Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice
The Institute for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) at Connecticut Children’s has a history of producing nurse-driven pediatric and family-centered research. Nursing Research and EBP is fundamentally grounded in its mission to improve the health and wellbeing of the children and families we serve and those in the broader community. We embrace innovation, exploration, interdisciplinary collaboration, and translation of evidence into practice. As a Magnet-Designated organization, Connecticut Children’s values and supports the advancement of Nursing Research. The Institute for Nursing Research and EBP sponsors Nursing Grand Rounds, infuses evidence into daily practice, encourages an environment of inquiry, and creates opportunities that grow and develop nurses as scholars.
Institute for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Team
Nurse Scientist Katherine A. Hinderer, PhD, RN, CNE, NEA-BC, and Evidence-Based Practice and Clinical Excellence Specialist Beth Wentland, MBA, BSN, RN, NPD-BC, lead Nursing Research and EBP. Nurse Scientist Carrie-Ellen Briere, PhD, RN, supports clinical nursing research and her research focus is on the biology of human milk and its involvement with infant health, growth and development. The Director of Nursing Excellence, Dian T. Marandola, DNP, RN, MPH, FAAN, oversees the Institute for Nursing Research and EBP.
Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Fellowship Program
The Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Fellowship Program is an 18-month immersion into research and evidence-based practice. This program supports the development of original nursing research and the use of research findings and other evidence to guide nursing practice to improve patient quality and safety. Graduates of the program successfully disseminate their findings through peer-reviewed publications and presentations. Read more about the program.
Nursing Areas of Emphasis
These are some of our nursing research studies and areas where nurse-driven ideas are making an impact:
Behavioral Health
Nurses are leading and co-leading collaborative teams of nurses, physicians, and psychologists on studies related to pediatric behavioral health. Studies are exploring how to integrate a behavioral health acuity assessment tool into emergency nursing practice and the impact of a gratitude intervention on coping during COVID.
Cardiology
Advanced Practice and Clinical Cardiology Nurses are exploring self-management and self-efficacy in Adults with Congenital Heart Disease.
Hematology/Oncology
In the care of oncology patients and families, led by clinical nurses, an interprofessional research team is exploring ways to improve care and meet end of cancer treatment needs for pediatric and adolescent/young adult patients and their caregivers.
Neonatal Intensive Care
A team of nurse researchers in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) developed and implemented a thermoregulation bundle that significantly improved patient outcomes, including reducing morbidity and mortality, in the first hour of life. Outcomes from the work of this group is driving clinical practice changes at the local, state, and national levels.
Patient-Outcomes Centered Research and EBP
Nurses are developing pathways to improve sleep and rest for pediatric patients and integrating evidence into current practice to improve care-delivery. Recent improvements in care delivery include work related to orthostatic vital signs, emergent diabetes care, bedside safety, and emergency seizure care. Nursing studies focus on the impact of COVID on nurse residents, palliative care education, and pediatric advance care planning.
Funding and Partnerships
Funding
Some examples of recent Nursing Research and EBP funding sources include: The Daisy Foundation, The National Association of Neonatal Nurses, The Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses, and the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Foundation.
Partnerships
Partnerships with Nurse Scientists and Researchers at regional and national Schools of Nursing and other Healthcare Institutions have strengthened Nursing Research at Connecticut Children’s. Connecticut Children’s is a partner member of the Connecticut Nursing Research Alliance and belongs to the National Pediatric Nurse Scientist Collaborative.
Contact Us
If you are interested in learning more about the Institute for Nursing Research at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, please contact us at AskNursingResearch [at] connecticutchildrens.org (AskNursingResearch[at]connecticutchildrens[dot]org).