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Bethel A. Powers, PhD, RN, FSAA, FGSA
Bethel A. Powers, PhD, RN, FSAA, FGSA
  • Currently Accepting PhD Students

Bio

Bethel Powers is a master's-prepared nurse with master's and PhD degrees in social anthropology. The overall theme of her program of research is improving older adults' health and quality of life. Her earliest investigations have included multiple studies of nursing home culture and issues involving care of nursing home residents with dementia. Her research-based book, entitled Nursing Home Ethics, reviews the conditions for which nursing home care becomes a necessity and discusses practical approaches to the many everyday ethical issues that arise in long-term care. Studies involving older institutionalized persons and their families have focused on social networks and social support, delivery of palliative care, and spiritual nurturance.

Dr. Powers also served as a co-investigator on two NIH-funded interdisciplinary team-based studies: a randomized controlled clinical trial of an intervention for improving outcomes of hospitalized older adults and their family caregivers, and an ethnographic study of acute care hospital-based palliative care consultation services. Her current co-investigator role is focused on the study of nurse in-home visiting interventions for community-dwelling older persons with existing disability and depression.

As director of the school's PhD programs, Dr. Powers is committed to mentoring graduate students and working with faculty colleagues to prepare scientists and produce leaders who contribute to the dissemination, teaching, and advancement of research in academic and clinical settings and in national and international arenas.



Professional Experience
Director PhD Programs, University of Rochester School of Nursing, Rochester, NY, US. 8/2011 - Current

Professor, University of Rochester School of Nursing, Rochester, NY, US. 2005 - Current

Director, Evaluation Office, University of Rochester School of Nursing, Rochester, NY, US. 2004 - Current

Associate Director, Center for Nursing Research on Aging, University of Rochester School of Nursing, Rochester, NY, US. 1999 - 2010

Associate Professor, University of Rochester School of Nursing, Rochester, NY, US. 1987 - 2005

Interim Chair, Division of Health Restoration, University of Rochester School of Nursing, Rochester, NY, US. 7/1993 - 1995

Chair, Division of Health Promotion and Maintenance, University of Rochester School of Nursing, Rochester, NY, US. 7/1990 - 1995

Associate Professor (Secondary Joint Appointment), Graduate School of Education and Human Development, Rochester, NY, US. 1987 - 1995

Interim Chair, Division of Health Promotion and Maintenance, University of Rochester School of Nursing, Rochester, NY, US. 1989 - 1990

Assistant Professor, University of Rochester School of Nursing, Rochester, NY, US. 1980 - 1987

Doctoral Student/Candidate, University of Rochester (Department of Anthropology), Rochester, NY, US. 1972 - 1980

Nursing Supervisor, University of Rochester Medical Center, Strong Memorial Hospital (Medicine & Rehabilitation), Rochester, NY, US. 1967 - 1974

Head Nurse/Staff Nurse, Montefiore Hospital and Medical Center (Medical Oncology/Neurology), Bronx, NY, US. 1965 - 1967

Awards
Received $600,000 will provide scholarship and stipend support for 4 students each year for the next 3 years entering our MS/PhD or PhD programs
Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN Program), 2015

American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Award
American Nurses Association, 2005

Journal of Gerontological Nursing Edna Stilwell Writing Award
SLACK Publishing, 2004

Fellow
Gerontological Society of America, 2001

Excellence in Nursing Research Award
Epsilon Xi Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau, 1997

Fellow
Society for Applied Anthropology, 1995

Distinguished Nurse Researcher Award
Foundation of New York State Nurses, 1991

Outstanding Faculty Colleague Award
University of Rochester School of Nursing, 1990

Faculty Bridging Fellowship Award
University of Rochester, 1985

National Nursing Honor Society
Sigma Theta Tau International, 1982

Presentations
Opioid use for the palliation of terminal dyspnea in older adults with heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Annual Scientific Sessions, Eastern Nursing Research Society, 2012
New Haven, Connecticut

Structure and process components associated with disability maintenance/improvement of a primary care affiliated home visiting nurse intervention
66th Annual Scientific Meeting, Gerontological Society of America, 2011
Boston, Massachusetts

Nursing home residents with dementia and the palliative care umbrella
The First National Palliative Care Summit, 2011
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Improving outcomes of family caregivers caring for hospitalized elders: The CARE Program
65th Annual Scientific Meeting, The Gerontological Society of America, 2010
New Orleans, Louisiana

Rules at the border: Passport to institutionalizing palliative care
Annual Assembly, American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association, 2009
Austin, Texas

Nurse home visiting to older adults with disability: A qualitative study of program implementation
Annual Scientific Meeting, American Geriatrics Society, 2009
Chicago, Illinois

Weathering the storm: Nurse home visiting to prevent disability worsening
Annual Conference, State Society on Aging of New York, 2009
Rochester, New York

Nurse home visiting to older adults with disability: A qualitative study of program implementation
Annual Scientific Meeting, Gerontological Society of America, 2008
National Harbor, Maryland

A bioethical construct for issues of spirituality and religion
Spiritual Care Rounds, University of Rochester Medical Center, 2007
Rochester, New York

Nursing Home Ethics
Ethics Committee Luncheon, St. John's Home, 2004
Rochester, New York

Qualitative Methods
5th Annual Evidence-Based Practice Conference, Qualitative Methods Workshop, University of Rochester School of Nursing, 2004
Rochester, New York

Nursing Home Ethics
Annual Family and Ethics Committee Dinner Meeting, The Friendly Home, 2004
Rochester, New York

Nursing Home Ethics
Alzheimer's Association Professional Network Series, Monroe Community Hospital, 2004
Rochester, New York

Gauging Decline: End of Life Care of Residents with Dementia in Three Nursing Home Settings
Gerontological Society of America, 2003
San Diego, California

Everyday Decision Making by Residents in Assisted Living
Gerontological Society of America, 2003
San Diego, California

Spiritual Nurturance and Support for Nursing Home Residents with Dementia
Gerontological Society of America, 2001
Chicago, Illinois

At the Crossroads of Nursing Home Reform: Linkages Between Interpersonal and Organizational Ethics
Gerontological Society of America, 2000
Washington, District Of Columbia

Resolving Ethical Issues of Daily Living Affecting Nursing Home Residents with Dementia
Eastern Nursing Research Society, 2000
Newport, Rhode Island

Ethics in Action: An Appreciation for the Ordinary in Dementia Care
Society for Applied Anthropology, 2000
San Francisco, California

Naturally Occurring Humor of Nursing Home Staff and Residents with Dementia
Gerontological Society of America, 1997
Cincinnati, Ohio

Relationships Among Older Women Living in a Nursing Home
Society for Applied Anthropology, 1996
Baltimore, Maryland

New Theory From the Multicultural Study of Aging and Well-Being
Society for Applied Anthropology, 1993
San Antonio, Texas

Researching Dilemmas in Long-Term Care
Induction Ceremony, Sigma Theta Tau, Epsilon Xi Chapter, 1993
Rochester, New York

Everyday Ethics in Health Care
American Anthropological Association, 1992
San Francisco, California

Researching Dilemmas in Long-Term Care
Distinguished Nurse Researcher Presentation, Foundation of New York State Nurses, 1992
Rochester, New York

In the Hands of These Care People: New Grounds for Kinship Allegiances
American Anthropological Association, 1991
Chicago, Illinois

Beyond These Walls: Bridging to the Community
American Anthropological Association, 1990
New Orleans, Louisiana

Friendships Among Nursing Home Residents
Eastern Nursing Research Society, 1990
New York, New York

The Meaning of Nursing Home Friendships
American Anthropological Association, 1989
Washington, District Of Columbia

Roles Staff Play in the Social Networks of Elderly Institutionalized People
Co-Sponsored Session: Aging & Health in Cultural Context, American Anthropological Association, 1988
Phoenix, Arizona

Self Perceived Health of Elderly Institutionalized People
Co-Sponsored Session: Aging, Culture, and Health, American Anthropological Association, 1987
Chicago, Illinois

How Has it Been For You Here?...Social Networks of Elderly Institutionalized People
The Genesee Conference of Senior Citizen Directors, 6th Annual Aging Awareness Day Conference, Roberts Wesleyan College, 1987
Rochester, New York

The World of Elderly Institutionalized People: Making the Connection Between Interactional Patterns and Social Context
Annual Research Symposium, Sigma Theta Tau, Epsilon Xi Chapter, 1987
Rochester, New York

What Does it Mean to Grow Old?
Issues 31, Host: Tom Ryan, WUHF-TV, 1987
Rochester, New York

The Social Networks of Elderly Institutionalized People
Invited Session: Implications of Anthropological Research for Practice, Planning and Policy Making in Gerontology, New York State Association of Gerontological Educators, 1986
Ellenville, New York

Publications
Smith, Joyce A.; Fuino, Robert L.; Pesis-Katz, Irena; Cai, Xueya; Powers, Bethel; Frazer, Maria; Markman, John D (2017). Differences in opioid prescribing in low back pain patients with and without depression: a cross-sectional study of a national sample from the United States. PAIN Reports.

Lowey, S.E., Smith, J.A., Xue, Y., Powers, B.A. (2015). Opioid Use in the Last Year of Life Among Medicare Beneficiaries With Advanced Illnesses A Retrospective Cohort Study. Journal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing, 17 (3), 242-248. DOI: 10.1097/NJH.0000000000000155

Liebel DV, Powers BA, Hauenstein EJ. (2015). Home health care nurse interactions with homebound geriatric patients with depression and disability. Res Gerontol Nurs., 8 (3), 130-9.

Liebel, DV; Friedman, B; Conwell, Y; Powers, BA (2015). Evaluation of Geriatric Home Healthcare Depression Assessment and Care Management: Are OASIS-C Depression Requirements Enough?. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, 23 (8), 794-806.

Liebel DV, Powers BA. (2015). Home health care nurse perceptions of geriatric depression and disability care management. Gerontologist, 55 (3), 448-61.

Friedman, B., Yanen, L., Liebel, D., & Powers, B. (2014). Effects of a home visiting nurse intervention versus care as usual on individual activities of daily living: a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trail. BMC Geriatrics http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2318/14/24, 14 (24).

Friedman, B., Li, Y., Liebel D.V., Powers, B.A. (2014). Effects of a home visiting nurse intervention versus care as usual on individual activities of daily living: a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trail. BMC Geriatrics, 14 (24).

Lowey, DV, Powers, BA, Xue, Y (2013). Short of breath and dying: State of the science on opioids for the palliation of refractory dyspnea in older adults.. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 39, 43-52.

Liebel, D. V., Friedman, B., Watson, N. M. & Powers, B. A. (2012). Which components of a primary care affiliated home visiting nurse program are associated with disability maintenance/improvement?. Home Health Care Services Quarterly DOI: 10. 1080/01621424.2012.681550, 31, 155-180.

Li, H., Powers, B., Melnyk, B.M., McCann, R., Koulouglioti, C., Anson, E., Smith, J.A., Xia, Y., Glose, S., & Tu, X. (2012). Randomized Controlled trial of CARE: An intervention to improve outcomes of hospitalized elders and family caregivers.. Research in Nursing and Health, 35, 533-549.. DOI: 10.1002/nur.21491

Liebel, D.V., Powers, B.A., Friedman, B., & Watson, N.M. (2012). Barriers and facilitators to optimize function and prevent disability worsening: a content analysis of a nurse home visit intervention.. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 68 (1), 80-93.. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2011.05717.x

Powers, B.A. & Watson, N.M. (2011). Spiritual nurturance and support for nursing home residents with dementia. Dementia: The International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 10 (1), 59-80.

Powers, B.A. (2011). Critically appraising qualitative evidence for clinical decision (Chapter 6); Generating evidence through qualitative research (Chapter 18); Walking the walk and talking the talk: An appraisal guide for qualitative evidence (Appendix C). In B.M. Melnyk, E. Fineout-Overholt(Eds.) Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare (2nd ed.). Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Powers, B.A. & Knapp, T.R. (2011). Dictionary of Nursing Theory and Research (Fourth Edition). New York: Springer Publishing Company.

Powers, B.A., Norton, S.A., Schmitt, M.H., Quill, T.E. & Metzger, M. (2011). Meaning and practice of palliative care for hospitalized older adults with life limiting illnesses.. Journal of Aging Research. DOI: 10.4061/2011/406164

Norton, S., Powers, B.A., Schmitt, M.H., Metzger, M., Fairbanks, E., Deluca, J. and Quill, T. E. (2011). Navigating Tensions: Integrating Palliative Care Consultation Services into an Academic Medical Cneter Setting.. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management.

Powers, B.A. (2010). Comfort feeding for persons with advanced dementia.. New York Nurse, 41 (8), 14.

Powers, B. (2010). Avoiding Polypharmacy in Older Adults.. New York Nurse.

Liebel, DV, Friedman, B, Watson, NM, & Powers, BA (2009). Review of nurse home visiting interventions for community-dwelling older persons with existing disability. Medical Care Research and Review, 66, 119-146.

Grace, JT & Powers, BA (2009). Claiming our core: Appraising qualitative evidence for nursing questions about human response and meaning. Nursing Outlook, 57, 27-34.

Powers, BA (2008). Better palliative care for persons with dementia. New York Nurse, 39 (1), 14.

Messecar, D, Powers, BA, & Nagel, CL (2008). How to Try This: The Family Preferences Index. American Journal of Nursing, 108 (9), 52-60.

Powers, BA & Watson, NM (2008). The meaning and practice of palliative care in nursing homes for residents with dementia at end of life. American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease & Other Dementias, 23, 319-325.

Powers, BA & Knapp TR (2006). Dictionary of nursing theory and research. (Third Edition). .

Powers, BA (2005). Nursing home ethics inside out.. Reflections on Nursing Leadership, 31 (3), 23-25.

Powers, BA (2005). Critically appraising qualitative evidence (Chapter 6); Generating evidence through qualitative research (Chapter 11); Critically appraising qualitative research (Appendix B); & Looking for best evidence: 'A rose by any other name...' (Appendix F).. In B. M. Melnyk & E. Fineout-Overholt (Eds.), Evidence-based practice in nursing and health: A guide to best practice., 127-162; 283-298; 491-527; 547-555.

Powers, B.A. (2005). Everyday Ethics in Assisted Living Facilities: A Framework for Assessing Resident-Focused Issues. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 31, 31-37.

Powers, BA (Book Review) (2004). Ethical patient care: A casebook for geriatric health teams by Mezey, Casse, Bottrell, Hyer, Howe, & Fulmer.. For Journal of Interprofessional Care, 18, 92-94.

Powers, B.A. (2003). The Significance of Losing Things for Nursing Home Residents with Dementia and Their Families (2004 Edna Stilwell Writing Award). Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 29, 43-52.

Powers, BA (2003). Nursing home ethics: Everyday issues affecting residents with dementia. (2004 American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Award). .

Powers, B.A. (2001). Ethnographic Analysis of Everyday Ethics in the Care of Nursing Home Residents with Dementia: A Taxonomy. Nursing Research, 50, 332-339.

Powers, B.A. (2000). Everyday Ethics of Dementia Care in Nursing Home: A Definition and Taxonomy. American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 15, 143-151.

Kitzman, H.J., Powers, B.A., Schmitt, M.H. (2000). The School of Nursing: Integrating Practice, Research, and Education. J. Cohen (Ed.), Teaching, Discovering, Caring: University of Rochester Medical Center 1925-2000.

Powers, B.A. (1997). Social Support, Social Networks, and the Problem of Loneliness in Elder Care. E.A. Swanson & T. Tripp-Reimer (Eds.) Advances in Gerontological Nursing: Chronic Illness and the Older Adult, 136-158.

Powers, B.A. (1996). Relationships Among Older Women Living in a Nursing Home. Journal of Women & Aging, 8 (4), 179-198.

Powers, BA & Knapp, TR (1995). A dictionary of nursing theory and research. (Revised and Expanded Second Edition). .

Powers, B.A. (1995). From the Inside Out: The World of the Institutionalized Elderly. J.N. Henderson & M. Vesperi (Eds.), The Culture of Long Term Care: Nursing Home Ethnography, 179-196.

Powers, BA (Book Review) (1993). The ends of time: Life and work in nursing home by Savishinsky.. For Medical Anthropology Quarterly, 7 (1), 112-113.

Powers, BA (Book Review) (1993). Handbook of humanities and aging by Cole, Van Tassel, and Kastenbaum (Eds.). For Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 41, 1378-1379.

Powers, B.A. (1992). The Roles Staff Play in the Social Networks of Elderly Institutionalized People. Social Science & Medicine, 34, 1335-1343.

Jurgens, J., Powers, B.A. (1991). An Exploratory Study of Menstrual Euphemisms, Beliefs, and Taboos of Head Start Mothers. D.Taylor & N. Woods (Eds.), Menstruation, Health, Illness, 35-40.

Powers, BA (Book Review) (1991). Cross-cultural nursing: Anthropological approaches to nursing research by Morse (Ed.). For Medical Anthropology Quarterly, 5 (4), 412-413.

Powers, BA (Book Review) (1991). Aging in a technological society by Lesnoff-Caravaglia (Ed.). For The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 179 (4), 237-238.

Powers, B.A. (1991). The Meaning of Nursing Home Friendships. Advances in Nursing Science, 14 (2), 42-58.

Smith, T., Powers, B.A. (1990). An Integrative Approach to Quality Assurance. Nursing Management, 21 (6), 28-30.

Powers, BA & Knapp, TR (1990). A dictionary of nursing theory and research. First Edition (Japanese Language Edition 1994 by Igaku-Shoin, Ltd, Tokyo).

Powers, BA (Book Review) (1990). Nursing research: A quantitative and qualitative approach by Roberts & Burke. For Research in Nursing & Health, 13, 351-352.

Powers, B.A. (1990). Nursing and Aging. R. Rubenstein (Ed.) Anthropology and Aging, 69-105.

Powers, B.A. (1988). Self-Perceived Health of Elderly Institutionalized People. Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology, 3, 299-321.

Powers, B.A. (1988). Social Networks, Social Support, and Elderly Institutionalized People. Advances in Nursing Science, 10 (2), 40-58.

Powers, BA (1988). Social support for elderly people.. Nursing Times, 84, 54-55.

Powers, BA (1987). Special Features Editorial Commentary: Gerontological nursing research and anthropology of aging. Participants: Molly Dougherty (Florida) and Toni Tripp-Reimer (Iowa).. Association for Anthropology and Gerontology Newsletter, 8 (3), 3-5.

Powers, B.A. (1987). Taking Sides: A Response to Goodwin and Goodwin. Nursing Research, 36, 122-126.

Powers, B.A., Smith, T. (1986). An Approach to Undergraduate Student Investigations in Clinical Settings. Image: The Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 18, 15-17.

Powers, BA (1985). The social networks of elderly institutionalized people.. Proceedings, Sigma Theta Tau National Conference on Social Support and Health. University of Rochester, School of Nursing and Sigma Theta Tau, Epsilon Xi Chapter..

Powers, B.A. (1982). The Use of Orthodox and Black American Folk Medicine. Advances in Nursing Science, 4 (3), 35-47.