title: Refocusing research priorities in schools of nursing.
abstract: It is critical for schools of nursing to periodically reassess their scholarly programs to ensure that their conceptual framework and approaches address current challenges and enhance productivity. This article describes the process undertaken at Columbia University School of Nursing to evaluate scholarly enterprise so that it remains relevant and responsive to changing trends and to revise our research conceptual model to be reflective of the foci of our clinicians and researchers. As part of a larger strategic initiative, a two-phase Research Excellence Planning and Implementation Workgroup was convened, consisting of a broad representation of faculty and administrative staff, with an overall goal of expanding scholarly capacity. During Phase I, members developed measurable outcomes and tactics and revised the school's conceptual research model. In Phase II, the workgroup implemented and monitored tactics and presented final recommendations to the dean. To measure progress, faculty members completed a survey to establish baseline scholarship and collaboration with results indicating room for growth in interdisciplinary and inter-institutional collaboration. Ongoing assessment of outcomes includes Web-based tracking of scholarly activities and follow-up surveys to monitor expansion of faculty collaboration. We recommend this process to other schools committed to sustainable, increasingly relevant scholarship.
authors.affiliation: Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, NY 10032, USA. kk729@columbia.edu
authors.forename: Kristine M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Kulage
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ardizzone
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Enlow
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hickey
authors.forename: Christie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kearney
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schnall
authors.forename: Elaine L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Larson
mesh_terms: D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009518:New York; D012106:Research; D012579:Schools, Nursing
keywords: Conceptual model; Nursing; Research priorities; Strategic initiative