Publication and presentation roundup — April 2024
The latest scholarly work from the UNC School of Nursing
Carolina Nursing faculty, staff and students are actively sharing their research findings on critical health care topics through publications in academic journals and presentations at national and international conferences.
Take a look at the selection of publications and presentations below to learn more about how Carolina Nursing experts are advancing health for all by addressing the greatest health care challenges of our time.
Please note that the following list was compiled based on information submitted by our researchers and is categorized into presentations and publications.
Have a publication or presentation to share? School of Nursing faculty, students and staff can submit publications and presentations here to be included in the next roundup.
Publications
Kandyce Brennan, DNP, RN, CNM, Lisa Woodley, PhD, RN, CNE, CHPN, and Cara Winstead, MPH, RN, COHN-S, published this paper in the Public Health Nursing Journal, explores innovative approaches to address the critical shortage of registered nurses. The paper delves into the utilization of service-learning clinical activities within undergraduate public health nursing courses to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application. Through a detailed examination of a health fair experience, the authors highlight the positive impact on clinical quality, faculty and clinical site shortages, and meeting increasing enrollment demands. This competency-based learning approach not only benefits students but also addresses community health needs, fostering a symbiotic relationship between education and community engagement.
This study, led by postdoctoral fellows Ayo Bankole, PhD, RN, and Natasha Burse, DrPH, MS, along with senior supervising author Ashley Leak Bryant, PhD, RN, OCN, FAAN, aimed to assess the acceptability of an interdisciplinary Palliative and Supportive Care Intervention (PACT) funded by the NIH. The focus was on older adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and their caregivers. Clinicians involved in the study reported positive impacts of the PACT intervention on their job fulfillment and satisfaction. These findings contribute valuable evidence for the design and implementation of future large-scale integrative palliative care intervention trials.
Support Needs of Labor and Delivery Nurses After Traumatic Experiences
Conducted by Catherine Crawford, PhD, RNC-OB, and Jessica Williams, PhD, MPH, PHNA-BC, FAAN, the study published in the Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Neonatal Nursing examined the impact of psychological distress, overall distress, and institutional support on absenteeism, turnover intention, and resilience among labor and delivery nurses. Using a quantitative cross-sectional survey distributed online from January 13 to February 2, 2021, the study involved 171 nurses recruited from the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses.
Findings underscored the prevalence of traumatic workplace events such as neonatal and maternal death, complicated births, and workplace violence, along with the insufficiency of available support services. Psychological distress, overall distress, and lack of institutional support were associated with absenteeism and turnover intention, while institutional support correlated positively with resilience. The study highlights the urgent need for improved support mechanisms tailored to the unique challenges faced by labor and delivery nurses post-trauma, emphasizing the necessity for further research to establish effective intervention strategies.
Presentations
How do you cope with your struggles?
May is recognized as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Recently, Grace Wu, PhD, RN, was invited to give a guest speech to the North Carolina Chapter of Make Us Visible (https://makeusvisible.org/), a non-profit organization that aims to empower communities to integrate Asian American heritage, experiences, and contributions into K-12 classrooms. Make Us Visible was formed in January 2021 by a group of parents, students, and teachers who came together to find long-term, bipartisan solutions to anti-Asian American violence. Currently, 27 states are part of Make Us Visible.
During her talk, “How do you cope with your struggles,” Dr. Wu shared her insights on the research of eating disorders in AAPI populations and the challenges faced by AAPI health researchers in the US, including funding difficulties, language barriers, and gender disparities.
Safe Infant Sleep Interventions in Diverse Settings
Stephanie Fisher, DNP, MSN, RN, recently attended the 19th Annual Coastal Pediatric Symposium, where her abstract was selected for a podium presentation. There, she delivered a presentation on her work concerning Safe Infant Sleep, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), and Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths (SUID). Her presentation covered diverse considerations for providers and patients and the impact of interventions on reducing SIDS & SUID. Dr. Fisher’s presentation provided healthcare providers with knowledge and practical skills to effectively discuss safe infant sleep interventions with diverse patients using applicable cultural considerations. The presentation emphasized patient-centered communication and public health concerns, empowering the audience to make a real difference in infant health.
Oncology Nursing Society Congress Conference
Students and faculty from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill recently showcased their research at the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) conference held in Washington DC. Their work aligned with the conference theme, “Ignite Positive Change in Oncology Nursing.” Research topics spanned various crucial areas, including improving the quality of life for cancer patients, assessing supportive roles in hospital quality initiatives, gauging the acceptability of the Palliative and Supportive Care Intervention (PACT), and leveraging artificial intelligence in Oncology Nursing education. Among the contributors were Naveen Khan, UNC Lineberger Cancer Center Project Coordinator; Lena Brokob, MSN, RN, UNC SON Clinical Instructor; Ashley Leak Bryant, PhD, RN, OCN, FAAN; Danielle Steele Anderson, UNC Health Research Assistant; and Victoria Crowder, BSN, RN, UNC PhD Student.
HEAR-U: An Updated HEAR Score to Rule-Out ACS in the Prehospital Setting
Jessica Zègre-Hemsey, PhD, RN, FAHA, and Becky Kitzmiller, PhD, MHR, MSN, RN, BC, along with their PhD student Juan Garcia from UNC Chapel Hill’s Department of Computer Science, recently attended the annual International Society for Computerized Electrocardiology (ISCE) conference in Braselton, GA (April 3-7, 2024). This event, founded in 1984, serves as a vital platform for the advancement of electrocardiology through computer methods, fostering collaboration among academia, industry, and users. Their abstract, “HEAR-U: An Updated HEAR Score to Rule-Out ACS in the Prehospital Setting,” was selected for podium presentation, showcasing their dedication to improving diagnostic methods for acute coronary syndrome. Dr. Zègre-Hemsey also presented a poster on “Characteristics of ST-Segment and ST-Depression Changes in Serial Prehospital Electrocardiograms Among Individuals Transported by Ambulance for Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome,” contributing valuable insights to the field.
Innovative Experiential Learning Approach in Nursing Education: The Health Fair Experience and its Impact on Addressing U.S. Nursing Shortages
In their presentation titled “Innovative Experiential Learning Approach in Nursing Education: The Health Fair Experience and its Impact on Addressing U.S. Nursing Shortages,” Kandyce Brennan, DNP, CNM, and Rachel McInerney, DNP, ENP-BC, PMHNP-BC, addressed the pressing shortage of registered nurses in the U.S. They highlighted the integration of service-learning clinical experiences into nursing education as a solution to improve clinical training quality amidst resource limitations. Their Health Fair Experience, a student-led activity within an undergraduate public health nursing course, blends theoretical learning with practical nursing skills application, catering to community health needs. The presenters emphasized the positive impact of this approach, including increased cultural sensitivity and community care skills among students, alongside reduced resource requirements. Their innovative teaching method serves as a valuable strategy to address nursing shortages while ensuring top-tier education for a diverse, growing nation.