Fort Smith Dean to Address Annual Nursing Research Conference

Carolyn Mosley, dean of the College of Health Sciences at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, will give the keynote address, "Breaking the Silence: Women in Peril" at the 21st annual Nursing Excellence in Leadership and Evidence-Based Practice conference Monday, April 16 at the University of Arkansas.

The conference is by registration, which can be done the morning of the conference at the University of Arkansas Global Campus, 2 E. Center, St., Fayetteville. It is sponsored by the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing at the University of Arkansas, the Pi Theta chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and Washington Regional Medical Center.

Several students and faculty members of the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing will give presentations at the conference. Its purpose is to promote nursing leadership, research and evidence-based practice in Northwest Arkansas. Christina Williamson, president of the Pi Theta chapter, will give welcoming remarks.

Leeanne Compere and Kelly Toner, students in the college's Honors Program, will present information based on their honors theses. Compere's topic is "Impact of the Resident's Cognitive Status on Caregiver Knowledge of Personhood," and Toner's topic is "Orientation for Increased Volunteer Productivity with Midwives for Haiti."

Other presenters and their topics:

• Alice Carpenter, "VA Learning Opportunities Residency Program: Success at Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks"
• Linda Thornbrugh and Anne Burnett, "Mentors and Preceptors: Expanding Roles in Professional Development"
• Kimberly Carney, "Improving Nurses' Diabetes Knowledge of the VHSO, an Evidence-Based Practice Project"
• Susan Kane Patton, "Preventing Falls in Older Persons Living in the Community: Putting Theory and Practice Together"
• Thomas Kippenbrock, Ellen Odell and Bill Buron, "An Analysis of Advanced Practice Nurses in the Lower Mississippi Delta"
• Ann Bynum, Cathy Irwin, Zoran Bursac and Jimie Jarry, "Health Workforce Vacancies in Arkansas"
• Deena Clevenger and Sheila Connelly, "Bedside Report: A Process Change"
• Salena Wright-Brown and Deborah Wright, "Leadership and the Journey to Patient Centered Care"
• Bettie Miller, "Home Sweet Home: Is it for All Older Adults?"
• Terri Church, "Pain Assessment and Management: Nursing Knowledge and Attitudes"
• Sheila Sullivan, "Evidence-Based Practice Symposium"

Professionals may earn five hours of continuing education credit for attendance. Registration fees are $75 for members of Sigma Theta Tau International, $80 for non-members and $20 for students.