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Yale University School of Nursing (YSN) has received $8.8 million in new funding for research. The 11 grants come from a variety of government and private sources, and support nursing innovations ranging from treatment of cancer patients to diabetes prevention. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provided $3 million of this new funding.

Recently Funded Research

Minding the Baby Lois Sadler, received $3.1 million from National Institutes of Health (NIH) for Minding the Baby, a five-year study of an intensive home visitation program for young first-time mothers living in an urban environment. In a related project, doctoral student Monica Ordway, who is mentored by Dr. Sadler, also received NIH funding for a study of parenting and child behavior. Download abstract (.pdf) or download Ordway abstract (.pdf)

Reducing Obesity and Diabetes in High Risk Youth Dean Margaret Grey, and Robin Whittemore received nearly $1 million in funding from NIH for a two-year study. "Reducing Obesity and Diabetes in High Risk Youth" will compare the effectiveness of two interactive web-based educational programs. Both innovative programs are aimed at reducing obesity among teens at risk for type 2 diabetes. In a related NIH-funded study, Associate Research Scientist Sarah Jaser, will observe the coping skills of teens with type 1 diabetes and their mothers. Download abstract (.pdf) or download Jaser abstract (.pdf)

Diabetes Prevention in Subsidized Housing Robin Whittemore received a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to deliver a diabetes prevention program for people treated by visiting nurses in subsidized housing units. Download abstract (.pdf)

Helping Patients with Advanced Cancer Ruth McCorkle has received $1.4 million from NIH for a three-year project to help patients who have been recently diagnosed with advanced lung, colorectal, or ovarian cancer. Discharge coordinators at Yale-New Haven Hospital will screen patients who are at risk for complications post-surgery and refer them to Advanced Practice Nurses in medical oncology at Yale Cancer Center. Through study protocols, these nurses will facilitate care after patients have been discharged from the hospital to ensure that treatment continues and to prevent complications, emergency visits, and readmissions resulting from fragmented care. This nursing intervention aims to improve the patient’s quality of life throughout the illness. McCorkle is also mentor to YSN doctoral student Maura Murphy, who received funds from the American Cancer Society to evaluate diaper dermatitis among children with cancer. Download abstract (.pdf) or download Murphy abstract (.pdf)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Treat Insomnia Nancy S. Redeker received a grant from NIH for a two-year study of cognitive behavioral therapy to treat insomnia, a common condition among adults with chronic heart failure. The investigators will also examine the extent to which treating insomnia improves fatigue and functioning in these patients. YSN Assistant Professors Jessica Coviello and Laura Andrews are co-investigators on this study. Download abstract (.pdf)

Assisting Psychiatric Case Managers Working with Schizophrenia Mary Moller has been funded by Astra Zeneca Pharmaceuticals, and she aims to educate psychiatric case managers to view recovery from schizophrenia as a process rather than an outcome, to help with adherence to the treatment plan over time. Download abstract (.pdf)

Increasing the Number of Nursing Scholars Nancy Reynolds received additional funding from the US Department of Education to recruit and enroll PhD students in order to increase the numbers of nursing scholars who will pursue research and teaching careers. Download abstract (.pdf)

Behavioral Therapy for Adults with Tourette Syndrome Lawrence Scahill received supplemental funds from NIH for his ongoing grant studying behavioral therapy for adults with Tourette Syndrome, with the goal of an enhanced ability to determine which patients are most likely to show a positive response to this treatment. Download abstract (.pdf)