Research Areas at the UW–Madison School of Nursing
UW–Madison School of Nursing researchers are passionate investigators, taking innovative approaches, collaborating across disciplinary boundaries, and translating research into effective solutions. Research areas of particular strength and depth within the school include:
• Aging
• Chronic illness & symptom management
• Care of children & families
• Health systems & care delivery
Other areas of expertise include: Informatics; Health disparities; Acute care nurse decision-making; Workforce development; Mental health; Self-management; Women’s health; Population health.
A Tradition of Translational Research
We believe that nursing is a powerful instrument for improving the human condition. Nursing practice informs our research, and we lead the way in connecting research back to practice so it has immediate impact. The integration of research and practice fosters the development of innovative products that improve care in schools, long-term care facilities, and other settings.
Leaders in Long-Term Care
Dr. Barbara J. Bowers and her team aim to reduce staff attrition and elevate practice perceptions with Geri-Res, an online long-term care nurse residency program.
RED Talks
The UW–Madison School of Nursing RED Talks showcase the School in action. This video series provides an opportunity for faculty, staff, and students to share current initiatives aimed at improving health through research, education, and practice.
Research & Innovation
Giving Young Cancer Patients A Voice
Using the same technology that helps us stay socially connected, Kitty Montgomery, a new assistant professor at the School of Nursing and member of the UW Carbone Cancer Center, studies how the symptoms of pediatric patients with advanced cancers change over time. In doing so, she and her research team help young patients find their voices and communicate their experiences during a vulnerable time.
The Future Problem Solver
As a student Theresa Watts, PhD '19, had questions. When UW–Madison let her look for answers, she found some. Now the New York Native wants to use her PhD to find solutions to vexing public health problems and to eliminate health disparities.
What Nurses Know about Opioids
The opioid epidemic continues to claim lives, disrupt families and challenge communities, but nurses are hardly standing idly by. In many settings, they are creating solutions, implementing new programs, and driving change for nurses, patients, health systems and communities.
New Morgridge Center for Public Service Faculty Director to Focus on Strengthening Campus and Community Relationships
School of Nursing Associate Professor Earlise Ward, new public service faculty director of the UW–Madison Morgridge Center, hopes to see a strengthening of university relationships with underserved communities and more campus infrastructure to support community-based researchers.
Aging in the Heart of Rural Wisconsin
Rural leaders are asking how they can help older residents to thrive in their communities. Now three coalitions are working with the Center for Aging Research and Education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing to support rural aging-in-place.
- Research & Innovation at SoN
Linda D. Scott, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, Dean and Professor, UW–Madison School of Nursing
We research new and better ways to deliver health care, improve health, and achieve positive outcomes.
Research Partnerships
Collaboration allows us to apply multiple lenses to cross-cutting issues, conduct studies in clinical settings, and facilitate the translation of research into evidence-based practice. In addition to partnering with community leaders and organizations, we engage in interprofessional research partnerships with colleagues in a wide range of fields, from industrial engineering to social work.
Wisconsin Network for Research Support
The WINRS team provides researchers with effective and innovative strategies for engaging stakeholders and study participants—especially those from underrepresented populations.
Center for Aging Research & Education
CARE works to improve the health and well-being of older adults and convenes a campus network of tenure-track and clinical faculty involved in aging research and scholarship.
The Wisconsin Public Health Research Network
WPHRN is a group of health department leaders and researchers who support and advance public health systems and services research driven by the needs and interests of health departments in Wisconsin
Institute for Clinical and Translational Research
This UW–Madison partnership includes the School of Nursing, School of Medicine and Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, School of Pharmacy, and College of Engineering.
Resources for Researchers
Nursing Research & Sponsored Programs
The NRSP Office at the School of Nursing is dedicated to supporting research through an array of services. Under the leadership of the associate dean for research, statisticians and other qualified staff members of the research management team provide expert assistance to graduate students, faculty, and staff in identifying funding opportunities, developing grant proposals, submitting grant proposals and contracts, and managing post-award processes.
Staff members provide expertise in federal, state, and private funding mechanisms, offer assistance in research subject recruitment, and serve as liaisons between the university's central research offices and School of Nursing researchers. The NRSP Office also provides online grant preparation resources for School of Nursing researchers.
Diversity Resources
Researchers examining and incorporating issues of diversity also have access to consulting and other resources through the Director of Diversity Initiatives.
Research Design & Statistics Unit
The RDSU within the NRSP Office provides consultation and support around issues of research design, data analysis, and manuscript preparation. Statisticians are available to provide support for both faculty and graduate students as they prepare and implement their research proposals. The RDSU offers online training in statistical software packages commonly used by School of Nursing researchers. It also offers access to a variety of specialized data, data analysis methods, and methodological papers.