Sigma Small Grants

Muna Alali, MSN, BSN (Alpha Psi Chapter, USA)

Title of Project: Evaluation of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to Determine Physical Activity (PA) in Saudi Female Adolescents in the Eastern Region, Saudi Arabia
The purpose of the study is to examine the relationship between psychosocial factors of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and physical activity (PA) among Saudi female adolescents.

Colleen Victoria Anusiewicz, PhD, BSN (Nu at-Large Chapter, USA)

Title of Project: Exploring Hospital Nursing Resources to Address Racial Disparities in Outcomes Among Older Adults Living with Multiple Chronic Conditions
The purpose of the proposed study is to determine whether nursing resources are associated with disparities in outcomes between black, Hispanic, and white older adults living with multiple chronic conditions (MCCs), and to determine whether there is an association between discharge readiness and disparities in outcomes (LOS and readmissions), and whether and to what extent differences in discharge readiness explain any observed relationship between nursing resources and disparities in these outcomes.

Jonathan Bayuo, MN, MPhil, BN (Chi Omicron Chapter, Hong Kong)

Title of Project: Effects of A Nurse-Led Transitional Burns Rehabilitation Program (4Cs-TBuRP) For Adult Burn Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This trial will ascertain the effects and implementation process of a nurse-led transitional rehabilitation program for adult burn survivors.

Bayou 
“The proposed study meets both local and global need for comprehensive burns rehabilitation in a continuous and coordinated manner to improve patient outcomes in the early post-discharge period. The telehealth component of the intervention suggests that burn survivors and their families will continue to receive support at a distance as they recover which is critical to overcome challenges associated with transportation costs/ distance and more importantly, in the midst of the current coronavirus pandemic. Additionally, the follow-up process evaluation phase will offer unique insights into barriers, facilitators and mechanisms associated with the implementation process to help identify ways of sustaining the programme in the long-term..”
— Jonathan Bayuo, MPN, BN
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Nursing

Yuling Chen, MSN, BSN (Nu Beta at-Large Chapter, China)

Title of Project: Associations between Literacy (health and eHealth literacy) and Major Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Documented Coronary Heart Disease in China: A Prospective Cohort Study
This study focuses on addressing health disparities in mainland China through determining the associations between literacy (health literacy and electric health literacy) and major cardiovascular events among patients with documented coronary heart disease in China.

Wenyi Chen, MSN, BSN (Nu Beta at-Large Chapter, USA)

Title of Project: Adverse and Positive Childhood Experiences and General Health among Asian American Young Adults
The purpose of this study is to investigate whether disparities in ACE and PCE exposures exist in a diverse Asian American population of young adults (i.e., Asian Indian, Chinese, Hmong American) differing in their US immigration histories, cultures, language, and countries of origin and describe the relationships among ACEs, PCEs, and self-reported general health among Asian American young adults.

Angela Chia-Chen Chen, PhD, RN, PMHNP-C (Beta Upsilon Chapter, USA)

Title of Project: Discrimination, Health, and Vaccine Acceptance among Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese Americans amid COVID-19
The purpose of this study is to conduct timely and time-sensitive research that examines how racial/ethnic discrimination toward our target populations amid COVID-19 has negatively impacted their preventive behaviors, health and healthcare seeking behaviors, including vaccination intent and uptake.

Jeungok Choi, PhD, MSN, BSN (Beta Zeta at-Large Chapter, USA)

Title of Project: Web-Based Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Older Adult with Arthritis Fatigue; A Feasibility and Acceptability Study
The purpose of this project is to develop a web-based cognitive behavioral intervention (Web-CBI) and to test feasibility and acceptability of Web-CBI for older adults with arthritis fatigue.

Caroline Dickson, RN, BSN (Omega Xi Chapter, United Kingdom)

Title of Project: The Translation of Learning About Person-Centeredness Into Practice From a Community Nursing Preparation Program
The purpose of this study  to explore whether community nurses (CNs) who have been prepared through, or are currently post-registration students on, person-centered masters programs, demonstrate translation into practice (I.e. implementation of learning about person-centeredness) and how this impacts on workplace /team culture. 


Candace Harrington , PhD, DNP, BSN (Iota at-Large and Iota Zeta Chapters, USA)
Title of Project: Rural Older Female Family Caregivers Lived Experiences in the Context of Caregiving for Those with AD/ADRD during the COVID-19 Pandemic
The purpose of this qualitative study is to investigate rural older female caregivers' lived experiences in the context of caring for family members with Alzheimer's disease/Alzheimer's disease-related dementias (AD/ADRD) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Elliane Irani, PhD, MSN, BSN (Alpha Mu Chapter, USA)

Title of Project: Resourcefulness and Health Outcomes in Persons with Cardiovascular Disease and their Care Partners
The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between resourcefulness and health outcomes (depressive symptoms and quality of life) in a dyadic context for Persons with CVD (PwCVD) and their care partners. 
Irani 
“Our study will contribute to the literature about resourcefulness and dyadic illness management. The findings will extend resourcefulness theory to a dyadic context and will highlight a protective factor (i.e., resourcefulness) that contributes to dyadic appraisal and dyadic management behaviors as indicated in the theory of dyadic illness management. Moreover, the findings will inform the adaptation of a dyadic intervention, leading our team to seek federal funding to test the intervention..”
— Elliane Irani, PhD, MSN, BSN
Case Western Reserve University, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing

Heidi McNeely, MSN, BSN (Delta Chapter, USA)

Title of Project: Substance Use Treatment Providers Perspectives on Barriers and Facilitators to Treatment, Recovery, and Returning to Work for Healthcare Professionals with Substance Use
The overall purpose of the study is to help identify barriers and facilitators to substance use (SU) treatment, successful recovery and return to work for healthcare professionals (HCPs) with SU.

Amnazo Muhirwa, MSN, BSN (Rho Lambda Chapter, USA)

Title of Project: Stress, the Superwoman Schema and Cardiovascular Wellbeing Among Rural African American Women
The proposed study will conduct a retrospective analysis utilizing electronic health record (EHR) patient portal records from Duke Primary Care rural in North Carolina combined with self-report data on diet and physical activity to examine the association between community stress factors (neighborhood cohesion, neighborhood safety).

Brad Phillips, MSN, RN (Alpha Rho Chapter, USA)

Title of Project: Experience of Parents Caring for a Child with an Acquired Disability
 This study will gather empirical evidence on the concept of transforming loss to offer guidance on how to assist parents who have a child who has an acquired disability, and to create new perspectives of purpose and meaning.

Kathryn Post, PhD, MSN (Alpha Chi Chapter, USA)

Title of Project: Breast Cancer Transitions
The purpose of this study is to explore the experience of patients diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) to inform the development of a nurse-led, psycho-educational and coping intervention to enhance quality of life (QOL) during the transition from curative therapy to surveillance.

Lesley Rink, MSN, BSN (Beta Epsilon Chapter, USA)

Title of Project: Characterizing Burnout and Resilience Among Nurses: A Latent Profile Analysis
The overall goal of this study is to describe different profiles of burnout and resilience among nurses working in inpatient or outpatient United States (U.S.) healthcare settings and determine nurse characteristics associated with the different profile subgroups.

Knar Sagherian, PhD, MSN, BSN (Gamma Chi Chapter, USA)

Title of Project: Taking a Break: How Rest Breaks Can Reduce Acute Fatigue during the COVID-19 Pandemic
This study will evaluate the effect of rest breaks during work hours on reducing COVID-19 work strain among hospital nurses.

Kisha Thompson, MS, CRNA (Omega Delta Chapter, USA)

Title of Project: Reflection and Resilience Influences that Support Survival in Young Black Men
The purpose of this study is to determine the association between self-reflection and resilience in young Black men and to determine if the concept of insight is a mediator in this relationship.

Rosemary Berkel Crisp Research Award

Weijiao Zhou, MSN, BSN (Rho Chapter, USA)

Title of Project: Objectively Measured Physical Activity in Surgical Lung Cancer Patients: Feasibility and Acceptability of a Longitudinal Approach
The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility and acceptability of conducting a longitudinal study of physical activity (PA) before and after lung cancer surgery using accelerometers to measure PA and questionnaires to measure potential factors that influence PA and to establish preliminary estimates of change in PA and estimates of the strength of relationships between PA and factors thought to influence PA before and after surgery.
Zhou 
“Physical activity declines after lung cancer surgery and may not recover to the preoperative level for months after surgery. One to six years after surgery, only 23.1% to 28.0% of surgical lung cancer survivors engaged in recommended amount of PA. With objective measures of physical activity we will better understand the natural trajectory of change in PA and its predictors. The proposed research will help us determine if the plans for collecting this type of data are realistic, basically is it feasible to collect this data and do subjects find it acceptable or is it too burdensome. This project will launch a much larger program of research that examines the trajectory of PA in a much larger sample and establishes predictors of change in PA before and after surgery. This has the potential to lead to interventions and improved outcomes for people after lung cancer surgery.”
— Wiejiao Zhou, MSN, BSN
University of Michigan

Doris Bloch Research Award

Roxanne Mirabel-Beltran, PhD, MSN, BSN (Kappa Chapter, USA)

Title of Project: Building a Culture of Health through a Laundromat-Based Health Educational Intervention Focused on Women’s Fertility, Pregnancy, and Health-Seeking Behaviors
Our proposed mixed methods study will identify barriers to accessing maternal healthcare among women living in Washington, District of Columbia’s (DC) wards one and five by measuring baseline knowledge level of fertility and pregnancy, self-efficacy, intention to seek care, and experience with maternal healthcare. Second, using community-based participatory research (CBPR), study results will inform the development of an educational intervention (EI), as well as the feasibility of having the EI delivered in community laundromats. Lastly, the proposed study will provide data on effect sizes for a future National Institute of Health (NIH) R01 grant application that examines women’s experiences with the EI delivered in a laundromat setting and the effect of the EI on women’s fertility and pregnancy health knowledge level, self-efficacy, and intention to seek care. 

Joan K. Stout, RN, Research Grant

Gina Fieler, DNP, RN (Rho Theta Chapter, USA)

Title of Project: Multi-level Peer-to-peer Engagement: Using Simulation to Facilitate Intercultural Development in Undergraduate Nursing Students
This research study aims to determine the effects of simulation education on intercultural development.

Sigma Global Nursing Research Grant

Lacey Heinsburg, PhD, RN (Eta Chapter, USA); Ulai Tapa Fidow, MD (Samoa); Daniel Weeks, PhD (USA); and Stacy Wendell, PhD (USA)

Title of Project: Genetic, Socioenvironmental, and Behavioral Contributions to Metabolomic Profiles and Body Composition in Samoan Infants 
The purpose of this study is to use untargeted metabolomic profiling and pathway discovery to better understand the foundations of variation in adiposity and body composition (e.g., fat mass, lean mass, bone mass, weight-for-age) in the first two years of life.

Sigma/Alpha Eta Collaborative Research Grant

Pule Moabi, MPH, BN (Tau Lambda at-Large Chapter, Lesotho)

Title of Project: Facilitation of the development of a model/framework that guides Simulation-Based Education in under-resourced nursing education institutions in Lesotho
The proposed study may ensure that teaching and learning in simulation also focuses on critical thinking, decision making, problem solving and team work.
Pule 
“Findings from the proposed study may act as a data base for literature search on simulation based education and simulation models. As the researcher proposes to develop a model, the developed model can be adopted by various researchers in different parts of the globe..”
— Pule Moabi, MPH, BN
Scott College of Nursing

Sigma/American Nurses Credentialing Center Evidence-Based Practice Implementation Grant Program

Theresa Jabaley Leonarczyk, PhD, RN, OCN, (Pi Epsilon at-Large Chapter, USA)

Title of Project: The Effect of Infusion Rate Titration on Taxane-Related Hypersensitivity
The purpose of this project is to determine if an initial three-step, gradual infusion rate titration provided with first and second lifetime exposure taxane infusions reduces the occurrence and severity of immediate hypersensitivity reactions.

Sigma/Association of Nurses in AIDS Care Grant

Alanna Bergman, MSN, BSN (Kappa Chi Chapter, USA)

Title of Project: Using Ethnographic Methods to Explore Stigma in South African HIV and Tuberculosis Clinics to Develop a Measure of Intersectional Stigma
The purpose of this study is to use ethnographic research methods to develop a culturally relevant and linguistically sensitive instrument measuring intersectional stigma among South Africans living with TB, HIV, and significant poverty.

Sigma/Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses Grant

Imelda Wright, PhD, RN, CNOR (USA)

Title of Project: Relationships of the Perioperative Nurses’ Work Environment with a Culture of Safety and High Reliability 
The purpose of this study is to examine dimensions of the perioperative work environment and their associations with operating room (OR) culture of safety and high reliability characteristics.

Sigma/ATI Educational Assessment Nursing Research Grant

Julie Fitzwater, MNE, BSN (Xi Mu Chapter, USA)

Title of Project: Using Simulation to Develop Clinical Teaching Competencies in Nurse Educators
The purpose of this pilot study is to determine if simulation is an effective method to increase teaching competencies in novice clinical nurse educators by examining behaviors to provide constructive formative feedback.

Sigma/Canadian Nurses Foundation Grant

Marian Luctkar Flude, PhD, MScN, RN, CCSNE (Lambda Pi at-Large Chapter, Canada)

Title of Project: Assessing Feasibility and Sensitivity of Using VoxNeuro as an Objective Measure of Cognitive Function in Cancer Survivors Receiving Neurofeedback for Post-Cancer Cognitive Impairment and Cancer-Related Fatigue
The purpose of our study is to assess the feasibility and sensitivity of VoxNeuro as an objective measure of cognitive function in cancer survivors receiving neurofeedback for post-cancer cognitive impairment (PCCI) and Cancer-related fatigue (CRF).
Luctkar Flude 
“ This will support future grant applications for funding to sustain and expand the research program. Further this project will provide the research team and trainees with valuable experience in the delivery of the neurofeedback intervention and allow us to refine our protocols and further broaden the scope of our inquiry..”
— Marian Luctkar Flude, PhD, MScN, RN, CCSNE
Queen's University School of Nursing

Sigma/Chamberlain College of Nursing Education Research Grants

Wilma Calvert, PhD, MSN, BSN (Nu Chi Chapter, USA)

Title of Project: Understanding the Situated Experiences of Tenured Black Nursing Faculty: Keys to Eradicating Race Inequities Nursing Education
The purpose of this study is to explore how tenured Black nursing faculty describe the
challenges, barriers, feelings, and success(es) they experienced when they worked to earn
tenure with the ultimate goal to better illuminate the situated experiences of tenured Black
nursing faculty.

Lisa Eyring-Guthrie, MSN, BSN (Delta Chapter, USA)

Title of Project: Development and Psychometric Testing of the Capstone-Experience Preceptor Preparedness Scale: The Cap-ExPresS Study
The purpose of this study is to conduct psychometric testing of a pilot-tested multidimensional preceptor preparedness scale for preceptors working with pre-licensure nursing students during their capstone experience, the Capstone-Experience Preceptor Preparedness Scale (Cap-ExPresS).

Regina Wilder Urban, PhD, MSN, BSN (Delta Theta Chapter, USA)
Leslie Jennings, MSN (Delta Theta Chapter, USA)

Title of Project: Influencing Pre-Nursing Student Well-Being Through a Five-Week Online Intervention: A Pilot Study
The purpose of this study is to describe factors that may contribute to pre-nursing student well-being and to test a well-being intervention utilized in an introduction to nursing course with pre-nursing students as they prepare for admission to an accelerated online BSN program.

Urban 
“The results of this study will inform the intensity of future efforts by academic nurse educators to make pre-nursing students aware of mental health resources.”
— Regina Wilder Urban, PhD, MSN, BSN
University of Texas at Arlington

Sigma/Council for Advancement of Nursing Science Grant

Clarissa Shaw, MSN, BSN (Gamma Chapter, USA)

Title of Project: Advancing Methods of Measurement and Education for Communication in Dementia Care
The purpose of this study is to create simulations of dementia care and evaluate if communication in the simulated environment is equivalent to communication in the naturalistic environment

Sigma/Emergency Nurses Association Foundation Grant

Carolyn Harmon, DNP, RN-BC (Alpha Xi and Nu at-Large Chapters)

Title of Project: Unintended Consequences of the EHR and Cognitive Load in ED Nurses

The overall objective of the study is to gain new knowledge related to patient safety and emergency department (ED) nursing practice.

Shireen Schrock, PhD, RN, PCCN-K
Title of Project:  A Nationwide Study of Emergency Department Nurses' Acute Coronary Syndrome
The purpose of this study is to explore emergency department (ED) nurses’ knowledge of ACS symptoms and how ED nurses make triage/prioritization decisions related to patients presenting with symptoms consistent with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Sigma/Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation End of Life Nursing Care Research Grant
Marlena Fisher, MSN, BSN (Nu Beta at-Large Chapter, USA)
Title of Project: Informal Advance Care Planning With Family in Blacks on Dialysis
The proposed study will explore and describe multiple factors and their association with informal advance care planning with family among Blacks with end stage renal disease on dialysis.

Sigma/Jonas Philanthropies Collaborative Research Grant

Maria Bluhm, PhD, BSN (Delta Alpha at-Large Chapter, USA)

Title of Project: Veteran Community Online Mindfulness Support (Vet-COMS): Feasibility and Acceptability of a Community-based Support Program for Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress
The goal of this study is to equip veterans with a stress-reduction tool, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic where imposed social distancing may stress the veterans and disallow them the community support needed.

Tamar Rodney, PhD, MSN, BSN (Nu Beta at-Large Chapter, USA)

Title of Project: Life Course Review of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Following a Traumatic brain Injury: Symptom Perception and Health Outcomes. 
The purpose of this study is to assess the life course experience of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and the impact on health outcomes in a cohort of Veterans who are traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors.

Deborah Wilson, MSN, MPH, BSN (Nu Beta at-Large Chapter, USA)

Title of Project: Adapting and Implementing an Indigenous Informed Intervention to Reduce Stress, Promote Wellbeing and Resilience in Tribal Head Start Teachers, Fort Peck Reservation, Montana 
This behavioral intervention aims to promote the health and wellbeing of Tribal Head Start teachers making it consistent with nursing research strategic goals of improving wellness by promoting health and preventing illness.

Sigma/Midwest Nursing Research Society Research Grant

Asha Mathew Solomon Satishkumar, MSN, BSN (Alpha Lambda Chapter, USA)

Title of Project: Symptom-Cluster Experiences in Oral Cancer Using Mixed Methods
The purpose of the study is to examine symptom-cluster experiences in patients with oral cancer using mixed methods.

Sigma/National Association of Hispanic Nurses Research Grant

Carli Zegers, PhD, BSN (Delta Chapter, USA)

Title of Project: Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Translation of the Functional, Communicative, and Critical Health Literacy (FCCHL) Questionnaire. 
The purposes of this study are two-fold: (1) cross-culturally translate the Functional, Communicative, and Critical Health Literacy (FCCHL) tool into Spanish; and (2) assess the validity of the Spanish-FCCHL (SFCCHL) tool with native-Spanish speakers. Data will be collected from Spanish speaking adults with at least one chronic condition receiving care at a community health center primarily serving Spanish speakers in the Kansas City area. 

Sigma/National League for Nursing Grant

Sagine Bien-Aime (Eta Beta Chapter, USA)

Title of Project: The Effect of Same Gender and Same Race Coaching Intervention on the Resilience of Black Baccalaureate Nursing Students
The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of a same gender and same race coaching intervention on Black female baccalaureate nursing students’ perceptions of resilience.

Sigma/Oncology Nursing Society Grant

Rachel K. Walker, PhD, RN (USA)

Title of Project: At Home Detection of Antineoplastic Drugs and Hazardous Metabolites in Body Fluids
The long-term goal of this projects is to improve patients' and caregivers' ability to self-manage exposure risks by developing a low-cost device for home use that can detect antineoplastic agents and their hazardous metabolites in body fluids such as urine, semen and vaginal fluid and breastmilk.

Sigma/Southern Nursing Research Society Grant

Mollie Aleshire, DNP, MSN, APRN (Iota Zeta Chapter, USA)

Title of Project: Cervical Cancer Screening Barriers and Facilitators for Sexual and Gender Minorities: A Community Engaged Feasibility Approach
The purposes of this study are to identify barriers and facilitators to cervical cancer screening (CCS) among sexual and gender minority and to obtain key stakeholders’ perspectives on strategies to facilitate increased CCS among these populations.

Sigma/Western Institute of Nursing Research Grant

Sarah Martha, PhD, BSN, (Psi at-Large Chapter, USA)

Title of Project: Lipid Profiles and Associated Symptoms and Outcomes in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients
The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of a 1-month protocol and to describe self-reported symptoms and their association to cognitive and functional outcomes in persons with Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) who did and did not receive reperfusion intervention.