College of Nursing students present work at 20th Annual Elizabeth Cady Stanton Student Research Conference

Villanova, PA, March 19, 2009 — Several senior students from the Villanova University College of Nursing presented their work at the 20th Annual Elizabeth Cady Stanton Student Research Conference on March 19 in the Connelly Center on Villanova’s campus. After completing health assessment and promotion efforts with a variety of campus populations for a senior level nursing course with Associate Professor Carol Weingarten, Ph.D., R.N., the students were accepted as panelists at the conference. They are:

• Amy Cassidy and Tina Thieu

Young Adult College Females and Stress-Related Eating

Because stress plays a major role in the nursing curriculum, Cassidy and Thieu created the first health promotion project presented in Driscoll Hall to help make students aware of the link between stress and eating and learn new ways to cope, using the resources and tools within the Villanova Community. The results of their project demonstrated that stress is ubiquitous on college campuses, especially among undergraduate females

• Caitlin DeBarbrie and Caitlin Ward

Health Promotion in Law Students: Stress Management

Due to the extremely high stress levels of Villanova law students and the stressful environment associated with law school, DeBarbrie and Ward designed a health promotion presentation that educated students about stress management techniques. This helped students prevent negative physical and emotional effects of stress. During their presentation in February, students were eager to talk about their stress levels and practice stress reduction techniques.

• Rosa Nguyen and Kristine Lockwood

Lack of Exercise: A Challenge for Businessmen

Because the workplace is a common barrier to exercise which causes occupational health consequences for businessmen, we examined male graduate business students and found lack of exercise to be a problem due to demanding schedules. Nguyen and Lockwood created a teaching plan geared specifically to the needs of their population and developed a series of convenient home and office exercises, pedometer workouts and tips on how to stay active. Their teaching intervention took place at a booth in Bartley Atrium where they raised awareness of this issue.

Graduate student Mary Beth Hoban, B.S.N., R.N., whose project was guided by Associate Professor Linda Carman Copel, Ph.D., R.N., presented Women Entering Graduate School in Midlife. The paper examines motivations, barriers and rewards of midlife women returning to graduate school.