Joan Kuhnly
Professor

Biography

Dr. Kuhnly, a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner/APRN and certified lactation consultant, specializes in Maternal Newborn and women’s health. Her research includes perinatal topics, breastfeeding, empathy, and nursing education.

Courses Taught

  • Accelerated Mat/NB Womens Health

  • Intro to Health/Discipline of Nursing 

  • Maternal NB/Women’s Health    

  • Simulation Clinical Content Courses undergraduate, accelerated and graduate NNP

  • Maternal Newborn Nursing Clinical

  • Capstone Perinatal and Med Surg Nursing  

  • Leadership-Study Abroad

  • Nursing Research

Areas of Research

Perinatal topics
Breastfeeding
Empathy
Nursing education

Publications

Kuhnly, J., & D. Chapman, (podium July, 2016) Exploring the Purpose and Nurses’ Thought Processes regarding Use of Lactation Assessment Tools, ILCA Annual Conference, Chicago, IL
Chapman, D. & J. Kuhnly (podium July, 2016) Improving current lactation assessment tools:  Limitations and improvements suggested by hospital-based staff, ILCA Annual Conference, Chicago, IL
Bellini, S, Whalen, M., Kuhnly, J., & D. Diaz, (podium Oct 2016) “Use of Simulations to Facilitate Role Transition for Graduating NNP Students” NANN 32nd Annual Educational Conference. Palm Springs, 2016.
“Exploration of Factors Related to the Prevalence of Sustained Breastfeeding in Infants Born Between 35-37 6/7 Weeks Gestation”, International Lactation Consultant Association, Research Spotlight Podium, July, 2015, Washington, DC.
“Use of an Experiential Simulation Assignment to Improve Undergraduate Nursing Students’ Empathic and Caring Behaviors”, Kuhnly, JE., Diaz, D., Maruca, A. 14th Annual International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation & Learning Conference, June 2015, Atlanta, GA.
“Exploration of Factors Related to the Prevalence of Sustained Breastfeeding in Infants Born Between 35-37 6/7 Weeks Gestation”, NANN Summit, March 2015, Scottsdale, AZ
“Breastfeeding Support for Infants and Mothers in the Intensive Care Nursery”, Conference: Toward Evidence-Based Clinical Practice: 1998 Update, May 1, 1998. 
“Breastfeeding the Preterm Infant”, Conference: Clinical Perspectives in Perinatal Nursing 1998, May 13, 1998. 
“Talking the Talk, Walking the Walk: Infant feeding, Prenatal Counseling and Community Resources” Marshall-Crim, M., Costa, J., & J Kuhnly, OB Grand Rounds Breastfeeding Series, Hartford, CT, June 2016.
“In Hospital Infant Feeding Management”, Marshall-Crim, M., Kuhnly, J., & M Costa. OB Grand Rounds Breastfeeding Series, Hartford, CT, Sept 2016.
“Common Breastfeeding Challenges for the Obstetrician” Marshall-Crim, M., Costa, M & J Kuhnly, OB Grand Rounds Breastfeeding Series”, Hartford, CT. Dec 2016.
“Pinning keynote speaker”, UConn Nursing Pinning ceremony, Storrs, CT.  April 2015.
“Supporting Sustained Breastfeeding for Mothers of Multiples”, NEANN Annual conference, Aquaturf, Rocky Hill, CT   Nov, 2014
“Clinical Practice and Scholarship”, Keynote speaker, Sigma Theta Tau Mu Chapter Induction Ceremony, Storrs, CT Nov, 2014
 â€śAnalogy of Undergraduate Nursing Education to Pregnancy and Childbirth”, Pinning Ceremony, University of Connecticut School of Nursing, April 22, 2014.
“Learning to Love Lactation”, Fall Continuing Education Program, Veteran’s Memorial Medical Center, Fall 2003.
Costa, M., Kuhnly, J., & Lampley, T, (Submitted for Oct, 2018). “Incorporating Breastfeeding Education info Nursing Cuuriculum” CT Nursing Research Alliance Annual Conference, Hartford, CT.
Dodge, M., Dileone, C., Kuhnly, J.E., Bourassa, D., Maruca, A., Beck, C.T. June, 2017. “Evaluation of Interprofessional Panel and Simulation to Prepare Nursing Students for Trauma Informed Care” INACSL, 2017 Annual Conference, Washington, DC.
Kuhnly, J., Diaz, D., Bellini, S., & M Whalen, June 2016, “Delivering bad news in a nurse practitioner student simulation” INACSL 2016 Annual Conference, June, Grapevine, TX.
Chapman, D & J. Kuhnly (March, 2016), “Provider Perceptions of Lactation Assessment Tools: Limitations and Suggested Improvements”, 18th International Society for Research in Human Milk and Lactation meeting. Cape Town, South Africa.
Chapman, D & J. Kuhnly (March, 2016), “Provider Perceptions of Lactation Assessment Tools: Limitations and Suggested Improvements”, Sigma Theta Tau CT Collaborative, Danbury, CT.
McNulty, J., Kuhnly, J., Polifroni, E., Stolfi, P, Banfi, V., Krafft, A. October 2015, “Evaluation of Evidence Based Practice Group Capstone Projects for Baccalaureate Undergraduate Nursing Students”, CT Nursing Research Alliance 19th Annual EBP Conference. Hartford, CT.
Kuhnly, JE.,  July, 2015., “Exploration of Factors Related to the Prevalence of Sustained Breastfeeding in Infants Born Between 35-37 6/7 Weeks Gestation”, Annual Conference International Association of Lactation Consultants, Washington, DC.
Kuhnly, JE., Juliano, J., & McLarney, P., April, 2015 “Tailoring a Parent Education Program for Patient Needs, Expectant Parents of Multiples”. Hartford Healthcare Collaborative, Hartford, CT
Kuhnly, JE., Juliano, J., & McLarney, P. Sept. 2014. The Development and Implementation of a Prenatal Education Program for Expectant Parents of Multiples.  Annual International Childbirth Educator Association Annual Conference, Asheville, NC.
DĂ­az, D.A., Maruca, A. & Kuhnly, J. (August, 2014). The effects of simulated ostomy on empathy and caring: a phenomenological study. Poster presented at SimHealth 2014, Adelaide, Australia.
Diaz, D., Maruca, A., & Kuhnly, J, June, 2014. The Rollercoaster ride of blending Practice and Content in Simulation, 13th Annual International Association of Simulation and Clinical Learning Conference, Orlando, FL.
Kuhnly, J.E., April, 2014. Exploration of Factors Related to the Prevalence of Sustained Breastfeeding in Infants Born Between 35 -37 6/7 Weeks Gestation, Research in Process, Eastern Nursing Society 26th Annual Scientific Sessions, Philadelphia, PA.
Kuhnly, J., DĂ­az, D.A. & Griffiths,L. June 2011. Use of a Medium Fidelity Manikin for Newborn Apnea Scenario. Poster presented at the 10th Annual International Association Simulation and Clinical Learning, Orlando, FL.
DĂ­az, D.A., Allchin, L., Kuhnly,J., Maruca, A. & Panosky,D. May 2011. The New Horizon: A Simulated Eight Hour Work Day. Poster presented at the Asia-Pacific Association Simulation and Clinical Learning, Hong Kong,China
Kuhnly, J, Diaz, D, Griffiths, L.M., “Exploring  Perinatal Grief using a Medium Fidelity Manikin in a Threatened Abortion Scenario” International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning 10th Annual Conference, June, 2011 
Kuhnly, J. Diaz, D., Griffiths, L.M. “Use of a Medium Fidelity Manikin for Postpartum Hemmorhage” ISMH, Jan 2010
Kuhnly, J., Bourassa, D., Dileone, C., Dodge, M., Maruca, A. & Beck, C. (submitted, under review).  Evaluation of Inter-Professional Teaching Strategy for Nursing Students on Perinatal Trauma Informed Care. Journal of Nursing Education 
Kuhnly, J. (2018). Sustained Breastfeeding and Related Factors for Late Preterm and Early Term Infants. Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing, 32(2). 175-188.
Chapman, D., & Kuhnly J. (in press 2018) Lactation Assessment Tools:  A qualitative analysis of Registered Nurses’ perceptions of tool limitations and suggested improvements. Journal of Human Lactation.
Kuhnly, JE., & Chapman, DJ., (2018) Qualitative Analysis of Registered Nurses’ Perceptions of Lactation Assessment Tools: Why and How They Are Completed.  Journal of Human Lactation, 34(1), 32-39. Doi:10:1177/08-9034417724147.
Maruca, A., Diaz, D., Kuhnly, J., & Jeffries, P (2015, Nov-Dec) “Enhancing Empathy in Undergraduate Nursing students: An Experiential Ostomate Simulation” Nursing Education Perspectives, 36(6), 286-291. doi: 10:5480/15-1578
Diaz, D. A., Maruca, A. T., Kuhnly, J. E., Jeffries, P., & Grabon, N. (2015, December). Creating caring and empathic nurses: A simulated ostomate. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 11(12), 513-518. http:// dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecns.2015.10.002.
Kuhnly, JE, (2015, Oct-Nov), Strategies to support sustained breastfeeding of late preterm multiple birth Infants, Nursing for Women's Health DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-486X.12236
Kuhnly, J., Juliano, M., & P. McLarney, (2015, Spring), “The Development and Implementation of a Prenatal Education Program for Expectant Parents of Multiples” Journal of Perinatal Education 24 (2).
Kuhnly, J. “James’ Story”. Nursing for Women’s Health, April 2011, 183-184.
Sanders, M., Donovan, T., & J. Kuhnly.  “Impact of an Extremely Low Birthweight Infant. Carepath on Resource Utilization,” Pediatric Research, April 1998.
Kuhnly, J. & M. Freston.  “Back Transport: Exploration of parents’ feelings regarding the transition,” Neonatal Network, February 1993
Chapman, D & J. Kuhnly (2016, March), “Provider Perceptions of Lactation Assessment Tools: Limitations and Suggested Improvements”, Breastfeeding Medicine DOI:10.1089/bfm.2016.28999.abstracts
Kuhnly, J. “Exploration of Factors Related to the Prevalence of Sustained Breastfeeding in Infants born between 35-37 6/7 Weeks Gestation” Advances in Neonatal Care, June 2015, 15(3).
Diaz, D.A., Panosky, D.M., Kuhnly, J.E., & A. Maruca.  “The New Horizon: A Simulated Eight Hour Work Day.” Asia –Pacific Association Simulation and Clinical Learning, International, May, 2011.
Kuhnly, J. Diaz, D., Griffiths, L.M. “Use of a Medium Fidelity Manikin for Postpartum Hemmorhage” ISMH, Jan 2010.
Kuhnly, J E., & M Dodge, (2017) “Perinatal Grief, Threatened Spontaneous Abortion” in textbook Simulation Scenarios for Nursing Educators: Making it Real. 3rd edition. Springer Publications
Kuhnly, J E., & D Diaz, (2016) “Instructor Resources for Actualizing simulation in a Neonatal Advanced Practice Nursing Program” in textbook Neonatal Advanced Practice Nursing: A Case-based Learning Approach.  Springer publications.
Diaz, D., & JE Kuhnly (2016) “Actualizing simulation in a Neonatal Advanced Practice Nursing Program” in textbook Neonatal Advanced Practice Nursing: A Case-based Learning Approach.  Springer publications.
Kuhnly, J., Griffiths, LM. (2013) “Perinatal grief: Threatened Spontaneous Abortion.” In Simulation Scenarios for Nursing Educators.  2nd edition. Springer Publications
Kuhnly, Joan E., "Exploration of Factors Related to the Prevalence of Sustained Breastfeeding in Infants Born Between 35 -37 6/7 Weeks Gestation" (2014). Doctoral Dissertations. Paper 635.

Community Engagement

  • Annual fundraising efforts for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, March of Dimes, Cystic Fibrosis Association, Dana Farber Cancer research
  • Chaperone Coordinator Granby Parents for Safe Graduation
  • Board of Directors Stony Hill Residential Community

Campus Engagement

  • WSU Honors Advisory Council
  • Nursing Academic policy and standards committee
  • Nursing Technology Committee
  • ATI faculty representative
  • Mission trip with students to Guatemala
  • Writing Faculty Group
  • Pinning Ceremony Task Force
  • Fundraising efforts for IDC missions Iglesia DelCamino     

Professional Service

Consultation Activities

  • Lactation Consulting for clients Referred by Pediatricans/Hospitals
  • Expert Legal Consulting on newborn and lactation issues
  • Manuscript reviewer for Advances in Neonatal Care
  • Manuscript reviewer for Sage Open Press
  • Manuscript reviewer for Nursing for Women’s Health
  • Health Care Consultant to Community Preschool

Professional Membership:

  • NANN                       
  • NEANN
  • Mu Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau International
  • NANN Committee Neonatal Nursing Professional Development Pathway Work Group

Other Distinctions:

  • 2015   University of CT Alumni Association DNP Award
  • 2011   Nightingale Award
  • 2011   Dean’s Award for Caring
  • 1998   St. Joseph’s College, Clinical Mentor Award

Certifications:

  • RN license, MA and CT
  • APRN CT license
  • Certified Nurse Educator by NLN (CNE)
  • International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant by IBLCE (IBCLC)
  • Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Certification by NCC (NNP-BC)
  • BLS Health Care Provider Certification by the American Heart Association
  • Neonatal Resuscitation Regional Trainer by the American Academy of Pediatrics    
  • Certificate of Reliability in Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP)
Joan Kuhnly Headshot