Advocating for Nursing Research: The Friends of the National Institute for Nursing Research (FNINR) Ambassador...

The National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) has a Friends group. This organization, the Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research (FNINR), has been in place for over 20 years. It serves as a bold voice to communicate the impact of NINR's work to elevate nursing science, improve lives, while advancing the nation's health. FNINR's mission is to provide resources to support nursing research and advance the mission of the NINR. In 2013, the FNINR led the creation, development, and growth of an Ambassadors Program. The Ambassador Program is a group of committed individuals who are willing to serve as advocates of the NINR. Chosen through an application process reviewed by the FNINR Advocacy Committee of the FNINR Board, these selected Ambassadors work to influence Congress and advocate for the goals and visions of the NINR. This designation was initially limited to an elite group, and peer networking and communication was built into the program. The goal of the FNINR Ambassadors Program is to extend the reach of advocacy efforts for improving the funding and knowledge about the NINR. Thirty ambassadors across the country are working to expand knowledge and educate stakeholders about the impact of nursing science on the health of the country. This article describes the process the FNINR conducted to develop the Ambassadors Program, and the outcomes associated with this program.