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Developing a Sustainable Nursing Science Fellowship in an Academic Health System
Debra Albert1, Kathleen Evanovich Zavotsky, Barbara Delmore
1Debra Albert is chief nursing officer and senior vice president of nursing and patient services at NYU Langone Health in New York City, where Kathleen Evanovich Zavotsky is system senior director of nursing research and program evaluation, Barbara Delmore is senior nurse scientist, Althea Mighten is senior director, Kurt Pinto is system director of evidence-based practice, Alice Nash is system senior director of nursing professional development and clinical outcomes, Benjamin Bass is research coordinator, and Jennifer Withall is nurse researcher. Patricia Lavin is senior director, NYU Langone Orthopedics in New York City. Diane Maydick-Youngberg, now retired, was director of nursing education, nursing research, and wound, ostomy, and continence nursing at NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY, at the time of this writing. Theresa Criscitelli is vice president, NYU Langone Hospital-Suffolk, Patchogue, NY, and Joanna Marmo is stroke program coordinator/nursing science fellow at NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn. Contact author: Kathleen Evanovich Zavotsky, kathleen.zavotsky@nyulangone.org. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
Background:
Fostering a culture of inquiry within an academic health system can be both challenging and rewarding. Having a strategic approach can help navigate these complexities.
Purpose:
The aim of this program evaluation is to describe the steps taken to develop, implement, and sustain a nursing science fellowship (NSF) in an academic health system.
Methods:
Grounded by a nursing strategic map, the NSF was established under the leadership of a steering committee. Key components of the NSF, including eligibility guidelines, curriculum development, outcome measurements, and faculty and mentor selection, were created over a three-month period. The first cohort of fellows began the 13-month program in January 2023. Fellows attended monthly lectures and were provided with individualized mentorship to advance either an evidence-based practice (EBP) or research project. Prior to beginning the curriculum, fellows were given a research/EBP textbook. A survey to determine their confidence in nursing science skills both before and after the program was administered to all fellows.
Results:
Of the 11 inaugural fellows, eight completed the program. Four fellows conducted research studies, and four completed EBP projects. The results were disseminated through national presentations, posters, and peer-reviewed publications. Evaluations demonstrated significant improvements in the fellows' confidence in all measured nursing science skills and topics, with notable increases in navigating institutional review board submissions (148.54%), utilizing theoretical frameworks (86.92%), and critically appraising evidence (68.07%). A second cohort began the NSF program in September 2024, and a third will begin in 2026.
Conclusion:
The NSF helped to sustain a culture of inquiry within the academic health system. This program highlights the critical role of strategic planning and stakeholder engagement in advancing a culture of inquiry. The NSF fosters professional curiosity and aligns with the tenets of the American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet model by advancing nursing science. As health care evolves, programs like the NSF are essential for cultivating sustainable nursing research and EBP practices that drive professional growth and innovation and can lead to enhanced patient care.
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