2004-06 IUPUI Campus Bulletin

Essential Support Services

Continuing Education Program

The School of Nursing Continuing Education staff members facilitate the provision of noncredit continuing education for registered nurses and other health-related personnel. Offerings are determined on the basis of expressed needs of consumers and emerging patterns and trends in health care. Each continuing education program attempts to be responsive to the needs of the learners in regard to scheduling, time (day or evening), day of the week, and duration of instructional period. The length of each educational activity depends on the stated behavioral objectives, varying from one or two days to a semester in length, or consisting of a time interval series of programs that reinforces the application of new knowledge and skills. Courses are taught in an onsite format, by independent study, via two-way video, or on the World Wide Web.

Educational offerings are taught by experts in nursing and allied health fields who are clinicians and consultants in specialized areas of health care in the state of Indiana, at the Indiana University School of Nursing, or at other universities. The continuing education program is accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation as a provider of continuing nursing education.

Visit our Web site for complete information and registration for upcoming courses. E-mail may also be sent to censg@iupui.edu, or call (317) 274-7779.

Center for Nursing Research

The mission of the Center for Nursing Research is to support the development, dissemination, and utilization of knowledge by

1. providing for development in the areas of research planning, grant writing, budget preparation, data analysis, and research dissemination;
2. coordinating and facilitating the experiences of research assistants;
3. facilitating joint projects between practitioners and educators;
4. providing ongoing information about research resources;
5. publicizing faculty and student research accomplishments

The Center for Nursing Research supports the activities of the Patient Care Research Committee, which plans the IU/Clarian Annual sponsored each year by the Clarian Health Partners, Inc., Indiana University Hospital Nursing Service Department, and the School of Nursing. Staff members also assist the Research Committee, especially in its review of requests and awards for intramural funding (Project Development Program funds and Research Incentive funds). Currently funded faculty projects include studies of factors affecting adaptation to childhood epilepsy, epilepsy outcomes in youth, factors predicting quality of life in dementia patients, breast cancer screening behaviors, cancer risk and genetic risk education for first-degree relatives of colorectal cancer patients, cancer care interventions to improve functioning and psychosocial outcomes in newly diagnosed cancer patients, HIV disease and the partner relationship, community-based nurse-managed clinics, school-based primary health care, making cities healthier, healthy families, and prenatal care to prevent low-birthweight infants. For further information, contact the Indiana University School of Nursing
Center for Nursing Research
1111 Middle Drive
NU 338
Indianapolis, IN 46202
telephone (317) 274-7627 or visit the Center for Nursing Research home page.

Development Office

The Development Office, headed by the director of development, collaborates with the Indiana University Foundation to design and implement fundraising efforts under the direction of the dean of the School of Nursing. Objectives of the office are to do the following:

• Work with faculty, alumni, staff, and volunteers to identify, cultivate, and secure gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporations, thereby enhancing the community of learning.
• Supervise planning and implementation of fundraising activities, special events, and donor recognition programs.
• Develop and maintain publications about the school and opportunities for giving.

For more information, please contact the IUPUI
Development Office
School of Nursing
NU 102
telephone (317) 274-1545 or (317) 274-4293
fax (317) 278-7908

School of Nursing Alumni Association

The Indiana University School of Nursing Alumni Association, a constituent society of the greater IU Alumni Association, was established in 1918 by members of the first IUSON graduating class. Members of this class sought to maintain their strong connection to Indiana University, the School of Nursing, and to other alumni by formally establishing the organization. Through the years, the School of Nursing Alumni Association has grown to more than 2,500 dues-paying members. It represents the interests of more than 20,000 IU School of Nursing graduates worldwide. The 30-member Nursing Alumni Association Board of Directors, a group made up of nursing graduates from every School of Nursing campus, serves as the governing body for the organization. It works to implement a variety of service, professional, and social activities each year. Some of these events include local and regional alumni receptions, alumni service awards, student scholarships, class reunions, and continuing education programs. In addition, the association works to promote the general interests of the School of Nursing, the university, and the nursing profession.

School or Program Clubs

Sigma Theta Tau The Alpha chapter of the international honor society of nursing was organized at Indiana University. Students in baccalaureate and graduate programs may be admitted to membership if they have demonstrated excellence in their nursing programs and have shown superior academic and personal records of achievement. Qualified members of the nursing profession, upon demonstration of marked achievement in nursing, are also eligible for membership. Leadership, research, and scholarship constitute the purposes of Sigma Theta Tau International.

Student Nurses' Association All prenursing and nursing undergraduate students are eligible for membership in the National Student Nurses' Association, the Indiana Association of Nursing Students, and IU's local chapter. The chief purpose of the organization is to help students prepare to assume professional responsibilities through programs that involve nursing students in health care issues, legal aspects of nursing, interdisciplinary questions, and community activities at the local, state, and national levels.

Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. This service organization is open to all undergraduate nursing students who demonstrate excellence in the profession of nursing, maintain an acceptable grade point average, demonstrate leadership, and participate in campus and community activities. This organization affords students an opportunity to engage in service activities and to promote interest in the field of nursing locally and nationally.

Minority Nursing Student Organization (MNSO) The purpose of the MNSO is to serve as a peer support group for undergraduate, graduate, and prenursing minority students. The organization serves as a liaison among minority nursing students, faculty, and interested persons, groups, and organizations in the school, university, and community.

President's Council The President's Council is composed of the presidents of School of Nursing student organizations, class officers, faculty advisors, and representatives from school committees that deal with student matters. The purpose of this group is to be a liaison between various student groups, the faculty, and administration of the school. This group is especially involved in decisions associated with progression through the program and with graduation-related events. Class presidents are expected to keep classmates informed of issues and to act as advocates for their peers.

Pi Lambda Theta Graduate students with GPAs of at least 3.5 who are enrolled in teacher education courses may meet selective criteria for election to Pi Lambda Theta, an international honor society and professional association in education.

Graduate Nursing Student Organization The Graduate Nursing Student Organization seeks to foster fellowship, cooperation, and communication among graduate nursing students; to provide a means for graduate students to share concerns; to share information regarding student activities and concerns; to plan service and educational projects; and to provide representation for graduate students. The goal of the organization is to uphold the ideals and standards of the School of Nursing.

IU School of Nursing Committees Students are invited to participate on School of Nursing standing committees of the Council of Nursing Faculty, and on ad hoc task forces. Examples include the Curriculum Committee and the Student Affairs Committee.

Departmental Mission

Adult Health

The mission of the Department of Adult Health is to focus on the generation, utilization, and dissemination of knowledge related to the health care of adults. We offer courses in the A.S.N., B.S.N., M.S.N., and doctoral programs available through the School of Nursing.

Environments for Health

Consistent with the vision and mission of the School of Nursing, faculty in the Department of Environments for Health facilitate student learning by creating, applying, and transferring their unique knowledge and skills in the areas of psychiatric nursing, nursing administration, community health nursing, nursing informatics, and teacher education.

Family Health

The Department of Family Health Nursing focuses on the care of people and their families across the life span. The department's vision arises from the broader tripartite mission of the university, the school, and the Corridor: teaching, scholarship, and service. We embrace these essential values:

• The community is the context for our care of families.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration promotes better health care.
• Nursing of families requires a life span approach.
• Students, clients, communities, and faculty participate in connecting conversations.
• We value diversity in family constellations.
• Our practice is grounded in health as families define it.

The Department of Family Health Nursing seeks to be known for:

• Faculty clinical excellence
• Superior and innovative teaching
• Community partnerships
• Nurturing environments for students
• Research and scholarship in health promotion and family health