Focusing on Cancer Research
More than half of the College’s research faculty
is involved with cancer research, exploring
interventions and care needs for individuals with
a variety of cancers. Wide ranging topics include:
• long term and home care
• individuals with comorbidities or behavioralcognitive challenges
• symptom or side effects management
through exercise, chemotherapy monitoring,
adherence to medication regimen
• care and access challenges for individuals in
specific populations (age, ethnic, and racial)
• integration of complementary and
conventional therapies
The College's cancer research takes place in:
• Community cancer centers
• Comprehensive cancer centers
• Regional hospitals
Interventions are delivered primarily in the
homes of patients, in clinics, and in the College's
new Physical Activity and Measurement Lab.
Generating Research That Leads
to Evidence-Based Practice
In FY2013, the College of Nursing moved
up to #12 in the nation for receipt of NIH grant
funding. This represents a jump from #20 in
2012, an achievement garnered during the
2007–2012 tenure of then Associate Dean
for Research Barbara Given, PhD, RN, FAAN,
University Distinguished Professor and currently
Director of the PhD Program. An oncology
nursing expert, Given is a leader in the nursing
science community.
Given’s first funded research, Patient
Contributions to Care: Link to Process and
Outcomes, in 1978, was one of the few studies
at that time to explore the relationship among
the patient and family components of caring for
a chronic clinical health problem. This seminal
project set her research trajectory.
Working in partnership with her husband
Charles W. Given, PhD, she has continued to
develop and test nursing interventions to assist
patients with cancer and their families to more
effectively manage both the course of their
disease and the sequelae of its treatment at
home. The tenets that guide Given’s research are
ones she shares with colleagues and students.
• Work from an overall framework for
concepts and variables that are applied
to studies with various foci.
• Base research on community-based
problems, agencies, and populations to
provide a unique but competitive viewpoint
to research generated at large urban
medical centers.
• Build interdisciplinary research teams to
broaden the research approach and expand
the breadth and usefulness of the findings.
• Include clinicians on research teams to help
stay grounded in real patient care situations
and the care environment.
• Seek funding from a variety of agencies
to strength program depth.
• Disseminate findings in a variety of research
journals to inform and establish credibility
with multiple disciplines.
• Translate findings to the non-research
community in jargon-free language.
• Build networks with colleagues to challenge
the work and broaden research teams and
study settings.
• Serve as role models and be committed
to mentoring for both junior faculty
and PhD students.
• Provide service to organizations,
community groups, granting agencies
and journal review.
• Be mindful of the policy implications
of research.
NURSING INTERVENTIONS ARE
CRITICAL TO HIGH QUALITY, SAFE,
AND EFFECTIVE PATIENT CARE
Nursing interventions significantly affect
patient outcomes:
• reduce number of symptoms
and overall symptom severity
• reduce number of hospitalizations
and length of stay
• improve physical function
• hasten recovery and return to work
• improve mental health (alleviation
of depression and anxiety)
Nursing interventions have the potential to:
• reduce readmissions for chronic illness
• improve adherence to diet, physical
activity, and medication regimens
• foster and ensure self care
• coordinate care
• encourage non-pharmaceutical approaches
• integrate technology into c