BSN CLASS OF 2015

TH E UN I V E R S I T Y O F NO R T H CA R O L I N A AT CH A P E L HI L L SC H O O L O F NU R S I N G

Honors in Nursing

* Denotes Highest Honors

Elizabeth Allen Advisor: Anna Song Beeber, PhD, RN

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy to Treat Depression inOlder Adults

While volunteering at a retirement community, I formed a special relationship with an elderlywoman suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. One day, I went to her room to say hello, but she didnot recognize me. I was astonished that someone with whom I had spent so much time couldnot recall my name. For the first time in my life, I saw a glimpse into the grief and sufferingthese patients and their families go through. Personal experiences like this one fuel my drive toimprove the quality of care provided to the geriatric population. As a Hillman scholar and futurenurse, I desire to reduce the rising incidence of health concerns associated with aging.

Sallie D. AllgoodAdvisor: Jennifer Leeman, DrPH

Lifestyle Interventions for the Management of Hypertension inAdults: A Review of Reviews

I chose to go into nursing because I am interested in improving health of patients and populations. By coming to UNC and entering the Hillman Scholar’s program, I feel I will receivethe training I need to have a direct impact on patient outcomes and to improve public health.Nurses are on the front lines in healthcare and having training from this point of view will helpme understand the complexities surrounding healthcare challenges and will aid my goal ofimproving patient outcomes.

Heather Bazemore Advisor: Jada Brooks, PhD, MSPH, RN

The Effect of Alarm Reduction and Quiet Time on Sound Levelsin a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

In 2011, I began volunteering at Samaritan Health Center in Durham. It was through my volunteer experience that I realized what an incredible role nurses have in their patients’ care. Thenurses at this clinic were so compassionate and truly listened to their patients while they providedhealthcare. After speaking with several nurses, I saw the unlimited opportunities that nursing hadto offer and felt the role of the nurse fit my personality so much better than my previous careerpath. It is an incredible responsibility to care for patients and their families. Being a nurse is acareer that not only excited me, but is also one that I feel called to do. I enjoy the diverse skill setthat it takes – from understanding a mechanism of disease to meeting psychosocial needs. I amlooking forward to a long career of providing compassionate care to patients and their families!

Terra Scarlette Beek Advisor: Christina Leonard, RN, MSN, FNP-BC, CNL

The heart of the matter: Female myocardial infarction and theKNOW MI campaign initiative

My desire to pursue a career in nursing stems from a passion to help others and work in a field that is dynamic, intellectually stimulating, and challenging. I feel nursing provides opportunities to continually learn and grow, as well as connect with people. I feel it is not onlythe effect a nurse has on a patient, but also the effect a patient has on a nurse that is trulyrewarding. I feel honored and fortunate to be a part of this profession.

Gabriel J. Blanchard Advisor: Theresa Raphael-Grimm, PhD, CNS

Fear and Mistrust of the Health Care System among Undocu-mented Immigrants in North Carolina: an Investigative Study

During the summer before I enrolled at UNC, I was considering how to reconcile two importantcareer interests: a love of science and a strong desire to help people in a direct and meaningfulway. Throughout my nursing education these interests have flourished and I’ve become evenmore convinced that nursing is my life’s calling.

Jemima B. BoncalesAdvisor: Theresa Swift-Scanlan, PhD, RN

Exploring the Role of the Microbiome in Breast Carcinogenesis

I was influenced by my mother’s lifelong career as a nurse, and the career of my father as a chaplain in a mission hospital in the Philippines. My degrees in Philosophy and Political Sciencewere aimed at training my mind to think from a different scope, a perspective outside of my family’s involvement in healthcare. After a decade of experiences, I returned to healthcare because I realized I want to make a direct and lasting impact in the lives and holistic health of others. I seenursing as a profession that connects different elements of an individual’s physical, emotional, andspiritual planes. It is a profession that makes an enormous impact on the health and well-being of every American citizen. Finally, I chose nursing because in this profession every nursing actionrequires self-awareness, continued learning, critical thinking, empathy, and kindness for others.

Katherine Ann BusbyAdvisor: Marcia Van Riper, PhD, RN, FAAN

A systematic review of the specific problems and needs unique topatients with rare disorders and their families

I chose to go into nursing because of both the exemplary and sometimes poor care that familyexperienced over the course of several PICU hospital stays with my daughter. I hope that havingexperienced such life-changing events from the patient side of healthcare combined with a BSin Nursing and graduate degree as a Hillman Scholar, will give me a perspective that betterequips me to make positive changes in health care practices for future patients.

Alexandra Chir Advisor: Rhonda K. Lanning, RN, MSN, CNM, LCCE, IBCLC

Intrapartum nurses’ attitudes surrounding normal birth andmaintenance of favorable perceptions in a tertiary care setting

My freshman year of college I was convinced I wanted to go to medical school. However, after a semester of biology and chemistry labs, I did not feel fulfilled. During this time I was also volunteering at the Alamance Open Door Clinic, where I worked alongside nurses at the frontdesk and in triaging incoming patients. I cannot describe the look on a patient’s face whenoffered care – immense gratitude and hope shined through their smile. It was the mostrewarding experience I have ever had, and it certainly fulfilled that sense of emptiness that I had felt while working in the biology and chemistry labs. While at the clinic, I realized that I desired a deep human interaction in my future career. I loved what the nurses did in theclinic and knew that a career similar to theirs would bring me great experiences and a verypromising future.

Taylor Clay Advisor: Cecelia I. Roscigno, RN, PhD, CNRN

Assisting Children’s Memories of their Early Acute Care HospitalExperiences Following Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

I am going into nursing because I have a passion for healthcare and helping people. Nursingprovides the opportunity for direct patient care and the opportunity to truly make a difference in patient’s lives. I also am drawn to nursing due to the endless career opportunities. Althoughdirect patient care is my primary goal, I know that there are many different avenues to use myknowledge and experience to make a positive impact on patients.

Casey R. Collins Advisor: Beth Perry Black, PhD, RN

Decision Making Surrounding Infants at the Margin of Viability:Understanding Family-Provider Interaction

It is often that I am asked why I chose nursing as a career and my answer remains the same: I found nursing because nursing picked me. I have never been able to look back and pinpointthe moment that I decided nursing is what I wanted to do or pick one event that in isolationinspired me to be a nurse. By modern definition, nursing is the practice of caring for the infirm; however by my interpretation, nursing is the altruistically-driven aspiration to provideprotection, education, support, and a healing touch to promote health and alleviate suffering in those around us. These paramount characteristics strongly parallel to my personal values,beliefs, and goals, thus making nursing the perfect fit for me.

Elizabeth Bradley Cotton* Advisor: Lisa Woodley, MSN, RN

“I Have: Cancer” An Educational Tool for Pediatric Patients withIntellectual and Developmental Disabilities and an OncologicalDiagnosis

My interest in nursing was sparked by my propensity to assist those in need and seek new challenges. I found my love for healthcare and patients at my summer job during my firstundergraduate degree at a medical specialty summer camp for children aged 6 to 16 with physical disabilities, serious medical illness, and developmental delays, their siblings, andtheir families. My time working with this special population made me realize that I wanted tobe a pediatric nurse, and I’ve had my sights set on that ever since. It has fueled my success innursing school and this honors project. It is difficult to put into words the joy I get from spending time with pediatric patients, and I am so excited to spend my career helping kidsand families as a Registered Nurse.

Eleanor Davis Advisor: Cheryl B. Jones, PhD, RN, FAAN

Components of Shared Governance: Structures andImplementation Methods that Benefit Nurses

I chose to go into nursing because I am passionate about helping people improve their health.Nursing as a profession is demanding, requiring that you give your time, energy and cognitiveabilities to create the best patient outcomes. I hope to use my BSN to promote positive healthoutcomes for patients through providing excellent care.

Nickolai Detert Advisor: Carol F. Durham, EdD, RN, ANEF, FAAN

Clean Hands, Clean Stethoscope: Increasing StethoscopeHygiene Among Nursing Students Through Training

I have had many positive experiences, personally and with family, with nurses in the past.Nurses provide the hands-on and educational role with patients that I enjoy, and are thebridge between many healthcare disciplines, families and patients.

BSN CLASS OF 2015

TH E UN I V E R S I T Y O F NO R T H CA R O L I N A AT CH A P E L HI L L SC H O O L O F NU R S I N G

Honors in Nursing

* Denotes Highest Honors

Jodi Fleishman* Advisor: Theresa Raphael-Grimm, PhD, CNS

The Theoretical Framework & Applications of Mindfulness-Based Techniques in Nursing Care

I chose nursing as my profession because I find nothing more fulfilling or humbling thanproviding care for others. Nursing is unique because it embodies care on an emotional, spiritual, and physical level. It requires critical thinking, continued growth and learning,and compassion. Through my nursing education, I have come to believe the core values of nursing are integrity, unconditional positive regard for the rights and experiences of others, advocating for your patient and upholding human dignity and respect. As a nurse, I envision that there will be days that I will be challenged physically, mentally, and emotionally and I recognize that it will be important to maintain balance in my life.However, I also envision that I will have experiences and develop relationships that will both move and humble me to my core.

Christopher Fry Advisor: Meg Zomorodi, PhD, RN, CNL

Diagnosing Alarm Fatigue in a Children’s Hospital

I chose to go into nursing because of its endless opportunities for personal and professionalgrowth. It provides me with the skills and capacity to have a direct, positive impact on peoples’ lives. The background in evidence-based practice coupled with the continuoushuman contact is what made me certain nursing was the profession for me.

Kasey T. Gragg Advisor: Vickie Lester, MSN, RN-BC, CNE

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: An Analysis of Evidence-BasedPractice for Exacerbation Control and Symptom Management

A passion for patient care and a desire to make a difference in the lives of others made thedecision to go into nursing an easy one. I have honed my passion in the direction of criticalcare and wish to base my practice on the provision of holistic care for critically ill patients.

Jill Leckey* Advisor: Suja Davis, MSN, RN and Theresa Raphael-Grimm, PhD, CNS

Nursing Assessment of Patients Requiring Enteral and GastricFeeding Tubes: An Exploratory Approach

I have chosen nursing as my career because it provides the unique opportunity to care forpatients with a holistic approach. Given that nurses provide constant hands-on care ofpatients, they are in a key position to intervene and to assist these vulnerable patients duringsome of the most difficult and stressful times in their lives and the lives of their families.Because of nurses and their compassionate approach to their craft, patients do not need tosuffer. I am excited to enter this rewarding and exciting journey with my patients and to bethe best advocate for their care that I can be.

Lauren Meadows Advisor: Eric A. Hodges, PhD, FNP-BC

Physical Activity Promotion in School Age Youth in OrangeCounty, North Carolina

One of the major reasons I chose to go into nursing school was related to the emphasis onholistic and patient-centered care as well as patient education. I think that preventativemedicine tactics deserves more attention and that nurses are ideally suited to begin takingon this task. I especially enjoy working with the pediatric population and helping empowerthem to accomplish their goals.

Kimberly B. MoenichAdvisor: Meg Zomorodi, PhD, RN, CNL

Understanding the Patients’ Journey: A Case Study inScleroderma Pain Management

Writing my honor’s project was a very personal, very challenging experience as it was aretelling of the events that led me to nursing. Spending eleven years in and out of hospitals,as my mother’s advocate, provided me with firsthand knowledge into the health care field,and the people we came to rely on the most were our nurses. Not only did I bear witness to what excellent nursing entails, but I also came to understand the necessity of patientadvocacy, and it was this passion that brought me to UNC to pursue a career in the field.

Emily Morgan*Advisor: Janna Dieckmann, PhD, RN

Nursing Student Awareness and Perception of Intimate PartnerViolence: A Study of the UNC-Chapel Hill UndergraduateNursing Program

I decided to become a nurse because I am passionate about communication and advocacy. Iwant to be a nurse so that I can take complex scientific information and break it down intoterms that my patients can understand. I want to become a nurse so that I can empower mypatients to make truly informed decisions regarding their health and illness. I want tobecome a nurse so that I may be a support system and sounding board for my patients asthey face complex ethical decisions in the healthcare environment. I want to become anurse so that I may advocate for patients’ quality of life in both health and illness. I chosenursing because forming trusting and helping relationships is indescribably rewarding tome. I chose nursing because the opportunities it provides are demanding, complex, andabundant. I chose nursing because it provides me with a vast number of opportunities toadvance my education and my career.

Leah L. Morgan Advisor: Eric A. Hodges, PhD, FNP-BC

Music as a treatment for pediatric pain and/or anxiety duringpainful procedures: An integrative review

I have wanted to be a nurse my whole life! When I was 3, my dad was stung by a bunch of beesand all I wanted to do was to take care of him; I gave him bandaids, pillows, and even my specialbear. At that point, someone said to me, “you should be nurse!” That is all I have ever wanted tobe since. Entering nursing school, I was worried that it would not fulfill my childhood dream ofnursing, but it has and so much more! I still enjoy caring for people just as much as I did caringfor my dad all those years ago. As a Hillman Scholar, I hope that I can use my passion for thiscareer to inspire and lead the next generations of nurses.

Esita Patel*Advisor: Cheryl Giscombe, PhD, RN, PMHNP-BC

Investigating a Business Case for Certified Nurse Midwifery-ledBirth Center Care

Before starting undergrad at UNC, I wanted to pursue a career in nursing because I wanted to be onthe frontline of patient care. However, my parents thought nursing as a job for women to do the“dirty work” of healthcare, as it was viewed in Gujarat, India. Growing up in the US, they hoped Iwould avoid such glass ceilings imposed on women in India. I consequently chose to study biologyinstead, due to my wonderment in how molecules came together to produce life. I also fell in lovewith research early in undergrad and thought a career in biomedical research was my best option.My journey through countless biology courses, research labs, and seminars gave me a robust sciencebackground and helped me discover that creativity and curiosity make an excellent science back-bone. During my free time however, my suppressed interest in nursing quietly compelled me to vol-unteer at hospitals, travel with a medical brigade, and volunteer as a doula. Words cannot describethe sense of purpose I felt when learning about the Hillman Scholars Program last year. Alas, my twopassions, nursing and research, were not mutually exclusive.

Caroline S. Reid* Advisor: Rhonda K. Lanning, RN, MSN, CNM, IBCLC

Side-by-side: Supporting Pregnant Adolescents throughPartnership with UNC Volunteer Doulas

I chose to go into nursing because I wanted a career with a foundation of serving others. I alsoappreciate that nursing fosters lifelong learning and personal development. Nurses are at the coreof our healthcare system, and their patient care and advocacy has significant impact on the healthand wellbeing of our nation. It brings me great joy to be a part of such an important profession.

Stephanie SaturneAdvisor: Shielda G. Rodgers, RN, PhD

What motivates students? Exploring the factors that influenceintrinsic motivation in nursing students when completing academic tasks.

I chose to go into nursing because it is a field based on providing care to those who are sick. I findpersonal satisfaction from helping others but there are also a variety of opportunities available inthe nursing field. As a nurse, you can have very diverse roles, such as being an educator, an advo-cate, a leader, a researcher, etc. The thought of the possibilities inspires me to aim for a successfulnursing career where I can pursue many different endeavors.

William H. Smith Advisors: Shawn M. Kneipp, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, APHN-BC, FAANP and Diane Berry, PhD,

ANP-BC, FAANP, FAAN

Health Promoting Employment Interventions for Unemployed Menin the United States: A Scoping Review of Literature

Through my previous work in direct service and behavioral health administration, I found that Iwork best as part of a multidisciplinary team, and although professionally successful in my previ-ous roles, a nagging feeling that I could be of better service to others persisted. I chose to go intonursing as the field blends my love of science, interdisciplinary work, and teaching. Also, it is afield with flexibility and growth opportunities, both of which were critically important when mak-ing the decision to pursue a new career in nursing.

Rachel L. Timberlake Advisor: Shielda Rodgers, PhD, RN

Perceptions of nurses regarding their knowledge and competencylevels in addressing issues of domestic abuse among pregnant andpostpartum women

I believe that nursing is part of my life’s calling. I chose nursing as my profession because nursinggives me a platform to provide compassionate care to those who are hurting physically, mentally,and emotionally. As a nurse, I can help to bring hope to patients by working to improve and sus-tain their total health.

Gracie Zvara Advisor: Beth Perry Black, PhD, RN

A Father’s Response to Life-Limiting Prenatal Diagnosis

I chose to go into nursing because I wanted a career that challenges me intellectually and emo-tionally that also gives back to my community. Nursing has increasingly become a vital part of themultidisciplinary health team that emphasizes both physical and emotional health. Nursing isalso increasingly contributing to evidence-based health care research at large and I am excited tobe a part of that movement.