Good News!

Epsilon Mu would like members to connect, therefore we are planning an informal meeting…”a meet & greet”…to discuss what members are doing and also to talk about nursing at Wagner College.  We are also planning a short workshop on nursing research.  We have found that many nurses feel they are deficient in this area and so this workshop will help not only students but also nurses in the work environment who are involved in research projects.  We are inclusive, so please join us!  Dates will be posted as soon as program is set!

Fall is in the Air!! That means Induction Time is Here!!

Dear Epsilon Mu Members,

Our Founder’s Day Celebration and Induction Ceremony at the Hilton garden Inn is October 1. Congratulations to our new in Inductees and Dual Members! Thank you to Paula Davies Scimeca for agreeing to speak on Preventing Substance Use Disorders in Nurses. Epsilon Mu’s CPR training went well! Wagner students were a pleasure to teach and they will make excellent nurses!! Thanks to our volunteer instructors for all their hard work: Theresa Bucco, Barbara Pfaff, Maureen Jachcinski, Mary Brandt, and Linda Evangelista!! Our program raised the funds for our scholarship awards. Epsilon Mu will be participating in the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides on Sunday, October 16. All are invited to either sponsor or participate as a walker. Please contact our team leader Christine Pagano oh at Lucy411@aol.com or leave a message on our voicemail at 718. 390. 3478. This is one of our community service projects, so please support this worthy cause! Epsilon Mu is sponsoring Depression screening Day at Wagner college on October 21. Volunteers are welcomed. Plans are underway for Brown Bag Series, if interested in participating in any of the aforementioned, e-mail; epsilonmu@Wagner.edu. November 15, 211 from 7:30 AM to 4 PM is the Collaborative Research Workshop at Staten Island University Hospital, cost is free, but registration is required. Call 718. 226. 9533 to register. Topics include the research design, IRB Application Process, using EndNotes for publication and preparing a scientific poster. Our past president Phyllis Ameduri is posting pictures from our archives on our Facebook page: Epsilon Mu-Sigma Theta tau. Thank you Phyllis! Thanks to our webmaster Teresa Heithaus for keeping our website and Circle current. To view pictures of any our events or information visit our website at http://www.faculty.wagner.edu/epsilon-mu or  http://epsilon mu.nursingsociety.org, sign on by using your e-mail address and seven-digit member identification number. Click on “my profile” and then “my subscriptions” to subscribe to the global member forum and our chapter website discussions! If you are attending the convention you can also consider subscribing to the discussion forum. By setting your subscriptions, you are determining when you were notified of new posts or comments on your posts. Have a Great Fall Season!
Teri Torsney MSN, RN-BC
President

Congratulations, Epsilon Mu!

Dear Epsilon Mu Members,

Congratulations! We are receiving the 2011 Chapter Key Award! The chapter will be receiving the key as a 2nd Time Recipient. How timely for our thirtieth anniversary! (An official congratulatory letter) from Karen Morin, President STTI, and Cathy Catrambone, Regional Chapters Coordinating Committee Chair is attached.) CLICK HERE to listen to the Congratulatory Audio Podcast.

STTI announced that on the ten year anniversary of the presentation of the Chapter Key Award, Sigma Theta Tau International is awarding 82 Chapter Keys, the most since its creation in 1991. As the chapter’s representative, I will be accepting the award on stage at the Biennial Convention in Grapevine, Texas. Judges have provided feedback; these comments will be available for view shortly on the website.

Please join us in the Founder’s Day Celebration and Induction Ceremony on Saturday, October 1, 2011, Hilton Garden Inn from 12 noon until 4pm. The cost is $40 per person, make check out to Epsilon Mu. Our keynote speaker will be Paula Davies Scimeca, her topic will be on substance abuse and licensing issues and our Regional Coordinator Connie Sobon Sensor will also be addressing the participants. Music will also provided for the cocktail hour. In addition, we will be displaying the posters the Girl Scouts completed for their Be A Nurse Patch. The afternoon promises to be a great celebration.
Fundraisers are our 50/50 and basket raffles. Donations will be greatly appreciated.
Epsilon Mu is sponsoring the Depression Screening Day, October 7 at Wagner College for the students. Volunteers are welcomed, email epsilonmu@wagner.edu if interested. Plans are underway for the Brown Bag Series this semester as well, details to follow.
Announcements: November 15 is the Collaborative Research Workshop at Staten Island University Hospital. Topics include: Academic process in developing a research proposal and IRB Application Process, using EndNotes for publication, preparing posters for scientific purposes. Free to all Epsilon Mu members and SIUH employees, details will be posted on the website and circle.
Best Wishes for safe end to the summer!
Teresa Torsney, MS, RN-BC
President

New Leadership for our 30th Anniversary Year!

Thank you to those of you able to vote in the latest elections! The results are in and the new executive board and officers are as follows: President: Teresa Torsney; President-Elect: Jean M. Fazio; Vice-President: Theresa Bucco, Secretary: Mary Brandt; Treasurer: Josie Marcantonio; Delegates: Mary Jane Baillie and Theresa Bucco; Counselor and Goverance Chair: Jane V. DeFazio, Counselor: Denise Gasalberti, Leadership Succession Committee: Lauren O’Hare (Chair), Margo Governo, Lisa DeSena, Marianne DiStefano; Publicity Chair and Newsletter Editor: Paula Davies Scimeca; Webmaster: Teresa Heithaus, Membership Involvement Committee Chair: Rosanne Murphy. Archivist: Marlene Streisinger. Thank you to all that volunteered to serve and much luck to you.

This being our 30th Anniversary, promises to be a year of wonderful events and memories. Our Founder’s Day Celebration and Induction Ceremony is Saturday, October 1 @ 12noon, Hilton Garden Inn. The cost will remain at $40, to encourage as many students and family members to attend and celebrate this auspicious occasion. Details to follow regarding speakers.
Our hard copy newsletter will be mailed out shortly, watch for it in the mail.
To volunteer or contact, please email epsilonmu@wagner.edu, or leave a voice message at 718.390.3478, or visit us at www.wagner.edu/departments/epsilonmu or on the ‘Circle’ at STTI’s website.
Take advantage of free continuing nursing education courses. Check out the newest continuing nursing education course that is FREE for STTI members: Community Health Nursing. Discover how to follow your passion and volunteer your time and nursing skills overseas or in your own back yard. Find more information a thttp://www.nursingsociety.org/Education by clicking on “Members Only.”
Enjoy the lovely summer and looking forward to seeing you at one of our events soon.
Best Regards,
Teresa Torsney (Teri)

Congratulations Graduates and Election News!

Congratulations New Graduates!

Continued success in your new paths and please remember STTI on your journey! We will always be here, there is a spot for you in our Chapter. Just contact us for advice or mentoring. When you are ready to take a more active role, or please consider serving when called.

Epsilon Mu had an executive board and general membership meeting. Skype was attempted, but not successful. We’ll try again next time. In the meantime, sign up for Skype and be ready for the next virtual meeting.

VIProfile: If you haven’t already, please submit your VIProfile by visiting; STTI’s website; at www.nursingsociety.org, click on Volunteer Connect; or visit; https://membership.nursingsociety.org.

Scholarship Awards: Undergraduate Scholarship goes to Lauren Pettinato; Julia Barchitta Memorial Graduate Scholarship goes to Eileen McPartlan; Dr. Annemarie Sortino Memorial Graduate Award to Sandra Nin.

Elections: By now you should have received the email from teritorsney@aol.com with the election process information. If not, please call my cell; 917.330.8780. We will be using surveymonkey. The deadline to submit your ballot is June 5, 2011. Thank you to the candidates for their willingness to serve.

CPR for Wagner Students: Epsilon Mu is offering CPR for Wagner’s Students on Friday, Sept. 9 from 4pm – 8pm and Saturday, Sept. 10 from 8am – 12 noon and 12 noon until 4pm. Volunteers are needed as instructors and helpers.

Visit Epsilon Mu’s website in The Circle, STTI’s new professional networking site! Log in athttp://thecircle.nursingsociety.org using your email address and 7-digit member number.

To volunteer or contact Epsilon Mu; epsilonmu@wagner.edu or 708.390.3478 or call my cell at 917.330.8780.

Have a great start to the summer!

Teri

Teresa Torsney, MS, RN-BC
President

The Circle Welcome Message

Listen to the Epilson Mu  “The Circle Welcome Message” featuring Teresa Torsney. MS, RN-BC, chapter president. Epsilon MU members are encouraged to network with members of Sigma Theta Tau International the Honor Societu of Nursing on the organization’s professional networking site, “The Cirlce.” For information on getting started in setting up your own personal account on this site CLICK HERE.

Fall 2010 Message

Epsilon Mu has awesome plans for 2010-2011. Next year is our 30th Anniversary we hope to apply for a Chapter Key Award.

Welcome to our newest members! Please consider participating in our Mentoring/Leadership Intern Program.

Thanks to our volunteers: Theresa Bucco, Mary Brandt, Kathy Francis and Edith Santiago-Villanueva for participating in CPR Class Fundraiser; Marlene Streisinger has diligently been compiling an updated Chapter History, Teresa Heithaus for keeping our website current; Mary Jane Baillie Jane DeFazio preparing for our Induction our executive board members faculty generously donated raffle basket for our fundraising.

The Chapter Key Award (http://www.nursingsociety.org/Awards/chapter/Pages/award_chp_key.aspx)honors is given to chapters who excel in chapter-related activities such as membership recruitment retention, publicity programming, professional leadership development, local, national international collaboration. Please share your participation in the following activities:

  • leadership development programs,
  • presented at professional nursing or interdisciplinary meetings, conferences or forums,
  • provide a program or activity/project focused on increasing community awareness of nursing knowledge /or increasing community awareness of health promotion prevention of illness,
  • dialogue with nurse leaders or professional associations outside your country to learn about differences in practice, education credentialing,
  • service or philanthropy to non-profits groups,
  • provide expertise or consultation to the community,
  • have a relationship with nurses outside the country connected them with resources of STTI,
  • develop a community of practice in the local healthcare community?

You are truly an asset to our Chapter. Please share your experiences for us to be eligible for the Chapter Key Award!

If you have any questions or wish to become involved as an executive board member or volunteer for one of our community projects, please contact me at epsilonmu@wagner.edu or 718.390.3478.

Visit www.nursingsociety.org/Membership to learn about your STTI membership.

Keep in Touch,

Teri Torsney
Chapter President