During this season of giving, we at the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) extend our heartfelt thanks to the nursing community, including nurse scientists, trainees, educators, nursing clinical partners, and the many teams who advance rigorous, solutions-focused research to improve health and prevent disease.
The work of nurses and nurse scientists continues to strengthen the health of our nation. Nurses epitomize the spirit of giving through their commitment to our shared goal of improving health for all. Every day, nurses give their knowledge, experience, and expertise as scientists, health care providers, professors, administrators, and leaders in the communities they serve. This year, we have seen their continued commitment and innovation across the field. National data from the 2024 Nursing Workforce Study document the size and strength of the nursing workforce, as well as the ongoing importance of sustaining a robust research pipeline for training and career development programs, which remain central to our mission.
As clinicians, nurses interact with individuals and families more closely than any other health professional and seek to understand and incorporate the health preferences and decisions of individuals, families, and communities into the delivery of care. As scientists, nurses leverage their unique connections to the people and communities they serve into an essential blend of clinical insights, systems understanding, and community engagement that is crucial to the scientific enterprise. Through their research, nurse scientists are accelerating discoveries, shaping evidence-based care, and improving health outcomes for individuals, families, and communities. As we at NINR wind down our 40th Anniversary year and reflect on the Institute’s many accomplishments, I want to reaffirm our deep appreciation for the contributions of nurse clinicians and nurse scientists. Their leadership, scientific creativity, and steadfast dedication are instrumental in driving research that generates evidence for care, improves lives and strengthens communities.
With gratitude and warm wishes for a restorative holiday season.
Courtney F. Aklin, PhD
NINR Acting Director
