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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, 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.
Coming soon...a new and much improved platform for RIIGs. HIVEBRITE!
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.
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, and nursing students
RIIG Communication
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2025-2026 RIIG Chair
Mary L. Hook, PhD, RN
2025 RIIG Award Winners
Mid-Career Award
Barbara King, PhD, RN, FAAN
Early Career Award
Natalie Susan McAndrew, PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, CCRN-K
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 membership and representation during the conference
2. Enhance engagement and reach with the members of the RIIG
3. Provide a quarterly spotlight to our members to enhance opportunities for collaboration
Overall/Long-Term Goals
To engage members in the development, implementation, and dissemination of research and scholarships.
- Identify member needs and expand supportive services to meet needs and ensure inclusivity
- Evaluate RIIG activities and engagement
- Highlight and promote member achievements throughout the year
- Provide opportunities for networking and collaboration outside of the annual meeting
- Promote foundation calls for grant applications
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 who desires to engage in clinical discussions of the healthcare challenges impacting this vulnerable population.
RIIG Communication
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2025-2026 RIIG Chair
Jade Burns
2025 RIIG Award Winners
Dissertation Award
Nadeen Alshakhshir, 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
Annual Goals
- Increase membership and representation during the conference
- Enhance engagement and reach with the members of the RIIG
- Provide a quarterly spotlight to our members to enhance opportunities for collaboration
Overall/Long Term Goals
- Identify member needs and expand supportive services to meet needs and ensure inclusivity
- Evaluate RIIG activities and engagement
- Highlight and promote member achievements throughout the year
- Provide opportunities for networking and collaboration outside of the annual meeting
- Promote foundation calls for grant applications
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?
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Please email us at info@mnrs.org and we’ll get it sorted for you.
Once activated, you’ll stay connected and never miss a RIIG notification, discussion, or community update again!
2025-2026 RIIG Chair
2025 RIIG Award Winners
Dissertation Award
Emma Marston, PhD, RN
Early Career Award
Randi A. Bates, PhD, APRN-CNP
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 highlighting RIIG members via Quarterly Newsletters and Meetings
- Increase RIIG member engagement through robust quarterly meetings, newsletters, committees and other forms of communication
- Promoting attending conferences together (NANN, Annual Nurse Scientist Fly-in, International Family Nursing Association, Sigma events, AAN/CANS)
- Facilitate networking and collaboration among members through quarterly meetings, networking and member engagement
Overall/Long-Term Goals
- To continue to promote member engagement and collaboration within the Family Health RIIG.
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 members' 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
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2025-2026 RIIG Chair
Daniel Liebzeit
2025 RIIG Award Winners
Senior Career Award
Jaclene Zauszniewski, PhD, RN-BC, FAAN
Dissertation Award
Daphne Elaine Chakurian, PhD, RN, PHN, CCM
Mid-Career Award
Wen Liu, PhD, RN, FGSA, FAAN
Early Career Award
Alisha Harvey Johnson, PhD, RN
Kylie N. Meyer, PhD, MSc
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
- Enhance Member Engagement: Increase engagement throughout the year by publishing a quarterly newsletter and promoting webinars to keep members informed and connected.
- Symposium and Collaboration: Guarantee and organize competitive symposia to expand research updates, foster collaboration, and provide scholarship opportunities for all members, including DNP, PhD, and students at all career levels.
- Recognition and Leadership: Recognize scholarly talents through awards, provide leadership opportunities for student representatives, and promote webinars to enhance member engagement and professional development.
Overall/Long Term Goals
- Serve to connect MNRS members with an interest in gerontological nursing throughout the year.
- Recognize members’ 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 mentoring opportunities
- Promote policy and advocacy discussions through webinars
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
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Once activated, you’ll stay connected and never miss a RIIG notification, discussion, or community update again!
2025-2026 RIIG Chair
Ratchneewan Ross
2025 RIIG Award Winners
Early Career Award
Jingxi Sheng, PhD, RN
Senior Career Award
Ratchneewan Ross, PhD, RN, FTNSS, FAAN
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
- Email members survey to identify member needs, preferences
- Develop and articulate a membership value proposition based on the membership's needs in an ongoing and digestible way.
- Host year-round events for first-time conference attendees and new members to meet and share experiences. Possibilities: methodology journal club; works-in-progress talks
- Provide opportunities for networking and collaboration outside of the annual meeting. Possibilities: Bi-monthly book club, coffee hour
- Highlight and promote member achievements throughout the year. Possibilities: Member spotlights, newsletter
Overall/Long-Term Goals
- Re-examine and evaluate the membership value proposition based on the membership's evolving needs.
- Assess member feedback, identify trends to sunset, and/or create additional offerings.
- Promote Foundation calls for grant applications and provide grant reviewers.
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
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Haven’t received your invitation to activate your account yet?
Please email us at info@mnrs.org and we’ll get it sorted for you.
Once activated, you’ll stay connected and never miss a RIIG notification, discussion, or community update again!
2025-2026 RIIG Co-Chairs
Sena Chae
Malin Britt Lalich
2025 RIIG Award Winners
Early Career Award
John Robert Bautista, PhD, MPH, RN
Research Publication Award
Sena Chae, PhD, RN
Dissertation Award
Hannah C. Ratliff, 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
- Submit a competitive symposia for 2026 MNRS, with a focus on policy.
- Support HSPI research and implementation dissemination by submitting a webinar application.
- Continue to highlight member research by hosting 5 X 5 X 5 sessions
- Represent HSPI RIIG in broader nursing informatics community by maintaining relationship with Alliance for Nursing Informatics (ANI).
Overall/Long-Term Goals
- Assess HSPI RIIG member feedback, identify needs and interests for engagement beyond the annual meeting.
- Highlight and promote HSPI member achievements throughout the year.
- Provide opportunities for networking and collaboration outside of the annual meeting, with a focus on engaging students.
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
Hivebrite is the new MNRS Community Platform!
Haven’t received your invitation to activate your account yet?
Please email us at info@mnrs.org and we’ll get it sorted for you.
Once activated, you’ll stay connected and never miss a RIIG notification, discussion, or community update again!
2025-2026 RIIG Co-Chairs
Elise Arsenault Knudsen
Inga Zadvinski
2025 RIIG Award Winners
Implementation Impact Award
Kimberly Arcoleo, PhD, MPH
Goals and Objectives
- Offer 1 educational webinar to MNRS members on implementation/translational science in 2025.
- Increase RIIG membership by 2% in 2024 when compared to 2023.
- Create 1- 3 working groups within our RIIG to engage members and move work forward related to implementation and translational science within MNRS.
Overall/Long-Term Goals
- 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.
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
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Haven’t received your invitation to activate your account yet?
Please email us at info@mnrs.org and we’ll get it sorted for you.
Once activated, you’ll stay connected and never miss a RIIG notification, discussion, or community update again!
2025-2026 RIIG Co-Chairs
Krista Jones
Pamela Smith
2025 RIIG Award Winners
Early Career Award
Kylateia Farrar-Stern, PhD, MSM, RN, CNE, MEDSURG-BC
Mid-Career Award
Angela Andrews, PhD, RN, CNE
Dissertation Award
Lovey Reynolds, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC, CPN, CNE
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
- Maintain a collaborative platform for nurse educators that promotes creativity in creating research on inclusive teaching methodologies to ensure accessible educational programs, while promoting equity in nursing education and practice.
- Facilitate the sharing, dissemination, and translation of research findings into both professional and community-friendly formats, emphasizing evidence-based and competency-based education.
- Goal 3: Focus on building and maintaining relationships through mentorship, ensuring ongoing support for professional development in research and evidence-based projects in education and teaching practices.
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
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Once activated, you’ll stay connected and never miss a RIIG notification, discussion, or community update again!
2025-2026 RIIG Chair
Amy Kief
2025 RIIG Award Winners
Senior Career Award
Rebecca Lehto, RN, FAP O S, FAAN
Graduate Student Award
Mays Basha, MSN, RN, PhD Candidate
Early Career Award
Theresa A Jizb, DNP, AGACNP-BC, ACHPN
Dissertation Award
Theresa A Ji zb, DNP, AGACNP-BC, ACHPN
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
- Increase Member Engagement: Launch quarterly communications (e.g., newsletter or email updates) to highlight member achievements, research activities, and upcoming opportunities.
- Strengthen Research Collaboration: Host a virtual Research Day or networking event to share ongoing work, encourage collaboration, and support early-career researchers.
- Enhance Visibility at the Annual Conference: Increase member participation through abstract submissions, symposia proposals, and informal meet-ups at the annual meeting.
- Utilize New Communication Platforms: Transition to and actively use the new member platform to improve access to resources, foster discussion, and simplify communication among members.
Long-Term Goals
- Identify Member Needs and Expand Supportive Services
- Assess and Improve RIIG Engagement
- Create Ongoing Opportunities for Connection and Collaboration
- Increase Awareness of Grant and Funding Opportunities
- Promote Member Achievements and Contributions
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
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Please email us at info@mnrs.org and we’ll get it sorted for you.
Once activated, you’ll stay connected and never miss a RIIG notification, discussion, or community update again!
2025-2026 RIIG Chair
Celeste Schultz
2025 RIIG Award Winners
Senior Career Award
Verna Hendricks-Ferguson, PhD, RN, FPCN, FAAN
Early Career Award
Kathleen Montgomery, PhD, RN, PCNS-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
- Provide a forum for DNP-PhD networking, sharing, collaborating, and disseminating implementation and translational projects and pediatric research to the nursing scholarly community.
- Provide a structure to develop a community of people who share interests in pediatric nursing science and practice.
Perinatal, Sexual, & Reproductive Health
Purpose
The purpose of the Perinatal, Sexual, and Reproductive Health RIIG:
- To advance perinatal, sexual, and reproductive health nursing science.
- To transform perinatal, sexual, and reproductive health nursing practice.
- To enhance the careers of nurse scientists conducting research in areas related to perinatal, sexual, and/or reproductive health.
- To promote collaboration among nurse scientists related to perinatal, sexual, and/or reproductive health.
- 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
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2025-2026 RIIG Co-Chairs
Alysa Roland
Pamela Smith
Senior Career Award
Mary Dawn Koenig, PhD, RN, CNM, FACNM, FAWH O NN
Early Career Investigator Award
Alexandra Nowak , PhD, JD, RN
Health Equity Award
Randi Beth Singer, PhD, CNM, RN
Dissertation Award
Karry Wes ton, 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
- By the 2026 annual meeting, implement at least one inter-conference membership activity aligned with member preferences (webinars, journal club, quarterly RIIG meetings), as identified in the RIIG survey.
- By the 2026 annual meeting, pilot a mechanism for RIIG updates and information sharing that matches member preferences, as identified in the RIIG survey. (Recommendation: Member updates, Funding updates, Webinar/Journal club activity, call for abstracts, polls, authorship opportunities (looking for expert in “”), grant opportunities (looking for expert in “”) etc.)
- By mid-year, implement clear roles and responsibilities for co-chairs, co-chairs-elect, and past co-chairs to more evenly distribute chair activities and support an engaged leadership team. (Recommendation: Co-Chairs: Responsible for annual MNRS requirements (symposia, awards, annual meeting, annual report), Co-Chairs-Elect: Responsible for RIIG communications (member updates/networking). This will facilitate a “getting to know the RIIG” period for elected co-chairs. Past-Co-Chairs: Responsible for onboarding of Co-Chairs. Optionally, could facilitate/coordinate inter-conference member activities (webinars, journal club) in collaboration with co-chairs.)
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
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2025-2026 RIIG Chair
Lauren Pageau
2025 RIIG Award Winners
Early Career Award
Young-Eun Cho, 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 visibility of PBGS RIIG members.
- Support members via awards and member spotlights.
- Increase engagement of RIIG members through improved communication channel.
Population & Community Health (NEW!) >
Purpose
This newly formed RIIG is the result of the recent merger of the Population Health and Health of Diverse Populations RIIG.
This merger was prompted by significant overlap in content and membership, which often led to confusion about which group to join. By uniting these RIIGs, we aim to foster greater innovation, increase engagement, and create a clearer, more cohesive space for members with shared interests.
The Population and Community Health RIIG aims to advance nursing knowledge related to public, community, and population health through research, practice, and policy. Our members have interest areas that include health disparities, vulnerable populations, international and US populations, as well as a range of health outcomes. This interdisciplinary group integrates wide-ranging disciplinary approaches, including epidemiology, genomics, environmental health, and community-based participatory research, to name a few. Our members practice and conduct research in these areas with the shared goal of improving population and community health.
Reasons Members Join this RIIG
Members of all levels, including undergraduate, graduate, PhD, and DNP students and professionals, are welcome to join. This RIIG will be a great platform to learn about unique and innovative nursing research that may feel outside of the scope of typical nursing research. We encourage interdisciplinary and community collaboration and host meetings throughout the year where you can learn about the exciting work members are doing, and share your own to highlight the work of our members and foster knowledge exchange.
RIIG Communication
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2025-2026 RIIG Co-Chair
Haocen Wang
ChengChing (Hiya) Liu
2025 RIIG Award Winners
Health of Diverse Populations RIIG
Early Career Award
Haocen Wang, PhD, RN
Mid-Career Award
Manju Daniel, phD, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC
Dissertation Award
Kim Jackson, PhD
Population Health RIIG
Excellence in Interdisciplinary Work/Research Award
Brittany Punches, PhD, MPH, RN
Early-Career Award
SooJung Jo, PhD, RN
Goals and Objectives
- Distribute a quarterly newsletter via email and the new MNRS online platform
- Hold two virtual meetings prior to the annual business meeting at the MNRS 2026 conference
- Submit a competitive symposium proposal for the MNRS 2026 conference
- Host one MNRS webinar prior to the MNRS 2026 conference
Longterm Goals
- Achieve and maintain regular attendance of ~15-20 RIIG members at the virtual RIIG business meetings.
- Regularly submit for MNRS Symposiums during both competitive and guaranteed cycle years.
- Sustain RIIG members at ~50 members annually.
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
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2025-2026 RIIG Co-Chairs
Arthur Zacharjasz
Denise Cote-Arsenault
2025 RIIG Award Winners
Dissertation Award
Christa Torrisi, PN, PhD, NP-C
Early Career Award
Emma C. Schlegel, PhD, MPA, 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
- Sustain and Expand Member Involvement: Foster increased member participation by creating opportunities for members to present, share expertise, and lead discussions at quarterly RIIG meetings (Goal 1, Strategies 1.3.3, 1.4.2).
- Enhance Methodological Expertise and Support: Offer structured methodological consultation sessions at least once annually to address qualitative and mixed-method research challenges and innovations (Goal 2, Strategy 2.1.1).
- Strengthen Student-Expert Networks: Expand and refine networking initiatives, specifically targeting connections between emerging scholars (students/new researchers) and experienced RIIG members to foster mentorship and collaborative research opportunities (Goal 2, Strategies 2.1.1, 2.1.3).
- Engage in Strategic Partnerships: Actively collaborate and establish interactive engagement opportunities with educational, scientific, practice, and advocacy partners from other healthcare organizations to enhance interdisciplinary research and implementation (Goal 3, Objective 3.1; Goal 3, Strategy 3.3.2).
- Systematic and Responsive Program Evaluation: Continuously evaluate RIIG offerings based on member feedback and participation data to guide strategic adjustments, identify new opportunities, and sunset outdated activities (Goal 2, Strategy 2.3.2).
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
Hivebrite is the new MNRS Community Platform!
Haven’t received your invitation to activate your account yet?
Please email us at info@mnrs.org and we’ll get it sorted for you.
Once activated, you’ll stay connected and never miss a RIIG notification, discussion, or community update again!
2025-2026 RIIG Chair
Jackie Iseler
Kathleen Poindexter
2025 RIIG Award Winner
Outstanding Partnership Award
Jackeline Iseler, DNP, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, CNE, FCNS
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
- Develop and implement a Plan for research and or presentation / Publication on the state of
practice - DNP Integration projects. - Collaborate with the education RIIG to co-create a plan to address a joint workforce
development goal through scholarly endeavors. - Grow and sustain interactive engagement of educational, scientific, practice, and advocacy partners
from other healthcare organizations. - Identify member needs and expand supportive services to meet needs and ensure inclusivity
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
Hivebrite is the new MNRS Community Platform!
Haven’t received your invitation to activate your account yet?
Please email us at info@mnrs.org and we’ll get it sorted for you.
Once activated, you’ll stay connected and never miss a RIIG notification, discussion, or community update again!
2025-2026 RIIG Co-Chairs
Elizabeth Anderson, PhD, RN, CLT
Chelsea Howland, PhD, RN
RIIG Awards
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
Hivebrite is the new MNRS Community Platform!
Haven’t received your invitation to activate your account yet?
Please email us at info@mnrs.org and we’ll get it sorted for you.
Once activated, you’ll stay connected and never miss a RIIG notification, discussion, or community update again!
2025-2026 RIIG Chair
Dahee Wi
2025 RIIG Award Winners
Early Career Award
Claire Jungyoun Han, PhD, DNP, RN, ARNP
Senior Career Award
Horng-Shiuann Wu, PhD, RN
Dissertation Award
Jennifer E. Glayzer, 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
- Support the Grants Committee for grants pertaining to Symptom Science.
- Offer a guaranteed or competitive symposium at each annual conference.
- Communicate with members multiple times throughout the year regarding RIIG.
- Promote and disseminate new nursing research in the field of symptom science through annual RIIG meeting research presentations, email announcements, guaranteed and competitive symposiums, and RIIG-sponsored visual learning events.
- Increase member enrollment and engagement through networking, enhanced social media presence, and communication with members.
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!
