GVSU M' FALL 07
Gerontology Rita LaReau , Making a Difference in Geronto logy
Hartford Fellowship, Team to Study Woyfinding @ LEI , GRANDVALLEY Toking Time for Gerontology STATEl.JNivERSITY..
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KIRKHOF COLLEGE OF NURSING
From The Dean WHAT AN .A.DVENTURE IT'S BEEN!
As I look back on my career. and especially the last seven years as Dean of
KCON. I remember ii as an adventure . Little d id I know when I made that firs t lrip
lo the "cornfields" in 1973 lhat GVSU and KCON would become w hat they are
today. We did the unexpec ted and we d id ii w ith flair. Back then. few thought ii
was necessary lo educate nurses with the BSN. We believed it was the wave of
the future. and in the years since. our students have proved we were right.
Being able to contribute lo KCON by developing and leaching in the BSN.
RN/BSN and MSN programs through my career has been very rewarding. Both
GVSU and I have grown up through these years as we have watched health
care and n Jrsing mature.
I have also watched my faculty colleagues and staff mature. They are heroes
and they hove immeasurably enriched my career. They weren ' t afraid lo lake
risks. provide curricula that were ahead of the limes. offer that BSN w hen ii wasn' t
valued. and start an MSN program when o thers said we weren' t ready. Now we
a re p lanning a doctoral program, and I know ii w ill be groundbreaking for this
community.
Bui the real impact of what we have done al KCON hit me when my family
members needed nursing care recently. Everywhere I go. from Muskegon to
Grand Rapids. I see our graduates, faculty and students - and they are providing
care for my family. I saw an alum admit my father to an emergency room. Even
though ii was a very stressful si tuation. I relaxed because I knew the education
that Grand Valley nurse had received. When my nephew was hospitalized. a
new Grand Valley grad cared for him.
Our alumni are also chief nurse officers, educators. nurse praclilioners and nurse
researchers in our community. I know we all receive the best nursing care in the
area because of Grand Valley.
So wha t's next for me? I wi ll con tinue with my in terests
in geronto logy and expand on the osteoporosis
research that I have been involved with for the last
20 years. I hope that students in o ther health fields will
participate and make it a model for in terdisciplinary
research in West Michigan. And I expec t there will
be more adventures for me. I hope our new Dean,
Cynthia Mccurren, will have as good a lime as
I have had!
Dr. PHYLLIS E. GENDLER
2 2 Making a Difference
·n C c 1 to1"'9Y Rita LaReau Geriatric Clinical Nurse Specia li st, Bronson Methodist Hospital
4 rford F ' o vsh·p Dr. Rebecca Davis Team lo Study Wayfinding
5 I l=I Longitudinal Elder Initiative (LEI) Taking Time for Gerontology
6 Alumni Gpdate
8 KCON Today
I 0 Studert/SNA Update
I 2 Faculty/Staf~ Update
15 C rm 1 1
It Takes A Village Caring For O lder Adults a l the Family Health Center
15
TABLE OF CONTENTS
8
FEATURE
MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN GERONTOLOGY
RITA LAREAU, GERIATRIC CLI NICAL NURSE SPECIALIST
Inpatient care for the aging seems lo be more complex every
day. Hospitals have fewer beds available for a growing number of
patients. they a re more ill when admitted. and third-party payers
demand quicker discharges. Can compassionate, high-quality
geriatric nursing care survive in that kind of environmen t? KCON
alumna Ri ta LaReau. MSN. APRN, BC-GNP, thinks so.
LaReau is a geriatric clinical nurse specialist at Bronson Methodist
Hospital in Kalamazoo. A board certified geriatric nurse practitioner.
she is an educator, consultant. pracli lioner, researcher and
administrator. She is also a wife, mother and community volunteer
who enjoys running, reading and gardening.
LaReau earned her MSN a l KCON in 2000. where she was
recognized for outstanding performance as a graduate student
by Sigma Theta Tau International, Honor Society of Nursing.
She began her career as a nurse's a ide in Milwaukee, Wis., where
she also received a BSN from Marquette Universi ty. During more
than 20 years as a nurse. LaReau has held positions as a clinical
instructor, staff nurse and leader in acute care. hospice, home
health and nursing home settings.
How did she c hoose geriatric nursing as her specially? " From some
family experiences. I became painfully aware there were gaps in
medical care for older adults," LaReau says. "I decided if I was
going for a master's degree, I wanted to be focused so I could
make a difference and help create change. When I gradua ted
from KCON, Bronson was initialing a geriatric nursing program. I
was fortunate lo gel in on the ground floor. II has been just the
professional experience I wanted."
LaReau joined Bronson in October 2001 . She focuses on care for
inpatients 65 and older, supporting the hospital's evidence-based
geriatric nursing care. One of her biggest opportunities lo create
change came immediately a fter she was hired. In early 2002,
she was chosen lo be part of a learn tha t developed Bronson's
participation in the NICHE program.
NICHE (Nurses Improving Care for Heallhsyslem Elders) is a program
of lhe John A. Hartford Foundation Institute for Geriatric Nursing at
New York Universi ty. Begun in 1992, the goal of NICHE is to create
systematic nursing change that will help assure hospi talized o lder
patients receive sensitive. exemplary care .
C')~!T 'JUE[> or~ PAGE 16
"... AS AN ADVANCED
PRACTIC NURSE, YOU REALLY
CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
IN PATIENT CARE."
f 3
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DAVIS RECEIVES HARTFORD FELLOWSHIP
TEAM TO STUDY WAYFINDING IN OLDER ADU LTS
Research by a KCON faculty member could someday impact how
nursing homes and assisted living centers are construc ted.
Rebecca Davis. associate professor o f nursing. has received a
two-year. $120.000 fellowship from the John A. Hartford Foundation
through the American Academy of Nursing. lo study how elderly
people navigate through familiar and unfamiliar environments.
"Some nursing homes are built like a maze," Davis says. "They have
long, while ha llways and a ll the rooms look the same. II can be
d ifficult for people lo find their way a round, often because o lder
Using a virtua l reality computer program built by researchers a t the
University o f Arizona. Davis will lest sub jects on how d ifficult ii is for
them lo find their way through simula ted rooms and hallways. Her
past research has shown tha t o lder people lend lo re ly heavily
on prominent landmarks (a distinct wall decoration, for example)
while younger people can navigate with less information.
She started this pro ject when her fa ther-in-law moved into a nursing
home. "When patients can't find their way lo the d ining room.
they' ll lend lo slay in their own rooms." Davis says. "A c reative
environment helps people stay engaged and active."
She will collect data from 150 people. ages 55 and older. lo see
if d ifferent colors and c ues help their navigationa l skills. Davis will
work with Barbara Therrien. nursing professor a t The University of
Michigan. and Margaret Calkins. an internationally recognized
leader in the field of environments for the elderly, particularly those
with Alzheimer 's d isease or o ther dementias.
"There has been surprisingly litt le research tha t looks a t modifiable
aspects of a physical environment. how ii a ffects behavior. and
how ii a ffects people 's ability lo function well. " expla ins Calkins.
According lo Calkins. w ho founded IDEAS Inc . (Innovative Designs
in Environments for an Aging Socie ty) in Kirkland , Ohio, only a
hand ful of design and architectural firms specia lize in wayfinding
systems for hospita ls and airports.
Av ry w
people don' t look a t walls. they look a t the floor." w VI Grand Volley Mogaz ne 7
LONGITUDINAL ELDER INITIATIVE
TAKING TIME FOR GERONTOLOGY
II was an elegant. simple idea . Have a nursing student follow one
client for 18 months through all clinical rolalions. not just for one
semester.
The idea emerged from the c hallenge posed by an aging
population. How do you add gerontology-related issues lo a n
already packed undergraduate nursing curriculum?
In 2004 a team of nursing fac ulty. led by Dean Phyllis Gend ler.
received a grant join tly funded by the John A. Hartford Foundation
and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. Cynthia
Beel-Bales. Rebecca Davis and Susan Jensen developed a model
for threading gerontology education throughout the curriculum.
Along with changes lo nursing courses. an innovative clinical
assignment was created - the Longitudinal Elder Initiative (LEI).
In LEI. each student in four upper-level nursing classes is matched
with an o lder adult. They meet three or four limes a semester for
four semesters. Visi ts begin with a physical assessmen t and a health
history review . Additional assessments are conduc ted lo determine
any problems with depression. anxiety and other common geriatric
cond itions suc h as fa lls. The student nurse and clien t work together
lo establish health care goals. and create up lo three plans d uring
the four semesters lo achieve those goals. The studen ts also share
information about community resources that may help their clien ts
remain independent.
Par!icipanls mus! be al leas! 65 years old and not living in a nursing
home. Currently. 278 nursing students are matched with a rea
senior citizens.
Cynthia Beel-Bales. LEI project coordinator. and affiliate faculty
Susan Jarchow and Kim Lanning recrui! o lder adult volun!eers from
various senior communities throughout the west Michigan a rea .
" LEI has quickly become a powerful shared learning experience
for both our studen ts and the older adults." she says.
Miss Vivion Lee Hoon meets in the comfort of her own home with
her partner in the LEI program , KCON student Andrea Duff.
"Sometimes studen ts are turned off by working with older people."
Beel-Bales explains. "When they only see !hem in hospitals or
nursing homes. it reinforces stereo types that all elderly people
are demented or frail. In fact. only five percen! of the elderly a re
in nursing homes. We wanted lo break this stereo type for these
students and have them experience o lder adults who a re active
and enjoying life. and adapting lo living with chronic illnesses as
they age. The LEI program is doing that very well. "
A AT E E F , GVSU
ALUMNI UPDATE KCON'S RESPONSE TO THE NURSING SHORTAGE Among KCON's newest a lumni are 23 graduates of the first fu ll
accelerated nursing p rogram. KCON partnered with Spectrum
Health lo respond lo the Sla te o f Mic higan's Accelerated Health
Care Tra ining Initia tive. Grant funds were used lo develop and
implemen t a I 2-monlh in tensive adaptation of the BSN program.
Innovative teaching-learning stra tegies were implemented lo
compress the current five-semester program in to three semesters.
These included case simulations, video streaming and podcasling,
c reated through the use o f advanced techno logy, model patient
experiences and intensive clinical education. In spite o f the
demanding pace of this accelera ted program, all o f the g raduates
apprec iated their experience. In fac t. they said that ii was the best
way lo comple te their nursing education and they would do ii
a ll over again!
BEAUREGARD APPOINTED VICE PRESIDENT Kay (Carmen) Beauregard, BSN, RN, has been promoted to vice
president at William Beaumont Hospita l in Royal Oak, Mich. Her
primary responsibility w ill be lo enhance improvements in patient
flow and integrate them more closely with patien t satisfaction and
safety. Beauregard will oversee medical services, the emergency
center, capacity management. quality and safety.
Beauregard received her BSN from Grand Valley in I 980 and a
master 's degree from Centra l Mic higan University. She began her
Beaumont career in 1980 as a sta ff nurse, most recently serving
as lhe hospita l's safely officer. A published au thor and na tiona l
presenter, Beauregard received the American College of
Healthcare Executives' Dean Conley Award this year for her article
tilled, "Patien t Safely: Mind ful, Meaningful and Fulfilling ."
ALUMNI SHARE CAREER EXPERIENCES The 2nd Annual Nursing Roundlable, held on February 28, 2007,
brought together 40 students wi th six KCON alumni who shared
their expertise on topics such as finding your first nursing position
and the c hallenges of working ICU/ER. Alumni participants were
Mary Barr ('97 & '02); Hendrina Cupery ('92); Laurel Jander ('80);
Kristi Potts (' 79) ; Kerri Scholten ('97); and Pam Wilson ('94) .
Dr. Linda Bond and Sharon Etheridge ('89) were the hosts.
ALUMNI
M N B RA L U E F S
2007·2008 officers for Koppa Epsilon Chopler-ol-Lorge
(S1gmo Theta Tou lnlernolionol) include: Jeanne Roode,
MSN, CNA, CNRN 1'95). presidenl·elecl; John
Vanderlaan, MSN, CEN 1'05). treasurer;
Dionne Slager, MSN, FNP·C ('02), faculty counselo1,
Colvin College; and Debro Veltkamp, MSN ('971,
nominoling comm 1llee.
Nancy Bekken &Julie Kruilhof, MSN ('951, coauthored
o chapter, Critirally Ill Obstetrir Patients, 1n Schell & Puntillo !Eds.I
Cr11icol Core Nursing Secrets. (2006)
(2nd ed , pp 786·797). St Louis Mosby.
Kathleen Bell, MSN ('99), wrote a self·leorning compulerized
module for Radiation Oncology Nurses Enhancing Excellence
(RONEE). .4!odule 8: Kadiation The10py lo the Extremity and Benign Diso1ders,
Part 2Kadiopratectant and Sensitize1s. (2006) P111sburgh, PA: ONS
Publishing Division, Oncology Nursing Society.
Catherine Clarey-Sanford, MSN, CWOCN ('00),
received the 2007 Koppa Epsilon Chopler·ot-lorge
Excellence in Educolion Award.
Lynn Fogermon, MSN, APRN·BC, PNP ['97). was named
the 2006 Outstanding Pediolric Nu1se Proctilione1 of the
Year by the Michigan chopler of the Notional Associolion
of Ped1olric Nurse Associates and Procl1lioners.
Keri (Gilman) Gerken, BSN 1'07), is a registered nurse al
Spectrum Health 1n Grand Rapids.
Roger Groves, BSN ('04), cerllfied for chemo odmin1slrollon,
1s working al Jomes Holey Veterans Hosp1tol in Tom po, Flo.
A Magnet focilily, 11 is one of 12 hospitals in the notion
implementing TCAB (Tronsfo1m1ng Core at the Bedside).
Amy Hoffman, PhD ('91, '001, recently compleled doctoral
studies al Michigan Stole Un1vers1ly College of Nu1sing.
She was the invlled speoke1 for the spring 2007 KCON
recognition ceremony, shoring insights about heroes thol
hove offecled her life and career.
Nancee Hofmeister, MSN ('07), received two awards from
the GVSU graduate dean's office: Outslond1ng Master's
Projecl in Nursing and a c1lolion for academic excellence
1n the mojor.
Mory Koy Kempker-VonDriel , EdD, MSN 1'02). gave
the keynote address for the Michigan School Nurses 2007
Conference, "leadership & Dashboards.' Director for
Speclrum Health's Healthier Communilies, she was profiled
in the Grand Rapids Press Uul-:- 1, 2007). Her efforts hove
won 22 nolionol, slate and local awards.
Keverne Lehman, MSN, BC 1'06). received the
Outstanding Master's Degree Student Award from KCON.
Brenda (Sl inson) McCrum, BSN ('02), 1s a neonatal/
pedioli1c transport nurse for Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo.
Kathryn Niemeyer, MSN, MSc, APRN·BC 1'90, '02),
earned o Mosler of Science in Herbal Med1c1ne in 2006
from the University of East Lon::lon. She olso 1ecenlly
presented research results al the American Herbalist
Guild Conference 1n Boulder Col.
John Vanderlaan , MSN, CEN ('05), hos been odmilled
lo the Michigan Stole University doctoral program in
nursing. In oddit1on, he hos been oppoinled os projecl
manager for the Culture and Women's Health Projecl run
by Dr. Denise Saini Arnouh, BSN ('80), of MSU.
Michael l. Williams, MSN 1'93). ossociale professor
ol nursing al Eoslern Michigan Univers1ly and faculty
adviser for lhe Michigan Nur&ing SI udenls Assoc1ollon,
was awarded the 2007 Leode1 Award from the Not1onol
S1udenl Nurses Associol1on.
Heather (Bollie) Wood, BSN ('07), is o registered nurse
in the cordiothorocic ICU al the Detro1I Medical Center's
Harper Universily Hosp11ol.
Thomas C. Wood, BSN 1'07). is o registered nurse in lhe
emergency room of SI. John Hospllol in Southfield, Mich.
FROM TH E P RESI D E N T
The Kirkhof College of Nursing
Alumni Chapter represents more
than 3,000 Grand Valley nursing
a lumni. II has been my privilege to
lead this g roup of professiona ls as
the chapter president since 2004.
We work as a partner wi th Grand
Valley's Alumni Relations Office,
while a lso offering specific nursing
events to enhance the connec tion
between our gradua tes, GVSU and
KCON. There's a sense of pride a nd
accomplishment a lumni describe
when they re turn lo campus for
activities. esp ecia lly Homecoming
events. I personally welcome you to
c hapter activi ties and look forward
to meeting each you.
~ Hove news for lhe next iw>e of•Alumni Briefs'?
Send It 10 1he GVSU Alumni Relo11ons Office: E·ma iI: www. 9vsu. edu / o lu m n I Phon e: 6 l 6·33 l ·3590 or 800·558·054 1 Elaine Leigh, MSN ('02)
A AT E E F , GVSU
STUDENT/SNA UPDATE SNA RECEIVES COMMUNITY HEALTH AWARD The GVSU Student Nurses Association received a Certifica te of
Commendation from the NSNA 2007 Community Health Projects
Program. The Silver Award was in recognition of the SNA's work
for the October 2006 KySS walk. KySS: Keep your children/yourself
Safe and Secure is geared toward the prevention and decrease of
psychosocial morbidities in child ren and teenagers.
Jillian Mooney and Laura Anderson were the student leaders for
this event. The SNA ra ised about $1.l 00 and donated ii to the
Children 's Resource Center. w hich focuses on child mental health.
and lo the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates and
Practitioners (NAPNAP). Jean Marlin. DNSc. RN-C. PNP. assisted
the SNA with planning.
"IA I WWW
ESELEKHOMHEN RECEIVES PRATT SCHOLARSHIP Stacie Eselekhomhen. a studen t in
KCON's second-degree BSN program, is
the 2007 rec ipient of the Prall Nontraditional Nursing Scholarship.
Eselekhomhen hopes lo become a certi fied nurse midwife and
work with underserved populations, both locally and abroad.
Her husband is from Nigeria, and she is especially interested in
educating women in Nigeria so they can become midwives and
open their own clinics.
The Prall Nontraditional Nursing Scholarship was established in
2000 by Judy Pratt. BSN ('88). a KCON alumna and BSN program
advisor and recruiter.
"I attended KCON as a second -degree BSN student." says Prall .
"The program is designed for individuals w ho have earned a
previous bachelor's degree in a non-nursing major. I fell that
I received an excellent education and wanted lo assist other
second-degree students. especially because few financial aid
opportunities are available lo studen ts starling a second career. I
hope this scholarship will continue to benefit many nursing students
in the fu ture."
JONKER RECEIVES FIRST FLENTJE SCHOLARSHIP Lindsey Jonker, a student in KCON's 2007
accelerated nursing program. is the first
recipient of the Janice Flenlje Memorial Nursing Scholarship . This
scholarship was created by Flenlje's husband, Gregory. a nd their
c hildren. Abigail and Caleb, after Janice 's death in the summer
of 2006.
Flenlje. MSN. RN, an adjunct assistan t professor at KCON. is
remembered for her passions. They included her family, nursing,
her students and the less fortunate. She was a tough taskmaster.
demanding the best from both her students and herself.
In the difficult year that began with a d iagnosis of cancer and
ended with her death. she shared her illness. her treatment and
her dying with her students and her colleagues. "I'm a teacher,"
she said simply, as she used her own life lo leac h students how lo
be professionals ready lo help those in the process of dying .
STUDENTS
MAJOR SCHOLARSHIPS AT KCON KCON is fortuna te lo have strong financial support from a lumni,
ind ividuals, families and organizations tha t ore commit ted to
helping educate the next generation of nursing professiona ls.
A big "thank you" to a ll of these contributors:
• Butterworth Nursing Alumni Scholarship
• Janice Flenlje Memoria l Nursing Scholarship
• Gail and Scott Haebich Nursing Scho larship
• HRSA Nursing Scholarship Program
• Mic higan Nurse Scho larship Fund
• Eugene and Lillian Pawl
• Pra ti Nontraditiona l Nursing Scholarship
• Esther Rehm Sto tz Nursing Scholarship
• Volkhord l Family Nursing Scholarship
• Florence Cowan Word Scholarship for Nursing
• Samuel L. Westerman Founda tion Scholarship for Nursing
\J O E N T B R I E F s
Michigan Nursing S1udenls Associollon Boord members lor 2006·2007
included presidenl, Whitney l ewis; second vice president, Heolher Holl ;
and commun1colions editor, Brianna Yon Dop. Boord members for 2007·2008
ore communications officer, Timolhy "Chet" Jel inger, II, and nominations and
eleclions choir, Annie Chapmon.
Hea ther Bottle, BSN 1'07), was selected as the 2007 Lorene Fischer
Outstanding Nursing S1udent for the State of Michigan. Bottle olso received
the Thomas M. Seyko10 Award lor Outstanding Conli1bution at the GYSU Awards
Banquet and was named the 2007 GVSU/KCON outstanding BSN student.
Kimberly Porringon Syme was awarded the 2007 Kappa Epsilon Chopter-ot-large
Excellence 1n Student Performance Award.
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KIRKHOF COLLEGE OF NURSING AUGUST 2007 GRADUATES
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING
Todd Dale Beck Karen Lynn Meyerson
Melissa Lynn Brooks Tami Lou Nysse
Stacy Anne Dunning Kristin June Skantze
Kimberly Faith Hartman Katherine Marie VanOtteren
Eun Jin Lee Deona Jeannine Will is
l aDawn Marie l ogic Kendra Grace Worden
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING
Laura Elizabeth Anderson Stacey Lynn Middendorf
Erin Nicole Andree Andrea Paula Mihajlov
Niky Angela Balahoski Jillian Margaret Mooney
Joy Renee Bamford Mary Jane Muller-Montgomery
Jennifer Lynn Blodgett Kristi Lynn Myers
Joseph F. Borowsky, Jr. Abby Renae Newton
Rachael E. Briggs Lisa Lynn Orcasilas
Elizabeth Catherine Brower Lindsay Marie Pawlik
Sarah Lynn Buehrle Pamela Anne Perry
Noelle Nicole Carter Lindsey l ee Phillips
Carrie Lynn Clute Judith Ann Pike
Erin Lindsey Colegrove All ison Marie Pline
Hilary T. Dennis Megan Terese Renkema
Maureen Catherine Duba Michelle Lynn Richter
Daniel Scott Dustin Kalie M. Roelofs
Ann Marie Finn Mark R. Roy
Michelle F. Gehrke Brianna Rae Rusniak
Ashley Nicole Hazelett Lisa Marie Schoen
Nicole Brooke Hutchc raft Emily J. Shafer
Timothy Chester Jelinger II Opal Esther Stellman
Audra Suzanne Klocko Radmilla Slevanovic
Stacie Lynne Kunkle Heather Lynn Tuilman
Pamela Renae l ampen Holly Lynn Twiest
Whitney Dawn l ewis Abbie J. Vander Lug!
Steven Norbert Marlin Cassie Jo VanDussen
Amy Lynn Martinez Kimberly Joy Vanzanten
Trekka Marie Malen Kelli Lynn Visscher
Erin Kendall McNitt Katie Marie Wieringa
Mariya Meskienyar Andrea Christy Wilkey
Julie Anne Meyer Alix P. Zacharski
A AT E E F , GVSU
FACULTY/STAFF UPDATE
REICK RECEIVES TEACHING EXCELLENCE AWARD Kay Reick, MSN, RN, has received a 2007 Pew Teaching Excellence
Award from GVSU. For 31 years, Reick has d istinguished herself as
an outstanding nurse educator. Her high expectations of herself
and her students have made her an exceptional role model and
mentor. She uses the case study method extremely effectively to
enable students lo design nursing care in a classroom environment.
The encouragement, caring
and compassion she shows
allows her students lo discover
their poten tial and c hallenge
themselves lo be the best
nurses they can b e. During her
career. Reick has also been
instrumental in assisting nurses
in Albania lo advance their
profession and improve nursing
care. Congratulations, Kay!
WELCOME, NEW FACULTY & STAFF Kelly Ackerson, RNC, WHNP, Visiting Instructor
Chris M. Wood, OP, RN, PhD, GNP, Assis tant Professor
Jeanne Smith, BSBA, Multimedia Instructional Design Specialist
In partnership with Spectrum Health and funded by a slate gra nt,
KCON developed a new course, "Clinical Teac hing in Nursing."
The course prepares bachelor's-level clinicians lo serve as clinical
fac ulty. Three of the nurses who completed the course recently
a re actively serving as clinical facully. Welcome to Collette Beitel,
Jessie Lewis and Julie Garnsay.
BRINTNALL APPOINTED TO STATE BOARD KCON assistant professor Ruthann Brintnall, PhD, AOCN, HPCN,
APRN-BC, has recently been appointed lo the Advisory Committee
on Pain and Symptom Management for the Bureau of Health
Professions, Michigan Department of Community Health.
This appointment recognizes Brintnall's extensive clinical and
academic experience with end-of-life (EOL) nursing. She was
chosen to attend the first national End-of-life Nursing Education
Consortium (ELNEC) meeting in 1999. She then developed an EOL
nursing course for GVSU that won a national ed ucation award from
ELNEC and the AACN in 2002. Brintnall was a founding member
and served as chair of !he EOL and Palliative Care Section of
the Midwest Nursing Research Society. She currently is a KCON
representative for the Greater Grand Rapids EOL Coalition.
RUTHANN BRINTNALL
FACULTY /STAFF
FACULTY TRANSITIONS
The following foculty were recently promoled: Andrea Bostrom, PhD, RN, CS,
to professor; Rebecca Davis, PhD, RN, to ossociote professor; Susan Jensen,
PhD, RN, CCM, to ossociole professor; and Lindo Scali , PhD, RN, lo professor.
Rebecca Davis , PhD, RN; Koy Reick, MSN, RN; ond Nancy Schoofs, PhD, RN,
were recently granted tenure.
Emily Droste-Bielak, PhD, RN, and Koy Kline, PhD, RN, hove begun phased retirements,
continuing lo leach the equivalent of one full-time semester each year.
Jeon Mortin, DNSc, RN-C, PNP, hos slapped down as d1reclor of !he RN/BSN and MSN
programs and is relurning lo !he faculty role.
Cynthia Beel-Boles, PhD, RN, foc1li1oles the GVSU Alzheimer's Support Group.
Rulhonn Brintnall , PhD, RN; Susan Mylnorczyk, PhD, RN; ond Joy Washburn, EdD, RN,
recently compleled !heir doctoral studies.
Joy Washburn, EdD, RN, received the 2007 Koppa Epsilon Chopler·ol·lorge Excellence
in Nursing Research Award.
Koppo Epsilon Chopler·ol·lorge officers 12007-20081 include Cynthia Beel-Boles,
PhD, RN, presidenl; Jeon Berr y, PhD, RN, vice president; ond Susan Jensen, PhD, RN,
and Joy Washburn, EdD, RN, GVSU faculty counselors.
A 13
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RECENT FACULTY PRESENTATIONS
Here are just a few of the presentations KCON faculty
made during 2006:
Bostrom. (2006, September) . Translating research into
practice. Presentation at RNs AIM for the Future, Holland, M l.
Brintnall. (2006, October) . Oncologic emergencies.
Presentation al the 32nd Annual Great Lakes Cancer
Conference, Grand Rapids, M l.
Coviak, Martin, e l a l. (2006, November). Perceived socia l
support for physica l activity promoting bone health among
middle school students in Texas. Poster session presented
al the Fifth Australian and New Zealand Adolescent Health
Conference, Sydney, Australia.
Davis, Beel-Bates & Jensen. (2006, November). Community
dwelling o lder adults and student nurse visits: Health of
the older adults over lime. Poster session presented a l
the Gerontologic al Socie ty of America, Dallas, TX.
Etheridge. (2006, August) . Learning lo think like a nurse:
Perspectives of new nurse graduates. Paper presented
al the Mic higan Nursing Education Summit. Livonia, M l.
Jensen. (2006, November). Cultural competence in an
increasing ly culturally diverse world : Wha l you need lo
know. Podium presenta tion a l the Michigan Rehabilitation
Conference, Traverse City, M l.
Jewell, Mupepi, et al. (2006, October). A conceptually
slrucfured human resources pracfice: A collaborative
competency model for designing effective strategies
for people management in organizations. Podium
co-presenta tion a l the Midwes t Academy of
Management 49fh Annual Conference, Louisville, KY.
Mupepi, et al. (2006, October). Opportunities lo conslrucl,
d iffuse, and distribute knowledge using c utting-edge
organization development methods and technology in
southern Africa. Presentation al the Southern Management
Association 2006 Meeting, Clearwater Beach, FL.
Schoofs. (2006, August). Student employment and
academic achievement . Presentation al the Mic higan
Nursing Education Summit, Livonia, Ml.
Scott. (2006, Oc tober) . Nurse work hours: The effecf
of fatigue on patients, nurses, and public safe ty.
Paper presented al the Wisconsin Nurses Associa tion
Convention, Paper Valley, WI.
A AT E E F GVSU
s c H 0l T Y L A Rp._ C U S H p R EC ENT GR AN TS
RECENT PUBL I CA T IONS
Algose, Yoo, Beel-Boles & Song. (2007). Theoretical
models of wondering. In Nelson & Algose (Eds.),
Evidence-hosed protocols for managing wondering behaviors.
New York: Springer Publishing.
Bolos, Scalf & Rogers. [2006). Frequency ond type of
errors and near errors repo1ted by critical core nurses.
Canadian Journal of Nursing Researc/1, 38(2). 24·4 l.
Barbo & Gendler. 12006). Educot1on/commun1ly
collaborations for undergraduate nursing gerontological
clinical experiences. Journal of Professional Nursing, 22
[2). 107-111.
Borry. (2006). The HoverMotl syslem for patient transfer:
Enhancing productivity, efficiency, and safety.
Journal of llu1sing Administration, 36, 114· 117.
Beotlie &Beel-Boles. (2007). Impact of wondering on func
lionol status. In Nelson &Algose !Eds.). Evidence-based protocols
for managing wondering behaviors. New York: Springer Publishing.
Bostrom, Boyd &Homero. (2006, June). Medication
compliance and relapse prevention in schizophrenia.
Psychiat1ic Num Counseling Points, II 1 J.
Bostrom, Boyd & White. (2006, September). Coping with
aggressive behavior in patients with schizophrenia.
Psychiatric Num Counseling Points, 112).
Bostrom, Scholer, Dontje, Pohl, Nogelkerk &Cavanagh.
[2006). Eleclronic health record: Implementation and
outcomes across the Michigan Academic Consortium.
Computers, lnformotirs, Nursing, 24, 44·52.
Brintnall. 12006). Professional collaboration. In Nogelkerk,
Survival Guide for Nurse P1aclilione1s. Phi lodelph10, PA: W.B.
Sounders.
Dovis. 120071. Chronic confusion. In Ackley & Ludwig,
Nursing Diagnosis Handbook: An Evidence-Based Guide lo Planning Coie.
Philadelphia, PA: Mosby.
Deon, Scoll & Rogers. [2006]. Infants at risk: When nurse
fatigue 1eopord1zes patient core. Advances in Neonatal (ore, 6,
120-126.
Etheridge. 12007). learning to think like a nurse:
The perspectives of new nurse graduates.
Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 36 11 ), 24·30.
Gendler. 12007]. Did you know that we hove a nursing
shortage? Koppa Chronicle, Jonvory, I.
Jewell. (2007). Contextual empowerment: Impact of health
brigade involvement on the women of M1roflor, l\licoroguo.
Journal oFTransculturol llursi11g, 18, 49·56.
Leder, Gri nstead &Torres. 12007]. Grandparents raising
grandchildren: slressors, social support, and health
outcomes. Journal of Family liming, 13, 333·352.
Nogelkerk, Reick & Meengs. [2006). Perceived barriers
and effective strategies lo ::liobetes self-management.
Journal ofAdvanced llursing, 54, l 5 l · I 58.
Schoofs . (2007, April 9). The desert of Sjogren's
Syndrome. Nursing Spectrum, I 8· 19.
Scotl, Hwang &Rogers. (2006). The impact of multiple
core giving roles on fatigue, stress, and work performance
among hospital staff nurses. Journal of Nursing Administration, 36,
86·95.
Scott, Rogers, Hwang &Zhong. (2006). Effects of crll1col
core nurses' work hours on vigilance and patients' safety.
American Journal of (1ilicol (ore, 15, 30·37.
Bostrom, A.C. (Project Director/Pl).
(July 2007-June 2009). Slate of
Michigan, Deparlment of Labor
& Economic Growth, Bureau of
Workforce Programs, Accelerated
Health Care Career Training
Award. Kirkhof College of Nursing
& Spectrum Health Cenler.
Accelerated nursing program for
individ uals hold ing a baccalaureate
degree in another discipline;
$603,200.
Coviak, C. (Pl/GVSU Represen ta tive).
(September 2003-September 2006) .
U.S. Deparlmenl of Health and
Human Services, Adminislralion on
Aging, Improving Self-Management
of Chronic Disease in the Elderly: A
Partnership Between Managed Care
Providers and the Aging Network.
Awarded to Area Agency on Aging
of West Michigan.
Kirkhof College of Nursing &
Spectrum Heallh Cen ter. (July
2005-June 2007) . Slate of Michigan,
Deparlment of Labor & Economic
Growth, Bureau of Workforce
Programs, Accelerated Health
Care Career Training Award.
(l) Accelerated nursing program for
individ uals hold ing a baccalaureate
degree in another discipline,
and (2) program lo prepare clinical
educators to be "teacher-clinicians" ;
$1 ,204,000.
Scott, L.D. (Pl) . (February 2007).
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Found ation, Preventing hospital
errors: A fatigue countermeasures
program for nurses; $94,989.
COMMUNITY
• •EARTSIDE
IT TAKES A VILLAGE
CARING FOR OLDER ADULTS AT THE FAMILY HEALT H CENTER
Al the GVSU Family Health Center, KCON students and faculty
work with the sta ff to provide nursing care tha t brings healing for
the mind and spirit as welt as the body.
The center, also known as KCON' s Academic Nurse-Managed
Health Center (ANMC), is localed in the Hearlside neighborhood
of Grand Rapids. II provides primary care to a diverse client base
and serves as a hub for community health initiatives. A clinica l
practice site for KCON students and o thers, it a lso offers faculty
opportunities in community service, administration and research.
O lder adults make up 20 p ercent of the population served by
the Family Health Center. Some of these clients a lso participate
in KCON 's Long itudinal Elder Initiative (LEI) . (See re la ted sto ry,
page 5.) In tha t case the center remains the primary health care
provider; the student obtains permission from the client lo share
information so care can be coordinated.
"The beauty of the LEI program is tha t students can visit seniors
in their homes. We don' t have the opportunity to do tha t." says
Monica Lyons, one of the center's family nurse practitioners.
n 1s
" Information provided by a student a fter a home visit is critica l lo
us as primary care providers," she explains. "For example, a patient
may felt us that she 's been taking a medication as d irected. If t
notice the number of refi lls isn' I correct, the student. the pharmacist
and I can pool our information to help her."
"To borrow a phrase, t believe ii takes a vi llage - a community of
support - to properly care for our o lder adults," says family nurse
practi tioner, Mary Koenen.
"Whether they live independently, wi th family or in assisted living,
they need more than a primary care provider," she says. "They
need a robust support system. Few seniors do welt complete ly on
their own."
Loneliness is a huge problem for o lder adults, Koenen notes.
Ano ther big issue is, "How do t still contribute to the world?"
"This is ano ther thing the studentscan do for them tha t we cannot."
says Koenen. "Our clients are proud and feet useful when they
contribute to the education of the next genera tion of nurses, even
if it 's in small ways. So the KCON students help ease loneliness and
give their clients' lives continuing meaning. They're an important
part of the 'village' tha t supports deeper healing."
2
A AT LE E F , GVSU
CO~ITI' JUED f P.OM PAGE 3
MAKING A DIFFERENCE NICHE doesn' t prescribe how hospitals should hand le geriatric
care. Instead ii serves as a resource for changing the culture in
health care facilities. II provides tools. materials and services
lo help institutions analyze their current practices and develop
pro tocols tha t fit their environment. NICHE focuses on areas under
the control of nursing practice - where nursing interventions can
make a positive d ifference in patient care.
" During the past six years al Bronson," La Reau says, "we 've
made many positive changes in our nursing practices for elderly
inpatients. We've embedded NICHE into our nursing care system.
For example, NICHE classes are now part of orientation for all new
nurses. And, as a result of the NICHE program, we have a wide
variety of patient assessment tools tha t we use every shift.
"There is a movement underway for nurses lo use evidence-based
practices," expla ins LaReau. "All of the tools we use. and the
NICHE program itself. are evidence-based practices. So we've
raised the bar for geria tric nursing care by implementing the NICHE
program."
Measurable results have emerged from the Bronson/NICHE
partnership. Accord ing lo LaReau. there has been a g radua l.
steady decrease in fa lls d uring the past six years. as well as a
reduction in the pressure ulcer role. Pa tient satisfaction is up and
overall outcomes measures a re showing improvement - a major
achievement when caring for older adults.
Re flecting on her lime al KCON. l aReau says, "Without an MSN
and my geriatric nurse practi tioner certi fication. I wouldn' I have
been in this role. I had enormous support from my family, and I a lso
have lo say Phyllis (Gendler) is part of the reason I'm here . I was
an older, mature nurse w hen I went back for my master's degree.
She gave me encouragement and helped me persist when things
got hard. Along the way I've discovered tha t. as an advanced
practice nurse, you really can make a d ifference in patient care."
KCON RECEIVES FULL REACCREDITATION The undergraduate and gradua te nursing programs al KCON
received full reaccredila lion from the Commission on Collegia te
Nursing Education (CCNE) in April 2007.
The Kirkhof College of Nursing received accredita tion for the
maximum of l 0 years and no compliance issues were identified.
accord ing lo Dean Phyllis Gendler. CCNE. affi lia ted with the
American Association of Colleges of Nursing, granted KCON initial
accredita tion in 2002.
"This renewal is a testament lo the quality educa tion nursing
students receive a l KCON," says Gend ler. " II shows tha t we are
meeting the needs of students, the community and the university."
The CCNE's on-site evaluation learn met with students. a lumni.
faculty and KCON 's Community Advisory Counc il. They heard very
positive comments and learned tha t KCON students are especially
appreciated in the community.
In its report. the CCNE accredita tion learn commended KCON
for student and faculty work in the "Gel the Lead Out" project.
They a lso recognized KCON's commitment lo the Academic
Nurse-Managed Health Center (ANMC) in downtown Grand
Rapids, where many patients a re homeless or from low-income
backgrounds. (See story on page 15.)
The CCNE's on-site team also called KCON 's physical resources
"excellent." w ith students and faculty having access lo modern
simulation labs, diagnostic equipment and a health sciences
library in the Cook-De Vos build ing.
e1
WWW x I
The mission of the Kirkhof College of Nursing is to provide quality nursing education to a
diverse population of students. Kirkhof College of Nursing strives to improve the well-being of
people through leadership in nursing education, professional practice and scholarship.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) BSN Degree Completion for RNs BSN Second Degree Accelerated BSN Second Degree Master of Science in Nursi ng (MSN)
RN lo MSN Option (for nurses with non-nursing bochelor degrees)
Combined MSN I MBA
Web Site: www.gvsu.edu/kcon Phone: 616-3 3 1-3 558
Post-Master's Degree Certificates - Advanced Practice Nursing - Nursing Education - Nursing Administration
Continuing Education Courses & Workshops
)etailed information about admission criteria can be found on !he KCON Web site: www.gvsu.edu/kcon
Fax: 616·3 31 -2 5 10 E-mail: Use · conlocl us· page on KCON's Web sile
The K1r~hof College of t'-lurs1ng 1s fully occ1ed1ted by the Commission on Colleg1ole Nursing Educol1M iCCNEJ ond recognized lor its vulslanding leothing, scholarship, service and research
WELCOME TO KCON'S NEW DEAN!
Dr. CYNTHIA McCURREN
We extend a warm welcome lo Dr. Cynthia Mccurren, the newly
appoin ted Dean of the Kirkhof College of Nursing. She succeeds Dr.
Phyllis Gendler. who is retiring as Dean in November and will return lo
leaching and research within nursing.
Since 1983. Dr. Mccurren has held various positions al the University
of Louisville School of Nursing . She was appointed Associate Dean
for Academic Affairs in 2001 and became Interim Dean in 2006. She
served as Director of Nursing Research a t the Universi ty of Louisville
Hospital from 1998 to 2003.
Dr. Mccurren holds a PhD in nursing from the Universi ty of Kentucky,
and earned her MSN and BSN degrees at the University of Missouri.
A noted scho lar in geronto logical nursing, she brings many years
of administra tive experience. a commitment lo interd iscip linary
collaborations. and an inclusive and supportive leadership style .
Under her leadership KCON is expected lo continue lo expand upon
its leading role in nursing education in West Michigan and beyond .
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY KIRKH')f • lllEGE • f IJURSIMG
IJITE 300
COO>·DEVOS CENTER FOR HEALTH 5CIENCES
301 MICHIGAt~ STREEl NE
GRAtlD PAPIDS .Ml JO~OJ JJ IJ
Dr. CYNTHIA McCURREN
NON·PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE
PAID GRAND VAllEY
STATE UNIVERSITY