ANF Building Blocks: Advancing Nursing Science

Abstract

Background: For the past 55 years, the American Nurses Foundation (ANF) has been committed to the advancement of nursing science through its philanthropic efforts. National leadership with future vision have evolved nurse scientists and programs of research by infusing diversity into the ANF grant review process and awarding ANF scholars. The ANF has accomplished the goals envisioned by the American Nurses Association (ANA) leaders in establishing the foundation.Purpose: The aim of this historical study was to identify all ANF scholars from 1955-2009 with data on 1) principal investigators and co-investigators, 2) year of grant, 3) title of grant, and 4) affiliated institutions at the time of the ANF award 4) subsequent NIH grants obtained by ANF scholars and 5) grants focused on health care disparities.Methodology: ANA/ANF archival materials at the History of Nursing Archives at Boston University and ANA headquarters, research columns in Nursing Research, American Journal of Nursing and The American Nurse, the late Undine Sams archival program materials, various websites and NIH CRISP database provided data along with comments from ANF scholars/colleagues.Findings: Since ANF's inception in 1955, nearly 1000 ANF Scholars have been identified. Over 340 ANF scholars have gone on to receive federal funding for their projects with 304 receiving federal funding for research studies; 13 ANF scholars were PIs of NIH-funded research training centers. Eighty studies focused on health care disparities or health care issues in minorities or disadvantaged groups with majority conducted since 1989.Summary Concluding Statement: A substantial number of ANF Scholars have gone on to receive federal research funding. Research on minorities or disadvantaged groups has increased indicating that the ANF Scholars are making important contributions in understanding the unique health care issues faced in these populations. These findings illustrate the critical importance of the ANF's role in the development of the profession and the evolvement of nursing science. Background: For the past 55 years, the American Nurses Foundation (ANF) has been committed to the advancement of nursing science through its philanthropic efforts. National leadership with future vision have evolved nurse scientists and programs of research by infusing diversity into the ANF grant review process and awarding ANF scholars. The ANF has accomplished the goals envisioned by the American Nurses Association (ANA) leaders in establishing the foundation. Purpose: The aim of this historical study was to identify all ANF scholars from 1955-2009 with data on 1) principal investigators and co-investigators, 2) year of grant, 3) title of grant, and 4) affiliated institutions at the time of the ANF award 4) subsequent NIH grants obtained by ANF scholars and 5) grants focused on health care disparities. Methodology: ANA/ANF archival materials at the History of Nursing Archives at Boston University and ANA headquarters, research columns in Nursing Research, American Journal of Nursing and The American Nurse, the late Undine Sams archival program materials, various websites and NIH CRISP database provided data along with comments from ANF scholars/colleagues. Findings: Since ANF's inception in 1955, nearly 1000 ANF Scholars have been identified. Over 340 ANF scholars have gone on to receive federal funding for their projects with 304 receiving federal funding for research studies; 13 ANF scholars were PIs of NIH-funded research training centers. Eighty studies focused on health care disparities or health care issues in minorities or disadvantaged groups with majority conducted since 1989. Summary Concluding Statement: A substantial number of ANF Scholars have gone on to receive federal research funding. Research on minorities or disadvantaged groups has increased indicating that the ANF Scholars are making important contributions in understanding the unique health care issues faced in these populations. These findings illustrate the critical importance of the ANF's role in the development of the profession and the evolvement of nursing science.