As Florida's Premier Academic Health System™, Tampa General Hospital is driven by a commitment to improving patient outcomes, advancing workforce well-being and developing innovative solutions to complex health care challenges. Through nurse-led studies, interdisciplinary collaborations and strategic partnerships, nursing research initiatives address issues that impact patients, families and health care professionals across the continuum of care. From resilience and workforce safety to pediatric innovation and health equity, TGH nurses are generating evidence that informs practice, strengthens care delivery and advances the science of nursing.
What follows are examples of the initiatives we are actively advancing across the organization.
Stress Recovery & Resilience Research Lab
The Stress Recovery & Resilience Research Lab focuses on understanding how individuals recover from stress and develop resilience in challenging environments. Led by Lakeshia Cousin, PhD, APRN, AGPCNP-BC, this research explores gratitude-based interventions and other evidence-informed approaches designed to improve well-being and long-term outcomes.
Current areas of study include cancer survivorship and the unique challenges faced by nurses working in high-acuity health care settings. By examining factors that contribute to resilience, recovery and psychological well-being, this work seeks to develop practical strategies that support both patients and health care professionals. The findings contribute to a growing body of knowledge focused on creating healthier, more sustainable health care environments.
A key area of focus is research examining stress management interventions among breast cancer survivors. Findings from this work demonstrated that cognitive-behavioral stress management, Iyengar yoga, mindfulness-based stress reduction and relaxation/guided imagery can have a meaningful impact on both psychological well-being and biological markers of stress. Researchers observed significant improvements in inflammatory biomarkers, including salivary cortisol, TNFα levels and CD3+ T cells. Yoga interventions were associated with reductions in perceived stress, depression and anxiety, while mindfulness-based stress reduction and cognitive-behavioral stress management significantly reduced stress symptoms compared with control groups. These findings highlight the potential of evidence-based, nonpharmacological stress reduction strategies to support recovery, resilience and overall quality of life among cancer survivors.
Health care Worker Safety Initiative
Protecting the health and safety of health care workers is a critical component of TGH's research mission. Through a collaborative effort involving leadership from TGH’s Heart and Vascular Institute and industry partner Egg Medical, researchers are evaluating innovative radiation-reduction technologies designed to minimize occupational exposure among health care professionals.
Research activities include collecting preliminary data, conducting pilot studies and engaging frontline team members to better understand workplace challenges and opportunities for improvement. The initiative seeks to build a strong evidence base that supports future funding opportunities while demonstrating the value of investments that enhance workforce safety and operational performance.
Workforce Well-Being & Retention
Supporting the well-being of health care professionals is essential to delivering exceptional patient care. Nursing research at TGH examines the factors that influence workforce resilience, engagement and retention, particularly among nurses working in high-acuity and high-stress environments.
Current research explores healthy work environments, stress management strategies and organizational approaches that help nurses thrive both personally and professionally. By identifying evidence-based interventions that support workforce well-being, these initiatives contribute to stronger teams, improved retention and a more sustainable health care workforce.
Health Equity & Outcomes Research
The TGH Nursing Research team is also committed to advancing health equity and improving outcomes for diverse patient populations and health care teams. Researchers investigate factors that influence health outcomes while developing evidence-based approaches that promote equitable care delivery.
Recent work includes research evaluating health care team members with pre-existing conditions over an 18-month period, demonstrating measurable improvements through ongoing assessment and data analysis. Findings from this work have been shared nationally and internationally through professional conferences, presentations and collaborative initiatives, helping to advance important conversations surrounding equity, inclusion and outcomes research.
Children's Hospital Initiatives
Nurses at TGH are leading innovative pediatric research aimed at improving the care experience for children and families. Current projects include exploration of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) interventions involving recorded parent voices to support infant development and family-centered care.
Additional nurse-led efforts are focused on developing clinical trials and securing funding for innovative pediatric initiatives. These projects reflect TGH's commitment to advancing pediatric nursing science while identifying new approaches that enhance outcomes for young patients and their families.
Clinical Innovation & Patient Safety
Innovation remains a key focus of nursing research at TGH. Researchers are actively exploring new ideas and emerging opportunities that have the potential to transform clinical practice and improve patient outcomes.
One such initiative, developed through TGH's Shark Tank innovation program—part of the organization’s award-winning Innovation Week that occurs annually—focuses on creating a predictive tool for skin failure and skin integrity. This project represents a unique opportunity for TGH to become one of the first health systems to validate, publish and potentially trademark an innovative clinical assessment tool.
Researchers are also addressing a recognized gap in outpatient pediatric fall risk assessment through the development of a Pediatric Fall Risk Tool. This work has the potential to establish a new evidence-based standard that could be adopted by health care organizations beyond TGH.
Publications, Presentations & Recognition
The impact of TGH Nursing Research extends beyond the organization through scholarly publications, professional presentations and leadership within the nursing community. To date, nursing researchers have contributed more than 12 peer-reviewed publications and regularly present findings at national and international conferences.
Nursing research leaders actively participate in professional organizations, collaborative initiatives and expert roundtable discussions that help shape the future of nursing practice and health care delivery. These opportunities also create pathways for nurses to engage in abstract development, publication efforts, presentations and co-authorship experiences that support professional growth and scholarly achievement.
Internship Development
As part of its commitment to developing future nurse researchers, TGH is exploring the creation of a Nursing Research Internship Program in partnership with the University of South Florida. The proposed program would provide students and emerging professionals with opportunities to gain hands-on research experience while working alongside nurse scientists and clinical leaders.
By expanding access to research mentorship and experiential learning, the internship program would support workforce development, strengthen academic partnerships and help build the next generation of nursing research leaders.
Connect with Us
Whether you are interested in launching a research project, collaborating on an initiative or learning more about nursing research opportunities, our TGH Nursing Research team is here to support you. We welcome inquiries from nurses, health care professionals, students and partners who are passionate about advancing evidence-based practice and innovation.
Contact our team by calling (813) 844-7000 to learn see how you can help advance nursing research and innovation.