Nursing
Applied Learning

Applied Learning

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Contact Nursing
Dr. Lillian R. Goodman Department of Nursing
Ghosh Science & Technology Center
Suite ST-222
nursing@worcester.edu
508-929-8129

Nursing Applied Learning Opportunities at Worcester State

Located in the dynamic health sciences hub of Worcester, Worcester State University has long-standing relationships with more than 100 healthcare organizations where you will apply your nursing knowledge directly. Our partners include acute-care hospitals, public-health agencies, long-term care providers, assisted living facilities, primary-care practices, school health offices, visiting nurse and home-care agencies, and occupational health providers. These challenging real-world opportunities will help you sharpen your skills and gain valuable professional experience and contacts. Many of our students secure jobs as a result of their clinical practice.

Each semester, the Dr. Lillian R. Goodman Department of Nursing places undergraduate students in more than 50 clinical settings—including UMass Memorial Health Care hospitals, Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital, St. Vincent Hospital, and the Worcester Public Schools—where they gain experience in long-term care, medical-surgical, maternity, pediatrics, psychiatric/ mental health, community/public health, and school nursing.

Our graduate nursing programs foster an appreciation for deeper learning by requiring students in both specialty tracks to complete a practicum requirement and implementing new research projects or healthcare programs. From raising awareness about toxins in the environment to health literacy for immigrants, you will be actively improving healthcare delivery locally and regionally during your Worcester State studies.

Nursing Applied Learning Presentations
Prevention of Burnout in New Graduate Registered Nurses
A major problem in the field of nursing is the high turnover rate from the significant amount of stress nurses face, especially new nurses. The lack of experience, combined with the inability to cope with a high-stress and high-stakes job, leads to exhaustion and burnout. This poster explores the factors that lead to burnout, the underlying causes for nurses to leave the profession, and intervention strategies to prevent burnout.
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Effects of Mindfulness Training on Nurses Experiencing Burnout
Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion related to excessive stress. Due to the physical and mental demands of nursing, this makes nursing a career with a high rate of burnout, which can be seen in great detail under current circumstances due to COVID-19. An integrative review was conducted to determine if mindfulness training reduced the stress experienced by nurses. Ten studies were selected and cross-matched for relevancy. Initial findings support mindfulness training as an effective strategy in reducing burnout.
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Nursing Student Bryan Escobar
My research projects have focused on mental health and Latinx population health. I focus on how to make healthcare more affordable through prevention, and how we can open doors and allow for every population to feel included in the new research.
— Bryan Escobar, Nursing
Jane Vongvirath, Nursing Student at Worcester State
The Worcester State nursing program has a reputation of being one of the strongest nursing programs in the country. Our professors really push students to excel.
— Jane Vongvirath, Nursing

Applied Learning at Worcester State

Growth of and Disease Caused by the Bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa

This project is a continuation of the previous CHIP competition among the students enrolled in BI-206: Medical Microbiology. Our presentation will identify structural and functional characteristics of the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and describe the pathogenicity of the organism and treatment options against it.
Faculty Advisor: Roger S. Greenwell, Ph.D.

Growth and Disease Characteristics of the Bacterium Yersenia pestis, a.k.a. “The Plague”

This project is a continuation of the previous CHIP competition among the students enrolled in BI-206: Medical Microbiology. Our presentation will identify structural and functional characteristics of the bacterium Yersenia pestis as well as describe the pathogenicity of the organism and treatment options against it.
Faculty Advisor: Roger S. Greenwell, Ph.D.

Paternal Postnatal Depression: The Role of the Nurse

In the postpartum period, a father may face sleep loss, withdrawal, and sadness, which can be identified as characteristics of Paternal Postnatal Depression (PPND). Intervention can improve nursing care as PPND affects 14 percent of fathers in the United States (Paulson, 2010).
Faculty Advisor: Paula Bylaska-Davies, Ph.D.

Reducing CAUTI

Too frequently, urinary catheters are implemented in the health-care setting, resulting in the largest rates of infection for hospital-associated illnesses. But are there ways to implement practices to reduce the rates of catheter-associated urinary tract infections?
Faculty Advisor: Kimberly Silver-Dunker, DPN, R.N.

Growth and Disease Characteristics of the Bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, the Causative Agent of Lyme Disease

Our presentation will identify structural and functional characteristics of the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, as well as describe the pathogenicity of the organism and treatment options against it.
Faculty Advisor: Roger S. Greenwell, Ph.D.

The Influence of Shaken Baby Syndrome Education on Parents and the Community

Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) is a common type of physical abuse that can be inflicted onto infants by parents and caregivers. A literature review was conducted to evaluate and understand current research on the education programs that were created to raise awareness and prevention of SBS.
Faculty Advisor: Roger S. Greenwell, Ph.D.

Multi-Modal Approach in Post-Operative Pain Relief in School-Aged Children

Pain is usually controlled using a pharmacological method, but when treating children, this approach is not effective. Research suggests that a multi-modal approach is the best practice in treating post-operative pain in children.
Faculty Advisor: Paula Bylaska-Davies, Ph.D.

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Contact Nursing
Dr. Lillian R. Goodman Department of Nursing
Ghosh Science & Technology Center
Suite ST-222
nursing@worcester.edu
508-929-8129