Doctoral Student Presents Research at International Conference
Ellen Harvey
A student in Radford University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) program presented her research for 2,000 medical professionals this month at the biennial Sigma Theta Tau International Conference in Grapevine, Texas.
Ellen Harvey, a 2012 degree candidate in the clinical nurse specialist track, was named the RU School of Nursing’s Rising Star for Sigma Theta Tau, the nursing profession’s honor society. Her presentation at the international conference was “The Impact of In Situ TeamSTEPPS Simulation-Based Training on Progressive Care Nurse and Patient Outcomes Related to Failure to Rescue.”
A clinical nurse specialist at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Harvey specializes in adult health with a trauma/critical-care focus. She is a master trainer for TeamSTEPPS, a teamwork system for health care professionals.
“Patients in hospital settings are acutely ill and at high risk for clinical decline during their stay. Registered nurses play a critical role in detection of early warning signs of patient decline and must have the ability to intervene,” Harvey said of her research, conducted collaboratively with Dr. Jeanette Capella, a critical care surgeon, and other colleagues.
Forty-five Rising Star students presented at the conference. Participating “was a unique professional experience because many living legends in nursing attend this conference, providing rich opportunities for networking,” Harvey said. “One exciting moment for me was when the editor of ‘Clinical Simulation in Nursing’ visited my poster and remarked that the work represents high-level outcomes research.”
Harvey said the editor asked her to submit a manuscript of her trauma study for journal review. “It was not only a huge honor but also a reminder that in the RU nursing community, we have much to share with our global nursing community. We need to reach out,” she said.
Harvey’s career goal is a joint faculty and practice appointment while she continues her research. “I will have to wait and see where opportunities in both lie, but my estimate is it might very well be right here in Southwest Virginia,” she said.