Four third-year Penn State Mont Alto nursing students from their nursing research class were awarded for their research posters and projects at the 2021 Virtual Academic Festival on April 16. Of the four who received the awards, two received first place, one received second place, and one received an information literacy award.
Kylee Hoover, Mackenzie Martin and Alexis Sieg won first place for their “Effects of Skin-to-Skin Contact,” research poster. The research evaluated the impact skin-to-skin contact (SSC) has on the vital stabilization of newborns compared to the traditional method of placing the newborn on the warming station for assessments and care and found that SSC between the mother and newborn resulted in vital signs that stabilized faster, increased bonding time, and maximized breastfeeding opportunity.
Mackenzie Weagley, Peyton Ramp, and Peter Andrews won first place for their “Effects of Breastfeeding Versus Formula Feeding in Infants during the First Year,” research poster. The evidence-based practice project was designed to answer the PICOT question, “In infants, how does breastfeeding compared to formula feeding affect growth and development within the first year?” and identified consistent, positive relationships between infant health outcomes and breastfeeding.
Morgan Kime, Ashlyn Grove and Nicole Himes won second place for their “A Comparison of Pre-Hospital Stroke Assessments,” research poster. The research compared the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale and the Los Angeles Prehospital Stroke Scale, determining the most effective one. Finding the most accurate stroke assessment tool is critical as rapidly identifying a stroke can lead to better patient outcomes in the prehospital setting. The research recommended using the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale due to its accuracy.
Sarah McElwain, Jessica Irvin, and Tamia Lopez won the Award for Information Literacy for their "The Relationship Between Breastfeeding and Postpartum Psychiatric Issues,” research poster. The research explored how breastfeeding affects postpartum mental health, as studies have found links between postpartum depression (PPD) and breastfeeding success. The outcome from this study found that women who do not breastfeed or had unsuccessful attempts are more likely to suffer from PPD.
The event exhibits academic highlights that were researched, developed and created throughout the 2020-21 school year to the campus community, Penn State families, and the public and includes all topics. Learn more about the Penn State Mont Alto Virtual Academic Festival here.