Brief Bio

Dr. Utley-Smith, Associate Professor in the School of Nursing served as MSN Program Chair from from 2008-2011. She earned her BSN at North Carolina Central University, her MSN at the University of Connecticut, and her doctorate in Health Occupations Education at North Carolina State University. In a career spanning more than 30 years, she has worked as a staff nurse, a charge nurse, a certified Family Nurse Practitioner specializing in wellness care of older adults, and an educator of traditional undergraduate students, RN-to-BSN students, accelerated BSN students, and graduate students.

Before joining the Duke University School of Nursing faculty in 2002, she implemented a number of educational innovations including: developing a clinical education site in an environmentally at-risk minority community and a clinical practicum site for graduate students in a nurse-managed clinic; developing and launching online courses on aging and women’s health; and initiating and coordinated two RN-to-BSN distance education programs involving partnerships of medical centers and community colleges.

Dr. Utley-Smith's research interests include healthcare workforce competencies; staff-family interactions in long-term care, health promotion and aging; and utilizing technology and distance learning strategies in classroom and clinical practice to improve learning outcomes.

Academic Program Affiliations

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

Education

EdD	North Carolina State University
MS	University of Connecticut
BSN	North Carolina Central University

Research Interests

Dr. Utley-Smith has centered her research efforts in two areas; 1) healthcare workforce competency and 2) health promotion and aging. She is concerned with matching the competencies of nurse graduates with the expectations of employers in various work settings-hospitals, home health and long-term care. Her research in this area indicates the demand for new nurse graduates who possess expanded competencies in the area of "people skills" (i.e., interpersonal communication, teamwork, supervision, and patient teaching). Dr. Utley-Smith is also investigating interaction patterns of staff and families in nursing homes and the impact of these interactions on staff time management, quality of care, and patient safety.

Awards and Honors

• 2014 Inducted as Fellow, National League for Nursing Academy of Nursing Education

• 2010 Beverly Koerner Outstanding Alumni Award for Education in Nursing, University of Connecticut School of Nursing

• 2006 CIT Technology Award, Duke University Center for Instructional Technology

• 2004 Great 100 Nurses in North Carolina

• 2003 Nurses’ Recognition Day Award, Fayetteville Veterans Administration Medical Center

• 2002 Community Service Award, College of Arts and Sciences, Fayetteville State University

• 1995 Inducted, Phi Delta Kappa (International Educator's Society)

• 1980 Inducted, Sigma Theta Tau International

Areas of Expertise

• Gerontology
• Nursing Education

Areas of Interest

• Health Promotion

Representative Publications

• 2013 -- Dickens, A. T., Utley-Smith, Q., Stott, G., Relf, M. V. Evaluation of communication techniques used by HIV specialty providers caring for patients with low health literary in an outpatient HIV clinical setting. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice. January, 2013; 3(7);

• 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

• 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

• 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 # 17912995 Utley-Smith, Q., Phillips, B., Turner, K. Avoiding socialization pitfalls in accelerated second-degree nursing education: the returning-to-school syndrome model. J Nurs Educ. September, 2007; 46(9); 423-6

• 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., 2006; 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

• 2006 -- Utley-Smith, Q. What nursing assistants say they want: Taking a risk in education decision making. Director. 2006; 14(4); 149-152, 159-160

• 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., Colón-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. April-June, 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 # 15387509 Utley-Smith, Q. 5 competencies needed by new baccalaureate graduates. Nurs Educ Perspect. Jul.-Aug., 2004; 25(4); 166-70

• 1995 -- Pubmed # 10143137 Akroyd, D., Mulkey, W., Utley-Smith, Q. The impact of work rewards on radiographers' organizational commitment. Radiol Manage. Spring, 1995; 17(2); 51-6

• 1993 -- Pubmed # 8303987 Hawkins, J. W., Thibodeau, J. A., Utley-Smith, Q. E., Igou, J. F., Johnson, E. E. Using a conceptual model for practice in a nursing wellness centre for seniors. Perspectives. Winter, 1993; 17(4); 11-6

• 1991 -- Hawkins, J. W., Utley, Q. E., Igou, J. F., Johnson, E. E. Intradisciplinary nursing practice in a wellness center for older adults. Aging Network News. April, 1991; IX(4); 6

• 1989 -- Pubmed # 2920939 Igou, J. F., Hawkins, J. W., Johnson, E. E., Utley, Q. E. Nurse-managed approach to care. Geriatr Nurs. Jan.-Feb., 1989; 10(1); 32-4

• 1989 -- Hawkins, J. W., Johnson, E. E., Igou, J. F., Utley, Q. E. Utilization pattern of a nursing wellness center for older adults. Aging Network News. December, 1989; V(12); 3-4

• 1988 -- Pubmed # 3379257 Utley, Q. E., Hawkins, J. W., Igou, J. F., Johnson, E. E. Giving and getting support at the Wellness Center. J Gerontol Nurs. June, 1988; 14(6); 23-5

• 1988 -- Pubmed # 3357643 Hawkins, J. W., Igou, J. F., Johnson, E. E., Utley, Q. E. An intradisciplinary team in a nurse managed center. Nurs Manage. April, 1988; 19(4); 58-9, 62, 64

• 1987 -- Hawkins, J. W., Igou, J. F., Utley, Q. E., Johnson, E. E. Cost effectiveness of a free standing nurse administered Wellness Center for older adults. (Brief). Nursing Research. Jan-Feb, 1987; 35(1); 63

• 1987 -- Pubmed # 3650188 Johnson, E. E., Utley, Q. E., Hawkins, J. W., Igou, J. F. Caring for older adults in a nursing wellness centre. Geriatr Nurs Home Care. July, 1987; 7(7); 15-8

• 1986 -- Pubmed # 3643234 Johnson, E. E., Igou, J. F., Utley, Q. E., Hawkins, J. W. Wellness center. J Gerontol Nurs. December, 1986; 12(12); 22-7

• 1984 -- Pubmed # 6566680 Utley, Q. E., Rasie, S. Coping with loss: a group experience with elderly survivors. J Gerontol Nurs. August, 1984; 10(8); 8-14

• 1984 -- Pubmed # 6561415 Hawkins, J. W., Igou, J. F., Johnson, E. E., Utley, Q. E. A nursing center for ambulatory well, older adults. Nurs Health Care. April, 1984; 5(4); 209-12

• 1984 -- Utley, Q. E. Sexuality and the older adult. In Human Sexuality Across the Life Span: Implications for Nursing Practice, edited by Higgins, L. P. and Hawkins, J. W. 1984; Monterey, CA: Wadsworth Health Sciences Division.

Grant Funding (selected)

• Advancing the Number of Primary Care Clinicians Through Nurse Practitioner Education  
  Health Resources and Service Administration
  T57HP20606-01-00
  09/2010-09/2015
  Role: Project Director
  Project Goals: (1) increase the number of Adult Nurse Practitioner–Primary Care (ANP) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) students who enroll full-time and graduate from our Master’s program within 2 years, and (2) accelerate the graduation completion rate of part-time students in both the ANP and FNP specialty tracks.

• Designing a Contemporary Online Learning Environment: Population Health in a Global Society  
  Duke University SON CONCEPT Office CATALYST Award
  01/2014-06/2015
  Role: PI
  This project will serve as a test-case for the CATALYST Instructional Design Process – a streamlined approach to the complex task of developing an effective, engaging, clearly organized and technologically-enhanced online course. In this instance, the focus is on a new course in DUSON’s revised curriculum, N582: Population Health in a Global Society.

• The Duke University Nursing Education Program (Advanced Education Nursing Grant)  
  Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) Advanced Education Nursing Program
  D09-HP09345-01
  07/2008-06/2011
  Role: Consultant/Educator
  Project Goal: To expand and strengthen the current program to prepare Nursing Education Faculty at Duke University School of Nursing by: 1. Expanding minority enrollment in the program through the recruitment, enrollment, retention and graduation of 05 additional students in the 01 and 02 years and 7 students in the 03 year. 2. The development of salient, innovative coursework in the areas of clinical and educational technologies to enhance the current course of study, 3. Refining the educational delivery model by focusing on a blended approach of traditional, distance-based and simulation methodologies and infusing and strengthening graduates’ competencies in the arenas of clinical knowledge, leadership, and cultural competence within the nursing faculty role.

• Innovation in Nursing Education and Technology  
  Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA)
  1D80-HP11272-01-00
  01/2009-12/2012
  Role: Consultant/Educator
  The major goals are to infuse innovative education technologies in three nursing education programs in three universities in North Carolina.

• Creating a National Model for Nurse Educator Preparation at the Master’s Level  
  Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) Advanced Education Nursing Program
  D09-HP14651-01-00
  07/2009-06/2012
  Role: Consultant/Educator
  

• Evidence Based Nursing Practice in Geriatric Settings  
  Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA)
  5D62-HP01909-07-00
  09/2009-06/2012
  Role: Consultant/Educator
  Project goals: To engage registered nurses (RNs) across the spectrum of elder care from five targeted communities in North Carolina (NC) in an in-depth Continuing Education (CE) Institute. Participating RNs (n = 150) will acquire geriatric clinical and leadership skills needed to implement significant evidence-based solutions to improve health outcomes among older adults in each community. Specific project goals are to: (1) Refine, implement, and operate the innovative “Geriatric Nursing Education Innovations” (GNIE) CE Institute, with a focus on reducing health disparities in elder care at the community level, (2) Recruit, enroll and retain a diverse RN workforce into the GNIE Institute from across the care spectrum in each of five communities, and (3) Evaluate and disseminate results from participant, employer, and community health perspectives. The five communities targeted in this proposal each contains a substantial portion of rural or underserved older adults in NC.

• Minority Supplement: Outcomes of Nursing Management Practice in Nursing Homes  
  National Institutes of Health / National Institute of Nursing Research
  3R01-NR03178-05S1
  07/2003-01/2007
  Role: Co-PI
  This grant supports the effort of Dr. Utley-Smith who will be able to support the existing grant, particularly in areas of data analysis and interpretation. The existing grant, in turn, will provide her with a number of meaningful opportunities to advance her own research skills and enhance her potential to develop a significant, independent research program. The minority supplement will provide protected time needed by Dr. Utley-Smith to gain hands-on research experience and lay the foundation for preparing a K01 application and eventually an R01 application for her independent research.

• Measuring Staff-Family Communication and Selected Variables in Nursing Homes  
  TRAC Pilot-Duke University School of Nursing P20
  10/2005-10/2006
  Role: PI
  Goal of study is to explore factors that impact the staff-family relationship in nursing homes, identify strategies that promote positive staff-family relationships and devise simple, practical intervention strategies that promote positive staff-family relationships and better resident outcomes at the point of care.