Dr. Hertel’s presentation at the prestigious event will focus on details of a DEI initiative that she helped spearhead for the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses.

Leawood, Kan., March 18, 2022 — Robin Hertel, EdS, MSN, RN, CMSRN, Nurse Publishing Coordinator for ATI's Engage series of solutions, has been selected to present at Sigma’s 33rd International Nursing Research Congress this summer (July 21-25, 2022, in Edinburgh, Scotland). Dr. Hertel will address the development of the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses’ IDEA (Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, Action) Plan. Her presentation will discuss details of the initiative, including its impetus, outcomes and metrics, the development of learning modules that will culminate in a microcertificate for nurses completing the course, and information on a longitudinal case study that addresses the initiative and its outcomes.

The theme for Sigma’s 2022 Congress is “Transforming global nursing knowledge through research, scholarship, and innovation.”

According to the abstract for the presentation, “Disparities in health and healthcare have been thrust to the forefront partially due to the pandemic, which highlighted the reality that members of racial and ethnic minority groups experience poorer health outcomes (CDC, 2021; ECRI, 2021). Additionally, minorities are underrepresented in healthcare professions, especially in leadership positions (Jefferies, et al., 2018; Salsberg, et al., 2021). This correlates to a lack of engagement with healthcare providers by patients belonging to minority groups (Alsan, Garrick & Graziani, 2018; Wilbur, et al., 2020). AMSN’s IDEA [Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity Action] Plan launched in October of 2020 in response to a member survey [that] indicated 88 percent of the member respondents wanted more information on diversity, equity, and inclusivity (DEI) topics, and 93 percent of respondents indicated it was important that AMSN act regarding DEI. The focus of the plan was to promote education, critical conversations, and health equity.”

In an email to Dr. Hertel informing her of the decision to accept her speaker proposal, Sigma's representative wrote,

"The presentations selected are an excellent reflection of current nursing trends and timely issues. We look forward to your participation in this prestigious event. The opportunity to collaborate with nursing scholars from around the world who are involved in the advancement of nursing science promises to be rewarding and stimulating."

Previously, Dr. Hertel contributed to a presentation at the 30th International Nursing Research Congress focused on “Medical-surgical nurses' evidence-based practice beliefs.” The theme for that event was “Theory-to-practice: Catalyzing collaborations to connect globally.” It took place July 25-29, 2019, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.