Modifications and Encouragement

            Hello again! This past week has been very busy for me and for our research project! As you already know, last week was the pilot for our data collection form, which showed me areas in our form that needed to be modified in order for the collection of data and the script I use to be more fluid and user-friendly.

            Modifying the data collection form was a LOT easier said than done! The first thing that I did with our form, was turn it into a packet by consolidating all of the screening tools into one document. This sounds simple, but the saved forms that I had, couldn’t be copied and pasted into my new document due to their formatting, so I had to type up all of the forms manually. Which again may sound simple, but trying to manually figure out proper spacing and font size, etc. is a pretty tedious task, especially for the “technologically impaired”, such as myself! In addition to putting all of the screening tools in one place, I made some changes to the patient information section. Although I did not get a chance to test out my revised collection packet this week, I can already imagine how much better it will work for us, and for the future members of the health care team that may adopt our screening tools.

            On a side note about my project, I helped out with some of the activities at the UAB School of Nursing Alumni Weekend, and when talking with some of the more “seasoned” nurses there about my project, I was surprised at all of the interest and encouragement they all had for my project; all of them said that monitoring for cognitive changes in the elderly is so important in actual practice and that they were thrilled that I was pursuing this topic. Hearing the praise from these nurses that I aspire to be, really meant the world to me and made me excited all over again for my project and the opportunities and experiences I’m gaining because of it. 

A snapshot of how "organized" the modification process was