Dr. Shannon Zenk posted a new Director’s Message on beginning her tenure as director of the National Institute of Nursing Research. She highlights the role of nursing science in promoting and improving the health of the Nation as well as her thoughts on the future of nursing research.

Read the Full Director's Message Here

On September 14, 2020, Shannon N. Zenk, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN, joined NIH as the director of the National Institute of Nursing Research. Dr. Zenk will oversee the institute’s research and training programs. She is a registered nurse and leading nurse researcher, whose research focuses on social inequities and health with a goal of identifying effective, multilevel approaches to improve health and eliminate racial/ethnic and socioeconomic health disparities. 

You can read the full announcement here.

NINR’s 2020 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Boot Camp was held virtually on August 3-6, 2020. Recordings of the event are now available. The Boot Camp consisted of four sessions:

• Session I: Innovations and Improvements in Health Outcomes
• Session II: Clinical Applications
• Session III: Ethical, Legal, And Social Implications
• Session IV: Collaborative Science

View Recordings Here

On August 31, members of the Nursing Community Coalition sent a letter welcoming the new National Institute of Nursing Research’s (NINR) Director, Dr. Shannon Zenk. The NCC works with NINR by promoting the work of nurse scientists, advocating for investments in research and future researchers, and sharing the Institute’s foundational work to improve healthcare delivery across the care continuum. 

Read the full letter here

Pamela Johnson, MS, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN
Mayo Clinic

What advice would you give your younger self?
Don't be so quick to have your life figured out. Opportunities & experiences happen when you least expect it. Have the courage to embrace them. 

Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Big Sky, Montana - My family has vacationed there since I was young. A tradition that continues with my 5 brothers and our families. 

102nd Meeting of the National Advisory Council for Nursing Research
September 15, 2020
11:30 am - 1:30 pm ET

The next NACNR will be broadcast live to provide recommendations on the direction and support of the nursing, biomedical, social, and behavioral research that forms the evidence base for nursing practice. View the full agenda here.

Register here

Research!America 2020 Virtual National Health Research Forum
Straight Talk: Securing A Science-Strong Future
When: September 8-10

Topics include leading experts on the COVID-19 response, as well as special sessions looking at crucial topics such as COVID-19 vaccine development and vaccine confidence challenges, patient-centered research, health equity, clinical trials diversity, and the path to progress for diseases other than COVID-19. You can view the full agenda here.

Register here

Innovative Models of Care for Reducing Inequities in Maternal Health
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
9:00 am  - 3:45 pm ET 

The workshop will explore how nurses, midwives, and birth companions can improve maternal and infant health, specifically for women in U.S. communities affected by structural and health inequalities. Registration not required. Learn more about this workshop here.

Source: https://www.ninr.nih.gov/newsandinformation/events/maternalhealth2020?utm_campaign=maternalhealth2020&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

FNINR Ambassador Applications are Now Open!

The Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research is soliciting Ambassador applications for the 2021 cohort. This unique advocacy program began in 2014 and has grown to include over 30 Ambassadors.

FNINR Ambassadors will focus specifically on educating Congressional leaders as to the high-impact and cost-effective treatments and quality-of-life enhancements that emanate from nursing science. Ultimately, the goal is to increase research funding to ensure the training of scientists at a time of major scientific breakthroughs and to promote the NINR mission and strategy. 

NINR goals include improving the health of individuals, families, and communities through developing nurse scientists of the 21st century, and conducting research on health and illness, symptom management, wellness, chronic conditions, end-of life and palliative care, and innovation.

You can find more information about the organization and the commitments of the FNINR Ambassadors here.

Applications can be found here and are due on October 25, 2020.

Linda Norman, DSN, RN, FAAN
Vanderbilt School of Nursing

What advice would you give your younger self?
Start the research doctorate as soon as you complete the masters degree and start your research as early as possible.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

NINR Director's Lecture Presented by Dr. Elizabeth Corwin
Symptom Science Across the Lifespan: Metabolites, Microbes, and Maternal Health
September 15 10:00 am - 11:00 am ET

Dr. Corwin will discuss symptom science and the biological mechanisms contributing to symptom development and health outcomes among pregnant and postpartum women. Read more about this lecture and register here. 

Source: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/symptom-science-across-the-lifespan-metabolites-microbes-maternal-health-tickets-112855397532?aff=NINRstaff&utm_campaign=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

September 15, 2020 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Clinical Center (Building 10) - Lipsett Amphitheater

On July 10, 2020, the NIH Office of Intramural Training & Education (OITE) held a panel on careers in nursing research featuring

• Dr. Patricia Brennan, RN, PhD, Director, National Library of Medicine and Adjunct Investigator, NINR Advanced Visualization Branch
• Dr. Leorey Saligan, PhD, RN, CRNP, FAAN, Acting Chief, Symptom Science Center
• Dr. Paule V. Joseph, PhD, MS, FNP-BC, RN, CTN-B, Lasker Clinical Research Scholar

Check out the panel discussion recording here

Source: ninr.nih.gov/newsandinformation/newsandnotes/oite-panel

FNINR is proud to announce the 2020 Virtual NightinGala Keynote Speaker:

Connie White Delaney, PhD, RN, FAAN, FACMI, FNAP
University of Minnesota School of Nursing

What advice would you give your younger self?
Celebrate and trust the unique gift you are and meant to share in this life.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Nature in all forms and places.

On July 27, Dr. Kay L. Wanke joined NINR as Acting DESP Director, along side recently appointed Deputy Director, Dr. Martha Matocha. The position was previously held by Dr. Kathleen Anderson, who will be leaving in August to assume a leadership position at another NIH Institute. Dr. Wanke is responsible for scientific leadership and overseeing policy and management for grants and contracts to support NINR research and training.

Other staff updates include current NINR Acting Deputy Director, Dr. Jessica Gill, who will return to the role of Acting Scientific Director. Check out other NINR staff updates here.

The National Institutes of Health has launched a centralized, secure enclave to store and study vast amounts of medical record data from people diagnosed with coronavirus disease across the country. It is part of an effort, called the National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C), to help scientists analyze these data to understand the disease and develop treatments.

There currently are 35 collaborating sites across the country, and data access will be open to all users under a forthcoming NCATS Data Use Agreement (DUA), regardless of whether they contribute data.

The World Health Organization has designated 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife. 

In honor of the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, NINR would like your help in capturing what nursing research means to those who live it. This information will help NINR learn more from the community and collectively begin describing the next frontiers in nursing science.