Spotlight on VA Nursing Research

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the nation's largest healthcare system with over 320,000 full time professionals and support staff. There are 1,255 VHA facilities including 170 VA Medical Centers 1,074 outpatient clinics varying levels of complexity across United States 9 million enrolled to receive care (https://www.va.gov/health/). One VHA's foundational missions providing clinical education for nation. provider graduate medical education, 118,000 health professions trainees have learning experiences in academic year 2020. Approximately 20,000 nursing students completed part or all their training at a facility Office Academic Affiliations funds Registered Nurse (RN) Practitioner (NP) residency programs develop competent, confident, practice-ready RNs NPs equipped knowledge skills address specific needs our (www.va.gov/OAA/Nursing/Home.asp). also offers Advance Fellowship post-residency, post-doctoral, post masters fellowships physicians dentists, associated but not limited nurses, psychologists, social workers, pharmacists. See Table 1 list which nurses eligible apply. These offered multiple sites country. Advanced Fellowships provide unique preparation future leaders by hands-on mentored educational areas more broadly transformation through policy, redesign, research. Through creative partnerships, use new technology, innovative modalities, Program promotes fosters highest standards leadership, intellectual integrity, research, patient (https://www.va.gov/OAA/Advanced_Fellowships/Explore_our_Fellowships.asp).Table 1VHA NursesAddiction TreatmentAdvanced GeriatricsPsychosocial Rehabilitation & Recovery Oriented ServicesHealth Aging PolicyHealth Services Research DevelopmentHealth Professions Education Evaluation ResearchHealth Systems EngineeringMedical InformaticsMental Illness TreatmentNational Clinical ScholarsPatient SafetyPolytrauma Traumatic Brain Injury RehabilitationQuality ScholarsClinical SimulationWar Related Unexplained IllnessWomen's Open table tab Concurrent statutory mission Development (ORD) oversees four general research; Biomedical, Science, Services, Rehabilitation. researchers active each these domains as can be seen papers included this issue. Nurses who enter goal become independent investigators engage National Scholars advanced listed 1. Other PhD-prepared novice level one many Innovation (COINs) there they obtain experience mentorship prepare applications Career Awards ORD. Another role prepared research local where promote studies improving serve site national studies. may key contacts dissemination evidence-based practices endorsed Nursing (ONS) those developed facility, often an advisory administrative capacity facility's Executive. science began flourish mid-1990s Initiative, sponsored ORD housed section. Initially, program funded broad spectrum interests, focus tightened, funding mechanism was redesigned Award series. To ensure attuned working facilities, ONS shared governance groups Field Advisory Committee (NRFAC). This committee serves advise both Director Chief Officer on fully meet goals well advice developing priorities ONS. stated NRFAC team establish, implement, evaluate strategic plan As publishes 2021 science, we eagerly anticipate partnerships various offices best evidence how that served We delighted opportunity highlight selected conducted nurse demonstrate diversity topics importance advancing outcomes. Erratum ‘Guest editorial special issue’ [Nursing Outlook 69/2 (2021) 119-120]Nursing OutlookVol. 69Issue 3PreviewThe title guest March-April issue should been Spotlight Research. publisher apologizes oversight. Full-Text PDF