Funded Projects

Problem:

The US is facing a shortage of nursing faculty, particularly those with the skills, knowledge, and ability to train students in Child-Health Nursing. Coupled with this the US is facing increasing rates of child-onset adult diseases and co-morbidities that require the services of CHN trained nurses.

Goals and Objectives:

Goal 1: Increase the number of PhD CHN faculty who are prepared to assume leadership roles in CHN education which espouses the MCH core values. Objective 1: To recruit at least 5 culturally, racially, ethnically and geographically diverse PhD students in nursing (long- term trainees) every other year (2008, 2010, 2012); total of 15 long-term trainees over a 5year period) whose career goals include assuming leadership and research roles as CHN faculty. Objective 2: To instruct all long- term trainees in research and leadership roles as CHN faculty by augmenting the existing, interdisciplinary didactic UAB-SON PhD nursing curriculum with LECHN courses and experiential learning activities as evidenced by academic outcomes. Objective 3: To augment PhD nursing education coursework with CHN educator experiences with children/families in both acute and community settings as evidenced by number and types of CHN educator experiences, list of partnerships with agencies, and interactions with Family Advisory Boards. Goal 2: Increase the number of PhD CHN faculty who are prepared in leadership roles to conduct community-based, interdisciplinary research related to children and families. Objective 1: To conduct research and complete scholarly activities in the development and dissemination of new knowledge related to child health issues (2008-2013) as evidenced by products, projects, and dissertations Objective 2: To establish collaborative partnerships with various clinical entities and community-based groups to facilitate access and partnering for research as evidenced by partnerships established, collaborative products, and community-based groups accessed for research (2008-2013). Objective 3: To evaluate the research training and experiences of long-term trainees by completion of PM forms, activities (scholarly activities and products), and processes. Goal 3: Increase the number of PhD CHN faculty who are prepared to advocate for children and families and will train and mentor future CHN leaders to advocate for children and families. Objective 1: To educate trainees to advocate for the health and well being of children and families as evidenced by academic outcomes (successful completion of courses in program of study, experiential activities, completion of comprehensive exams, dissertations and related projects) (2008-2013). Objective 2: To evaluate the advocacy training and experiences of long-term trainees by completion of PM forms, activities, and processes. Objective 3: Goal 4: Provide graduate CHN training in leadership and research roles to medium- and short-term trainees who are current nursing faculty with career goals to be CHN faculty. Objective 1: To recruit at least two culturally, racially, ethnically and geographically diverse doctorally-prepared faculty in nursing (medium-term trainees) each year (2008-2012) whose career goals include assuming leadership and research roles as CHN faculty. Objective 2: To instruct all medium-term trainees in CHN and leadership roles by utilizing an interdisciplinary, didactic post-doctoral nursing curriculum and experiential learning activities (2008-2013). Objective 3: To annually recruit at least 25 culturally, racially, ethnically and geographically diverse doctoral-prepared faculty in nursing (short-term trainees) who will participate in Summer Institute training in leadership roles related to research and education in child health nursing (2008-2013). Goal 5: Annually provide technical assistance/consultation, continuing education and collaboration to child health agencies, community-based groups, and health care professionals. Objective 1: To provide continuing education for CHN faculty and others by hosting at least one annual CE event as evidenced by number and types of CE events and podcasts provided, participant evaluations, participant demographics, and number of CE events presented by long- and medium-term trainees (2008-2013). Objective 2: To annually provide at least 10 technical assistance/consultation and collaboration activities to Title V, MCH agencies and child health institutions at the national, regional, state and community levels as evidenced by number and types of TA activities and participant feedback (2008-2013). Objective 3: To annually provide at least 15 technical assistance/consultation and collaboration activities to UAB's Maternal Child Health Bureau (MCHB) and to other UAB schools, departments, and centers (2008-2013) as evidenced by number and types of TA activities and participant evaluations.

Methodology:

The UAB LECHN program uses innovative approaches to provide graduate professional education (PhD) by integrating bio-behavioral, bio-psychological and environmental health concepts and practices along with leadership concepts and nursing education knowledge. We are implementing a training program designed to foster the development of long-term trainees in leadership attributes, research skills and child-health nursing education principles from a broader public health perspective. The LECHN program will train long-, medium-, and short-term trainees to increase the number of trained PhD nursing faculty and increase the capacity of existing CHN faculty. The long-term trainee LECHN program includes courses of study such as doctoral coursework (UAB School of Nursing PhD program), experiential activities and dissertation studies. Medium- and short-term traineeships will engage nursing faculty who seek to retool or update their child health (CH) and nursing education and/or research knowledge and skills. The training program uses onsite training, podcasts and distance learning. LECHN will offer multiple continuing education events annually for CH nurses, nursing faculty and CH providers (i.e. nutritionists, social workers, public health professionals, school personnel, etc.).These events will focus on a variety of CH issues using a variety of delivery strategies, including onsite conferences, synchronous and asynchronous web-based conferences, and podcasts.

Coordination:

The UAB LECHN program will be linked closely with the SON PhD Program, UAB MCH Collaborative Network (UAB MCHB training programs: LEND, PPC, MCH-SPH, LEPN), ASU Pipeline program, AL Title V agencies, and AL Department of Public Health to provide CE, TA and field experiences for LECHN trainees.

Evaluation:

Process and project outcome measures will be used, tracking the project goals and objectives across training, research, and advocacy dimensions. We will use quantitative and qualitative measures to evaluate process and project outcomes, including formative and summative outcomes. MCHB Administrative and Performance Measures data will be collected quarterly. The data collected, including input from the advisory committees will be used to inform quality improvement strategies.

Experience to Date:

In year 03, we graduated 2 MCH-Nursing leaders, who assumed positions as child-health nursing faculty. We provided leadership training for 11 long-term trainees, 36% minority and 64% residing/working in underserved communities, exceeding program goals. MCHB Peer Diversity Collaborative strategies are used in recruitment. Leadership training in child health nursing education and biobehavioral research has resulted in a significant increase in trainee and faculty products. Our trainees excel in scholarly activities, as well as seeking research grant funding (1 submitted a NIH NRSA), and one trainee received the RWJ Minority Nurse Faculty Scholar award. Trainees are involved in leadership activities such as MCHB Training Strategic Planning committee, MCHB/PPC Leadership Development series, and serving in leadership roles in professional organizations. Collectively, trainees and grant-sponsored faculty produced 39 scholarly products. We hosted 3 continuing education (CE) events (Gulf Oil Consequences, School Nurse CE day, Leadership Summit Series) for nurses, nursing faculty, school nurses, and community providers. We collaborate with the AL MCH Leadership Network in providing interdisciplinary seminars, joint lectures and technical assistance for our Title V partners. We coordinated a public health course for the ASU Pipeline Program. The LECHN program hosted the All MCH-Nursing Grantee meeting, held in conjunction with the MCHB 75th anniversary.