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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. 

Gamma Nu Inducts New Members

Gamma Nu's Annual Induction Ceremony and Dinner was held in person for the first time since 2019.  On April 22, 2022 we inducted 87 new members at the Spring Brook Country Club in Morristown.  Maryanne Barra-Schneider, Vice-President, chaired the event which many others helped to make successful. The keynote address, Spirituality in Nursing, was delivered by Josephine DeVito, PhD, RN, Associate Professor of Nursing at Seton Hall. 

We welcomed these new members from the Traditional and Second-Degree BSN Programs along with MSN, DNP and PhD students:

We also wish to recognize the following graduate students who are already members of Gamma Nu:

At the Induction Ceremony, Diane McClure awarded the annual scholarships and awards.  Congratulations to this year's scholarship recipients:

The recipients of this year’s Gamma Nu Joy of Nursing Service Award are Dr. Kimberly Conway and Katherine Black.  

Congratulations to All!

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34^th Annual Reinkemeyer Research Conference

The 34th Annual Reinkemeyer Research Conference, co-sponsored by Seton Hall University College of Nursing and Gamma Nu Chapter of Sigma, was held on March 18, 2022.  Gathering together in person for the first time for this event since 2019 in lovely Bethany Hall on the South Orange Campus made it a joyous occasion.  Many Gamma Nu members contributed to planning the 2022 RRD, including Nancy Bohnarczyk, Kimberly Conway, Irene Decelie, Catherine Grano, Joyce Maglione, Diane McClure, Denise Warren and Lori Wilt.

Four podium presentations and eleven posters provided a vast range of interesting research topics.  The podium presenters and topics were:

The Keynote Speaker was Billy Rosa, PhD, MBE, NP-BC, FAANP, FAAN, who discussed Advancing the Research Agenda in Serious Illness and End-of-Life Care: Inclusion, Belonging and Equitable Access.  Dr. Rosa is Chief Research Fellow, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Center, New York.

Poster topics were:

• Calculate This: A Quality Improvement Project to Reduce Heparin Errors
• Call Who? A Quality Improvement Project to Reduce Readmissions
• Comparing the Prevalence of Health Care Acquired Conditions in Rural and Urban Healthcare Facilities in the US
• Hospice and Palliative Care in the Garden State
• Incorporating Emergency Management Training within School-Based Health Centers
• Implementing the ROX Index: A Quality Improvement Project
• Learning to Fly During the First Surge: A Qualitative Study of Novice Nurse Experiences and Advice for Future Nurses
• Predicting Decline: A Quality Improvement Project to Reduce Rapid Responses
• A Rollout of a Blood Pressure Remote Patient Monitoring Program to Improve High-Risk Maternal Outcomes at a Pilot Clinic for Systemwide Expansion
• Simulation and Documentation: A Quality Improvement Project
• Teaching Jin Shin Jyutsu Self-Help on Social Media

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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.  As she has for years, Carolyn Rummel organized the event, and Seton Hall College of Nursing faculty and Gamma Nu members generously donated money for the gifts. The women enjoyed Chicken Marsala, Penne with vodka sauce, salad, bread and soft drinks.  Each received a gift bag with gloves, hand cream, candy and a Walgreen’s gift card. Although Gamma Nu usually serves this dinner in person, this year's event again required adjustments for social distancing.   We hope to return to our usual in-person celebration next year. The event was catered and two Gamma Nu leaders, Kim Conway and Lori Wilt, delivered the gifts and cake to their door.

Magnificat Home currently houses 14 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.

Merry Christmas to all!  

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Dr. Kimberly Conway – Gamma Nu’s Delegate to STTI

Dr. Kimberly Conway, PhD, RN, served as Gamma Nu’s representative in the House of Delegates at the Sigma Theta Tau International’s Convention.  The 46th Biennial Convention, Honor the Past, Remember the Present, Create the Future, was held November 6-10, 2021 in Indianapolis. This was a special convention because Sigma is celebrating its 100th anniversary.  Kim was a podium presenter at Convention as well as a delegate.  Her presentation, Exploring Baccalaureate Nursing Students’ Experience with Standardized Patients in Behavioral Health Simulations, was one of many exciting educational sessions. In addition to presenting and attending programs, Kim was present for the House of Delegates discussions and voting.  Many changes to the International By-Laws were approved and new officers were elected.  Among the newly elected leaders is Dr. Amita Avadhani, a Seton Hall CON graduate.  She is now the Coordinator for North America Region 14, of which Gamma Nu is a part.  Congratulations!

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Gamma Nu Boards the Winery Train to Villa Milagro Vineyards

The Warren County Winery Train brought Gamma Nu member together for an afternoon of friendship, Delaware River scenery and wine tasting.  Boarding the train in Phillipsburg, views of the river and surrounding valley passed by as the conductor narrated stories of the area’s history as a mining community.  It was a lovely, sunny fall day.

Arriving at the Villa Milagro Vineyards, Gamma Nu members viewed the vineyard and beautiful vista of the Delaware and Musconetcong Valley.  The vineyard is owned and operated by winemaker Dr. Audrey Cross-Gambino and her husband, Steve, who blend ten types of red, white and specialty wines from their grapes.  The hosts served five types of wine with paired snacks and told stories of wine-making from medieval times to current day. 

The event offered a welcome chance to meet in person with colleagues outside of work and zoom meetings.  In addition, everyone brought items to donate to the Early Childhood Center in North Newark.  This preschool needed clothing, personal items and medical supplies to care for their 3-4-year-old students.

Kathryn Paterek, Gamma Nu Membership Involvement Chairperson, organized the train ride and the donations.

The following article was submitted by Linda Ulak, Ed.D, RN:
What a great day we had on July 12, 2021!  A group of Gamma Nu members, CON Alumni, faculty, retired faculty, and family joined us on this adventure with the Jersey Shore Whale Watching Tour from Belmar, NJ!    We started with some bonding over lunch at the Marina Grille and then joined others on the 120-foot Royal Miss Belmar.  It was one of the hottest days of the summer, but all were ready to see the whales.  We headed north towards Long Branch and saw playful dolphins. We all were looking for the whale spouts and there they were! Pictures of the whales swimming and diving were plentiful and even captured some fluke photos.  These humpback whales are usually about 35 feet long and weigh a ton per foot! You need to see them in person to appreciate and be awed by the whales   Everyone said they had a great time and want to go again!   

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Gamma Nu and College of Nursing Alumni Association Members
Meet for Educational Program

Gamma Nu and SHU CON Alumni Association held a joint informational meeting followed by a continuing education program on March 29, 2021.  The event was attended by 45 nurses from around the country.  The evening was organized by Mary Ellen Urbanowicz, Alumni Association President and Patricia Hubert, Gamma Nu liaison with the alumni association. 

Self-Care Strengthens Resiliency was the topic of the educational program, which was presented by Drs. Diane McClure and Patricia Hubert. Dr. McClure is currently Clinical Associate Professor and Director of Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program at SHU CON, and a certified advanced practice holistic nurse.  Dr. Hubert is Adjunct Professor at both Seton Hall University College of Nursing and Caldwell University School of Nursing.  Both are experts in the application of Jeanne Watson’s Theory of Human Caring and Certified Caritas Coach Educators.  The speakers covered the science of stress and resilience, Watson’s Caring Theory, and various integrative therapies for self-care such as breathing techniques, guided imagery, meditation and mindfulness.

Diane McClure, RN, DNP, CPNP, APHN-BC, CCAP, CCRN, CEIM	Patricia Hubert, DNP, RN, PNP, CSN

Gamma Nu is proud to have joined with the alumni association to offer this event and looks forward to additional collaborative activities.
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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)