What Nurse Practitioner Faculty Should Know about NINR’s Strategic Plan and the National Agenda for Nurse Practitioner Research

NONPF’s Research SIG proposes this interactive armchair discussion session to engage NONPF faculty participants in a discussion of how best to synergize their efforts and push forward the national research agenda for nurse practitioners (NP). As the NP role approaches its 50^th year milestone, key national initiatives have been developed that highlight the importance of nurse practitioners, as clinicians, researchers, educators, and policy makers to meet the objectives of improving the nation’s health.  Following the format of the armchair discussion, three panelists are chosen for expertise in: 1) the National Institute of Nursing Research’s strategic plan; 2) the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Graduate Nursing Education, Demonstration Project; and 3) the National Agenda for Nurse Practitioner Research formulated by key nurse practitioner stakeholder organizations, including NONPF. Brief comments on each of these three national agendas will be followed by a moderator-led discussion on key issues to facilitate moving these agendas forward. The collective expertise of the panelists include NINR funded research and involvement in the aforementioned national NP initiatives. The background provided by the experienced and knowledgeable panelists will inspire the audience to participate in a lively discussion related to these vital topics.

            NP faculty need a keen understanding on how best to translate these national agendas into pertinent and fundable NP scholarship.  It is critical that we have a clear understanding of these issues so that NP student scholarship will be congruent with the areas of inquiry supported by national initiatives and agendas. There is great potential to create synergies among NP faculty across the country pushing forward nursing science that will translate to improved health for patients, families and communities, and the nation.  Generating new knowledge is important for our nursing profession as well as the health of the American people; it also provides important scholarship venues for faculty. It is critically important for NONPF members to strategize how to synergize energies and talents among membership to fill important gaps in knowledge.