In recent months, Henry Ford Health Clinical Nurse Specialist Patricia Klassa has collaborated closely with mentors from Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences to submit her research for publication.
“I feel so proud to be a member of an organization that supports nursing research,” said Klassa, who works at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital Birthing Center and studies ways to decrease maternal anxiety in cesarean births, which could help countless mothers across the country each year.
Since 2023, the Henry Ford + MSU Initiative for Nursing Support of Publications and Innovations in Research and Education (INSPIRE), has encouraged and assisted nurses to publish their research.
Nurses bring valuable experience and firsthand clinical insight that helps deepen and expand the collective knowledge of health care. As strong advocates for patient-centered care, they also play a pivotal role in driving meaningful improvements across the health care delivery system.
“The Henry Ford + MSU INSPIRE program amplifies the voices of nurses,” said Cathy Draus, DNP, Henry Ford + MSU INSPIRE program co-lead and Henry Ford Health Center for Nursing Research & Evidence-Based Practice and Magnet Program clinical nurse specialist. “It provides resources and support for those in clinical settings to share their innovative and impactful work in peer-reviewed literature.”
“Nurses are doing amazing things,” said Jackeline Iseler, DNP, MSU College of Nursing associate professor, Clinical Nurse Specialist Program director, and Henry Ford + MSU INSPIRE program co-lead. “They are leading and contributing to research, evidence-based practice and quality improvement. We’re glad to offer the guidance and mentorship that can help get this important work published.”
The INSPIRE program aims to ease that burden by offering guidance that helps nurses build essential publication skills.
“Having this mentorship makes the whole process less daunting and burdensome,” explained Iseler. “Finding time to work on publications is difficult during a 12-hour shift focused on patient care, especially without dedicated administrative time, which most nurses don’t have.”
To spread awareness of the INSPIRE program, Iseler and Draus recently presented a poster at the Midwest Nursing Research Society annual conference with their Henry Ford and MSU colleagues, Joshua Winowiecki, DNP; Ashlee Vance, Ph.D.; and Susan Buchholz, Ph.D.
“Presentation opportunities like this highlight the strength of the Henry Ford + MSU partnership and how it can foster the dissemination of our nurses’ amazing scholarship,” explained Winowiecki, who also helps co-lead the INSPIRE program and serves as an assistant professor in MSU College of Nursing and director of MSU’s Center for Practice Transformation.
The INSPIRE program offers one-on-one mentorship from the nursing teams at Henry Ford Health and the MSU College of Nursing. At present, 15 Henry Ford nurses are working alongside 12 Henry Ford + MSU mentors.
“Dr. Ashlee Vance has been a literal godsend, guiding me along the way over these past several months,” said Klassa. “I would not have been able to complete this process without her mentorship, and we are so incredibly blessed to have the Henry Ford and MSU partnership!”
In addition to Klassa’s manuscript on decreasing anxiety in cesarean births, participants in the Henry Ford + MSU INSPIRE program also have submitted manuscripts on combating workplace violence and improving nursing residency programs.
“Mentoring nurses through the INSPIRE program is a deeply rewarding experience,” said Ashlee Vance, Ph.D., Henry Ford Health Center for Health Policy and Health Services research assistant scientist. “I am here to guide, support and empower these talented nurses so they can build the skills and confidence needed to share their work with the broader health care community. It’s an honor to help them move their ideas from the bedside to publication, ensuring their voices and contributions are recognized and celebrated.”
Henry Ford Health nurses, who have a clinical project and are interested in receiving assistance with publication from the Henry Ford + MSU INSPIRE program, can email henryfordmsu@msu.edu.