Auburn University Student Nurses Association

Dr. Caralise Hunt

2011-11-01T15:48:00.002-05:00

Dr. Caralise Hunt is a well-respected professor here at Auburn University. She has taught part or full-time for 15 years. She teaches fundamentals, health assessment, and medical-surgical nursing at Auburn. She has recieved her BSN from Auburn University, her MSN from Troy, and recently completed her PhD from the University of Alabama Birmingham. Her dissertation topic was: Relationships among Self-Efficacy, Social Support, Social Problem-Solving, and Self-Management Behaviors of People Living with Type 2 Diabetes in Rural Alabama. She has worked as a medical-surgical nurse as well as mother-baby nurse. Dr. Hunt is married to her husband Chuck and has two children: Corey who is 15 years old and Carter who is 11 years old. She also has two kittens that are named Auburn and Spirit. Some of her favorite things to do in her free time is to watch her son Corey play lacrosse and watch Carter play baseball. Dr. Hunt also enjoys watching Auburn football.

Blue Jean Ball

2011-10-19T11:23:00.004-05:00

The Bluejean Ball was held on Friday before the Florida game on Oct 14th. There is no way that I can put into words the imact this event has had over the last 11 years. Couch Dye and Dr. Nancy McDonald have hosted it each and every year and influenced the lives of hundreds of students. I have been told by many students that the BJB scholership was what keep them in school. Couch Dye and Dr. McDonald we love you and appreciate all that you do. Not only was the event sucessfuli in funding scholarship it was so much fun. Aubie was there and the Raptor Center was there with many of their birds. The music was excellent and the food was great. BBQ, beef brisqet and Conecuh sausage with bannana pudding for desert - a southern meal that cannot be beat. There were many, that had attended several and thought this was the best. I have enjoyed them all but this one was special. The help that we recieved from so many AUSNA students was unbelievable.

2011-09-15T14:48:00.010-05:00

The new year for the AUSNA started off with a bang. Our second meeting of the year was attended by over 100 members. Preliminary plans for Project Underpants (PU), T-shirt and sweatshirt design, State Convention, National Convention, and Committee of 19 were discussed. Final plans for all of these will be discussed later, but here are some highlights for now.

Project Underpants will go international. A portion of the PU donations will go to an orphanage in Africa. Dr. Constance Hendricks made a

presentation to AUSNA and asked for our support. The membership voted unanamously to support the project in Africa. This project will begin on October 4th and continue until Thanksgiving break. The T-shirt and sweatshirt designs were a big hit in the meeting. In the meeting the design for the T-shirt was voted upon and was decided that we will have an orange shirt with blue lettering. Florence Nightengale will be on the back of the shirt with part of the Auburn creed underneath it. The sweatshirt will be navy blue with a Vera Bradley print on the front in orange. Both the T-shirts and the sweatshirts will be available for sale in the upcoming months and will be announced. The State Convention this year for nursing will be held in Auburn! War Eagle! The convention is on October 20-21st and will take place in the Auburn Hotel. The National Convention will be held in Pittsburgh which will take place in the month of March. Details regarding both conventions will be coming soon. Ashley Bett also spoke at our previous AUSNA meeting about the Committee of 19 which fights for the war against hunger taking place all over the world and what the AUSNA and other people can do to help. We will be collecting food for the Committee of 19 on October 19th in honor of World Hunger Day.

Our next meeting is on October 4th at 6 pm in Miller Hall and we will be kicking off our Project Underpants campaign. Pizza and soft drinks will be served.

Plans for Spring

2010-12-29T21:09:00.009-06:00

This is the new golden I am training for next year. Her name is Miller and she is so sweet, energetic, curious, and exhausting. Aubie has not adjusted to having a little sister. Her energy level is just too high.

Lots of plans are being made for the pet assisted therapy (PAT) program at Auburn University for spring. I hope to have a speaker from Canine Assistants of Atlanta to speak in January. Check out their website - they are awesome. I have completed Pet Partners Seminar, Therapy Dogs Inc. testing and observations, and Reading Education Assitant Dog (READ) training. I will complete the READ observations in January. Aubie and I are a registered therapy team and will soon be a READ Team. I will be attending a three-day seminar in Febuary and try to learn more about human-animal interaction. In April I will be traveling to Salt Lake City, Utah to visit with the Executive Director of Intermountain Therapy Dogs to look at the structures of their programs and to discuss the international aspects of PAT.

I would like to thank Melissa Saul for her help to get much of this accomplished. She has dedicated so much time to Animal Assisted Therapy and her love for animals and people of all ages is a great example of what a person can do. This is a picture of her and her dog Gina (on right) and her friend Tina and her dog at the READing Paws training in Newnan, GA. Aubie and I visited with Melissa at a nursing home in Newnan and it was such great fun.
During fall finals Aubie visited with nursing students before finals to relieve tension. It is always amazing to watch the smiles when a happy little dog walks in. The results are instant and obvious. Aubie loves his new role as therapy dog. The possibilities for this program are endless.

This is the group that completed the Pet Partners Training in Atlanta back in August. Melissa also helped to teach that class. This was great fun and I learned so much.

Animal Assisted Therapy

2010-11-15T11:05:00.004-06:00

Through a generous donation a pet-assisted therapy program will be started at Auburn University School of Nursing. At this time, we have about 15 students who are interested in learning more about how pets can help people. The first training that was attended happened in Atlanta on August 28-29, 2010. Two things happened at the training. First, I met some great people who love animals and have a desire to use that love for animals to help those who need help because of illness or disability. Second, I was introduced to some of the greatest dogs you could ever be around. These dogs had awesome dispositions and unbelievable obedience. It is so funny to watch someone come into the room and then their face lights up when greeted by one of the therapy dogs. I watched dogs that could dance and do other things but the greatest thing was what they did for every person who was at the program and that was “make them feel better.”

I have been asked, “What does pet-assisted therapy have to do with nursing? Doesn’t that belong in the Vet School?” My answer is a quick—NO! I have great long-standing relationships with veterinarians since I was very young. I grew up on a cattle farm where we had horses and many dogs—both cattle dogs and hunting dogs. I have a great respect for vets but this therapy is on people, not animals and no one is better equipped to work with people than nurses. Nurses are capable of working with people on every level and in every environment. Nurses are not put-off by the bells and whistles of the hospital or the smells that bothers others. We are not disturbed by wounds or tubes or monitors. Nurses work with people and families that are at some of the worst moments in their lives. Nurses understand how attitude, hope, and good and bad emotions affect physical health.

Some facts
· Animal assisted therapy lowers blood pressure
· Researchers discovered that a 12-minute visit with man’s best friend helped heart and lung function by lowering pressures, dismissing release of harmful hormones and decreasing anxiety among hospitalized heart failure patients. Benefits exceeded that resulted from a visit with a human volunteer or from being left along.
· Animal Assisted Therapy has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression. Anxiety was reduced 24% for participants who received a visit from an animal assisted therapy team.
· Presence of a therapy dog lowers behavior distress in children during a physical exam.
· Abstinence from drugs - The presence of the dog resulted in altered barriers to communication between the nurse and clients, which in turn resulted in enhanced transactions. The transactions allowed the participants to assimilate information and improve their feelings of self-esteem. The improved self-image allowed the volunteers a greater understanding of their recovery process.
· Reading with children - children who are learning to read get stressed, not because they aren’t capable of reading but because they get nervous and self-conscious, they worry about making mistakes—and all those worries make it hard to focus. They dread reading in front of their friends, so they often “freeze up” and things just get worse. When they read with a dog, right away they start to relax, and then they forget about feeling self-conscious or nervous, and pretty soon things start to flow a little better. Before they know it, they are enjoying the experience of reading instead of dreading it; they’re even looking forward to the next time. It is simple, and it works beautifully!
· Animal assisted therapy during chemotherapy reduces depression of patients and increases arterial oxygen saturation.

Nurses are the perfect profession to be involved in an animal assisted therapy or assistance. They understand treatment plans and medical needs. The nursing profession is the most caring profession in existence and is the most respected within healthcare.

If you would like to know more about animal–assisted therapy or would like to help just contact me (Stuart Pope DNP, RN) at the Auburn School of Nursing.

Pictures from the Convention

2010-05-31T12:08:00.006-05:00

As everyone heads home for summer, for Auburn Nursing Students only a few days, I would like to reflect on the great year that we have had in the association. When we started out in September, we were small in number but large in resolve. As I write this report, we have 136 members. Thanks to a couple of people especially, that did not get discouraged the AUSNA accomplished some great services for the children of the Auburn/Lee County Head Start. Leslie Day and Katherine Jones assumed tremendous leadership roles to get our Project Underpants up and running. Before the project was over, we had reached an unbelievable goal. We collected so many underpants (5015) that we had to haul them in a truck. That was such an encouragement to me personally and to all the members that joined in the last eight months. Thank you women for you dedication to the AUSNA and to some children whose lives you have touched in a special way. As you graduate I have no doubt that you will be a tremendous asset for the nursing profession, for your new employer and for Auburn University.

Many members that have done so much in the last 4 months that I will not start calling names, least I forget someone. I do want to say that I am proud of each of you and I could not be prouder of our leadership. Anna, Ashley, Elizabeth, and Lindsey have taken up the mantle without any letdown. The transition could not have been smoother. I am certain that we will have a great summer and even a greater fall. As the old saying goes, “the best is yet to come.”

The annual NSNA conference at Disney World in Orlando was wonderful (see pictures). We learned so much and came back with so many ideas. Next year the conference is in Salt Lake City, Utah and I encourage everyone to go. The conference was the best organized I have ever attended. We will talk more about the conference and all that we learned in the days ahead.

Catch the Wave

2010-05-31T11:53:00.003-05:00

NSNA video is excellant and explains why every student nurse should belong to the association.

Picnic

2010-04-25T23:24:00.007-05:00

What a great day we had for our 1st annual picnic! The weather was perfect, not too hot and not too cold. The food was wonderful. We have some new members and our AHA Project is off to a good start. Many people had a part in making it a great time for all. The students, faculty, staff, and the dean came out to enjoy the food and fellowship.

New Leadership for AUSNA

2010-03-04T08:49:00.009-06:00

Hey! My name is Anna Hutchinson and I am so excited to be able to serve as SNA president this year. I'm from Gadsden, AL and I'm invovled in several things around campus including a campus ministry "DIVE" at Auburn United Methodist Church, Phi Mu, and College Republicans. I really enjoy just hanging out with my friends and also I really like to bake desserts-especially if it has chocolate in it!! As far as my goals for nursing I'm really interested in the ER, flight nurse, and also travel nursing. I can't wait to meet each of you this upcoming year as we make it the best year Auburn's SNA has ever seen!

My name is Ashley Riley and I have just been elected Vice President. I am from Trussville, Alabama. I am a Verizon Wireless Ambassador for Auburn University, a member of the Student Development Board, and a member of Zeta Tau Alpha. My interests are travelling, cooking, shopping, and reading. I would love one day to attend graduate school to become a Nurse Practitioner and work either in the Emergency Department or on the Labor and Delivery floor. Hi, my name is Elizabeth Nielsen and I am the newly elected Secretary for the Student Nurses Association. I am from Clay, AL and a 2007 graduate from Clay-Chalkville High School. I am currently a Junior in the School of Nursing. Ever since I was young I have dreamed of being a nurse. My interests are in OB and NICU. When I am not busy studying for nursing school, I enjoy hanging out with my friend Ann from the Best Buddies program here at Auburn. I also enjoy scrapbooking, going to the lake, riding 4-wheelers, and playing in the snow every few years when Alabama actually gets some!! I am really looking forward to this new year with this organization and think it's going to be a great success!Hi! My name is Lindsey Hearington, and I a junior nursing student from Nashville, TN. When I am not studying or at clinicals, I enjoy being a Young Life Leader at Lee Scott Academy and mentoring high school girls. I attend First Baptist Opelika Church, and I lead a junior girls Bible study. I am somewhat obssessed with baking deliscious treats, and I also love to run. In the future, I am really interested in being a missionary nurse and working with third world countries, but before that, I plan to be a pediatric emergency department nurse wherever the Lord leads me (but hopefully in Nashville!). A dream of mine is to open a clinic for women that would cater to teen preganancies, homeless women and children, or abused and battered women. I am excited about being your new AUSNA Treasurer, and look forward to answering any questions you might have as well as planning fun stuff for us to do (like a formal!). Work hard, play hard!

New Dean

2010-01-28T14:01:00.009-06:00

Gregg E. Newschwander, Ph.D., RN, was appointed dean of Nursing at Auburn University and Auburn University at Montgomery, effective December 1, at the retirement of Dr. Barbara Witt.

Newschwander joins AUM and AU from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, where he was professor of Nursing and chair since 2008. Previously, he served as chair in the Department of Nursing at the University of Vermont in Burlington. He was associate dean at the Catholic University of America School of Nursing in Washington, D.C., 2003-04, dean and professor in the Division of Nursing and Health Sciences at Neumann College in Aston, Pa., 2000-03, assistant dean at the University of Virginia School of Nursing, 1990-99, and was assistant professor in both the School of Nursing and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, 1988-90 and 1999-2000. While at the University of Virginia, he established an international studies program at the School of Nursing and also taught Comparative Culture and Society: International Health Care at Oxford University in England during the summers of 1995-99.

Newschwander began his teaching career in 1982 at Marquette University College of Nursing and was assistant professor and Clinical Area coordinator, Adolescent and Young Adult Nursing, through 1988. Throughout his academic career, Newschwander has been an active clinician in pediatric emergency/trauma services. Since his induction in 1976, he has been an active member of Sigma Theta Tau, the international nursing honor society, and he has engaged in partnerships with hospitals and local organizations to address workforce development issues.

Newschwander earned a Bachelor of Science from the Rutgers University School of Nursing and a Master of Science from the University of Colorado School of Nursing. He received his doctorate from the Marquette University School of Education, majoring in Curriculum and Instruction.

The future looks bright with Dr. Newschwander as our leader.

Project Underpants

2010-01-23T01:22:00.010-06:00

Project Underpants was successful beyond my wildest expectations. Our final count for underpants for the Lee County Headstarts was over 1500 pair. These were handed over on January the 22nd to a most appreciative group. They assured us that they are much needed and will be well used. There were over eleven filled boxes. The Auburn Plainsman came by on Friday and took some pictures and completed an interview. I cannot wait until our next project. I am not sure how we measure up on numbers with other organizations on campus, but I am sure that no one has more compassion and enthusiasm. I am proud to be the faculty advisor.

Over the holidays we accomplished our goal for membership. We now have more than 100 members and are the largest chapter in the state. I hope that our membership will continue to grow as will our reputation both on and off Auburn University Campus. War Eagle!

Dean Witt Retires

2009-12-08T13:18:00.013-06:00

Dr. Witt, the dean of nursing at both Auburn University and Auburn University Montgomery is retiring from her double deanship on December 19th. She has served as dean at AUM since 1998 and at AU since 1999. Dr. Witt decided to retire because she still has many things in her life she still wants to do and would like to enjoy them while she can. She states "It's good to leave when you feel people still want you to stay". She will be leaving a lasting impression upon both Auburn campuses. One of her greatest accomplishments during her time as dean was increasing the amount of scholarship funding for the students. When Dr. Witt arrived, Auburn had only three established scholarships, but now they have twelve or thirteen. One of the scholarships is called the Blue Jean Ball Scholarship, which is the largest and most successful fundraiser AU has ever sponsored. Just nine balls over the years have raised $250,000. "Schools are about students", Dr. Witt states.

Dr. Witt has also succeeded in increasing endowments for professors. In addition to those accomplishments, Dr. Witt established state-of-the-art simulation labs on both campuses, all funded through donations. The labs feature mannequins that are so advanced that they are called "human simulators." The reason for this name, is because they simulate all the human functions so that the students can learn to look at vital signs and oxygenation levels before they are brought into clinical settings. The schools can now guarantee that every student will know how to respond to a cardiac arrest all because of their chance of being able to view it with the mannequins. Dr. Witt has also updated the curriculum within the university and has a second brand-new curriculum going online next fall. There is also a joint masters program between the two campuses that was established during her tenure.

Dr. Witt is leaving the school in very good shape. She has increased the number of faculty and created a clinical track that did not exist before her arrival. For the past year Auburn University School of Nursing students were 100% on passing the national exam for the licensing of registered nurses.

Auburn University School of Nursing faculty, staff and students, will surely miss Dr. Witt and thank her for all that she has done.

Faculty Highlights

2009-11-16T15:09:00.008-06:00

Constance Smith Hendricks, PhD, RN

Constance Hendricks is an expert in adolescent health and community-based nursing interventions designed for vulnerable populations to reduce disparities among rural and minority populations. She is gifted with the ability to ignite the can-do attitude in students and new faculty members that she mentors. Many times when someone mentions an idea her words are "do it." She has taken on difficult topics such as adolescent suicide and made high-level contributions to chronic illness research. She has been recognized by the United Nations for her services with Zeta Helping Other People Excel, also known as the Z-HOPE program. Dr. Hendricks wrote a two-volume training manual that has been used by more than two million people in the U.S. and also guided the construction of fifty-three water wells in Ghana, West Africa. Her ability put into funding sources, varying from the NIH and the Rural Alabama Black Church Project, expresses the quality of her work and her passion to help the underserved and vulnerable. Receiving more than $4,100,000.00 for diversity projects and research, she has shown the outstanding goal that any project can reach. From some of her studies, she has developed the Adolescent Health Promotion, Lifestyle Profile, Adolescent Hope Scale, the Refusal and Resistant Skills Questionnaire, and The Hendricks Perceptual Determinants Model, all used by researchers in the nursing and social science fields. As a graduate chair of nursing at Southern University-Baton Rouge, she was granted the nation's second PhD in the nursing program at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. She is the first African American to be elected vice president of the Alabama State Nurses Association and has been inducted into the American Academy of Nursing. Auburn University School of Nursing is honored to have Dr. Hendricks on the faculty, not only as an outstanding professor, but also as a positive role model, mentor and leader which any nurse or future nurse can follow.

2009-11-08T20:14:00.003-06:00

This is the beginning of what I hope will be a fun and useful blog. Our goal will be to disseminate information about the Auburn University Student Nurse Association and the Auburn University School of Nursing.

First, a little about the Student Nurse Association. The Auburn University Student Nurse Association (AUSNA)is a local chapter of a national oorganization, the Nationnal Student Nurses' Association (NSNA). The NSNA’s mission is to mentor students preparing for their initial licensure as registered nurses. Also to convey the standards, ethics, and skills that students will need as responsible and accountable leaders and members of the registered nurse profession. The NSNA was founded in 1952, as a nonprofit organization for students enrolled in associate, baccalaureate, diploma, and generic graduate nursing programs. It remains dedicated to fostering the professional development of nursing students. The organization has over 50,000 members in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. All members of the AUSNA are members of the national organization.

Many exciting things are happening at the local level. Project Underpants started November 1st and will continue until December 1st. What a great cause! To be able to gather underpants for all the boys and girls at the different Headstart Schools in the Auburn/Opelika area is truly a blessing. If you would like to take part in this project you can bring boys or girls underpants (size 2-6) to the Miller Hall. We also will take cash donations and purchase the underpants for you.

Also, this is the first time that pre-nursing students have been allowed in our local association. We are excited about the opportunity to work with this energetic group. Many new ideas are coming from new and old members. Hopefully this new energy and enthusiasm can be channeled into other worthwhile projects like Project Underpants.