MU nursing students put learning into action with research
Students in Millikin University's Issues in Nursing Research and Management course put learning into action by conducting semester-long research projects this fall. The projects were explorations of the latest evidence on particular nursing topics. The students showcased their research efforts during a poster presentation competition on Dec. 16 in Richards Treat University Center.
As part of their research efforts, the students collaborated with nursing leaders from different hospitals in the central Illinois area to explore the challenges and opportunities related to leading and managing in nursing.
"The ideas for the presentations came from the students working with actual nurse leaders at different hospitals and community organizations," said John Blakeman, instructor of nursing. "The nurse leaders and students came to an agreement on topics that addressed needs within specific units. It's a really good Performance Learning piece because the students' ideas are coming from actual needs of nurse managers."
Some of the research topics included nurse staffing and safety, hospital infection rates and pain management. The research materials the Millikin students produced were submitted to the nurse managers. Millikin nursing students and faculty are hopeful that the research will help the managers make changes and differences within their units.
"The students worked very efficiently with people outside of Millikin to complete this project," Blakeman said. "It's a project that's not just for the students; it's for other people, which is a whole other mindset."
The Millikin students collaborated with nurse managers from Decatur-based St. Mary's Hospital and Decatur Memorial Hospital; Springfield-based Memorial Medical Center and St. John's Hospital; as well as Hickory Point Christian Village in Forsyth, Ill.
A total of 15 presentations were made on Dec. 16 with some students working individually and some in pairs. The presentations were judged by Millikin School of Nursing faculty members based on the clarity of the poster, methods and results, professionalism and the implications for nursing.
"I think the students drew some interesting conclusions and definitely identified some areas for future research," said Julie Kennedy, instructor of nursing. "This is a stepping stone for the students. Through this experience they will have a strong foundation for creating an evidence-based practice project."