How nurses contribute to global health system resilience

About This Grant

Health system resilience has emerged as a crucial objective for health systems globally, yet the critical role of the nursing workforce in achieving these targets remains insufficiently understood. Bridging this knowledge gap is essential to harness the full potential of nurses in strengthening health system resilience. The purpose of this F31 application is to prepare the applicant for a career as an independent investigator focused on expanding collective knowledge of key predictors and evidence- informed strategies for developing health system resilience. The proposed fellowship consists of two complementary components: 1) a training plan aimed at developing quantitative and qualitative methods proficiency, substantive disaster and health system resilience expertise, and role attainment of a nurse scientist; and 2) a research plan that will further understanding of the relationships between the nursing workforce, health system resilience, and disasters. A strong mentorship team that includes sponsors and collaborators from the University of Michigan Schools of Nursing, and Public Health will provide interdisciplinary expertise in the nursing workforce, global health, disasters, statistical analyses, and qualitative methodologies. Through formal coursework and mentorship, the training plan will allow the applicant to build upon early experience in qualitative methodologies, as well as substantially increase knowledge and experience in quantitative methodologies and data management. The applicant will be supported through intensive mentorship by an expert and personally committed team of mentors, advanced coursework, participation in the national and global scientific community, and progressively independent research. The proposed research project will utilize data from reputable open access sources including World Health Organization National Healthcare Workforce Statistics, country-level health data from the World Bank, country level disaster data from the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT), and country-level health statistics from the World Health Organization. The specific aims are to 1) examine the relationship between the global nursing workforce, and population health outcomes during declared disasters, and 2) identify the facilitators, barriers, and key adaptations of the role of the nursing workforce in contributing to health system resilience during disasters. This study aligns with the National Institute of Nursing Research’s strategic plan by examining mechanisms to address health outcomes as well as population and community health by investigating approaches to mitigate negative outcomes at the macro level. Findings from this study are critical for shaping future policy and research agendas, and to better identify key predictors of health system resilience.