Experiential learning is an important part of Wittenberg’s new Connections Curriculum. Last semester, 10 nursing students saw that component come to life when their classroom research was selected for poster presentations at the annual conference for the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing in New Orleans (OADN).
Only 10 student poster presentations from across the United States were accepted at the conference with Wittenberg nursing students filling three of those slots.
“We are tremendously proud of our students,” said Marie Bashaw, professor and director of nursing at Wittenberg. “The students presented their posters, discussing what they learned through researching their topic throughout the semester, what they gained from that knowledge, and how this knowledge can help improve future outcomes.”
The OADN Annual Convention is the only national conference exclusively dedicated to the needs of pre-licensure registered nursing education programs and the associate degree pathway. The group provides continuing education opportunities, leadership development programs, and represents the needs of associate degree nursing programs to leaders in government and influential organizations.
During the fall semester, former Wittenberg nursing professor Cheri Rebar gave her students in Nursing 240: Evidence-Based Practice class the task of researching 20 articles using evidence from nursing research databases. Students narrowed down their searches to form eight different topics that were developed into presentations.
The groups then had the opportunity to submit their work to faculty and to the OADN where three of the eight posters were chosen for presentation at the annual conference. In fact, two of the three even placed high at the conference, finishing second and third overall, respectively. Five of the 10 students were able to present at the conference that took place in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Nursing students who were part of the research included Mackenzie Schuld, class of 2024 from Rocky River, Ohio; Emma Secrest, class of 2024 from Westerville, Ohio; Mary Estes, class of 2024 of Fleming, Ohio; Bridget Kennedy, class of 2024 from Chicago, Illinois; Gabby Stern, class of 2024 from Hilliard, Ohio; Bailey Smith class of 2024, from Frederick, Maryland; Stephanie Johnson, class of 2024 from Springfield, Ohio; Sydney Taylor, class of 2024 from Casstown, Ohio; Lanai Stevenson, class of 2025 from Dublin, Ohio; and Emily Terry, class of 2025 from Springfield, Ohio.
Kennedy, Stern, Stevenson, and Terry presented on “The Effect of Sleep on College Students During Examination Week.”
“This experience was so eye-opening for me,” Kennedy said. “It allowed me to see what I could do not only as a nurse, but in the field and from listening to other faculty and nurses in the field. There are so many opportunities and so many ways we can make an impact.
“Wittenberg has given us endless opportunities, especially if we show that we want to work hard and are willing to do the work,” Kennedy added. “This conference was another example of that.”
“The experience was empowering and uplifting,” Stern said. “It felt like all the hard work and time that I’ve been putting in at Wittenberg is finally starting to show through. It made me realize the ways I am going to make an impact and see the impact that nurses are making in the community every day. It was definitely a great learning experience for all of us. The support and help that we receive from the Wittenberg community and faculty not only helps us learn, but it also helps us to become the best versions of ourselves and to be ourselves. The people at Wittenberg care about you as a person, not just academically.”
Although Secrest didn’t attend the conference, the entire experience still made an impact on her and her future career as a nurse. Her group, which included Smith and Taylor, presented on “Sleep Quality and Duration and How it Affects Academic Performance.” Their poster placed second overall at the conference.
“I don’t think about the impact my work can have on the nursing world every day, and I never thought that it was possible to have research out there at this stage in my life,” she said. “Attending Wittenberg has allowed me to not restrict myself to doing one thing. And while nursing is not a particularly easy major, here I’m a leader and member of the soccer team, I’m in a sorority, and a class representative. Our professors support and advocate for us so much, and the conference is an example of that. The nursing students are a close-knit group; we travel together day-in and day-out; we hang out together and see each other every day. It’s a small cohort, and we talk about life and nursing, and we do study nights. The support here has allowed me to be able to do what I want to do at Witt. We have built a really strong friendship in and out of the classroom.”
Estes, Schuld, and Johnson presented on “Religion, Spirituality and Mental Health.” Their poster placed third overall at the conference.
“This was a very empowering experience for me,” Estes said. “Whenever I’m in school and stressed out, and having an ‘is this really worth it’ moment – I can go think back to this conference. It showed that our hard work is paying off. To be able to go and talk to faculty at conference and see that they really care what we are doing – is just empowering. It was also a great place to network, talk about pursuing a master’s degree, and see all the opportunities for growth in the field. Our professors at Witt advocate for us and actually know who I am. I love the close-knit community at Witt. We can actually form connections and talk to our professors about anything.”
“Doing this research as an undergrad makes me realize how much impact we can make in our profession, even in showing the connections that aren’t specifically tied to nursing,” Schuld said. “I came here for nursing and to swim. I knew it would be small classes, and I like that. I know that all these people have my back, and I can talk to teachers at any time as they support us in and out of the classroom. The poster project helped us get our names out there. It’s been great being a part of this and seeing it all grow.”
ABOUT OADN:
As the national advocate for more than 1,200 associate degree nursing programs across the country, OADN works to advance excellence in nursing education and promote community college pathways into registered nursing careers. Continually present and active in trends and issues impacting nursing education and the healthcare workforce, OADN is dedicated to ensuring associate degree nursing remains a pathway for a diverse student group, enriching the profession of nursing and meeting the healthcare needs of our communities.
