DECEMBER 2017

Message from the Dean and Vice President for Health Promotion

Bernadette Melnyk As graduates of the College of Nursing, you are lights for the world, many of you providing exemplary healthcare for others all across the globe. It warms my heart to think of the many Ohio State nurses and wellness professionals out there, making a difference every day in the lives of others.

Yet, too often we healthcare providers don’t take good care of ourselves. The saying, “You can’t take care of others if you don’t take care of yourself first” has now been exemplified in a national study of United States nurses. The study, which you can read more about below, found that nurses in sub-optimal mental and physical health were 26 to 71 percent more likely to make medical errors. That’s important news, and points both to the need for nurses to take better care of themselves, and for hospital and other healthcare administrators to start making their employees’ health a priority. There is so much we can do for each other, from implementing physical and mental health programs in the workplace to taking the time to encourage each other in our health goals. I urge you to take time for your own self-care this holiday season and beyond. The smallest changes you make could be the beginning of a healthier lifestyle, and that means good health and great care for others, too.

You’ll want to read this newsletter to find out about the new guidelines for high blood pressure from the American Heart Association, the College of Nursing’s new deadlines for application for graduate degrees, and awards our faculty have received, including two March of Dimes’ Nurses of the Year. You also can find out more about what the college has been up to by watching two videos, one celebrating the Fuld summit, and one made on our campus by AACN-TV to tout Ohio State at American Association of Colleges of Nursing conferences. We’re excited, too, about the redesign of our Transformations magazine. If it’s not in your mailbox yet, see below for how to get a copy.

I wish all of you hearts full of joy and peace this holiday season along with a happy, healthy New Year full of blessings!

Be well,

Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk, PhD, RN, CPNP/PMHNP, FAANP, FNAP, FAAN
Vice President for Health Promotion
University Chief Wellness Officer
Dean and Professor, College of Nursing
Professor of Pediatrics & Psychiatry, College of Medicine
Executive Director, the Helene Fuld Health Trust National Institute for EBP
The Ohio State University

Featured Stories

cover of Fall 2017 issue of Transformations magazine

New edition of Transformations magazine

The Autumn 2017 edition of Transformations is here! Issues were mailed at the end of November. Did you get yours? If not, send an email with your updated address and a request for a copy of Transformations to nursingalumni@osu.edu, and a copy will be mailed to you! And don't forget to update your contact information on the alumni portal.

Fuld summit

The inaugural Fuld summit, "Transforming Healthcare Through Evidence-based Practice," drew healthcare leaders, academicians, researchers and expert clinicians from 31 states, the District of Columbia, and eight other countries to Columbus. See photos on Flickr here. To watch a video about the summit, click here.

photo of women having blood pressure taken

New guidelines redefine high blood pressure: 130 is the new high

The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology have released new guidelines that define high blood pressure as 130 mm Hg and higher systolic, or 80 and higher diastolic blood pressure, instead of 140/90. The pre-hypertensive category has been eliminated. Earlier intervention can help to prevent complications from high blood pressure, such as heart disease and stroke. Healthy lifestyle behaviors, including 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week, limiting salt intake, not smoking, and regularly practicing stress reduction can help to maintain healthy blood pressure levels.

photo of Vice Dean Margaret Graham being recorded for the AACN-TV video

AACN-TV crew produced video about college

The next time you attend a conference hosted by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, be on the lookout for a video overview of The Ohio State University College of Nursing! The video production crew spent three days at Ohio State interviewing faculty and students, and shooting lots of beautiful campus scenery and special events, including an annual faculty awards ceremony and student heart checks. To view the video, click here.

Application deadlines changing in 2018 for graduate degrees

The graduate degree programs in the College of Nursing at Ohio State have new requirements and deadlines for students applying in the fall of 2018 and planning to start classes in the summer or fall of 2019. If you’re planning to continue your education at Ohio State with a master’s or the BSN to DNP program, read more about the new requirements and deadlines.

Day of Giving Save the Date

Save the date for Ohio State’s Day of Giving – an inspiring 24-hour event for alumni, students and friends to come together and support Ohio State. On February 28, Buckeyes can support their favorite cause, college or program.

People to Watch

Melnyk's study shows importance of wellness for nurses

A study authored by Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that half of nurses surveyed nationally reported sub-optimal mental and physical health. Nurses in poorer health had a 26 to 71 percent higher likelihood of reporting medical errors than their healthier peers.

Gawlik selected for AANP Award

Congratulations to Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing Kate Gawlik, DNP, RN, ANP-BC, FNP-BC, who has been selected to receive the 2018 AANP Nurse Practitioner State Award for Excellence from Ohio.

Laureen Smith and Linda Quinlin posed with their Nurse of the Year awards

March of Dimes Awards: Smith and Quinlin

Congratulations to our faculty who were recognized at the March of Dimes Ohio Nurse of the Year Awards in November. Laureen Smith, PhD, RN, FAAN, was awarded Nurse of the Year in the the Education and Research category, and Linda Quinlin, RN, ANCS-BC, NP-C, ACHPN, DNP, received the Nurse of the Year Award in the Long-term Acute Care, Rehab/Hospice and Palliative Care category. We are proud of them both!

Alumni Spotlight

Elizabeth Madigan, PhD, RN, FAAN

Ohio State degrees: MS (1988)

Current role: Chief Executive Officer, Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society

Professionally, I am proud of the CEO position at Sigma. It pulls together my various professional experiences and lets me work with our more than 135,000 members from more than 90 countries for global nursing excellence. We're different than the other international nursing organizations in that our focus is on leadership, scholarship and service. In 2022 we will celebrate our 100th anniversary!

Interesting fact: When I was a graduate assistant at OSU, we had computer punch cards for our data analysis. I was always worried I was going to drop them and have to try to figure out how to get them back in the right order! My master's thesis was typed on a typewriter. Imagine that!

Buckeye Wellness Tip

Create Healthy Holidays

During the holidays, people tend to experience increased stress and overindulge in sweet treats. It's good to remember the 80/20 rule: 80 percent healthy foods, 20 percent "want" foods. Filling your plate half full with fruits and vegetables will help to reach that goal. Aim for seven hours of sleep, drink mostly water, engage in 150 minutes of physical activity per week and take five deep breaths when stressed. With these behaviors, you'll reduce your risk of chronic disease and have a healthy holiday season. This wellness tip brought to you by Chief Wellness Officer Bernadette Melnyk.

Make a Gift

December 31st is the deadline for renewing Nursing Alumni Society and OSUAA sustaining memberships. Make your gift today by clicking below or contacting Katy Trombitas at (614) 688-1086 or trombitas.4@osu.edu.

Make a Gift

College of Nursing Continuing Education

Check out the latest offerings from the Academy for Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning (AcCELL).

AcCELL

Upcoming Events

2/3

10th Annual Alumni Society Hockey Night
Featuring a tailgate at the Schott, followed by Ohio State men's hockey team taking on Michigan State! Learn more here.

2/12 - 2/15

Mock Interviews for Students
Serve as a mock interviewer for current nursing students at Newton Hall. Questions and guidelines will be provided to all volunteers. Sign up today!

3/10

Family Fun Day
Save the Date! Join fellow graduates from the health sciences colleges and their families at COSI for a fun-filled morning featuring hands-on science experiments! More details to come soon!

3/22

Paint and Pour
Save the Date! Receive step-by-step instruction from local artists as you craft your own Ohio State-themed masterpiece with fellow nursing alumni. No experience is necessary. More details to come soon!

View more upcoming events here.