Helen E. Ahearn
Assistant Professor of Nursing
M.S., Boston University; B.S., St. Joseph's College; Diploma, Catherine Laboure School of Nursing
Office hours: By appointment only
Office: Marian Hall, Room 403A
Phone: (617) 735-9840
E-mail: ahearn@emmanuel.edu
Professor Ahearn has contributed over 50 years of experience to both nursing practice and nursing education. Twenty-five of these years were spent conducting psychotherapy in a private setting as a certified clinical nurse specialist. In addition she cared for patients in a variety of settings in several states in both direct care and indirect care venues. Her teaching experiences were in both associate degree and baccalaureate degree nursing programs. She also acted in the role of a consultant to psychiatric nursing settings. She believes that the professional nurse represents knowledge, healing and caring to their patients. This constitutes the essence of nursing and has not changed over the years. Nursing practice is an opportunity to improve the quality of a person’s life during times of suffering, convalescence or at the end of life through compassion and the application of knowledge and high level skill sets. A career in nursing is a way to be true to the scholarly pursuit of the highest cognitive and affective aspirations. There is no higher calling than to comfort the sick, whether in body, mind or spirit which enhances the quality of life for everyone.
Academic Interests
Areas of professional expertise include Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing; Nursing Theory; Community Health Nursing; Holistic Nursing including Therapeutic Touch and Reiki; and Diversity. Other interests include the Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society, Parish Nursing, and political action committees of professional nursing organizations. Writing interests include essays on nursing, such as, the art of listening with intent, compassion and the foundational components of beliefs, knowing, caring, professional role and developing a personal philosophy of nursing. Other writing interests include poetry based on the experiences of treating patients in a psychotherapy practice.
Courses Taught
- NURS3101 - Concepts of Professional Practice
- NURS3113 - Diversity in Health Care
- NURS3115 - Contemporary Healing Interventions
- NURS4169 - Professional Nursing Roles in the Community Practicum
- NURS4170 - Health Promotion in Nursing Practicum
- NURS4171 - Senior Seminar
- PSYCH3601 - A Unit on the Art of Psychotherapy- guest speaker
Professional Highlights
- American Nurses Association, Member
- Massachusetts Association of Registered Nurses, Member
- American Holistic Nurses Association, Member
- National League For Nursing, Member
- Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Pi Epsilon Chapter-At-Large, Member and President
- Voice Of The Faithful, Member
- Child Abuse Prevention Team, RCAB, Member
- Health Care Committee Member, Falmouth Town Democratic Committee
- Citizen Advisory Committee ALS/MS, Massachusetts Department of Public Health
- Medical Reserve Corp Program of the Office of the Surgeon General, Member
Significant Publications/Presentations
- Fall, 2011, "Developing a Personal Philosophy of Nursing." Emmanuel College Magazine; Newsletter from the Values-Based Education Program
- Spring, 2011, "Teaching Reflective Artistic Expression to RN/BS Students," Poster presentation: Holistic Nursing Conference, Boston Medical Center
- Fall, 2009, "Reflections on a Trip to Buchenwald: The Value of Caring." Emmanuel College Magazine; Newsletter from the Values-Based Education Program
- May 17, 2007, "Teaching Reflective Artistic Expression to RN/BS Students," International Association for Human Caring Annual Convention, St. Louis, MO
- September 24, 2004, "Spirituality in Nursing Practice and Education" to the Massachusetts/Rhode Island League For Nursing, Sutton, MA
- January 9, 2004, "Depression and Dementia," to the Chatham Men's Retirement Club in Chatham, Massachusetts
- January 5, 2004, "Protecting God's Children," to the Student Life Staff, Counseling Staff and Campus Ministry Staff of Emmanuel College
- June 14, 2003, "Protecting God's Children," St. Athanasius Parish CCD Teachers, Reading, MA
- December 2002, "The Magic of Compassion," Nursing Spectrum, Vol. 6, No. 25
- March 14, 2002, "Parish Nursing," National Association of Catholic Nurses, Mother Cabrini Chapter, St. Mary's Parish, Winchester, MA
- March 13, 2002, "Therapeutic Touch," St. Athanasius Parish Nurses, Reading, MA
- February 11, 2002, "Relaxation Techniques for Care-givers and Care-Recipients," St. Athanasius Parish, Reading, MA
- January 18, 2001, "Therapeutic Touch: A Comfort Measure," Lahey Clinic Hospital Staff, Burlington, MA, as part of a Mind, Body, Spirit Workshop
- January 1999, "Listening With Intent," Nursing Spectrum, Vol. 3, No. 2
- Fall 1998, "Stress Management," Transitions course, Emmanuel College, Boston, MA
- Spring 1998, "Wellness Techniques," Wellness Fair, COF, Boston, MA
- February 1998, "Caring Made a Difference," Nursing Spectrum, Vol. 2, No. 3
