras 14
Graphic Designer, Publications and Graphic Design women is immeasurable, and I’m particularly proud of our nursing students who are members of
A mission trips reinforces
Matthew Krob the military.
Director, Publications and Graphic Design Our preceptors play a significant role in our students’ character formation. I cannot emphasize students’ faith and convictions
Nancy Solomon strongly enough their importance in providing one-on-on mentorship and guidance to our nursing
Director, Medical Center Communications students during their clinical rotations. I am grateful to those preceptors — many of whom are SLU
Carrie Bebermeyer (Grad ’06) nursing alums — who give of their time and talent to show the next generation of nurses how to 10 Honored to Serve
Senior Media Relations Specialist, care for patients with compassion and technical proficiency. If you would like to become part of Students combine service to
Medical Center Communications
our family of preceptors, please contact School of Nursing faculty member emily Gunn at 314-977- their patients with service to
Marie Dilg (SW ’94) 6653 or by email at [email protected]. Nursing Notes: School news briefs 2
Coordinator and Writer their country
In this issue, you’ll also find stories about how our 2014 Alumni Merit Recipient touches many
Mike Plotnick
lives worldwide via her award-winning textbook and about the research contributions of our Shelf Life: Publications by faculty 18
Writer
faculty as they enhance scholarship in our profession. 13 Alumni Merit Award Recipient
In addition to acknowledging the contributions of our faculty and alumni in student character
Alumni News: Connecting with classmates 20
Patricia Potter is honored
formation, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the generosity of our donors. Because of your
contributions, the University’s “Go Further” Scholarship program matched $275,085 in scholarship for her impressive career in

Photo CrEdits dollars for the School of Nursing. I am grateful to all who join with us as the School of Nursing nursing and publishing
Steve Dolan Front and back cover, 4-7, 10-12, 14-15, 17 continues to serve a higher purpose while seeking the greater good.
Kevin Lowder 16
© 2015, Saint Louis University. All rights reserved. Fondly, 14 The Power of Preceptors
The School of Nursing leads
the way in supporting the
Teri A. Murray, (’79, ’93, ’97) Ph.D., A.P.H.N.-B.C., R.N., F.A.A.N. professionals training the next
Dean, Saint Louis University School of Nursing generation of nurses
For more information about
the magazine or to submit story
suggestions, please contact
314-977-8909 or [email protected]
3525 Caroline Mall, Room 226
St. Louis, MO 63104-1099
AppreciAtion Visits Appointments
T
A
N
N and Awards
E
R
Langan Appointed
Nursing Journal Editor to
Associate Dean

Give Potter Lecture
After a national search,
LA Joanne Langan, Ph.D., R.N,
N
Christine Tanner, R.N., Ph.D., about patient populations. GA CNe, has been named associ-
N
F.A.A.N., will be the featured Tanner is best known for ate dean for undergraduate and
speaker for the 2015 William her 21 years as senior editor pre-licensure education in the
and Grace Potter Lecture. for the Journal of Nursing Edu- School of Nursing, a position
The title of Tanner’s cation and for her leadership she had held on an interim
address is, “Knowing the with the Oregon Consortium basis.
Patient,” which refers to both for Nursing education, a The Billiken made the rounds to area hospitals last spring to show educated at the University
knowing a patient’s typical statewide coalition of nursing appreciation for the School of Nursing’s clinical partners. The of Southern Mississippi and George
•
pattern of responses and faculty that has developed Billiken and nursing faculty stopped by Saint Louis University Hos- Mason University, Langan has a strong From Left Patrick, Beth, Zachary and Kathy Carron
knowing the patient as a curriculum to address the pital (the team pictured above), Mercy Hospital, Des Peres Hospital background in nursing administra- Family Matters
person. Tanner’s research nursing shortage in Oregon. and SSM corporate headquarters with certificates of appreciation tion and education, along with a deep
indicates knowing the for the health care institutions that provide nursing students with understanding of the Jesuit mission. Four generations of Carrons may have chosen
patient is central to skilled The lecture will be held March robust learning experiences. “Our clinical partners go above and As associate dean, Langan oversees the
clinical judgment and sets 20. For more information beyond in serving our students and the profession,” said emily faculty and curricula of the four-year different health care paths, but they all chose SLU
up the possibility for patient contact Lee Smith at Gunn, M.S.N., R.N., clinical placement coordinator. “We wanted to traditional baccalaureate, acceler-
advocacy and for learning [email protected]. let them know how much we value them.” ated baccalaureate, R.N.-B.S.N., and When B.S.N. student Zachary Carron, e.M.T., walks across the stage during commencement
accelerated master’s programs. Langan
ceremonies this May, he will become a fourth-generation SLU graduate and a second-generation
has conducted research in the area of
nursing graduate.
sLU schooL of nUrsing by the nUmbers disaster nursing, published extensively,
More Dancing, Less Pain Carron’s paternal great grandfather, Oscar Carron, graduated from SLU School of Medicine in
presented nationally and internation-
1929; his paternal grandfather, Dr. Chauncey Carron, graduated from SLU’s School of Dentistry in
ally, and is the recipient of numerous
Dancing eases hip or knee which keeps them functional 643 1,120 total students awards and honors. 1958; and his parents, Patrick and Kathy (Zinner) Carron met in nursing school and graduated in
1986 and 1988 respectively.
pain and helps older adults and independent. In our study, out-of-state students
“It was obvious my parents enjoyed their careers, but they never pressured us to follow in
move better, according to a those who danced didn’t walk Nursing Faculty
their footsteps,” said Carron, whose sister, Beth, is a sophomore in the School of Nursing. “I
School of Nursing study. dramatically faster, but they
Captures Top State
“After dancing over sev- had a meaningful change in 26.6 average ACT score thought I’d be a paramedic, but while I was working as an intern at Perry County Memorial Hos-
Nurse Practitioner Award pital, I met some amazing nurses. I saw the different directions a career in nursing could take
eral months, the older adults their walking speed.”
reported less pain and were In addition, study partici- Margaret Benz, (‘72, ‘82, me. I guess my parents had it right all along.”
able to walk faster,” said Jean pants who danced reported 22 33 493 BEN ‘96) M.S.N.(R), R.N., A.P.R.N., Carron said Saint Louis University not only is his school, it’s his home.
Krampe, Ph.D., R.N., C.P.H.Q., that they reduced their international students states with online students Z A.N.P.-B.C., assistant profes- “Our entire family holds SLU in high regard,” said Carron, an active service volunteer and
online students, plus
C.L.M., assistant professor of consumption of pain medicine Washington, D.C. sor of nursing, received finalist for the 2014 March of Dimes Nurse of the Year-Student Nurse. “The Jesuit values have an
nursing and author of an ar- by 39 percent, and those who the AANP State of Missouri impact on every aspect of one’s life, and I can’t think of a better educational environment for
ticle published in the journal, didn’t dance said they took 21 53 faculty excellence Award, the high- someone who’s learning how to care for people.”
Geriatric Nursing. percent more pain medicine. est state award from the Carron has carried on another tradition started by his family. His father, now CeO of Perry
The findings are significant Krampe and her colleagues American Association of County Memorial Hospital, was a founding member of the School of Nursing Student Nurse As-
because older adults who from SLU’s School of Nursing Nurse Practitioners for her teaching and sociation (SNA) in the 1980s. Patrick Carron served as treasurer and recruited his future wife to
walk too slowly are more likely and SLU’s department of physi- clinical expertise. replace him when he graduated. Zachary Carron is current president of the SNA, and his sister is
to fall, become hospitalized cal therapy conducted the 12- In addition to teaching the next gen- treasurer.
or require care from others, week study with 34 residents eration of nurse practitioner students, “We couldn’t have had a better college experience,” said Kathy Carron. ”Watching our chil-
Krampe said. of a senior citizen apartment Benz is a champion for nursing, health dren go to SLU and have the time of their lives while getting the best education possible is very
“Doctors and nurses complex, who were mostly care and those who are disenfran- gratifying.”
recognize gait speed as the women with an average age chised. She sees elderly and disabled Zachary Carron’s grandfather, Chauncey Carron, practiced dentistry in Perryville, Missouri,
sixth vital sign that can help of 80. patients in the Saint Louis Housing for 38 years after graduating from SLU.
us predict adverse outcomes The specific dance therapy• Authority’s Parkview Clinic two and “When I started at SLU back in the ’50s, the professors told me that I’d be getting a liberal arts
for older adults,” Krampe said. used for the study is known as Farewell a half days a week, serving as their education,” he said. “At the time, I didn’t understand how that was going to make me a better
“Walking just a little more Healthy-Steps, a low-impact primary care provider. dentist. Now I see that the philosophy and sociology are what sustained me throughout my
At a reception last summer, the School of Nursing said goodbye to several long-time
rapidly can make enough of a aerobic activity that can be faculty members who took advantage of the University’s Voluntary Enhanced Retirement Active at St. Patrick Center which career. I appreciate that my family continues to get that same quality education that I know will
difference for a person to get done sitting or standing. Program. • serves those who are homeless, Benz sustain them.”
across the street more quickly ML-Ral,l ofryo,n At sroswociatAes Psroocfeiastseo Pr rMofeasryso Lr eDeo Broatrhroyn C, oAosksoec, iAatses iPstraonfet sPsroorf eMssaoryr DAinann eL avin, also is the nursing representative to Zachary Carron is working as a student nurse in the neurological ICU at Saint Louis University
or get to the bathroom faster, Associate Prof•essor Dorcas McLaughlin, Assistant Professor Linda Haycraft. the Missouri Health Net Oversight Hospital. He plans to pursue a career in critical care nursing.
L-R, back row Associate Professor Andrew Mills, Associate Professor Judy Carlson.
• Committee and actively promotes the
Not pictured Associate Professor Deborah Sanazaro.
advancement of the role of nurse practi-
3
tioners in the state of Missouri.
SaInt LouIS unIverSIty SChooL of nurSIng
From
WhIte

CapS
to
WhIte
CoatS
The School of Nursing Holds its
Inaugural White Coat Ceremony
The simple white cotton lab coats draped over the arms
of the nursing students appeared insignificant but once
those coats were slipped onto their shoulders, they
became a source of pride and professionalism.
In November, the School of Nursing held its first-ever
White Coat Ceremony for 125 sophomore students, sig-
naling their transition from the classroom to clinical stud-
ies. Hundreds of family members and friends filled Saint
Francis Xavier College Church to watch the students
make their way to the altar for the cloaking.
The White Coat Ceremony, a ritual formerly reserved
for medical students, was held for the first time last
fall in nursing schools across the nation to emphasize
that all health professionals play an essential role in
providing compassionate care. The inaugural events
were supported by a collaborative partnership between
The Arnold P. Gold Foundation and the American
Association of Colleges of Nursing. The two organiza-
It was a privilege to be part of the first tions awarded grants to 100 of the nation’s 750 nursing
White Coat Ceremony. I was touched schools to defray the cost of the ceremonies.
to see how happy and excited our “Many of the traditional nursing rites of passage,
students were to be taking the first such as capping and pinning ceremonies, unfortunately
step on their nursing journey.” have become obsolete,” said Associate Dean Joanne C.
Langan, Ph.D., R.N., C.N.e., whose successful grant appli-
– G eralyn A. Meyer, Ph.D., R.N., cation helped the SON secure the honor. She also was
C.N.E., C.N.L., associate one of the faculty members at the altar cloaking students.
professor and coordinator of the “The White Coat Ceremony restores some of that tradi-
Traditional B.S.N. Option, cloaking tion,” she noted. “It says, ‘I have arrived.’ It also welcomes
sophomore Nick Mayer students into their profession at a pivotal time in training.
It was an honor to share this experience with them.”
The ceremony will become an annual tradition for
the SON’s sophomore students.
5
SaInt LouIS unIverSIty SChooL of nurSIng
oF Compassion
Cloaks
The keynote speaker at the White Coat Ceremony
knows a little something about compassionate care.
Marcus engel was a college freshman when he and
his friends were driving home from a hockey game
22 years ago. Their car was broadsided by a drunk
driver in south St. Louis city and engel was thrown
from the car. The impact crushed every bone in his
face and left him completely blind.
He was barely conscious and in “complete and
Certainly we prepare you to know the Nurses care for individuals, families utter darkness” when he arrived at Barnes-Jewish
technical details of your profession and communities when they are Hospital. Though he couldn’t see, every time he
but much more so in our Catholic most vulnerable. Because of this, stirred he could feel someone gently squeezing his
and Jesuit traditions, we prepare you “It’s a reminder of why compassionate and humanistic right hand.
to provide care not only with a keen we chose this profession care is not only needed but “A voice repeated, ‘Marcus, my name is Jennifer.
mind but with a compassionate heart and how we can make a essential. Today’s ceremony is You were in a car accident. You are in the hospital,’”
and spirited hands. It’s a privilege to difference in someone’s life.” symbolic and celebratory of your engel recalled to the audience. “And then she said
You’ll never have two days that
participate in this ceremony and to – Erik Solorio commitment to render that care the two most compassionate words a human being
are alike. You’ll never stop learning
watch you go through your studies at from this day forward.” can say to another: ‘I’m here.’ I didn’t even know
and discovering. Nursing is truly a
Saint Louis University.” – T eri A. Murray, Ph.D., Dean of where ‘here’ was but I knew that in my pain, terror
selfless profession.”
— F red P. Pestello, Ph.D., President the School of Nursing and darkness, I was not alone.”
of Saint Louis University – P hillip Sowa, CEO, Saint Louis It took two years of rehabilitation and more than
University Hospital 300 hours of reconstructive facial surgery before
engel was able to return to college and to realize
his mission: change the culture of health care with
those two words – I’m here.
“Simple human presence is the cornerstone of
compassionate care,” said engel, founder of the
non-profit I’m Here Movement. “It’s also the corner-
stone of our movement, which promotes the idea
that health care professionals can comfort patients
simply by being present.”
engel is an author and motivational speaker who
earned his master’s degree in narrative medicine
from Columbia University.
“No matter how much education you get, always
“The ceremony demonstrates remember the power of those two words and, most
that nurses play a critical importantly, remember that interaction between
MADRID WHITE COAT
role on the health care team. patient and caregiver is the essential foundation of
We’re just as important healing.”
as doctors, occupational
“The ceremony signified that we will be entrusted with the responsibility of
Footnote: Engel did not meet the woman who held his hand until
therapists, physical therapists.
providing comfort and care for our future patients. Even though our families two years ago. Jennifer Aycock was a 20-year old emergency
No one is more valuable than
couldn’t attend our ceremony in Madrid, the other eight nursing students room technician when Engel was brought in by paramedics. Now,
the other.” have became my family while abroad and that made our White Coat she is the clinical nurse manager of the surgical ICU at Barnes-
– Aly Fridley Jewish Hospital where Engel received his care. She attended the
Ceremony so incredibly special.”
School of Nursing’s White Coat Ceremony at Engel’s invitation.
– Sherin Thomas, Madrid
Engel said meeting her was one of the most precious moments of
his life.
7
White Coat Ceremony Sponsors: Trudy Busch Valentine (’80), B.S.N., M.A.P.S., E.M.T. and Christina Busch Valentine (’12), R.N., B.S.N.; the School of Nursing
Executive Advisory Board; Saint Louis University Hospital; Scrubs & Beyond; RankenJordan; and Laerdal. SaInt LouIS unIverSIty SChooL of nurSIng
NURSiNG STUDENTS BRiNG HOLiSTiC CARE TO SMALL viLLAGES
The clinic was in a school yard, the triage “room” was a Associate Professor Kristine L’ecuyer, Ph.D., R.N., C.C.N.S.,
plastic table under a tree; and the line of patients was 100 C.N.L., was impressed with how tirelessly the students worked. •
Above Members of the SLU Global Brigades in Honduras.
deep in the 105-degree heat, but the nursing students never “They threw themselves into the mission,” she said. “They were
faltered. For a week, they cared for hundreds of patients who respectful of the patients and kept things moving, morning to Left•Sophomore Shae Genenbacher checking a patient’s
walked miles to see them in two Honduran villages. night. It also was great to highlight for the non-nursing students vital signs in a village clinic.
The School of Nursing students traveled to the Central what nurses can do, from performing triage, to checking blood
American country in August with SLU Global Brigades (GB) a pressure to obtaining an accurate patient history.”
student-led global health and development organization that Assistant Professor Kelli M. Fuller, D.N.P., R.N., A.N.P.-B.C.,
i remembered her. in my but i feel like we have a How has this experience triage so much that i asked
promotes sustainable projects in Panama, Ghana, Nicaragua worked alongside the students as well. She said the students
broken spanish i told her bond so thank you so much helped shape you as a if i could stay there all day.
and Honduras. SLU has had a GB chapter since 2006 and benefitted from being part of an interdisciplinary team because
it made me so happy to for everything you have nurse? i learned how to take a
typically organizes two to three mission trips a year. The six the situation reflected the real-world health care environment.
nursing students were among 26 SLU students from various Fuller, L’ecuyer and Hemmer plan to propose that students on see she finally had water. done for us.” it made me DANNER: these trips history and blood pressure
programs – chemistry, biomedical engineering, psychology, future GB missions be given the opportunity to earn academic she told me, “All because realize the simplest thing, readings, and i learned to
remind me of why i got
biology, public health and occupational therapy. They, along credit for their service. of you,” to which i said, “i such as a smile, can mean treat someone not only as
into a medical profession.
with volunteer physicians, nurses and nurse practitioners, “We strongly believe that what they learn in Honduras in a couldn’t have done it with- so much. a patient but as a person.
the missions are about
treated patients and provided health education classes. week can be as valuable as anything they can learn here in a
out you and your communi-
“It was cool watching students disconnect from the semester,” Fuller said. “They get plenty of hands-on experience BURROwS: i was touched more than simply medicine. BURROwS: being able to
ty.” What gets to me about
modern world and put the needs of others before their and a taste of globalization.” by a young man who sat they’re about identifying apply the basic skills and
this encounter is that more
own,” said Assistant Professor Christopher Hemmer, D.N.P., Three of the six nursing students offered to share their GB down and spoke english. community issues that knowledge i’ve obtained
R.N., A.N.P.-B.C., R.N., one of three School of Nursing faculty experiences with Cura Personalis: senior Neil Danner, who has than 24 gb missions visited he started listing off his affect a patient’s health. in nursing school and
members who traveled with the students. participated in two GB missions, sophomore Allison Jedlicka that community over 12
symptoms, and by the end they’re about healing the sharing that with a group
and senior Kate Burrows. months. that’s more than
of the conversation he was whole person. nursing is of individuals i couldn’t
300 people, and despite
diagnosed with hyperten- the exact embodiment of even communicate with,
only seeing those people
sion, diabetes, allergies, this philosophy. the trips well, that’s amazing. i
for four days seven months
chronic back pain, stomach reinforce all the things i’m understand what being a
What motivated you to JEDLiCkA: i’ve gone on personnel to a community see familiar faces and they ago, they remembered me. upset and asthma. When being taught in a Jesuit, health care professional
join this medical mission? a few mission that will ultimately function recognized me. A little boy JEDLiCkA: there was a we did the physical exam, mission-based nursing means. it means to give of
DANNER: in the applica- trips in the past successfully and indepen- i bonded with when i was girl named maria who was however, it revealed no true program. each trip brings to yourself so that one day
tion process, and loved them. dently once the brigade has there in January walked up 12, and she kept looking at signs or symptoms that me a new sense of humility your patients can give of
global brigades i wanted to try completed its mission there. to me and hugged me. i me and smiling. she kept supported the diagnoses. and perspective. themselves. A quote by
asks why you’re something a little bit more i wanted to be a part of that showed him a picture of us trying to get my attention he explained to me and JEDLiCkA: to be honest, mahatma gandhi sort of
choosing to do a outside my comfort zone, holistic model. from the earlier trip, and he so i kept smiling at her and the doctor that his wife, my freshman year i was a became my anthem after
service trip abroad rather something that directly Describe a patient immediately ran home and tried to communicate with grandmother and newborn little hesitant about becom- this trip: “the best way
than in your own commu- had to do with nursing and encounter that was put on the same shirt he her. When we were leav- child couldn’t make it to ing a nurse. i wanted to to find yourself is to lose
nity. i don’t see the separa- helped others in need out- particularly meaningful was wearing in the photo. ing she gave me a hug and the clinic today and he help people, but other than yourself in the service of
tion. As an individual who’s side the United states. to you. Likewise, a girl came up to said, “i know we just met needed to care for them. he that i wasn’t 100 percent others.”
been given many blessings, BURROwS: i see myself DANNER: it wasn’t so me sobbing and asked if presented as having all of sure nursing was for me.
it’s my duty to spread my working overseas much a patient but a com- their symptoms so he could this trip made me excited
talents and gifts to those when i graduate, munity that touched me. get medicine for them. he and eager to work with
who are underserved/ and what better one day, gb took us to el traveled 50 miles to help his patients. one morning we
underprivileged whether way to get my feet ojochal to teach us about family. selflessness. it’s not had hundreds of patients
they are 3,000 miles or wet than to live in hondu- the microfinance brigades. something i see every day. lined up outside, and i was
three miles away. i love gb. ras for a week. the goal i helped on a clean wa- scheduled to work triage in
everything they do is for the of gb is not to be just the ter brigade there seven the morning and pharmacy
purpose of creating sustain- “medicine man” but to give months earlier. i began to Left•Danner with his young friend. The in the afternoon. i enjoyed
able projects. supplies, education and
boy ran home and put on the same shirt
Danner had given to him the year before.
9
SaInt LouIS unIverSIty SChooL of nurSIng
In 2012, the day before is among the largest medi-
HonoReD “
U.S. Army Captain M. Scott cal needs in the military,” he Our military offers nurses many unique
Scammahorn, R.N., B.S.N. said. “Psychiatric nurses are
opportunities to serve the medical needs of our
(’12), eMT-P, planned to on the wartime critical skills
servicemen and women. Working as a mental
TO SERVE submit his admissions packet shortage list. Helping soldiers
to the School of Nursing’s is my passion, and I wanted health nurse practitioner is the best way I can
”
M.S.N.-N.P. program (acute to go where I’d be needed think of to help my fellow soldiers.
SCAMMAHORN
care), news broke about most.”
Robert Bales. pital to see that the 2-year-old degree in nursing from Rose
Bales, a U.S. Army Staff DeFining moment boy survived that Scamma- State College. When he ex-
Sergeant and decorated vet- Scammahorn has been help- horn reconsidered. plored climbing the clinical
eran of four combat tours in ing soldiers and civilians one “Seeing him in the PICU ladder even further through
Iraq and Afghanistan, walked way or another for a quarter was just the thing I needed to on-line studies, a supervisor
saint Louis University nursing
off his post in Kandahar in of a century. In 1990 at the find the will to go on with my suggested he look to Saint
students had the opportunity to
the middle of the night and age of 26, he enlisted in the career,” Scammahorn later Louis University.
see how members of the U.s. Army opened fire on villagers in U.S. Army Reserve; first as an wrote in his incident report. Scammahorn earned his
their homes. He killed 16 infantry solider, then as a drill “If this little boy had the cour- B.S.N. from SLU in 2012 and
provide health care in the field when
people, most of them women sergeant. While in the Re- age to make it through then I began the online M.S.N.-N.P.
members of the 5th medical recruiting
and children. serve, the Oklahoma native wouldn’t give up either.” program the same year.
battalion set up a surgical suite in “I was horrified,” Scamma- graduated from paramedic Between his studies and his
horn said. “I read everything school. His overnight shift tHe sLU Reserve obligations, Scam-
the edwin everest education Union.
I could about the case. By all just ended on April 19, 1995, ConneCtion mahon works full time as an
the demonstration last fall was part
accounts he was a good sol- when a terrorist detonated a Scammahorn furthered emergency department nurse
of a program to expose health care dier who suffered a traumatic bomb in front of the Alfred his training and became a at St. John Broken Arrow in
brain injury somewhere along P. Murrah federal building critical care paramedic and Oklahoma.
students to opportunities available to
the line. He was cleared to in downtown Oklahoma a flight paramedic for Mercy When he graduates in
professionals who want to serve those
go back to combat duty, but City. He triaged and treated Health Center in Oklahoma December 2015, Scamma-
who have served. obviously something wasn’t dozens of patients that day, City. He worked alongside horn hopes to serve with a
right. I had to believe that including a badly burned, nurses who inspired him to Tulsa-based Army Reserve
several students in the school of
better mental health services 2-year-old boy who had been enroll in nursing school. mental health unit that travels
nursing already have chosen this path,
might have helped him and in the building’s day care cen- “I saw the opportunities to different posts throughout
including a U.s. Army captain. prevented this tragedy. That’s ter. Scammahorn cradled the nurses had for advancement the country. Scammahorn
when I changed course.” boy all the way to the hospital and growth, and I thought it said he will work in the civil-
Instead of enrolling in the and prayed out loud that he was fantastic,” he said. “Plus, ian sector as well, as long as
acute care option, Scamma- would live. challenging myself has been the health care institution
horn chose the psychiatric/ When he left the eMS a theme throughout my life.” accepts TRICARe, the insur-
mental health track. garage that day, Scammahorn Scammahorn continued ance program that covers
“You don’t have to look was convinced he’d never to work as a paramedic and military members and their
U.S. Army Captain M. Scott Scammahorn, R.N., B.S.N. (’12)
past the current headlines to come back. It was only after stay active with the Reserve families.
know that mental health care a friend took him to the hos- while earning his associate’s “I’m a little too old to
be crawling around in the
dirt with an M-16,” he joked.
“Working as a mental health
nurse practitioner is the best
way I can think of to help my
fellow soldiers.”
•
Left U.S. Army Sergeant First Class
Thomas Fortner shows School of Nursing
students what medical equipment is
available and how surgeries are performed
in a battlefield surgical suite.
11
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S
T
alumni merit
2014
E
award Recipient
D
A
If the name “Potter” rings a bell to nursing students
C
throughout the world, it’s probably because they’ve seen
the name printed across one of their core textbooks.

For nearly three decades, Patricia Potter (’78, ’02) and
C
Anne Griffin Perry (‘76), M.S.N., R.N., Ed.D., F.A.A.N., have
Larissa Masching erson, who spent a month last summer at help us develop our lead-
co-authored Fundamentals of Nursing, a seminal text for nurs-
T Age 22 • Senior • Milwaukee Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu. ership skills and those
ing students at SLU and throughout the world.
As part of her training, Masching spent “As a nurse, you’re not always doing the skills I definitely will use
But widespread notoriety was never Potter’s ambition.
O last summer on the oncology floor at fun stuff. Sometimes you’re cleaning up as a nurse.”
After earning her M.S.N. from the School of Nursing in
Madigan Army Medical Center in Fort fecal matter or vomit, but you find a way Aleksick put her skills
1978, she joined the faculty as an assistant professor. Her
R Lewis, Washington. to do it so that the patient still feels like a to the test last summer
introduction to the world of publishing came when Potter
“In a military setting there’s a mutual respected human being. I can’t think of a when she completed a nurs-
volunteered to help Perry, a fellow faculty member, edit a
understanding because we’ve all been greater purpose than that.” ing internship at the San Antonio Military
brief book about shock for publisher C.V. Mosby.
through similar training,” she said, “and Wilkerson hopes to go on active duty Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston.
Soon after submitting the manuscript, the duo earned a
the patients were from throughout the with the Army Nursing Corps and eventu- “Being able to provide health care
much weightier assignment: the creation of a new funda-
country. So, on one hand I was broaden- ally work in pediatrics. to soldiers who’ve served in vietnam, or
mentals textbook.
ing my horizons and on the other I was Desert Storm or Iraq is incredibly reward-
The 1,600-page book’s first edition, published in 1985,
part of a close-knit community.” Lauren Murray ing and a privilege. I’m inspired by them,”
required more than two-and-a-half years to write, with each
Masching values the time manage- Freshman • Age 18 • St. Charles, Ill. she said.
author drafting 26 chapters.
ment techniques and triage skills Murray was attracted to the sense of After she graduates Aleksick hopes
“I was working fulltime at the time, so I spent
she’s learned through the family the military offered. She played to go on active duty with the U.S. Army
every weekend getting up at 5 a.m. and writ-
ROTC, but most importantly, team sports in high school and values the Nurse Corps and eventually become a
ing,” Potter said. “I hand wrote every word on
she values the emphasis on bonds that form between players. flight nurse.
legal pads, and then my assistant editor typed
leadership. “I’ve always had that sense of belong-
it all for me. You can imagine how the advent of
“In nursing school, leader- ing in my life, and I wanted to continue Kayla Howard
the computer has made a difference in my life.”
ship courses don’t come until your that in my career,” she said. “Plus, I really Sophomore • Age 19 • Cincinnati
The book has evolved into an ongoing project
fourth year, but I’ve been taking lead- respect anyone who has dedicated his or Howard joined the Air Force ROTC dur- patricia a. potter
that encompasses the writing of four books (two
ership classes all along,” she said. “While her life to serving our country. They have ing her sophomore year.
core texts and two skills texts) every four years.
some students might be intimidated, I’m a certain passion about what they do, “The military constantly stresses ph.D., M.S.n., r.n., f.a.a.n.
The authors are currently drafting the 9th edition,
comfortable speaking to other health and I want to share that with them.” that everything you do is for the person
scheduled to be released in 2016.
care providers, even if they’re older than Last fall, Murray went for a leadership standing next to you. That’s exactly what
me or have a higher-level position. I think weekend at Fort Leonard Wood, where nursing is about for me,” she said.
patient care improves when there’s better she rappelled off towers, navigated ob- That, and having the right attitude.
communication on the team.” stacle courses and participated in group “Nurses work long hours and handle tHe nURsing ConneCtion “I have a staff of six remarkably tal- rial scholarship that assists SLU doctoral
After she graduates in May, Masching problem-solving exercises. tasks that aren’t always pleasant, but if Complementing Potter’s publishing work ented people, and we conduct research students engaged in qualitative research.
hopes to go on active duty in an Army “I’m learning that I can push myself you have a positive attitude, it makes all has been her flourishing nursing career. as well as evidence-based practice More recently, she created the annual
medical center on an oncology floor. beyond anything I ever imaged I could the difference in the world. You can care In 1981, she joined Barnes Hospital in projects,” she said. “It’s been extremely William and Grace Potter Lecture, which
do,” Murray said. for someone in ways you never thought St. Louis as a nurse manager. She earned rewarding and has allowed me to con- brings international scholars to campus
Katherine Wilkenson After graduation, Murray hopes to go you could.” a series of promotions and eventu- tinue to write, while working at a nice each spring to discuss innovations in
Age 22 • Senior • Rolla, Mo. on active duty as a nurse in a U.S. Army Howard was on the re- ally was appointed director of nursing balance and pace.” health care research and practice.
For more than half of Wilkerson’s life the hospital emergency room – preferably ceiving end of that care last practice, overseeing nurse specialists, “At the awards luncheon, they
United States has been at war. overseas. fall. She fell during a civil- performance improvement and nursing Joining tHe WaLL oF Fame surprised me by reading some letters
“Someone told me that less than one ian mud run and obstacle standards. Potter credits her parents for instilling the and also inviting a couple of guests who
percent of the people in this nation are Shelby Aleksick course, and dislocated her After Barnes Hospital merged with values and work ethic that has sustained spoke about what they were able to
serving in the military and defending our Senior • Age 23 • St. Charles, Mo. shoulder. Howard’s fellow Jewish Hospital, Potter decided to take her career. achieve through the scholarship,” she
freedom,” she said. “I think that’s outra- In addition to her School of Nursing cadets helped care for her a leave of absence in 1996 and return to “Neither of my parents went to col- said. “In a couple of cases, it sparked
geous. I’ve always wanted to give back. I courses, Aleksick is required to take elec- as she healed. SLU’s School of Nursing to pursue her lege, and I was an only child, so they a series of collaborations for develop-
want to be that nurse for that solider com- tives in Military Science where she learns “The military is a family. I’m part of doctoral degree. were pretty excited when I graduated ing new knowledge, which was really
ing off the front lines.” land navigation, basic soldier skills, sur- something bigger than me and I find that Armed with her Ph.D., she returned to and went on to nursing,” she said. “They rewarding to hear.”
Wilkerson’s ROTC scholarship to SLU vival skills and military mission strategy. humbling,” she said. Barnes-Jewish Hospital in 1999, initially were two marvelous people, but neither And, through a new scholarship she
is allowing her to pursue both of her “These courses may not seem ap- After graduation, Howard hopes to go serving as a research scientist within one was around to see how the books established, Potter is making it possible
passions. plicable to nursing practice,” she said. “I on active duty and eventually serve as an the oncology area before assuming her and my career developed.” for deserving high-school students in
“Caring for people at their weakest won’t be conducting an ambush anytime Air Force flight nurse. current role as director of research for pa- To honor their memory, in 2006, Ferguson, Mo., to attend nursing school.
moments truly is a privilege,” said Wilk- soon, but the courses are designed to tient care services for the entire hospital. Potter established an endowed memo- 13
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The School of Nursing
Leads the Way in
Recruiting
and Retaining
Preceptors
Eve Holzemer (’97, ’10), D.N.P., M.S.N., A.N.P.-
B.C., is a natural born preceptor. As one of nine
children — she’s in the middle — taking care of
and being a role model for younger siblings was
part of the territory.
“I learned early on that we should be givers as
well as takers,” she said.
This philosophy has infused Holzemer’s person-
al life as well as her professional career. For more
than 20 of her 30 years as a nurse, Holzemer has
served as a preceptor, or mentor, to dozens of
SLU nursing students.
Much like being an older sister, a preceptor’s
hours are long, the job doesn’t pay and there is
no academic training — at least not when Holze-
mer was starting out. The rewards, however, are
plenty.
“Being a preceptor is time well spent,” said Hol-
zemer, manager of the Women Veterans Program
and clinical manager for the Veterans Administra-
tion St. Louis Health Care System. “When you
empower a nurse, you empower every nurse he
or she teaches, and this has a direct impact on
the quality of patient care.”
“
When you empower a nurse, you empower
•
Above Eve Holzemer (right), a longtime School of Nursing preceptor, ”
guides Janet Severine, N.P., as she works toward her doctoral degree. every nurse he or she teaches. HOLZEMER
15
SaInt LouIS unIverSIty SChooL of nurSIng
Bridging Theory funding, clinical sites, classroom space and
clinical preceptors.
to Practice
The School of Nursing has a clinical
placement coordinator to help students find
Clinical exposure is an essential component of
preceptors. Due to the growing number of
nursing education, both at the undergraduate
advanced practice students and the fact that
and graduate levels. Preceptors play a key role
preceptors can’t always oversee a student every
in helping students to bridge the gap between
semester, the School of Nursing continually “
the classroom and clinical practice. Preceptors SLU provides more structure
works to replenish its preceptor bank.
serve as role models, demonstrate skills and
Yet quality rather than quantity is the and resources for their preceptors
provide constructive feedback to students.
primary driver of a national conversation ”
“If we didn’t have preceptors we wouldn’t than other programs.
on preceptors. How do you recruit excellent
be able to provide nursing education at any
level,” said Joanne Thanavaro, D.N.P., A.P.R.N., preceptors? How do you retain them? Should
BICKEL
formal training be mandatory, and how do you
A.N.P.,-B.C., D.C.C., F.A.A.N.P., associate
facilitate training when your advanced practice
professor of nursing and associate dean of
programs are online and many of your precep-
graduate education. “That’s how important they
tors are practicing outside the St. Louis area, as
are to what we do.”
is the case with the School of Nursing?
In 2014, the School of Nursing utilized
903 preceptors across 33 states for advanced
practice students, and another 248 preceptors Payment Plans
“ for undergraduate students. Severine (left) and Holzemer
If we didn’t have
Any conversation about recruiting and
preceptors, we wouldn’t retaining professionals turns to incentives,
be able to provide nursing Supply and Demand financial or otherwise. Some schools may “A nurse may be very strong clinically but programs, especially online. In spite of For more information about
” Recruiting preceptors has become increas- offer small stipends to preceptors; some offer cannot teach or guide you when you need it research that demonstrates preceptors benefit becoming a preceptor,
education at any level. ingly difficult as competition for clinical sites perks, such as laptops or tablets. Many more, the most, “she said. “Your preceptor sets the from and desire this training, no standardized contact Emily Gunn, R.N.,
swells and nursing faculty shortages continue including SLU, offer free continuing educa- tone for your semester and, in many ways, your or universally accepted guidelines for preceptor
THANAVARO to place a strain on the system. According to the tion courses and access to conferences and career. Not everyone is cut out for it.” training exist. Some health care facilities offer clinical placement coordinator,
American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s lectures, but the preceptors are unpaid. Tempelhoff recalls one of her preceptors preceptor preparedness education programs at 314-977-6653 or by email
2013 report on “enrollment and Graduations in A 2012 study by the Massachusetts General who, upon being asked by a colleague whether — ranging from a few hours to a few days —
at [email protected].
Baccalaureate and Graduate Programs,” U.S. Hospital Institute of Health Professions in she was precepting again, rolled her eyes and but not all require that nurses complete the
nursing schools turned away more than 78,000 Boston found that the top five incentives complained she was going to be stuck with a programs before they’re assigned to work as a
qualified applications due to insufficient faculty, for precepting are: professional obligation; student for an entire semester. Tempelhoff had preceptor.
learning opportunities as a preceptor; associa- a more positive experience with her clinical The School of Nursing is taking an active
tion with faculty; association with students; and rotation through women’s health. Tempelhoff role in the national discussion and is devel-
confidence with clinical expertise. Financial initially had little interest in the specialty oping a reputation as an innovator in preceptor
remuneration was number seven. but her preceptor was so nurturing, open training strategies. Through the Robert Wood preceptor for 20 years. She mentored SLU
Nancy Cibulka (’06), Ph.D., R.N., and supportive that Tempelhoff considered Johnson Foundation executive Nurse Fellows advanced practice students in Florida before
W.H.N.P.-B.C., F.N.P.-B.C., adjunct clinical women’s health as a career path. program, Dean Teri A. Murray (’79, ’93, ’97), taking a position as a nurse practitioner in the
instructor in OB-GYN at Barnes-Jewish Hospital “I wouldn’t want a preceptor who is Ph.D., A.P.H.N.-B.C., R.N., F.A.A.N., secured department of anesthesia and critical care at
and adjunct assistant professor at the SLU motivated by anything other than altruism,” grant funding to work with faculty members on Washington University School of Medicine in
School of Nursing, has served as a preceptor for said Tempelhoff, whose preceptor for that creating an online comprehensive course to 2014. She said she appreciates having access
20 years. Cibulka considers nursing knowledge clinical rotation through women’s health was train nurses to be preceptors for undergraduate to the wiki.
an asset to be shared, not sold. Cibulka. students. The course covers techniques for “I feel SLU provides more structure and
“educating the next generation of health facilitating clinical learning; learning styles; resources for their preceptors than other
care providers is our professional obligation,” Training the Trainer generational issues; preceptor-preceptee programs,” said Bickel. “Continuity for the
she said. “It’s satisfying, fulfilling and energizing relationships; conflict management techniques; students between didactic and clinical
to work with students. That’s payment enough.” even if a nurse is willing to serve as a preceptor, and evaluator processes. sessions is critical for their success in the
Sandra Tempelhoff (’06, ’08), B.S.N., R.N., he or she may need and want some training to program.”
a registered nurse advisor at Cigna Health prepare for the role. Previously, once a nurse Support System The School of Nursing also is a leader in
Insurance and a nurse practitioner student who had a couple of years of clinical experience quality control. In addition to site visits to
graduates in May, agrees. She is concerned that and felt comfortable in that position, he or she At the advanced practice level, School of clinical settings in the St. Louis area, School
if preceptors are paid or offered other tangible was considered qualified to be a preceptor. Nursing faculty members developed an award- of Nursing faculty members work closely with
incentives, some nurses may step up for the But clinical competency no longer is winning wiki to orient and train its preceptors. preceptors to assess preceptor-preceptee
wrong reasons. qualification enough for preceptors in a rapidly The wiki outlines course descriptions, which relationships.
evolving health care environment. Preceptors help preceptors understand exactly what Holzemer appreciates these efforts because
are expected to demonstrate not only how to students are expected to learn. It also lists she said that relationship has a significant
do something; they must explain why it’s done faculty contacts and contains a tool box loaded impact on student learning outcomes.
a certain way. They are expected to be aware with the latest literature on preceptorships in “The relationship between student and
of the latest research in their specialty and to nursing education. The National Organization mentor during a student’s nursing education
know how to assess students on safety issues, of Nurse Practitioner Faculties awarded the has a profound effect on his or her formation
“ efficiency, effectiveness and time management. wiki the Outstanding electronic Poster Award as a nurse,” she said. “And the best part is that
I wouldn’t want a preceptor
Formal training for preceptors is a relatively in 2012. the relationship works both ways.”
who is motivated by anything new concept. Within the last five years, there Nancy Bickel (’91, ’10), M.S.N., A.P.R.N.,
” has been an explosion of preceptor training A.C.N.P.-B.C, A.C.N.S.-B.C., has been a nursing
Severine (left) and Holzemer other than altruism.

TEMPELHOFF 17
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