On May 12th, Florence Nightingale’s birthday, Seattle Pacific University’s graduate nursing students will present their scholarly clinical projects at Future Advanced Practice Nurses in Action –– the culmination of their two graduate research classes.

“The SPU program empowers nurses to pursue challenges and achievements in a more global sense,” says master’s candidate Kathryn Timm. “It’s been great to start ‘thinking outside the box’ and to get to know myself at a deeper level spiritually, emotionally, and culturally.”

Timm, a western Washingtonian who has practiced nursing in Arizona and Colorado, is currently working in the medical intensive care unit of Harborview Medical Center. For her project, she interviewed providers in the South King County public health department. Her research explores how health care providers assess for domestic violence. “It’s surprising to find how prevalent domestic violence is in our society and what a health risk this is for women,” she says. “I’ve learned that the provider's comfort level and education regarding domestic violence does impact their assessment.”

Timm is studying for her master of nursing degree on the family nurse practitioner track. She plans to practice in a family clinic or a public health system, and to eventually specialize in women’s health from puberty to old age.

Master’s candidate Emily Frazier evaluated western Washington nurse practitioners’ assessment and treatment strategies for childhood obesity. “Childhood obesity is perhaps the most pervasive health problem facing the youth of America today,” she explains, “and it has major repercussions as the generation ages.” What she learned was encouraging. “Nurse practitioners are very attentive to current health issues and the influence that current behavior and health has on future health and quality of life. While not all the nurse practitioners are practicing the national recommendations for assessment and treatment of childhood obesity, nearly all of them were interested in further training and increasing proficiency.” Frazier intends to move on into pediatric and family health.

Attendees will also enjoy presentations on:

• Assessment of screening practices for cancer
• Investigations into the experiences of older women who have cardiac problems
• Analyses of data related to rehabilitation for clients with chronic pulmonary disease
• Examination of the skills demonstrated by nurses in determining electrolyte imbalance in their patients
• A study of the criteria for treatment of the elderly with nosocomial pneumonia
• and more.

The presentations will take place in the Fireside Room of the Student Union Building, beginning at 4:30 p.m. on May 12.

At 5:15 p.m., keynote speaker Dr. Elizabeth Torrence will talk about “Florence Nightingale: The First Nurse Researcher.” Too bad Ms. Nightingale can’t be there. Even she would have been inspired.

For more information on the event, contact Pam Christensen, 206/281-2616, pjchris@spu.edu.