1

Sigma European Region @RegionSigma

European Communications Committee Newsletter Winter 2018

European Chapters: Chi Delta, Omega Epsilon at Large, Phi Mu, Phi Xi,

Rho Chi at Large, Tau Omega, Upsilon Xi at Large.

Contents: Pages

Welcome & Congratulations, New Chapter for Sigma European Region 2

International Awards 3

Short Stories on STTI events 4

Reports from chapters

Chi Delta Chapter, Armenia 5,6

Phi Mu Chapter, England 6,7

Phi – Xi Chapter, Portugal 7,8

Rho Chi at Large Chapter, The Netherlands 9

Tau Omega, Chapter Sweden 9,10

Innovations in Nursing 10

Update on Committees 11,12

Key Days 2019 and 2020 13

European Communications Committee members

Chair

Marie Louise Luiking

Louise@luiking.com-Marie

The Newsletter is published quarterly and we will

be pleased to receive any news from members you

would like us to include in the next newsletter.

apostolo@esenfc.ptJoao Apostolo

Helena Felizardo helenaf@esenfc.pt

Ilya Kagan, kaganily@tauex.tau.ac.il

Semyon Melnikov, melniko@tauex.tau.ac.il

Peter Vermier, peter.vermeir@uzgent.be

Liz Westcott westcottej@brookes.ac.uk

2

Dear Colleagues, Welcome to the Winter Newsletter of 2018 When looking back at 2018 & Sigma’s European Region, what an amazing year we have had together. We have pushed the boundaries, worked hard to grow and sustained our chapters. We have had innovative ideas e.g. Phi Mu’s “northern, middle & southern hubs”, to help deal with the distances their chapter has to cover & serve their members. We have embraced the virtual world with our zoom technology presentations, e.g. Tau Omega’s hosting International Nurses Day with Prof Ingegerd Bergboom “Nurses Can - Novice to expert”. To the Ph-D student conference and the live streaming of our newest chapter to join: Omega Epsilon at-Large just recently.

We came together in planning the 4th European Biennial Conference at Cambridge hosted by the Phi Mu chapter & Anglia Ruskin University and we move forward to plan the 5th

European Biennial Conference at Coimbra Portugal in 2020, hosted by the Phi Xi chapter. We celebrated our first publication in the Journal of Nursing Scholarship from our Research

Committee. Connect, Collaborate & catalyze is at the heart of what we do here at Sigma Europe. It has

been a vibrant & busy time for Sigma Europe, as we plan ahead for next year, I would like to thank everyone involved in achieving what we have done. Thank you to all the European Committees for all their hard work, These are the Membership Involvement, Awards and

Recognition, Research and Special interest Group May I take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas over the festive season & A

Happy New Year. We hope you enjoy our Christmas newsletter and will join us on the European Twitter and

Facebook platforms to keep in touch with what this Region plans next. European Regional Coordinator Marie-Louise Luiking

Welcome & Congratulations, New Chapter for Sigma

European Region On the 29th of November last, Sigma Europe became 7

chapters. We welcomed the transitioning of the SIA honor society to the Chapter Omega Epsilon at Large.

They are a chapter at- Large with Waterford Institute of Technology and Tralee. The President is Dr Elizabeth

Weathers and the Vice President is Dr Nicola Cornally. Sigma’s 555 to date globally. This chartering ceremony

took place at UCC, Catherine McAuley School of Nursing &Midwifery, Cork, Ireland.

Over 40 new members transitioned in a ceremony presided by Sigma President Dr Beth Tigges. Also there

to lend support was Sigma’s CEO Liz Madigan

The Chapter officers of Omega Epsilon at Large. Front row:Claire O’Gorman, Elizabeth Weathers

(President) Gerardina Harnett & Suzanne Denieffe. Back row Ruth Lernihan, Nicola Cornally, Catherine Buckley,

Dawn Farrell, Alice Coffey & Fiona Willis.

The link below is to the livestream made during the ceremony, where you can watch presentations by Dr Elizabeth Weathers, President Omega Epsilon at Large, Irelands CEO Siobhan O’Halloran, Mary Wynne & what is at the heart

of Sigma Europe. Livestream link

a9a400e2a836-846a-4725-43e1-ucc.cloud.panopto.eu/Panopto/Pages/Embed.aspx?id=d074b1d3https://

3

Oath of Office from Chapter board members.

Omega Epsilon at Large chapter members.

Omega Epsilon at Large with Sigma President Beth

Tigges, Sigma CEO Liz Madigan, Phi Mu President Janet Scammel &

European Regional Coordinator Marie-Louise Luiking

International Awards

In July at the Sigma International Research Congress in

Melbourne, 20 nurse researchers were recognised from

the USA, Canada, Australia, Taiwan, and China. This

included from the UK our Phi Mu Chapter member,

Steven Ersser, Professor in Clinical Nursing Research

from the University of York, who was nominated by Phi

Mu Chapter and endorsed by national and international

referees from nursing and medicine. The award was

given for his sustained contribution to the field of

dermatological and skin care nursing nationally and

internationally and supporting others to engage in

research within this field.

The awards were presented by Sigma President, Dr Beth Baldwin Tigges, who conducted interviews with each

awardee on their nursing research career and views on research mentorship. She said, "Each of these Hall of Fame

honourees represents a lifetime of contribution to the nursing profession." Steven is grateful for the endorsement

by the Chapter and the support and collaboration from many academic and clinical colleagues over the last 30

years.

Steven is Professor in Clinical Nursing Research and Interim Deputy Head of Department for Nursing & Midwifery at

the University of York.

4

Short Stories on STTI events

Phi Mu Chapter member, Adriane de Savorgnani (photo:

centre), welcomed (right), to the new U.S. Embassy at

Nine Sigma President, Beth Baldwin Tigges (left), and

Chief Executive Officer, Elizabeth A. Madigan Elms,

London, on September 27th.

The officers were visiting London for Sigma’s third

annual symposium on Emerging Global Healthcare

Leadership. They enjoyed lunch in the fifth floor

embassy cafeteria with its sweeping views of the

Thames and riverfront properties.

Afterwards they toured the main building features of

the “crystal cube” including artwork, gardens, open plan

offices, multipurpose room and employee conveniences

such as the bank, medical unit and shoppette.

The embassy, which opened in January, is one of the

largest in the world with over 1000 employees and 43

government agencies. It was a delight and honor to

host the Sigma officers for this special visit during their

stay in London.

Sigma’s Institute for Global Healthcare Leadership hosted a Third annual Emerging Global

Healthcare Leadership Institute in September. It

featured globally and nationally renowned speakers, this

four-day institute prepared healthcare leaders from all

disciplines to view issues from a global perspective so

they can successfully participate in global health

ventures, consulting, thought leadership, and practice.

Presentation topics included understanding and

measuring global health, the global economy, global

health workforce planning, safety and security concerns,

and crafting a personal legacy as a global healthcare

leader. Top-calibre speakers, included:

Thora B. Hafsteinsdottir, PhD, MScN, BSc, RN Professor of Nursing, University of Iceland

Stijn Blot, PhD, MNSc Full professor, Dept. of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Science, Ghent University, Belgium

Dame Elizabeth Fradd, DBE, DL Vice President of Council, Nottingham University

Rick Grobbee, MD, PhD UMC Utrecht, Julius Center Research Program Cardiovascular Epidemiology

Christine Hancock

Founder, C3 Collaborating for Health

Catherine Hannaway, DProf, RN, RM(ret), RHV

Acting Global Campaign Executive Director, Nursing Now

Anne Marie Rafferty, CBE, FRCN

Professor of Nursing Policy; Florence Nightingale Faculty of

Nursing and Midwifery, King’s College London

Roger Watson, PhD, RN, FRCP, Edin, FRCN, FAAN

Editor-in-chief, Journal of Advanced Nursing; Editor, Nursing

Open

Cynthia Vlasich, MBA, BSN, RN

Director of Global Initiatives, Sigma

5

Sigma President in Europe. Dr Beth Tigges was invited as Keynote speaker to the

UCC, Ireland 18TH Annual Nursing & Midwifery research conference. The conference had the

theme: Delivering excellence healthcare in a globalised world, challenges & opportunities. Dr Tigges gave her presentation on “Leading Collaborations for Global Nursing Excellence”. Dr Tigges used the results from the GAPFON Europe findings & several strategy ideas to move nursing excellence forward. A number of seminal presentations were given during this conference, what was very interesting was the 5-in-5-in5 student research presentations and later the 5-in-5-in5 given by faculty members about their research. Really novel & exciting way to present.

Reports from chapters

Chi Delta Chapter, Armenia Our Chapter has almost 120 members. In 2018 4 new members were inducted from undergraduate students of Nursing Administration Department of Yervan State Armenian-American Medical College Erebouni. As it was announced in STTI 32nd President Beth Tigges Presidential Call to Action: Connect, Collaborate, Catalyze our Chapter hosted the International Nurses Day Celebration in May, 2018. Our Chapter members organized one week event with sessions and workshops on research and educational topics: Disinformation in Medical Practice and It’s Dangers, CPR for Population and Schoolchildren, Involvement of Family Members in Patient Care in IC Unit. We connected with nurses from Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, and Chi Delta members living out of Armenia by emails.

In May was completed The Whole Person Centred Nursing Care Programme and all the members received Certificates from PRIME. We are organizing and involving undergraduate nurses in the programme of Healthy Environment. Our Chapter members and nurse leaders are periodically participating in various international Conferences and workshops aimed to deepen their knowledge, to use their skills to transform global Nursing.

6

In October an Innovation workshop: Learn today-Apply tomorrow took place in Yerevan. It was an evidence-based educational initiative with all elements of Continuing Professional Development/CPD/ Cycle. It was an inter professional collaboration between nurses, pharmacy technicians and clinical pharmacists. Education is only a tool having patient care as the final result.

Annual international HR conference was held in November enabling all the interested nurses and health professionals attend master classes and sessions conducted by top experts and trainers of the field. We have to do our traditional visits to orphanages and homes of elderly people at the end of December to congratulate them for upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays.

Chi Delta Chapter members wish all our colleagues happy holidays and new achievements in 2019!

News from Phi Mu Chapter

We have introduced 3 regional hubs in 2018 in The South managed by Bournemouth University, The Midlands managed by Oxford Brookes University and the North managed by University of York. These are to enable our members across the whole of England to feel they have meetings that are more accessible locally.

7

We held our first Twitter Chats on 26th September and

7th November with a follow up one planned on 20th

December

Student Nurse the The chats are in association with

Tigges' Call to Action President and inspired by Project

Transforming Perceptions of Nursing and and 19-2017

to , we'd love for you to join our Twitter chatsMidwifery

connect, collaborate and catalyse.

... they have: CARING @NHS_HSI think it's 1 of the 6 for

& COMPASSIONATE staff & services Clear

COMMUNICATION & explanation Effective

COLLABORATION between clinicians, patients & others

CLEAN & safe care environment CLINICAL excellence

@PUNC16Felicity #StNProject #pmtc

The first Northern Hub meeting was hosted by Steve

Ersser, Roger Watson and Janet Scammell with support

from the University of York in November. The day began

with the Phi Mu Board meeting in the morning followed

by a networking lunch. Presentations were given in the

afternoon by Janet Scammell, Roger Watson, Paul

Galdas and Sedar Sever. (Presentation slides can be

found in the Phi Mu library and the video of the

presentations will be made available in due course.)

The day ended with discussion about how the Northern

hub can be developed to best support the northern

members of Phi Mu.

NEWS FROM PHI - XI CHAPTER

In the last year the Phi-Xi Chapter, 29 new members from different clinical settings and nursing schools were

induced. The scientific productivity was also very relevant. Phi-Xi member’s won 3 research awards or recognitions,

published 39 articles in indexed journals and 7 Books and Books chapters. At the moment, the chapter phi xi

members are involve in 15 funded research projects (4 Active aging; 2 Innovation in Nursing Care Technology;

6 Health professionals´ development and training; 2 Health Education and Literacy; 1 Violence in society and

institutions).

8

POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH STUDENT VIRTUAL

SCHOLARLY

The Phi Xi Chapter of the Sigma Theta Tau was involved

in the organization of the 4th annual Postgraduate

Research Student Virtual Scholarly event that took place

on the 21 November 2018. This event, held by Sigma

European Regional Membership Taskforce aimed to

promote the opportunity for all PhD students in Nursing

and Midwifery to discuss about their PhD projects and

to share experiences in nursing research. The Phi Xi

Chapter was represented by a PhD student. The 2019

event edition will be held by Nursing School of Coimbra.

WORKSHOP COACHING AND LEADERSHIP

Phi-xi chapter organized an workshop " Coaching and

Leadership " in Coimbra and Leiria (two Portuguese

cities).

It was a very dynamic course, with a lot of dynamic

strategies, that facilitated the integration of all and

created an atmosphere of entrepreneurship and

motivation to integrate strategies that allow to lead

teams of success. This goal is only possible when we

walk a path of self-knowledge and knowledge of the

capabilities of each of our employees and we all work

towards a high professional performance.The

participants were from varied professional areas which

made it much more enriching.

SOLIDARITY CONCERT SOLIDARITY CONCERT

On December 4, the choir of the Nursing School of Coimbra, which includes many members of the Phi-Xi chapter, participated in a solidarity event in a wonderful space in the city of Coimbra. The revenue obtained was directed to the solidarity fund of support to poorest students of higher education in Coimbra.

9

News from Rho Chi at Large

The Rho Chi at Large chapter has a new board since July this year. Dr. Margreet van der Cingel (PhD) is the new

president; Irina Angyal (RN) Secretary and webmaster; Nico Oud (MscN) holds the Finance chair; dr. Jan Jukema

(PhD) holds the governance chair; Anneke van der Pol (MscN) holds the activity chair; Mirelle Magni-Eekhoudt

(MscN) holds the rewards and recognition chair; Friso Raemaekers (RN) holds the publicity chair.

The new board has been working very hard to realise the yearly events such as the annual conference and induction

in November 30th. We’ve had an inspiring conference with a lot of interesting workshops and key lectures from

professor dr. Monique van Dijk and professor dr. Sandra Zwakhalen. We’ve welcomed 13 new members this year!

Next to that the new board is taking it's time to discuss and set out strategies for communication to it's members,

the cooperation with other nursing societies in the Netherlands, the affiliates and Nursing Science in Utrecht, the

European committee and setting out a strategic and thematic course for next year. We send our warm wishes to all

our Sigma colleagues and a happy Christmas season to all of you!

News from Tau Omega chapter

University, Sweden on November 4th Sigma postgraduate virtual conference at Tau Omega Chapter at Gothenburg

21, 2018

Hosted the 4th virtual conference took place on the 21. November 2018. Hosted for the second year running by

A/prof. Dr Harshida Patel (Senior lecturer, Gothenburg University), Tau Omega Chapter, the meeting was a fun and

inspiring. Seven presenters from Brazil, England, the Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden shared their PhD research.

Virtual conferences are an adventure, but this year the technology, the presenters and the organizing committee

created a wonderfully smooth event, full of intelligent presentations and lively, inspiring discussions

Tau Omega chapter arranged Christmas mingle for

all the members and non-members of the Sigma.

About 40 people participated. The evening was full

of visitors. Tau Omega chapter invited them on

light dinner with Glögg (Swedish Christmas drink),

Ginger cookies and other Christmas specialities.

10

We shared a lot of laughter moments during the

evening. We såld lotteries, that carried itself a lots

of joyful moments with presents. During this

gathering we also thanked and appreciated the

work of former board members of Sigma, X-

President, Margret Lepp; X-secretary Linda Berg

and x-tresurer – Lilas Ali

Innovations in Nursing

JOHNS HOPKINS SCHOOL OF NURSING AND NURSING SCHOOL OF COIMBRA PARTNER FOR FIRST “TWINNED” SIGMA THETA TAU INTERNATIONAL CHAPTER MODEL

The At-Large Nu Beta chapter from Johns Hopkins School of Nursing’s (JHSON) and the Nursing School of

Coimbra’s Phi Xi chapter are now “twinned”. It’s the first chapter model of its kind, that will create a

partnership between the two organizations fostering international collaboration and strategic success

models, which may lead the way for other scholarly nursing organizations worldwide to increase

intellectual bandwidth and impact. Is the first step on the road to student and faculty exchanges resulting

in culturally informed scholarship and policy recommendations that will influence nursing practice

globally. (https://nursing.jhu.edu/news-events/news/news/johns-hopkins-school-of-nursing-and-

nursing-school-of-coimbra-partner-for-first-twinned-sigma-theta-tau-international-chapter-model

retrieved on 11th december 2018)

Update on Committees

Sigma Europe’s Research committee

H. Patel, C.Dickson, B.Heckermann, P.Patel, S.Gosh, ML.Luiking, C.Chaves, A.Kydd & C Soben-Sensor This committee has been looking for new ways to collaborate with Sigma members as they move forward with their research. We are very pleased to have Connie Soben Sensor Sigma liaison to the UN, New York with us. Connie has recently published a paper on: Health-Related Beliefs, Practices, and Experiences of Migrant Dominicans in the Northeastern United States. Journal of Transcultural Nursing 2018. Her connections & insight into the workings at the UN on e.g.

11

migrant issues has been very informative. This is just some of the papers & work generate by the committee in 2018. Migrants’ healthcare experience: a meta-ethnography review of the literature. Published in the Journal of Nursing Scholarship, November edition. A model for Healthcare professionals. Monograph Book on Migrant Healthcare needs. ICN invitation accepted to share our story/research in the form of a case study for International Nurses’ Day 2019. Migrant Healthcare research at the heart of Sigma European Collaboration.

For more than 45 years now, the ICN has been publishing an International Nurses’ Day (IND) publication. The IND publication is provided to over 130 countries with a potential audience of over a million nurses globally. The publication has been used by the nursing community across the world as a strategy to improve health, health systems and has improved their reach and engagement with people from all over the world. In 2019, IND will focus on “health for all.”

• Migrant Healthcare research at the heart of Sigma European Collaboration.

• Migrant health: Assessing healthcare needs to influence health care policy. Grant proposal.

Nurse Education Interest Group

J.Scammel, K.Jack, S.Nielsen, D.Costa, M.Bianchi, J.Apostelo & ML.Luiking Dilar Costa & João Apostolo have been busy caring out a scooping of the literature on the topic so that the committee can refine their research question. Whether leadership qualities among undergraduates is already present or should it be taught within the programs. Otherwise, is leadership a term for preparedness to take on the role of a graduate nurse position when qualified and are undergraduate nursing students prepared for their role as nurse leaders? This research is intended to be carried out in 6 European Countries. Watch this space.

Membership Involvement Committee B.Heckermann, H.Hummel, P.Wolfensberger, Ana Filipa Cardoso, E.Richardson & ML.Luiking.

The 4th annual Postgraduate Research Student Virtual Scholarly event was held on the 21st of November, hosted by Tau Omega Chapter Dr Harsida Patel at Gothenburg University, Sweden. We had 7 superb presentations,where14 sites were able to join this virtual event, 5 Universities connected & 6 countries. Virtual conferences are an adventure, but this year the technology, the presenters and the organizing committee created a wonderfully smooth event, full of interesting presentations and lively, inspiring discussions. We are grateful to all the presenters for their fantastic contributions. The conference abstract book is available on Researchgate and the Sigma’s Virginia Henderson Library. In 2019 Phi Xi Chapter, Coimbra University, Portugal will host the 5th Postgraduate event on 6th of November. Call for abstracts will start 1st June through till 15 September 2019. Abstract_book-Sigma-virtual-conference2018.pdf13.05 MB

12

Awards and Recognitions committee

The committee has looked at the European Nurse Recognition Award, awarded since 2012 to esteemed members of Sigma Europe each Biennial Conference for their research work. The committee together with the European Regional Committee has decided as the region grows & moves on, a more in keeping with the member profile & work backgrounds is needed. At the moment the proposal on the table is to have three European Awards at Coimbra 2020. One for Research, Education & Clinical practice. The purpose, criteria, eligibility & requirements will be made know after February 2019. Applications & nomination process will follow from May 2019. This will mean for the recipients also a Plenary speakers position in the program at Coimbra. E.Blakey, M. van Mol, S.Macedo, N. Eikman, C. Martins & ML.Luiking

Key Dates 2019

Creating Healthy Work Environments (A Sigma Event)

22-24 February New Orleans USA https://thecircle.sigmanursing.org/events/event-description?CalendarEventKey=cecaa76d-6c2e-4964-9d18-e8b0283b3aa7&Home=%2fhome

30th International Nursing Research Congress, 25-29 July Calgary Alberta Canada https://thecircle.sigmanursing.org/events/event-description?CalendarEventKey=12b6cc81-6bf7-4245-9cc7-bced3386c02c&Home=%2fhome019

45th Biennial Convention

16-20 November Washington, DC, USA

https://thecircle.sigmanursing.org/events/event-description?CalendarEventKey=f5bd8a30-cddc-4b91-96b9-e2afcd14434f&Home=%2fhome

13

Key dates 2020

5th Biennial European conference

Coimbra Portugal

27-29 May 2020