Brief Bio

Dr. Corazzini joined the School of Nursing after completing a National Institute on Aging Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the Duke University Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development in 2002. She earned her PhD in gerontology from the McCormack Graduate School of Policy Studies at the University of Massachusetts. She is an Associate Professor in the School of Nursing, a core faculty member in Duke's Center of Excellence in Geriatric Nursing Education, and a Senior Research Fellow at the Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development.

The focus of Dr. Corazzini’s research is nursing management in long-term care, especially delegation and the role of professional nursing in nursing homes.

Academic Program Affiliations

Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program
Master of Science in Nursing Program
Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
PhD in Nursing Program

Education

PhD	University of Massachusetts (Boston), McCormack Graduate School of Policy Studies

Research Interests

Dr. Corazzini is a social gerontologist whose research focuses on understanding how nursing clinical expertise affects care of older adults through systems-level factors that systematically shape how care occurs. To that end, she has examined how front-line, paraprofessional healthcare workers in both community-based and institutionalized long-term care settings operationalize licensed clinical care practices and the effects of these behaviors on patient outcomes, with particular attention to the role of RN clinical leadership in shaping these behaviors. Her work has been funded by the National Institutes of Health / National Institute of Nursing Research, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, and the Hartford Foundation.

Awards and Honors

• 2008 Member, North Carolina State Board of Nursing Task Force on LPN Practice

• 2007 Faculty Travel Award, Duke University Center for International Studies, Duke Global Health Institute

• 2007 Member, Expert Panel for research project on the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by patients with Hepatitis C Infection

• 2003 Fellow Finalist, Brookdale Foundation

• 2003 Presenter, 5th Annual Health Care Organizations Conference, University of Michigan, School of Public Health (one of five papers selected for presentation nationally)

• 2002 Award for Outstanding Reviewer, Academy of Management, Health Care Management Division

• 2001 Lawrence G. Branch Doctoral Student Research Award, Honorable Mention, American Public Health Association

• 1999 Academic year recipient, AARP Andrus Foundation Graduate Fellowship in Gerontology

• 1999 Gerontology Book Award for distinguished dissertation, University of Massachusetts Boston

Areas of Expertise

• Gerontology
• Nursing and Health Care Leadership
• Research Methods

Areas of Interest

• • RN delegation in long-term care
• • Organizational context of nursing care of older adults
• • Regulation of nursing care in long-term care
• • Program evaluation research
• • Front-line caregivers in long-term care

Representative Publications

• 2012 -- Mueller, C., Anderson, R. A., McConnell, E. S., Corazzini, K. N. Licensed nurse responsibilities in nursing homes: a scope of practice issue. Journal of Nursing Regulation. April, 2012; 3(1); 1-8

• 2012 -- Pubmed # 22376375 Anderson, R. A., Corazzini, K., Porter, K., Daily, K., McDaniel Jr, R. R., Colon-Emeric, C. CONNECT for quality: protocol of a cluster randomized controlled trial to improve fall prevention in nursing homes. Implement Sci. February, 2012; 7(1); 11

• 2012 -- Pubmed # 22166907 Corazzini, K. N., Anderson, R. A., Mueller, C., Thorpe, J. M., McConnell, E. S. Jurisdiction Over Nursing Care Systems in Nursing Homes: Latent Class Analysis. Nurs Res. January, 2012; 61(1); 28-38

• 2012 -- Pubmed # 21702425 McConnell, E. S., Corazzini, K. N., Lekan, D., Bailey, D. E., Sloane, R., Landerman, L. R., Champagne, M. T. Diffusion of innovations in long-term care measurement battery. Res Gerontol Nurs. Winter, 2012; 5(1); 64-76

• 2011 -- Pubmed # 22037647 Hunt, S. R., Probst, J. C., Haddock, K. S., Moran, R., Baker, S. L., Anderson, R. A., Corazzini, K. Registered nurse retention strategies in nursing homes: A two-factor perspective. Health Care Manage Rev. October, 2011;

• 2011 -- Corazzini, K.N., Anderson, R. A., Mueller, C., McConnell, E. S., Landerman, L. R., Thorpe, J. M., Short, N. M. Regulation of LPN scope of practice in long-term care. Journal of Nursing Regulation. July, 2011; 2(2); 30-36

• 2011 -- Pubmed # 21767817 Lekan, D. A., Corazzini, K. N., Gilliss, C. L., Bailey Jr, D. E. Clinical leadership development in accelerated baccalaureate nursing students: an education innovation. J Prof Nurs. Jul-Aug, 2011; 27(4); 202-14

• 2011 -- Johnson, C.M., Corazzini, K.N., Shaw, R. Assessing the feasibility of using virtual environments in distance education. Knowledge Management & E-Learning: An International Journal. March, 2011; 3(1); 5-16

• 2010 -- Pubmed # 20479137 Colón-Emeric, C. S., Plowman, D., Bailey, D., Corazzini, K., Utley-Smith, Q., Ammarell, N., Toles, M., Anderson, R. Regulation and mindful resident care in nursing homes. Qual Health Res. September, 2010; 20(9); 1283-94 PMCID: PMC2918733

• 2010 -- Corazzini, K. N., Anderson, R., Rapp, C. G., Mueller, C., McConnell, E., Lekan, D. Delegation in long-term care: Scope of practice or job description? Online Journal of Issues in Nursing. May, 2010; 15(2); Manuscript 4

• 2010 -- Pubmed # 20481420 Egerton, E. O., McConnell, E. S., Corazzini, K., Kitzmiller, R. R., Crook, J. O. Birds of a feather: introducing a virtual learning community for geriatric nurse educators. J Contin Educ Nurs. May, 2010; 41(5); 203-8; quiz 209-10

• 2010 -- Zimmerman, S., Mitchell, C. M., Reed, D., Preisser, J. S., Fletcher, S., Beeber, A. S., Reed, P. S., Gould, E., Hughes, S., McConnell, E. S., Corazzini, K. N., Lekan, D., Sloane, P. D. Outcomes of a dementia care training program for staff in nursing homes and residential care/assisted living settings. Alzheimer’s Care Today. Apr.-Jun., 2010; 11(2); 83-99

• 2010 -- McConnell, E. S., Corazzini, K. N., Lekan, D., Bailey, D. E., Sloane, R., Zimmerman, S., Mitchell, C. M., Landerman, L. R., Champagne, M. T. Staff perception of new pain care practices in dementia care: Psychometric properties of the Duke Diffusion of Innovation in Long-Term Care Battery Alzheimer’s Care Today. Apr.-Jun., 2010; 11(2); 122-133

• 2010 -- Corazzini, K. N., McConnell, E. S., Anderson, R. A., Reed, D., Champagne, M. T., Lekan, D., Preisser, J. S., Bailey, D., Zimmerman, S. The importance of organizational climate to training needs and outcomes in long-term care. Alzheimer’s Care Today. Apr.-Jun., 2010; 11(2); 109-121

• 2010 -- Pubmed # 20552768 McConnell, E. S., Lekan, D., Corazzini, K. N. Assuring the adequacy of staffing of long-term care, strengthening the caregiving workforce, and making long-term care a career destination of choice: from mission impossible to mission critical? N C Med J. Mar-Apr, 2010; 71(2); 153-7

• 2009 -- Pubmed # 19649311 Utley-Smith, Q., Colón-Emeric, C. S., Lekan-Rutledge, D., Ammarell, N., Bailey, D., Corazzini, K., Piven, M. L., Anderson, R. A. The nature of staff-family interactions in nursing homes: Staff perceptions. J Aging Stud. August, 2009; 23(3); 168-177 PMCID: PMC2711636

• 2009 -- Pubmed # 19182546 Corazzini, K., Rapp, C. G., McConnell, E. S., Anderson, R. A. Use of a handheld computer observational tool to improve communication for care planning and psychosocial well-being. J Nurses Staff Dev. May, 2009; 25(1); E1-7

• 2009 -- Pubmed # 19452736 McConnell, E. S., Lekan, D., Bunn, M., Egerton, E., Corazzini, K. N., Hendrix, C. D., Bailey Jr, D. E. Teaching evidence-based nursing practice in geriatric care settings: the geriatric nursing innovations through education institute. J Gerontol Nurs. April, 2009; 35(4); 26-33; quiz 34-5

• 2007 -- Pubmed # 17710200 Piven, M. L., Ammarell, N., Lekan-Rutledge, D., Utley-Smith, Q., Corazzini, K. N., Colón-Emeric, C. S., Bailey, D., Anderson, R. A. Paying attention: A leap toward quality care. Director. Winter, 2007; 15(1); 58-60, 62-3 PMCID: PMC1948878

• 2007 -- Pubmed # 17767682 Colón-Emeric, C. S., Lekan, D., Utley-Smith, Q., Ammarell, N., Bailey, D., Corazzini, K., Piven, M. L., Anderson, R. A. Barriers to and facilitators of clinical practice guideline use in nursing homes. J Am Geriatr Soc. September, 2007; 55(9); 1404-9 PMCID: PMC2276683

• 2007 -- Pubmed # 17077708 Colón-Emeric, C. S., Lekan-Rutledge, D., Utley-Smith, Q., Ammarell, N., Bailey, D., Piven, M. L., Corazzini, K., Anderson, R. A. Connection, regulation, and care plan innovation: a case study of four nursing homes. Health Care Manage Rev. Oct-Dec, 2007; 31(4); 337-46 PMCID: PMC1952654

• 2006 -- Pubmed # 17099107 Utley-Smith, Q., Bailey, D., Ammarell, N., Corazzini, K., Colón-Emeric, C. S., Lekan-Rutledge, D., Piven, M. L., Anderson, R. A. Exit interview-consultation for research validation and dissemination. West J Nurs Res. December, 2006; 28(8); 955-73 PMCID: PMC1636585

• 2006 -- Pubmed # 16585806 Piven, M. L., Ammarell, N., Bailey, D., Corazzini, K., Colón-Emeric, C. S., Lekan-Rutledge, D., Utley-Smith, Q., Anderson, R. A. MDS coordinator relationships and nursing home care processes. West J Nurs Res. April, 2006; 28(3); 294-309 PMCID: PMC1472871

• 2006 -- Pubmed # 16394208 Colón-Emeric, C. S., Ammarell, N., Bailey, D., Corazzini, K., Lekan-Rutledge, D., Piven, M. L., Utley-Smith, Q., Anderson, R. A. Patterns of medical and nursing staff communication in nursing homes: implications and insights from complexity science. Qual Health Res. February, 2006; 16(2); 173-88 PMCID: PMC1474048

• 2005 -- Pubmed # 16221876 Anderson, R. A., Ammarell, N., Bailey Jr, D., Colón-Emeric, C., Corazzini, K. N., Lillie, M., Piven, M. L., Utley-Smith, Q., McDaniel Jr, R. R. Nurse assistant mental models, sensemaking, care actions, and consequences for nursing home residents. Qual Health Res. October, 2005; 15(8); 1006-21 PMCID: PMC2211272

• 2005 -- Pubmed # 15839289 Anderson, R. A., Ammarell, N., Bailey, D. E., Colon-Emeric, C., Corazzini, K., Lekan-Rutledge, D., Piven, M. L., Utley-Smith, Q. The power of relationship for high-quality long-term care. J Nurs Care Qual. May, 2005; 20(2); 103-6 PMCID: PMC1993898

• 2005 -- Pubmed # 17334452 Corazzini, K. N., Lekan-Rutledge, D., Utley-Smith, Q., Piven, M. L., Colón-Emeric, C. S., Bailey, D., Ammarell, N., Anderson, R. A. "The Golden Rule": Only a starting point for quality care. Director. 2005; 14(1); 255-293 PMCID: PMC1636677

• 2004 -- Pubmed # 15197292 Anderson, R. A., Corazzini, K. N., McDaniel Jr., R. R. Complexity science and the dynamics of climate and communication: reducing nursing home turnover. Gerontologist. June, 2004; 44(3); 378-88 PMCID: PMC2271037

• 2004 -- Corazzini, K., McConnell, E. S., Rapp, C. G., Anderson, R.A. A conceptual framework for understanding the decision making processes of nursing assistants in providing dementia care. Alzheimer’s Care Quarterly. Jul./Sep., 2004; 5(3); 197-206

• 2003 -- Pubmed # 14596390 Corazzini, K. How state-funded home care programs respond to changes in Medicare home health care: resource allocation decisions on the front line. Health Serv Res. October, 2003; 38(5); 1263-81 PMCID: PMC1360946

• 2002 -- Pubmed # 12451155 Corazzini-Gomez, K. The relative effects of home care client characteristics on the resource allocation process: do personality and demeanor matter? Gerontologist. December, 2002; 42(6); 740-50

• 2000 -- Pubmed # 11211322 Corazzini, K. N. Case management decision making: goal transformation through discretion and client interpretation. Home Health Care Serv Q. 2000; 18(3); 81-96

• 2000 -- Gruenberg, L., Corazzini, K. Research Study of Risk Adjustment and Geographic Variation Issues in Both Medicare and Non-Medicare Cost and Use: Literature Review of Survey Methodology. Paper prepared for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, HCFA Order No. HCFA98-0559, by the Long Term Care Data Institute. 2000;

• 1998 -- Gruenberg, L., Silva, A., Corazzini, K. An examination of the impact of the proposed new Medicare capitation methods on programs for the frail elderly. Paper prepared for the Provider Consortium by the Long Term Care Data Institute. 1998;

• 1998 -- Corazzini, K., Gruenberg, L. Estimating payment rates with a health and functional status, risk-adjusted, payment model:  Impact on the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center. Paper prepared for the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center by the Long Term Care Data Institute. 1998;

• 1998 -- Corazzini, K., Caro, F. Aging Service Access Points quality assurance survey: Perceptions of adult day care providers. Paper prepared for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs by the University of Massachusetts Gerontology Institute. 1998;

• 1998 -- Corazzini, K., Caro, F. Aging Service Access Points quality assurance survey: Perceptions of councils on aging. Paper prepared for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs by the University of Massachusetts Gerontology Institute. 1998;

• 1997 -- Coleman, N., Corazzini, K. N. The policy primer. Outbreak -- nursing homes comply with regulations, but residents die. Aging Today. Jan.-Feb.,1997; 18(1); 13

• 1996 -- Pubmed # 8569457 Gianino, C. A., Corazzini, K., Tseng, W. T., Richardson, J. P. Factors affecting influenza vaccination among attendees at a senior center. Md Med J. January, 1996; 45(1); 27-32

• 1996 -- Pubmed # 8845704 Lyketsos, C. G., Corazzini, K., Steele, C. D., Kraus, M. F. Guidelines for the use of tacrine in Alzheimer's disease: clinical application and effectiveness. Johns Hopkins Dementia Research Clinic. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 1996; 8(1); 67-73

• 1995 -- Pubmed # 7580197 Lyketsos, C. G., Corazzini, K., Steele, C. Mania in Alzheimer's disease. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. Summer, 1995; 7(3); 350-2

Grant Funding (selected)

• Regulating Licensed Nursing Practice in Nursing Homes: How RN and LPN Scopes of Practice Are Enacted  
  National Council for State Boards of Nursing
  NCSBN R30010
  10/2010-09/2012
  To describe practice patterns of RNs and LPNs used to implement their scope of practice, to compare these practice patterns between two states, and to develop a facility-level tool to measure these patterns.

• CONNECT for Better Falls Prevention in VA Community Living Centers  
  VA Health Services Research and Development
  EDU 08-417
  08/2009-07/2012
  Role: Co-Investigator
  Project Goal: In this longitudinal, randomized, controlled trial using multiple levels of analysis, we will compare the uptake of fall risk factor reduction practices and related patient fall-related outcomes in nursing homes, under two approaches to education: (1) FALLS, which is delivered using content-focused approaches to education including self-instructional modules, an in-house falls program coordinator, academic detailing sessions and audit and feedback and (2) FALLS as described above, plus CONNECT, which is delivered using learner-centered approaches and is intended to increase information exchange among staff of all levels and disciplines, increase direct care nursing providers’ participation in decision-making, and increase cognitive diversity when implementing evidence-based care practices.

• Evidence-Based Nursing Practice in Geriatric Settings  
  DHHS/HRSA/Division of Nursing
  5D62-HP01909-07-00
  07/2009-06/2012
  Role: Co-Investigator
  Project goals: The purpose of this grant is to bring nursing experts, education and clinical improvement projects to nurses in geriatric settings across North Carolina by engaging registered nurses across the spectrum of elder care from five targeted communities in North Carolina in an in-depth Continuing Education Institute.

• Regulating licensed nursing practice in nursing homes: RN delegation, LPN practice, and care outcomes  
  National Council of State Boards of Nursing
  P19004
  07/2008-09/2010
  Role: PI
  Project Goal: To measure the relationships between state Nurse Practice Acts’ codification of RN delegation and LPN practice, and facility-level outcomes of care.

• Outcomes of Nursing Management Practice in Nursing Homes  
  National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Nursing Research
  2R56-NR003178-09
  10/2009-08/2010
  Role: Co-Investigator
  Project Goal: This research will test the benefit of a new staff interaction intervention (CONNECT) over and above a falls quality improvement intervention in reducing patient fall rates in nursing homes.

• Geriatric Nursing Education Center of Excellence  
  The Duke Endowment
  01/2008-12/2010
  Role: Co-Investigator
  Project Goal: This project seeks to expand the capacity for developing nursing faculty with expertise in geriatric nursing, through expanding career pathways, developing new models of clinical instructor development, and establishing a virtual community of nursing educators who share expertise in geriatric nursing education techniques.

• Case Study of a Participatory Model of Improving Cardiovascular Disease in the Elderly  
  Duke University Center for International Studies Travel Grant
  07/2007-06/2008
  Role: PI
  Project Goal: To evaluate a collaboration between the Duke University School of Nursing and the Pan American Health Organization: Caribbean Program Coordination to improve the management of cardiovascular disease in the elderly.

• Partner Team for the NC New Organizational Vision Award (NC NOVA)  
  NC Foundation for Advanced Health Programs, Inc.
  03/2007-07/2007
  Role: Co-PI
  

• RN Delegation and Quality of Care in Long-Term Care  
  University of Iowa
  01/2006-12/2006
  Role: PI
  Project Goal: The purpose of the mentoring grant was to further a program of research related to RN Delegation in long-term care with the assistance of Christine Mueller, RN, PhD.

• Evidence-Based Nursing Practice in Geriatric Settings  
  DHHS/HRSA/Division of Nursing
  2-D62-HP-01909-04-00
  06/2006-06/2009
  Role: Co-Investigator
  Project Goal: The purpose of this grant was to bring nursing experts, education and clinical improvement projects to nurses in geriatric settings across North Carolina.

• Translating Nursing Systems Science into Practice in LTC: The PALS Intervention  
  University of Iowa GNIRC/Hartford Center
  01/2007-12/2007
  Role: PI
  Project Goal: To develop a culturally relevant, feasible and acceptable methodology for translating systems-level empirical findings into practice which served as the basis for an intervention amenable to testing in a randomized-controlled trial design.

• Hartford Center for Geriatric Nursing  
  University of Iowa
  1000612739
  01/2006-12/2011
  

• DUMC Geriatric Interdisciplinary Team Training Program Adoption Grant  
  John A. Hartford Foundation, Inc.
  No.-R5578-0415
  06/2002-08/2003
  Role: PI
  Project Goal: The purpose of this grant was to strengthen interdisciplinary teamwork training for advanced practice gerontological nursing students, geriatric medicine residents, and pharmacy residents, using distance-based and hand-held computing technology.

• Pilot Feasibility Study 3: Trajectories of Aging & Care in Nursing Science  
  National Institutes of Health
  1 P20-NR07795-01
  09/2001-08/2004
  Role: Pilot Study Principal Investigator
  Project (2003-2004): Effects of Nursing Home Structure on Resident Disability. Project Goal: The purpose of this study was to examine the stability of nursing facility organizational attributes and to identify subgroups of nursing home residents by disability risk factors that experience more rapid decline in ADL performance as a result of such organizational attributes.

  Project (2001-2002): Certified Nursing Assistants: Partners in Improving Nursing Home Resident Care and Care Planning. Project Goal: The goal of this project was to improve nurse aide psychosocial well-being and job performance by having nurse aides record observations of residents using hand-held computers for care planning.

• Nurses Aides’ Response to Work Environment  
  National Institutes of Health/National Institute on Aging
  T32AG00029-25
  09/2000-08/2002
  Role: Post-doctoral fellow
  Project Goal: The purpose of this project was to apply the dissertation-developed model of organizational influences on front-line worker decision making to institutionalized long term care settings.