Major: Nursing
Class: 2011
For her Senior Design project, nursing graduate Amy Zimmerman (pictured right) partnered with Ashley Herman (pictured left) to propose the use of flat, rather than fitted, sheets in the Froedtert Hospital Neurological ICU. The benefits of using flat sheets, according to Zimmerman, include reduced skin breakdown among patients, decreased work-load injuries among health care staff and reduced laundry.
According to Zimmerman, “The Senior Design project was a valuable experience for me. I learned how to collaborate with upper management and how to combat resistance in the workplace. I learned that whenever implementing a change in a health care setting, there will always be those opposed to the change. To combat this, I learned that you have to make sure you have credible resources to help back up your proposition.”
Despite the challenges she faced implementing her project in the workplace, the project was still a valuable learning experience. “I feel that the health care setting is ever-changing and that it is important to stay knowledgeable about safe and effective practices. This project allowed us to go into a health care organization and propose a change based on evidence,” said Zimmerman.