The New Nurse Investigator

Abstract

Veronica P. S. Njie-Carr, PhD, APRN, BC, is a postdoctoral fellow, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland. Nancy E. Glass, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN, is an associate professor, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore. The new investigator is defined by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as an individual with a doctoral degree who has ‘‘not previously competed successfully for an NIH-supported research project other than small or early stage research awards’’ (NIH, 2009a, Definition of New Investigator Section, para. 1). Other research funding organizations and foundations such as the American Nurses Foundation and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation suggest that the new investigator should have completed a research doctorate in the previous 5 years, which often includes nurse researchers at the postdoctoral and junior faculty levels. The purpose of the ‘‘new investigator’’ initiative was to increase the pipeline of scientists by providing access to training, research resources, and opportunities to help this cadre of investigators, including nurse investigators, progress to independent and productive research careers. To support the pipeline, the NIH implemented unique funding mechanisms, such as training (T and F) and career (K) grant awards, and clinical research loan repayment programs to facilitate training and research development. Other research funding agencies target new investigator initiatives to specific disciplines, such as nursing. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Nurse Faculty Scholars program, for instance, contributes to preparing future nurse scientists and leaders by providing junior nursing faculty with opportunities to advance research careers in academia through a number of mentored leadership, academic, and research-focused activities. However, while it is important to prepare new investigators through training and development, it is equally important to retain those trained in research to