SUMMARY
Jeanine E. Gangeness, Ph.D., R.N., NPD-BC, centers her research on advancing clinical nursing education, with a particular emphasis on student belonging and self-efficacy during clinical placements. Her work aims to identify and address challenges faced by nursing students, focusing on interventions such as the Warm Welcome initiative to improve initial clinical experiences. Through rigorous studies and collaboration, Dr. Gangeness seeks to enhance student confidence, promote professional identity development, and ultimately improve patient care and nursing education outcomes in acute care settings.
Focus areas
- Student belonging and self-efficacy during clinical placements. Dr. Gangeness' research examines the factors influencing nursing students' sense of belonging and self-efficacy as they begin their clinical education. By evaluating students before and during their initial clinical experiences, the project aims to pinpoint challenges and develop targeted interventions that foster a supportive learning environment, ultimately enhancing professional identity and patient care outcomes.
- Warm Welcome initiative. The Warm Welcome program introduces a focused orientation for prelicensure nursing students within the first two hours of their first clinical placement. This intervention is designed to cultivate a sense of welcome, boost student confidence in patient communication and hands-on care, and improve knowledge of unit navigation. The initiative's impact is assessed through student feedback, standardized surveys and comparative analysis.
- Comparative analysis of orientation approaches. The research includes a comparative study of cohorts who participate in the Warm Welcome initiative versus those who do not. Outcomes measured include reported sense of belonging, welcome, communication confidence and hands-on care competence. These findings inform best practices for clinical nursing education and shape the development of future educational programs.
- Metrics and evaluation. To rigorously evaluate interventions, the project employs standardized surveys to measure students' reported sense of belonging at multiple time points. Data analysis includes both immediate and longitudinal outcomes, ensuring that improvements in student experience are accurately captured and linked to enhanced patient care and student retention.
- Implementation and collaboration. The research plan involves a phased approach: initial pilot studies, scoping reviews, Institutional Review Board submissions, academic partner engagement and protocol implementation. Collaborative efforts within and beyond Mayo Clinic foster continuous advancement of the research process, with results disseminated to encourage broader adoption of successful strategies in nursing education nationwide.
Significance to patient care
Through her research work, Dr. Gangeness makes nursing education better. She helps students feel welcome and confident when they begin training. Focused orientation and support help students build stronger communication and hands-on care skills. Students are more ready to care for patients safely. Dr. Gangeness' work also helps students stay in nursing programs, develop their careers and improve patient outcomes. By sharing successful strategies, the project aims to strengthen nursing education and care quality at Mayo Clinic and across the country.
Professional highlights
- Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System:
- Vice chair, Graduate Education Committee, 2021-2022.
- Chair, Graduate Education Committee, 2018-2019.
- Board member, Olmsted Medical Center Foundation, 2020-2022.
- Minnesota State System Innovative Partnering and Collaboration Award, Community Simulation Collaborative, 2021.
- Minnesota Board of Nursing:
- Chair, Education Committee, 2013-2016.
- Governor appointment, Baccalaureate Educator Seat, 2013-2016.
- Vice president, 2013-2016