Presentation at 30th International Nursing Research Congress

Calgary, Alberta, Canada – The Schreiner University Nursing Department had an excellent display of accomplishment at the international level in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 25-29 July. Schreiner Nursing took part in the 30th International Nursing Research Congress sponsored by Sigma Theta Tau – an international Honor Society of Nursing.

The “MegaCode Across the Lifespan” abstract was a collaboration among Dr. Julie Lindsay, Mary Pautler, and Jamie Papesca. The abstract and poster presentation were accepted and will remain in Sigma’s repository forever.

During the course of a baccalaureate education, nursing students often encounter unintentional or unexpected patient experiences including death. The use of simulation can prepare students to provide care for patients with deteriorating, life-threatening conditions.

However, incorporating inter-professional educational simulation opportunities can be challenging for a nursing program in an isolated rural community lacking other health profession programs. In addition to the challenge of inter-professional simulation, access to high acuity clients in face-to-face settings is also limited in a rural community setting.

A scenario was developed and implemented with senior Schreiner Nursing students that focused on the critical care component of a cardiac and respiratory arrest event of a 32-week gestation female with H1N1 influenza accompanied by her significant other. Additional objectives included: team communication, family centered care, ethics, maternal demise, care of a preterm infant and inter-professional collaboration in a capstone lifespan simulation.

Lindsay presented the abstract and poster presentation to international nursing colleagues in Calgary and was met with excellent reviews. A multitude of U.S. based nursing programs and international schools -Taiwan, Portugal, South Africa- photographed and requested further information regarding the clinical scenario developed.

“This is exceptional work and I am proud to work with an excellent academic team,” said Dr. Wanda Sparks, Schreiner University Director of Nursing. The Schreiner Nursing Department is currently in the process of composing a formal scenario description with student feedback for publication.

“This a huge achievement for our nursing program to be recognized by the leading research experts in our field and at the international level, said Jamie Papesca, Assistant Professor of Nursing for Schreiner University. “We are making great improvements to the nursing program and this is another milestone achievement.”