Mary Fran Tracy, PhD, RN, APRN, CNS, FAAN

Mary Fran Tracy, PhD, APRN, CNS, FAAN, is an accomplished nurse leader and a nurse scientist with the University of Minnesota School of Nursing and University of Minnesota Health. Dr. Tracy provides strategic direction to translate nursing research into evidence-based practice improvements that enhance patient outcomes. An advanced practice nurse with extensive research and teaching expertise, Dr. Tracy previously served as a clinical nurse specialist in critical care at the University of Minnesota Medical Center for 18 years. A prolific author and former president of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, Tracy is a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing recognized for her leadership in driving nursing science and professional practice advancements.

Academic Interests and Focus

Nursing Theory; Nursing Research; Nursing Interventions; Evidence-Based Practice

Registered Nurse, State of Minnesota

Clinical Nurse Specialist, State of Minnesota

CCNS, Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist, AACN Certification Corporation

Inducted as Fellow, National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, 2019

Daisy Faculty Award for Scholarship in Practice, 2018

Minnesota Affiliate, NACNS - Mary Fran Tracy Award of Excellence (established in honor), 2016

Brenda Lyon Leadership Award, National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, 2014

Minnesota Advanced Practice Nurse of the Year, Minnesota March of Dimes, 2010

University of Minnesota 100 Distinguished Alumni, 2009

Marie Hippensteel Lingeman Award for Excellence in Nursing Practice, Sigma Theta Tau International, 2009

Inducted as Fellow, American Academy of Nursing, 2004

Editorial Activities

Journal Editor

AACN Advanced Critical Care Journal.  Editor-in-Chief, 2008-present.

Book Editor
(most recent editions)

Advanced Practice Nursing: An Integrative Approach.  7th Ed.  (2023). Tracy, M.F., O’Grady, E., Phillips, S.J. (Eds.) New York, NY: Elsevier

Complementary & Alternative Therapies in Nursing, 9th Ed. (2022).  Lindquist, R., Tracy, M.F. & Snyder, M. (Eds.) New York, NY: Springer.

Advanced Practice Nursing: An Integrative Approach.  (2017). 5th Ed.  [Japanese Translation].  Hamric, A.B., Hanson, C., Tracy, M.F., O’Grady, E. (Eds.) Elsevier Japan KK.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Nursing.  (2016). Lindquist, R., Snyder, M., Tracy, M.F.  (Eds.)  7th Ed.  [Japanese Translation].  Tokyo: Kango-No-Kagaku Sha, Publisher of Books and Journals in Nursing.

Select Leadership Positions

Co-Founder and Co-Chair, Clinical Nurse Scientist Special Interest Group, Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science, 2018-2021

Lead, Choosing Wisely Campaign, American Academy of Nursing, 2017-2019

Board of Directors, American Thoracic Society (ATS), 2007-2009

President, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, 2006-2007

Board of Directors, AACN Certification Corporation, 2003-2005

Secretary, Board of Directors, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, 2002-2004

Board of Directors, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, 2001-2004

Co-Founder and Charter President, Minnesota Affiliate, National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, 1997-2000

AcademyHealth

American Academy of Nursing

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses

• Greater Twin Cities Area Chapter, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses

American Nurses Association

American Thoracic Society

Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science

International Academy of Nursing Editors

Midwest Nursing Research Society

Minnesota APRN Coalition          

National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists

• Minnesota Affiliate, National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists

Sigma Theta Tau International

• Gamma Chapter
• Zeta Chapter

Tracy, M.F.,  Hagstrom, S., Mathiason, M.M., Wente, S., & Lindquist, R. (2023). Emotional, mental health and physical symptom experience of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 up to three months post discharge: A longitudinal study. Journal of Clinical Nursing. Online ahead of print. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.16880

Peterson, P., Tracy, M.F., Mandrekar, J., & Chlan, L. (2023). Description of symptoms in patients receiving noninvasive ventilation in the intensive care unit.  Nursing Research, Publish ahead of print. doi:10.1097/NNR.0000000000000688

Chlan, L.C., Tracy, M.F., Ask, J., Lal,  A.,Mandrekar, J. (2023). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ICU clinical trials: A description of one research team’s experience. Trials 24, 321. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-023-07355-4

Tracy, M.F.,  A Definition of Advanced Practice Nursing. (2023).   In M.F. Tracy. E. O’Grady, & S.J. Phillips. (Eds).  7th Ed.  Advanced Practice Nursing, Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier

Tracy, M.F., Blumenthal, N.  Direct Practice.  (2023).   In M.F. Tracy, E. O’Grady,  S.J. Phillips. (Eds).  7th Ed.  Advanced Practice Nursing, Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier

Tracy, M.F.,  Sendelbach, S.  The Clinical Nurse Specialist. (2023). In M.F. Tracy, E. O’Grady, & S.J. Phillips. (Eds).  7th Ed.  Advanced Practice Nursing, Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier

Tracy, M.F., Watanuki, S., Lindquist, R. Therapeutic Listening.  (2023). In R. Lindquist, M.F. Tracy, M. Snyder. (Eds). 9th ed. Complementary Therapies in Nursing: An Integrative Approach. New York:Springer. 

Hagstrom, S., O’Conner-Von, S., Tracy, M.F. (2022). Survey of nurses’ use of the clinically aligned pain assessment (CAPA) tool in caring for adult inpatients. Pain Management Nursing, 23(5). 568-575. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmn.2022.04.002

Hagstrom, S., O’Conner-Von, S., Mathiason, M., Tracy, M.F. (2022).  Nurses’ use of the clinically aligned pain assessment (CAPA) tool: A mixed methods study. Pain Management Nursing, 23(4), 377-384. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmn.2022.04.005

Granger, B.B., Bryant, R., Crow, A., Tracy, M.F. (2022). A scoping review of outcomes of operational success for nurse scientists in clinical settings. Nursing Outlook, 70(2), 247-258. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2021.11.002

Tracy, M.F., Barnsteiner, J.  Evidence-Based Practice. (2022). In G. Sherwood & J. Barnsteiner.  (Eds).  Quality and Safety in Nursing: A Competency Based Approach to Improve Outcomes, (3rd Ed). West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.

Granger, B., Johnson, K.J., Norful, A., Westlake, C., Tracy, M.F. (2021). Who advances nursing science in practice settings and how?  Journal of Nursing Administration, 51(10), 519-525. doi: https://doi.org/10.1097/nna.0000000000001057

(Select Recent Presentations)

Tracy, M.F., Hagstrom, S., Mathiason, M., Wente, S., Lindquist, R. Advocating for a holistic approach to identify and manage long-term effects of COVID-19 hospitalization  2023 Annual Conference, National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists.  Portland, Oregon.

Hagstrom, S., Mathiason, M., Wente, S., Lindquist, Tracy, M.F.  Longitudinal symptom experience of patients hospitalized with COVID-19: Nursing considerations to address long-term impact. 47th Annual Research Conference, Midwest Nursing Research Society.  Des Moines, Iowa

Tracy, M.F., Hagstrom, S., Mathiason, M., Wente, S., & Lindquist, R.  Symptom experience and long-term recovery of patients hospitalized with COVID-19.  Nursing implications.  2022 State of the Science Congress, Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science.  Washington, D.C.

Tracy, M.F. (Moderator).  Johnson, K., Norful, A., Westlake, C. (Panel). Who advances nursing science in practice settings and how?  2020 State of the Science Congress Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science (Virtual Conference).

Tracy, M.F.  Using insights of our past to create our future.  (Invited 25th Anniversary Keynote).  2020 Annual Conference, National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists.  Indianapolis, Indiana.

Tracy, M.F. Publishing Ethics for Authors: Navigate through the maze of copyright, permissions, and plagiarism.  46th Annual National Teaching Institute (2019), American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.  Orlando, Florida

Tracy, M.F. The Future of ICU Advanced Practice Nurses. (Invited presentation 2018).   National University Hospital.  Singapore, Singapore

Tracy, M.F. Advanced Practice Nursing: Core Concepts and Professional Role Development. (Invited Presentation 2018). Changi General Hospital.  Singapore, Singapore

Tracy, M.F.  Advanced Practice Nursing:  Legislation and Policies.  (Invited Presentation 2018).  Singapore Ministry of Health. Singapore, Singapore.

(Select Grants)
Award: Efficacy of Self-Management of Sedative Therapy by Ventilated ICU Patients
Role: Multiple Principal Investigator
Sponsoring Organization: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
Award Dates: 2016 – 2024

Award: Learning How Expert Critical Care Nurses Think: An Action Approach
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
Sponsoring Organization: American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
Award Dates: 2020-2024

Award: Learning How to Think From Expert Nurses: The Power of Practice Narratives
Role: Co-Investigator
Sponsoring Organization: Minnesota Nurses Association Foundation
Award Dates: 2019-2023

Award: COVID: Tell Us Your Story
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
Sponsoring Organization: University of Minnesota, D2D and School of Nursing
Award Dates: 2022-2023

Award: The Emotional, Mental Health and Physical Symptom Experience of Patients
Hospitalized with COVID-19: Long-Term Recovery
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
Sponsoring Organization: Clinical Nurse Specialist Institute
Award Dates: 2020-2022

Award: The Emotional, Mental Health and Physical Symptom Experience of Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19
Role: Principal Investigator
Sponsoring Organization: Clinical Translation and Science Institute, University of Minnesota
Award Dates: 2020-2022

Award: Testing the Feasibility of Patient-Controlled Sedation in Ventilated ICU Patients. 
Role: Co-Investigator
Sponsoring Organization: National Institute of Nursing Research
Award Dates: 2012 - 2015

Award: Reducing Sedative Exposure in Ventilated ICU Patients
Role: Co-Investigator
Sponsoring Organization: National Institute of Nursing Research
Award Dates: 2006-2010

• Symptom management in acute and critically ill patients
• Innovative interventions to improve care of critically ill and mechanically ventilated patients
• Integrative therapies