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MIKE VIZVARY

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KERI HOCKETT, R.N. NAMED FIRST CLINICAL NURSE RESEARCHER

AT SARASOTA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

SARASOTA, Florida – Keri Hockett, R.N., ARNP has been named the first clinical nurse researcher at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. She implements evidence-based practice initiatives and generates nursing knowledge through research at Florida’s second largest public health care system.

An Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse (AOCN), Hockett will continue in her clinical role as Sarasota Memorial’s oncology clinical nurse specialist. Hockett joined Sarasota Memorial in 1980 as a staff nurse.

Hockett earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Villanova University, and her master’s degree in nursing from the University of South Florida, where she is a doctoral degree student in the School of Nursing.

In 2001, Gov. Jeb Bush appointed Hockett to the Florida Board of Nursing. A member of the courtesy faculty of the University of South Florida College of Nursing, Hockett is a member of the Oncology Nursing Society, National Association of Women’s Health Professionals, Society of Gynecologic Nurse Oncologists, and the Florida and American Nurses Association.

Nursing Research

Hockett is working on a study with The Wellness Community on the effects of rehabilitation on breast cancer survivors' fatigue, physical functioning and uncertainty. Other research will focus on patient safety as well as the validity and reliability of an assessment tool that measures a patient’s risk to fall. The assessment tool was developed by a Sarasota Memorial nurse.

Hospitals across the nation are developing nursing research programs. Nursing research puts the weight and force of scientifically valid findings behind patient care.

The Nursing Executive Center of the Healthcare Advisory Board has recommended that hospitals create a clinical nurse researcher to lead and coordinate nursing research efforts.

"The goal of our nursing research program is to help Sarasota Memorial enhance its excellence in nursing and build on our status as a Magnet hospital," said Chief Nursing Officer Jan Mauck. "The program will help nurses grow professionally through their participation in research projects and assist us in making clinical decisions using the best available scientific evidence."

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