Sigma Theta Tau International
Honor Society of Nursing

Vol. 22, No. 2 - The University of Texas at Austin
School of Nursing – Fall 2003
 

The 2003-2004 Epsilon Theta Board

Front row left to right:  Dr. Margaret Taylor, Dr. Carol Gaskamp;

Second row left to right: Mr. Scott Hudson, Ms. Mary Hoenecke, Dr. Sharon Dormire,
Dr. Marty Meraviglia, Dr. Alex Garcia;

Not pictured:  Dr. Corinne Grimes, Dr. Carolyn Mueller, Dr. Regina Johnson

Table of Contents:
Letter from the President

Biennial Convention Notes
Spring Membership and Mentoring Open House
Award Applications
        Innovations in Clinical Practice
  Messages from Committee Chairs
        Eligibility
        Scholarship
        Nominations
October Board Meeting Minutes
 

Letter from the President

 “If renewal is to occur in an organization, raising spirit is a must.”

                                                                          -- Harrison Owen

Chapter Happenings

It has been a busy fall for the Epsilon Theta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International, and we are pleased to have participated in several chapter activities that have raised the spirit. An informal brown bag discussing proposed STTI By-Laws changes for the 37th Biennial House of Delegates was held October 15 at the UT School of Nursing. Carol Gaskamp, President-Elect and I had the honor and privilege of attending the 37th Biennial Convention in Toronto, Canada on November 1-5. A record 2100 nurses attended the 38th Biennium Convention with over 800 oral and poster presentations ranging from implementing evidence-based nursing to issues in nursing research and innovations in nursing leadership. New officers elected and installed were Daniel J. Pesut PhD, APRN, BC, FAAN as President, and Carol Picard RN, PhD, CS as President-Elect. We report on our experiences at convention later in this newsletter.

 

The Epsilon Theta Fall Research Forum on Evidence-Based Nursing Practice and Research presented by Dr. Susan Houston, Professor, School of Nursing, The University of Texas at Austin was both well-received and well-attended. Thank you to Corrine Grimes and Marty Meraviglia for the warm cider and warm welcome to the Seton and St. David’s community nurse members, faculty and students who attended.

 

We are overwhelmed by the generosity of members who have agreed to serve on chapter committees, Henry Guevara, Nominations; Chuck Perkins, Michael Limerick, and Regina Johnson, Membership & Eligibility; and Katherine Bowman, Newsletter Coordinator; and to those members who have agreed to help just because it needed to be done. Thank you all for your strong commitment to and support of Epsilon Theta.

 

Create the Future through Renewal

The original Founders of Sigma Theta Tau wanted to build a community of scholars dedicated to the development of knowledge to support learning and service. They thrived on social interaction and intellectual exchange but they also knew that the spirit of nursing was contained in stories of care, compassion, achievement and community engagement (Pesut, 2003). They knew that renewal of spirit was achieved through stories and knowledge shared at meetings, social gatherings and professional forums. 

 

We are in professional renewal in Epsilon Theta Chapter. As you close out the fall academic semester and begin to think about your spring agenda and plans, it may be helpful to ask:

 

I encourage you to share your vision of the future at an Epsilon Theta Chapter meeting or forum. In the spirit of renewal, I encourage you to visit the Sigma Theta Tau International Website (http://www.nursingsociety.org/) and explore Dr. Pesut’s Create the Future through Renewal Resource Guide.

 

Warm Regards,

Margaret (Maggie) Taylor PhD, APRN, BC

President

Epsilon Theta Chapter

Sigma Theta Tau International

 

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Biennial Convention Notes

Carol Gaskamp, President-Elect

I don’t think I have ever been with over 2000 nurses in one setting at one time before! The convention was well-run, and the Sheraton Centre seemed very accommodating for times there were problems (such as quickly locating another room when the number of people attending the strategic planning focus group session, led by Daniel Pesut, violated the fire code.) I decided to use my time at the convention to attend the required sessions for delegates, where we were informed of the issues coming up for vote, and met the candidates running for office. With over 800 workshops on the menu of continuing education offerings, I also decided to take advantage of the chapter leader clinics to prepare myself for filling the role of president when that time comes. Chapters from all over seem to be dealing with similar issues as our chapter – membership involvement, fund raising, etc. Other highlights over the 5 day convention include: running into people I knew from my undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs; hearing renowned speakers such as Katheryn Barnard; ceremonial pomp and circumstance accentuated with lighting, music and video displays; eating at some really good restaurants with the delightful company of new and old acquaintances; witnessing the acceptance of twelve new STTI chapters, including ones from Africa (a multi-national chapter), Mexico, and Canada; and, visiting Niagara Falls at night. I am grateful for the opportunity to have represented Epsilon Theta at the biennial convention, and look forward to fulfilling my roles as president-elect and eventually president.                     

 

 

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Spring Membership

and

Mentoring Open House
 

The annual meeting of Sigma Theta Tau Epsilon Theta Chapter membership has been scheduled for the following date:

 

 

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Innovations In Clinical Excellence Award

Have you been involved in a successful project to improve patient outcomes? Sigma Theta Tau- Epsilon Theta Chapter will award $1000 to the author(s) of a successful Clinical Innovation project. The clinical innovation award is designed to recognize successful evidence-based clinical practice innovations completed and/or ready for implementation.

Types of Projects:
We are looking for projects that integrate the current best clinical evidence with clinical expertise to guide practice. Examples of projects you might want to consider submitting include - quality improvement projects at the organization or unit level, benchmarking projects, research utilization projects, case-management projects, clinical practice guideline projects.

Submissions:

Selection Process:
All submissions will undergo review by Sigma Theta Tau Epsilon Theta Research Committee. All identifying information from this submission will be removed before review.

Application due: 4:00 PM Friday April 2, 2004
Leave completed applications in the STTI-ET mailbox in the UTSON mailroom
OR
Mail to:
STTI-Epsilon Theta Chapter
Maggie Taylor PhD, RN, FNP
The University of Texas at Austin
School of Nursing
1700 Red River
Austin, Texas 78701                         

                                                                                                                

 

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Eligibility Committee

Dr. Carolyn Mueller & Dr. Regina Johnson

Counselors for Epsilon Theta Chapter


Do you remember the ceremony for your induction to Sigma Theta Tau?  How brightly the candles glowed and how proudly you stood with your new honor cords. Did you have hopes of contributing to our profession even beyond excellence in bedside nursing? We will be bringing new members into Epsilon Theta during our Spring Induction Ceremony.

Requirements for membership:

For those who plan ahead, here is an abbreviated schedule for Spring Induction, 2004:

 

Additional information may be found on the Epsilon Theta Chapter web site at  www.nur.utexas.edu/stt, highlight membership

 

 

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Nominations Committee

Dr. Alex Garcia, Committee Chair

 

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at Epsilon Theta? Looking for an opportunity to help others while helping yourself? Have ideas for future events or programs? Now's your chance to get involved in Sigma Theta Tau Epsilon Theta!

 

The nominations committee is looking for candidates to fill the following positions in 2003:

           ●  President-Elect

           ●  Secretary

           ●  Counselor

           ●  Archivist

           ●  Nominations Committee Chairperson

 

Each position is a two year term, except President Elect who will serve two years as elect and then two years as president. The time commitment is relatively light.

 

This is a wonderful opportunity to join a dynamic board that serves to support our members' learning and professional development with the aim of improving health of people nearby and worldwide.

 

For further information or to submit names email Alex Garcia, Nominations Committee Chair, at alexgarcia@mail.utexas.edu. Self-nominations welcomed. Nominations requested by January 9th, 2004.

 

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Scholarship Committee

Dr. Carolyn Mueller, Committee Chair

 

Epsilon Theta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International has scholarship money available. Competitive scholarships are awarded to qualified nurses and/or nursing students seeking to advance knowledge in nursing science and practice. To apply for Epsilon Theta Scholarship take the following steps.

 

  1. Submit an application and written statement of personal and professional goals in nursing.
  2. Sign the agreement for usage of the funds
  3. Attach the following documents:

                  a. Transcript(s) of undergraduate and graduate courses

                  b. Recommendation letters from two faculty members

                  c. Recommendation letter from one professional associate

                  d. Vita

 

Competition criteria for the scholarship include quality of the written goals, potential contribution to nursing and public benefit, and fund budget and number of applicants. Preference will be given to Honor Society members, all other attributes being equal. For application forms, contact Dr. Carolyn Mueller 4.152, 232-4733, cmueller@mail.nur.utexas.edu OR download at www.nursingsociety.org/chapters/guidelines_scholarship.pdf (note space between “guidelines” and “scholarship” is an underline key stroke)

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Click Here to view the Minutes of the October 22, 2003 Board Meeting

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