The SARI Program: Training Nurse Scientists in Systemic and Institutional Factors - Systemic and institutional factors (SIF)—such as unstable housing, food insecurity, and educational gaps—contribute to variations in outcomes across the lifespan. Applied research is urgently needed to better understand the relationships between SIF and health outcomes and identify evidence-based strategies to optimize health for all individuals. However, the scientific community lacks adequate training and resources to tackle the methodological challenges associated with studying and addressing SIF. We designed the Scholars for Applied Research and Impact (SARI) Program to address this critical need by equipping a workforce of PhD students through mid-career nurse scientists with the skills to conduct high-quality SIF research. Nurse scientists are our primary demographic; however, given the benefits of transdisciplinary collaboration, the Program will also be open to other scientists. Two nationally recruited cohorts of 15 REJS (N = 30) will participate in 12 months of training, in which they will learn conceptual, methodological, and measurement strategies in SIF research. They will then apply these learnings to study the everyday environment (e.g., physical/built environment), and social (e.g., engagement) and institutional (e.g., healthcare) differences. The intent is to effect change across health conditions, populations, life course stages, and SIF. We assembled a broadly representative group of 33 transdisciplinary experts to provide didactic content, mentorship, hands-on research experience in SIF, and program advisement. Drawing from the rich resources at Villanova, Johns Hopkins, and Howard Universities, our first aim is to train SARI on the fundamentals of SIF research and novel strategies to reduce poor health outcomes, laying the foundation for a cadre of nursing and other scientists to integrate SIF concepts in research, practice, education, and policy. Our second aim is to mentor SARI in the completion of a SIF research-related product. Hands-on mentorship and research exposure will enable Scholars to continue to research and publish on their chosen topics after training, becoming leaders at their home institutions and beyond. In our third aim we will evaluate the impact of the SARI Program to consider Program continuation and replication. These data will guide future improvements to ensure maximal impact and participant satisfaction. We expect that the reach of our Program will be exponential as each trainee shares what they learned with their institutions, employers, colleagues, students/trainees, and broader communities to effect systematic change. We will also share our curriculum manual and learning management system for others to replicate the SARI Program, extending our reach beyond the proposed award period.
