Investment in academic nursing research needed
Nursing researchers need supportive academic environments, particularly as large numbers of nurse faculty retire, an article says. Published in Nursing Outlook, the authors note nurse scientists receive fewer research dollars than researchers from other disciplines, partially because the National Institute of Nursing Research is one of the lowest funded institutes of the National Institutes of Health. Nurse researchers also face inequitable workload expectations and “decreased disciplinary respect,” creating an uneven playing field with other researchers competing for NIH funds. The authors describe a multipronged strategy to invest in nurse scientists. They suggest creating manageable workloads, higher compensation, and offering mentorship and support to nurse researchers. (Nursing Outlook article, 1/9/23)