Gamma-O-Ramma is an educational nursing forum that meets eight to ten times a year. It was developed ten years ago in an effort to bridge the academic and practice environments between Rush College of Nursing and Rush University Medical Center through regular opportunities for scholarship dissemination. Presenters include nursing faculty, practicing nurse leaders, and nursing students from both the DNP and CNL programs. As such, topics presented are varied and may include a description of grant funded work, an evidence-based practice initiative, an innovative academic program, or successful community programs.
Gamma-O-Ramma is a venue for DNP graduates to serve as a practice scholar where they can “share their knowledge to support the delivery of safe, cost efficient, evidence-based quality health care” (Buchholz, et al., 2013). In this way, the Gamma Phi chapter exemplifies the Sigma position statement on evidence based practice which states “As a leader in the development and dissemination of knowledge to improve nursing practice, Sigma supports the development and implementation of evidence-based nursing (EBN)” to reduce the gap between knowledge development and knowledge use to improve the health of people (Sigma, 2005).
The Gamma-O-Ramma educational forums are an opportunity to showcase the collaborative work of DNP and PhD-prepared nurses. According to our Gamma Phi colleagues Murphy, et al., (2015), disseminating the successful efforts of DNP and PhD-prepared nurses through publications, presentations at national conferences, and professional meetings, will serve as next steps to effectively promote continued collaborative efforts. Gamma-O-Ramma is an exemplary strategy to promote these collaborative efforts which are the hallmark for nursing to manage diverse teams and coordinate complex systems (Murphy, et al., 2015).
Gamma-O-Ramma also demonstrates a commitment to lifelong learning on the part of the Gamma Phi chapter. The fact that these sessions continue to be well attended shows a likewise commitment to learning on behalf of our members and the nursing community at large. Translating and integrating scholarship into practice is an expectation of Sigma, as symbolized by the lamp of knowledge in the society coat-of-arms. Luther Christman, a former Dean and founder of Rush University College of Nursing believed this as well. Christman said “Knowledge is power and professional practice means a lifetime of commitment to learning” (Houser & Player, 2004).
These regular offerings provide the chance to engage members, recognize individual member contributions to nursing practice and education, recruit nurse leaders and potential student candidates, develop leaders, and provide opportunities to volunteer. These are all criteria for the Chapter Key award, which Gamma Phi has proudly been awarded ten times.
Chapter leaders attribute the success of Gamma-O-Ramma to its regular meeting time and place, the fact that it has been “branded”, the variety of topics presented, the opportunity to earn CEs, and the fact that they are offered in two locations, the Rush College of Nursing and our community partner, Rush Oak Park Hospital. These educational offerings are well attended, with an average of 25 members per month.
This chapter initiative could be easily replicated. The Gamma Phi chapter has developed a committee with volunteers to recruit speakers, send out a flyer to all GammaPhi membership as well as targeted audience members depending on the subject, introduce speakers at the forums, and send completed attendance record and CE forms to continuing education office. In addition to the role of presenter, opportunities for leadership are evident in all these responsibilities.
Chapter leadership recognizes that this initiative needs to evolve in order to be sustained. Future considerations include teleconferencing the sessions to the expanding health care system, providing food and beverage, and presenting collaborative work with community members/global partners as well as other health care professionals.