The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Future of Nursing Scholars program: An overview

Scholars' experiences with faculty mentoring: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Future of Nursing Scholars Program

BACKGROUND

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Future of Nursing Scholars program supported nurses to complete PhDs in 3 years. Support mechanisms included mentoring by the program office and school faculty, and leadership development activities.

PURPOSE

To describe scholars' perspectives of mentoring received by faculty during the accelerated timeline.

METHODS

Of 201 scholars, 157 (78%) completed exit surveys, providing qualitative data on their experiences working with faculty mentors.

DISCUSSION

Scholars highlighted strong mentorship (i.e., accessibility, emotional support) as the most important facilitator to program completion. Mentor challenges were identified as the second-most mentioned barrier to success, while the first was the accelerated timeline.

CONCLUSION

The scholars' most-reported mentor-provided facilitators to success were availability and emotional support. Among scholars who noted barriers to their success caused by their mentor relationship, the most-reported issue was lack of access to their mentors.

Looking back to move forward: Creating a blueprint for success for nurse scientists in the Veterans Health Administration

AIM

The purpose of this manuscript is to report the findings of a qualitative content analysis of interviews with VA Nurse Scientists about work life experiences, barriers, and facilitators across the enterprise.

BACKGROUND

The VA enterprise is widely variable in terms of size, services, research activity, and budget. For this reason, the roles of nurses with a research-focused doctorate are also quite diverse.

METHODS

We purposively sampled 18 PhD prepared Nurse Scientists based on a variety geographic locations, titles, and years in the field and who conduct research. We conducted semi-structured interviews over the virtual platform, WebEx. Interviews, averaging 1 h in length, were conducted between April and May 2021. We analyzed interviews using deductive and inductive content analysis.

RESULTS

We found five key factors affecting VA Nurse Scientists. Each factor emerged as an important issue influencing whether Nurse Scientists reported being successful, supported, and productive in their research. These include having: 1) mentorship, 2) supportive leadership 3) available resources, 4) respect and understanding from clinical and research colleagues who understand a Nurse Scientist's role in research, and 5) a career pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

VA Nurse Scientists are leaders and innovators who generate evidence to improve health outcomes and promote equity in health and health care of Veterans, their families, and caregivers. Results from this project suggest that many Nurse Scientists need additional mentorship, resources, and networks to advance their development, increase their funding success, and maximize the impact of their role, ultimately enhancing care of Veterans and their families.

RWJF future of nursing scholars experience and recommendations: Focus group results at final convening

BACKGROUND

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation launched the Future of Nursing Scholars program to support nurses to complete PhDs in 3 years in schools across the United States.

PURPOSE

To explore why scholars participated in the program and to articulate challenges and facilitators to successful completion of their doctoral degrees.

METHOD

Thirty-one scholars representing 18 different schools participated in focus groups at a convening in January 2022.

FINDINGS

Scholars identified that funding and planned length of degree completion were important factors in their choosing the accelerated program. Mentorship, networking, and support were identified as facilitators to program completion with the tight timeline of three years noted as a challenge.

DISCUSSION

Accelerated students require adequate resources including access to data, mentoring, and financing to overcome challenges presented by accelerated PhD training programs. Cohort models provide support and clarity of expectations for both students and mentors is critical.

The impact of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Future of Nursing Scholars Program on scholars, schools and nursing science

BACKGROUND

The Future of Nursing Scholars program prepared a cadre of PhD prepared nurses for long-term careers advancing science and discovery, strengthening nursing education, and leading transformational change in health care.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this manuscript was to describe the program's impact on Scholars' outcomes, nursing schools, and perceived impact on nursing science.

METHODS

An independent program evaluation was conducted, including interviewing representatives from schools and reviewing Scholars' Curriculum Vitae.

FINDINGS

Two hundred one scholars were supported across 45 institutions. To date, 181 scholars graduated within 3.1 years, on average. Most graduates reported holding appointments in academic institutions. School representatives believed the program supported rapid entry into the field, longer research trajectories, and will improve the nursing faculty pipeline.

DISCUSSION

The program achieved its goal of developing cohorts of PhD prepared nurses poised for long-term careers. It provided "proof of concept" on high-quality accelerated PhD education for students well matched with mentors, and elevated the national conversation on PhD education.