University of Iowa College of Nursing

Barb Schuessler (89BSN, 95MSN) started as the nurse manager of the University Employee Health Clinic in Dec. 2019. Within a few months, the world changed. Under her direction, the UEHC pivoted multiple times and nimbly adjusted to the needs of employees and the organization at each stage of the pandemic. Her leadership and compassion prompted colleagues to nominate her for the 2022 DAISY Nurse Leader Award.

Read more in the Loop, from UIHC: https://medcom.uiowa.edu/theloop/news/the-different-paths-of-2022-daisy-nurse-leader-award-winner-barb-schuessler

We had a great time with the BSN class of 2027 today! They toured campus, had lunch with Deans Zerwic and Nicholson, heard from current students and recent grads, and got to meet some of the .ncec sims.

Assistant Professors Dr. Sena Chae and Dr. Yuanlu Sun recently received Early Career Scholar awards of $30,000 from the Office of the Vice President of Research! The awards, which are accompanied by grant writing support, serve as pilot funding to help tenure-track assistant professors develop a competitive proposal and secure external funding. Chae’s grant focuses on symptoms and multiple chronic conditions associated with post-induction unplanned readmissions in patients with acute myeloid leukemia, and Sun’s focuses on a digital peer coaching program to activate lymphedema self-management. Congratulations! #

Group drives healthcare workers to Omaha hospitals during wintry conditions

Our alumni are not only fantastic nurses, they are fantastic people! CRNA Leslie Bonnet (18 DNP) is part of a volunteer group of four-wheel-drive vehicle owners in Omaha that provided free rides to healthcare workers during a recent storm.

Group drives healthcare workers to Omaha hospitals during wintry conditions With slush and wet conditions, it’s advised you stay off the roads. But some don’t have a choice, like doctors, nurses, and medical support staff. That’s why a group of 4-wheel-drive vehicle owners is providing free rides to healthcare workers who may not feel comfortable driving in these cond...

Today U.S. News and World Report announced the 2023 , and we are excited to share that our Master's in Nursing Administration is #7, up one spot from last year! Learn more at IowaNow http://ow.ly/NLHI50MyS8F and see the rankings here: http://ow.ly/6fYf50MySk7

First day of class, CON-style. Here’s to a great semester in med-surge! (Thanks for the 📷 !)

For the 21st consecutive year, nurses ranked #1 in Gallup's annual Most Honest and Ethical Professions Poll. According to the American Nurses Association, "Their ranking in this year’s poll directly reflects both nurses’ unparalleled skill and deep connection to their patients and communities." Read more from the ANA: http://ow.ly/ing150Muv3H

Just a few hours away from our White Coat Ceremony. Can’t wait to see everyone at The Englert!

Welcome to our two newest cohorts of students! Last week our new RN-BSN students traveled from all across the state to Des Moines for orientation, and today the first group in our new MSN-Entry into Practice program came to the CON for theirs. So glad to have you join our family!

Congratulations to PhD student Saida Jaboob, one of 70 researchers, scholars, and creators from across the University of Iowa featured in the 2023 Dare to Discover campaign! Jaboob's research goal is to better understand the experience of Omani older adults in managing aging and to identify their unmet needs. Read more: http://ow.ly/QGn150MomJ4

Associate Professor Juliana Souza-Talarico, whose research focuses on cognitive and behavioral health during aging, is featured in this KCRG-TV9 report on the new Alzheimer's drug, Lecanemab: http://ow.ly/zy6j50MobUX

Next week these chairs will be filled with students, but today they were occupied by our faculty as they gathered for a day of education and collaboration.

College of Nursing alum Brittney Kintzel (16BSN) is featured in the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics Loop News today, talking about the importance of connection, collaboration and perspective. “Any nurse can read the charts and know the patient drank this much water or had this much output," says Kintzel. "But knowing this patient takes their meds crushed up in apple sauce, or this patient gets really scared if her mom steps out and these things help calm her down. Those little nuances are so important, especially in pediatrics.”

Read the story: http://ow.ly/LLEZ50Mmb1S

We are pleased to share that Health Systems/Administration Doctor of Nursing Practice student Sierra Jones is the recipient of the 2022-2023 Marvin Pomerantz Graduate Student Scholarship presented by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield!

Jones currently works at UnityPoint Health Des Moines as a nursing house supervisor and is in the second year of her DNP program. A member of the Gamma chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, her areas of interest include nurse well-being and aligning care delivery and access for mental health patients. Jones aspires to be an executive nurse leader in a hospital or nonprofit healthcare organization focusing on mental health.

"I am most grateful for your belief and support, and I would like to thank you for choosing me as the recipient," Jones said. "Receiving this scholarship will allow me to continue working towards my goal to become a leader in nursing."

Wellmark established the Marvin Pomerantz Graduate Student Scholarship fund in 2008 to honor the memory of former board member Marvin A. Pomerantz. The annual scholarship supports one or more deserving graduate students at the University of Iowa College of Nursing.

Congratulations, Sierra!

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What a difference five years makes!

Including diverse participants in research is critical for ensuring that study results represent all patients and are broadly relevant. A team led by CON professor and distinguished scholar in nursing Lisa Segre evaluated whether the race/ethnicity of a recruiter had an impact on recruitment success. Findings included in their recent article demonstrate that the Black recruiter enrolled a significantly greater number of Black participants than the white recruiter, suggesting that race/ethnicity matching is a viable strategy for increasing minority participation in clinical studies. Read more: http://ow.ly/R15v50Meu3q

Last Saturday was a pretty great day. Congratulations to all of our students and everyone who supported them in reaching this milestone.

Flashback to last Friday, when our fall 2022 pre-licensure BSN graduates celebrated their pinning ceremony. Students - check your email for the link to the full gallery!

CON students organized a foot & wound clinic for clients at the Agape Café at Old Brick last month. Students performed comprehensive assessments, provided circulation massage, diabetic foot screening, ulcer treatment, wound packing, nail trimming, and callus removal, and educated clients following their treatment.

CON student Maggie Muszalski says the clinic is important because "we treat patients who don't always have the ability to seek treatment in a traditional healthcare setting. This service is vital at this time because as the temperature drops our clients need to have clean and dry wound covers." The patients were able to develop a rapport with the nursing students allowing them to feel comfortable asking questions related to their healthcare needs.

Thanks to CON faculty Tess Judge-Ellis and Jan Miller and student volunteers Kelsey Beringer, Claire Brown, Brooke Siverhus, Laura Grabner, Bridget Sorensen, Ellie Shaver, Maddie Medina, Mya Gaughan, Maggie Muszalski, and Kate Randle.

The UIowa Csomay Ctr made this amazing gingerbread scene for the AARP Iowa and Cedar Rapids Public Library ADU Gingerbread House Contest and they need your votes today! Vote here: https://woobox.com/xzcmhp/gallery/ivtJP53Za5I Each of the entries in this contest features an Accessory Dwelling Unit - a small house next to or connected to the main house. The Csomay Center's house and ADU "represent the independence and availability of multiple care options for older adults and their loved ones. Being close to and connected to family/loved ones decreases isolation and depression, while also providing working family members an opportunity for inter-generational care."

What a wonderful weekend! Pinning, MSN commencement, and BSN commencement.🎉 🎊 🥳Stay tuned for more photos throughout the next few days!

Tonight they receive their nursing pins and tomorrow they graduate! Where has the time gone?! Congratulations, class of fall 2022!

Several students are graduating with their Master of Science in Nursing this fall, and among them is Kristin Varzavand. After spending 14 years as a nurse in the neonatal intensive care unit, Kristin decided to pursue an MSN. She’ll be working as an Infection Preventionist at UIHC after graduation.

Hometown: Muscatine, IA

Employer: UIHC. I worked as a Neonatal Intensive Care nurse for 14 years.

Made me want to be a nurse: I used to volunteer in the hospital, and enjoyed the patient interactions and team collaborations. I was working in a research lab at the time, but realized my calling was to become a nurse.

Favorite experience in CON: Making lasting friendships with colleagues in my cohort is something I treasure. I have also enjoyed networking with and learning from faculty who are leaders in their field. My favorite class has been Applied Epidemiology with Dr. Ken Culp. :)

Something that kept me motivated: Learning to embrace the challenges along the way instead of fearing them helped me develop a growth mindset. And of course, relying on the support of my friends and family to help keep the end goal insight!

Post graduation plans: I have accepted a position as an Infection Preventionist working with the Program of Hospital Epidemiology and the Quality Improvement Program at UIHC.

Fun fact: I ran track in undergrad!

Olivia Harris (who will be one of our commencement speakers this weekend) has been a leader throughout her time at the College of Nursing as a tutor. She puts her patients first and plans to work at UIHC's Stead Family Children's Hospital after graduation.

Hometown:
Fort Wayne, IN

Favorite study spot:
Room 120 on the first floor of the CON

Favorite mid-shift/mid-day meal or snack:
Gardetto's Snack Mix

What made you want to be a nurse?
When I was a child, I knew I wanted to go into the medical field. I was fascinated by the science within healthcare, and I loved people, especially kids. I always thought I would go to medical school to become a pediatrician because I have a passion for caring for children. However, during my senior year of high school, I began working at a family medicine clinic in my hometown and it was during that job that I realized I wanted to be a nurse. I loved the hands-on care nurses provided and how much time they were able to spend with patients. I realized that my true motivation was supporting patients through their toughest and scariest experiences and being their biggest advocate, which is best done by a nurse.

What’s your favorite experience from your time at the CON?
My favorite experience from the CON was tutoring pathology for two semesters! I loved getting to know so many of the students in each cohort and seeing their growth throughout nursing school. No matter how busy or hard my day was, when I showed up to tutoring the students always made me laugh and made my day better!

What’s been something that’s motivated you during your studies?
Working as a nursing assistant all throughout nursing school has been a huge motivator to keep pushing on. When I’m taking care of a patient, I think about all the things I could do for them if I was their nurse!

What are your post-graduation plans?
After graduation, I will be working in the pediatric ICU at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

You've got this.

drop your shoulders
unclench your jaw
take a deep breath
close your eyes
relax your hands
breathe out slow
take a moment
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Image via anxiety.positive on IG

They did it! The class of 2022 took the plunge into their nursing careers last night. Thanks to for letting us use the pool to carry on this fun tradition, and to .torner and for helping us document it.

Miles Patton found his passion for nursing while working as a dietary aide in high school. During his time at Iowa, he's shared that passion with others through tutoring. Look for him in Nashville next—he'll be working at Vanderbilt University Medical Center!

Hometown
Sioux City

Favorite study spot
CON 120

Favorite mid-shift/mid-day meal or snack:
Cherry Pop Tarts

What made you want to be a nurse?
I worked as a dietary aide for three years in high school and absolutely loved working with residents. I soon got my CNA and came to the University of Iowa to apply to their nursing program through competitive admission.

What’s your favorite experience from your time at the CON?
I had so much fun at third semester clinicals my group was full of some of my closest friends, and we really bonded caring for children and psychiatric patients.

What’s been something that’s motivated you during your studies?
Working as a nursing assistant motivated me to study harder to use my knowledge in clinical practice. This transformed me into a skilled advocate and helped me influence nurses and doctors to help better serve my patents.

What are your post-graduation plans?
I will be working on a trauma stepdown unit at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

Happy finals week from your furry CON study buddies Maude, Boots, and Silvi.

Congrats to our fall 2022 graduates! We'll be sharing a few of their stories this week, leading up to commencement. Riley Sheehy came to the UI from Pennsylvania and, in addition to her nursing coursework and clinicals, she was a member of the UI softball team! Here are a few of Riley's thoughts about life at Iowa:

Hometown: Newtown, Pennsylvania
Favorite study spot: Encounter Cafe
Fun fact about you: I've lived in 5 different states, and I played softball at the University. I worked with faculty to be able to balance both nursing and softball at the same time. While it wasn't always easy, it was worth it and I'm glad to have the opportunity to be able to do both.
What made you want to be a nurse? I've always wanted to help people and I love that as a nurse you get a lot of patient interaction and are a part of a whole team to help people get better.
What’s your favorite experience from your time at the CON?: My favorite experience has been getting to make friends with the people in the cohort throughout all of the classes and clinicals that we've had together!
What’s been something that’s kept you going/motivated you during your studies?: Knowing how rewarding it will be to have all of my studies pay off and finally become a nurse! I'm excited to explore a new city with my friends and start this next chapter of my life.
What are your post-graduation plans?: I'm planning on moving to Chicago and working at a pediatric hospital.

Thanks to everyone who came out last week for our faculty-staff winter celebration! It was a great way to unwind and reconnect as the semester comes to a close.

Cheers to our future critical care nurses! This group just wrapped up the semester in their NURS:3744 Critical Care Nursing elective with Professor Syeda Thomas.

We love full circle stories like this, where our alumni pass on their knowledge to our current students. Katelyn Cullins, left, and Jessica Eslick recently wrapped up their RN-BSN quality improvement project at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, Iowa, where Amy Stark (96BSN, 03MSN) director of nursing professional practice, was their preceptor. Katelyn and Jessica's project, “Commit to Sit," focused on how nurses can become better listeners when caring for patients and families.

Greetings from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Transform 2022 conference in Chicago, where BSN faculty Emily Griffin (22DNP) is presenting her work on integrating well-being into the curriculum.

Our RN-BSN program provides a pathway for registered nurses with an associate degree to earn their baccalaureate degrees online. Alyssa Wessel, RN, Brenda Duree, PhD, RN, and Kim Bergen-Jackson, PhD, RN-BC, LNHA are three nurses whose life paths have been influenced by their participation in the program. Read their stories in our latest magazine: https://tinyurl.com/CONCoverStory2022

Happy Thanksgiving! We are thankful for our amazing community of students, staff, faculty, alumni, and supporters. May your holiday be filled with family, friends, good food, and a Hawkeye win. 💛🖤

CON alumna Rachel Francois, ARNP, C-PNP, MSN, was recently named Nurse Practitioner of the Year by the Iowa Chapter National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners! Francois is a provider at Mercy Pediatric Clinic in Cedar Rapids. Congratulations!

Congratulations to Mercy Pediatric Clinic's Rachel Francois, ARNP, C-PNP, MSN, who was recently named the Nurse Practitioner of the Year by the Iowa National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners!

"Her patients and families adore her, respect her, and truly appreciate her," Rachel's nominator wrote. "Children are overjoyed to see her, she effortlessly bonds with teens, and parents are empowered during their visits. Office staff describe her as a joy to be around and students are endlessly inspired by her ... She frequently shows her dedication for her profession by continuing to expand her knowledge and seeks learning opportunities to better serve those she cares for. She is diligent in best practice and maintaining current information, as well as remaining a safe, inclusive environment for all her young patients ... She takes great pride in her relationships with her patient families and, above all, strives to deliver the highest level of quality care ... Her patients, colleagues, peers, and students are extremely fortunate to have such a compassionate, caring, and focused provider."

Kudos to you, Rachel, on this well-deserved recognition! Thank you for your dedication to caring for our area's children!

Learn more about Rachel at: https://www.mercycare.org/doctors/results/provider-profile/rachel-francois/

In an innovative, multidisciplinary collaboration, Adult/Gero Primary Care Program Director Larry Newman invited The University of Iowa College of Law Estate Planning Clinic Director Len Sandler and his students to present to AG-PCNP students last week. The presentation focused on legal documents such as power of attorney, living wills and other healthcare and financial directives, and a fruitful discussion ensued between the two groups of professional students regarding the laws and their real-world application. UIowa Csomay Ctr