Linda Chlan, PhD, RN, FAAN
What is your position at your institution?
Associate Dean for Nursing Research, Mayo Clinic
Professor of Nursing, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
How long have you been a member of ATS?
I joined in 2001.
Tell us about your involvement in the ATS.
I have been involved in a number of ATS committees and initiatives. I was an author on a multidisciplinary working group that developed guidelines on the assessment of ICU acquired weakness, published in the Blue Journal. I have served on the Program Committee for the Nursing Assembly; chaired the Planning Committee for the 2014 Nursing Assembly; am a member of the Integrative Therapies Working Group and the International Nursing Research Priorities Working Group. I have served as a member of the ATS-wide Membership Committee. I was elected Chair-Elect of the Nursing Assembly May 2017.
What is the value of your membership in ATS?
My ATS membership is invaluable to me for a number of reasons. First, the members of the Nursing Assembly are sincerely welcoming and are an outstanding group of professionals across settings and stages of their careers, and are supportive of one another’s accomplishments. The opportunities to engage in multidisciplinary networking among committees, working groups and during the international conferences are other examples that are ‘value added’ to ATS membership.
What are you passionate about in your work?
As a scientist who conducts research with critically ill patients, seeing the benefit of my work directly applicable to patients is very rewarding. I am most passionate about patient-centered research through appropriately empowering ICU patients to co-manage or self-manage distressful symptoms while receiving mechanical ventilatory support.
In my role as the Associate Dean for Nursing Research at Mayo Clinic, I have the opportunity to build nursing research to national prominence and recognition in a world-renowned healthcare system.
Tell us about a memorable patient or student, or a memorable experience in your nursing career.
A patient enrolled in one of my music intervention studies conveyed to me that the personalized music he received (an integral aspect of the experimental intervention to self-manage mechanic ventilation-induced anxiety) was “the only thing that got him through” his ICU stay. Those comments have been some of the most rewarding in my career!
Tell us about your latest or favorite research or clinical project.
Our research team is currently conducting a two-site RCT testing the efficacy of self-management of sedative therapy by mechanically ventilated ICU patients. This clinical trial is funded by the NHLBI, NIH.
Tell us about your family (2 and/or 4 legged) and what you do for fun.
My spouse and I have a cat named Horus. He is named after the ancient Egyptian hawk-headed deity “Horus”. While now a senior citizen at age 15, Horus truly feels he is a deity.
How has your view of nursing changed over the years?
The holistic, patient-centered focus of nursing is as important today as it was when first espoused by Florence Nightingale. While the core values of nursing have not changed, there are numerous opportunities for nurses to pursue a variety of career paths that utilize their talents and fulfill individual career goals.
Do you have a mentor who has helped you?
I have had the great good fortune to have strong mentors throughout my career. Even at this point in my career, I continue to have a number of mentors whose guidance and wisdom is invaluable to me.
