Allyson’s 2019 Honors Program team included seniors Nick Bell, Megan Eble, Bree Martlage, and Emily Cross. Under the guidance of faculty mentor Angela Opsahl, the group discovered that gaps in caregivers’ knowledge about the proper use of antibiotics were causing some healthcare providers to overprescribe their use, especially to young children. The group also produced several video PSAs to be shared in hospital waiting rooms and other healthcare settings.
“After an entire year of planning, conducting, and finalizing our research,” says Allyson, “I remember Dr. Opsahl bringing us into her office and encouraging us to consider submitting our project to Sigma Theta Tau (the international honor society of nurses). As seniors in our last semester, we’d all just received our invitations to join the IU Sigma chapter. I remember thinking, ‘Sure, why not?’ … not realizing that there was a real possibility that we might be chosen.”
Then, lightning struck. Angela was notified that Allyson and the rest of the team had been chosen to make an in-person podium presentation at the 2019 Sigma Theta Tau Conference in Calgary, Canada. “The five of us couldn’t believe what we were hearing,” Allyson says. “They wanted US to come to CANADA to present to nurse leaders from around the WORLD!”
“The trip to Calgary was something I’ll never forget. It was my first trip to Canada, and I’d never been to a conference before. There’s not much that compares to an energized group of individuals all eager to learn and share their research and passions. It was so invigorating to have people show up to our presentation, listen intently, and ask us questions. During our trip, we even had an extra day where we were able to rent a car and visit Canada’s breathtaking Banff National Park!
“IUSON BL’s Honors program instilled in me a passion for evidence-based research (EBP). After carefully conducting surveys and analyzing the data, I developed a newfound respect for the time and effort that goes into research and its importance to the healthcare field. To this day, I strive to keep up with the latest EBP articles pertaining to nursing,” she says.