Diverse Nursing Research Tackles Current Medical Challenges and Looks Toward Future
The National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), an National Institutes of Health agency, released its 2022–2026 strategic plan (https://www.ninr.nih.gov/aboutninr/ninr-mission-and-strategic-plan?utm_campaign=newsandnotes&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery) in summer 2022 to support its mission (https://www.ninr.nih.gov/aboutninr/ninr-mission-and-strategic-plan?utm_campaign=newsandnotes&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery) of leading “nursing research to solve pressing health challenges and inform practice and policy—optimizing health and advancing health equity into the future.”
According to its strategic plan, the institute will prioritize research (https://www.ninr.nih.gov/sites/files/docs/NINR_One-Pager12_508c.pdf) that:
- Tackles current medical challenges and looks toward the future
- Presents clinical, community, and policy results that optimize health for all populations
- Diversifies and promotes inclusivity
- Employs rigorous methods, is innovative, and can potentially bring about the greatest improvements for health
NINR also recommended that nurse researchers consider (https://www.ninr.nih.gov/sites/files/docs/NINR_One-Pager12_508c.pdf) the following as they conduct studies:
- Health equity
- Social determinants of health
- Population and community health
- Prevention and health promotion
- Symptoms and models of care
“Nurses are crucial to solving the nation’s most pressing and persistent health challenges,” the institute said (https://www.ninr.nih.gov/aboutninr/ninr-mission-and-strategic-plan?utm_campaign=newsandnotes&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery). “Nurses interact with individuals and families more closely than other health professionals in the many clinical, community, and policy settings in which they work; thus, they have a deep understanding of the personal and societal factors that lead to health among some and illness among others. NINR believes that nursing research is the key to unlocking the power and potential of nursing by leveraging these strengths and unique knowledge and perspectives inherent to the discipline to the benefit of all people.”
As the most trusted profession (https://news.gallup.com/poll/388649/military-brass-judges-among-professions-new-image-lows.aspx) for two decades, nurses promote and progress (https://www.ons.org/make-difference/advocacy-and-policy/position-statements/ONN) how healthcare professionals approach patients’ health. Oncology nurse scientists (https://voice.ons.org/topic/oncology-nurse-scientist) are furthering our understanding of patient-centered care for all types of cancers and advancing treatments.