Developing A Research Trajectory: An American Indian Perspective

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Developing A Research Trajectory An American
Indian Perspective

• Lee Anne Nichols, PhD, RN
• The University of Tulsa
• School of Nursing
• NCEMA, 2007

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Acknowledgements

• Thank you to NCEMNA for this invitation to
  present.
• Thank you to the participants for listening to
  the presentation.

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Mind, Body, and Spirit of American Indians
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Mind, Body, and Spirit of American Indian Research
For many American Indian researchers, conducting
research with American Indian populations is a
sacred and spiritual journey. Dr. Roxanne
Struthers described her journey as conducting
sacred research..
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Mind Tools of Self

• Self
• Remember where you come from
• Be true to your self
• An Indian leader is valued more for who they are
  and not for what they do.
• Follow the sacred path
• Nichols, 2004
• Lewis Gingerch, 1980
• Garrett Garrett, 1996

• Values
• Gratitude
• Connectedness
• Give-away
• Honor
• Harmony
• Balance
• Give back
• Respect
• Listen
• Learn
• Circularity
• Non-interference
• Garrett Garrett, 1996

• Indian knowledge
• Stories
• Traditions
• Ceremonies
• Language
• Song
• Medicines
• Spirituality
• Pictures
• Wampum belts
• Totems
• Smoke
• Symbols
• Color
• Sign language

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Body Build the Research Trajectory in the
Indian way
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Conducting Sacred Research

• It may be necessary to engage in a research
  process that reflects the cultural worldview of
  the researcher and the participants. This
  research approach can be instinctively natural,
  fluid, sacred, holistic, circular, and unfold in
  an intuitive manner.
• Struthers, 2001, p. 132.

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Research Process

• Scientific research process
• Indian cultural competent methodology
• Conducting sacred research
• (Refer to handout)

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WHAT A LEADER DOES
Example of Indian Conceptual Model
Demonstrates values
Mentors
WHAT A LEADER IS
Bicultural
Spiritual
Self-actualized
Role models
Inspires
Recognized
Community
Family
Caring
Political
Visionary
RELATIONSHIPS WITH
Listens
Teaches
Humble
Balanced
One Another
Mobilizes
Experienced
Wise
Quiet presence
Communicates
Connects
Gives back to community
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• Example AI/AN Nursing Conceptual Model (Lowe
  Struthers, 2001)

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Example of Indian Conceptual Model (Nichols,
2004b. Nichols Keltner, 2005.)
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Examples of Indian drawings for research
Struthers, Boyle, Lauderdale, Nichols,
Strickland, Tom-Orme, 2005. Nichols, 2004.
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Linear vs. Circular Development of a Research
Trajectory
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Native Nurse Leadership Research Trajectory
Academic Perspective
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Research Trajectory A Medicine Wheel Perspective
Infancy
Elder
The Infant Caring Process Among Cherokee Mothers
American Indian Families Caregiving Strengths
American Indian Families with Developmental
Disabilities A Community Assessment
American Indian Families with Developmental
Disabilities
Pathways to Leadership
OK AI Families with Developmental Disabilities A
Community Assessment
AI Family Assessment
The Lived Experience of Families with Older
Children with Developmental Disabilities
American Indian Nurse Leadership
AI Elders and Developmental Disabilities
Childhood
Adulthood
American Indian Parenting
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Spirituality Publications

• When an Indian person participates in a research
  study as a subject, they are providing a gift, a
  piece of themselves, a piece of their spirit.
  This gift is reflected in the dissemination of
  the findings. Honor that gift.
• Publications
• Presentations

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Publications

• Callister, L. C. (2005) Toward evidence-based
  practice The Infant Caring Process Among
  Cherokee Mothers by Lee Anne Nichols.
  Maternal-Child Nursing, 30, (1), 70-71.
• Nichols, L. A. (2004). The Infant Caring Process
  Among Cherokee Mothers. Journal of Holistic
  Nursing, 22(3), 1-28.
• Nichols, L. A. (2004). Native American Nurse
  Leadership. Journal of Transcultural Nursing,
  15(3), 177-183.
• Nichols, L. A. Baker, M (in press). Pathways to
  Leadership Developing a Culturally Competent
  Leadership Curriculum for American Indian Nurses
• Nichols, L. A., Keltner, B. (2005). Indian
  family adjustment to children with disabilities.
  American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health
  Research The Journal of the National Center,
  12(1), 22-48.  Available online
  http//www.uchsc.edu/ai/ncaianmhr/journal_online.h
  tm
• Nichols, L.A., Lowe, J. and Parker, J. (2002).
  Researching with respect Nurses conducting
  research in American Indian communities must
  learn to be more culturally sensitive to tribes
  unique needs. Minority Nurse, Summer, 80, 78-79.

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Publications

• Struthers, R., Boyle, J., Lauderdale, J.,
  Nichols, L. A., Strickland, J., Tom-Orme, L.
  Respecting Tribal Traditions in Research and
  Publications Voices of Five Native American
  Nurse Scholars. Journal of Transcultural Nursing,
  16, (3), 193-201.
• Nichols, L. A., Parker, J. G. Henley, S. (in
  press).The Exploration of Ethics from an American
  Indian Perspective
• Nichols, L. A., Struthers, R., Parker, J. G.
  (in press). Factors that Affect Ethical Issues
  and Health Care in Native American Tribes.
  (Nursing Ethics).
• Parker, J., Baker, M., and Nichols, L. A. (2003).
  Pathways to Leadership A minority leadership
  development program with an exciting difference
  Its culturally competent curriculum created by
  and for American Indian Nurses. Minority Nurse,
  Fall, 40-43.
• Parker, J. and Nichols, L. A. (2001). Tribes
  know best To provide effective health care to
  Indian populations, nurses must understand the
  complexities of tribal governance. Minority
  Nurse, Summer, 88-87.

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Publications

• Struthers, R. and Nichols, L. A. (2004).
  Utilization of Complementary and Alternative
  Medicine Among Racial and Ethnic Minority
  Populations Implications for Reducing Health
  Disparities. Annual Review of Nursing Research,
  22, 285-313
• The University of Tulsa Nursing Magazine. (2005).
  Excellence in Action Contributions to the
  Discipline The Difference a Culture Can Make.
  The University of Tulsa Nursing Magazine, 1(1),
  5. (Interview)
• Steefel, L. (2006). NCEMNA creates leaders to
  close the disparity gap. Nursing Spectrum, May,
  15, 2006. Available online http//community.nurs
  ingspectrum.com/MagazineArticles/article.cfm?AID2
  1289. (Interview).
• Woods, K. (2006). Career clinic Leadership
  skills for minority nurses. Minority Nurse,
  Summer, 48-51. (Interview).

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Manuscripts Under Review

• Lowe, J., Struthers, R., and Nichols, L. A.
  (2006). Utilization of a Native American nursing
  conceptual framework Implications for practice
  and research. (Under review).
• Nichols, L. A. Lauderdale, J. (2006).
  Culturally competent theoretical frameworks for
  assessment of American Indian families. (Under
  review to Maternal Child Health Journal MCH,
  special supplement titled Research for MCH
  Practice in American Indian and Alaskan Native
  Communities).
• Nichols, L. A. and Parker, J. G. (2006).
  Parenting Among Oklahoma American Indian
  Families. (Under review).
• Nichols, L. A. and Struthers, R. (2006)
  Understanding the American Indian Worldview A
  Concept Analysis of Passive Forbearance. (Under
  review to Journal of Theory Construction
  Testing).

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Manuscript in Progress

• Nichols, L. A. (2007). American Indian Philosophy
  and Rogers' Science of Unitary Human Beings.
  (Manuscript in progress).
• Nichols, L. A. (2007). American Indian Concepts.
  (Manuscript in progress).
• Nichols, L. A. (2007). American Indian Elders and
  Developmental Disabilities

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Collaborations

• American Indian spirituality among Protestant OK
  Indians
• Beverly Patchell
• Lee Anne Nichols
• Martha Baker
• American Indian Ethics
• Lee Anne Nichols
• Judy Parker
• Sue Henley
• Self as Native Researcher/Journey of Native
  Researchers
• Sue Henley
• Lee Anne Nichols
• Lisa Crawford-Smith

• American Indian Leadership Curriculum
• Martha Baker
• Lee Anne Nichols
• Application of the Native Nurse Leadership Model
  to Health Policy
• Karine Crow
• Lee Anne Nichols
• Martha Baker
• American Indian Nurse Leadership model
• Lee Anne Nichols
• Martha Baker
• 3 part manuscripts on conducting research with
  American Indians
• Lee Anne Nichols
• Jana Lauderdale
• John Lowe

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Tools for an Indian Researcher

• WHAT A AI NURSE LEADER DOES
• Mentors
• Role models
• Communicates
• Connects
• Listens
• Mobilizes
• Gives back to community
• Teaches
• Inspires
• Demonstrates values

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WHAT A LEADER DOES
Demonstrates values
Mentors
Role models
Inspires
Research solutions to reduce health
disparities Characteristics include knows how
to conduct research in the Indian
way Outcome research that improves
AI/AN health
Listens
Teaches
Mobilizes
Communicates
Connects
Gives back to community
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Second Outer CircleWhat a Leader
DoesAttributes/Outcomes
Role Models Being an example Honor Self
autonomy
Demonstrates Values Respect
Trust Humor
Client/Patient Outcomes/Relations Increase
client/patient satisfaction with nursing
care Improve quality of nurse/patient
relationship Improve health behaviors of AN/AI
clients/patients
Inspires Perseverance Spiritual Testimonial Storie
s
Mentors Becoming Teacher Elder Relationship

• Workforce Outcomes/Relations
• Increase the number of AN/AI nurses
• Retains AI/AN nurses
• ? Mentors inexperienced nurses to improve
• retention in tribal health programs
• Improves communication which improves patient
  care
• Improves the quality of nurses of the future
• Provides culturally competent education to nurses
• Increases the quality of the interaction
  competency
• skills of nurses working in tribal health
  programs
• Identifies ways to reduce time pressure decisions

Teacher Oral History Knowledge Elder,
Past, present, future
Listens Silence I gave listening
Connects Harmony Balance Relationship
Communicates Story Teller Indirect Silence Art
Community Outcomes/Relations Gift of a go wa dv
di vision, extraordinary ability to see
beyond the ordinary sight, to a better
way Increases access to health care to AN/AI
clients/patients Creates a healthy work
environment in a tribal health care work
setting to encourage AI/AN nurses to work in
their communities Develops relationships between
the communitiy and nurses to reduce mistrust
Mobilizes Warrior Honor
Gives back to the community Interdependence
Circular thought Clans
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Second Outer CircleWhat a Leader
DoesAttributes/Outcomes
Role Models Being an example Honor Self
autonomy
Demonstrates Values Respect
Trust Humor
Client/Patient Outcomes/Relations Increase
client/patient satisfaction with nursing
care Improve quality of nurse/patient
relationship Improve health behaviors of AN/AI
clients/patients
Inspires Perseverance Spiritual Testimonial Storie
s
Mentors Becoming Teacher Elder Relationship

• Workforce Outcomes/Relations
• Increase the number of AN/AI nurses
• Retains AI/AN nurses
• ? Mentors inexperienced nurses to improve
• retention in tribal health programs
• Improves communication which improves patient
  care
• Improves the quality of nurses of the future
• Provides culturally competent education to nurses
• Increases the quality of the interaction
  competency
• skills of nurses working in tribal health
  programs
• Identifies ways to reduce time pressure decisions

Teacher Oral History Knowledge Elder,
Past, present, future
Listens Silence I gave listening
Connects Harmony Balance Relationship
Communicates Story Teller Indirect Silence Art
Community Outcomes/Relations Gift of a go wa dv
di vision, extraordinary ability to see
beyond the ordinary sight, to a better
way Increases access to health care to AN/AI
clients/patients Creates a healthy work
environment in a tribal health care work
setting to encourage AI/AN nurses to work in
their communities Develops relationships between
the community and nurses to reduce mistrust
Mobilizes Warrior Honor
Gives back to the community Interdependence
Circular thought Clans
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Challenges

• Appointment at a small private university
• Limited seasoned faculty/mentors available
• Limited resources
• Community-based research
• Isolation
• Keeping current on research methodologies

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Rewards

• Increase scientific knowledge
• Use of knowledge by AI/AN communities
• Way to give back to AI/AN communities

• Sacred moments

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Goals

• Find a mentor
• Be involved with professional organizations
• Develop new research skills
• Apply for federal funding
• Collaborate
• WRITE, WRITE, WRITE

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Mind, Body, and Spirit of American Indian
Research An Approach to Develop an Indian
Research Trajectory