The College of Nursing invites the nursing and health care community to its annual Research Day on Wednesday, March 30, 2011, from noon to 3:30 p.m. at Wayne State University Community Arts Auditorium and the College of Nursing Cohn Building.

Bernadette Melnyk, PhD, RN, CPNP, WMHMP, FNAP, FAAN, the keynote presenter, will discuss: Improving Quality Care, Patient Outcomes and Health Care Costs with Research and Evidence-Based Practice. Dr. Melnyk, dean, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Arizona State University, is a nationally recognized nurse researcher in interventions to improve coping and mental health in high-risk children, teens and parents, including critically ill hospitalized children, premature and overweight children. Her research is funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Commonwealth Fund. Dr. Melnyk is a practicing psychiatric nurse practitioner who received the 2008 Loretta Ford Distinguished Fellow Award from the National Associate of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP).

Registration for Research Day continuing education (CEs) opens at 11:30 a.m. in the Community Arts Auditorium and the program begins at noon. Research awards for Sigma Theta Tau International, Lambda Chapter, will be presented at 1 p.m.

Following the keynote address and research award presentations, registration for CEs and a Poster Reception will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. Research Day is complimentary but advance registration is requested by Friday, March 18, 2011, by contacting Dr. Dawn Hameister at aj0415@wayne.edu.

Wayne State University College of Nursing is internationally recognized for preparing graduate and undergraduate students to become nurse leaders, scholars and researchers. It consistently ranks among the top 10 percent of all American nursing programs. The College of Nursing Center for Health Research was the first of its kind and the College is an integral part of Wayne State University, which is classified as a Carnegie Foundation Research University.