Celebrating 46 Years of Excellence

Welcome to Gamma Nu Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International
Chartered in 1978, Gamma Nu is Seton Hall College of Nursing's chapter and has over 300 members.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Join Gamma Nu's New Book Club!

Gamma Nu's Membership Engagement Committee, chaired by Patricia Hubert, kicked off the new Book Club in October 2024 with a dinner meeting at The Shannon Rose restaurant in Clifton.  While enjoying delicious hors d'oeuvres, a group of seven members discussed Kristin Hannah's book, The Women.  This novel centers around the experiences of a young nurse who volunteers to serve in Viet Nam during the height of the war.  There, she experiences the intensity of the war as she cares for catastrophically injured soldiers.  The novel then follows her back to the United States where she struggles to rebuild her life.

So that all Gamma Nu members can participate in the Book Club, this book was discussed again in a virtual session in November, and nurses from as far away as California joined the lively conversation.

In February 2025, the Book Club began what was to become a three-part discussion of Courageous Well-Being for Nurses: Strategies for Renewal by Donna Gaffney and Nicole C. Foster.  Full of nurses' stories of stress and resilience as well as many suggestions for enhancing health and well-being, the book has provided more content than could be covered in one session.  The discussion continued in April and the final session will be held on June 18 at 7-8:30 pm via Teams.  Please email Pat Hubert to register: patmhubert@gmail.com. _____________________________________________________________________________________

Gamma Nu Induction

Gamma Nu's Annual Induction Ceremony and Brunch was held on March 30, 2025 in the University Center on the South Orange Campus. We congratulate and welcome our 60 new members. Dr. Diane McClure chaired the event which many others helped to make successful. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Maryellen Roberts who delivered an inspiring and presentation, Infiltrate Passion and Compassion Back into Nursing.  Dr. Roberts is Professor; Chair, Graduate Nursing Department; and Director DNP and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Programs at the College of Nursing.

We welcome these new Gamma Nu members from the Traditional and Accelerated  BSN and Graduate Programs:
                                       

Dr. Maryanne Barra-Schneider, Chairperson of the Awards Committee presented the Carolyn F. Rummel Scholarships to:

Gabriella Ciraola

Rebecca Klein

Gianna Villanova

The Mary Ann Scharf Joy of Nursing Award, was presented to Dr. Susan Darby for her unwavering support of our Chapter.  Susan currently serves as both Corresponding and Recording Secretary.

Congratulations to All!

________________________________________________________________

37th Annual Reinkemeyer Research Conference

The 37th Annual Reinkemeyer Research Conference, co-sponsored by Seton Hall University College of Nursing and Gamma Nu Chapter of Sigma, was held on March 14, 2024.  Over 115 nurses and students gathered in Bethany Hall on the South Orange campus.  The planning committee was chaired by Nancy Bohnarczyk.

The keynote, podium and poster presentations provided a vast range of interesting research topics and participants enjoyed networking and renewing professional relationships.

The Keynote Address,  “Place” and Health: Social Pathway to Health Vulnerability was delivered by Dula F. Pacquiao, EdD, RN, FTNSS, FNYAM,  Professor Emerita, Rutgers the State University of NJ.

The podium presenters and topics were:

The Experience of Young Adult Caregivers of Patients with Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs)

Amy K. Emmarco, PhD, RN, Munira Wells, PhD, RN, Bonnie Sturm, EdD, RN and Katherine Hinic, PhD, RN

Going Above and Beyond: A Clinical Ladder Program Invigorates Nursing

Lourdes Fernandez, MSN, RN, CCRN, NPD-BC and Marilynn Robayo, MSN-Ed, RN, MEDSURG-BC

Improving the Confidence and Preparedness of Healthcare Providers in the Detection and Management of Perinatal Preeclampsia and Stroke: A Quality Initiative

Beth Karasin, DNP, APN, AGACNP-BC, RNFA, CNOR

Enhancing Bias-Free Objective Structured Clinical Examinations in a Culturally Diverse Graduate Nursing Program through Theater

Monina Franco-Tantuico, PhD(c), MSN, BSMT, CNE, CCRN

Poster topics were:

An Analysis of APN Burnout and Job Satisfaction at a Single Center Academic Institution

A Breathtaking E-Learning Experience: Quality Improvement Project for COPD and Pneumonia

Effects of Climate Change on Women’s Health and Nurses’ Role in Mitigation

Experiences of Staff Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Exploring Nursing Faculty Perceived Individual and Organizational Readiness to Use Online Simulation as a Teaching Strategy

Implementing a Transition Plan for Adolescents with ADHD Transitioning to Adult Care

Mindfulness in the Classroom

Relationship Between School Nurse Presence and Student Social Risk Factors on Chronic School Absenteeism

Sleep Improvement in the Intensive Care Unit

________________________________________________________

Gamma Nu Provides Annual Christmas Dinner to Magnificat Home

Once again, Gamma Nu helped the women of Magnificat Home in Jersey City celebrate Christmas with our annual dinner and gifts. Seton Hall College of Nursing faculty and Gamma Nu members generously donated items and money for the gifts, and each woman received a large gift bag  stuffed with assorted toiletries, winter accessories, gloves, snacks, personal holiday messages from CON faculty and a Walmart gift card. GN members Kim Conway and Kathy Black delivered the gift bags in person.  The catered dinner had already arrived, and the women were thrilled.   Thank you for your ongoing support!

In a letter of appreciation, the Magnificat Home director wrote, “Our ladies raved about the quality and quantity of food you gave; they enjoyed for days!”

Magnificat Home currently houses 13 previously homeless women. In addition to the annual Christmas party, Gamma Nu supports the home throughout the year with gifts of household supplies and other requested items. Click here to learn more about Magnificat Home.

This tradition was started by Dr. Carolyn Rummel (Founding Member and Past President) and Gamma Nu is proud to keep her legacy alive through this annual event.  It would not be possible without your support. Thank you and Happy New Year.

__________________________________________________

NJ Consortium Celebrates Founder's Day

SHU CON Alumna Receives Award

The NJ Consortium of Sigma Chapters held its annual Founder’s Day Celebration on Sunday, September 29 at the Metuchen Inn.  After brunch, the Keynote Presentation was provided by Dr. Keitha Beamer, who presented her DNP work on Reducing Patient-Perpetrated Workplace Violence in the Emergency Department.  Natalie Ricca, RN, a member of Mu Theta-at-Large, received the Elaine Kopp Rising Star Award.

Dr. Amita Avadhani, a Seton Hall College of Nursing Alumna, was awarded the MaryAnne Rooney Essence of Nursing Award.  Below is information taken from the nomination submitted to the Consortium:

Dr. Avadhani is a Nurse Educator, a Nurse Leader, and a Nurse Practitioner (NP) who has mentored countless Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Educators, and Nurse Leaders locally and nationally. She has served as a role model for several nurses at Saint Peters University Hospital where she has practiced as an Advance Practice Nurse (APN) for over 20 years. She was a leader of the APN program in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where she supported the transition of several APNs from novice to expert level.

Dr. Avadhani is a past president of Alpha Tau Chapter. She has served Sigma as the NJ Consortium of Sigma Chapters Coordinator and is the current Region 14 Coordinator. 

Dr. Avadhani is a Professor and David R. Devereaux Chair of Nursing at Temple University College of Public Health.  Dr. Avadhani recently served at Rutgers University as a Professor and Program Director for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Post Masters Doctor of Nursing Practice Program  She received her PhD from Grand Canyon University, DNP from Rutgers University and MSN from Seton Hall University. She has published and presented extensively, holds multiple certifications and has received many awards.

__________________________________________________

Patricia Hubert Attends Sigma Convention as

Gamma Nu Delegate

The 47^th Sigma Biennial Convention was held on November 11-15, 2023 in San Antonio, Tx. Gamma Nu’s delegate was Dr. Patricia Hubert, Adjunct Professor of Nursing at Seton Hall and Caldwell Universities. Pat was excited to attend and participated in many engaging and thought-provoking educational presentations, poster sessions and social events. She also enjoyed San Antonio’s sights, sounds and food!

Sigma requires each chapter to appoint delegate(s) but allows one delegate to fill both slots. As a delegate Pat attended the House of Delegate sessions during which resolutions were presented for discussion and voting. New officers were also elected. Amita Avadhani, a Seton Hall CON alumna, was reelected as Region 14 Coordinator.

Gamma Nu is grateful for Pat’s service to Gamma Nu, where she also chairs the Leadership Succession Committee and is always ready to assist with events and activities.

______________________________________________________

Gamma Nu Donates and Stuffs Backpacks
for Newark Schoolchildren

Gamma Nu donated 32 backpacks for kids in Newark and several members helped to stuff these and other donated packs. The backpack drive was spearheaded by the Newark Department of Health and Community Wellness (DHCW), which operates several clinics for local residents. The Mary Eliza Mahoney and Speedwell Clinics are the experiential training sites for Seton Hall nurse practitioner students participating in the Nurse-led Mobile Health Training Program. The backpacks were distributed to the children at the Health Fair sponsored by the DHCW in late August, which resulted in many excited faces.

Twana Irby (DHCW Staff), Sharon Dobrina (SHU Staff), Gamma Nu Members Patricia Hubert, Mary Pat Wall and Lori Wilt, DHCW Staff Member

 _______________________________________________________

Gamma Nu's 40th Anniversary

Gamma Nu Founding Members pose with the chapter's Charter in front of a display of Gamma Nu memorabilia. Pictured (L to R): Linda Ulak, Mary Ann Scharf, Josephine DeVito, Maura Ryan and Carolyn Rummel

Five Gamma Nu Past Presidents were able to attend the 40th Anniversary Celebration. Pictured are Diane McClure (then President), Mary Ann Scharf (1986-1988), Josephine DeVito (2006-2008), Brenda Petersen (2008-2010), Wendy Budin (1998-2000) and Carolyn Rummel (1990-1992 and 2012-2014)