Request for Information (RFI): To Solicit Input on Future Training and Career Development Programs for Nurse Scientists

Notice Number: NOT-NR-11-009

Key Dates
Release Date: March 4, 2011
Response Date: April 18, 2011

Issued by
National Institute of Nursing Research (http://www.ninr.nih.gov)

This Request for Information (RFI) is for information and planning purposes only and should not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the Federal Government, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR). NINR does not intend to make any awards based on responses to this RFI or to otherwise pay for the preparation of any information submitted or for the Government's use of such information.

Background

NINR has a long-standing commitment to research training and biomedical workforce development. As the conduct of research and Nursing workforce needs evolve, NINR wants to ensure that our training and career development activities effectively meet current needs and anticipate emerging opportunities. Through these efforts, NINR hopes to contribute to building an excellent, highly capable, and diverse biomedical research workforce. During our 25th Anniversary year we are all the more engaged in planning processes that examine existing activities and postulate strategies to help us build and sustain the workforce that the Nation needs for improving health and global competitiveness.

NINR is a leader in scientific training and ranks near the top among NIH institutes and centers in the percentage of its annual budget directed to research training. As part of our commitment, we offer numerous resources including an online training course to help guide individuals interested in pursuing research. Our training strategies focus on early entry into research careers with special consideration given to underrepresented and disadvantaged populations. These strategies work to enhance the pipeline of nurse scientists and other members of the biomedical workforce. Both our pre- and postdoctoral funding mechanisms provide a range of unique training opportunities that contribute to building a strong infrastructure for long-term scientific capacities and collaborative interdisciplinary training.

NINR is particularly interested in developing programs for early career scientists to essentially fast-track their research training. While NINR currently supports programs that cross-train students, we are seeking to develop other innovative interdisciplinary training programs.

Information Requested

To assure the broadest possible input, NINR is inviting Nursing faculty members, Nursing administrators, current and former pre-doctoral and postdoctoral trainees, industry representatives, scientific organizations, and other interested parties to respond to a series of questions, listed below.

You may give us your input on our Web site (http://www.ninr.nih.gov/RFITraining.htm) by responding to the items listed below.

  1. What constitutes success in nursing research training from the perspectives of an individual trainee, a faculty member, an institution, and society?
  2. NINR recognizes that students have different career goals and interests. Should NINR encourage greater flexibility in training, and if so, how?
  3. List specific areas that should be considered high priorities for training nurse scientists, going forward, to best meet the needs of an evolving health care system and workforce.
  4. Define strategies that NINR should consider to accelerate the time for trainees to go from an undergraduate to a PhD degree (for example, BSN/MSN to PhD; undergraduate or MS to PhD; BSN/MSN to DNP/PhD).
  5. What can NINR do through its training programs to promote greater diversity among nurse scientists?
  6. List approaches you think NINR should consider to better prepare nurse scientists to do research after earning their PhD degree.
  7. Do you have other comments or recommendations regarding NINR-sponsored training?

The above list of topics is not exhaustive, and NINR welcomes any additional input on aspects on the development, implementation, or evaluation of NINR’s nurse scientist and bio-behavioral research training programs. It is not necessary to respond to all of the points listed above. Response to this RFI does not require that the responder have any prior connection to NINR or its current/previous research training programs. Responses will be anonymous.

Inquiries

Inquiries regarding this Notice should be directed to:

David Banks, Ph.D., M.P.H., RN
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
Telephone: 301-496-9558
Email: banksdh@mail.nih.gov