Nurses improve care through research
Tasha Messmer, a registered nurse at Penn State Cancer Institute, was one of more than 100 participants who attended the third annual Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Symposium held May 10 in State College.
Messmer investigated standard treatments for mouth infections that occur after stem cell transplants and concluded that tea tree oil may help reduce infection. She discussed the conclusions of her literature review with colleagues at the symposium.
Titled “Translating Research to Innovations in Practice,” the event brought together nurses from both academic and clinical settings to focus on the translation of evidence to health care practices.
Knowledge Sharing Leads to Improved Care
“The symposium provides an opportunity for nurses to share their research and scholarly projects,” said Mary Lou Kanaskie, director of the Office for Nursing Research and Innovation at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. “It features topics that help improve our understanding of how organizations can successfully integrate evidence into practice.”
Participants learned about their colleagues’ research, identified potential collaborations, attended breakout sessions on a variety of topics and listened to short, informative talks. Marie Boltz, professor of nursing at Penn State College of Nursing, gave the keynote address on dementia from the perspectives of both patients and their caregivers.
Connecting and Collaborating
The symposium was a collaboration between the College of Nursing and the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Department of Nursing. Next year’s symposium is scheduled for May 14, 2020, in Hershey.
Kanaskie recognized colleagues from Penn State College of Nursing who played key roles in planning the event:
- Judith Hupcey, associate dean for graduate education and research
- Kelly Wolgast, assistant dean for online education and outreach
- Jenifer Hoffman, director of grants and contracts, Center for Nursing Research
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