American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Selects Cleveland Clinic Nursing Innovation Director As 2013 Distinguished Research Lecturer

ALISO VIEJO, Calif., Aug. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) recently selected Nancy M. Albert, RN, PhD, CCNS, CCRN, NE-BC, FAHA, FCCM, as its 2013 Distinguished Research Lecturer.

Established in 1982 and now funded by a grant from Philips Healthcare, Andover, Mass., the award recognizes nurses whose program of research significantly influences high acuity and critical care.

Albert is senior director of nursing research and innovation for Cleveland Clinic and its Nursing Institute, which oversees the practice and education of more than 11,000 nurses throughout Cleveland Clinic's health system. In this role, she mentors fellow nurses in conducting, translating and disseminating research to increase nursing knowledge of clinical and administrative practices and facilitate evidence-based nursing practices that improve patient outcomes.

She remains active as a clinical nurse specialist in Cleveland Clinic's Kaufman Center for Heart Failure, where she uses research results in heart failure-related critical care and cardiac telemetry programs to promote evidence-based practice, patient safety and quality outcomes.

In addition to her research and clinical responsibilities, Albert is an adjunct associate professor at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland and an adjunct faculty member in the nursing school at her alma mater, Kent State University.

Her own multifaceted program of research focuses on improving clinical outcomes for patients hospitalized with heart failure and improving evidence-based delivery of acute and critical care. In addition, Albert consults and mentors critical care nurses in neuro-ICU nursing research projects such as optimizing delirium assessment and studying the effects of early mobility.

In 2011, Albert presented results of a randomized controlled pilot study of fluid restriction to decrease hospital readmission in patients with heart failure. The study raises awareness of an alternative strategy to enhance outcomes for these patients. In a second study, Albert presented results of critical care and acute care nurses' comfort and frequency in delivering heart failure education. Results raise awareness of the need to improve hospital-based nursing processes related to patient education.

Albert is widely published in peer-reviewed healthcare journals and presents regionally, nationally and internationally on cardiac and research topics. She actively volunteers on the steering committees, work groups and task forces of many national healthcare organizations.

After receiving her nursing diploma from Huron Road Hospital School of Nursing, East Cleveland, Albert earned her BSN from Cleveland State University and MSN and PhD from Kent State University.

As the Distinguished Research Lecturer, Albert discusses her career and research journey Monday, May 20, 2013, during AACN's National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition. NTI, the world's largest educational conference and trade show for acute and critical care nurses, takes place Saturday, May 18 through Thursday, May 23, 2013, in Boston.

The American Journal of Critical Care (AJCC) will publish an abstract of Albert's presentation in its May 2013 issue, followed by a complete manuscript in July 2013.

About AACN's Distinguished Research Lectureship: AACN established the Distinguished Research Lectureship in 1982 to honor nationally known nurses who make significant contributions to high acuity and critical care research. The annual award, now funded by a grant from Philips Healthcare, Andover, Mass., recognizes research that changes or improves patient outcomes and advances nursing education and practice. Recipients present their award-winning research at the National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition and receive a $2,500 honorarium.

About the American Journal of Critical Care: The American Journal of Critical Care (AJCC), a bimonthly scientific journal published by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, provides up-to-date clinical research that focuses on evidence-based-practice applications. Established in 1992, it includes clinical and research studies, case reports, editorials and commentaries. AJCC enjoys a circulation of 96,000 and can be accessed at www.ajcconline.org.

About the National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition: Established in 1974, AACN's National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition (NTI), www.aacn.org/nti, represents the world's largest educational conference and trade show for nurses who care for acutely and critically ill patients and their families. Bedside nurses, nurse educators, nurse managers, clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners attend NTI.

About the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses: Founded in 1969 and based in Aliso Viejo, Calif., the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) is the largest specialty nursing organization in the world. AACN joins together the interests of more than 500,000 acute and critical care nurses and claims more than 230 chapters worldwide. The organization's vision is to create a healthcare system driven by the needs of patients and their families in which acute and critical care nurses make their optimal contribution. www.aacn.org; facebook.com/aacnface; twitter.com/aacnme

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SOURCE American Association of Critical-Care Nurses