Faculty Profile

Ruth Stoltzfus

Associate Professor of Nursing, Sabbatical FA

Education

BSN, Goshen College, 1979
MSN, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, 1987

Current Projects

• Hermeneutic phenomenology study of nurse educators who experience Narrative Pedagogy

Research

Using hermeneutic phenomenology, I am examining the experiences of nurse educators who invite Narrative Pedagogy into their learning environment. Hermeneutic phenomenology, also referred to as interpretive phenomenology, is a qualitative research method that focuses on understanding the meaning of the experience.

Narrative Pedagogy is a philosophical approach to teaching and learning developed by Nancy Diekelmann. Narrative Pedagogy invites meaningful dialogue between teacher and students which allows for the type of deep learning that is needed by nursing graduates.

Courses

Advanced Health Assessment (Graduate Program)

This course builds on basic client assessment skills. Attention is placed on the development of advanced assessment skills, collection of the data and documentation of the findings. The in-depth assessment is performed within the context of the family.

Family Care: Children (Graduate Program) – clinical and didactic

The focus of this course is on the primary care of infants, children, and adolescents for the advanced practice nurse. For each developmental stage, the course examines health promotion, disease prevention, psychosocial issues, sexuality, and treatment of select common diseases and problems.

Cross-Cultural Aspects of Health (RN to BSN Program)

Health, illness, and various health care systems are explored. Theory relative to culture and specific aggregates will be studied.

Human Sexuality (Course in Sociology)

An introductory human sexuality course designed to increase student’s awareness of how sexuality is perceived, understood, and experienced by people of different genders, orientations, and social and cultural groups.

Historic Courses

Role Foundations (Graduate Program)
Concepts & Strategies in Nursing (Undergraduate Program)
Health Care Ethics (Undergraduate)
Holistic Client Assessment (RN to BSN Program; Undergraduate Program)

Lectures & Presentations

Podium Presentation at the conference, “Narrative Pedagogy Research: Of conversation, narrative telling and dialogue”, December 8, 2111, Auckland, New Zealand. Title of presentation: “Experiencing Narrative Pedagogy: Conversations with Nurse Educators.”

Grants & Fellowships

May 2011

Spotlight on Nursing Graduate Nursing Scholarship

April 2011

Emily Holmquist Award from Indiana University School of Nursing Alumni Association

May 2010

Spotlight on Nursing Graduate Nursing Scholarship

April 2010

YWCA Woman of Wisdom Award

May 2009

Indiana League for Nursing Scholarship Award

April 2009

AARP/AAUW Northern Indiana Scholarship

Memberships & Associations

Fellow of National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP)
Fellow American Academy of Pediatrics
Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing
National League for Nursing
National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty (NONPF)
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
Coalition of Advanced Practice Nurses of Indiana (CAPNI)

Leadership of Study Service Term Units

Dominican Republic (Spring & Summer 2006)

Employment

2008-present

Associate Professor of Nursing
Curriculum Coordinator of FNP Program
Goshen College

2000-08

Director of the Student Wellness & Health Center; Campus Nurse Practitioner
Goshen College

1987-2000

Nurse Practitioner
Bristol Street Pediatric Associates, Elkhart, IN

1984-87

Staff Nurse; Clinic Coordinator; Nurse Practitioner Elkhart County Health Department

1979-1984

Staff Nurse; Charge Nurse Elkhart General Hospital, Elkhart, IN