BE PART OF A COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE WHO SHARE YOUR INTERESTS IN NURSING.

Research & Implementation Interest Groups (RIIGs)

We invite you to connect into MNRS on a deeper level and customize your membership experience. Click on the RIIG links below to learn more about their purpose, goals, awards, leadership, Groupsite communication, and their social media pages.

All MNRS members receive one complimentary RIIG membership and the opportunity to join two additional RIIGs for $10 each.  We encourage all members to join at least one RIIG and discuss relevant topics, current research trends, and opportunities for abstract and award submissions.

Joining a RIIG is easy - all MNRS members have the opportunity to select a complimentary and additional two(2) RIIGs on the registration/renewal forms each year.  If you are interested in joining a RIIG after you have completed your registration/renewal, please share your interest by emailing info@mnrs.org.

 2025 Research & Implementation Interest Group Awards

Belonging to a Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS) Research & Implementation Interest Group (RIIG) is a remarkable way to network, find and provide mentorship, meet research collaborators, partner in research and implementation, hone your leadership skills, grow as a professional, and develop your potential. Another benefit of RIIG membership is access to apply for RIIG Awards. While the RIIG Awards do not take the place of other awards given by the MNRS as an organization, these awards are designed to recognize members of each RIIG who are in different stages of their careers.

Keep an eye out for the call for RIIG Award applications in July 2025.

Acute & Critical-Care Across the Lifespan >

Purpose

The purpose of this RIIG is to foster collaboration among nurse scientists and clinical scholars and collectively contribute to the advancement of science that underpins the nursing care of acutely and critically ill patients and their families across the lifespan and healthcare settings. The reorganization of this section reflects current issues and trends affecting the care provided for these patients in hospitals, long-term care facilities, transport/mobile ICUs, urgent care centers, and homes.

Who Should Join?

Nurse scientists, clinicians, nursing students

RIIG Communication

Groupsite Community Networking Platform: https://mnrs.groupsite.com/

2024-2024 RIIG Chair

Mary L. Hook, PhD, RN

2024 RIIG Award Winners

Distinguished Investigator Award
Mary L. Hook. PhD, RN

Award recipients are recognized during the Annual RIIG Business Meetings. If you have questions regarding the RIIG Awards, please be sure to email the RIIG Chair or contact the Executive Office at 615-432-0098 or info@mnrs.org

Annual Goals

1. Increase member recruitment and involvement.
2. Develop a sense of member community.
3. Continue to offer member opportunities through symposia, awards, webinars, and "meet and greet" planned opportunities.

Overall/Long-Term Goals

To engage members in the development, implementation, and dissemination of research and scholarships.

  1. Create a collaborative network among RIG members to share current research projects, areas of science, and opportunities for collaboration.
  2. Cultivate new generations of scientists through mentor-mentee relationships.
  3. Engage members in scholarly dialogue to identify and address barriers and challenges in the development and implementation of research projects and new knowledge in acute and critical care research through guaranteed or competitive symposia.
  4. Recognize scholarly achievements among students, clinicians, faculty, and researchers.
  5. Support the mission, vision, and strategic directions of the MNRS.
Adolescent Health >

Purpose

The purpose of the Adolescent Health RIIG is to encourage networking, mentoring, and collaboration among researchers who target adolescents. Those who are actively conducting research or who are interested in research involving adolescents are welcome. Through our RIIG, members can engage with other researchers in the field, receive consultation from senior researchers, find a mentor, or become a mentor to others.

Who Should Join?

Anyone with an interest in adolescent health scholarship or desires to engage in clinical discussions of the healthcare challenges impacting this vulnerable population.

RIIG Communication

Groupsite Community Networking Platform: https://mnrs.groupsite.com/

2024-2025 RIIG Chair

Nadeen Alshakhshir

2024 RIIG Award Winners

Mid-Career Investigator Award
Jade Burnes, PhD, RN, CPNP-PC

Award recipients are recognized at the Annual RIIG Business Meeting. If you have questions regarding the RIIG Awards, please be sure to email the RIIG Chair or contact the Executive Office at 615-432-0098 or info@mnrs.org

Annual Goals

  1. Organize and submit a Guaranteed Symposium.
  2. Regular RIG Communication via Groupsite: Quarterly membership spotlights
  3. 2022 RIG Awards
  4. Move from LinkedIn and the Listserv to using Groupsite for communication - to encourage collaborating, networking, and mentorship .

Overall/Long Term Goals

  1. To grow our member list each year
  2. To recognize the scientific contribution of members to adolescent health research and implementation scholarship
  3. To build and support collaborative research and scholarship partnerships among MNRS members
  4. To disseminate information specific to scholars working with adolescents and young adults.
  5. To promote mentorship and networking among members.
Family Health >

Purpose

The Family Health RIIG aims to advance family science by facilitating networking and partnerships between members, fostering the quality of the research conducted to advance family science, and facilitating the dissemination of the research of section members. The Family Health RIIG will continue to provide continuity as an "intellectual home and center of connectedness" for a core of nurse researchers committed to extending family science.

Who Should Join?

Researchers interested in family health research

RIIG Communication

Groupsite Community Networking Platform: https://mnrs.groupsite.com/

2024-2025 RIIG Chair

Barbie Giambra, PhD, RN, CPNP

2024 RIIG Award Winners

Distinguished Nurse Scientist Award
Susan Breitenstein, PhD, RN, FNAP, FAAN and
Valerie Boebel Toly, PhD, RN, CPNP-PC, FAAN

Award recipients are recognized during the Annual RIIG Business Meeting. If you have questions regarding the RIIG Awards, please be sure to email the RIIG Chair or contact the Executive Office at 615-432-0098 or info@mnrs.org

Goals and Objectives

  • Bi-monthly Newsletters
  • Members Spotlights
  • Networking opportunities at professional conferences
  • Increase member engagement
  • Continue to promote collaboration within and across RIIGs

 

Gerontological Nursing Science >

Purpose

The Gerontological Nursing Science RIIG is dedicated to the advancement of Gerontological nursing science and care of older adults through research. Members include researchers, clinicians, educators, and students with diverse backgrounds in aging-related care and practice issues.

  • Serve to connect MNRS members with an interest in Gerontological nursing throughout the year
  • Recognize member's contributions to Gerontological nursing science through awards and dissemination of research highlights
  • Increase student involvement in the section through leadership and task force involvement
  • Provide an opportunity for section members to become involved with, contribute to, and provide leadership within MNRS

Who Should Join?

Membership in this RIIG is open to all MNRS members interested in advancing the science of Gerontology through research, collaborative work to address aging issues, and promoting outcomes resulting from the research being conducted.

RIIG Communication

Groupsite Community Networking Platform: https://mnrs.groupsite.com/

2024-2025 RIIG Chair

Juliana Souza-Talarico, PhD, RN

2024 RIIG Award Winners

New Investigator Award
Adele Crouch, PhD, RN, AGCNS-BC

PhD Dissertation Award
Florence Johnson, PhD, MHA, RN, CDP

Senior Nurse Scientist Award
Harleah Buck, PhD, RN, FPCN, FAHA, FAAN, FGSA

Award recipients are recognized during the Annual RIIG Business Meeting. If you have questions regarding the RIIG Awards, please be sure to email the RIIG Chair or contact the Executive Office at 615-432-0098 or info@mnrs.org

Goals & Objectives for the Upcoming Year

  • Increase engagement throughout the year through quarterly membership-wide meetings and webinars
  • Continue building communications to foster gerontology relationships, synergy, and interconnections with NHCGNE and gerontological nursing science RIIGs at SNRS, ENRS, and WIN
  • Continue growing our membership by reaching out to students through virtual student-led events such as coffee hour.

Overall/Long Term Goals

     Broad Goals: 

    • To advance gerontological nursing science through evidence-based practice, research, scholarship, and policy. 
    • To influence current and future nursing care delivery to older adults.  

    Specific Goals: 

    • 2024-2025: Form a committee to submit at least one competitive symposium. Prepare and host a webinar. 
    • 2025-2026: Submit at least one competitive symposium and one guaranteed symposium, and determine readiness to host a pre-conference workshop 
    • 2026-2027: Submit at least one competitive symposium and one guaranteed symposium and/or host a preconference workshop.   

    Big Picture Objectives: 

    • Serve to connect MNRS members with an interest in gerontological nursing throughout the year. 
    • Recognize member’s contributions to gerontological nursing science through awards and dissemination of research highlights. 
    • Advance gerontological scholarship through collaborations that target shared presentations, publications, research, and policy endeavors. 
    • Increase student involvement in the section by advancing leadership roles in all section committees and activities and promoting independent student-identified endeavors. 
    • Provide an opportunity for section members to become involved with, contribute to and provide leadership within MNRS.  
    Health of Diverse Population >

    Purpose

    The Health of Diverse Populations RIIG (HDPRIIG) provides an opportunity for nurses engaged in research, practice, policy development, administration, education, and theory development in the rapidly expanding focal areas of cultural diversity and marginalized populations to come together for scholarly exchange. The focal areas of interest include an emphasis on race, ethnicity, health disparities, gender, socioeconomic class, spiritual preferences, immigration, international nursing, and/or how cultural influences impact the provision of health care.

    The HDP RIIG provides forums enabling interdisciplinary collaboration through a variety of mechanisms, including online networking and an annual conference, to produce and disseminate reports of research that is in progress or has been completed. The HDP seeks to improve knowledge and health through research discoveries that are translated into practical applications.

    Who Should Join?

    Any MNRS members interested in networking and collaborating with other researchers engaged in research focusing on the health of diverse populations.

    RIIG Communication

    Groupsite Community Networking Platform: https://mnrs.groupsite.com/

     

    2024-2025 RIIG Co-Chairs

    Haocen Wang, PhD, RN

    ChengChing "Hiya" Liu, PhD, RN, MBA

    2024 RIIG Award Winners

    Mid-Career Investigator Award
    Mariam Caboral-Stevens, PhD, RN, NP, Fellow NYAM

    New Investigator Award
    Marvin A. Solberg, PhD, RN

    Award recipients are recognized during the Annual RIIG Business Meeting. If you have questions regarding the RIIG Awards, please be sure to email the RIIG Chair or contact the Executive Office at 615-432-0098 or info@mnrs.org

    Goals & Objectives for the Upcoming Year

    • Increase frequency and scope of newsletter; improve template for ease of creation and dissemination.  
    • Re-evaluate communication channels within RIIG (the majority of our membership struggles with Groupsite; we need to better understand how to contact members regularly).  

    RIIG Longterm Goals

    • Increase HDP RIIG membership by 20% (120 members minimum) and reduce attrition.  
    • Work with MNRS Leadership to better understand diversity within conference and RIIG membership and improve data collection and tracking regarding membership.  
    • Increase meeting engagement by 20%.  
    • Explore more frequent opportunities to engage HDP RIIG membership outside of regular meetings (webinars, collaborative RIIG projects, etc.).  
    Health Promoting Behaviors Across the Lifespan >

    Purpose

    The focus of the Health Promoting Behaviors Across the Lifespan RIIG is to advance nursing knowledge of successful approaches to health promotion, disease prevention, and self-management in diverse populations. As part of the larger health care community, nursing scholars work to better understand the complexity of factors that contribute to health behavior.

    We seek to promote discussion about the diverse types of health promoting behavior research conducted by MNRS members, and to provide avenues for collaboration, consultation, and dissemination.

    Who Should Join?

    Anyone with an interest in health promotion activities, especially among marginalized and vulnerable populations.

    RIIG Communication

    Groupsite Community Networking Platform: https://mnrs.groupsite.com/

    2024-2025 RIIG Chair

    Dr. Amanda Emerson, Ph.D., RN

    2024 RIIG Award Winners

    Graduate Research Award
    Callie Harris, PhD Candidate

    Senior Investigator Award
    Jiying Ling, PhD

    Award recipients are recognized during the RIIG Annual Business Meeting. If you have questions regarding the RIIG Awards, please be sure to email the RIIG Chair or contact the Executive Office at 615-432-0098 or info@mnrs.org

    Goals and Objectives

    • Provide a quarterly newsletter to increase communication and networking.
    • Increase HPBAL RIIG membership by 10% (100 members minimum) and reduce attrition by providing more communication and networking opportunities.
    • Work with MNRS leadership and management team to better understand the diversity within the conference and RIIG membership and improve data collection and tracking regarding membership.
    • Increase meeting engagement by 10%. Sending out meeting available dates and meeting requests to members.
    Health Systems, Policy & Informatics >

    Purpose

    The purpose of the Health Systems, Policy and Informatics RIIG is to support, encourage, and improve the quality of nursing research in the areas of health systems, information technology, policy, and quality and safety.

    Examples of health systems research include administration, management, leadership, implementation and evaluation of best practices. Examples of policy research includes: policy development, implementation and adherence at the local and national levels, as well as effective use of data in the public policy process. Topics related to information and technology include knowledge management, IT application and evaluation, as well as IT utilization for educational and training purposes. Examples of quality and safety topics include performance measures, sustainable interventions and practices, and innovative research methodologies.

    *The topics noted above are not all inclusive, rather examples of research areas included in the new research interest group. 

    Who Should Join?

    Students, practitioners, faculty, and scientists at any level with an interest in Health Systems, Policy, and/or Informatics are encouraged to join.

    RIIG Communication

    Groupsite Community Networking Platform: https://mnrs.groupsite.com/

     

    Please click here to access the PubMed Website. To enable alerts, reference this page for a full list of instructions.

    2024-2025 RIIG Co-Chairs

    Anna Krupp, PhD, RN

    Misun Hwang, MSN

    2024 RIIG Award Winners

    Outstanding Dissertation Award
    Knoo Lee, PhD, RN

    Mid-Career Investigator Award
    Amany Farag, PhD, RN

    Award recipients are recognized during the Annual RIIG Business Meeting. If you have questions regarding the RIIG Awards, please be sure to email the RIIG Chair or contact the Executive Office at 615-432-0098 or info@mnrs.org

    Goals and Objectives

    • Continue to highlight member research by hosting 5*5*5 sessions.  
    • Continue to increase membership with the goal of supporting students.  
    • Continue to find ways to maximize the relationship with ANI.  
    Implementation & Translational Science >

    Purpose

    The purpose of this RIIG is to advance the science and the practice of evidence-based practice (EBP) implementation within healthcare practice settings.  Members of this RIIG are leaders and active participants in bridging the research-to-practice gap in healthcare and specifically within nursing practice.  Work within this RIIG includes research activities to generate new knowledge about optimal methods of implementation using an implementation science approach, and also activities to advance implementation practice, which includes application of that knowledge and integration of quality improvement methods among clinical teams implementing EBPs. This RIIG is inclusive to researchers, academicians, clinicians, nursing leaders, students, and other MNRS members passionate about implementation and translation of EBP into the Practice Settings.

    Who Should Join?

    DNP- and PhD-prepared faculty and doctoral students interested in Implementation and Translational Science.

    RIIG Communication

    Groupsite Community Networking
    Platform: https://mnrs.groupsite.com/

    2024-2025 RIIG Co-Chairs

    Molly McNett, Co-Chair

    Janet Baker, Co-chair

    Goals and Objectives

    • Offer one educational webinar to MNRS members on implementation/translational science in 2024. 
    • Increase RIIG membership by 2% in 2024 when compared to 2023. 
    • Create at least 3 working groups within our RIIG to engage members and move work forward related to implementation and translational science within MNRS.  
    • Grow Implementation and Translational Science RIIG membership by 10% over 3 years. 
    • Increase diversity among Implementation and Translation Science membership by increasing the number of members from minority backgrounds and those with DNP degrees, as well as student members by 10% over the next 3 years. 
    • Offer one webinar annually by the Implementation and Translation Science RIIG for the next 3 years. 
    • Submit one presentation or symposium session by members of the Implementation and Translation Science RIIG annually for the next 3 years.  

    Questions or to join the RIIG, email us at info@mnrs.org

    On November 2, 2022, we hosted an OPEN HOUSE for our members to learn more! (Watch the Recording Here)

     

    Nursing Education >

    Purpose

    To advance the science of nursing education

    Who Should Join?

    Those interested in discussing, disseminating, collaborating, and researching nursing educational teaching and learning strategies and pedagogies.

    RIIG Communication

    Groupsite Community Networking Platform: https://mnrs.groupsite.com/

    2024-2025 RIIG Co-Chairs

    Lisa D. Brodersen

    Amy Reed

    2024 RIIG Award Winners

    Early Career Investigator Award
    Ginger Schroers, PhD, RN, CNE

    Mid-Career Investigator Award
    Krista Lynn Jones, DNP, MSN, RN, PHNA-BC, FAAN

    Award recipients are recognized during the Annual RIIG Business Meetings. If you have questions regarding the RIIG Awards, please be sure to email the RIIG Chair or contact the Executive Office at 615-432-0098 or info@mnrs.org

    Goals and Objectives

    • Facilitate a seminar and possibly a webinar(s)
    • Collaborate with another RIIG on a seminar and/or a possible webinar(s) (e.g., Academic-Practice Partnerships and/or Self-Care RIIG) 
    • Initiate a writing group for the Nursing Education RIIG members  
    • Create a list of funding agencies that support nursing education research  
    • Revise Nursing Education RIIG long-term goals
    • Increase Nursing Education RIIG member involvement  
    • Increase the Nursing education RIIG presence within MNRS

    Palliative & End-of-Life-Care >

    Purpose

    To promote and support research focused on palliative and end‐of‐life care. Our membership includes nurses with a broad range of research experience, from tenured professors who are established researchers with experience in securing grant funding and methodological expertise, to practitioners with clinical expertise related to end-of-life research, and nursing students whose passion lies in this area. This broad range of experience is useful in networking and sharing ideas regarding both theoretical and practical concerns in end-of-life research.

    Who Should Join?

    We welcome your participation in the Palliative and End-of-Life Care RIIG. We are looking forward to meeting everyone who is interested in research and translational science regarding end-of-life issues, from symptom management and comfort care during life-threatening illness, to caregiver issues, and to grief management for the bereaved.

    RIIG Communication

    Groupsite Community Networking Platform: https://mnrs.groupsite.com/

    2024-2025 RIIG Co-Chairs

    Siobhan Aaron PhD, MBA, RN, FNP-CB

    Mays Basga, MSN, RN, PhD Student

    2024 RIIG Award Winners

    Distinguished Career Award
    Verna L. Hendricks-Ferguson, PhD, RN, FPCN, FAAN

    Researcher Award
    Siobhan Aaron, PhD, MBA, RN, FNP-BC

    Award recipients are recognized during the Annual RIIG Business Meeting. If you have questions regarding the RIIG Awards, please be sure to email the RIIG Chair or contact the Executive Office at 615-432-0098 or info@mnrs.org

    Goals & Objectives

    • Coordinate the launch of bi-monthly or quarterly meetings focused on sharing research, potential collaboration, and opportunities for early career members to get feedback on works in progress.
    • Increase awareness and visibility of PEOLC RIIG and member contributions.
    • Utilize Groupsite to increase interest and connect with the membership. 
    • Increase active membership /new members and member collaborations. 
    Pediatric >

    Purpose

    The Pediatric RIIG's purpose is to encourage networking among researchers who are either currently conducting or interested in conducting research involving children. Members can meet others doing similar research, benefit from the advice of distinguished researchers, and find or become mentors.

    Who Should Join?

    Researchers interested in Pediatrics

    RIIG Communication

    Groupsite Community Networking Platform: https://mnrs.groupsite.com/

    2024-2025 RIIG Chair

    Randi Bates, PhD, APRN-CNP

    2024 RIIG Award Winners

    Early Stage Researcher Award
    Megan Wenzell, PhD, RN

    Award recipients are recognized at the Annual RIIG Business Meeting. If you have questions regarding the RIIG Awards, please be sure to email the RIIG Chair or contact the Executive Office at 615-432-0098 or info@mnrs.org

    Goals and Objectives

    • Increase attendance at quarterly RIIG meetings. 
    • Improve intercollegiate research collaboration. 
    • Continue highlighting Pediatric RIIG members and their research. 
    • Personally invite a pediatric specialist to come to our RIIG.
    • An untapped resource would be within the clinical setting.
    • Create a recruitment Pediatric RIIG flyer.
    • Increase messaging regarding what our Pediatric RIIG is involved in.
    Perinatal, Sexual, & Reproductive Health >

    Purpose

    The purpose of the Perinatal, Sexual, and Reproductive Health RIIG:

    1. To advance perinatal, sexual, and reproductive health nursing science.
    2. To transform perinatal, sexual, and reproductive health nursing practice.
    3. To enhance the careers of nurse scientists conducting research in areas related to perinatal, sexual, and/or reproductive health.
    4. To promote collaboration among nurse scientists related to perinatal, sexual, and/or reproductive health.
    5. To encourage and support nursing students related to perinatal, sexual, and reproductive health interests to become nurse scientists.

    Who Should Join?

    The Perinatal, Sexual and Reproductive Health RIIG is comprised of diverse nurse scientists and nursing students from the Midwest and beyond. Research interests in this section include but are not limited to childbearing transitions (e.g., antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, and newborn care; breastfeeding; early parenting), sexual, and reproductive healthcare for all persons across the life course (e.g., women, men, trans masculine, trans feminine, gender non-binary individuals), hormone therapy, sexual and reproductive health policy.

    RIIG Communication

    Groupsite Community Networking Platform: https://mnrs.groupsite.com/

    2024-2025 RIIG Co-Chairs

    Ingrid R. Svenson, PhD, RN, IBCLC

    Emma C. Schlegel, PhD, MPA, RN

    2024 RIIG Award Winners

    New Investigator Award
    Jennifer L. Heck, PhD, RNC-NIC, CNE, PMH-C

    Mid-Career Investigator Award
    Joanne Goldbort, PhD, RN

    Senior Investigator Award
    Urmeka T. Jefferson,  PhD, RN, FAWHONN

    Award recipients are recognized at the Annual RIIG Business Meeting. If you have questions regarding the RIIG Awards, please be sure to email the RIIG Chair or contact the Executive Office at 615-432-0098 or info@mnrs.org

    Goals and Objectives

    • Increase recruitment and engagement, particularly in DNP. 
    • Focus on increasing and diversifying membership, especially to include non-nurses.
    Physiology, Behavior, Genomics & Society >

    Purpose

    The mission of the Physiology, Behavior, Genomics & Society (PBG&S) Research & Implementation Interest Group is to promote, disseminate, and translate nursing research with an emphasis on physiological phenomena, experimental genomics, behavior, nursing care associated with emerging technologies, and their impact on society.

    Who Should Join?

    Investigators who share an interest in research related to physiology and genomics (including epigenetics/epigenomics), including the relationship of such phenomena on behavior and society; as well as the impact of new technologies on nursing practice and society.

    RIIG Communication

    Groupsite Community Networking Platform: https://mnrs.groupsite.com/

    2024-2025 RIIG Chair

    Quihua Shen, PhD, APRN

    2024 RIIG Award Winners

    Dissertation Award
    Lauren Pageau, PhD, RN

    Award recipients are recognized at the Annual RIIG Business Meeting. If you have questions regarding the RIIG Awards, please be sure to email the RIIG Chair or contact the Executive Office at 615-432-0098 or info@mnrs.org

    Goals and Objectives

    • Continue to increase membership 
    • Confer awards 
    • Engage members via  (a) two RIIG meetings in the upcoming year (i.e., Fall 2024, January 2025) that will encompass, but not be limited to, idea pitches for critical feedback and elevator speeches to identify potential collaborators and (b) highlight at least two members on Groupsite. 
    • Increase the visibility of RIIG members.
    • Support members via awards and member spotlights.
    • Plan and deliver one symposium (either competitive or guaranteed).
    Population Health >

    Purpose

    The focus of the Population Health RIIG is to advance nursing knowledge related to public health nursing, community health nursing and nurse managed centers. The membership consists of researchers and clinicians who share a common interest in expanding the research evidence base for community and population based health interventions in order to improve practice and policy.

    Who Should Join

    We invite members from across the research spectrum. Novice level students, entry level PhD and DNP professionals are as welcome as seasoned, experienced, funded and published researchers. We are an open-minded group without bias for a specific philosophical orientation. We aspire to quality research to build knowledge and science.

    RIIG Communication

    Groupsite Community Networking Platform: https://mnrs.groupsite.com/

    2024-2025 RIIG Chair

    Olivia Halabicky, M.Sc., PhD, RN

    2024 RIIG Award Winners

    Distinguished Student Award
    Kristin Merss, BSN, RN

    Community Engagement Award
    Manju Daniel, PhD, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC

    If you have questions regarding the RIIG Awards, please be sure to email the RIIG Chair or contact the Executive Office at 615-432-0098 or info@mnrs.org

    Goals and Objectives

    Our goal is not only to increase membership but to mentor one another so as to promote a research agenda consistent with Quad Council (ACHNE, ANA, APHA, & ASTDN) recommendations in an ever-changing healthcare system so as to fill knowledge gaps and develop strong evidence that cultivates healthy communities among diverse populations.

    The members of this section meet yearly at the annual MNRS conference. An e-mail database supports communication among section members. Members are at various stages in their research programs and include undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty and other nurse researchers.

    Qualitative Methods >

     Purpose

    The Qualitative Methods RIIG was established to advance the use of qualitative research and mixed methods to study problems of interest to nurse clinicians, educators, and administrators. Naturalistic inquiry, phenomenology, ethnography grounded theory, case study, content analysis, and other qualitative methodologies have become increasingly important to understanding the experiences of individuals, families, and groups in confronting a variety of healthcare issues.

    Comprised of nurse researchers from around the Midwest, the Qualitative Methods RIIG promotes research across nursing specialties. Members have a wide range of experiences in studying such diverse health problems as dialysis and renal transplants, obesity, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, diabetes, mental health, genetics, and palliative and end-of-life care. Members have also applied qualitative methods to study web-based nursing courses, the image of nursing, and perceptions of quality of care. Members are increasingly successful in obtaining small local grants as well as large, federally-funded grants to support their work and provide a strong network for others wanting to adopt qualitative and mixed methods research designs.

    Who Should Join?

    Anyone who has an interest in qualitative and mixed methods methodologies to advance nursing research.

    RIIG Communication

    Groupsite Community Networking Platform: https://mnrs.groupsite.com/

    2024-2025 RIIG Co-Chairs

    Candace Harrington, PhD, DNP, APRN, AGPCNP-BC, CNE, FAAN

    Alisha Johnson, PhD, RN

    2024 RIIG Award Winners

    Outstanding Dissertation Award
    Tanya L. Trotter, PhD, APRN, PHCNS-BC

      Award recipients are recognized at the Annual RIIG Business Meeting. If you have questions regarding the RIIG Awards, please be sure to email the RIIG Chair or contact the Executive Office at 615-432-0098 or info@mnrs.org

      Goals and Objectives

      • Quarterly webinars
      • Include methodology mentorships
      • Increase student participation
      • Increase participation of RIIG members to submit for awards 
      • Implement networking meetings where there is no planned webinar or topics; Members bring ideas and thoughts and have a discussion
      • Revise Qualitative Methods RIIG to Mixed Methods RIIG if applicable
      • Increase membership to Qualitative Methods RIIG
      Research thru Academic-Clinical Partnerships >

      Purpose

      The purpose of the Research thru Academic-Clinical Partnerships RIIG is to build regional collaboratives and MNRS resources that will facilitate the start-up, conduct, translation and dissemination of nursing research and evidence-based practices (EBP).

      Who Should Join?

      MNRS members interested in examining ways to promote partnerships between academic schools/colleges of nursing and clinical partners.

      RIIG Communication

      Groupsite Community Networking Platform: https://mnrs.groupsite.com/

      2024-2024 RIIG Chair

      Martha Libster

      2024 RIIG Award Winner

      Outstanding Partnership Award
      Kathleen Poindexter, PhD, RN, CNE, ANEF

      Award recipients are recognized during the Annual RIIG Business Meeting. If you have questions regarding the RIIG Awards, please be sure to email the RIIG Chair or contact the Executive Office at 615-432-0098 or info@mnrs.org

      Goals and Objectives

      • COVID PI Subgroup – disseminate study findings 
      • DEI Subgroup – World Café follow-up 
      • DNP Integration Subgroup – launch a research study 
      Self-Care >

      Purpose

      The purpose of the Self-Care RIIG is to advance the research and scholarship related to the practices, methods, theories, and outcomes in promoting self-care among nurses, healthcare providers, and patients. This RIIG will address:

      • Self-care in health, wellness and well-being
      • Integrative and holistic self-care technologies
      • The impact of self-care for the inter-professional health care providers, educators and their students
      • The relationship and impact of self-care on symptom management and satisfaction of the patients and families the health care provider serves
      • The influence of self-care on the organizations in which nurses practice and study, their ability to work well together

      Who Should Join?

      Nurse scientists, clinical scholars and students with an interest and commitment to advance self-care research, scholarship, and clinical practice.

      RIIG Communication

      Groupsite Community Networking Platform: https://mnrs.groupsite.com/

      2024-2025 RIIG Co-Chairs

      Elizabeth Anderson, PhD, RN, CLT

      Chelsea Howland, PhD, RN

      2024 RIIG Award Winners

      Mid-Career Investigator Award
      Dr. Lennette Jones

      Award recipients are recognized during the Annual RIIG Business Meeting. If you have questions regarding the RIIG Awards, please be sure to email the RIIG Chair or contact the Executive Office at 615-432-0098 or info@mnrs.org

      Goals and Objectives

      • Present two webinars 
      • Submit a competitive symposium 
      • Present monthly member spotlights 
      • Increase membership numbers and participation in RIIG efforts 
      • Engage with members and promote collegiality and professional development across the career trajectory 
      • Maintain consistent communication with members  

       

      Symptom Science >

      Purpose

      The focus of the Symptom Science RIIG is to advance nursing knowledge related to pain and symptom management. The role of nursing science is critical to assist health care providers in understanding better and preventing and managing pain and other symptoms experienced by patients. The Symptom Science RIIG is comprised of nurse researchers from around the Midwest. The RIIG is fortunate to have diversity in its membership regarding years of experience studying pain and other symptoms, the effectiveness of interventions, and the physiology of these phenomena. Members range from master's students to full professors. Many RIIG members have current or prior funding, including small and large grants, whereas others have never been funded but serve as an important resource regarding pain and symptom-related issues.

      Who Should Join?

      • Nurses with clinical experiences in symptom science and also have interest in research as it applies to the clinical practices.
      • Nurse Educators who teach students about pain and symptom management and who have interest in research as it applies to nursing or interprofessional undergraduate or graduate education, and who are interested in applying the interprofessional Core Competencies in Undergraduate Pain Education.
      • Nurse Research scientists who conduct pain and symptom management research through basic science, and clinical research.

      RIIG Communication

      Groupsite Community Networking Platform: https://mnrs.groupsite.com/

      2024-2025 RIIG Chair

      Horng-Shiuann Wu

      2024 RIIG Award Winners

      New Investigator Award
      Christine Horvat Davey, PhD, RN

      Distinguished Researcher Award
      Judith M. Schlaeger, PhD, CNM, LAc, FACNM, FAAN

      Award recipients are recognized during the Annual RIIG Business Meeting. If you have questions regarding the RIIG Awards, please be sure to email the RIIG Chair or contact the Executive Office at 615-432-0098 or info@mnrs.org

      Goals and Objectives

      • Hold the annual RIIG meeting in person 
      • Continue networking efforts to help connect RIIG members to others doing similar work and to connect early-career faculty to potential mentors.  
      • Continue to work on increasing communication outside of the annual meeting through Groupsite and the establishment of a Fall webinar to present topics relevant to and highlight the accomplishments of RIIG members. 
      • Contribute to the scientific community through a competitive symposium at the 2025 Annual Conference 
      • Recognize the accomplishments of our members through six annual awards: Research Publication, Dissertation, New Investigator, Mid-Career Investigator, Distinguished Researcher, and a new DNP Award  
      • Utilize the 3-tier leadership structure to maintain consistency and encourage the growth of the RIIG through improved outreach and engagement of membership 

      Goals for the Next Three Years

      • Support the Grants Committee for grants pertaining to Symptom Science • Communicate with RIIG members multiple times throughout the year regarding RIIG business 
      • Offer a guaranteed or competitive symposium at each Annual Conference 
      • Promote and disseminate new nursing research in the field of symptom science through annual RIIG meeting research presentations, Groupsite communications, guaranteed and competitive symposia, and RIIG-sponsored virtual learning events 
      • Increase member enrollment and engagement through networking, enhanced social media presence, and communication with members 
      • Support the MNRS Foundation 

       

      Join. Engage. Collaborate.

      A true member benefit, our RIIGs are truly the heart of MNRS.  Active all year round, RIIGs share resources, collaborate, and grow your expertise. We invite you to explore and look forward to your involvement!

       

      Need help joining or have questions about the MNRS RIIGs?  Contact us today! 

      Email UsRIIG User Guide