Laura Kirk, PhD, RN

Laura Kirk, PhD, RN is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing. Her nearly 30-year nursing career has been driven by an enduring interest in the health and well-being of older adults across care settings. Kirk is passionate about educating nurses to provide high-quality care and develop programming to meet the needs of the rapidly growing older adult population. Her approach to teaching mirrors the collaborative nurse-patient relationship, providing opportunities to role model safe, effective, and ethical nursing practice. Kirk's research has explored topics like long-term outcomes of exercise interventions for peripheral artery disease. She has been recognized for her excellence in research and dissemination, receiving the Sigma Founders Award - Elizabeth McWilliams Miller Award. In addition to her faculty role, Kirk has served as president of the School of Nursing Alumni Society Board.

She teaches in both the prelicensure programs within the School of Nursing (BSN and Masters of Nursing) and in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. Her research interests center on the health and well-being of older adults across care settings. Dr. Kirk also serves as a content expert for the Office of Interprofessional Continuing Professional Development (OICPD) within the National Center Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education, and advises on the development of continuing professional development programs.

Kirk, L.N., Eull, D. Flaten, C., Paun, O. (2023). Combating social isolation in older adults: An intergenerational nursing communication project. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 61(10), 7-11.

Austin, R., Chi, C., Delaney, C., Kirk, L., Michalowski, M., Pruinelli, L., Rajamani, S., Monsen K. (2021). COVID-19 response empowered through nursing knowledge generated through existing IT infrastructure. Online Journal of Nursing Informatics (OJNI), 25(1). Available at https://www.himss.org/resources/online-journal-nursing-informatics 

Elgersma, KM., Brown, RJL., Salisbury, D., Stigen, L., Gildea, L., Larson, K., Schorr, EN., Kirk, LN., Treat-Jacobson, D. (2020). Adherence and exercise mode in supervised exercise therapy for peripheral artery disease. Journal of Vascular Nursing, 38(3), 108-117. DOI: 10.1016/j.jvn.2020.07.002

Abrahamson, K., Davila, H., Kirk, LN., Alarcon, G., Mueller, C. (2020). Can a Nursing Home Psychotropic Reduction Project be Successfully Implemented in Assisted Living? Journal of Applied Gerontology. DOI: 10.1177/0733464820948328

Horning, ML., Schneider, R., Beacham, B., McKechnie, AC., Kirk, L., Emery, D., Lindquist, R. (2020). Appreciation of the Research-Practice Link: Using An Authentic Learning Environment for a Writing-Intensive Nursing Course. Nursing Education Perspectives, 41(6). 361-363. DOI: 10.1097/01.NEP.0000000000000568

Kirk, L., Smith, G. E., Gaugler, J. E., Hepburn, K., Knopman, D., Lewis, M., 2018. Development and testing of a neuropsychiatric symptoms model in mild cognitive impairment. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 44 (1): 21-30.
doi: https://doi.org/10.3928/00989134-20170908-02

Rich, K., Treat-Jacobson, D., DeVeaux, T., Fitzgerald, K., Kirk, L., Thomson, L., Foley, A., Hill, D., 2017. Society for Vascular Nursing—Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) updated nursing clinical practice guideline. Journal of Vascular Nursing, 35 (2): 90-111.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvn.2017.03.004

Current Research

Title: Minnesota Northstar Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP)
Funding Source: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
Time Period: 7/2024-6/2029
Role: Investigation

Title: Writing Enriched Curriculum - Legacy Writing Plan
Funding Source: Office of Undergraduate Education – University of Minnesota
Time Period: 9/2022-9/2024
Role: Co-Principal Investigator

Title: AACN Pilot School: A Competency-Based Approach to Leadership Development and Resilience for Student Nurses
Funding Source: Johnson & Johnson
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
Time Period: 12/2022-6/2023

Title: Writing Enriched Curriculum - Legacy Writing Plan
Funding Source: Office of Undergraduate Education – University of Minnesota
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
Time Period: 9/2022-9/2024

Title: Writing Enriched Curriculum (WEC) Legacy edition Writing Plan
Funding Source: Office of the Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education
Role: Co-Liaison
Time Period: June, 2021 – June 2023

Title: Social Isolation in Older Adults
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding Source: Unfunded

Selected Completed Research

Title: Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of Total Body Recumbent Stepping (TBRS) in Senior Living
Funding Source: School of Nursing Foundation
Role: Principal Investigator
Time Period: 3/1/18-9/30/19

Title: Promoting Healthy Aging and Mobility in Rural Minnesota: The PAD PRAIRIE Initiative 
Funding Source: Margaret A. Cargill Foundation
Role: Co-Investigator
Time Period: 6/1/15 to 5/31/18

Title: Upper Body Arm Ergometry in Senior Living: A Feasibility Study
Funding Source: University of Minnesota Grant-in-Aid
Role: Principal Investigator
Time Period: 12/1/16-1/15/18

Title: Adherence to Non-Group Based Exercise Interventions in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis 
Funding source: School of Nursing Foundation 
Time Period: 12/1/2015-12/31/2016

• Effect of aerobic exercise on physical function, cognition and mood in sedentary older adults in senior living
• Relationship-based care in senior living/long-term care
• Nursing informatics to examine health and wellbeing outcomes in older adults