Jointly sponsored by UCSF Health Center for Nursing Excellence & Innovation and UCSF School of Nursing Office of Research, the UCSF Clinical Nursing Research (CNR) Grant allows practicing nurses in the health system and faculty investigators from the School of Nursing to conduct a clinically meaningful research study within the health system that generates new knowledge.
Questions? Email [email protected]
Watch the video announcement from our nursing leaders to learn more.
Primary goals of this grant:
- Foster the spirit of clinical inquiry amongst nurses at UCSF Health
- Develop knowledge and skills for applying scientific methods to answer clinical research questions
- Develop and strengthen partnerships between faculty investigators and clinical nurses to design and implement clinically meaningful research projects that lead to new knowledge that positively impacts the healthcare of patients/families
Consistent with the standards of the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program for nursing excellence, participation in activities that generate evidence for nursing practice is a standard for professional nursing at UCSF. The CNR grant supports nurses’ abilities to contribute to the new knowledge, innovation, and improvement pillars of the 2023-2025 UCSF Nursing Strategic Plan through rigorous scientific research.
Each 2024-2025 CNR grant proposal can be funded for up to $20,000 for 12 months.
The proposed research project must be done by a collaborative team that includes a UCSF SON faculty member and a UCSF Health clinical nurse as multiple Principal Investigators (PIs) or Co‐PIs. Proposals by Interdisciplinary research teams are encouraged.
Funding preference will be given to innovative projects that demonstrate the potential for extramural funding and are clearly aligned with UCSF Health’s vision, values, and strategic goals:
- Quality and Patient Safety
- Workforce Health and Wellness
- Equitable Care Delivery
- Community and Population Health
Application
Opens Fall 2025
Past Grant Awardees
| Year | Funded Projects |
|---|---|
| 2024 |
Exploring Diabetes Distress among Inpatient AdultsPrincipal Investigators Esther Rov-Ikpah, MS, RN-BC, CDES, Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, UCSF Health Elena Flowers, PhD, RN, Professor, Department of Physiological Nursing, UCSF School of Nursing Project Summary Diabetes distress (DD) is defined as the expected worries, concerns, fears and threats that are associated with a chronic disease, including management challenges, threats of complications, loss of functioning, and access to care. It is the emotional side of living with diabetes and can occur in people diagnosed with both type 1 or type 2 diabetes. While the prevalence and negative impact of diabetes distress has been documented in outpatient settings with an estimated prevalence of 36-80%, the occurrence and impact of DD during hospitalization in U.S. inpatient populations has not been described. This mixed-methods study aims to determine the severity and sources of diabetes distress among hospitalized adults. This work is important because addressing distress during hospitalization could improve diabetes management, reduce complications, and improve patient quality of life. |
| 2024 |
A Light and Sleep Delirium Prevention Bundle for Young Children Recovering from Heart Surgery: A pilot studyPrincipal Investigators Christina Stento, BSN, RN, Clinical Nurse III, Pediatric Cardiac ICU, UCSF Health Benioff Children's Hospital Sandra Staveski, PhD, RN, CPNP-AC, CNS, FAAN, Professor, Department of Family Health Care Nursing, UCSF School of Nursing Project Summary Delirium is a manifestation of acute cerebral injury and presents with a variety of psychological and motor symptoms (i.e., agitation, apathy). The occurrence of delirium is 60% higher in children recovering from heart surgery compared to those with other critical illnesses (40% vs. 25%). While adult delirium treatment is well established, the optimal approach to its assessment, prevention, and treatment in PCICUs is unclear. An urgent need exists to develop a “bundle” of developmentally specific care items to support early recognition and prompt nonpharmacologic treatment of delirium in children recovering from heart surgery to hasten their recovery. The pilot study aims to test the safety of a nurse-led, child- and family-centered light and sleep intervention to prevent delirium in the pediatric cardiac ICU. This work is important because preventing delirium may improve recovery, reduce hospital stays, and support better long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes for young children. |
| 2023 |
Assessment of Single-Item Hearing Screens that Differentiate Levels of Hearing DifficultyPrincipal Investigators Sasha Binford, PhD, MS, RN, AGCNS-BC, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Geriatrics, UCSF Health Margaret Wallhagen, PhD, GNP-BC, AGSF, FGSA, FAAN, Professor, UCSF School of Nursing Project Summary Approximately 80% of individuals have audiometrically determined hearing loss by age 80. The ability to correctly hear what was said is essential to the safe delivery of healthcare, underpinning the ability to understand recommended treatment plans. One obstacle is how to effectively screen for hearing loss in a busy clinical setting and to differentiate levels of hearing loss to target appropriate resources. The proposed research study aims to assess 3 single-item hearing loss screening questions to identify a reliable, valid, and clinically feasible screen that differentiates hearing levels. Data will underpin development of strategies to assure safe patient communication in a busy clinical setting, ensuring an individual’s communication needs can be met and risks mitigated. |
| 2022 |
Identification of Subgroups of Oncology Patients with Distinct Difficult Intravenous Access Profiles and Associated Risk FactorsPrincipal Investigators Emely Alfaro, MS, RN, CNS, OCN, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Adult Infusion Services, UCSF Health Christine Miaskowski, PhD, RN, FAAN, Professor, Department of Physiological Nursing, UCSF School of Nursing Project Summary Oncology patients are at increased risk for difficult intravenous access (DIVA), defined as at least two failed attempts at venous cannulation. Identifying these patients can guide nurses to intervene early to avoid infusion-related complications; avoid unnecessary pain; decrease patient’s level of anxiety and stress; and successfully administer life-saving chemotherapy treatment. This study aims to evaluate the risk factors for DIVA in oncology patients receiving a course of chemotherapy and describe oncology nurses’ beliefs about patient-related risk factors for DIVA. Publications - NEW! Alfaro, E., Ejercito, R., Canote, M. Cosgrove, T., Hawker, J., Quinn, M., Miaskowski, C. (2025). Number of Intravenous Insertions Per Week Does Not Influence Infusion Nurses’ Ratings of Risk Factors for Difficult Intravenous Access (DIVA). Journal of Infusion Nursing, 48 (3): 206-213. DOI: 10.1097/NAN.0000000000000590 |
| 2022 |
Feasibility and Efficacy of Enhanced Stress Resilience Training for Psychosocial and Occupational Wellbeing of Critical Care NursesPrincipal Investigators Mya Childers, MS RN CCRN-K, 6/10 ICC unit, UCSF Health Brian Cunningham, BSN, RN, CCRN-CSC, 6/10 ICC unit, UCSF Health Soo-Jeong Lee, RN, PhD, FAAOHN, Associated Professor, Department of Community Health Systems, UCSF School of Nursing Project Summary There is an urgent need for evidence-based interventions to mitigate burnout among nurses at UCSF and nationwide. Enhanced Stress Resilience Training (ESRT) is an innovative mindfulness-based intervention tailored for clinicians in high-pressure work environments, such as surgical trainees. Using a randomized wait-list controlled trial design, this study will establish feasibility and efficacy of ESRT for critical care nurses who have been highly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Publications - NEW! Lee, S.J., Cunningham, B., Childers, M., Yefimova, M., Kim, H., Hoffman, T., Lebares, C. (2025). Efficacy of Enhanced Stress Resilience Training for Intensive-Care Unit Nurses: A Randomized Waitlist Control Trial. Applied Nursing Research, 83. Doi.org/10.1016/j.apnr.2025.151965 |
| 2021 |
Development of a Screening Tool Used to Identify Patients Admitted for Scheduled Surgical Procedures Who May Require Low-Dose Intravenous Ketamine to Optimize Post-Operative Pain Management in the Post-Anesthesia Care UnitPrincipal Investigators Ashley Thomas, BSN, RN, Clinical Nurse, Peri-anesthesia Services, UCSF Health Michele M. Pelter, PhD, RN, FAHA, Associate Professor, Department of Physiological Nursing, UCSF School of Nursing Project Summary Patients on chronic opioid therapy presenting for scheduled surgical procedures may experience inadequately controlled pain in the post-operative period. Ketamine has been shown to decrease post-operative pain and opioid consumption, yet the key is early identification of patients and timely initiation of intravenous (IV) ketamine infusions. The goal of this study is to develop and validate a screening tool for surgical patients who would benefit from IV ketamine to optimize post-operative pain management. |
| 2021 |
A Novel Educational Intervention and Standardized High Frequency Percussive Ventilation Management Protocol for Neonatal and Pediatric Ground and Air Interfacility Transport: A Safety and Feasibility StudyPrincipal Investigators Alison Horton, RN, MS, CPNP-AC, Neonatal and Pediatric Interfacility Transport Nurse, UCSF Health Sandra Staveski, PhD, RN, CPNP-AC, FAAN, Assistant Professor, Department of Family Health Care Nursing, UCSF School of Nursing Project Summary High Frequency Percussive Ventilation (HFPV) is a rare form of ventilation available for transporting critically ill infants and children with severe acute respiratory failure to specialized pediatric centers. Interfacility transport is challenging due to a paucity of technical options, lack of personnel educated to use the equipment, and limited evidence to guide management. This study examines the feasibility of implementing a novel educational intervention and a standardized HFPV management protocol to support transport teams during interfacility transport of children requiring HFPV. |
| 2020 |
Preventing Delirium During Hospitalization Using a Non-Pharmacological Nursing Action BundlePrincipal Investigators Chin-Chin Montesa, BSN, RN-BC, Clinical Nurse, 15 Long Acute Care Medicine, UCSF Health Mijung Park, PhD, MPH, RN, Associate Professor, Department of Family Health Care Nursing, UCSF School of Nursing Project Summary The study's overarching goals are to (1) develop strategies for implementing the Delirium Bundle and (2) build a capacity for qualitative program evaluation among nursing staff on an acute care medicine unit. |
| 2020 |
Racial Health Equity in the Intensive Care NurseryPrincipal Investigators Olga Smith MS, RN, Nurse Supervisor, Center for Pregnancy Options, UCSF Health Linda Franck PhD, RN, FAAN, Professor, Department of Family Health Care Nursing, UCSF School of Nursing Project Summary A growing body of research has identified racism as the leading cause of disparate outcomes between populations in healthcare. Little is known about the perceptions of racism by parents of critically ill infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) setting. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of parents of infants receiving NICU care, and specifically how parents perceive their interactions with NICU and hospital staff, to better understand if and how racism in the NICU was experienced by parents. Publications - NEW! Smith O, Karvonen KL, Gonzales-Hinojosa MD, Lewis-Zhao, S., Washington, T., McLemore, M.R., Rogers, E., Franck, L.S. (2024). Parents Experiences of Racism in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Journal of Patient Experience, 11. doi:10.1177/23743735241272226 |
| 2019 |
Investigating Barriers and Facilitators of Implementing Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative: A Qualitative Study with In-Hospital Healthcare ProvidersPrincipal Investigators Susan McLaughlin MPH, RN, IBCLC, Intensive Care Nursery, UCSF Health Ifeyinwa Asiodu, PhD, RN, IBCLC, Assistant Professor, Department of Family Health Care Nursing, UCSF School of Nursing Project Summary The overall goal of this research study was to investigate in-hospital and outpatient healthcare staff and providers’ experiences with implementation of the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding and determine the degree of implementation or concerns for the recommended practices. |