College of Nursing's 2007 - 2008 Guidelines
for University Scholars Program
Guidelines for Sophomore Nursing Students
Description:
The College of Nursing will select up to three sophomore nursing students to work with faculty members on their research. Students will conduct research during the Summer 2007 semester beginning May 14 and ending August 10. Students will receive a stipend of $2500 for their work during the summer.
In the Fall, students will take a 1 credit independent study to write up their research and submit it for presentation at a professional research meeting (for example, the Southern Nursing Research Society). Up to $500 will be available to cover the cost of travel to the meeting. Students will also submit their research for publication in the online Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship and may be asked to present it at a University of Florida symposium during Spring 2008.
Eligibility
Sophomore nursing students with a minimum GPA of 3.6 are invited to apply.
Application Procedure
- Use the applications for the University Scholars Program .These applications are available on the Web and are due March 1, 2007.
- Review the information on the Web about the participating faculty.
- Talk with the faculty member you are interested in working with and request a letter of support to accompany your application. - Applications to the program should be completed by March 1, 2007 and returned to the College of Nursing Office of Research Support (HPNP-2201). Selection Process
The Associate Dean for Research will review the applications. Selected students will be notified of their selection by March 15, 2007.
Participating Faculty
Ann Horgas, RN, PhD
Phone (352)) 273-6318
Email: ahorgas@nursing.ufl.edu
Dr. Horgas' research focuses on pain in elderly adults. Her current major research project investigates strategies for assessing pain in cognitively-impaired elders. These individuals are believed to experience pain, but they are less able to verbally report the presence of pain because of their memory impairment. Thus, this project uses behavioral observation strategies to examine objective pain behaviors. Opportunities for students will focus on data analysis and scientific writing.
Shawn Kneipp, PhD, ARNP
Phone (352)) 273-6417
Email: skneipp@nursing.ufl.edu
Dr. Kneipp's current study is an NIH funded project entitled 'Community-based Participatory Research (CBPR) to Reduce Women's Health Disparities thru TANF' (funding period: 2005-2009). TANF is commonly referred to as 'welfare' in the U.S., and women in this program have some of the highest degrees of chronic stress, the fewest resources, and the poorest psychosocial and/or physical health of all women in the U.S. The purpose of this study is to test a public health nursing intervention designed with women in the local welfare-to-work program in order to improve health, functional status, and employment duration. A mixed methods approach is used to achieve study aims (both quantitative and qualitative.
There are several community partners involved in this study, whereby the purpose of CBPR is to conduct research WITH specific populations, as opposed to ON populations or groups. In addition to this study, my previous research studies have examined the role of chronic stress and the physiological stress response on health among disadvantaged women. Research in this area continues alongside the above detailed study.
Students must have a strong interest in health disparities research, solid writing and interpersonal communication skills, and commit at least 4-8 hours per week to working with the team on this research. Opportunities exist to learn many new things, including the development of abstracts/papers for presentation at scientific meetings and publication, using statistical programs (Stata), qualitative data analysis programs (Nudist), and other aspects of the research process.
Charlene Krueger, RN, PhD
Phone (352) 273-6332
Email: ckrueger@nursing.ufl.edu
The purpose of this research is to longitudinally describe heart rate variability (HRV) and the learning capabilities of the premature newborn over 28-34 weeks post-conceptional age. Dr. Krueger will examine 28 low-risk premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit at Shands at UF. One group will be exposed to a recording of a nursery rhyme recited by their mothers beginning at 28 weeks gestation. The other group begins its exposure at 32 weeks gestation. Power spectral analysis will be performed to determine changes in HRV. Small heart rate deceleration in response to the nursery rhyme will be analyzed.
Data collection is completed. However small projects related to the study are planned. Opportunities for students include data coding, entry and analysis.
Meredeth Rowe. PhD, RN
Phone (352) 273-6396
Email: mrowe@nursing.ufl.edu
Dr. Rowe's research involves understanding the problems of caregivers of older adults, particularly adults with cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer's disease. A major problem for caregivers is the disruption of the sleep when they awaken to care for their relative. Dr. Rowe has several studies in progress to understand the sleep patterns of older adults, and to develop a home monitoring system so that caregivers can be alerted if they are needed. Opportunities for students include data collection and analysis, and grant and manuscript preparation.