On November 20, we hosted the 2025 Nursing Research Conference, Inspiring Minds to Advance Nursing Practice and Improve Outcomes. The day was a true celebration of the knowledge, curiosity, and dedication that define nursing at Carilion. Our keynote speaker, Brandon Jones, delivered a powerful and heartfelt message on Healing Our Healers, reminding us that caring for those who provide care is essential to delivering the best outcomes for patients. His passion for supporting both the nurse and patient experience resonated strongly throughout the room. We were inspired by the outstanding presentations from our nurses and research support teams, who shared meaningful studies and insights that advance our practice. While the focus was on substance over spectacle (no flashing lights or confetti), the impact of the work presented was undeniable. We are deeply thankful for the extraordinary community of nurses at Carilion. Your commitment to asking important clinical questions, pursuing evidence-based solutions, and improving the lives of those we serve is something to celebrate-not just at this conference, but all year long.
Reviewers
Nancy Altice, DNP, RN, CCNS, ACNS-BC
Desiree Beasley, MSN, RN, CCNS, CCRN-K
Sarah Browning, DNP, RN-BC
Charles Bullins, DNP, RN, AGACNPBC
Sarah Dooley, MPH, BSN, RN
Troy Evans, MSN, RN, CCRN, NHDP -BC, NEA-BC
Cindy W. Hodges, MSN, RN-BC, FCN
James Ingrassia, MSN, RN
Lauren Miley, BSN, RN, PCCN
Laura Reiter, DNP, RN, CCRN, CNRN
Cindy Ward, DNP, RN-BC, CMSRN, ACNS-BC
The 2025 Nursing Research Conference Highlights
Legislative Article
Melissa D. Mathena, RN
Nursing is truly a work of the heart. To be a nurse means that you can have compassion and care for others in all circumstances, including instances that are not ideal. During the pandemic I questioned if I wanted to continue on in the nursing field because of the constant stress, heavy work load, and emotional toll that comes with caring for patients At times, it felt like I was giving so much of myself without enough support or recognition, which made me question whether I could sustain this career long term. Introducing bills and legislation that will help strengthen and promote the nursing workforce are needed.
The National Nursing Workforce Center Act of 2025 (S.1482) is a bill that was introduced in the Senate on April 10, 2025. This bill focuses on supporting and stabilizing the current nursing workforce, while also establishing programs to help increase the nursing field. Sponsored by Senator Blunt Rochester, Lisa (D-DE), this bill differs from current law because it aims introduce a two year pilot program for state-based nursing workforce centers, which was a concept previously introduced in 2023 (s.1150) Existing legislation provides grants, scholarships, and loan payback plans to support extensive national nursing initiatives pertaining to diversity, retention, and advanced education. This new act aims to establish state-level hubs for workforce development and data-driven strategies, promoting collaborations between state boards, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities, even though current federal centers offer nationwide assistance. Additionally, it might entail creating a new federal nurse workforce research center and making sure the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) assess the results of the pilot to determine whether to expand it nationally. To fill in the gaps that national data alone cannot, the pilot will enable states to carry out regional research and create workforce development initiatives specific to their own nursing needs. This reiterates the idea of focusing on state specific solutions. Current programs lack dedicated structures for research and data coming from the state. This bill would permit a national center run by Health Resources and Service Administration to standardize date collection and analysis while offering state centers technical
support. By aggregating local data this will allow a national level of understanding of the nursing workforce. Grants, scholarships, and loan programs are currently what funds this type of legislation today. Whereas with this bill to fund nursing workforce centers, it will focus on public- private partnerships. This will also include a “cost-share”, with the grantee providing one dollar per every four dollars provided by the federal grant. Entities eligible to receive a grant under this law include state agencies, state board of nursing, an organization that is exempt from taxation under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Act of 1986, a community-based organization, a school of nursing, or another type of school or program determined by the Secretary to be eligible. Under this bill the secretary shall ensure that grants are distributed equally and fairly among the geographical regions of the United States. The secretary shall also give priority to eligible nursing workforce centers that propose to provide statewide services, have expertise in the states nursing workforce issues, have a history of concerning entities to address nursing working issues, and have partnerships with entities that traditionally educate and employ state nurses. Nursing workforce areas that are eligible for this type of program may use the funds for the following-conduction comprehensive analysis or and research onexisting state nursing workforce data and gaps in such data, two- and four-year nursing education programs including: faculty capacity and pay, enrollment, retention, graduation, services for nursing students and the outcomes of services, facility needs, clinical placement capacity, state specific scholarships, grants, financial aid, factors contributing to retention and recruitment challenges and to nurses leaning the workplace, conducting strategic nursing workforce planning with employers across all work place settings and nursing education, conducting focused research and trends in nursing shortages. As well as establishing and implementing programs to support and retain faculty to increase enrollment in schools of nursing, recruit and retain nurses in all settings where nurses practice, support leadership development, prepare the nursing workforce to address social determinants of health and health inequities, prepare nurses for public health crisis and pandemic response, and assist individuals in obtaining education and training required to enter the nursing profession. In summary, this bill gives top priority to state-level strategies for leadership, faculty development, nursing recruitment and retention, and resolving shortages in neglected areas and specialized fields.
Additionally, it provides funding for studies and data on the clinical and financial impacts of contract nursing. This bill has not been fully passed. The next step is for the bill to be considered by the House and Senate committees before advancing to a full vote.
U.S. Congress. (2025). S. 1482: National Nursing Workforce Center Act of 2025. 119th Congress.
Introduced April 10, 2025. Retrieved from Congress.gov
Text - S.1482 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): National Nursing Workforce Center Act of 2025 |
Congress.gov | Library of Congress
Katherine Coffey-Vega, MD, CRMH Geriatric Medicine & Billy Schwartz, RN, CRMH Resource Pool Nursing
A complete list of Shine Awards can be found here
2026 Carilion Nursing Research Classes
Basic Research for the Healthcare Professional (NR-CE333L)
• Introductory Research Class for new researchers or for a refresher
• Offered 6 times this year
*Class will be held in the Seay Center Computer Room E
January 15 12p 4pm
April 23 4p 8pm
July 23* 8a 12pm
September 17* 12p 4pm
November 12* 8a 12pm
December 17 4p 8pm
Additional Nursing Research Classes
Developing a Competitive Abstract (NR-CE335L)
February 12, 2026 –12:00 2:00pm
Leadership Tips & Tools for Coaching Staff to Design Studies(NR-CE165L)
March 19, 2026 ~ 2:00 4:00pm
August 20, 2026 - 2:00 4:00pm*
From Clinical Question to Project Proposal (NR-CE328L)
April 16, 2026 ~ 1:00 4:00pm* Dissemination of Research & QI Studies (NR-CE374L)
May 14, 2026 ~ 12:00 3:00pm
Developing Professional Posters (NR-CE238L)
June 11, 2026 ~ 12:00 2:00pm
Appraising & Synthesizing the Literature for Inquiry (NR-CE372L)
June 18, 2026 ~ 1:00 4:00pm
Research Methods & Statistics (NR-CE373L)
October 15, 2026 ~ 12:00 3:00pm
Practical Healthcare Applications (NR-CE377L)
October 22, 2026 ~ 1:00 4:00pm
Courage!
While attending a local football game, Iona Holland, RN and Operations Manager on 8W, witnessed a man collapse nearby. Without hesitation, she immediately responded, initiated CPR, and called for emergency assistance. First responders arrived promptly and transported the individual to a nearby hospital, where he ultimately survived. Iona’s swift action and clinical expertise played a critical role in the lifesaving response.
Compassion!
Sharing is caring, Caring is love, Love is kindness, Kindness is free.
9 CST PCU (CareBears)
PICU 6 Years CLABSI Free
Commitment!
We are thrilled to celebrate Ellen Harvey’s induction as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing on October 18! This prestigious honor recognizes her exceptional leadership, innovation, and contributions to the nursing profession.
This year’s inductees represent 42 states, the District of Columbia, and 12 countries, showcasing remarkable expertise that advances the Academy’s mission to improve health and achieve health equity through nursing leadership, innovation, and science.
We are incredibly fortunate to have Ellen’s expertise and dedication at Carilion Clinic and deeply grateful for her many contributions to professional nursing and patient care over the years. Congratulations, Ellen, on this well-deserved recognition!
Fall 2025 CAP Advancements
RN 2
Wendy Boggs, BSN, RN
Heather Brogan, BSN, RN
Maggie Carbaugh, BSN, RN
Lynette Carroll, ASN, RN
Martha Gibbs, ASN, RN, PCCN
Alexandria Gilmore, ASN, RN
Emory Jones, BSN, RN
Maura Kloski, BSN, RN, CCRN
Kaley Luviano, BSN, RN, C-EFM
Melissa Mathena, ASN, RN
Alania McKlarney, BSN, RN
Sarah Minnick, ASN, RN
Mckenzie Najjar, BSN, RN, PCCN
April Overfelt, ASN, RN
Autumn Overfelt, BSN, RN
Anna Phillips, BSN, C-EFM, RNC
Kristen Price, BSN, RN, CTL
Alexis Rhodes, BSN, RN
Joshua Roark, ASN, RN
Megan Rosenbloom, BSN, RN
Jessica Shrewsbury, BSN, RN
Bethanie Smither, ASN, RN
Kendall Tomlinson, BSN, RN
Sara Trent, ASN, RN
Brittany Williams, ASN, RN
Jewel Wood, BSN, RN
RN 3
Chastity Fontaine, BSN, RN, CEN
Stephanie Defilippis, BSN, RN
Terri Duke, BSN, RN, CCRN
Jamie Jamison, BSN, RN, CCRN
Ann Jimenez, BSN, RN, CCRN, CEN
Christy Rodgers, BSN
Katelin Walls, MSN, CNL, CCRN-CSC
RN 4
Rebecca Dampeer, BSN, RN, CCRN
Sandra Hubbard, BSN, RN, TCRN
CONFERENCE CORNER
ference in Atlanta, Georgia, this past October. Alicia McAllister, Chris FishHuson, Lisa Dishner, Wendy Worrel, and Becca Bishop represented Carilion at the annual conference. Jennifer Martin was also in attendance. While at the conference, attendees had the opportunity to engage in presentations related to all tracks relevant to Magnet and Pathways certification.
April 2025 - September 2025 (& past presentations not noted prior to this edition)
Bramblett, H., Littleton, B. (2025, April 9-10). Reducing readmissions: One discharge at a time. Virginia Nurses Association 2025 Spring Conference, Empowering the Nurse. Virtual.
Manchin, K., Diamond, A. (2025, June 16-18). Engaging travel nurses to improve infection prevention bundle compliance and HAI reduction. Association for Professional in Infection Control and Epidemiology. Phoenix, AZ.
Beels, S., Walls, K., Tokala, M. (2025, April 1012) Using a Combined Implementation of Stress First Aid and the 4-A Models to Improve Resiliency (6SICU). Preventative Cardiology Nurses Association 31st Annual Cardiovascular Nursing Symposium. Orlando, FL.
Beels, S., Martin, M., Sydenstricker, E. (2025, June 4-5). Igniting Carilion Clinic’s vascular surgery ‘stop smoking” initiative. Society of Vascular Nursing Vascular Quality Initiative. New Orleans, LA.
Beels, S., Martin, M., Sydenstricker, E. (2025, June4-5). Improving awareness & elimination barriers to discharge medication guideline compliance. Society of Vascular Nursing Vascular Quality Initiative. New Orleans, LA.
Art & Science of Nursing Showcase:
Bramblett, H., Littleton, B. (2025, May 5-9). Reducing readmissions: One discharge at a time.
Whitehead, P., Harvey, E. (2025, May 5-9). Optimizing your CNS professional journey.
Beels, S., McCaffery, S., Evans, T. (2025, May 59). Combining stress first aid and the 4-As models to improve resiliency.
Beels, S., Walls, K., Tokala, M. (2025, May 5-9). Using a Combined Implementation of Stress First Aid and the 4-A models to Improve Resiliency (6SICU).
Beels, s., Martin, M., Syndenstricker, E. (2025, May 5-9). Improving awareness & eliminating barriers to discharge medication guideline compliance.
Andrews, S., Blankenship, S., DePriest, M., Gillenwater, A., Fish-Huson, C., Kotz, C., Stover,
Gillenwater, A., Fish-Huson, C., Kotz, C., Stover, S., Sutphin, C. (2025, May 5-9) Unlocking learning styles: A nurse resident’s key to success.
Andrews, S., Blankenship, S., DePriest, M., Gillenwater, A., Fish-Huson, C., Kotz, C., Stover, S., Sutphin, C. (2025, September 30-October 1) Unlocking learning styles: A nurse resident’s key to success. National League of Nursing Summitt 2025. Washington, D.C.
Cindy Ward, DNP, APRN-CNS, RN-BC, CMSRN, ACNS -BC was selected as a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Surgical Nurses.
Weppner, J., Rosenthal, L., Bath, J., Locklear, T., & Martinez, M. (2025). IGF-1 as a biomarker for symptom severity in adult traumatic brain injury: Evidence from an observational study. Neurotrauma Reports, 6(1), 345354. https://doi.org/10.1089/neur.2025.0009
Mishra, V., Rosenthal, K., Hillaker, E., Bath, J., Martinez, M., Ide, W., Stodghill, J., Locklear, T., & Weppner, J. IGF-1 as a biomarker for symptom severity in adolescent traumatic brain injury. Abstract submitted to Brain Injury and is under peer review.
Bond, D. (2025, April 17). STOP_surgery and trauma opioid project. Carilion Research Day. Virtual
April 2025 - September 2025
Bath, J. (2025, April 17). Comparison of traditional simulation to non-traditional simulation format in trauma education. Carilion Research Day. Virtual
Jetta, M. (2025, April 17). Whole genome sequencing unravels the Mystery. Carilion Research Day. Virtual
Davis, Y. (2025, April17). Who are the nurse detectives?? Surgical clinical reviewers. Carilion Research Day. Virtual
Bond, D. (2025, May 19-21). Buprenorphine: Not just for addiction. AACN National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition (NTI). New Orleans, LA.
Bath, J. (2025, April 23-25). Pacing: It’s not just for the heart! Diaphragm pacing review. Society of Trauma Nurse’s Annual TraumaCon. Kansas City, MO.
Beels, S., Martin, M. (2025, June 4-5). Igniting Carilion Clinic’s vascular surgery ‘stop smoking’ initiative. Society of Vascular Nursing Vascular Quality Initiative. Society of Vascular Nursing Vascular Quality Initiative. New Orleans, LA.
Bath, J. (2025, June 12-14). IGF-1 as a biomarker for symptom severity in adolescent traumatic brain injury and IGF-1 as a biomarker for symptom severity in adult traumatic brain injury. Carolinas/Virginias Chapter of the Society of Critical Care Medicine’s annual symposium. Charlottesville, VA.
Contact Chris FishHuson with your ideas so that we can find funders to support you!
“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” – Saint Augustine
