AACN's Washington Weekly

As you may have heard, the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) Acting Director and Scientific Director Dr. Ann Cashion will retire on September 30. As a national leader in developing scientific basis for clinical practice, NINR is integral in improving care and is on the cutting edge of new innovations that impact nursing education and practice. AACN maintains a strong collaboration with NINR as we facilitate the advancement and utilization of research through the education of future nurses and nurse scientists. As NINR transitions to a new Director, please view the below announcement about this position to lead this essential Institute:

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is seeking applications from exceptional candidates for the exciting position of Director, National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR). The NINR Director serves as a member of NIH’s senior leadership and advances initiatives to enhance NINR’s broad participation in interprofessional collaborations within NIH. NINR’s mission is to promote and improve the health and quality of life of individuals, families and communities. NINR supports and conducts clinical, basic, and translational research that spans and integrates the behavioral and biological sciences, developing the scientific basis for evidence based clinical practice. NINR strives to invest in research that will: build the scientific foundation for clinical practice; prevent disease and disability; manage and eliminate symptoms caused by illness; and enhance end-of-life and palliative care.

NIH seeks candidates who have a commitment to scientific excellence and the vision, energy, enthusiasm, and innovative thinking necessary to lead a dynamic and diverse organization. Possession of a Ph.D. or equivalent research doctoral degree in nursing science, omics disciplines, or other relevant biological and/or behavioral science, health services, or social science disciplines is required. Applicants must have demonstrated achievement in areas of research germane to nursing. In addition, applicants must have experience and demonstrated ability in the administration and management of a major research program or academic enterprise. Preference will be given to candidates with proven expertise in multidisciplinary research programs. Applications are encouraged from talented individuals across the career trajectory, from mid-career and senior level.

Spread the word, learn more, and apply to lead NINR. Applications are due Monday, November 18.

Apply Now: NAM Emerging Leaders Program and RWJF Health Policy Fellowship

The National Academies of Medicine (NAM) opened the application period for two of its programs aimed at engaging the most promising leaders in health and medicine. NAM is seeking applicants with diverse backgrounds, including in expertise, career path, gender, race and ethnicity, institutional representation, and workplace sector.

NAM Emerging Leaders in Health and Medicine Scholars Program

This program is designed to facilitate opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and innovation between thought leaders and exceptional early- and mid-career professionals working in biomedical science, health, health care, health policy, and related fields. Learn more and apply online at https://fellowship.nam.edu before the November 1 deadline. 

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Health Policy Fellowship

The RWJF Health Policy Fellowship is a non-partisan program that seeks outstanding mid-career health professionals, behavioral/social scientists, and others to spend one year in DC to apply their extensive expertise to the most complex health policy challenges of the day. Learn more and apply online at https://www.healthpolicyfellows.org/apply/ before the November 6 deadline.

On September 17, the NINR Director’s Lecture series welcomed Dr. Jean McSweeney from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences who presented on, “Matters of the Heart: A Research Journey Uncovering Signs of Heart Disease in Women.”

Dr. McSweeney’s research, uncovered over the last two decades, outlines numerous gender differences in prodromal and acute warning signs of myocardial infarction, or heart attack, in women versus men. Her research has also evaluated the differences in women among ethnic groups and noted that more information is needed for the assessment and treatment of young, black females due to research indicating a high-mortality rate from heart disease in this population. The goal for future research is to reach these women, address warning signs, and provide the best evidence-based treatment in order to prevent or increase survival from a heart attack.

The NINR Director’s Lecture Series is designed to bring the nation’s top nurse scientists to the NIH campus to share their work and interests with a transdisciplinary audience. For more information, visit: www.ninr.nih.gov/directorslecture.  Past events are archived for on-demand access at https://videocast.nih.gov/PastEvents.asp.