Xi Alpha Chapter Newsletter

Volume 3 Issue 1

October 1999

     It's fall, the start of a New Year. Our Vice President, Kim Vernier, is busy planning an interesting and busy calendar for us. Secretary, Lynn Parsons is already asking for more letterhead stationery to keep our minutes in top-notch order. From the treasurer, Pat O'Leary, we get updates as to our financial security and her suggestions for making an even stronger monetary base. Duties for our new counselor, Mary Jane Lavender, start in a big way later in the year, But I know she would welcome "early" suggestions for potential community leader inductees. Others on the Board are also busy with Xi Alpha chapter work. Anita Kinslow (as our archivist) is determined to complete the task she's already begun: that of getting all of our records catalogued. The Nominations Committee, headed by Jenny Sauls, will be thankful for any of you who might suggest an appropriate candidate for any of the offices that will become vacant this year. As the chair of Membership Involvement Committee, Marge Kopp would love to hear from those of you we don't see at meetings to discover your special interests and preferences for time and place of meetings. Certainly, the Public Relations Committee's (chaired by Sheila Marquart) hard work is evident each time you receive our wonderful newsletter.

     As many of you remember, Xi Alpha is set to co-host (with Iota chapter) the next Regional Conference. I hope many of you have decided on the committee that you'd like to be on for this event. We have all been waiting for news from headquarters as to the date and more specific instructions for the local arrangements committee. It seems our International Board has also been busy! There has been much discussion about the whole Regional concept as it exists now. At the convention in San Diego - coming up soon (November 6-10) - the Delegates will be voting on a plan for regional restructuring. As Sigma Theta Tau has expanded exponentially, the current seven regions may not be enough to adequately serve the membership.

     At this time, each of the seven regions has a Regional Coordinator whose role is to assist each local chapter. The Regional Coordinators meet together under a Regional Coordinator Chair. This group has become extremely stretched in terms of the ability to serve the local chapters; numbers are just too great. A new plan allowing for more regions will be considered at the International Convention in November.

     In light of these changes, the Regional Conferences are on "hold." There are a number of possible scenarios, one being that we will have the convention in Nashville, exactly as envisioned. Another is that there will be a larger group meeting in another, larger city - for example, perhaps we would join with Region 7 (the other "half" of the southeast) and meet in Atlanta. Perhaps there will be several, much smaller meetings at a number of locations throughout the southeast. It is all unknown right now, but I will try to keep you all informed as quickly as possible.

     I am looking forward to attending the convention - not only are conventions such wonderfully uplifting meetings, a chance to see members from all over the country, but it's in San Diego. I've heard that it's a fantastic town! If you have any input into the "Region" situation, or any other concern, please let me know and I will carry your concerns with me to the House of Delegates. You may also contact Lynn Parsons, our other Delegate. We want to make your voices heard.

Notes From the Editor

Fall, 1999 begins with the promise of new challenges. The Public Relations Committee has established goals to improve communication with chapter members and the local media. We will continue to publish the newsletter three times a year. For the Internet savvy person, we will publish the newsletter on-line on our Web page (www.mtsu.edu/~xialpha). Barbara Draude works hard to keep this updated for us.

The research corner has been a huge success. This year we will add a new dimension to it as we work toward another established goal. We wanted to encourage more student participation in chapter activities. Student members of our committee are full of energy and enthusiasm! In fact, students wanted to share their research abstracts from research projects completed in nursing school. So this issue will premier our first contribution to the Research Corner by a senior student, Amanda Whitlock.

Our last goal is ambitious and has us planning for the future. We would like to submit our newsletter for the Sigma Theta Tau Chapter Newsletter Award in the year 2001. We plan to use this year to work toward this goal by reviewing the design, layout, and content of the newsletter. We began in August by naming the newsletter the Xi Alpha Files.

We are looking forward to bringing you up to date information and news from the Xi Alpha Chapter this year. If you have suggestions or comments about the newsletter, please forward them to Sheila Marquart 898-2445 or marquart@mtsu.edu.

Public Relations Committee for 1999-2001

• Sheila Marquart, MTSU
• Kathy Burnham, VAMC
• Barbara Draude, MTSU
• Sue Willoughby, St. Thomas
• Jenny Morris, VUMC
• Susan Sanders, MSCC
• Jessica Cootes
• Amanda Whitlock, MTSU Senior student
• Jessi Murray, MTSU Senior student

35th Biennial Convention, San Diego

The 35th Biennial Convention will convene in San Diego, California on November 6 through 10, 1999. The theme "Avenues to the Future" will be designed to appeal to the professional with three separate themes: innovations in clinical practice, use of advanced technologies in research, and leadership of the future. Come and network with nurse leaders as a delegate, participant, or a volunteer. You can register online at www.nursingsociety.org. For more information, call STTI toll free 1-888-634-7575.

Research Corner:

Preconceptual Counseling for Insulin Dependent Diabetics

By Amanda Whitlock, BSN Candidate

Pregnancy brings with it many changes in the female body. Although these changes are harmless and normal, they can be devastating to the insulin dependent diabetic and her unborn child. Research has shown an overwhelming increase in the positive outcomes of pregnancy when insulin dependent diabetics receive preconceptual counseling and keep near normal blood glucose levels before conception. With research showing that preconceptual counseling increases the chance for women to have infants without congenital anomalies and continue to maintain good glucose control postpartum, it is imperative that nurses tell newly diagnosed insulin dependent diabetics about the importance of planning pregnancy.

Several studies show a dramatic decrease in the number of major congenital anomalies occurring in infants of insulin dependent diabetes who reached near normal blood glucose levels and received counseling regarding proper diet, exercise, and the risks involved with being a pregnant diabetic. it has also been shown that it is more cost effective for women to receive such counseling in order to prevent complications than to maintain care of an infant in the neonatal intensive care unit. Since nurses are usually the main persons involved in patient education, it is his or her responsibility to see that diabetic women are taught how to prevent complications during pregnancy as a result of insufficient glucose control. Prevention is better than cure, and nurses have an incredible opportunity to help women with diabetes to try and prevent congenital malformations, and furthermore, any harm to the woman herself.

It is also important for nurse to disseminate this information to their colleagues so they can be informed of such vital information. Such research helps nurses empower insulin dependent diabetic women during the preconception period giving them back the power over their bodies and diabetes.

*American Diabetes Association. (1996). Preconception care of women with diabetes. Diabetes Care, 19 (1S), 25S-28S.

*Elixhauser, A., Weschler, J.M., Litzmiller, J.L., Marks, J.S., Bennert, H.W., Coustan, D.R., Gabbe, S.G., Herman, W.H., Kaufmann, R.C., Ogata, E.S., & Sepe, S.J. (1993). Cost-benefit analysis of preconception care for women with established diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Care, 16 (8), 1146-1157.

*Fuhrmann, K., Reiher, H., Semmler, K., Fischer, F., Fischer, M., & Glockner, E. (1983). Prevention of congenital malformations in infants of insulin-dependent diabetic mothers. Diabetes Care, 6(3), 219-223.

*Gold, A.E., Reilly, C., Walker, J.D. (1998). Transient improvement in glycemic control: The impact of pregnancy in women with IDDM. Diabetes Care, 21(3), 374-378.

* Gold, A.E., Reilly, C., & Walker, J.D. (1998). The effect of glycemic control in the preconception period and early pregnancy on birth weight in women with IDDM. Diabetes Care, 21(4), 535.

* Kitzmiller, J.L., Gavin, L.A., Gin, G.D., Peterson, L.J., Main, E.K., & Zigrang, W.D. (1991). Preconception care of diabetes: Glycemic control prevents congenital anomalies. Journal of American Medical Association, 265(6), 731-736.

Auction Newest Fundraising Event

Are you creative? Do your hidden talents include painting, drawing, needlework, quilting, or poetry? Then put your talents to work for a win-win situation. Enjoy your creative outlet and help the Chapter increase their funding for conferences and scholarships. The Xi Alpha Chapter plans to conduct an auction in the spring, 2000 with members' creative endeavors. If you are interested or want more information, contact Karen Ward, 898-5845 or e-mail kward@mtsu.edu.

Hitchcock Resigns

President-elect of the Xi Alpha Chapter, Shayne Hitchcock, has resigned her office. Hitchcock plans to begin graduate school in the near future and wishes to devote her time and energy to this endeavor. At the request of the Board of Directors, Karen Ward has agreed to remain as President of the Chapter.

Our thanks for a job well done and best wishes to Hitchcock in her new venture.

Community Membership Drive

Do you know an outstanding leader or researcher working in the field of nursing? If you do, then they may be eligible for membership in Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society. The Eligibility Committee is currently accepting recommendations for community members. Qualified applicants must have a minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, at least five years experience as a BSN graduate, and demonstrated achievement in education, practice, research, administration, or other scholarly work in nursing. Interested individuals should submit a membership intent form, two endorsements (one from a Sigma Theta Tau member), and verification of information by January 10, 2000 to Mary Jane Lavender, Counselor at 898-5842, e-mail mlavender@mtsu.edu, or mail application to Mary Jane Lavender, MTSU, School of Nursing, Box 81, Murfreesboro, TN 37132.

Community Member Feature

     By Kathy Burnham, RN, MSN

Ms. Greta Whiteside is a new community member that has been inducted into Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society. Her nursing background is highly diverse and will only be highlighted in this article. Whiteside received her Associate Degree in Nursing from Miami, Florida. She pursued and received a Bachelor degree in Psychology from MTSU. She went to Vanderbilt University where she was granted her Masters degree in Nursing Administration. Returning to MTSU, she received her Educational Specialist degree.

Whiteside's current position is Director of Education at Middle Tennessee Medical Center. This position provides coordination of new employee orientation, continuing education of staff, physicians, and community, patient education, and the medical library. Past job experience has included nursing administration, emergency room nursing, and education.

Personally, Whiteside has two sons, one who is 25 and lives in Japan; and one who is 22 living in Knoxville. She has a love for quality improvement, especially in the area of customer/quality improvement. This is validated by her commitment to serve as a Tennessee Quality Award Examiner for the past 5 years. She also is a past chair for the Nashville section for the American Society of Quality (ASQ), and currently serves on the Nashville Quality Forum.

When asked what it meant to be a new member of Sigma Theta Tau, Whiteside responded, "What an honor to be working with scholars and individuals that are on the cutting edge of thinking in addition to having access to state of the art education." Whiteside is looking forward to expanding her knowledge of the Sigma Theta Tau organization as well as the linkage to current and future educational and scholastic opportunities that Sigma provides.

Harris Poll Reveals Americans Fear Effects of Nursing Shortage on Quality of Health Care

INDIANAPOLIS, IN- As a national nursing shortage builds, more than half of Americans believe the quality of health care is affected "a great deal" by a shortage of nurses, according to a new Harris Poll released in July.

The nursing shortage is posing an increasing threat to the quality of care in hospitals and health organizations, and this poll reflects the general public's concern. Only four percent of respondents said the quality of health care that people in the country receive was not affected "at all" by a nursing shortage.

Sigma Theta Tau International and NurseWeek Publishing Inc., publishers of NurseWeek and HealthWeek, a nursing and health care trade publication, commissioned the poll, conducted by Louis Harris & Associates, Inc. More than 1,000 people were surveyed in this public opinion poll conducted in June. The groups collaborated to conduct the poll to gauge attitudes about the nursing profession.

Despite 2.5 million registered nurses in the United States, a shortage exists in nurses with needed specialties, skills, and experience. Nurses are in particular demand if they demonstrate a high level of skills in the operating room, recovery room, emergency room, or pediatrics. Hospital recruitment efforts to reverse the shortage include big sign-on bonuses, salary increases, and tuition reimbursement plans.

Other poll results include:

1) An overwhelming majority of the public (92%) said they trust information about health care provided by registered nurses, ranking nurses even with physicians.

2) Most Americans (85%) said they would be pleased if their son or daughter became a registered nurse.

3) Many people polled (76%) think nurses should have four years of education or more after high school to perform the duties of their jobs.

4) When asked about specific duties of registered nurses, 91% of the public recognized they monitor patient care, but only 14% recognized that nurses prescribe medications.

A complete report of the Harris Poll findings is available for $25 to the public and at no cost to the media. For more information, please contact Andrea McDonald, Sigma Theta Tau, at 888-634-7575, e-mail: mcdonald@stti.iupiu.edu.

For a copy of Sigma Theta Tau's "Facts on the Nursing Shortage," including several recommendations to curb the shortage, visit their web site at www.nursingsociety.org/media.

Surf the Net :

Looking for information about our chapter? Misplaced your newsletter? "Don't worry; Be happy." Now you can find it on our Xi Alpha Chapter Web Home Web page. The address is http://www.mtsu.edu/~xialpha. Check it out.