Nursing students present research to peers, pros
CHRISTINE RUPP — Sentinel Staff WriterArticle Photos
FAIRMONT - From postpartum depression to animal assisted therapy to treating migraine headaches - nursing students at Presentation College have researched it all.
The third annual nursing research forum, held Saturday at the college's Fairmont campus, gave the students a chance to present their findings to peers, friends and nurses working in the community.
Students participating in the forum are seniors in Presentation's nursing research course. Being able to research and put what they learn into practice is one of the things that distinguishes nurses with four-year baccalaureate degrees from those with two-year degrees, said Dr. Norma Krumwiede, professor of nursing at Presentation College.
The final grade for the research course is based, in equal parts, on three components, Krumwiede explained: a paper, a poster and a presentation.
Students are allowed to choose what topic they'd like to research, she said, and the most popular presentations Saturday were "Nurse Burnout Syndrome: When Nurses Lose Their Flame," "Lateral Violence" and "Icing on the Cake: How Humor Enhances the Patient's Lived Experience."
The forum is for class credit, but it also offers continuing education credits to registered nurses and licensed practical nurses.
"It's kind of also just a little bit of community service as well," Krumwiede said.
There are 17 students in the nursing research course, and as of the lunch break, Krumwiede said all seemed to be doing well with their presentations.
Lindsay Matelsky admitted to being nervous at first but thought she did a good job giving her presentation, "The Utilization of Massage Techniques in Healthcare."
Her research focused on determining the physical benefits of massage and how it impacts the quality of life for patients. She also learned about massage techniques for achieving various effects.
During her presentation, she pointed out research that indicates massage can reduce pain, alleviate anxiety and help develop a positive relationship between nurse and patient.
Matelsky said she got the idea of researching massage after working an internship at an oncology unit last summer. She noticed that most pain issues were treated with drugs.
"There just didn't seem like there were too many other options for patients," Matelsky said.
Then one patient told her a night nurse gave him a back massage and he was amazed at how it made him feel better.
During her research, Matelsky was surprised to learn how beneficial massage can be in several different aspects, but it's not seen much in hospitals.
"There's a kind of lack there," she said.
Matelsky, who is thinking about working in intensive care after graduation, plans to use massage to help patients, or at least provide that option.
