AACN to grant nearly $200,000 to support acuity and critical care nursing practice

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) invites clinicians and researchers to apply for its grants, with awards ranging from $10,000 to $50,000.

This year, AACN makes available nearly $200,000 in research funding, including three Impact Research Grants of $50,000 each, to support inquiry that drives change in high acuity and critical care nursing practice.

Priority projects address gaps in clinical research at the organization or system level and translation of these findings for bedside clinicians. Projects include assessing patients and managing outcomes with technology; creating healing and humane environments; and processes and systems to optimize high acuity and critical care nursing.

AACN has awarded five Impact Research Grants since 2011. Currently funded research teams are studying feeding intolerance in preterm infants, measuring quality of care provided by pediatric cardiovascular nurses at children's hospitals, investigating the process of ventilator withdrawal for patients at the end of life and evaluating assessment tools to predict risk for pediatric patients to develop pressure ulcers due to immobility or medical devices.

Ruth Kleinpell, PhD, RN-CS, FAAN - director, Center for Clinical Research, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, and professor, Rush University College of Nursing - received the first Impact Research Grant in 2011.

With AACN funding, Kleinpell surveyed 1,200 nurses about tele-ICU nursing in a two-phase study that includes national benchmarking to identify the impact of telemedicine on nursing care.

Kleinpell presented the research at AACN's National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition in 2012 and 2013 and at Sigma Theta Tau International's 2013 International Research Congress in Prague. The study will be published in the American Journal of Critical Care.

"With the growth of tele-ICU as a specialized area in critical care, Dr. Kleinpell's benchmark study will provide much-needed insight into its impact on patient care," said AACN Senior Director Ramón Lavandero, RN, MA, MSN, FAAN. "AACN will continue to invest in supporting this kind of research as our professional community strives to improve high acuity and critical care nursing practice and advance the profession."

AACN will award up to three $50,000 Impact Research Grants in 2014. The association developed the program to ensure a pipeline for evidence-based resources to guide practice.

AACN continues to offer annually the AACN-Sigma Theta Tau Critical Care Grant and AACN-Philips Medical Systems Clinical Outcomes Grant, up to $10,000 each. Research must be completed within two years.

Principal investigators must be current AACN members with either an earned master's degree or completed candidacy requirements for a doctoral degree. Sigma Theta Tau International members are also eligible to apply for the AACN-STTI grant.