Faculty Profile

Ruth Stoltzfus

Associate Professor of Nursing

Education

BSN, Goshen College, 1979
MSN, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, 1987
PHD, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, 2012

Current Projects

• Hermeneutic phenomenology study of nurse educators who experience Narrative Pedagogy

Research

Using hermeneutic phenomenology, I examined 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.

Theoretical & Conceptual Foundations (Graduate Program)

Theories from nursing, family studies, and related disciplines are examined, critiqued evaluated and applied to practice. Attention will be given to the transformational potential of theoretical frameworks within the context of a comprehensive, holistic approach to healthcare.

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)
Study Service Term (SST): Dominican Republic (2 semesters)

Lectures & Presentations

• Podium Presentation at the conference, “Narrative Pedagogy Research: Of conversation, narrative telling and dialogue”, December 8, 2011, Auckland, New Zealand. Title of presentation: “Experiencing Narrative Pedagogy: Conversations with Nurse Educators.”
• Podium Presentation at: The Institute for Hermeneutic Phenomenology, Indianapolis, IN, June 19, 2012. Title: Narrative Pedagogy as Bridge: A Hermeneutic Phenomenologic Study.
• Podium Presentation at: Sigma Theta Tau Nu Omicron Spring Research and Annual Meeting, South Bend, IN, February 7, 2013. Title: Narrative Pedagogy as Bridge: A Hermeneutic Phenomenologic Study.

Selected Service Activities

May 2013

Center for Healing and Hope (Goshen) – perform school physicals; supervised 3 graduate students who performed blood pressure screenings, hemoglobin checks, and physical assessments.

July 2012

Center for Healing and Hope (Elkhart) – perform school physicals; supervised 2 graduate students who performed physical assessments

Sept. 2010

Latino Health Fair – took 9 graduate students who volunteered in various capacities; supervised 4 FNP students who performed clinical breast exams.

2007 – 2011

Super Shot Saturday – an initiative from the Elkhart County Health Department to provide free immunizations to  school-age children.

2007 – 2010

Volunteer with flu shot clinics

2000 – 2008

Volunteer to provide free sports physicals at a private middle and high school

Grants & Fellowships

2013-14

Mininger Center Grant

2011-2012

Mininger Center Grant

December 2011

Travel Fellowship Award, Indiana University School of Nursing

May 2011

Spotlight on Nursing Graduate Nursing Scholarship

April 2011

Emily Holmquist Award from Indiana University School of Nursing Alumni Association

2010-2011

Mininger Center Grant

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

2009-2010

Mininger Center Grant

2008-2009

Mininger Center Grant

Memberships & Associations

Fellow of National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP)
Fellow American Academy of Pediatrics
Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (STTI)
National League for Nursing (NLN)
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