Patricia Burbank, D.N.Sc., R.N.
Professor
Coordinator, CNS in Gerontology
Boston University
p. 401.874.5314
pburbank@verizon.net
Dr. Burbank's longstanding commitment is to community health and gerontological nursing. She has taught at the baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral levels. In the College of Nursing she directs the Gerontological Clinical Nurse Specialist concentration and is the Project Coordinator for the new HRSA-funded Gerontological Nurse Practitioner concentration. She teaches philosophy of science, practice theory, and quantitative methods courses in the MS and PhD programs. She is also a faculty member of the interdisciplinary RI Geriatric Education Center. Dr. Burbank received a BS degree from the University of Rhode Island and her MS and PhD degrees from Boston University.
Dr. Burbank's research and scholarly work in gerontological nursing ranges from the effects of static magnetic fields on sleep and cognition in patients with Alzheimer's Disease, to meaning in life among older adults, and interdisciplinary research on the effects of interventions using the Transtheoretical Model of health behavior change on exercise and nutrition behavior in older adults. Her most recent research projects include an evaluation of a fall prevention project among community-dwelling elders and a survey of the needs of older gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender elders in Rhode Island. She is the author/editor of numerous articles and three books: Drug Therapy and the Elderly (with A. Swonger), Promoting Exercise among Older Adults: Interventions with the Transtheoretical Model (edited with D. Riebe), and Vulnerable Older Adults: Issues and Strategies (in press). Dr. Burbank also chairs the Fall Injury Prevention Subcommittee of the Lt. Governor's Injury Prevention Coalition.
Community Partnerships
Community partnerships are agencies that serve as clinical sites for student learning. The College of Nursing has excellent placements available throughout the state of Rhode Island and the bordering states. For some perspective of the diversity of our partnerships and the scope of experiences available for our students at all levels, see our information on Community Partnerships.
