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Throughout her long and distinguished career, Yvonne L. Munn, RN, MSN, promoted patient-focused, outcome-oriented, and research-based practice. Her commitment to collaborative practice and skill as a consensus builder allowed her to influence the practice of nursing and the provision of patient care services in the institutions with which she was affiliated. Her legacy of leadership during her tenure at the Massachusetts General Hospital from 1984 to 1993, positioned the Department of Nursing to achieve the success it enjoys today.
She began her nursing career as an Instructor at Edmonton General Hospital School of Nursing in Edmonton Alberta, Canada. Within two years, she became Assistant Director of Nursing at Alberta’s Medicine Hat General Hospital and Director of Education for its School of Nursing. With increasing amounts of responsibility, she held leadership positions at Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego, California; Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Hospital in Chicago; Rush Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center and Rush University’s College of Nursing, also in Chicago; Methodist Hospitals of Dallas, Texas; and finally at Massachusetts General Hospital where she served as Associate General Director and Director of Nursing.
The Yvonne L. Munn Center for Nursing Research was established in her honor to build upon existing research initiatives including the annual lecture and award program, doctoral nurse forum, visiting professor program, and post-doctoral fellowships. The Center serves as the platform for building a nursing research program that is clinically-focused and advances the work of clinicians by providing opportunities to challenge current thinking, and identifying new ways to shape and influence professional standards.
This Center provides the infrastructure to advance professional nursing and facilitate the research agenda of the MGH community. This infrastructure supports the recognition of research excellence across all dimensions of clinical and administrative practice, creates a community of nursing scholars, disseminates research findings to the MGH nursing community and beyond, establishes partnerships with external nursing and other groups to increase and support participation of MGH nurses in research, and links research activities to changes in practice and patient care outcomes.
As the Yvonne L. Munn Center for Nursing Research has evolved, new initiatives have been implemented to support nursing and collaborative research. These initiatives include the Research Operations Group that manages many programs through partnerships between nurse researchers and clinical staff. During 2006, the Center received major grant funding which has supported the creation of a new Center which houses staff and resources, including the Yvonne L. Munn Nurse researchers and other physical space.
YVONNE L. MUNN NURSING RESEARCH AWARD
Overview
The Yvonne L. Munn Nursing Research Fund annually supports up to two research studies. These studies are initiated by MGH staff for the purpose of advancing the science of nursing care for their patients and families. A MGH doctorally-prepared nurse serves as a consultant and mentor to each research team in order to develop the research skills of clinical staff and to enhance the rigor of clinical research. Completed studies are featured as poster presentations during the Annual Research Day held in May during Nurses’ Week activities.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be members of the MGH clinical nursing staff. All research teams must include a doctorally -prepared nurse mentor who has agreed to provide support and guide proposal development.
It is not necessary to have MGH Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval prior to proposal submission. All research proposals must be approved by the MGH IRB and all nurses participating in research studies must complete the IRB’s on-line educational program (http://healthcare.partners.org/hrcedweb) prior to beginning the study.
Award recipients must submit a progress report to The Center for Clinical and Professional Development ever six months until the research is completed. Upon completion of the research project, findings must be submitted for presentation during the annual Nurse’s Week Research Day held each May.
Mentoring
Doctorally prepared nurses will provide assistance in proposal writing and study implementation. Questions regarding proposal preparation and submission should be directed to Virginia Capasso, PhD, APRN, BC, at vcapasso@partners.org.
Time Frame for Proposal Submission
Proposals may be submitted at any time throughout the year but are due by January 15th to be considered for the award. Awards will be presented each May during the annual Nurse’s Week recognition activities.
Award Notification and Funding
Recipients will be notified that their proposal has received a Munn Award by phone and in writing. Formal announcements will occur at the annual Yvonne L. Munn Research Lecture held during Research Day activities in Nurse’s Week each May. Recipient’s names will be placed on a plaque in the Ellison Corridor. Up to two awards of $1,500 are granted each year.
Proposal Format and Evaluation Criteria
Proposals should include the following components and comply with the associated page limits. Proposals must meet the MGH Institutional Review Board (IRB) criteria for proposals. The MGH IRB can be reached at 617-726-3493 or through their website at http://mghra.partners.org.
The proposal review panel will consist of doctorally prepared nurses from the MGH, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston College, Northeastern University or other area schools of nursing. The panel utilizes the format and criteria below in evaluating proposals. It is highly recommended that applicants use the criteria to develop their proposals.
- Abstract (500 word maximum)
- Hypothesis or research question with background, rationale and significance (1-2 pages)
- Historical background to the research problem is described.
- Research question(s), hypothesis to be tested and/or outcomes to be achieved are clearly stated.
- Purpose of the study is:
- Clearly identified.
- Significant to nursing practice.
- Logically developed.
- Contributes to nursing knowledge development or use.
- The research study or research utilization project proceeds from a conceptual, theoretical, or philosophical base that is:
- Clearly described
- Appropriate to the study
- Review of the literature (1-2 pages)
- Literature review is:
- Current
- Comprehensive
- Critically evaluated
- Supports the need for the study
- Methodology including sampling, instruments and measures used with appropriate psychometric evidence and data collection method (1 page)
- The potential benefits of this study to patients, families, caregivers and/or society is identified
and outweighs any potential risks associated with participation.
- Terms are theoretically and operationally defined (as indicated).
- Sample Selection (for research studies):
- Description of the sample, including inclusion and exclusion criteria is adequate.
- Source of the sample is specific.
- Recruitment methods are appropriate to the study design.
- Procedure for obtaining informed consent is described.
- Sample size is adequate to answer the research question.
- Power analysis is included for quantitative designs if indicated
- Assessment/Structural Planning (for research utilization/clinical project):
- Potential barriers inclusive and plans to eliminate them are:
- Potential facilitators are inclusive and plans to take advantage of them are:
- The target population for the project is:
- The size of the sample is adequate to achieve the intended outcome
- The location where the project will be carried out is identified.
- Strategies to engage and maintain participation in the project are:
- The study method is appropriate to answer the research question or to achieve the intended outcome.
- Data collection plans or project implementation plans are explicit.
- Facilities/environment where the study will be conducted are available and appropriate for the design.
- For quantitative data, validity and reliability of instrument are acceptable.
- For qualitative data, mechanisms to ensure the trustworthiness of the findings (credibility, transferability,
dependability, confirmability) are appropriate.
- Plans to prevent or minimize complications, side effects, and/or risks are described
if these are anticipated.
- For research studies, limitations are identified.
- Time line for completion of the study is reasonable.
- Data analysis (1 page)
- Plans for data analysis, including statistical tests when indicated, are appropriate to the research variables, questions/hypotheses, and/or method.
- Potential contribution of research to practice (1 page)
- Study has the potential to achieve at least one of the following outcomes:
- Improve the quality/effectiveness of care to patients and families.
- Enhance quality of life.
- Advance nursing knowledge
- Improve patient comfort
- Increase patient satisfaction.
- Empower patients, families, or caregivers.
- Proposed budget (1 page) Note: The budget must be reviewed and approved by The Norman Knight Nursing Center prior to submission as part of the proposal.
- Funds may not be used for investigator salaries and are limited to:
- Supplies for data collection.
- Data collection, entry and analysis. Note: data entry will be managed by The Norman Knight Nursing Center for Clinical & Professional Development.
- Subject stipends
- Travel
- Data entry sheets, data entry supports (time and cost) should be determined in consultation with The Norman Knight Nursing Center for Clinical and Professional Development by contacting Paul Arnstein, RN, PhD @ 617-724-8517 or Marion Phipps, RN @ 617-726-5298.
- Research expenses are reasonable and appropriate for the study.
- Research expenses are justified.
- Attachment
- References
- Data collection instruments
- Informed consent forms
- Investigator's resume or cv
- Letters of support. Must include nurse manager's
- Mentor's letter of agreement to serve as mentor
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