PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERIES
2021-2023
2023 Workshop Recordings
- Creating a Culture of Workforce Safety - February 8th
- Innovative Pathways to Clinical Nursing Student Competence - March 8th
- Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice Simulations: Third Time's the Charm - April 12th
- Reclaim Your Life by Creating New Leadership Norms - April 25th
- Empowering Tomorrow’s Nursing Workforce: Operationalizing the New Normal through Competency-Based Workforce Development - September 20th
- Synergy in Academic-Practice Partnerships - December 5, 2023
Creating a Culture of Workforce Safety
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This virtual workshop was held on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, facilitated by Mel Cortez, RN, BSN, Founder/CEO of Cortex Gold.
Objectives:
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Mel Cortez graduated from Towson University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. As a Critical Care Travel Nurse for over 10 years, she has been in many facilities across the country. In addition to Nursing Supervision roles in acute care, Mel has held various management positions within Home Health, Hospice, and Long-Term Care prior to returning to the bedside to serve as a Critical Care Traveler in the Northeast in March of 2020.
After 2 pivotal years caring for patients in the Covid 19 Pandemic, she then chose to launch the Cortex Brand, a solution-based business. Cortex’s latest project, Cortex Gold has a primary focus on creating a Gold Standard for Healthcare Security while reducing the rising violence at the bedside through tactical, practical innovations in the realms of product, training and research. She is a content expert in regards to Healthcare Workforce Satisfaction and Retention, Workplace Violence Reduction and the implementation of systems-wide training programs that are both cost effective and delivered efficiently during operational tempo, Mel holds licensure in North Carolina and Texas and is a member of the TNA, ANA and IAHSS (International Association of Healthcare Security). |
Innovative Pathways to Clinical Nursing Student Competence
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This virtual workshop was held on March 8, 2023 and was facilitated by Meredith Wallace Kazer, PhD, APRN, FAAN and Audrey Beauvais, DNP, MSN, MBA, RN.
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Dr. Meredith Wallace Kazer earned an MSN with a specialty in geriatrics from Yale University and a PhD from New York University.
Dr. Kazer is an adult and gerontological primary care nurse practitioner whose work has been disseminated in 13 books and over 100 peer-reviewed journal publications. She is the Dean of the Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies at Fairfield University and maintains a clinical practice in Connecticut with a focus on chronic illness in older adults. |
Audrey Beauvais is an Associate Dean and Associate Professor at the Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies at Fairfield University. She completed her BSN degree from Fairfield University, MSN/MBA degrees from Sacred Heart University, and DNP degree from Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Beauvais was recently been appointed to serve a three-year term on the National League for Nursing Board of Governors. Dr. Beauvais is an Editorial Board Member for the journal Nursing Education Perspectives (NEP). She was a guest editor for NEP in the 2017, ’20 and ’22 for special issues on the Future of Nursing Report and Educating during Times of Crisis. Dr. Beauvais is the author of numerous journal articles and book chapters. She published two books, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: An Interpersonal Approach 3rd edition (Jones & Beauvais, 2023) as well as Leadership and Management Competencies in Nursing Practice: Competencies, Skills, Decision Making (2019) that was awarded first place for the American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year award in the Nurse Management and Leadership category. She has been the recipient of several honors and distinctions including the Connecticut Nurses Association Diamond Jubilee Josephine A. Dolan Award for Outstanding Contribution to Nursing Education, the Connecticut League (CLN) for Nursing Ruth M. Olson Excellence in Nurse Education Award, CLN President’s Award, CLN Leadership Award, and Sacred Heart University’s Dean’s Leadership Award. Prior to her time in academia, Dr. Beauvais worked in various leadership positions at Stamford Hospital including nurse manager of the pediatric and psychiatric units, case manager, and performance improvement coordinator. Dr. Beauvais was the Magnet Coordinator that successfully led Stamford Hospital to be recognized as a Magnet hospital. The "Magnet Recognition Program" is a prestigious designation administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center for excellence in nursing practice.
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Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice Simulations: Third Time's the Charm
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This virtual workshop was facilitated by Valorie MacKenna, PhD, RN, CNE, CHSE & Dawn Sarage, MSN, RN, CNL, CMSRN, CHSE on April 12, 2023.
After viewing the session, participants will be able to:
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Valorie MacKenna is the Director of Simulation-Based Education and Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Connecticut School of Nursing. With over 27 years as a Registered Nurse and 12 years’ experience working in simulation, Valorie lends her expertise to provide educationally sound learning experiences for UCONN nursing students using high-fidelity simulations across four regional campuses. Valorie is a certified healthcare simulation educator (CHSE), a certified nurse educator (CNE), and holds a graduate certificate in healthcare simulation from the University of Central Florida. She earned her Ph.D. in Nursing from UCF in Orlando, Florida. Her dissertation research focused on self-debriefing and depth of reflection in UG nursing students. Valorie’s research appears in leading, peer-reviewed nursing and simulation journals. She has also presented her work at international and national conferences. Valorie is an active member of Society for Simulation in Healthcare and serves on the SSH Technology Committee. She is also an active member of the International Nursing Association of Clinical Simulation and Learning, the National League for Nursing, and Sigma Theta Tau.
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Dawn Sarage, RN, MSN, CNL, CMSRN, CHSE is a Clinical Instructor at the University of Connecticut, School of Nursing in Storrs, CT, as well as a medical-surgical nurse educator at The Hospital of Central Connecticut. Her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing is from the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, CT and she obtained her Master's degree in the Clinical Nurse Leader track from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT.
Dawn is a Certified Medical-Surgical Nurse (CMSRN) and a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE). Versatile in her simulation mastery, Dawn teaches across all specialties including obstetrics, pediatrics, behavioral health, and medical-surgical nursing at the undergraduate level. Dawn's research interests are simulation education and escape room pedagogy. |
Reclaim Your Life by Creating New Leadership Norms
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A virtual workshop facilitated by Michelle Troseth and Dr. Tracy Christopherson was held on Wednesday, April 25, 2023.
Attendees will learn how to:
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Michelle and Tracy have been collaborative colleagues and dynamic co-leaders colleagues for over 30 years creating healthy work cultures across North America. Together, they co-founded MissingLogic® to bring Polarity Intelligence™ - the “missing logic” in leadership to healthcare leaders and organizations. They are co-hosts of a top healthcare leadership podcast, Healthcare’s MissingLogic Podcast.
Michelle Troseth is a nurse and served as the Chief Professional Practice Officer in technology and knowledge global companies. She is a past president of the National Academies of Practice (NAP) and is a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing. Dr. Tracy Christopherson is a respiratory therapist and served as the Director of Interprofessional Education and Practice in technology and knowledge global companies. She has her PhD in interprofessional studies from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. MissingLogic® has been featured on CNBC for their work with healthcare organizations and their Healthy Healing Organization (H2O) Framework™. Michelle and Tracy have also developed the Dynamic Balance Effect™ Framework to help healthcare leaders experience joy, live with intention and be their best self at work and at home. The Dynamic Balance Effect ™ Framework provides the foundation of their Thriving Resilient and Unstoppable (TRU) Healthcare Leader coaching program they provide to teams of leaders in healthcare organizations |
Empowering Tomorrow’s Nursing Workforce: Operationalizing the New Normal through Competency-Based Workforce Development
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A virtual workshop facilitated by Larissa Africa, MBA, BSN, RN, FAAN held on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, from 12:00 – 1:00 pm.
By the end of the presentation, the attendees will be able to:
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Larissa Africa, MBA, BSN, RN, FAAN
Larissa Africa is the President & CEO of Versant Healthcare Competency Solutions™ and is responsible for its strategic and operational leadership. She is instrumental in driving Versant’s mission to fundamentally transform healthcare outcomes by developing the workforce’s ability to provide safe, efficient, competency-based care. Larissa has spent two decades implementing, managing, and leading strategies to develop nursing organizations. As a pioneer in the transition to practice space, she has led the deployment of a competency-based model that integrates and standardizes nursing workforce development across the healthcare continuum, addressing high-demand areas such as long-term care, home health, and advanced practice nursing. Larissa is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing where she is a member of two expert panels: Building Health Care System Excellence and Quality Health Care. Larissa is actively engaged in several committees within the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) and is currently serving as the Foundation’s treasurer. Larissa presents at the national and international level, has published on the topic of transition to practice, and is a peer-reviewer for several nursing journals. During her free time, Larissa enjoys spending time with her family, being a mom to a high-schooler, reading, traveling, and watching movies. |
Synergy in Academic-Practice Partnerships
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Workshop facilitated by Dr. Brittany Burke, DNP, RN, NEA-BC held on Tuesday, December 5, 2023.
Learn more about key strategies and initiatives undertaken by Norton Healthcare to realize outstanding outcomes in recruitment, onboarding, and retention of their nursing and healthcare workforce! Workshop Objectives:
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Presentation Documents and Links
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Dr. Brittany Burke, DNP, RN, NEA-BC
System Director, Norton Healthcare Dr. Brittany Burke is System Director of Norton Healthcare’s Institute for Education and Development in Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Burke provides direct leadership to over 500 employees through student and professional employment. Dr. Burke also leads strategic alignment of academic-practice partnerships, collaborations, and affiliations across Norton Healthcare’s multi-site hospitals, Norton Medical Group, and Norton Cancer Institute. For the past 17 years, Dr. Burke has held a number of roles in both acute care and in nursing leadership, as well as academically as a certified nurse leader, national speaker and presenter, member of nursing advisory boards and professional organizations, adjunct faculty, and is a three-time published author. Dr. Burke enjoys investing in education at all levels, collaborating with leaders to create an environment for learning and career success. |
2022
Mental Health | Strategies for Resiliency
2022 Workshop Recordings
- Humility in Health Care: A Model - May 4, 2022
- The Warning Signs of Suicide: Question, Persuade & Refer (QPR) - February 22, 2022
Humility in Health Care: A Model
Held Wednesday, May 4, 2022
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SPEAKER
Nora Zinan, DNP, MSPH, AHN-BC Associate Professor of Nursing University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, CT Nora holds degrees in Nursing and Public Health and a certification as an Advanced Holistic Nurse. She is author of several articles including “Humility in Health Care: A Model”. 
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WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES
Objectives of the Workshop are to Identify:
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The Warning Signs of Suicide: Question, Persuade & Refer (QPR)
Held Wednesday, February 22, 2022
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SPEAKER
Robert C. Havens, MSHS, GC-C This workshop was facilitated by Robert C. Havens, MSHS, GC-C, Certified QPR (Suicide Awareness Trainer), Certified Grief Counselor, and Resilience Grows Here (RGH) Board Secretary. 
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WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES
Attendees will learned how to ask about suicidal intent and know how to listen and persuade someone to get help. QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer –
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2021
Let’s Start a Culture of Sharing Series
2021 Workshop Recordings
- Exploring the Right Doctoral Program for YOU - April 15, 2021
- Highlighting Doctoral Programs in CT - May 12, 2021
- Strategies for Virtual Teaching - February 24, 2021
Exploring the Right Doctoral Program for YOU
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Held Thursday, April 15, 2021
WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES
Hear from our esteemed panel of CT nursing leaders who will share their insights related to how they selected their specific pathway to attain their Doctoral Degree. SPEAKERS
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Highlighting Doctoral Programs in CT
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Held Wednesday, May 12, 2021
This is a follow-up to our April 15th webinar where we highlighted the various Doctoral Degree options in Connecticut - PhD, DNP and EdD.
Hear from these schools:
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Strategies for Virtual Teaching
Held Wednesday, February 24, 2021
This workshop focused on expanding your toolbox of effective strategies for virtual teaching and was facilitated by Jillian Zupan, MSN, RN and Carrie Michalski, JD, MSN, RN, CNE.
Jillian focused on strategies to engage the student while teaching theory in the virtual environment. She shared:
Carrie focused on how to virtually teach and assess Vital Sign competency. She will:
Jillian focused on strategies to engage the student while teaching theory in the virtual environment. She shared:
- Share a master template with attendees so YOU can design and implement multiple med/surg topics within the virtual classroom; and
- Demonstrate a live example of how she fosters student engagement in the virtual classroom using this master template
Carrie focused on how to virtually teach and assess Vital Sign competency. She will:
- Share strategies to assess cognitive and psycho-motor competency in a virtual vital signs lab, and
- Provide tips and resources for educators which will enable learners to obtain this important skill as a supplement or when on-ground is unavailable
| virtual_vital_signs.pdf |
