Innovation runs through our veins. It’s a new “patient” bringing the human factor to simulated learning. It’s a new way of caring for ventilated patients to improve patient outcomes. And so much more.
UCF’s College of Nursing faculty are leading scholars and innovators in their field who are thinking outside the box and crossing disciplinary lines to tackle today’s toughest healthcare challenges.
An Emerging Pre-eminent Research University
As an emerging pre-eminent research university, UCF is recognized as one of the nation’s “Most Innovative Schools” according to U.S. News & World Report and a Top 50 public research institution by The Center for Measuring University Performance.
Developing Innovative Approaches to Simulation, Technology and Modeling
Orlando is at the epicenter of modeling, simulation and training, with 150+ industries, the acquisition commands for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, the Air Force Agency for Modeling & Simulation, plus 10 other federal government agencies and joint commands. The University of Central Florida is at the heart of it all, bringing together interdisciplinary teams of health care educators, practitioners, computer scientists, and engineers to develop and use cutting-edge applications for simulation, training (individuals and teams), and practice to advance health care. In the College of Nursing, our teaching and research-related simulation capabilities range from conventional low/medium/high-fidelity manikins to unique virtual reality-based ‘humans’ and scenarios that offer unprecedented human appearance, behavior, and overall experiences. Our research is supported by a wide range of expertise in simulation and training, interdisciplinary collaborations, as well as interdisciplinary joint and primary appointments. Our world-class faculty is vibrant, progressive, and genuinely collegial.
Improving Quality, Safety and Patient Outcomes
Researchers are exploring the relationship between nursing care and patient and system level outcomes and have expertise in BIG DATA. Multi-method approaches are used to examine APRN scopes of practice in the U.S., transitions of new graduate nurses, and nurse manager leadership and competency. Conducted in a variety of settings, faculty are working to improve nurse work environments through observations of the impact of nurse staffing, nurse education level and organizational factors. Select College of Nursing faculty members are nationally recognized for research interventions for airway management of patients who are mechanically ventilated in intensive care units. The primary purpose of these interventions are to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia and improve overall patient outcomes. Additionally, faculty are examining appropriate use of trauma services using BIG DATA, physiological outcomes, and using simulation to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections.
Reducing Disparities in Aging and Vulnerable Populations
Researchers are conducting interventions to examine symptom management, advance care planning, transitional care of older adults, care provided to older adults by Rural Health Clinics, and faith-based nursing. While settings are diverse, researchers are examining healthcare disparities in diverse racial/ethnic groups of older adults living in the community: fear of falling and fall prevention, health promotion in those receiving dialysis, diabetes self-management, and self-management of symptoms following chemotherapy Researchers among our faculty are attaining national recognition as nurse scholars focused on vulnerable populations. The range of funded work including rural populations of older adults, health promotion interventions in diverse racial/ethnic, barriers and facilitators of several preventative screenings in rural Florida women, and immigrant populations. Other researchers examine the effects of faith-based nursing on promotion of health in individuals, families and communities; shared decision making between providers and older patients with end-stage renal function; and health and social disparities in gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons.
Faculty Cluster Initiative
UCF’s Faculty Cluster Initiative leverages our diverse talent, facilities, location and industry partnerships to foster the development of strong, interdisciplinary teams focused on solving today’s toughest scientific and societal challenges through teaching and research. By adding new faculty members to select interdisciplinary fields of study, the initiative seeks to advance UCF’s unique areas of excellence and global impact.
College of Nursing faculty are currently actively engaged in the research cluster: Disability, Aging and Technology.