School of Nursing | Advancing Nursing Science, Promoting Global Health

Felitas dela Cruz, DNSc, and Marilyn Klakovich, DNSc, from the Azusa Pacific University School of Nursing recently presented their extensive studies in Validation of the Interpersonal Communication Assessment Scale (ICAS) and Factors in the Control of High Blood Pressure (HBP) among Filipino Americans at the International Council of Nurses 23rd Quadrennial Congress 2005 in Taipei, Taiwan.

Klakovich conducted the ICAS study, focusing on the communication competency of nursing students. The study allows for undergraduate student scores to be compared to graduate student scores to assess the advocacy, empathy, and validation of communication towards clients.

The HBP study, conducted in partnership with Carmen Galang at California State Universtiy, Long Beach, revealed that Filipino Americans have been a hidden minority. Little research has been done on hypertension and healthcare for this population. The study discusses the factors leading to and treatments for hypertension among Filipino Americans.

In addition, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health, and Human Services notified dela Cruz that the School of Nursing has been officially awarded $349,755 for continued development of APU’s Second Careers and Nursing (S.C.A.N.) Program. The program successfully promoted pre- and post-licensure study for students to become registered nurses and also leads to the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with a clinical specialty.

Most recently, dela Cruz along with Klakovich, Susan Elliott, and Patricia Hanes presented "The Logic Model: A Framework for the Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of an Accelerated Master's Entry into Nursing Program" at the International Sigma Theta Tau Conference in Hawaii last month. The conference is known as the Honor Society of Nursing, and has become internationally acclaimed, marking the prestige of the presentations given at the conference.