Nursing in the United States has a deep and evolving history, rooted in core values that shape the profession. These core values include compassion, courage, and a commitment to health for all, ensuring that everyone has the same opportunities for optimal health. What started as informal, community-driven care has evolved into the largest health profession and the largest of all professions in the nation, still driven by those same values. There are now more than 3 million nurses working in all facets of American life, including hospitals, schools, workplaces, clinics, and people’s homes. Nurses are the backbone of our health systems. Their commitment and knowledge of individuals, families, and communities–inside and outside the hospital walls–underscores the critical importance of nurses to the health of the nation.
Forty years ago, Congress passed the law creating what was then called the National Center for Nursing Research at the National Institutes of Health. They did so because they recognized--due to the tireless efforts of nursing leaders and organizations--that nursing brings a different and needed perspective to the health research enterprise. Since then, NINR has been at the forefront of improving health outcomes and the lives of all Americans through innovative nursing research that examines the whole picture of health. Nursing research goes beyond traditional research paradigms, addressing critical issues that have often been overlooked or ignored by other disciplines. From pioneering work in end-of-life care to tackling the complex challenges of maternal mortality, nursing research has consistently pushed the boundaries of scientific inquiry.
Now more than ever, nurses and nursing research are essential to solving the nation’s most pressing and persistent health challenges. Nursing research is a cornerstone of the scientific infrastructure, addressing essential questions that directly impact patient care and the overall health of the public. What sets nursing research apart is its practice-informed perspective that looks beyond diseases and body systems to incorporate the conditions of people’s lives—where people live, learn, work, and play. This emphasis prioritizes attention to the factors that have the greatest impact on health.
Nursing research also acknowledges that while scientific advancements have led to major improvements in health, not everyone has benefited in the same way. We know it is important to understand these gaps and ensure that research innovations reach all communities and populations. Our ability to work across disciplines and sectors makes us indispensable in propelling scientific discovery that benefits all people, especially in relation to the broader conditions that influence health and health disparities.
This year, to celebrate 40 years of solutions-oriented nursing research, NINR will showcase studies that exemplify the unique perspective of nursing in improving individual and population health and advancing health for all. We will also spotlight how NINR-funded investigators are leading interdisciplinary teams to address real-world health challenges. We’ll share examples of scientists leading discoveries of person-centered systems and models of care that optimize healthcare delivery, and breakthroughs in disease prevention and health promotion that empower people, families, and communities.
Most importantly, we will show how nursing research continues to elevate the core values of nursing and advance science to ensure that optimal and equal opportunities for health and well-being are broadly available. Over the past 22 years, nursing has been named the most trusted profession. This recognition carries immense responsibility that nursing takes seriously. We have and will continue to leverage the public’s trust to build science that addresses the root causes of disease, meaningfully partners with and maximizes the strengths of our communities, and closes gaps in health and the delivery of truly holistic care.
As we look to the future, nursing research will continue to be an essential driver of scientific innovation and progress. Our unique perspective, interdisciplinary approach, and commitment to addressing real-world health challenges makes nursing science an indispensable component of the broader health research community. The next 40 years promises even greater advancements and contributions from our field, further underscoring the critical importance of nursing research in shaping the future of scientific inquiry and paving the way for better health for everyone.
Stay tuned to our website for more information as we share announcements throughout the year to commemorate this amazing 40th anniversary milestone and look ahead to the next opportunities for our science.
Shannon N. Zenk, PhD, MPH, RN
Director, NINR
