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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. 

Happy Nurses Week!

33rd Annual Reinkemeyer Research Conference a Success

The 33rd Annual Reinkemeyer Research Conference, co-sponsored by Seton Hall University College of Nursing and Gamma Nu Chapter of Sigma, was held on Friday April 9, 2021.  This was the first virtual presentation and over 80 attended.  Chaired by Afua Ampiaw, MSN, RN-BC, Kimberly Conway, PhD, RN, and Nancy Innella, PhD, RN, CNE all members of the CON faculty as well as Gamma Nu leaders, the conference provided an exciting day of presentations, despite our inability to gather in person.

This year's keynote speaker was Linda Honan, PhD, MSN., CNS-BC, RN, ANEF, FAAN, whose presentation was titled, “Integrating the Humanities in Healthcare Education”.  Dr. Honan is a professor at Yale University School of Nursing, where she has developed and continues to integrate novel and creative teaching strategies for nursing students.  She described her pedagogical techniques and the research surrounding her Looking is not seeing and listening is not hearing program, which uses art and music to support the development of nursing students’ physical assessment skills.  It was an amazing presentation.

 Three podium presentations and twelve posters covered a range of nursing and health topics.  The podium presenters and presentation titles were:

• Maryanne Barra-Schneider, DNP, RN, FNP-C: Too Big to be Seen: Weight-Based Discrimination Among Nursing Students
• Valera Alexandra Hascup, PhD, MSN, CTN, CCES, DLC: Nursing Faculty Incivility and the Impact on the Nursing Shortage
• Lisa Summers-Gibson PhD, RN: Women with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Diabetes Self-Care, Time Management and Distress

Read More about Research day, review the poster and listen to the presentations HERE.

We hope to see you IN PERSON next year!

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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 provides annual Christmas Dinner to Magnificat Home

On December 9, 2020, Gamma Nu helped the women of Magnificat Home in Jersey City celebrate Christmas with our annual dinner and gifts.  Carolyn Rummel once again organized this event, and Seton Hall College of Nursing faculty generously donated money for the gifts. The women enjoyed Chicken Marsala, Penne with vodka sauce, salad, bread, cupcakes and cookies.  Each received a gift bag with fuzzy socks, a Christmas ornament, candy cane, assorted candy and a Walgreen’s gift card for $40. Although Gamma Nu usually serves this dinner and delivers the gifts in person, this year's event required adjustments, so Carolyn found a new caterer to deliver dinner and dropped off the gifts for the women.  Her personal touch with the creation of the gift bags made this socially-distanced event seem warm and caring. We hope to return to our usual in-person celebration next year. 

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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Gamma Nu sends its best wishes to all members during the COVID-19 outbreak.  Thank you to Gamma Nu members and all nurses who are working to care for those directly affected by the virus.  Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost a family member or friend to this pandemic.
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Delegates and Leaders attend the STTI 45th Biennial Convention

Gamma Nu Chapter Delegates Afua Ampiaw and Diane McClure attended the Sigma 45th Biennial Convention along with chapter leaders Carolyn Rummel and Connie Sobon-Sensor.  The convention was held November 16-20, 2019 in Washington, DC.  In addition to attending many educational activities, our two delegates voted for new officers and several by-laws changes. 

First-time attendee Diane McClure stated, "It was an honor to serve as a delegate. The conference itself was awesome. I learned a lot and will be sharing my new knowledge with the board at our next meeting".  Afua Ampiaw had this to say about her first Convention experience: "I have not been able to hide my pride for being a Sigma nurse since the experience. I was amazed at the altruistic attitudes of the international and regional officers I had the opportunity to meet personally. It was nice to see nurses from across the globe come together to share their research on the profession and healthcare in general during the concurrent sessions and the poster presentations".

Unlike Diane and Afua, who were enjoying their first Convention, Gamma Nu's Carolyn Rummel has been attending them regularly since the 1980s, sometimes as a delegate and sometimes on her own.  She says, "The conventions are always excellent---something for everyone.  Over the years friendships have developed with members of other chapters across the country;  it is always fun to reconnect and rekindle these friendships".

An added highlight to the Convention experience was when Gamma Nu's member and Sigma Leader Connie Sobon-Sensor was honored for her service as Sigma's United Nations Liaison, 2015-2019.  

Gamma Nu Delegates Afua Ampiaw and Diane McClure	Gamma Nu members Connie Sobon-Sensor and Carolyn Rummel at the Convention
Tribute to Connie Sobon-Sensor's work as Liaison to the United Nations

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Dr. Judith Caruso Receives NJ Consortium Award

Judith Caruso, DNP, RN, FACHE received the 2019 Mary Ann Rooney Essence of Nursing Award at the NJ Consortium’s Founders Day Dinner on October 3, 2019.  The award is given to a nurse who exemplifies the mentor relationship and “fosters talent and develops nurse leaders resulting in a personal connection of caring, inspiration, and encouragement to accomplish goals”.  It is awarded each year by the New Jersey Consortium of Sigma Theta Tau International Chapters, in memory of Gamma Nu’s former member, Mary Ann Rooney. Judy Caruso is a dual member of Gamma Nu and Alpha Tau and was nominated for the award by both chapters.  Her career in nursing spans the continuum of the healthcare industry and includes caring for patients across the life span.  Judy has mentored many nursing students and practicing nurses ranging from new graduates to nurse leaders.  She has been a nurse at the bedside and in the boardroom; a faculty member at Seton Hall, Rutgers and Yale; a published author and popular speaker.  She is currently President & CEO of Caruso Consulting, a healthcare consulting company that focuses on linking financial and clinical data for improved outcomes.  Judy is a past Treasurer of Gamma Nu and founding member of Alpha Tau.

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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)