School of Nursing selects 2007 Densford Clinical Scholars

Unique program provides opportunities for advanced practice nurses in hospital and clinic environments to engage in clinical research with faculty

(Nov. 29, 2007) — The University of Minnesota School of Nursing, through the Katharine J. Densford International Center for Nursing Leadership, has selected its 2007 Densford Clinical Scholars. The program aims to improve patient care through partnerships between advanced practice nurses (APNs) from clinical facilities and faculty members from the University of Minnesota School of Nursing. The partners identify a clinical problem in the care setting that requires attention and then develop and implement a clinical intervention for improving the situation.

This year’s recipients and their intervention projects are as follows: Ann Garwick, Ph.D., R.N., L.M.F.T., F.A.A.N., University of Minnesota, and Dory Baker, P.N.P., R.N., Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota: Timely and appropriate patient/family asthma education for children with a primary diagnosis of asthma; Joseph E. Gaugler, Ph.D., University of Minnesota, and Kelly S. Gannon, R.N., M.S.N., A.P.R.N.-B.C., United Hospital: The stroke caregiver assessment tool: from measurement to intervention; Helen Hansen, Ph.D., R.N., University of Minnesota, and Karen Mathias, R.N., M.S.N., A.P.R.N., B.C., Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota: Crisis resource management team training curriculum for pediatric emergencies; Susan O’Conner-Von, Ph.D., R.Nc., University of Minnesota, and Elizabeth Leighton, M.P.H., R.N., Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota: Palliative care for children with life-limiting conditions; Mary Rowan, Ph.D., R.N., C.N.M., University of Minnesota, and Lyn Ceronsky, A.P.R.N., M.S., University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview: Clinical preceptor knowledge and resource assessment: quality palliative care.

Since the program’s launch in 1996, 20 projects have been successfully completed, addressing patient-care issues such as children’s satisfaction with health care, dementia in hospitalized adults, Latino adolescent mental health, attitudes toward and use of complementary therapy, and asthma education for children. These projects have resulted in improvements in patient care, updated policies and procedures, achieved greater patient/family satisfaction, enhanced the professional practice environment, and engaged staff nurses in clinical nursing research. This unique program has been nationally recognized for its impact, earning a research dissemination award from Sigma Theta Tau International, the nursing honorary society. For more information, visit www.densford.umn.edu.

The University of Minnesota School of Nursing is ranked among the nation’s top nursing schools. It is a leader in nursing research and has a combined undergraduate and graduate enrollment of approximately 850 students. The school produces 55 percent of the faculty in Minnesota’s public and private nursing schools, advanced practice nurses and nurses who can assume leadership positions. It is the oldest continuing university-based school of nursing. The School of Nursing is one of six schools and colleges in the Academic Health Center, one of the most comprehensive facilities for health professionals in the nation, fostering interdisciplinary study, research and education. For more information, visit www.nursing.umn.edu.