Sarah Xiao

RN, BNSc, MSc(N), PhD

Research

Professional Work Experience

Program Manager, Research & Evaluation, Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO)

  • Led the Nursing Quality Indicators for Reporting and Evaluation (NQuIRE) quality improvement program
  • Liaised with >20 healthcare organizations; developed indicators and data sets; and managed a team of research associates, coordinators, and IT technicians
  • Developed NQuIRE’s first report template, created 100+ reports, and conducted user-testing of the system
  • Co-authored three peer-reviewed publications and represented NQuIRE locally and internationally
  • Supervised and mentored Research Associates in the best practice guidelines (BPGs) development process

Senior Research Associate, RNAO

  • Collaborated with guideline development staff to conduct systematic reviews for RNAO’s BPGs
  • Provided research orientation and training to staff, delegated and assigned responsibilities to Research Associates, and ensured timely, effective completion of tasks assigned to the research team
  • Represented department on the Staff Satisfaction Survey Committee to improve organizational culture and work-life balance for staff; developed survey analysis framework and presented results to the organization

Nursing Research Associate, RNAO

  • Led systematic reviews in the development of clinical and healthy work environment BPGs
  • Conducted pilot and comprehensive literature searches from defined research questions, reviewed and appraised literature for relevance and quality, and performed thematic analysis and evidence synthesis
  • Gained proficiency in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, critical appraisal tools, and statistical analysis and reference management software
  • Improved efficiency and quality of BPG development process by creating standardized tools and orientation and operational manuals for staff

Camp Nurse, Harbourfront Centre Camps

  • Medical responder for 500+ campers and camp staff
  • Provided nursing care and assessments for physical and psychological issues, including first aid and CPR
  • Administered prescription medications, documented patient visits, and liaised with families as necessary

Research Projects & Activities

Research Assistant, Provost’s Instructional Technology Innovation Fund, U of T

  • Led the development of interactive, online learning modules for the course, NUR1034H Program Planning and Evaluation in Nursing in the graduate nursing program

Research Assistant, Provost’s Instructional Technology Innovation Fund, U of T 

  • Led the development of an interactive, online learning module on arterial blood gas interpretation for students in the undergraduate nursing, nurse practitioner, and physician assistant program
  • Collaborated with the principal investigators and academic technologist to meet project deliverables and timeline

Research Trainee, Nursing Health Services Research Unit, U of T

  • Performed data analyses on the Home Care Nurses Retention Study dataset (Tourangeau et al., 2014) to explore nurses’ perceptions of the professional practice work environment in homecare settings in Ontario
  • Disseminated findings using knowledge translation materials (e.g., fact sheet) for key stakeholders

Research Assistant, Tourangeau Research, U of T 

  • Conducted an exploratory jurisdictional scan to identify policies, legislation, and other grey literature on the structures of home care nursing in Canada
  • Independently performed chart reviews at collaborating home care agencies and co-authored a publication

Research Fellow, Museum of Health Care

  • Reviewed, appraised, and synthesized peer-reviewed and grey literature to prepare a manuscript reflecting the history of electroconvulsive therapy. Interviewed historians, practitioners, and patients
  • Presented findings at a public presentation, and was interviewed and featured in local media outlets

Research Assistant, Maternal-Newborn Studies Lab, Kingston General Hospital

  • Performed fetal assessments on expectant mothers; collected auditory and physiological data on newborns
  • Designed and implemented protocols; used research databases, statistical software, and referencing programs to prepare research reports

Research Assistant, Queen’s University School of Nursing 

  • Conducted a program evaluation study to assess the competency of graduates from the undergraduate nursing program at the School of Nursing
  • Analysed survey results, prepared a report on program strengths and areas for improvement, and provided recommendations to senior leadership

Teaching

Faculty of Nursing Teaching Assistant Award, University of Toronto, September 26, 2018

Teaching Experience

Teaching Assistant, Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, U of T

  • NUR350: Introduction to Nursing Practice
  • Led and instructed weekly therapeutic clinical skills sessions and tutorials related to class lectures through a variety of teaching strategies, including case studies, narratives, simulations, demonstrations, and group discussion; supervised simulation lab facility for student practice and remediation to enhance development of nursing knowledge and competencies

Teaching Assistant, Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, U of T

  • NUR370: Pathophysiology and Pharmacotherapeutics
  • Delivered a range of online and in-class teaching activities including seminars on the pathogenesis of disease processes and their impact on health outcomes; provided student support through individual meetings and tutorials; graded students’ participation, assignments, and exams

Teaching Assistant, Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, U of T

  • NUR1027: Integrated Approaches to Research Appraisal and Utilization
  • Facilitated delivery of lectures to support students’ learning and critical analysis of both qualitative and quantitative research approaches in advanced nursing practice; graded assignments and exams, and provided support to students and instructors

Teaching Assistant, Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, U of T

  • NUR1028: Introduction to Qualitative Research: Methodologies, Appraisal & Knowledge Translation
  • Collaborated with instructor to deliver lectures on the philosophical foundations and approaches of qualitative research; graded assignments and provided feedback to students and instructor

Teaching Assistant, Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, U of T

  • NUR1017: History of Ideas in Nursing Practice
  • Facilitated student learning of nursing discourse through discussions and presentations of historical and contemporary portrayals of nursing practice; contributed to the development of course curriculum and teaching materials; graded assignments and exams

Mandarin Teaching Assistant, Mon Sheong Foundation

  • Supported the Mandarin teacher in developing and implementing class curriculum for the youth development and leadership program. Provided remediation and tutorials, and administered exams

 Guest Lecturer, School of Nursing, Queen’s University

  • Presented multiple lectures on the historical evolution of psychiatric treatments and electroconvulsive therapy to nursing students in the undergraduate mental health nursing course (NURS325: Complex Psycho-Social and Mental Health Issues and Advanced Therapeutic Processes)
  • Developed midterm and final examination questions related to presentation content

 Teaching Assistant, Queen’s University School of Nursing

  • Led and instructed clinical skills sessions and tutorials related to class lectures. Supervised simulation lab facility for student remediation. Assisted in curriculum development, graded seminar assignments, and provided feedback to students and course instructors
  • Course portfolio: NURS202 Health Assessment; NURS305 Health Challenges & Implications for Care II; NURS100 Nutrition and Health