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SESSIONS & POSTERS
Keynote Speakers |
| Mary Lou Ackerman BScN, MBA, FIEL Session: From Best Practice to Next Practice: Let’s Innovate and Advocate for the Future of Nursing! Mary Lou Ackerman former Vice President of Innovation and Digital Health with SE Health. Mary Lou is a founding member of SONSIEL (Society of Nursing Scientist, Innovator, and Entrepreneur Leaders), executive Board Member and President Elect. Her background is extensive - she has led the development and implementation of many health transformation projects, innovations and partnerships. Mary Lou joined SE Health early on in her nursing career, and she has augmented her clinical background with a graduate business degree and significant experience with health informatics and technologies. She has inspired many nurses globally to challenge the status quo, innovate and transform health care experiences. Mary Lou has a passion for innovation combined with a desire to advance care by creating innovative service models supported by digital health technologies leading to a future that will provide a personalized, accessible, meaningful health experience for individuals, their families and the service providers that support them. Most recently Mary Lou has coauthored two books: The Future of Aging and The Rebel Nurse Handbook: Inspirational Stories by Shift Disruptors. |
| Sarah DiGregorio, Journalist and Author Sarah DiGregorio is the critically acclaimed author of Early: An Intimate History of Premature Birth and What It Teaches Us About Being Human and Taking Care: The Story of Nursing and its Power to Change Our World. She is a journalist who has written on health care and other topics for the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, Slate and Insider, among others. She has been a keynote speaker for many universities, corporations, and professional organizations. lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her daughter and husband. For more information please visit her website, sarahdigregorio.com. |
| Kimberly Gordon, DNP, CRNA Session: Oklahoma Nurses as Advocates, Leaders, and Legislators Kimberly Gordon is a reformed accountant having earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration from John Carroll University in Ohio. After working seven years in various cost accounting and managerial positions, she chose to pursue a career in nursing and then nurse anesthesia. Kimberly graduated with a Bachelor and Master of Science in nursing from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She earned her Doctor of Nursing practice at Yale University where she and a colleague developed the first-of-its-kind Campaign School for Nurses and Midwives. Kimberly is the co-founder of Healing Politics, a non-profit organization on a mission to inspire, motivate, recruit, and train nurses and midwives to run for elected office while building a culture of civic engagement within the professions. She practices anesthesia per diem for Novant Health in Winston-Salem and is the first CRNA to serve as the North Carolina Association of Nurse Anesthetists’ (NCANA) Government Relations Director. Kimberly has always been involved in the nursing profession. First, in the NC Nurses Association (NCNA), then NCANA. She is the Legislative Chair for the NC Organization of Nurse Leaders (NCONL) and serves on the board of Healthcare Providers for Greater Access. She loves talking about nursing leadership, professionalism, and political involvement with anyone who will listen. Kimberly wishes that every nurse understood the powerful impact that they have on their communities, colleagues, and the healthcare system. She believes that nurses working together could, quite literally, change the world. |
Speakers/Poster Presenters
| Shelly Bauer, DNP, RN Shelly Bauer is the Director of Clinical Education at Hillcrest South. She recently graduated from Oklahoma Wesleyan University with her Doctorate in Nursing Practice—executive Leadership. Although she has been a nurse for over 30 years and has practiced in a variety of nursing settings, Education has remained at the forefront. Her passion continues to be the development and implementation of professional development programs to assist staff feel confident in their skills to perform and lead for their organization. Breakout Sessions: Pathway to Excellence: A Hospital's Designation Journey Empowering New Nurses: The Transformative Benefits of Nurse Residency Programs |
| Cindy Beisner, PhD, MSN, RN ADN 1992, BSN 2008, Master’s in Nursing Education 2010, PhD 2014, OUCON Faculty 2012-present My interest in nursing research is transitioning to practice using quantitative methods. |
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| Michele Bradshaw, MSN, RN Michele Bradshaw, MSN, RN has been a nurse for 30 years with 19 years of nursing leadership in critical care, quality, risk management, compliance, regulatory readiness, and hospital administration. At Integris Edmond Hospital, Michele served as the Pathway Program Director, (PPD) and led the journey to the successful Pathway to Excellence third re-designation. Michele has been with Integris Health for 6 years and is currently the Intermediate Care Nurse Manager at Integris Health Edmond HospitalBreakout Session: A Hospital System’s Journey to ANCC Pathway to Excellence® (PTE) Redesignation |
| Cynthia Keeton Brown, PhD, MSN, BSN, RN, BFA Dr. Cynthia Brown graduated from the NEO A&M College Nursing Program in 2011. After graduating she went to work at Freeman Health System, Joplin, Missouri, on the Medical Surgical/Oncology Unit. Dr. Brown’s primary focus has been in Home Health since 2012, working for Carter Healthcare as a case manager and for Sacred Rose Healthcare as an administrator. Before becoming a full-time faculty member at NEO in 2017, she also worked as adjunct clinical faculty at NEO A&M College. In addition, Dr. Brown provides telehealth case management services to injured workers for Spectrum Health Care Resources, St. Louis, Missouri through the Department of Labor Office of Workers' Compensation Programs. |
| Janice Carr, DNP, RN, CNE Dr. Carr is full time faculty at Kramer School of Nursing, teaching students in both the undergraduate and graduate programs. Her practice areas included Community Health Nursing, Nursing Policy, Technology in Nursing, Foundations of Nursing, Nursing Simulation/Lab, and Leadership. She has been a nursing educator since 2011 and is passionate about meeting the needs of the community through health promotion and prevention, in addition to legislative action to advance health care policy. Dr. Carr is currently appointed by the Attorney General to serve on the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board as a representative of ONA. Breakout Session: Impact of IPV Practice Intervention on Student's Communication and Interpersonal Interventions with IPV Clients |
| Nikki Christian, MSN, RN Nikki is a dedicated nurse leader in the field of professional development who received her MSN in Nursing Leadership from the University of Oklahoma this past year. With a decade of nursing experience, Nikki's passion for professional development and supporting nurses has been the cornerstone of her career. Nikki's innovative approach to professional development includes the integration of evidence-based practices, mentorship, and supportive learning environments. Her efforts have resulted in stellar nurse retention rates and new nurse confidence and competence which reflects her belief that well-supported nurses provide the best care for their patients. Breakout Session: Empowering New Nurses: The Transformative Benefits of Nurse Residency Programs |
| Beth Condley, DNP, APRN, CPNP-AC, AE-C Dr. Beth Condley is a dedicated nurse faculty member and pediatric nurse practitioner hospitalist with a rich background in nursing education and clinical practice. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 2006 and went on to earn her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2009. Demonstrating her commitment to advanced practice and leadership in nursing, Beth completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 2016. Beth holds a dual appointment as faculty and works as a pediatric nurse practitioner hospitalist at Oklahoma Children's Hospital. Since 2021, she has been imparting her extensive knowledge and clinical expertise to nursing students at the college of nursing. Her dual role allows her to stay at the forefront of clinical practice while shaping the future of nursing through education. Beth's career reflects a profound dedication to both her patients and her students. Her contributions to pediatric healthcare and nursing education are invaluable, ensuring high standards of care and inspiring the next generation of nurses to excel in their profession. Breakout Session: A Scoping Review of the use of Deliberate Practice in Undergraduate Nursing Education |
| Kristy Covey, MSN, RN, CDCES Kristy Covey is an assistant clinical professor with more than 23 years nursing experience in school nursing, labor and delivery, outpatient surgery, community nursing, and nursing education in various settings. She is also a certified diabetes care and education specialist. |
| Darbi Crist, MSN, RN Darbi Crist, a dedicated and passionate nurse educator, has been a vital part of the nursing community since she graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Oklahoma City University in 2013. Her journey in nursing began at the bedside in the postpartum unit, where she provided compassionate care to new mothers and their babies, gaining invaluable experience and insight into patient care. In 2020, Darbi transitioned into the world of nursing education, bringing her real-world expertise and enthusiasm for teaching to the classroom. Her commitment to advancing her own education continued as she earned her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 2022. Currently, she is furthering her studies at The Ohio State University, where she is pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a focus on Nurse Executive Leadership. Posters: A Scoping Review of the use of Deliberate Practice in Undergraduate Nursing Education |
| Tina Edwards, MBA, MSN, RN Clinical background in ICU and Emergency Room. Currently the manager of patient care services, Pathway Program Director for Pathway, Daisy Coordinator, Sunshine Coordinator, and advisor for Council of Nursing Excellence. |
| Rachel Eudey, MSN, RN, CCRN, CPN Rachel Eudey clinical nurse education specialist with 10 years’ experience in pediatric critical care and pediatric cardiovascular critical care who now serves primarily the pediatric cardiac ICU at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital. A PNCB Certified Pediatric Nurse since 2019 and an AACN Certified Pediatric Critical Care Nurse since 2020, she has a passion for education both in pediatric nursing and in the critically ill pediatric population. Breakout Session: Mending Little Hearts: The New Heart Failure & Transplant Program at Oklahoma Children's Hospital |
| Dr. Katy Fisher-Cunningham, PhD, RN, CNE Dr. Katy Fisher-Cunningham joined the University of Oklahoma Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing in July 2022. Dr. Fisher-Cunningham teaches students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. She has served as a nurse educator since 2017 in various capacities including clinical nursing instructor, online course development expert, online education coordinator, and Traditional BSN 4000-level Track Coordinator. Her clinical practice areas of expertise include neuroscience, intensive care, and care management. Dr. Fisher-Cunningham has presented her research at the local, national, and international level and is passionate about producing nursing research that advances the discipline of nursing. Dr. Fisher-Cunningham is a proud citizen of the Chickasaw Nation. Posters: HPV Vaccine Uptake Among American Indian and Alaskan Native University Students: A Scoping Literature Review |
| Stacie Hanes, APRN-CNS I graduated with my ADN from OCCC in 1995, then my BSN from OUHSC in 2002. I finished my MSN at OUHSC in 2020 and obtained by AGCNS certification in July of 2020. I worked at Mercy in Med-Surg and in the cardiac ICU for 6 years, then transitioned to cardiovascular research for the last 23 years. I helped develop and create the Valve Clinic at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital in 2011. Initially we focused on aortic stenosis, but our “Valve Clinic” has evolved into all structural heart and valvular disease. I currently run this department with my team of 2 APRNs, 3 RNs, 3 MAs, and 1 scheduler. In 2021 I also started adjunct teaching clinicals for BSN students at OUHSC. Breakout Session: Valvular Heart Disease: How to Diagnose and Treat |
| Priscilla Jane Hopkins, BSN to DNP Graduate Student (2024) Priscilla Jane Hopkins has been a Registered Nurse for 47 years. She attended N. E. O. A&M College of Nursing in Miami, Oklahoma, graduating in the second nursing class and earning her Associate Degree in Nursing in 1976. Attempting to gain her BSN at Northeastern University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, she only attended one semester as she had small children and her husband was very ill. She continued to pursue her dream of higher education and began her RN-to-BSN degree at Oklahoma Wesleyan University in 2019, which she completed on August 3, 2021. Having the opportunity to further a milestone, she attended Oklahoma Wesleyan University's first online class of the BSN to DNP program on August 30, 2021, after completing her BSN the same month, graduating in August 2024. With this degree, she saw an opportunity to help others in ways that were only dreams becoming realities. She has worked in many nursing areas during her career, beginning in surgery, performing the duties of a circulator and being a scrub nurse. Working with the mentally ill in the early 1980s at the former Eastern State Hospital for the Mentally Insane. She continued to work in the medical settings of home health, Med-Surg, and pre-op, all the while continuing to work with behavioral and mental health. She worked two full-time jobs during the last seven years of her career. Priscilla has a strong Christian background and work ethic. Striving to do God's will and believing in hard work, she is caring for her family and her husband of 45 years, a disabled military service-connected veteran who has many health issues from serving in the U.S. Navy and being in active combat from 1967 to 1971 in the Vietnam War. They have five daughters and seven grandchildren. Poster: Impact of Education Frequency on Opioid Use and Naloxone Administration in Clinic Settings |
| Shadrach Igwe MBA Shadrach Igwe is dedicated to facilitating an accessible healthcare system for humanity by building innovative software tools and infrastructure. His goal is to ease the way healthcare systems, businesses, and professionals work, helping them maintain balance, grow, and manage their tasks efficiently. As an accomplished healthcare solution expert, Shadrach has worked in the healthcare industry for over 15 years, bringing a wealth of experience and insight to his mission. Poster: Empowering Nurses: Simplifying Certification Management with CerTracker |
| Emma Kientz, DNP, APRN-CNS, CNE Emma Kientz is an Associate Professor in the Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing. Dr. Kientz's nursing career spans over four decades where she has held a variety of nursing leadership positions including staff and supervisory positions, a clinical research nurse position at the National Institutes of Health, and as an officer in the U.S. Air Force Nurse Corps. She is a Clinical Nurse Specialist and holds national certifications through the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the National League for Nursing. In addition to her clinical and course faculty role, she holds administrative duties as the Asst. Dean for Academic Affairs – Undergraduate Programs. She has been in academia for over 20 years, and has been integral in collaborative learning opportunities for nursing students primarily on the Tulsa campus. Breakout Session: The Many Hats of the Clinical Nurse Specialist Poster: Arezzo, Italy: Faculty Insights for a Successful Study Abroad Experience |
| Anna Mangimela, DNP, RN, MEDSURG-BC, CNE Dr. Mangimela embarked on her nursing journey over 16 years ago, initially in critical care, before venturing overseas. Abroad, she dedicated herself to fostering connections for nursing students within non-profit organizations, lending her expertise to an international clinic, and offering compassionate care to marginalized communities, including those affected by HIV, orphans, and individuals with hydrocephalus and cerebral palsy. Her passion for education ignited during her time teaching English to nursing students and residents, ultimately leading her to pursue advanced degrees—a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus on education and later a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Educational Leadership. Her dedication and excellence have earned her accolades, including recognition as one of Oklahoma's 100 Greatest Nurses in 2018 and a nomination for a prestigious Daisy Award. Currently, Dr. Mangimela serves as the Director of Graduate Nursing Programs at Oklahoma Wesleyan University. Beyond her professional pursuits, she finds joy in her role as a spouse and parent to two children. In her leisure time, she relishes outdoor activities, indulges in reading, and tends to her garden with care. Poster: Improving Health-related Quality of Life Through Shared Medical Appointments |
| Caitlin Marion, DNP, MSN, RN, CPN, NPD-BC, CNE, CNEcl Caitlin Marion is a DNP-prepared leader and educator. She serves as an educational consultant for OU Health and in inpatient clinical education. Dr. Marion is nationally certified in pediatric nursing, nursing education, and professional development. Her professional interests include transition to practice, project development, and professional development. Breakout Session: Cost-Savings through Collaboration: Transforming Critical Care RNs and RTs into ECMO Specialists |
| Kaitlin Martin, RN, ADN, MSN Cardiology RN turned case manager who is interested in nursing education and expanding palliative care and end-of-life education for nurses, families, and patients. Graduated from OSU-OKC in May 2020 and employed by OU Health for 4.5 years. Poster: End-of-Life Education: Lecture vs Simulation for Nurse Residents? |
| Cherry Montano Cherry Montano is a dynamic strategic nurse leader who empowers organizations, teams and employees to thrive and ensure alignment with the mission, values and objectives of the department and organization. Cherry is recognized as a strong leader who coaches, mentors and develop new leaders to achieve peak performance and positive outcomes. She is currently the Director of Nursing for the PICU at Oklahoma Children's Hospital. Breakout Session: Cost-Savings through Collaboration: Transforming Critical Care RNs and RTs into ECMO Specialists |
| Libby Morris, DNP, APRN-CNS, NE-BC Libby Morris, DNP, APRN-CNS, NE-BC has been a nurse for 31 years with 25 years of progressive nursing leadership in med-surg, critical care, quality and administration. At Integris Southwest Medical Center, Libby led the journey to the successful Pathway to Excellence initial 3-year designation and two subsequent 4-year re-designations. She was with Integris Health for 18 years and is currently the Director of Quality, Risk Management, Ethics and Compliance at Southwestern Medical Center in Lawton, OK.Breakout Session: A Hospital System’s Journey to ANCC Pathway to Excellence® (PTE) Redesignation |
| Jessica Noll, DNP, RN, CNL, RNC-OB, C-EFM Jessica Noll is a Clinical Nurse Leader at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital. She received her Doctorate of Nursing Practice from The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Jessica’s areas of focus include Inpatient Intrapartum Obstetrics and High-Risk Obstetrics. She is certified in Inpatient Obstetrics and Electronic Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring. Jessica is a Neonatal Resuscitation Provider Instructor, Intermediate Fetal Monitoring Instructor, and active member of the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal |
 | Devin Patterson, BSc, RN With 18 years of experience in the medical field and 9 years as an ER nurse, Devin has dedicated their career to providing exceptional patient care, even amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, Devin was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), which brought new challenges in managing personal and professional responsibilities. Recognizing the difficulty of keeping track of certifications and renewals—an issue made even more pressing by their diagnosis—Devin founded CerTracker. This innovative platform is designed to help medical professionals stay organized and ensure they never miss an important renewal or certification update. Devin’s firsthand experience in the medical field and personal resilience drive the mission of CerTracker: to provide a reliable solution that supports healthcare professionals in maintaining their credentials seamlessly. Poster: Empowering Nurses: Simplifying Certification Management with CerTracker |
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| Susan Radcliffe, RN, MN, MHR I am a creative, energetic, experienced nurse/nurse educator for over 50 years, with stories to tell and share about what I’ve learned along the way. My formal Education started at Vanderbilt University in the early 70’s, (BSN), Emory University in the late 70’s, (MN), and the University of Oklahoma in the 90’s. (MHR). My real education came from the patients I cared for, and the students I’ve taught over the years. To sum things up, we are living in a massively overwhelming time, not using the resources we have within, to stay stable a regulated as we go through this journey, we call life. We can self-regulate in order to be completely comfortable and safe in our daily lives, in order to learn how to THRIVE. Join me in this Journey. Breakout Session: Living Your Dreams - Learning to Completely Enjoy The Journey of Life |
| Russell Rooms, DNP, APRN, CNP Dr. Russell “Rusty” Rooms, is the founder and lead Nurse Practitioner of Diversity Family Health, a private practice clinic specializing in the care of the LGBT+ community, and previously the Health Equality Coordinator and Advanced Practice Nurse for OU Medicine. Russell has a doctoral degree in nursing practice with a focus in community and public health. He is a Nurse Practitioner with over 30 years of experience in emergency care, hospital administration and now primary and specialized care to the LGBTQ community. He is an expert in the response to HPV related anal cancers in men who have sex with men and is a member of the International Anal Neoplasia Society. He is also a faculty member of the South Central AIDS Education and Training Center. Breakout Session: Ending the HIV Epidemic: Prevention and Treatment Strategies for Primary Care |
| Lisa Rother, MHA, BSN, RN-BC Lisa is the Senior Director for Strategic Market Operations at Medically Home, partnered with the nation's leading health care system to improve access to care and transform the patient experience by bringing hospital level care into the patients' home. Prior to joining Medically Home, Lisa worked at INTEGRIS Health for 34 years in various administrative and nursing leadership roles, most recently as the Director for INTEGRIS Health at Home, inclusive of their Hospital at Home program. Lisa has a master’s degree in health administration and bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Oklahoma and is Board Certified in Nursing Professional Development. Breakout Session: Virtual Nursing: A Dual Solution for Patients and the Nursing Profession |
| Kim Tate, RN BSN I have served in diverse leadership roles for 30 years in Home Health, Hospice and Med-surg care, including Home Health Director of Nursing, Administrator, Clinical Operations Consultant, Assistant Director of Quality and Outcomes, Director of Clinical Risk and Vice President of Clinical Excellence. I have successfully led and developed teams to improve the quality of patient outcomes, developing clinical risk management programs, leading project initiatives to enhance quality care, impacting growth, and improving key performance indicators. I am the founder and lead consultant at Tate Healthcare Consulting Solutions. We serve home health and hospice organizations. Leveraging my extensive background and expertise, the consultancy group specializes in delivering tailored solutions to meet organizational needs through transformative collaboration, operational efficiency, continuous quality improvement, education, and enhancing leadership confidence and knowledge. I am steadfastly committed to quality, leadership development, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance. I am a patient advocate and a lifelong learner dedicated to making lasting contributions to healthcare, impacting the organizations I serve and the healthcare professionals I mentor and lead. Breakout Session: The Courage to Lead: Innovating and Advocating in Nursing |
| Halli Tipton, MSN, RN Halli Tipton is a clinical assistant professor of nursing. Her clinical background is critical care. She is eager to bring clinical knowledge and experiences to the classroom. She coordinates virtual reality simulations throughout the undergraduate BSN program. She serves as the faculty adviser for the Student Nurse Association and is passionate about building leadership opportunities and connections with students. Breakout Session: Integrating Virtual Reality Across the Nursing Curriculum: Embracing Innovation |
| Katelynn Vaughan, RN, CNOR Katelynn received her nursing degree in 2013 and has been working in the operating room at OCOM Hospital since 2015. Katelynn was promoted to Charge Nurse of the OR in 2020, where she works diligently to educate staff and promote excellence throughout the hospital. Katelynn's recent accomplishments include becoming certified in the operating room, implementing a Unit Based Counsil for the Operating Room, serving as Chair of The Clinical Nursing Empowerment Committee and launching a Nurse of the Year Awards for her hospital. Katelynn is a member of the Oklahoma Organization of Nurse Executives and helps promote certification by serving as a CCI Certification Coach. Poster: Silent Hazard: The Hidden Dangers of Surgical Smoke in the OR |
| Christie Vaughn, RN, BSN Christie has been in the healthcare industry for 36 years. Her nursing experience includes orthopedic nursing, nursing education, informatics nursing, house supervisor, and nursing leadership. She is the manager of the Progressive Care Unit and Medical Surgical Unit at Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee. She obtained her LPN licensure in 1988 from Kiamichi Vo-Tech, her associate's degree in nursing at Eastern Oklahoma State College in 1991 and her bachelor's degree in nursing at East Central University in 1999. Poster: Implementation of a Fall Response Team to reduce the number of falls with moderate to severe injury |
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| Katie Walker, DNP, APRN-CNS, CCNS Dr. Walker received her Bachelor of Science degree from Langston University, her Master of Science in Nursing/Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist degree from the University of Oklahoma, and her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Missouri State University. Dr. Walker has over 27 years of experience in adult critical care and has been a clinical nurse specialist for 19 years with a focus in critical care, cardiology, and education. Breakout Session: The Many Hats of the Clinical Nurse Specialist |
| Kim Walton, RN, MSN Kim has been a nurse since 1992, providing bedside care for 18 years in areas such as Rehab, Burn-Trauma, Emergency, and Critical Care. She became a clinical educator at Saint Francis Hospital in 2011 and transitioned to nursing leadership in 2019. She is currently the Executive Director of Patient Care Services at Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee. Kim acquired a BSN from the University of Utah college of nursing in 1993 and an MSN from Northeastern State University in 2020. Poster: Implementation of a Fall Response Team to reduce the number of falls with moderate to severe injury |
| Courtney Wayland, DNP, RN, CNE Courtney Wayland, DNP, RN, CNE is a clinical professor of nursing. Her clinical expertise includes medical-surgical, cardiac care, and school nursing. Wayland has over a decade of nursing education experience, and her passion is teaching students the art and science of nursing. Breakout Session: Integrating Virtual Reality Across the Nursing Curriculum: Embracing Innovation |
| Sharon Rose Willis, DNP, RN, NPD-BC Sharon Willis, DNP, RN, NPD-BC is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing at The University of Tulsa (TU). Her clinical expertise is in critical care and emergency room nursing. She is an experienced nursing educator in both the academic and acute care settings, with extensive experience in simulation. Sharon is board certified by the ANCC in Nursing Professional Development. Her DNP Quality Improvement Project was completed at a hospital in Ghana where she implemented a Rapid Response System. She is passionate about nursing education and grateful to have the opportunity to teach the next generation of registered nurses at TU. Poster: Saving Lives with the Implementation of a Rapid Response System |
| Dr. Vanessa Wright, PhD, MSN, RN Dr. Vanessa Wright has served as a nurse educator for over a decade in various capacities including clinical nursing instructor, online course development expert, MSN program coordinator, and Chair of Graduate Education. Her clinical practice areas of expertise include emergency nursing, medical-surgical nursing, and nursing administration. Dr. Wright has presented her research at the local, state, and international level and is passionate about producing nursing research grounded in Unitary Caring Science. In 2021, Dr. Wright completed a Postdoctoral Scholars Program at Watson Caring Science Institute under the direct mentorship of Nursing Theorist Jean Watson. Vanessa is a proud citizen of the Cherokee Nation. |
Breakout Sessions
Valvular Heart Disease: How to Diagnose and Treat
It is estimated that 2.5% of the US population have valvular heart disease. As patients age, it becomes even more common. It is estimated that 13% patients over the age of 75 have valvular heart disease. Are you confident you can identify the signs and symptoms of valvular heart disease and how these should be managed? This presentation will do an in depth review of identifying the signs and symptoms of the common valvular heart disease. We will also review at length, both medical and surgical and/or percutaneous management of valvular disease.
Ending the HIV Epidemic: Prevention and Treatment Strategies for Primary Care
This presentation is designed to empower primary care providers with essential knowledge and practical strategies to combat the HIV epidemic effectively. Attendees will first be guided through the current landscape of HIV epidemiology, exploring the latest data on prevalence, high-risk populations, and contributing social determinants of health. Emphasis will be placed on understanding and implementing national and global strategies aimed at ending the epidemic. The session will also focus on identifying patients at risk for HIV through detailed risk assessments and appropriate screening protocols. Furthermore, the presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of the latest guidelines for prescribing antiretroviral therapy (ART), including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for prevention, and the initiation and management of ART for treatment. By addressing these key areas, the presentation aims to enhance the capacity of primary care providers to recognize, prevent, and treat HIV, contributing to the overarching goal of ending the HIV epidemic.
Virtual Nursing: A Dual Solution for Patients and the Nursing Profession
Virtual nursing serves as the backbone of Hospital at Home (HAH) care model ensuring safe, high quality and reliable care. Using video and remote patient monitoring technology, virtual nurses assess and monitor patients 24/7, identifying and prioritizing needs, providing patient education, and evaluating patient responses. The focus on the patients’ safety begins with the intake process through the nurses screening patients for clinical and social stability to determine eligibility and what services and equipment will be necessary to deliver the patient’s acute care at home. Following admission, virtual nurses manage the patients’ plan of care through ongoing assessment of clinical and social needs, identification of environmental risks, planning interventions, selection of the appropriate “actors” to provide the in-home clinical interventions and evaluation of the patients’ response to all interventions. With a lens into the patient’s home environment, virtual nurses directly observe the patient’s health habits along with social and environmental considerations, allowing for earlier identification of risks and intervention to prevent readmission and promote long term health.
Mending Little Hearts: The New Heart Failure & Transplant Program at Oklahoma Children's Hospital
In November of 2023, the Oklahoma Children’s Hospital received approval from the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) to begin our heart transplant program. This was a nearly three-year process spearheaded by our Transplant Medical Director, Dr. Erik Edens. In this presentation, the speaker will discuss this program, including what we were doing before it started and what we are currently doing now. We will discuss the types of conditions that we expect to treat in patients who are evaluated for this program as well as some of the innovative ventricular assist devices (VADs) that are being used now to help manage these patient conditions. We will also discuss what the future of the program looks like in the state of Oklahoma and how we are expanding our cardiac ICU and cardiac stepdown units to accommodate these highly acute patients.
Impact of IPV Practice Intervention on Student's Communication and Interpersonal Interventions with IPV Clients
The 2022 total of domestic violence-related homicide victims marks four consecutive years where more than 100 victims were killed due to domestic violence in our state. National research places Oklahoma as second in the nation for women being murdered by men. Further analysis of state rankings shows Oklahoma has consistently ranked in the top 10 of states of women being murdered by men since 1996. Nurses are often the first line of defense for victims of domestic violence. Training for nurses and nursing students on how to interact and communicate with clients at risk is an important intervention. The quantitative research for this practice intervention demonstrates the effectiveness of these types of interventions. This data demonstrated that a significant number of students had an improvement in their knowledge after completion of the practice intervention. This type of training has demonstrated positive outcomes in knowledge and skills of nursing students which will be discussed in this presentation. In addition, to needed training, nurses and nursing students need to be aware of current statistics related to domestic violence, referral resources in our communities, and steps that may be taken to become an advocate for prevention of domestic violence. These topics will be covered in this presentation which will include applicable data for current practice settings.Empowering New Nurses: The Transformative Benefits of Nurse Residency Programs
The transition from nursing school to clinical practice is a critical period for new graduate nurses, often marked by challenges that can affect their confidence, competence, and retention in the profession. Nurse Residency Programs (NRPs) are designed to bridge this gap, offering structured support, mentorship, and ongoing education to ease this transition. This presentation will explore the multifaceted benefits of NRPs, emphasizing their impact on nurse retention, job satisfaction, confidence, and clinical competence.
We will discuss how NRPs provide a supportive environment that fosters professional growth and development. Attendees will gain insights into the key components of successful NRPs, including mentorship frameworks, educational experiences, and reflective practice sessions. We will highlight data demonstrating improved retention rates from program participants and discuss enhanced patient care quality attributed to more confident and competent nursing staff.
Pathway to Excellence: A Hospital's Accreditation Journey
This break-out session will include the process of how Hillcrest South achieved ANCC Accreditation: Pathway to Excellence.
During this session, the Director of Education from Hillcrest South will share the critical steps on how to obtain this accreditation. Strong leadership and support was crucial for the success of this accreditation, by treating the journey as a continuous improvement project. Hillcrest South carefully followed the six element of performance steps, by organizing the journey to include all nursing staff, allowed the organization to create a culture of empowerment through shared decision-making, safety initiatives, quality outcomes, promotion of well-being, and professional development activities.
Cost-Savings through Collaboration: Transforming Critical Care RNs and RTs into ECMO Specialists
A children’s hospital in the Western United States provides critical care for children of all ages, including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in the NICU, PICU, and CICU. This tertiary care center is the only available hospital in the state that can provide this level of care to pediatric patients, but a formal class to train registered nurses (RNs) and Respiratory Therapists (RTs) to become ECMO specialists was lacking. Revitalizing the class was crucial as the need for ECMO Specialists increased by 90% from 2021 to 2023. An evidence-based multi-disciplinary educational course for training RNs and RTs was developed to address this gap, reduce reliance on contingency labor, and improve the quality of care received by patients.
After gaining buy-in from executive nursing leadership and stakeholders, an evidence-based ECMO curriculum was developed by subject matter experts. Goals were also developed to evaluate the effectiveness of the course.
Living Your Dreams - Learning to Completely Enjoy The Journey of Life
Learn how to overcome/reduce the behaviors, beliefs, ideas, thoughts and emotions that drain our precious energy levels. Find out how to scientifically, re-regulate your own internal body systems to enhance the elusive properties of homeostatic function we all learned about in Nursing education. We often apply these techniques, methods and practices for our patients and others, but neglect to use them for ourselves. It’s time to put your health and well-being first, one breath at time.
The Courage to Lead: Innovating and Advocating in Nursing
In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, nurse leaders must embody the courage to lead, innovate, and advocate. This presentation, "The Courage to Lead: Innovating and Advocating in Nursing," is designed to empower nurses across all practice settings to harness their leadership potential, champion meaningful change, and advocate effectively for their patients, profession, and themselves.
The session begins with an exploration of self-leadership, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Participants will learn strategies to enhance their emotional intelligence and achieve clarity in their professional roles. By understanding and articulating their personal "why," vision, mission, and core values, nurses can ground their leadership in a strong sense of purpose and direction. An interactive group exercise will provide attendees with a structured opportunity to reflect on and define these foundational elements.
The Many Hats of the Clinical Nurse Specialist
The top 10 medical facilities in the United States (U.S.) have clinical nurse specialists (CNS) teams, and Chief Nurse Officers express interest in hiring even more (NACNS, 2022). As early as the 1940’s, the need was identified to have clinical experts embedded into nursing practice which eventually led to the development of the role of the clinical nurse specialist (CNS) (Fulton et al., 2020). The CNS was introduced to healthcare by Dr. Hildegard Peplau in 1956. Although the initial CNS specialty was in psychiatric nursing, the role has expanded to encompass various specialties related to Adult/Gerontology, Pediatric and Neonatal populations (Fulton et al., 2020).
Poster Presentations
A Scoping Review of the use of Deliberate Practice in Undergraduate Nursing Education
Nursing education for baccalaureate-prepared nurses requires preparation across three domains: affective, cognitive, and psychomotor. With an evolving healthcare landscape and heightened demand for exceptional nursing skills, development and retainment of psychomotor competencies is critical during undergraduate education. Deliberate practice (DP), originally described by Ericsson and colleagues, involves repeated practice, timely feedback, and coaching to achieve mastery in a skill. Prior research suggests DP in medical skills training is an effective method to develop and retain skills, but less is known about application toward nursing-specific skills. This review explored DP in undergraduate nursing education to develop and retain psychomotor nursing skills. Primary research articles were identified using combinations of key terms ‘deliberate practice’, ‘cognitive overload’, ‘nursing education’, and ‘skill development/retention/build’ utilizing Medline, CINAHL, and EMBASE. Abstracts (n=262) and full-text articles (n=59) were independently screened in Covidence by two reviewers using preidentified inclusion and exclusion criteria, with a third independent reviewer resolving conflicts. Results (n=25) suggested DP in nursing education has grown over the past two decades. Most studies took place in the United States and were quantitative explorations of DP on skill attainment and student self-efficacy; however, some qualitative findings indicated positive student experiences with DP. Nursing skills, as well as how DP was utilized, varied broadly across the studies, but DP was likely to be incorporated with basic resuscitation and nursing communication training. Few studies assessed retainment of skills following DP interventions with mixed results. Generally, nursing education infused with repetition and consistent feedback had a positive impact on nursing students and skill development. Additional work is needed related to skill retainment to elucidate if DP can promote mastery through the transition to the nursing career. DP is a promising and innovative framework to develop and potentially improve retainment psychomotor undergraduate nursing skills to prepare our future workforce.
HPV Vaccine Uptake Among American Indian and Alaskan Native University Students: A Scoping Literature Review
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are strongly linked to cervical and other cancers, yet vaccination rates remain low (MacDonalds et al., 2023). Rates for HPV vaccination are especially low among American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) women living in Oklahoma, who are at higher risk of cervical cancer compared to non-Hispanic white women (Sambo et al., 2022). The HPV vaccine has been shown to significantly reduce the incidence of HPV-associated cancers and is recommended for adolescents aged 11-12, with catch-up vaccinations recommended to age 26 (CDC, 2021). However, existing literature predominantly focuses on promoting HPV vaccination among adolescents younger than 17 and their parents. This focus potentially overlooks the high incidence of HPV infections among older teens and young adults, who are more likely to engage in high-risk sexual behaviors (American College Health Association, 2009). This scoping literature review aims to identify and synthesize existing research on the perceptions, barriers, and knowledge related to HPV vaccination uptake among AI/AN university students aged 18-26 years. The review will encompass a comprehensive search of electronic databases for studies that examine HPV vaccination rates, attitudes, and interventions among AI/AN university students. The inclusion criteria will focus on studies that provide insights into the factors influencing vaccine uptake in this demographic. Additionally, the review will highlight gaps in the current literature and suggest directions for future research to enhance vaccination rates and health outcomes for AI/AN university students. The findings of this review and subsequent research hold the potential to inform the development of culturally appropriate educational interventions aimed at increasing HPV vaccine uptake among AI/AN university students. By addressing this population's unique barriers and perceptions, the study seeks to contribute to the broader goal of reducing HPV-associated cancer disparities and improving health outcomes for AI/AN communities.
Strategies for Sustained Competence: Exploring Peer-Assisted Learning for Nursing Students' Psychomotor Skills Retention
Compassion, empathy, trusting relationships, and teamwork are integral components in the discipline of nursing and care nurses provide. Additionally, cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains of learning play a collective role in assisting learners to be skilled nurses. The discipline of nursing involves synergy with both these integral components and domains of learning. Essential to nursing mastery involves an individual’s ability to engage with patients and colleagues and effectively use hands-on skills in the development of high-quality care methods based in evidence.
Though all three domains of learning are collectively necessary, without integration of sound clinical judgment and practical skills, a learner’s proficiency in the psychomotor domain is at risk. Acquisition of psychomotor skills involves an iterative process of performance, redirection, feedback, and repetition. Consensus on essential skills and their process of development for nursing students, however, does not exist. Compounding both educator and learner are the lack if standard approaches to assessment, evaluation, and documentation methods. Because skill retention is fundamental in nursing education, it is imperative that emphasis is placed on the psychomotor domain for skill development. Hence, the determination of educational methodologies that promote skill development and retention focused on the psychomotor domain. Peer assisted learning (PAL) is an educational methodology effective in psychomotor skill development and retention yet very little is known about the methodology.
The purpose of this scoping review is to describe a summary of PAL-related evidence from a variety of sources implemented with prelicensure nursing students learning in skills labs. The PAL model has been argued to enhance skill retention, promote teamwork, and provide benefits for both skill-performer and skill-observer. Though the effectiveness of PAL has been touted, implementation, application consistency, and evaluation of outcomes related to its use are limited. This review addresses these and other gaps surrounding PAL in an effort to provide insights into the optimal use of PAL in nursing education.
Implementation of an Evidence-Based Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH) Screening Risk Assessment in a New Electronic Health Record (EHR)
Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) continues as the leading cause of preventable obstetric morbidity and mortality despite national attention and worldwide initiatives. PPH risk screening assessment tools promote PPH readiness, recognition, and response by identifying women at risk for PPH, informing clinical decision making, and preventing PPH. PPH risk assessment tools often have low positive predictive value and a high false positive rates, relying on the nurse to accurately complete. This quality improvement project included the implementation of new electronic health record (EHR) which included the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) PPH Assessment tool Version 1.2. to decrease the number of women that experienced a Stage 3 PPH; increase the percentage of PPH patients identified as “high risk” prior to PPH; increase the percentage of completed PPH risk assessments; and increase the percentage of correctly completed PPH risk assessments. The Institute for Healthcare Improvement Model for Improvement guided implementation. The tool was required documentation every shift and provided risk-based intervention suggestions. Post-implementation it would found that the AWHONN PPH Assessment Tool Version 1.2 decreased Stage 3 PPH (≥1500mL blood loss) rate, increased the percentage of women identified as high risk for PPH prior to experiencing a PPH, and did not increase the percentage of completed PPH risk assessments. EHR functionality did not allow for analysis of correctly completed PPH risk assessments. Next steps include optimization of the EHR to send alerts based upon risk and education for bedside staff to foster better understanding of the tool.
Impact Of Social Determinants Of Health On Skill Of Involvement: Differences In First Year ADN and BSN Nursing Students In Rural Oklahoma
The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of SDOH on SOI in first-year nursing students and compare the differences between ADN and BSN students.
First-year ADN and BSN students in rural Oklahoma were significantly impacted by SDOH and SOI. The analysis indicated a strong positive correlation between race/ethnicity and degree program type (.000). Significant differences in SDOH categories and degree program were found in caregiving (.011), and violence/abuse (.036). Poverty (.006), food scarcity (.033), lack of transportation (.000), violence/abuse (.001), ability to obtain medications/medical supplies (.042), financial abuse (.004), managing medical conditions (.000), and loneliness also appeared as SDOH factors impacting students. Significant differences in SOI categories and ethnicity were found in empathy (.015), sensitivity (.027), and cultural humility (.022).
Arezzo, Italy: Faculty Insights for a Successful Study Abroad Experience
As the world becomes more connected with the internet and social platforms, opportunities in “seeing the world” are of great interest. Internet searches for study abroad benefits yield a plethora of results.
In an already packed nursing curriculum, to offer a study abroad experience can be a wonderful opportunity for both students and faculty alike. A study abroad is not a single event, but a process that includes pre-trip planning through post-trip evaluation and analysis. Pre-trip planning for students can include completing essential university and international travel requirements, attending orientation and information sessions, and completion of any pre-trip coursework. For faculty, the pre-trip process can be much more involved with ensuring completion of student paperwork, course preparation, and ensuring study abroad arrangements for travel, housing, etc. have been met. Study abroad experiences can address coursework, interaction with local host-country healthcare, and cultural experiences. Evaluation components can include surveys, journals, and participation.
This poster presentation will highlight the process and key elements for a successful 3-week study abroad at a local public university in Oklahoma.
Integrating Virtual Reality Across the Nursing Curriculum: Embracing Innovation
Due to the increasing complexity of the clinical environment and the need to enhance students’ clinical judgement, nurse educators are faced with unique challenges when preparing a “practice-ready” graduate. In order to meet these challenges in an innovative way, The University of Tulsa embraced an Immersive Virtual Reality Simulation program across the undergraduate curriculum to enhance simulation experiences and increase clinical readiness. Advantages, challenges and suggestions for implementation of a virtual reality curriculum will be explored.Impact of Education Frequency on Opioid Use and Naloxone Administration in Clinic Settings
Evidence-based practices emphasize the significance of continuous education for individuals using opioids and within communities. This educational effort aimed to enhance awareness, safety, and prevention strategies related to opioid overdose. The focus of this scholarly project was to address the need for increased education frequency concerning opioid use and naloxone administration in a clinic setting. To do this, staff members received patient education materials for training to improve their knowledge and promote increased frequent education for their patients. Utilization of a quantitative quasi-experimental design approach was used. This approach involved pre- and post-education sessions using the Self-Knowledge Check tool. Additionally, visual aid posters were placed in each examination room. A paired t-test was performed. The aggregation of the total number is based on the completed educations documented in the electronic medical records.
Implementation of a Fall Response Team to reduce the number of falls with moderate to severe injury
To minimize the risk of falls while in the hospital setting, timely assessment of patients who are at risk for a fall and the development and immediate initiation of a plan of care are nursing priorities. Hospital policy defines preventative measures that should be in place for each fall risk level. Data tracking on actual falls and details of the fall needs consistent information to effectively implement process improvement plans.
Building Confidence and Capability: Creating an Intensive Clinical Skills Experience For an Online Accelerated BSN Program
Problem: Nursing programs delivered in an condensed timeframe and in an online environment are increasing in popularity. Students are often only briefly on campus and the need for an effective, intensive clinical skills simulation is growing.
Purpose: This poster will examine best practices in developing an intensive clinical skills experience for online ABSN (Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing) students that increases students self-confidence.
Methods: A literature search was conducted to determine best practices for development of an intensive clinical skills experience. After the course, the NLN Tool "Student Satisfaction and Self Confidence" was used to measure students self-confidence in clinical skills.
Discussion: Best practices for the online adult learner included developing an online course to best prepare students for the in-person clinical skills intensive. Lessons learned will be examined. Initial findings from the Student Satisfaction and Self-Confidence tool indicate that the ABSN have a high score for satisfaction and self-confidence after completing the course.
Improving Health-related Quality of Life Through Shared Medical Appointments
Background: Shared medical appointments (SMAs) empower adults with chronic diseases to better self-manage their condition. With longer appointment times and a multi-disciplinary approach, SMAs offer peer support and lifestyle education to improve one’s health-related quality of life (HRQoL).
Problem: Numerous Americans live with one or more chronic diseases. Linked to increased healthcare costs, disability, and death, chronic disease negatively impacts perceived HRQoL.
Methods: The PROMIS v1.2 Global Health scale was administered pre-and post-intervention. Scores compared participants’ HRQoL using a paired t-test.
Intervention: Weekly SMAs were implemented for ninety minutes over eight weeks. Facilitated by a nurse practitioner, health coach, and registered nurse, participants engaged in group discussions about lifestyle modifications and set weekly personal goals.
Silent Hazard: The Hidden Dangers of Surgical Smoke in the OR
Kocher et al. (2018) research also shows "surgical plume is as mutagenic as cigarette smoke. It has been demonstrated that the mutagenic potency resulting from the pyrolysis of 1g of tissue is equivalent to smoking 6 unfiltered cigarettes." We must protect our staff and co-works by implementing ways to reduce surgical smoke in the operating room. It is important to educate, provide training and implement safety measures to protect against the negative effects of surgical smoke. Methods include educating staff on the dangers of surgical smoke, implementing advanced smoke evacuation technology with the use of a cautery smoke evacuation pencil, and polling staff on education knowledge and feelings of safety while working in the operating room without the use of smoke free technology. The results are as follows: due to doctor preference, the operating room is at 65% usage of smoke evacuation. Staff do not feel safe in the operating room, advocating for a healthy work environment at a state level by passing smoke evacuation law in Oklahoma may help increase awareness and adherence to best practice.
Implementation of Frontline Leader Professional Development Programs: How Formal Education Increases Confidence to Lead
The American Organization of Nursing Leadership (AONL) remains at the forefront of leadership opportunities, research, and competencies. Effective leadership incorporates knowledge, skills, and abilities impacting all nursing specialties and settings (AONL, 2022). This poster submission was created from two different practicum projects… a DNP-I and MSN capstone. When a nurse transitions from the bedside to an informal or formal leader within their organization, they may be an expert in clinical practice knowledge but may lack the experience and situational training related to nursing leadership. Benner's Novice to Expert theory includes how a nurse acquires experience as one travels from novice to advanced beginner, competent, proficient, and expert through skills acquisition (Benner, 1982).
Saving Lives with the Implementation of a Rapid Response System
The purpose of this quasi-experimental quality improvement project was to improve the healthcare providers’ ability to identify imminent signs of clinical deterioration and provide prompt interventions. The clinical question that guided this quality improvement project was as follows: Does implementation of a RRS with education on the use of an early warning score tool (NEWS) (I) for healthcare providers at a private mission hospital in West Africa (P) improve early detection and intervention of a patient’s deteriorating condition (O) as compared to current practice (C) within the first month of initiation (T)? This quasi-experimental quality improvement project occurred from May 19, 2023 to July 13, 2023 at a 49-bed mission hospital in West Africa.
Empowering Nurses: Simplifying Certification Management with CerTracker
In the demanding and fast-paced field of healthcare, nurses are often burdened with the additional responsibility of managing their professional certifications and continuing education units (CEUs). This administrative task can be time-consuming and stressful, detracting from their primary focus of patient care. Recognizing this challenge, I created CerTracker, a comprehensive solution designed to streamline the certification management process for healthcare professionals.
By attending this presentation, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how innovative solutions like CerTracker can empower nurses to manage their professional credentials more efficiently. This session aligns with the conference theme "Nurses: Innovate & Advocate," by demonstrating how technology can be leveraged to advocate for better working conditions and professional support for nurses.
Join us to discover how CerTracker is transforming certification management, allowing nurses to focus more on their vital role in patient care and less on administrative tasks.
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