PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERIES
2021-2024
2024 Workshops
- Connecting Culture to Healthcare - November 6, 2024
- SHAPE Your Life: 5-Step Blueprint for Sustainable Stress Management - October 1, 2024
- Closing the Academic-Practice Gap One Case Study at a Time - August 13, 2024
- Combating Nurse Burnout by Promoting Resilience - April 25, 2024
- Engaging the C-Suite in Nursing Workforce Planning - March 20, 2024
- AI in Nursing Education: Let's ChatGBT - January 17, 2024
Connecting Culture to Healthcare
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Lunch & Learn Workshop was held on November 19, 2024 facilitated by presenters Taloa Sharp, BSN, RN and Sonya Frazier RN, BSN.
Two objectives the attendees will learn from the Webinar Slides:
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Taloa Sharp, BSN, RN
Board Member at Large-Oklahoma Indigenous Nurses Association Secretary-National Alaska Native American Indian Nurses Association Member of the ANA National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing Taloa Sharp is of the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations. Her life represents the resilience, humbleness, and compassion of the ones who walked before her. She found her iyyikowa (pronounced EE-YEE-COOH-WAH, meaning “service to others”) in the nursing profession 15 years ago. Taloa currently serves at the bedside in the ICU setting. She is a Board Member at Large of the Oklahoma Indigenous Nurses Association, Secretary of the National Alaska Native American Indian Nurses Association, and member of the American Nurses Association National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing. Taloa is currently in school to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She hopes to bring more holistic approaches based on the strengths of her culture to the forefront of mental health care. For Taloa, there is a connection to all life that cannot be denied. She holds tight to the hope that we will learn to heal each other through this connection. As Martin Luther King, Jr said, “We must accept infinite disappointment, but never lose INFINITE hope." |
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Sonya Frazier RN, BSN
Chickasaw/Choctaw President Oklahoma Indigenous Nurses Association Sonya Frazier is a dedicated registered nurse and an influential leader in the nursing community. With over 21 years of experience as a registered nurse and 18 years as an officer in the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (USPHS), Sonya brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her profession. As a proud member of the Chickasaw and Choctaw tribes, she holds a deep conviction that Indigenous nurses have long been, and continue to be, the natural healers of their communities. As the first president of the Oklahoma Indigenous Nurses Association (OINA), which she founded, Sonya works tirelessly to represent Indigenous nurses in Oklahoma, providing them with essential resources and advocating for their needs. She understands the importance of balancing the Western medical perspective with Indigenous cultural practices and takes her role in this duality seriously. The OINA serves as a platform for Indigenous nurses and nursing students, offering them opportunities to share experiences, heal, and learn together while raising awareness of Indigenous culture within healthcare. In addition to her work with the OINA, Sonya founded the Regalia Making Relatives organization, which focuses on healing, educating and assisting Indigenous children and their communities in maintaining their Indigenous heritage. She believes that addressing health inequities within Indigenous communities begins with understanding and appreciating their rich culture and history. To this end, Sonya has developed Indigenous cultural educational training for nursing programs, equipping nurses to address the health and social disparities faced by Indigenous populations. Her commitment to advocacy is further highlighted by her feature in the nursing documentary "Everybody's Work," where it addresses the urgent need to confront racism in healthcare. Through her tireless efforts, Sonya Frazier continues to empower Indigenous nurses and strengthen the healthcare landscape for Native American communities, leaving a lasting impact on future generations. |
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SHAPE Your Life: 5-Step Blueprint for Sustainable Stress ManagementLunch & Learn Workshop was held on Tuesday, October 1st by facilitator Wendy Garvin Mayo DNP, APRN, ANP-BC
Two objectives the attendees will learn by viewing the Webinar:
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Wendy Garvin Mayo DNP, APRN, ANP-BC
Dr. Wendy Garvin Mayo, a healthcare expert with over two decades of experience across clinical environments and the pharmaceutical industry, understands the critical need for sustainable stress management. During the pandemic, she witnessed firsthand the overwhelming impact of stress and burnout on healthcare professionals, which inspired her to take action. In response, she created The Stress Blueprint, a premier coaching and consulting firm dedicated to empowering nurses and healthcare professionals to manage stress through leveraging emotional intelligence. Her groundbreaking approach is encapsulated in her book, SHAPE Your Life: 5-Step Blueprint for Sustainable Stress Management, where she outlines a powerful, actionable framework for mastering stress. This 5-step process—rooted in self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and practical stress management techniques—provides a pathway for individuals to take control of their mental and emotional well-being, both personally and professionally. Dr. Garvin Mayo further extended her mission by founding Collaborative Cancer Care, a mental health practice designed to support cancer patients, survivors, and their loved ones. Her commitment is to help individuals not only manage stress but thrive in the face of life’s challenges by providing sustainable, actionable solutions to improve overall well-being. |
Closing the Academic-Practice Gap One Case Study at a TimeLunch & Learn Workshop was held on Tuesday, August 13th by facilitator Maria Flores-Harris DNP, RN, CNE
By viewing the workshop, viewers will learn how to:
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Maria Flores-Harris DNP, RN, CNE
Dr. Flores-Harris is a registered nurse with experience in clinical, academic, and business settings. She received her bachelors and masters degrees in nursing from Clemson University. She remains loyal to her Clemson Tigers! She received her Doctoral degree focusing on Nursing Education Leadership from American Sentinel University. She is a Certified Nurse Educator through the National League for Nursing (NLN). She has served in many roles, including nursing faculty and director roles in practical nursing and registered nursing programs and as a national nurse education consultant. Currently, she is the President and Owner of Academic Partners Consulting, an educational consulting business, and works with KeithRN as their nurse educator consultant. Her areas of interest and expertise are evidence-based teaching strategies, learning science, and academic integrity. She has traveled throughout the United States and overseas, presenting at educational conferences. |
Combating Nurse Burnout by Promoting Resilience
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Lunch & Learn Workshop held on Thursday, April 25th was facilitated by speaker April McGrath, DNP, RN, NPD-BC and Stephanie Tomasheski, BSN.
By viewing the workshop, viewers will learn how to:
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April McGrath, DNP, RN, NPD-BC
Director of Nursing Education and Graduate Nurse Residency Program Coordinator, Waterbury Hospital April is currently the Director of Nursing Education and Graduate Nurse Residency Program Coordinator at Waterbury Hospital and serves on the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Center for Nursing Workforce. April has worked in nursing education and professional development since 2015. She participates in nursing academic advisory boards for various Connecticut State Colleges and Universities and serves as Vice Chair on the Arizona College of Nursing’s advisory board for their Connecticut campus. April is a strong believer in lifelong learning. She is a second-career nurse with a BA in Visual and Performing Arts from Fairfield University, an ADN from Gateway Community College, and an MSN in Education from Sacred Heart University. April earned her DNP from Salve Regina University in 2023 with a dissertation focus on enhanced leadership development in a graduate nurse residency program. |
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Stephanie Tomasheski, BSN
Clinical Instructor, Emergency Department, Cardiac Catheterization Lab & Heart Failure Clinic, Waterbury Hospital Stephanie graduated in 2002 from Naugatuck Valley Community College and started her nursing journey. She graduated in 2020 with her BSN from Southern New Hampshire University and is currently working on her MSN in nursing education at Post University. Stephanie’s nursing career began in a medical-surgical unit at Waterbury Hospital, but she quickly transitioned to the emergency department where she found her love of emergency nursing. She also has experience working in the Cardiac Cath Lab and Heart Failure Clinic. She is passionate about mentoring, teaching, and preparing nurses to be successful in their nursing careers. These interests led her to her present job as Clinical Instructor of the Emergency Department, Cardiac Catheterization Lab, and Heart Failure Clinic. Her hard work and dedication have led to her promotion to Team Lead for the Workforce Development Department/Nursing Education. Stephanie promotes the delivery of patient-centered care and considers it an honor to care for patients and their families. She strives to connect with her team to create an educational and supportive environment that ensures success. She is enthusiastic about applying best practices to reduce patient harm, while increasing patient safety, and has recently worked with interdisciplinary teams to create a new rapid response committee and policy at Waterbury Hospital. Stephanie is certified as a CPR/ACLS and TNCC instructor through the American Heart Association. One of her proudest nursing accomplishments is receiving the Nightengale Award in 2016. |
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Engaging the C-Suite in Nursing Workforce Planning
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Lunch & Learn Workshop held on Wednesday, March 20th from 12:00 – 1:00 pm facilitated by speaker Barbara MacArthur, RN, MN, FAAN.
By attending the workshop, the attendees learned how to:
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Barbara MacArthur, RN, MN, FAAN
Co-Director, The Kansas Nursing Workforce Center Clinical Assistant Professor, The University of Kansas School of Nursing I describe my life and career as dynamic and a privilege. I am diligent in my commitment to family, the next generation, and the community I live in. I am shameless in my zeal for healthcare and for nursing. Professionally, I have combined advanced clinical practice, education, national and international public policy formation, and leadership. My BSN from the University of Missouri and my Master’s in Nursing from the University of Kansas served as strong foundations. My post-graduate studies included ethics and healthcare public policy. I was a Wahington Annenberg Program Fellow in Public Policy Communication. I have had appointments by five governors in three states, serving on the Governor’s Commission for Women in Texas, and on the Board of Directors of the Able Trust which was charged with providing Floridians with disabilities opportunities for employment. I have testified before Congress, served on National Institutes of Health panels, and co-authored an Institute of Medicine report addressing organ donation and transplantation. I was the Chief Nursing Officer for a 770-bed hospital in Florida which humbled me and re-grounded me to the personal and vital nature of caring for patients and for those who do so. I started my professional career at the University of Kansas Hospital, left for over 20-years, and returned 12 years ago, serving as the Vice President of Cardiac Services for the Health System. In May of 2023, I transitioned to the University of Kansas Medical Center and was named the Co-Director of the Kansas Nursing Workforce Center. |
AI in Nursing Education: Let's ChatGBT
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Lunch & Learn Workshop held on Wednesday, January 17th from 12:00 – 1:00 pm facilitated by speaker Susan Deane, EdD, MSN, CNE.
Attendees learned how to:
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Susan Deane, EdD, CNE, RN
Susan Deane, EdD, CNE, RN is CCNW's Online Education Consultant specializing in curriculum development, teaching with technology, and virtual simulation. She is a noted nurse educator with over 25 years of experience in nursing education. She served as the Dean and Professor of the School of Nursing at the State University of NY’s (SUNY) College of Technology at Delhi until August 2023. Dr. Deane has developed expertise in best practices for online learning, development, and facilitation of online learning, and the use of technology in nursing education has been her passion for many years. |
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.
Objectives:
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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 |
