Jan. 8, 2008
Nursing instructor at Presentation College presents at international conference
ABERDEEN, S.D. -- A nursing instructor at Presentation College in Aberdeen recently presented her thesis research results at an international conference in Dublin, Ireland.
Sr. Vicky Larson, MS, RN, presented "Stress and Coping Strategies of Adults in Accelerated Nursing Programs" at the 8th annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference of the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Trinity College on Nov. 7-9, 2007. Larson collaborated with advisor Marge Hegge of South Dakota State University on the research and presentation.
"The highlights of the research findings were that trusting God and prayer, as well as seeking social support for emotional reasons, were the most helpful coping strategies for stress. They correlated with decreased stress levels among student nurses in an accelerated 12-month baccalaureate program," Larson said. "Denial and turning to drugs or alcohol were the least helpful coping strategies as the accelerated student nurses dealt with the stress of their intensive program."
The annual conference was attended by more than 200 professionals from around the world, including nurses from India, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia and Portugal.
"It was fascinating to hear what people in other parts of the world are doing in terms of healthcare," Larson said. "We are fortunate in the United States that most places at least have the basic resources, but there are areas of the world where that’s not the case."
Larson’s experience wasn’t all work; she also had the opportunity to visit the Presentation Sisters in Dublin.
"I didn’t tour the way most visitors do, but I was able to visit some of the Sisters there," Larson said. "It was like being home."
Larson and Hegge will present their research again on March 18 at Presentation College’s annual Research Day. The presentation will be sponsored by the Rho Xi chapter of the Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society.
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About Presentation College
Presentation College is an independent Catholic educational institution, sponsored by the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Founded in 1922, Presentation College is a specialty Health Science Baccalaureate Institution located in Aberdeen, SD, with branch campuses in Eagle Butte, SD and Fairmont, MN. Students at Presentation College are presented with unlimited opportunities to grow intellectually, personally, professionally, and spiritually. For more information visit our website at www.presentation.edu.
Media Contact:
Tarah Jahnig
Coordinator of Friends and College Relations
Presentation College
605.229.8378