Houston, She's Here to Help

Anstrand implements masters research to impact Houston nurses and patients

Carrie R. Anstrand is a full-time nurse at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston. At the same time for a period of three years, she commuted more than six hours a week to complete her masters degree at Texas A&M University.

After completing her Bachelor of Science in nursing at Boise State University, Anstrand worked at an adult hospital in Pennsylvania and then transitioned toTexas Children’s Hospital where she has worked for more than five years.

During her early nursing career she experienced several incidents that both moved her and troubled her. She began to realize that to impact positive change in the nursing profession, a higher level of thinking and education would be required, so she decided to pursue higher education at Texas A&M University.

Knowing Texas A&M’s reputation of prestige and excellence in academics, choosing A&M for her graduate studies seemed second nature. However, Texas A&M did not have a master’s level nursing degree. So Anstrand became creative in choosing a major and emphasis—she found one that fit perfectly with her nursing background: health communication.

As a commuting graduate student Carrie faced some unique challenges. “Driving from Houston twice a week to participate in the three-hour lectures was tiring; however, it gave me time to think and process what I learned in class,” said Anstrand. “The fascinating materials and lasting friendships made the commute worthwhile.”

Without a social science background, Anstrand struggled to survive the rigorous communication program. Dr. Barbara Sharf, professor of health communication, was instrumental in encouraging Carrie to not only join the program, but remained a source of strength as Anstrand worked through the transition from physical to social sciences. “Without Dr. Sharf’s support, and that of my husband and friends, the degree may not have become a reality,” commented Anstrand about her December 2006 graduation.

Choosing a research topic was natural as communicative issues are daily occurrences in the life of a nurse. Anstrand found the perfect fit by combining nursing issues with health communication and organizational communication: examining the hidden conflicts nurses experience while delivering patient care.

Anstrand began to discover that nursing care of patients is affected by the hidden conflicts experienced at work. The way in which nurses communicate is imperative to how hidden conflicts are handled and experienced. When these conflicts arise in a patient care setting, it is likely that patient care could be affected.

Outside of the classroom Anstrand works as the Education Coordinator for the pulmonary and adolescent unit and Patient Assistance Call Center at Texas Children’s where she serves as the Interdisciplinary Education Council chair. She is also active in the the Texas Nurses Association, where she serves as the district chair for Houston on the Governmental Affairs Committee. She has a significant interest in governmental relations and influencing nurse-friendly and patient-safe policy.

After graduating on Friday, Anstrand plans to work as a consultant to facilitate communication between decision makers and front line nurses. “I also want to help nurses transition from nursing school to the work force, and I hope to develop a nursing curriculum based on the health communication materials I studied at Texas A&M,” said Anstrand.

For Anstrand, the sky is the limit.

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Anstrand & Williamson

Contact: Blair Williamson, 979.458.1347, bwilliamson@libarts.tamu.edu