Minnesota Nursing Magazine Spring/Summer 2012 - School of ...

center news
center directors:
L) Jean Wyman, PhD, RN, GNP-BC, FAAN
R) Christine Muller, PhD, RN, FAAN
mission:
To advance the care of older adults by preparing outstanding nursing faculty
from diverse backgrounds who can provide leadership in strengthening geriatric
nursing at all levels of academic nursing programs.
for more information
or to subscribe to SageNews, the
center’s e-newsletter:
Email: mnhcgne@umn.edu
www.nursing.umn.edu/Hartford
minnesota hartford center of
geriatric nursing excellence
Next Generation of
Geriatric Nursing Faculty
The Minnesota Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence
(MnHCGNE) addresses the critical need for nurses with expertise
in caring for older adults by preparing outstanding nursing faculty
to teach geriatric nursing in associate and higher degree programs.
One way the center accomplishes this is through the Hartford
Geriatric Nursing Education Scholars Program. This program offers
life-changing career development seminars and financial support
to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
students who plan to engage in an academic career committed to
teaching geriatric nursing.
Diverse Backgrounds, Common Commitment
The 2011-2012 Hartford Scholars have diverse backgrounds, but
share a common commitment to improving the care of older adults.
Arlene Horner, MS, RN, GCNS-BC, is a gerontological clinical nurse
specialist from Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South
Dakota. “As a Hartford scholar, I find the mentorship of the faculty
and scholars with the MnHCGNE to be the most treasured aspect
of this professional growth journey, she says. “Highlights of this
experience have been the Gerontological Nursing Journal Club
where we review and discuss research articles on geriatric topics.
I also value the one-on-one time with the Hartford Center faculty
during which we discuss scholarly and academic objectives. My
goal is to expand and intertwine geriatric expertise with integrative
health concepts for a rich learning experience for both clinical and
academic settings. As I experience the increasing complexity of
patient care along with concerns for patient safety and quality of
care, I’m excited to eventually teach this integrative approach to the
care of older adults.” Horner is a Post-Master’s DNP student.
Pictured left to right are: Naira Zargarian, Naheed Meghani, and Arlene Horner.
Naheed Meghani, MS, RN, CNS, came to the United States in 1999
and earned her master’s degree from the U of M School of Nursing.
She worked at Abbott Northwestern Hospital as an adult clinical
nurse specialist and as a research associate at the University of
Pennsylvania. “It is an honor and a privilege to be a Minnesota
Hartford Center Geriatric Nursing scholar,” she says. “The PhD
program continues to broaden my horizons in current issues and
trends in nursing. I have the chance to work with faculty who are
not only leaders in their respective areas of expertise, but who
are also exceptional advisors and mentors. After completing my
program, I intend to pursue a research and teaching career in
nursing while not losing sight of clinical practice. The Hartford
Scholar experience has been instrumental in creating a scholarship
experience that has an immense impact on my learning!”
Naira Zargarian, MSN, RN, FNP, considers herself a “perpetual
learner and student.” She immigrated to the United States in 1991
with her husband and two children who are now graduates of
the Univerity of Minnesota. From the perspective of her second
semester in the PhD program, she says, “I see that I have made
the right decision: completing my studies will widen my horizons
and open many new opportunities for me. Upon completion of
my studies, I want to practice as a family nurse practitioner, while
incorporating teaching into my career. I realize that my passion
for nursing drives me to new challenges, including teaching, while
keeping my focus on the most rewarding part of my nursing careerthe
welfare of my patients.”
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