Nursing Research Opportunities

Nurse Research and Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)

UC San Diego Health is deeply committed to fostering a culture of inquiry, innovation, and evidence-based practice among its nursing workforce. A robust infrastructure supports nurses in both leading and participating in scholarly activities that advance nursing practice and improve patient outcomes. The centralized Nursing Education, Development, and Research (EDR) Department serves as the cornerstone of these efforts. This department, in collaboration with our shared decision-making structure, ensures that nurses are empowered to critically evaluate their practice, contribute to the generation of new knowledge, and actively engage in the dissemination of research findings.

EDR's comprehensive professional development programs are strategically designed to cultivate scholarly competencies across all stages of a nurse's career. Through the guidance of Nurse Professional Development Specialists and Clinical Nurse Specialists, research is translated into practice, ensuring that innovations and best-practices are embedded into clinical guidelines and policies via collaborative decision-making processes. 

Our active Nursing Research and EBP Council holds a yearly conference to showcase projects conducted over the previous year. Annually, nurses at UCSDH present an average of 50 podium and 50 poster projects at regional, national, and international conferences, and publish an average of 20 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals.

The clinical advancement ladder, constructed by nurses for nurses through shared governance, encourages nurses to conduct evidence-based practice change projects and/or research as a partial requirement for promotion. Classes and individual mentorship are provided for those seeking career advancement.

Resources

• IRB
• Online Clinical Library
• UC Learning Center

Selected UCSD Nursing Publications

• Nethercot D, Abrahim HL, Resseguie C. Enhancing Efficiency and Engagement at Conferences: Implementing the PechaKucha Format. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing. 2025;56(9):387-392. doi:10.3928/00220124-20250612-03
• Abrahim, Heather L. PhD, RN, NPD-BC, CCRN; Rodelo, Anthony MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CCRN; Warlan, Heather PhD, RN, CPHQ. (2026). Enhancing a Preceptor Program: Theory, Frameworks, and Practical Strategies to Increase Preceptor Satisfaction and Improve Retention. Journal for Nurses in Professional Development 42(1), 10-16. | DOI: 10.1097/NND.0000000000001186
• Giovannetti, E. R., Lee, R. O., Thomas, R. L., Wolinsky, T., Talbot, A. V., Ali, R. S., ... & Boeder, S. C. (2025). CGM-Guided Insulin Infusion in Critically Ill Patients Promotes Safety, Improves Time Efficiency, and Enhances Provider Satisfaction. Endocrine Practice, 31, 1143-1149.
• Gail Reiner, DNP, FNP-C & M. Skipworth    Symptom improvement in a South Asian patient with Parkinson's disease treated with immediate- and extended-release carbidopa-levodopa: a case report. (2025). Journal of Medical Case Reports, 19(321), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-025-05385-x
• Kristina E. James, DNP, RN, CNL, PCCN, Julia Rogers, Rachael Accardi, Gokarna Aryal, Patti Ludwig-Beymer, Judy E. Davidson  (2025). Supporting Nurse Leaders to Recognize and Intervene in Team Members' Suicidality. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 57(4), 631-642.
• Corinne Aukerman, MSN, RN,  Karen Armenion, MSN, RN, CMSRN, NE-BC & Noel Viray, MS, BSN, GERO-RN, CHPN  Multilingual FIT Rounds: Inclusion of Non-English Speaking Patients in Bedside Rounds. UCSDH Health JEDI Newsletter, July 2025.
• Chong, Khrizna Belardo MSN, RN, CNS, CCRN, CSC-CMC; Harris, Jennifer MSN, RN, AGCNS-BC, CCRN, SCRN; Klinkhamer, Angela MSN, RN, CCRN; Fojas, Heather MSN, APRN, ACNS-BC; Attanasio, Maren MSN, APRN, ACCNS-AG, CCRN; Chau, Tran MSN, RN, CCRN CSC-CMC; Park, Kwanghwi BSN, RN, CCRN-CMC; Kovacs, Priscila S. MSN, APRN, CNS, PHN; Davidson, Judy E. DNP RN MCCM FAAN Exploring Barriers to Use of Train of Four Peripheral Nerve Monitoring in the ICU. Critical Care Nursing Quarterly, 48(4), 345-363. DOI: 10.1097/CNQ.0000000000000569
• Arenas, C., Davidson, J.E., & Tomori, C. (2025). Preventing and mitigating lateral violence in nursing through bystander training. JONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration 55(11). https://doi.org/10.1097/nna.0000000000001634
• Agarwal, S., James, K., Armenion, K., Clapp, C., Makhija, H., Zisook, S., & Davidson, J. (2025). Job-related problems among 2021 nurse suicides: A thematic analysis. Nursing Management, 56(9). DOI: 10.1097/nmg.0000000000000299
• Hsieh AP, Cooper A, Mayfield C, Bauernsmith I, Brown K, Tucker S, Melnyk BM, Davidson JE. Nurses At-Risk for Mental Health Distress and Suicidality Describe Stressors and Strategies for Healthcare System Change: A Thematic Analysis. J Nurs Adm. 2026 Mar 1;56(3):127-134. doi: 10.1097/NNA.0000000000001696
• Resseguie, C. (2025). Creating safe spaces: Strategies to mitigate lateral violence in the ambulatory care setting. Journal of Ambulatory Care Nursing, Quarter 4 2025.
• Tavakoli, A., Huang, V., & Miles, J. (2025). Cellular immunotherapy and toxicity management. In K. L. Byar (Ed.), Handbook of oncologic emergencies and urgencies in acute care nursing (pp. 335–362). Springer Publishing Company. https://doi.org/10.1891/9780826144881
• Erece, O. M. (2025). Gender Pronouns: Expectations Without Preparation. Critical care nurse, 45(3), 8. https://doi.org/10.4037/ccn2025883
• Tavakoli, A., Huang, V., & Miles, J. (2025). Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In K. L. Byar (Ed.), Handbook of oncologic emergencies and urgencies in acute care nursing (pp. 305–334). Springer Publishing Company. https://doi.org/10.1891/978082614488