Sigma's 46th Biennial Convention
Ohoud Alosais and Dr. Zim Okoli presented at Sigma's 46th Biennial Convention in Indianapolis, IN November 2021. Sigma is an international community of nurses, dedicated to the advancement of knowledge, teaching, learning, and service through the cultivation of communities of practice, education, and research. According to www.sigmanursing.org, "More than 2,000 Sigma members and global leaders in nursing, including many past Sigma presidents and CEOs, joined us as we came together in person and online to celebrate our heritage over the last 100 years, to remember those we've lost, and to look toward the future that Sigma nurses will help create."
Ohoud presented her poster titled "Does Sleep Quality Mediate the Relationship Between Secondary Traumatic Stress and Burnout Among Nurses?" Ohoud is a PhD student in the UK College of Nursing. Dr. Okoli serves as her research mentor. As a first time attendee to a Sigma event, Ohoud enjoyed learning about interesting, innovative research that broadened her knowledge especially pertaining to new aspects in designing research studies and innovative ideas for research/interventions that apply to her population of interest. She shared that it was an excellent opportunity to discuss research methodology and results with other researchers and nurses.
Kent Brouwer (DNP candidate), Dr. Lee Anne Walmsley, and Dr. Zim Okoli (pictured) presented a symposium on “Preventative Practices to Improve the Mental Health of Nursing Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Dr. Walmsley presented on the UK College of Nursing’s response to the COVID-19 Pandemic by initiating a ‘Check-in Care’ campaign to determine the wellbeing of students. Brouwer presented on how self-care practices affected psychological distress among nursing students during the early stages of the pandemic. Dr. Okoli presented on nursing students’ adoption of preventive practices such as physical distancing and mask wearing during the pandemic. All three presenters were excited to share some of the latest research on the impact of COVID-19 on nursing students with an international audience.
