Celebrating 46 Years of Excellence

Welcome to Gamma Nu Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International
Chartered in 1978, Gamma Nu is Seton Hall College of Nursing's chapter and has over 300 members.

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38th Annual Reinkemeyer Research Conference

The 38th Annual Reinkemeyer Research Conference, co-sponsored by Seton Hall University College of Nursing and Gamma Nu Chapter of Sigma, was held on March 13, 2026.  The largest ever, over 160 nurses and students gathered in Bethany Hall on the South Orange campus.  The planning committee was chaired by Dr. Caroline Meza.

The keynote, podium and poster presentations provided a vast range of interesting research topics and participants enjoyed networking and renewing professional relationships.  This year, rapid poster presentations were introduced in which poster presenters described their work at the podium also.

The Keynote Address, The Power of Nursing Science was delivered by Dr. Kathleen Evanovich Zavotsky, System Senior Director of Nursing Research and Program Evaluation at New York University Langone Health.  Dr. Zavotsky received her PhD at Seton Hall College of Nursing,

The podium presenters and topics were:

Purpose in practice: Reigniting frontline nurse engagement through structured innovation programs – A qualitative study
Laura Geron, Beth Jameson and Amelia Kim

Work environment matters: Exploring job satisfaction, resiliency and retention among advanced practice nurses
Moira Kendra, Jodi Galesi, Samantha Marr, Chrystal Disant, Emma Creter, Patricia Stopper and Caroline Kelly

Interrelationships among RN staffing, perceived workload, practice environment, and burnout among emergency department nurses
Sharmine Brassington, Charlotte Thomas-Hawkins, Mary Johansen, Pamela B. de Cordova and Jeannie P. Cimiotti

Retrospective review of the development and implementation of a bedside tunneled dialysis catheter program
Matthew Ostroff

The embedding of a specialized nurse practitioner palliative care clinic within a multiple sclerosis comprehensive center
Jennifer Abate and Dorothy Wholihan

Stepping Up: Elevating End-of-Life Education with Standardized Participants
Peta-Kaye Johnson, Megan Grant and Maria Toubroukji

Rapid Poster Presentations were:

Using drawings to understand patients’ perceptions of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A qualitative study
Moira Kendra, Ashley Pereira, Nicole Brogan and Jessica Lisa

The power of shared experience: Peer support for families in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Tracey Koplik, Catherine Skiff, Melissa Buck, John Ladino, Ruth Snyder, Bria Bernstein, Catherine Stavenik, Karen Cook, Kristen Slinsky, Ellen Laudone, Amanda Fisher and Jennifer Cleary

Supporting the nursing workforce pipeline: Retention outcomes from nurse externship and dedicated education unit initiatives
Marilynn S. Robayo and Kathleen Ennis

Factors related to stroke awareness and severity
Joanna M. Marmo, Benjamin Bass, Vincenza Coughlin and Kathleen Zavotsky

The remaining poster presentation topics were:

Advancing Skin Integrity: Evaluating a soft silicone-coated wound contact layer in a randomized trial to prevent adhesive-related injuries

Reducing readmissions through the pulmonary integrated care program: A collaborative approach to skilled nursing facility transitions

Quieting the night: A White-Noise initiative to improve sleep and patient experience in a step-down unit

Brushing up on best practice: Improving oral care among hospitalized patients

Integrating bedside nurse perspectives and well-being in ECMO program implementation

Optimizing care for postoperative cardiogenic shock: Evidence-Based strategies for VA ECMO management

The impact of kangaroo care on neurodevelopment in Level III and Level IV preterm infants: A comparison to standard incubator care in the NICU

A compass to guide you – Navigating clinical resources in an ambulatory care organization

Decreasing re-admission for heart failure

Compassion in action: Innovative sensory interventions to support well-being in dementia care

Relationship between access to grocery stores and obesity rate in NYC

Obesity awareness among pregnant Hispanic women in urban New Jersey

Trivia to triumph: Unlocking microlearning potential in the acute care hospital

Fighting CLABSI: One trivia question at a time

Understanding and supporting our novice nurses: Creation and validation of the Graduate Nurse Transitional Success Scale (GNTSS)

Empowering nursing staff through a comprehensive digital “Resource Binder”

Perceptions of competency in nursing: A qualitative exploration across roles in professional practice

Exploring perceptions of newly hired nurses and nurse preceptors using the Married State Preceptor Model

Developing and implementing clinical skills days in a large multispecialty ambulatory medical group

Creating a cultural competency curriculum: Utilizing the Purnell model for cultural competence

An EBP addressing perceived knowledge gained from a required nutrition course on the behavior of undergraduate nursing students

Strategies to address the burden of cognitive overload in nursing education

A recipe for success: The journey to zero healthcare infections

Administering Blinatumomab to pediatric patients in newly diagnosed B-ALL: Implementation experience in a regional oncology program

Addressing the anxiety learning barrier in post-operative patients

Exploring perceptions of biofeedback therapy as a pain management modality for adults with chronic pain

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Gamma Nu Provides Annual Christmas Dinner to Magnificat Home

Once again, Gamma Nu helped the women of Magnificat Home in Jersey City celebrate Christmas with our annual dinner and gifts. Seton Hall College of Nursing faculty and Gamma Nu members generously donated items and money for the gifts, and each woman received a large gift bag  stuffed with assorted toiletries, winter accessories, gloves, snacks, personal holiday messages from CON faculty and a Walmart gift card. GN members Michele Davide and Kathy Black delivered the gift bags in person.  The catered dinner was delivered right before Christmas, to be enjoyed for their traditional Christmas Eve celebration.  Thank you for your ongoing support!

Magnificat Home currently houses 16 previously homeless women. In addition to the annual Christmas party, Gamma Nu supports the home throughout the year with gifts of household supplies and other requested items. Click here to learn more about Magnificat Home.

This tradition was started by Dr. Carolyn Rummel (Founding Member and Past President) and Gamma Nu is proud to keep her legacy alive through this annual event.  It would not be possible without your support. Thank you and Happy New Year.

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Join Gamma Nu's New Book Club!

Gamma Nu's Membership Engagement Committee, chaired by Patricia Hubert, kicked off the new Book Club in October 2024 with a dinner meeting at The Shannon Rose restaurant in Clifton.  While enjoying delicious hors d'oeuvres, a group of seven members discussed Kristin Hannah's book, The Women.  This novel centers around the experiences of a young nurse who volunteers to serve in Viet Nam during the height of the war.  There, she experiences the intensity of the war as she cares for catastrophically injured soldiers.  The novel then follows her back to the United States where she struggles to rebuild her life.

So that all Gamma Nu members can participate in the Book Club, this book was discussed again in a virtual session in November, and nurses from as far away as California joined the lively conversation.

In February 2025, the Book Club began what was to become a three-part discussion of Courageous Well-Being for Nurses: Strategies for Renewal by Donna Gaffney and Nicole C. Foster.  Full of nurses' stories of stress and resilience as well as many suggestions for enhancing health and well-being, the book has provided more content than could be covered in one session.  The discussion continued in April and the final session will be held on June 18 at 7-8:30 pm via Teams.  Please email Pat Hubert to register: patmhubert@gmail.com. 

The third book chosen was Susanne J. Farese's Poetic Expressions in Nursing.  The author, who is a Seton Hall CON MSN alumna, joined the book club at its fall meeting to discuss her passion for poetry as a creative expression of the experiences of nurses.

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Gamma Nu Induction

Gamma Nu's Annual Induction Ceremony and Brunch was held on March 30, 2025 in the University Center on the South Orange Campus. We congratulate and welcome our 60 new members. Dr. Diane McClure chaired the event which many others helped to make successful. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Maryellen Roberts who delivered an inspiring and presentation, Infiltrate Passion and Compassion Back into Nursing.  Dr. Roberts is Professor; Chair, Graduate Nursing Department; and Director DNP and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Programs at the College of Nursing.

We welcome these new Gamma Nu members from the Traditional and Accelerated  BSN and Graduate Programs:
                                       

Dr. Maryanne Barra-Schneider, Chairperson of the Awards Committee presented the Carolyn F. Rummel Scholarships to:

Gabriella Ciraola

Rebecca Klein

Gianna Villanova

The Mary Ann Scharf Joy of Nursing Award, was presented to Dr. Susan Darby for her unwavering support of our Chapter.  Susan currently serves as both Corresponding and Recording Secretary.

Congratulations to All!

Gamma Nu Donates and Stuffs Backpacks
for Newark Schoolchildren

Gamma Nu donated 32 backpacks for kids in Newark and several members helped to stuff these and other donated packs. The backpack drive was spearheaded by the Newark Department of Health and Community Wellness (DHCW), which operates several clinics for local residents. The Mary Eliza Mahoney and Speedwell Clinics are the experiential training sites for Seton Hall nurse practitioner students participating in the Nurse-led Mobile Health Training Program. The backpacks were distributed to the children at the Health Fair sponsored by the DHCW in late August, which resulted in many excited faces.

Twana Irby (DHCW Staff), Sharon Dobrina (SHU Staff), Gamma Nu Members Patricia Hubert, Mary Pat Wall and Lori Wilt, DHCW Staff Member

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Gamma Nu's 40th Anniversary

Gamma Nu Founding Members pose with the chapter's Charter in front of a display of Gamma Nu memorabilia. Pictured (L to R): Linda Ulak, Mary Ann Scharf, Josephine DeVito, Maura Ryan and Carolyn Rummel

Five Gamma Nu Past Presidents were able to attend the 40th Anniversary Celebration. Pictured are Diane McClure (then President), Mary Ann Scharf (1986-1988), Josephine DeVito (2006-2008), Brenda Petersen (2008-2010), Wendy Budin (1998-2000) and Carolyn Rummel (1990-1992 and 2012-2014)