W nursing faculty influence profession through publications and presentations
Faculty members of the Vandergriff College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Mississippi University for Women continue to demonstrate exceptional leadership both inside and outside the classroom, showcasing their expertise and dedication to advancing nursing education and practice.
“The contributions and achievements of The W’s nursing faculty members highlight the university’s commitment to excellence in nursing education and practice, empowering future nursing leaders and enhancing healthcare delivery in Mississippi and beyond,” said Dr. Brandy Larmon, dean of the Vandergriff College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
Faculty members Dr. Sacha Dawkins, Dr. Magan Evans and Debra Rinewalt’s scholarship and research were recently published in the spring 2024 issues of “The Mississippi RN,” a quarterly publication of the Mississippi Nurses’ Association distributed to 61,000 RNs, APRNs and LPNs in Mississippi.
Dawkins, associate professor of nursing, explained the importance of cultural awareness and how it is a crucial part of nursing today through her article, “Cultural Awareness in Nursing Care.”
Evans, assistant professor of nursing, demonstrated how the use of mock trial scenarios in undergraduate nursing allows participants to explore various legal and ethical dilemmas in healthcare. In “Care Management, Active Learning, and Mock Trial Simulations”, she highlighted how issues such as medication errors, matters of negligence and standards of care can be presented in an active learning environment to help students experience the principles of evidence-based practice.
Titled, “Communication: An Essential Competency in Healthcare,” Rinewalt, instructor of nursing, stated that good communication techniques and skills are necessary components for nurses, as well as all healthcare providers. Effective communication is essential for high-quality healthcare delivery.
The publication is available to read at: https://www.healthecareers.com/aad/nurse-resources/nursing-publications/mississippi.
Dr. Mary Helen Ruffin, chair of the ASN Program, presented at the 2024 National Nurse Educator Summit April 7-10. The summit is a leading industry event featuring nursing professionals from across the country who share a passion for education and lifelong learning.
To nursing professionals from across the country, Ruffin presented “Structuring Feedback Using an Online Platform that Fosters Transparency and Self-Reflection.” Through multiple breakout sessions, she explored how educators might use an online platform to organize feedback in a way that encourages consistency and openness while also showing students how they’re progressing toward learning new material.
Dr. Renea Hopple, instructor of graduate nursing, discussed her doctoral research titled, “Hidden In Plain Sight, which explored the intersection between human sex trafficking and the healthcare community” at the District Mississippi Nurses Association meeting held April 8.
While speaking to fellow nurses, Hopple provided a brief overview of human sex trafficking in Mississippi and physical exam findings that may suggest human trafficking in patients. According to her, research shows that trafficked persons have healthcare needs and are seeking healthcare while being trafficking putting nurses on the front lines to identify and meet the immediate needs of this hidden population.
Graduate faculty members Dr. Shonda Phelon, Dr. Beth Turner and Dr. Lindsay Kemp presented at the American Association of Nurse Practitioners National Convention held in June 2023. Mental health was the focus of their presentations covering topics of aggression, depression and suicide.
The Vandergriff College of Nursing and Health Sciences is home to more than 900 students and is composed of the Department of Associate of Science in Nursing, the Department of Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program, the Department of Graduate Nursing, the Department of Health and Kinesiology and the Department of Speech-Language Pathology.