University of Michigan School of Nursing

Susan J. Pressler

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Dr. Susan J. Pressler, RN, FAAN, FAHA

Susan J. Pressler, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAHA

Professor
Associate Dean, Office of Graduate Studies
Division of Acute, Critical, and Long-term Care (Division I)
Room 1174
University of Michigan School of Nursing
400 North Ingalls
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5482
Telephone: (734) 764-7188
Fax: (734) 763-9357

Scholarly Expertise / Activity

Interests:

  • Heart failure outcomes (quality of life and hospitalization)
  • Cognitive functioning in heart failure
  • Family caregiver outcomes in heart failure

Dr. Pressler is an expert in quality of life of persons with chronic heart failure (HF). Throughout her career, she has conducted extensive research about the patient care problems associated with heart failure including stress and coping, lack of adherence with medication and diet therapy, nutritional deficits, and cognitive dysfunction. Her research results have been published in noted nursing and cardiovascular journals and Dr. Pressler has presented her scholarly work at numerous conferences both nationally and internationally. She continues to passionately address the multi-faceted challenges in heart failure care for the twenty-first century.

Current Research Grants and Programs:

  • Nurse Enhanced Memory Intervention in Heart Failure. Pilot Award. Michigan Center for Health Intervention, NINR, P30 NR009000

Teaching

Dr. Pressler has a longstanding history as a nurse educator. Throughout her academic career, she has taught students at the baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral levels and has mentored undergraduate and graduate students in research experiences; particularly in N495, the Undergraduate Honors Program Independent Study; N699, MSN Study and N797, PhD Independent Study. Her students often contribute to her research initiatives as participating members of the research team. Dr. Pressler’s recent teaching assignments include: N532, Theoretical Base of Advanced Nursing Practice and N831,Design, Methods and Analysis II. She has also been a guest lecturer in recent semesters in various other courses at the U-M School of Nursing. 

Affiliations / Service

  • Member, American Academy of Nurses, 2003 – present
  • Member, American Association of Critical Care Nurses, 1976-present
  • Member, American College of Cardiology Foundation and American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines, 2012 -
  • Member, Council of Cardiovascular Nursing, American Heart Association, 1992-present; Chairperson 2007-2009; Immediate Past Chairperson 2009-2011
  • Member, Heart Failure Society of America, 1999-present (Executive Council Member 2002-2008; Nursing Committee Chairperson 2002-2005)
  • Member, American Nurses’ Association, 1979-1993, 2002-present
  • Member, Midwest Nursing Research Society, 1987-present (several service roles 1991-2000)
  • Sigma Theta Tau, Alpha Chapter, Member, 1991-present (committee roles 1992-1997)
  • Chairperson, Planning Committee, Dean’s Lecture and Research Day, University of Michigan School of Nursing, 2008-2010
  • Numerous service contributions as Editorial Board Member, Reviewer and Writing Group participant of various professional publications, journals and books relating to cardiac disease and cardiovascular nursing

Notable Awards / Honors

  • Fellow, American Academy of Nursing, 2003
  • Visiting Scholar, Emory University School of Nursing, Fall 2004
  • Indiana University Trustees’ Teaching Award, 2004
  • American Heart Association Cardiovascular Nursing Council Abstract of the Year Award, 2001
  • Fellow, Cardiovascular Nursing Council, American Heart Association, 1999
  • Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society, 1980-present

Education

  • PhD, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 1990
  • MSN, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 1980
  • BSN, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN 1976

Publication Highlights

  • Pressler SJ, Kim J, Riley P, Ronis DL, Gradus-Pizlo I. Memory dysfunction, psychomotor slowing, and decreased executive function predict mortality in patients with heart failure and low ejection fraction. J Card Fail. In press.
  • Pressler SJ, Subramanian U, Kareken D, Perkins SM, Gradus-Pizlo I, Sauve MJ, Ding Y, Kim J, Sloan R, Jaynes H, Shaw RM. Cognitive deficits and health-related quality of life in chronic heart failure. J Cardiovasc Nurs 2010;25(3):189-198.
  • Pressler SJ, Subramanian U, Kareken D, Perkins SM, Gradus-Pizlo I, Sauve MJ, Ding Y, Kim J, Sloan R, Jaynes H, Shaw RM. Cognitive deficits in chronic heart failure. Nurs Res 2010;59(2):127-139.
  • Pressler SJ, Subramanian U, Perkins SM, Gradus-Pizlo I, Kareken D, Kim JS, Ding Y, Sauve MJ, Sloan R. Measuring depressive symptoms in heart failure: validity and reliability of the PHQ-8. Am J Crit Care. Prepublished first online April 8, 2010.
  • Pressler SJ. Building translation science with interdisciplinary research: why a special issue on the proceedings of a research conference? Editorial. Res Theory Nurs Practice 2010;24(1):3-5.
  • Hays LM, Pressler SJ, Damush TM, Rawl SM, Clark DO. Exercise adoption among older, low-income women at risk for cardiovascular disease. Public Health Nurs 2009;27:79-88.
  • Riegel B, Moser DK, Anker SD, Appel LJ, Dunbar SB, Grady KL, Gurvitz MZ, Havranek EP, Lee CS, Lindenfeld J, Peterson PN, Pressler SJ, Schocken DD, Whellan DJ. State of the Science: promoting self-care in persons with heart failure: A Scientific Statement of the American Heart Association. Circulation 2009;120:1141-1163.
  • Pressler SJ. Developing knowledge and improving care using the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index (commentary). J Cardiovasc Nurs 2009;24(6):498-499.
  • Kim J, Pressler SJ, Welch JL, Groh WJ. Validity and reliability of the Chronic Heart Failure Questionnaire Mastery Subscale in patients with defibrillators. Western J Nurs Res 2009; 31(8):1057-1075.
  • Kim J, Pressler SJ, Welch JL, Damush T, Sloan RS, Wu J, Groh WJ. Predictors of physical function in patients with defibrillators. J Cardiovasc Nurs 2009;24(5):398-409.
  • Rohyans L, Pressler SJ. Depressive symptoms and heart failure: examining the sociodemographic variables. Clinical Nurse Specialist Journal 2009;23:138-144.
  • Sloan RS, Pressler SJ. Cognitive deficits and chronic heart failure: Re-cognition of vulnerability as A Strange New World. J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2009;24:241-248.
  • Udelson JE, Pressler SJ, Sackner-Bernstein J, Massaro J, Ordronneau P, Lukus MA, Hauptman PJ. Compliance with once daily vs. twice daily Carvedilol in patients with heart failure: the compliance and quality of life study comparing once-daily controlled-release Carvedilol CR and twice-daily immediate-release Carvedilol IR in patients with heart failure (CASPER) Trial. J Cardiac Fail. 2009;15:385-393.
  • Sauve MJ, Lewis W, Blankenbiller M, Rickabaugh B, Pressler SJ. Cognitive impairments in chronic heart failure: a case-controlled study. J Card Failure 2009;15:1-10.
  • Pressler SJ, Gradus-Pizlo I, Chubinski SD, Smith G, Wheeler S, Wu J, Sloan R. Family caregiver outcomes in heart failure. Am J Crit Care 2009;18:149-159.
  • Several efforts authoring study guides and test questions for online courses and continuing education programs. Also has authored medical and surgical nursing questions for NCLEX Review material.