Earlier this month, nursing students from Fairfield University’s Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies attended the 72^nd National Student Nurses’ Association Convention in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. During the conference, Student Nursing Association President Miriam Dupree ’24, Carolyn McDermott ’24, Julia Kormylo ’24, Christopher Gong ’24, Charlotte Delmonico ’24, Molly Thompson ’24, Abby Ligas ’24, and Elizabeth Descrisanti ’24 presented their senior capstone research to an audience of more than 3,000 nursing students, faculty, and nursing leaders from across the country. The nursing students who were selected to attend the conference are all seniors completing their capstone and transition clinical experiences.

Dupree presented her original research entitled “The Impact of Operating Room Music on Surgical Teams’ Performance.” Her research looked at how playing music during procedures allows patients to relax, decreasing their heart rate and blood pressure. “Studies have also found concentration to be improved, specifically while playing Mozart’s classical music, or music that is familiar to the surgical team, with the most substantial improvement when played at a background noise level of 55-60 decibels. These improvements have a direct correlation with improved patient outcomes, such as decreased stress and anxiety that have led to a decreased need in using sedatives and pain medications for patients intraoperatively,” she explained.  

In addition to presenting their research, the Egan School students met representatives from other nursing schools, attended speeches and panel discussions delivered by prominent medical professionals, and participated in a variety of networking opportunities. The students also participated in NCLEX Mini Reviews Powered by Lippincott PassPoint, and focus review sessions. They also had the opportunity to attend a seizure first aid certification workshop to achieve a certification in Seizure Recognition and First Aid from the Epilepsy Foundation. 

“It felt very empowering to represent the Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies of Fairfield University at this NSNA Convention. We received so much support from the Egan School of Nursing faculty,” said Dupree. “It was an honor to meet, converse with, and be surrounded by fellow nursing students and healthcare professionals from across the country. I am so proud to have attended this convention with these fellow nursing students, and I know they all will make wonderful Registered Nurses!”