Ruth Stoltzfus
Professor of Nursing, Co-Director of DNP Program
Education
- BSN, Goshen College, 1979
- MSN, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, 1987
- Ph.D., Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, 2012
Contact
- ruthas@goshen.edu
- (574) 535-7973
- Wyse Hall 216B (map)
- Hermeneutic phenomenology study of nurse educators who experience Narrative Pedagogy
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.
DNP Project Development
This is the first of three courses leading to the completion of the DNP project. Included in this course are 120 practicum hours working on the DNP project. Topics to be addressed include: ethics in project development and implementation; completion of a systematic review of the relevant literature; and design and approval of the DNP project. Division of the 3 credit hours: 1 hours is theory/didactic; 2 hours are practicum.
Foundations for Clinical Scholarship (Doctoral Program)
This course assists the student transition from practice into doctoral education from a sacred covenant philosophical framework. Additional topics to be considered are practice approaches based on theoretical, philosophical and historical underpinnings, scholarly writing, and introduction to grant writing. A guided executive summary is the major writing assignment for this course. There is a required residency in this course.
Foundations for Leadership (Master of Science in Nursing Program)
Examines the theoretical principles and norms for practice for advanced practice nursing and advanced nursing practice. Content includes scope of practice, taking on the role of leader within the identified role, standards & competencies, public policy, legal issues, therapeutic use of self, and cultural competence.
Theoretical & Conceptual Foundations (Master of Science in Nursing 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.
Historic Courses
- Nursing Research Practicum (Master’s Program)
- Advanced Health Assessment (Master’s Program)
- Human Sexuality (Course in Sociology)
- Family Care: Children (Graduate Program) – clinical & didactic
- Cross-Cultural Aspects of Health (RN to BSN 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)
- Abstract reviewer for 42nd Annual Professional Nursing Education Group Conference. Reviews completed in March 2015. Conference is in October 2015.
- Presentation at Indiana Association of Nursing Students Annual Convention, January 24, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN.
- Podium Presentation at the conference, “Narrative Pedagogy International Conference”, June 5, 2013, Farmingdale, New York.
- 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.
- 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 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.”
January to December 2022
- Church Moderator at Sunnyside Mennonite Church
- Member of Sunnyside Mennonite Church Leadership Team
- Worship Leader at Sunnyside Mennonite Church
January to December 2021
- Church Moderator-elect at Sunnyside Mennonite Church
- Member of Sunnyside Mennonite Church’s Leadership Team
- Worship Leader at Sunnyside Mennonite Church
July 2013
Center for Healing and Hope (Goshen) – perform school physicals.
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
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
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)
July 2016 to June 30, 2022
Professor of Nursing
Co-Director, Doctor of Nursing Practice Consortium
2012 to July 30, 2021
Professor of Nursing
Director, Graduate Programs in Nursing
Goshen College
2008-2012
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
DNP Project Supervision (2018 to present)
Perform the responsibilities of the lead faculty on Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects. Students are required to conduct a scholarly project in the last three semesters of the program.
Invited Textbook Reviewer
Invited reviewer for a proposed textbook from Jones & Bartlett Learning. The textbook was first published in 2020.
First Doctoral Program at Goshen College
Member of a team of six faculty from Goshen College and Eastern Mennonite University that proposed, developed, and implemented the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Consortium. The team worked from 2015 to 2018 on starting the DNP program. This is the first doctoral program offered at either institution.