Christine E. Lynn CoLLege Of Nursing OCTOBER 2014

Transforming Carethrough educationNew Program Allows Freshman toJoin Nursing Program4Dr. Nancey France consults with student joining freshman class.For the first time ever, the College ofNursing will admit 100 students to thenursing program as freshmen this fall.The inaugural freshman-entry nursing class waschosen based on outstanding academic quality.They are not classified as “pre-nursing” and will notbe required to apply to the nursing program duringtheir sophomore year.As part of the freshmen-direct admission program,students will begin nursing courses during their firstsemester. They will continue taking nursing courses,along with all of the other science and generaleducation requirements, throughout the entire degreeprocess which is typically four years.As one of the few Florida schools to admit freshmendirectly into the nursing major, FAU aims to continueattracting the top level of nursing talent.“We want students fully connected with us from thebeginning of their baccalaureate education throughgraduation,” said College of Nursing Assistant DeanNancey France. “This new program allows students tobe a part of the College’s unique, caring-based nursingcurriculum from the day they step foot on campus.”FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITYCHRISTINE E. LYNN COLLEGE OF NURSINGThe College will offer the freshmen-direct admissionprogram in addition to the original three programs ofnursing study at the baccalaureate level, including thetraditional BSN, five semester, full-time, upper-divisiontrack; the accelerated BSN, four-semester, full-timetrack for students with bachelor’s degrees in otherdisciplines; and the RN to BSN track, designed forregistered nursing student with diplomas or associatedegrees in nursing.CHRISTINE E. LYNN COLLEGE OF NURSING

Using Evidence to ImprovePatient CareAs the College of Nursing was revisioning its undergraduateprogram, it became clear that students needed real-lifeexperience in applying evidence in practice,” said Dr. Joy Longo,Associate Professor.A new three-course series was created to address this. It consists ofa nursing research course introducing the student to the processof scientific inquiry followed by an evidence-based nursingpractice course where students identify practice issues thatcall for a review of the current evidence, and in small groupspartner with hospitals, long-term care facilities and healthcenters to plan an evidence-based practice project. Inthe final capstone course, students assist these facilitiesin implementing the project, measuring outcomesand presenting the findings.through educationAs the College launches the inquiry series, thefirst group of students is working with practicepartners on developing projects that addressissues such as falls, hand-washing forprevention of infections, access to prenatalcare, mental health services and medicationeducation. Through these projects, studentsare able to gainexperience workingas a team to enhancedelivery of care. Theoverarching goalis improved healthoutcomes for thecommunity.Transforming CareA crucial call in today’s healthcare environment is the provision ofsafe and quality care through the use of evidence-based nursingpractices. Care decisions need to be grounded in evidence thatis generated through research. The ability to search for and toevaluate evidence, and bring this knowledge to the bedside isimperative for nurses. Developing these skills needs to begin inundergraduate nursing education.5

through educationTransforming Care6Enhancing Patient Safety Using anInterprofessional ApproachIn its 1999 report, “To Err is Human: Building a SaferHealth System,” the Institute of Medicine defines medicalerrors as “the failure of a planned action to be completedas intended or the use of a wrong plan to achieve anaim.” And, according to The Joint Commission, morethan 80 percent of medical errors can be attributed tomiscommunication.To help increase clear and efficient communication amongmembers of the healthcare team, and, ultimately, patientsafety, faculty in the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing areeducating the next generation of nurses with an emphasison interprofessional communication. One way this is beingaccomplished is through the TeamSTEPPS (Team Strategies toEnhance Performance and Patient Safety) program, which crosstrains students from the Colleges of Nursing and Medicine.The program was developed by the Agency for HealthcareResearch and Quality and the Department of Defenseas an evidence-based curriculum for interprofessionalcollaborative practice promoting patient safety. Nursingand medical students sharpen their communicationskills through role-playing scenarios, allowing facultyand students to reflect on the types of communicationtechniques that are most effective.FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITYCHRISTINE E. LYNN COLLEGE OF NURSINGNursing Professors Terry Eggenberger and KathrynKeller became Master Trainers for TeamSTEPPS in 2009.TeamSTEPPS was adopted as part of the nursing and medicalschool curricula, with nearly 700 students and more than 50faculty members participating over the past five years.“By taking an interprofessional approach to training throughprograms including TeamSTEPPS , we are building thecrucial communication skills necessary to prevent errors thatare costly - financially, emotionally and medically,” said Dr.Eggenberger.In addition to the TeamSTEPPS program, FAU students innursing, medicine and social work take joint interprofessionalclasses focused on health policy and the roles of varioushealthcare disciplines. Over the course of a year, studentswork together with residents of a senior living community topractice the team-based competencies they learn.Building on their earlier work, Eggenberger and Kellerare collaborating with the FAU College of Medicine’snew residency program to develop an interprofessionaleducation and practice model that will extend these effortsinto local hospitals, beginning with Boca Raton RegionalHospital.

A Dream and a Passion InspireProfessor and Students toInternational WorkWith a caring heart, selfless curiosity and deep respect forcultural diversity, FAU College of Nursing Assistant ProfessorRhonda Goodman created an international study abroadlearning experience for her students. Dr. Goodman partneredwith a non-governmental organization called Nursing Heartto bring FAU nurse practitioner students to Guatemala toprovide primary care to indigenous Mayan people in ruralvillages. Nursing students eagerly registered to travel to aplace where their lives would be forever changed.“These students gained more than a primary care practicumexperience,” said Dr. Goodman. “They had an intense immersionin a culture different from their own this ultimately changed theirlives.”After the first successful study abroad trip, Dr. Goodmanreturned to Guatemala in the spring of 2014 with severalFAU nursing professors and two new groups of students.Additionally, Dr. Goodman expanded the program toinclude education for health promotion and diseaseprevention.“Our purpose is to strive to make a difference in this world, and toprovide multicultural experiences in which our students learn andpractice,” said Dr. Goodman. “Not only are we helping an internationalcommunity in need, our students can translate these experiences andknowledge to the different cultural groups in South Florida.”After three years of preparation, the Christine E. LynnCollege of Nursing underwent its reaccreditationvisit by the evaluation team from the Commission onCollegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) in November2013. The CCNE is the accrediting body responsiblefor the evaluation of baccalaureate and graduatedegree programs in nursing. At FAU, this includesthe Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Masterof Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of NursingPractice (DNP).The 5-member team visited the Boca Raton and Daviecampuses and the Harbor Branch OceanographicInstitute site where members interviewed Collegeand University officials; program faculty, students, andalumni; and community representatives. The teamreviewed information in the self-study document,appendices, the resource room, as well as othermaterials provided at its request. The team alsoobserved the classroom, including onsite, videoconferencing and online, and clinical experiences atseveral clinical partners.Following an intense two and a half day review, theCCNE evaluation team presented its findings to theCON faculty of full compliance with all four standardsand no citations. The CCNE Board of Commissionersgranted the three programs re-accreditation untilJune 30, 2024.Accreditation by the CCNE shows that a nursingprogram is in compliance with the AmericanAssociation of Colleges of Nursing’s essentialsand CCNE standards forbaccalaureate- and higherdegree nursing education.Simply stated, the ChristineE. Lynn College of Nursingadheres to the higheststandards for its BSN, MSNand DNP programs.*The baccalaureate, master’s and DNP programs at Florida AtlanticUniversity’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing are accredited by theCommission on Collegiate Nursing Education ugh educationChristine E. Lynn College ofNursing receives CCNEAccreditationTransforming CareDr. Goodman and her first round of students arrivedin Guatemala in spring of 2013. They had uncertainexpectations of who would come and what theirinteractions would be like. To their surprise, villagerscame in droves seeking care for many health concerns.In addition, several hundred women were screened forcervical cancer. The group saw more than 1,200 patients infour days across five different villages.7

through practiceTransforming Care8New Health Center Removes Barriersto Quality CareRecently opened in Westgate, the FAU Community HealthCenter cares for a community in needIn January 2014, the FAU Community Health Centeropened in the heart of West Palm Beach at the WestgateCommunity Center. Long recognized as a vulnerable,medically underserved area, Westgate had been lacking aspot for comprehensive health services.With more than 750 patients served since opening, theCommunity Health Center provides all-inclusive primarycare and mental health services, including well-childservices, chronic disease management, nutrition services,laboratory services and more. The Center also encompassesthe FAU Diabetes Education and Research Center, whichfocuses on diabetes care and education for children andadults.“The Community Health Center provides culturally sensitivecare to this underserved population while training the nextgeneration of healthcare professionals,” said Dr. EugeniaDr. Millender, director of the FAU Community Health Center.“Our vision is to improve health equity and create healthycommunities by providing community-based primary caregrounded in a philosophy of caring.”With a wide range of services and community partnerships,the Center aims to decrease the impact of social factors onwellbeing. Eliminating barriers to quality care, the Centertreats all patients, with healthcare services available on asliding fee scale for those who qualify. The Center acceptsMedicaid, Medicare and most insurance plans. The Centeris also able to serve homeless clients through clinical serviceagreements with community partners.“Low-income populations that lack health care access areat greater risk for chronic illness and early death,” said Dr.Millender. “Bridging the gap with Medicaid acceptance andhelp for the uninsured makes a real difference in the health ofthis community.”During the first four months of service, providers took timeto survey the Westgate community to better understandpatients’ needs, priorities and expectations. The staffgained important insights that helps them better serve thecommunity every day.The Center has altered its programs based on this feedbackand will continue to do so as it matures. The need forprimary care for the uninsured was highly noted and willcontinue to be a priority. The importance of substanceFLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITYCHRISTINE E. LYNN COLLEGE OF NURSINGabuse and mental health services, especially related tocoping with the stress of day-to-day life, was also prominentin the feedback.“The demand for our primary and mental health servicespresent the opportunity to provide integrated comprehensivecare, allowing us to have a more profound effect on the overallwellness of our patients and the community,” said Millender.The survey also indicated a need for increased teenagepregnancy services, and HIV and STD testing andtreatment. In March, the Center became state certifiedto conduct HIV counseling, testing and services, and is inthe process of expanding STD services from prevention totesting and treatment.Community feedback also validated the importance ofculturally and linguistically appropriate care. To support thehealth care needs of such a diverse community, cliniciansat the Center offer services and education in multiplelanguages.

The FAU Community Health Center offers:Primary careMental health servicesSubstance abuse supportWell-child examsChronic disease managementNutrition counselingLaboratory services HIV and STD servicesPharmacy assistanceCare coordinationReferrals to specialty careCase managementCommunity outreachDiabetes care and educationAs a place to enrich student learning, and faculty researchand scholarship, the Center employs and educates morethan 60 nursing students this year and often integrates otherhealth professional students.“What an amazing way for our students to learn,” said Dr.Millender. “By immersing students into a community wherehelp is desperately needed, this center is the living work of theCollege of Nursing’s philosophy of caring.”In 2014, the FAU Community Health Center receivedsupport from the Health Resources and ServicesAdministration, the Quantum Foundation, Palm BeachCounty and the Office of Minority Health.Transforming Care through practice9

focus their efforts in the villages as first-hand health careproviders.Transforming Carethrough practiceIn the Bondeau community in June 2013, Barry and Kingran a women’s clinic and provided services to more than50 women and children. “We observed the women at theclinic to understand their life practices and their medicalneeds,” said Dr. Barry. “Having the chance to be immersedin their environment inspired us to continue working on thecommunity health project that will greatly benefit them, aswell as their families.”10Empowering CommunityHealth Care Providersin HaitiOften when we hear about Haiti, it is associated withtragedy. Health is a major challenge of its people, asmortality rates are among the worst in the world. Healthequity is a global concern, and a large portion of thepopulation has no access to health care. The good newsis the country is slowly rebuilding its infrastructure andadvancing health care programs.The professors also visited the Faculté des SciencesInfirmières de l’Université Episcopale d’Haïti in Léogâne(Faculty of Nursing Science of the Episcopal University ofHaiti), a bachelor of science in nursing program, to discussintegrating clinical practices, community health and schoolnursing courses into their curriculum.FAU’s College of Nursing is listening to the needs of thepeople of Haiti, sharing knowledge and providing ethicalleadership in an area that is greatly needed. By involvingand partnering with the local health care providers inthese communities, the College of Nursing is ensuringthese initiatives are not only established but sustainable,empowering the health care providers in this country tonurture the wholeness of their community.In late-2012, the College of Nursing partnered with theHaitian government, the Ministry of Health, Partners inHealth, St. Croix School of Nursing and Hospital, and theEpiscopal Church in Haiti to develop community healthprograms. Drs. Charlotte Barry and Beth King were at theforefront of a community health project, which includedthe establishment of a school-based wellness centerand training for a cadre of community health workers toProviding a Voice for Patients Unable to Speakfor ThemselvesPatients who are intubated are unable to speak with medicalproviders, nursing staff, family members and friends. Theyoften become very frustrated with their inability to speak or letothers know their needs. Speak for Myself (SFM) is a newlydeveloped computer application for an Android tablet thatprovides a voice for patients who are unable to speak.“I developed Speak for Myself because a number of friendsand clients experienced being voiceless, and we needed asolution,” said Dr. Rebecca Koszalinski. “I’m so pleased that aspart of my dissertation research I’ve been able to create andtest this technology that can make such an impact in the lives ofpatients during a very stressful time.”While SFM was undergoing testing at three local hospitals,Rebecca and her dissertation mentor, Dr. Ruth Tappen,learned that it is effective in a number of different situations.One situation, in particular, exemplified the purpose anduses to which SFM can be used. Late one afternoon, theCollege received a text about a patient in a CardiovascularIntensive Care Unit who was choosing hospice care ratherthan treatment. The plan was for her to be extubated thefollowing morning and for mechanical ventilation to beFLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITYCHRISTINE E. LYNN COLLEGE OF NURSINGturned off. No onereally knew how longshe would be able tocontinue breathingonce the mechanicalventilation systemwas stopped, butdid not expect itto be for very long.Her nurses asked forSFM for the night so that this patient could document herneeds and wishes with the staff and her family. The patientused SFM through the night and was able to communicateher wishes to them. When Rebecca returned the followingmorning, the patient indicated that she had said what sheneeded to say and wanted to prepa

New PRogRAm AllowS FReSHmAN To JoiN NuRSiNg PRogRAm For the first time ever, the College of Nursing will admit 100 students to the nursing program as freshmen this fall. As part of the freshmen-direct admission program, students will begin nursing courses during their first semester. They will continue taking nursing courses,