Published:
The Dangers of Stress: Helping Nurses Save Lives
Patricia Donohue-Porter, M.S. ’78, Ph.D. ’87
Adelphi College of Nursing and Public Health Associate Professor and Director of the Ph.D. Program Patricia Donohue-Porter, M.S. ’78, Ph.D. ’87, is exploring how interruptions or distractions during the workday can cause medication administration errors. She measures nurses’ cognitive loads—tasks that involve substantial mental and physical effort—to determine how many demands can be placed on them before the risk of error escalates.
Working closely with a vice president of Northwell Health and clinical researcher in the field, Dr. Donohue-Porter advocates a new way of teaching nursing students about medication administration that stresses awareness and preparation. Ultimately, her research is transforming the way nurses function under high-stress conditions, paving the way for a safer healthcare environment for patients and providers alike.
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About Adelphi: A modern metropolitan university with a personalized approach to higher learning
Adelphi University, New York, is a highly awarded, nationally ranked, powerfully connected doctoral research university dedicated to transforming students’ lives through small classes with world-class faculty, hands-on learning and innovative ways to support academic and career success. Adelphi is one of just four companies and the only university on Long Island to be named among America’s Best Employers by State for 2023 by Forbes.
A surge in 2024 rankings by U.S. News & World Report—up 19 spots as a Best College, up 85 spots for Social Mobility and up 35 spots as a Best Value College—supports Adelphi’s rising reputation. Adelphi serves more than 7,400 students at its beautiful main campus in Garden City, New York—just 23 miles from New York City’s cultural and internship opportunities—and at dynamic learning hubs in Brooklyn, the Hudson Valley and Suffolk County, as well as online.
More than 119,000 Adelphi graduates have gained the skills to thrive professionally as active, engaged citizens, making their mark on the University, their communities and the world.
For further information, please contact:
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