Research Initiatives
The Florida School Nurse Research Initiative (FSNRI) has been developed as the outcome of the Delphi Process research project many of you participated in. Over 50% of the participlants identified research as a role of the school nurse; the comfort level to participate in research was significant and the five most frequently identified topics were obesity, the role of the school nurse, legal/ethical issues, school emergencies and health education.
The FSNRI is designed to provide education, networking, and organizational support to nurture statewide research groups made up of practicing school nurses, and research mentors from the university setting. It is expected that as a result of the initiative, statewide multi-site research studies will be conducted focused on the priority topics.
The next phase was focused on planning. Dr. Shirley Gordon and Dr. Charlotte Barry presented at the Florida Association of School Health meeting on :How to Develop a Research Proposal." This was followed with a meeting of group leaders, research mentors, and the directors of the FSNRI.
The goals of FSNRI are:
a. Establish a research agenda for school nurses in Florida
b. Develop a systematic structure to nurture the participation of school nurses in the research process
c. Development of research partnerships
d. Conduct multi-site research studies organized around identified topics of interest
e. Support the state goals for health children/schools
LATEST NEWS: In the October 2007, Journal of School Nursing, past FASN officer, Dr. Shirley Gordon, authored an article on her research of families with persistent head lice. She "identified a 4-stage process of shared vulnerability used by parents/caregivers to manage caregiver strain associated with caring for children with persistent head lice. The four stages included (a) being ostracized, (b) losing integrity of the self, (c) struggling with persistence, and (d) managing strain." (p.283)
