Research

Improving health in Indiana and beyond

Research at Indiana University School of Nursing makes an impact where it matters most—for families and their loved ones here in Indiana and across the globe. We have championed nurse-led research since our founding in 1914, successfully generating and applying scientific knowledge to improve health. Since 2017, we have been awarded over $25 million in external research funding.

Our researchers are innovative—designing tools and interventions that improve the quality and efficacy of care and create healthier outcomes for patients, as well as curriculum that enhances the delivery of education for nurses around the world. Our work addresses patients across the lifespan—from prevention and education for healthy populations to chronic illness management to palliative and end-of-life care.

An environment where research can thrive

We offer strong internal support to our researchers as they seek sources of funding. And our nationally recognized community partnerships offer opportunities for collaborative practice, including academic research grants and shared participation in evidence-based practice leadership and initiatives. We also have four research centers focused on improving the quality of health and life and a strong affiliation with the RESPECT Center.

Office of Research Support (ORS)

ORS is here to help IUSON’s researchers develop and carry out research and scholarly activities, advancing clinical and educational science and ultimately improving health. We offer educational programs, disseminate funding announcements, and provide expert consultation.

We can help you develop your ideas, create an action plan, plan and complete data analysis, and format and proof your finished products. We have content, topic, statistical, and editorial experts to help you at every point in your journey.

Pre-award services include application planning and development, budget preparation, analysis consultation, and comprehensive submission guidance including application formatting, review of agency guidelines, biosketch preparation, collection of letters of support, and assistance in writing about available institutional resources. We can also help you respond to reviewer comments prior to resubmission.

Once you are funded, we can help with announcing your award, preparing press releases, hiring personnel, interpreting funding agency and university policies, and other regulatory, operational, and fiscal aspects of project management.

Yvonne Lu

Addressing the needs of adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

One-fifth of older adults experiences some form of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), which puts them at greater risk of losing their quality of life. Dr. Yvonne Lu, professor at IU School of Nursing's IUPUI campus, has developed and pilot-tested the Daily Engagement in Meaningful Activity (DEMA) intervention for MCI patients and their family caregivers—a strengths-based, positive health approach that builds on existing interpersonal skills and values. Dr. Lu is now conducting a $2.1M National Institute for Nursing Research-funded full-scale test of this supportive intervention, which aims to slow declines in functional performance and improve depressive symptoms in MCI patients, as well as to reduce the burden on caregivers.

Learn more about Dr. Yvonne Lu

Dozens of research programs are underway right now

Project: Interdisciplinary Training in Behavioral Oncology.
National Cancer Institute. End Date: August 2022

Project: Using Simulation to Assess Drug Calculations and Medication Administration Safety.
Sigma Theta Tau International, Alpha Chapter. End Date: December 2022

Project: Medication Adherence Given Individual systemChange™ In Advancing Nephropathy (MAGICIAN) Pilot Study.
National Institute of Nursing Research. End Date: July 2023

Project: Nurse Faculty Loan Program.
Health Resources and Services Administration. End Date: indefinite

Project: STTI DNP Scholars Program.
Sigma Theta Tau International. End Date: April 2023

Project: STTI Alpha DNP Scholars Program.
Sigma Theta Tau International, Alpha Chapter. End Date: April 2023

Project: Evaluation of the Communication Plan Early through End-of-Life (COMPLETE) Intervention.
National Cancer Institute (R01). End Date: July 2024

Project: A Nursing Home Pragmatic Clinical Trial of APPROACHES (Aligning Patient Preferences: a Role Offering Alzheimer's patient, Caregivers, and Healthcare providers Education and Support.
National Institute on Aging (R33). End Date: August 2022

Project: A Virtual Reality Intervention to Improve Attention in Heart Failure Patients.
American Heart Association. End Date: March 2023

Project: Virtual Reality and Computerized Cognitive Intervention for Mild Cognitive Impairment in Heart Failure.
National Institute on Aging. End Date: May 2027

Project: Use of Public Deliberation in Diverse Communities to Improve Consent Processes for Clinical Research.
Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). End Date: December 2023

Project: Promoting Reengagement in Daily Meaningful Activity Intervention for Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment and their Caregivers.
National Institute of Nursing Research (R01). End Date: March 2024

Project: Daily Engagement in Meaningful Activities Professional (DEMA-Pro) Intervention for Seniors with Subjective Cognitive Decline and Living at Home.
National Institute of Nursing Research (R61R33). End Date: August 2025

Project: The Collaborative for Aging Research and Engagement (CARE).
National Institute on Aging. End Date: August 2024

Project: Indiana University Emergency Department Education Project.
UCB, Inc. End Date: July 2022

Project: Substance Abuse Disorder Competency Education in Indiana Schools of Nursing: Assessing Core Nurse Competencies for Managing Persons with Substance Abuse Disorder.
Sigma Theta Tau. End Date: December 2021

Project: Modification and Evaluation of the DECIDE Intervention to Improve Parent-provider Interactions in Low-income Parents of Adolescents with Disruptive Impulse Control and Conduct Disorders.
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities. End Date: December 2021

Project: Cognitive Intervention to Improve Memory in Heart Failure Patients.
National Institute of Nursing Research. End Date: June 2022

Project: Lifestyle Physical Activity and Cognitive Training Interventions: Preventing Memory Loss in Older Women with Cardiovascular Disease.
National Institute of Nursing Research (Ro1)/Rush University Medical Center. End Date: January 2024

Project: Advanced Training in Self-Management Interventions for Serious Chronic Conditions.
National Institute of Nursing Research (T32). End Date: June 2024

Project: Instrumental Activities of Daily Living among Patients with Heart Failure: Testing a Theoretical Model.
Student Investigator: Elham Algashgari.
Midwest Nursing Research Society. End Date: March 2023

Project: Evidence-based Practice Norms among Nursing Teams in Magnet-designated Hospitals: A Q Methodology Study.
Sigma Theta Tau International, Alpha Chapter. End Date: December 2022

Project: Comparing Interventions to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening in Low-Income and Minority Patients.
Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). End Date: December 2021

Project: Using a Mixed Methods Approach to Understand Shared Decision-Making in Lung Cancer Screening.
National Cancer Institute (R01)/Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research. End Date: August 2023

Project: Advanced Training in Self-Management Interventions for Serious Chronic Conditions.
National Institute of Nursing Research (T32). End Date: June 2024

Project: Biologic Mechanisms and Dosing of Active Music Engagement to Manage Acute Treatment Distress and Improve Health Outcomes in Young Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Parents.
National Institute of Nursing Research (R01). End Date: June 2024

Project: Refinement and Testing of a Moral Distress Tool for Triservice Military Critical Care Nurses.
The Geneva Foundation/U.S. Air Force. End Date: January 2022

Project: Phenotyping the Pain of Heart Failure: Characterization, Predictors and Outcomes.
Sigma Theta Tau International Alpha Chapter. End Date: December 2021

Project: Do Differences in Gene Expression by mRNA Explain Pain Presence Among Patients with Heart Failure?
Hillman Small Grant Fellowships, University of Pennsylvania. End Date: June 2023

Project: Symptom Clusters in Breast and Colorectal Cancer Survivors with Diabetes: An Analysis of Big Data.
Oncology Nursing Foundation. End Date: January 2022

Project: A Personalized Preventative Care Recommendation System by Integrating Guidelines with EHR Data.
Co-PI: Xiao Luo.
National Institute of General Medical Sciences. End Date: August 2024

Project: Emotion Regulation Intervention to Sustain Physical Activity in Rural-Dwelling Women and Men After Myocardial Infarction.
Sigma Foundation for Nursing. End Date: May 2022

Project: Emotion Regulation Intervention to Sustain Physical Activity in Rural-Dwelling Women and Men After Myocardial Infarction.
Sigma Theta Tau International. End Date: April 2022

Project: How the Experience of Self-Reported Cognitive Problems Impacts Engagement in Leisure Activities in Adults Aging with HIV.
Sigma Theta Tau International. End Date: November 2021

Project: Post-Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Residency (PBRNR).
Department of Veteran Affairs. End Date: December 2022

Learn more

Learn about our research centers

Meet our researchers

Explore pre- and postdoctoral fellowships

Explore IUSON open positions

Request to become a visiting scholar

Research opportunities for students

Our students make important and valuable contributions to research through undergraduate honors programs. As Traditional track IUPUI or IU Bloomington BSN students, you may gain experience in research, evidence-based practice (EBP), and dissemination of scholarly work, working alongside experienced faculty researchers when you participate in honors options.

The collection and interpretation of real-world, on-site data is central to our graduate programs. Our PhD students are linked with faculty researchers who provide supportive mentoring throughout their entire program.

Learn about research on each campus

IU Bloomington

IU Fort Wayne

IUPUI