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Family Nursing Science in Finland Led by University of Tampere

The development of family nursing science in Finland has been led by dedicated faculty at the School of Health Sciences, University of Tampere for over 20 years. Family issues are the central focus of research and teaching with an emphasis on family health, well-being, and family health care nursing across the lifespan. The program of research at the University of Tampere began with descriptive studies and, over time, has included instrument development, theory formulation and testing, and intervention studies using a variety of research methods.

Despite this intensive work, family-focused health care in Finland needs to become even more visible. Stronger collaboration is needed between researchers, educational institutions, managers, and practicing professionals. Research and teaching collaboration within the European Union and with the Nordic countries is ongoing and will strengthen the strong foundation of family nursing science in Finland that already exists.

Dr. Päivi Åstedt-Kurki, PhD, RN, Professor, University of Tampere leads the development of family nursing science in Finland. Photo credit: Jonne Renvall
Dr. Päivi Åstedt-Kurki, PhD, RN, Professor, University of Tampere leads the development of family nursing science in Finland. Photo credit: Jonne Renvall

IFNA Education Committee Develops 4 Strategies for Disseminating the IFNA Position Statements

IFNA Position Statement on Pre-Licensure Family Nursing EducationThe IFNA Education Committee, co-chaired by Dr. Lorraine Holtslander (Canada) and Dr. Kristin Lutz (USA), have developed several creative strategies to share the good news about the two IFNA Position Statements on Family Nursing Education and Family Nursing Practice with nursing leaders in key health care and educational organizations:

1. Committee members will reach out to the organizations that they are currently involved with such as palliative care groups, Sigma Theta Tau, and various other nursing research groups from practice and educational perspectives and bring attention to the Key Message and URL (IFNA.Position Statement Dissemination Plan). Podium presentations and posters will cite the IFNA Position Statements, include them in the reference list as applicable, and members will bring a few print copies of the IFNA Position Statements to use as handouts.  For example, in March, Dr.Patricia Young will be giving a symposium about the work she and her colleagues are leading in family nursing education at Minnesota State University, Mankato and she will display the URL for the IFNA Position Statements on her slides, etc.
2. Committee members will look for opportunities to cite the IFNA Position Statements in their publications and course syllabi.
3. At each IFNA Education Committee meeting, members will discuss their progress, i.e., specific conferences attended, social media channels accessed, and connections with nursing leaders and organizations made to keep this dissemination plan iterative and alive.
4. The Committee will record their dissemination plan progress in the Committee minutes and will evaluate strategies used and bring new ideas to the table.

Dr. Joel Anderson Studies Support of Family Caregivers of People with Dementia

IFNA.Joel AndersonJoel Anderson, PhD, CHTP, FGSA, Associate Professor, University of Tennessee College of Nursing (USA), focuses his research on support of family caregivers of people with dementia, particularly vulnerable caregiving populations. This focus includes an exploration of the psychosocial impacts of dementia caregiving in an effort to develop person- and family-centered intervention strategies to alleviate caregiver strain and improve quality of life. Dr. Anderson has recently received funding from the National Institute on Aging to examine family quality of life among LGBTQ+ caregivers of people with dementia.

Joel currently serves as a co-chair of the IFNA Communications Committee. For more information, contact IFNA member: Joel Anderson.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoelAndersonPhD

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelandersonphd/

Dr. Anne Grant Studies Family Focused Practice in Northern Ireland

Anne Grant.2Dr. Anne Grant, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queens University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, is conducting a study  that will examine health and social care professionals’ family focused practice (FFP) with families who are experiencing parental mental illness. The Health and Social Care Board in Northern Ireland have commissioned  this two year study which began in January 2016. Perspectives of service providers and users will be sought using a mixed methods approach.  The study builds upon Dr. Grant’s international research in family focused practice that examines workforce capacity to engage in FFP, conceptualization of FFP, and early interventions for families when a parent has mental illness. Further information about the study can be found at www.parentalmentalillness.info or by contacting IFNA member, Anne Grant.

Anne is a member of the new UK/Ireland IFNA Chapter.

Dr. Colleen Royle Leads Simulation Education in Family Nursing

Colleen RoyleColleen Royle, EdD, RN serves as the Learning Resource Laboratory & Simulation Coordinator at the School of Nursing, Minnesota State University (MSU) in Mankato, Minnesota, USA.  Colleen and her MSU colleagues presented a pre- and post-conference at the 11th International Family Nursing Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2013 that focused on family nursing and simulation education. In 2015, at the 12th International Family Nursing in Odense, Denmark, Colleen and her colleagues offered a pre-conference where they shared innovative simulation technology dedicated to family nursing practice.

Colleen was recently chosen as one of the twenty individuals to participate in the 2016 National League for Nursing Leadership Development Program for Simulation Educators.  This year long program is designed for experienced simulation nurse educators who wish to assume a leadership role in simulation. Her research interests include: measuring the student preference of oral versus video-assisted debriefing, incorporating the process of family nursing into each simulation, and evaluating the teaching-learning experience for students and faculty.  Colleen currently serves as a member of the IFNA Education Committee. For more information contact IFNA member, Colleen Royle.
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