Research:

Dr. Finch's program of research focuses on interpersonal relationships, communication dimensions, and perceptions and outcomes of caring between nurses and their patients. She has numerous publications in these areas. Additionally, Dr. Finch has developed and published a substantive theory of nurse caring with elders experiencing chronic illnesses. She continues to study this theory, Personalized Nurse Caring, for its application to other populations. Another area of on-going study involves identifying patterns and predictors of socialization and withdrawal into the nursing profession.

Current Research:

• Caring and Perceived Health Outcomes in Chronically Ill Pediatric Patient-Nurse Dyads: Developing a Grounded Theory (Principal Investigator, PI)
• Patterns of Professional and Occupational Socialization into and Predictors and Patterns of Withdrawal from the Nursing Profession (Co-PI)

Publications:

Finch, L., et.al. (2010). Marketing Nursing as a Profession: Integrated Marketing Strategies to Address the Nursing Shortage. Health Marketing Quarterly, 27(3), 291-306.

Finch, L.P. (2008). Development of a substantive theory of nurse caring. International Journal for Human Caring, 12(1), 25-32.

Finch, L.P. (2005). Nurses' communication with patients: Examining relational  communication dimensions and relationship satisfaction. International Journal of Human Caring,9(4), 14-23.

Finch, L.P. (2006). Patients' communication with nurses: Relational communication and preferred nurse behaviors. International Journal of Human Caring, 10(4), 14-22.

Teaching:

Dr. Finch has taught both undergraduate (BSN) and graduate (MSN) students at LSON. Her most recent teaching has been in the Family Nurse Practitioner program. Dr Finch enjoys engaging and challenging students online, in the classroom, and in clinical settings as they explore nursing roles, responsibilities, and relationships.

Service:

Dr. Finch serves on the Faculty Senate, is a member of the editorial Board of the Tennessee Nurse, and is an active member of Beta Theta Chapter-at-Large, Sigma Theta Tau International.

Practice:

Dr. Finch is an ANCC board certified Adult Nurse Practitioner and she maintains a practice in a long-term care setting..

More:

Dr. Finch is married, has two adult children, and five granddaughters. On any given day, whether in the office or at home, Dr. Finch will have a low volume of jazz, big band, or swing music softly playing in the background. As she remarks, �music feeds the soul and calms the spirit.� Other interests include antiquing, traveling, and making new discoveries.