Nursing at Saint Mary’s is a Best Practice Program that incorporates key elements of evidence-based practice into a care delivery model centered on patient safety and cultural competence. Our primary focus as educators and practitioners is on the reduction of health disparities, improving patient outcomes and the further exploration of how nursing makes a difference in the lives of our patients.

Led by a team of Advanced Practice nurses including CNSs, NPs and PhDs, we offer numerous learning and growth opportunities for candidates including:

• Dynamic internships for both undergraduate and graduate students
• Well-grounded mentoring opportunities
• Regular sponsorships of AP Nurse attendance at regional and national conferences
• Strong collaborations with several excellent schools of nursing including those at Michigan State University, Hope College, Calvin College, Grand Valley State University, Ferris State University and University of Detroit Mercy

Key Collaborations. The Department of Research and Innovation welcomes creative thinkers. We know that nurses lead change in care delivery, so we support the development of innovation through collaborative partnerships with the West Michigan Science and Technology Initiative (WMSTI) and the Biotech Commercialization Project (BCP). As a partner in ClinXus, Saint Mary’s is positioned to offer groundbreaking clinical trials to patients. Here, nurses can expect to find opportunities for:

• Active involvement in community clinical trial initiatives in such fields as Endocrinology, Oncology and Neuroscience
• Working with Clinical Research Coordinators, Clinical Research Nurses and nurses functioning as principal investigators in original research
• Collaborative research projects with community-based and national organizations

Significant Relationships. As members of the National Nurse Practice Network (NNPN), Saint Mary’s nurses communicate and collaborate with nurses at the University of Iowa and from across the nation to implement the Iowa Model of Evidence-based Practice. Saint Mary’s nursing leadership attends the Advanced Practice Institute at the UI to learn advanced skills in evidence-based practice, as well as the role of the evidenced based practice facilitator. Directors at Saint Mary’s serve as Fellows with the Health Research Education Trust (HRET), serve on the state and national Boards of Directors and regularly attend various national residency programs, where they benefit our program by training with gifted leaders and key organizations.

For additional information on the Department of Research & Innovation at Saint Mary’s, contact .