The AHNA 2015 research initiatives reflect the organization’s belief that ongoing discovery of knowledge, dissemination of research findings, and evidence-based practice are the foundation of specialized practice in holistic nursing. 

AHNA is an association comprised of skilled nurses with various educational and experiential backgrounds. Thus AHNA offers a rich source of data for individuals who wish to learn more about this group of nurses. Additionally, the annual AHNA conference brings a large group of holistic nurses from diverse practice settings together in one place.  

In light of the high variety of members, the AHNA Research Committee has developed a policy on how these members' involvement in research may be solicited. View policy here.

Investigators seeking approval should send their materials to office@ahna.org with a request for AHNA Membership Utilization for Research Purposes.

1. Understanding Nurses’ Experiences of Leadership Caring: A Directed Content Analysis
Carol Swamidoss Douglas, PhD, MPH, RNC-MNN & Anne-Marie O’Brien, PhD, RN, WHNP-BC

2. The Effect of Coloring Mandala Murals on Anxiety in Nurses
Julia Millspaugh, MA, BSN, RN, HNB-BC & Mildred Kowalski, PhD, RN, NE-BC, CCRP

4. Improving the State of Mindfulness Among Behavioral Health Science Faculty
Kristen Butler, DNP, MSN, BSN, RN & Cynthia Powers, BSHA, DNP, RN-BC, NEA-BC

5. Promoting a Healing Work Environment through Civility
Bettina Shank, DNP, RN, CNE; Amy C. Black, DNP, APRN, FNP-C & Eve Rice, DNP, MSN, CPNP-PC

6. PART-HBLU PTSD: Anxiety Reduction Through Tapping: Healing from the Body Level Up Methodology
Andrea Skillman, RN, BSN, HN-BC

7. Spiritual Practices Among People with Cancer Who Experience Pain
Katie Hardie, BSN student; Megan Miller, PhD, RN; Stephanie Spiecher, RN, BSN, CHPN & Cassie Bauer, BSN student

8. The Dualism of Being Trapped and Alone but Also Precious and Invaluable. Voices of Spouse Carers of Persons with Dementia
Lena Marmstål Hammar, RN & Anna Swall, PhD, RN

9. Perception of the Nursing Profession after COVID-19: POV Of Those Entering
Leslie Binford, DNP, RN, PMHNP-BC; Debra Rose Wilson, PhD, MSN, RN, IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT; Kristen Butler, DNP, MSN, RN & Cindy Meyer, MSN, RN, CHSE

10. A Qualitative Description of Being a Whole Health Coach
Susan Fowler, PhD, RN, CRRN, NE-BC, FCNS

11. The Effect of Lavender Essential Oil on Primary Dysmenorrhea
Dawn Langley-Brady, PhD, RN, AHN-BC, CHPN, CCA; Truc-Mi Hong; Taylor Crawford

1. The Effect of a Mindfulness Program Utilizing HeartMath™ on Perceived Stress in Critical Care Nurses  Kelly Briggs, DNP, RN, NE-BC, HNB-BC & Cira Frase, PhD, RN

2. The Impact of Meditation Techniques on Nurses' Resilience                                     Kimberly Puccio, MSN, RN, AACC, BC & Eileen Hinrichs, BSN, RN, Certified Meditation Specialist, BC

3. Developing a Modified Mindfulness-Based Intervention for People with Disabilities                                                                                                                                  Jenifer G. Prather, MPH, RN; Jennifer E.S. Beauchamp, PhD, RN, FAAN & Ansley Grimes Standfill, PhD, RN, FAAN

4. Nurse Coaching as an Intervention in the Treatment of Chronic Disease: An Evaluation of the Patient Experience                                                                                Amanda Imai, DNP, RN, FNP-BC; Wendi Swanson, DNP, RN, FNP-C, NC-BC & Dawn   Stone, PhD, RN, ANP-BC

5. Music Therapy Research in Critical Care: Implications for Holistic Nurses                   Amanda J. Golino, MSN, RN, CCRN, CCNS, PMGT-BC, TCRN; Raymond Leone, MMT, MT-BC; Audra Gollenberg, PhD; Amy Gillam, MSN, RN, CCRN, CNL, TCRN; Kristelle Toone, MSN, RN, CCRN, CNL; Yasmin Samahon, MSN, RN; Theresa M. Davis, PhD, RN, NE-BC, CHTP, FAAN; Debra Stanger, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC; Mary Ann Friesen, PhD, RN, CPHQ & Anthony Meadows, PhD, MT-BC, LPC, FAMI

6. Medical Intuition: Evidence to Support Holistic Healthcare Practice                               Wendie Colter, MCWC, CMIP & Dr. Paul J. Mills, PhD

7. Academic-Practice Partnership Promotes Student Engagement in Palliative Care                                                                                                                       Katrina Embrey, DNS, RN, Helen Taggart, PhD, RN & Haresh Rochchani

8. Mindfulness Matters in Nursing Education                                                                             Kathy E. Davis, PhD, RN & Maura Schlairet, EdD, MA, MSN, RN, CNL

9. Workplace Incivility: Proposal for Pilot Program                                                                   Shana Holiday, RN, BSN, HNB-BC, HWNC-BC, NBC-HWC, CDCES

10. Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell – A Review of Traditional Medicine Use by US Women of Mexican Origin                                                                                                 Caroline E. Ortiz, MS, MPH, RN, NC-BC

11. Decreasing Burnout, Improving Work Environment in Oncology Team with Firgun                                                                                                                        Deborah Kramer, EdD, CPNP, FNP; Kimberly Woody, PCPNP; Joanne Greene, APRN, CPNP; Arshia Madni, MD FAAP; Jerry Stein MD; Karen Moody MD; Shalini Bhatia, MS; Janet Sellers, LCSW; Angela Snyder, DNSc; Zhaohua Lu, PhD; Justin N Baker, MD FAAHPM & Deena R Levine, MD FAAP FAAHPM

12. Survey Results—Certified Nurse Coach/Holistic Nurse at AANP 2019                           Lyn McCright, MPH, RN, APRN, AHN-BC, HWNC-BC & Teresa Walding, BSN, RN, NC-BC

13. The Effects of Gratitude on Nursing Students                                                                  Tish Conejo, PhD, RN, WHNP-C; Lauren Loyd, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CNE & Susannah Hart, MSN, RN

14. Holistic Approach to Anti-Racism in a School of Nursing                                                 Teresa C. Twomey, EdD, MSN, RN; Cynthia Barrere PhD, RN, CNS, AHN-BC, FAAN; Marie Spivey; Rachel Lerner; Regina Leonard & Listy Thomas, MD, MBA

15. women's use of complementary and alternative medicine: a qualitative cross-cultural study                                              Pamela K. Lake, PhD, RN, AHN-BC & Cheryl Cooper, PhD

Nurses’ Perceptions of Spiritual Wellbeing and Relationship to General Wellbeing          Mitzie Meyers, PhD, RN, CNE, AHN-BC

The OSU Dream Team: Innovation Fellowship and Coaching Program

Taura Barr, PhD, RN, NC-BC & Dr. Amber Essman DNP, CNP-BC, CLC

 

Resilience in Nurse Coaching Students

Lyn McCright, MPH, APRN, AGNP, AHN-BC, HWNC-BC

 

What is the Role of Transcriptionist in Holistic Nursing Research?

Rorry Zahourek, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC (ret), AHN-BC(ret), FAAN

 

Pet Day! Virtual Renewal Initiative for Baccalaureate Nursing Students

Audrey Tolouian, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE, AHN-BC, FPCC

The American Holistic Nurses Association Research Committee convened a Task Force to identify the Research Priorities for AHNA. The Task Force, chaired by Wyona Freysteinson, PhD, MN, RN, FAAN, comprises nine holistic nurse experts from across the country with a combined 378 years of nursing experience and a vast array of research experience. The Task Force initially met in February 2022 and then bi-weekly, starting with brainstorming and brainstorming exercises. The work progressed into an iterative process to identify the AHNA Research Priorities. A final draft of the Research Priorities was presented to the AHNA Nursing Research Committee and the AHNA membership for field review in November. The results were aggregated and analyzed in December. There was a total of 259 respondents to the request for comments.

Summary of Results:

1. Enhancing the well-being of nurses. Support, 99.62 (106 comments)
2. Innovating holistic nursing care practices and interventions. Support 98.32 (90 comments)
3. Gleaning insight into mitigating biophysical, psychosocial, and spiritual pin across and lifespan Support 98.26 ( 94 comments)
4. Understanding intervening in and reducing health inequities 84.35 (86 comments)
5. Delving into nature and environmental studies 92.95 (113 comments)

The field review results were presented at the January 2023 AHNA Research Committee meeting, and the final recommendations were then forwarded to the AHNA Board of Directors for approval. The Research Priorities were approved at the January 2023 AHNA Board Meeting. The Task Force wishes to thank the AHNA Executive Director, AHNA Board of Directors, and AHNA membership for supporting this initiative.

Please click here to see the full document.

This award is supported by individual and group donations through AHNA’s Research Fund.

Recipients are encouraged to attend the National AHNA conference to receive their awards. Recipients are also encouraged to attend a subsequent conference to present their research findings, and are encouraged to publish the results of their work.

Click here to view the past Research Grant Recipients.

AHNA offers a competitive research grant for $5000.

The Research Grant is available to current AHNA members who are conducting holistic nursing research and have been members of AHNA for at least one year. Eligibility includes doctoral students who wish to apply for funds to support their research.

Those receiving the AHNA research grant funds are required to submit a progress report on an annual basis with a final report at the conclusion of the study and maintain a current membership with AHNA. Recipients are encouraged to attend the annual national AHNA conference to receive their awards. Winners are also encouraged to attend a subsequent conference to present their research findings, and are encouraged to publish the results of their work.

This award is supported by individual and group donations through AHNA’s Research Fund.

Selection Process
Grants are competitive and awarded through the AHNA Special Recognition and Grant Awards Committee which includes at least one member of the Research Committee. 

All applications and proposals are reviewed by the Committee members and the AHNA Board of Directors.

Applicants for the Research Grant must submit a research proposal* (3-5 pages) that includes:

1. Cover letter including: Complete contact information for the applicant, member ID number (contact ID number) and expiration date, and biosketch.

2. The proposal organized according to the guidelines.

3. Budget: Grant proposal budgets should be appropriate for AHNA level of funding, i.e. moderate in scope, able to be completed in 1- 2.

4. Completion of the AHNA Awards Nomination/Application Form please click here.

5. Doctoral student applicants only: Please enclose a letter from your Dissertation Committee Chair stating that they have reviewed your application and approved its submission for this grant.

* Proposal must be properly formatted: Your application will be blinded for review. Your application must be in word format; do not send pdf files. Do not "track changes" in your document. Please use a plain header with page numbers only.

Please e-mail completed application to office@ahna.org by February 15th of the year the grant is awarded.

Research Term

The Research Enews team invites your research word!

We are currently seeking to build a glossary of research terminology that will serve the holistic nursing community. In each issue of Connections in Holistic Nursing Research, a new term will be featured and the glossary will be on the website as well.
If you have a research term you think would benefit AHNA members, and would like to be a guest contributor to our glossary, please contact research@ahna.org with your recommendation.

Companion Animals
Correlation
Critical Incident Technique
Data Collection
Dissemination
Effect Size
Ethical Principles
Four Levels of Measurement
Grounded Theory
Hawthorne Effect
Hybrid Model of Concept Analysis
Phenomology
Power Analysis
Quality Improvement-  Evidence-Based Practice and Nursing Research: What's the difference?
Randomization
Rigor
Theory of Compassion Energy
Theory of Integral Nursing
Threats to Internal & External Validity
Triangulation
Validity
Variables in Quantitative Research

Authors in bold are AHNA members.

-Aromatherapy/Herbal Therapy
-Communication
-Energy Therapy
-Evidence-Based Practice
-Florence Nightingale
-Geriatric
-Guided Imagery
-Healing Environments
-Healing Theory & Holistic Practice/Research
-Health Promotion and Management Strategies
-Holistic Interventions
-Hypnosis
-Intentionality
-Knowledge and Attitudes/Use
-Metaphor
-Mind-Body Therapies
-Nutrition/Herbal/Dietary/Homeopathic Supp.
-Oncology
-Other
-Pain Management
-Research Techniques and More
-Spirituality/Religion
-Stress Management
-Women’s Health