Over the past decade, WeRPN has worked to amplify the value and impact of RPNs in the healthcare system and support enhanced understanding about the RPN role. Since 2021, the association has funded research grants to expand RPN-focused knowledge. This year, we proudly announce the recipients of the 2024-2025 Academic Research and Research Fellowship Grants. These initiatives further work to address the underrepresentation of evidence regarding RPNs’ contributions in healthcare while paving the way for research excellence in the profession.
Academic Research Grants
WeRPN has awarded seven Academic Research Grants for the 2024-2025 period. These research projects focus on themes critical to RPNs, aiming to develop new insights and evidence across the health sector.
The awarded projects are:
RPN Leaders’ Experiences of Managing Workplace Violence and Harassment in Home and Community Care
Principal Investigator: Sonia Nizzer, VHA Home Healthcare
Aim: Develop a comprehensive understanding of RPN leaders’ experiences using a new reporting and response framework.
This mixed-method study, led by Sonia Nizzer, involves RPNs in study planning, data collection, tool development, and knowledge translation to address workplace violence and harassment in home and community care.
RPNs and Role Clarity in Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospitals
Principal Investigator: Sonya Canzian, Unity Health
Aim: Explore how RPN scope of practice supports patient-centered care.
Led by Sonya Canzian, this qualitative study examines the lived experiences of RPNs and interprofessional collaboration in inpatient rehabilitation, with RPNs involved in data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
Optimizing the RPN Role in Acute Care for Workforce Retention
Principal Investigators: Dr. Alyssa Indar, University of Toronto, and Dr. Sherry Espin, Toronto Metropolitan University
Aim: Explore the unique role of RPNs in managing complex clinical situations.
Co-led by Dr. Alyssa Indar and Dr. Sherry Espin, this study investigates RPN roles in acute care at the University Health Network, involving RPNs in study design, recruitment, data collection, and knowledge mobilization.
RPNs’ Knowledge and Experience with Post-Stroke Spasticity in Long-Term Care
Principal Investigator: Dr. Amanda McIntyre, Western University
Aim: Explore RPNs’ knowledge and challenges related to post-stroke spasticity.
Dr. Amanda McIntyre’s research focuses on RPNs’ experiences with post-stroke spasticity in long-term care, with RPNs contributing to study design, recruitment, data collection, and analysis.
New Graduate RPNs’ Readiness for Practice in Acute Care
Principal Investigator: Mary-Jane Ducsharm, Conestoga College
Aim: Inform college programs and hospital transition programs to better prepare students.
This study by Mary-Jane Ducsharm aims to enhance college programs and hospital transition initiatives to better prepare new graduate RPNs for acute care settings, involving RPNs in data collection and curriculum development.
Implementing RPNs in Acute Care Hospital Settings
Principal Investigator: Dr. Marianne Saragosa, University of Toronto
Aim: Understand the impact of skill mix changes in acute care on nurse, patient, and organizational outcomes.
Dr. Marianne Saragosa’s research examines the implementation of RPNs in acute care, utilizing implementation science to assess impacts on various outcomes, with RPNs engaged in recruitment, data collection, and analysis.
Supporting Data-Informed, Person-Centered Care Planning by RPNs
Principal Investigator: Dr. Margaret Saari, Saint Elizabeth Health
Aim: Support data-informed, person-centered care in community-based transitional programs.
Dr. Margaret Saari’s study supports data-informed, person-centered care planning by RPNs in transitional care, involving RPNs in data collection, analysis, co-design workshops, and knowledge mobilization efforts.
RPN Research Fellowships
WeRPN has also awarded three RPN Research Fellowship Grants for 2024-2025. These fellowships aim to build research capacity within the RPN profession, supported by academic mentors and workplace executive sponsors. The awarded projects are:
Palliative Care for Persons with Dementia Micro-Credential Training
Fellow: Attila Kovacs, RPN
Mentors: Dr. Winnie Sun, Ontario Tech University, and Dr. Denise Connelly, Western University
Executive Sponsor: Leanne Preston, Extendicare Port Hope
Aim: Assess the impact of micro-credential training for palliative care on BEGIN recipients.
RPNs’ Knowledge and Experience with Post-Stroke Spasticity in Long-Term Care
Fellow: Jennifer Walker, RPN
Mentor: Dr. Amanda McIntyre, Western University
Executive Sponsor: Tanya Pol, Mount Hope Centre for Long-Term Care
Aim: Explore RPNs’ knowledge and challenges related to post-stroke spasticity.
Emotional Model of Care
Fellow: Oghenefegor Uwejeya, RPN
Mentor: Dr. Winnie Sun, Ontario Tech University
Executive Sponsor: Sheryl Thorpe, The Municipality of Durham Region
Aim: Co-develop and pilot a new emotional model of care to improve care delivery and experiences.
For more information, please contact us at:
Email: research@werpn.com
Phone: 905.602.4664 | Toll-Free: 1.877.602.4664
Address: 5025 Orbitor Drive, Building 5, Suite 200, Mississauga, ON L4W 4Y5
WeRPN.com
About WeRPN
WeRPN is the professional association representing Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) in Ontario. We are dedicated to fostering the professional growth of RPNs, advocating for their role in the healthcare system, and promoting research excellence to improve patient care.