Training in Nurse-LEd models of care ADdressing the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)
Nurse-LEADS aims to offer innovative training to nurse scientists at the intersection of health equity, social determinants of health (SDOH), and nurse-led models of care.
Trainees develop skills in digital health, advanced analytics, engagement science, and multisector partnerships as methodological approaches and tools for promoting health equity. Nurse-LEADS builds upon a partnership with North Carolina Central University (NCCU) and the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP).
Funded by the US National Institute of Nursing Research (Grant T32NR021171).
Applications Are Closed
Applications Due: February 3, 2025 - Start Date: July 1, 2025.
Predoctoral
- Aim: Offer innovative training to nurse scientists
- Support: First 2 years of PhD Program
- Requirements: In residence, submit F31/R36 or equivalent, work 8 hours/week on mentor’s project
- Eligibility: Students admitted to the PhD program with a BSN or MSN degree
Postdoctoral
- Aim: Promote independent research on nurse-led models of care addressing SDOH
- Support: Up to 2 years
- Appointments: Hybrid available if in an approved U.S. State for remote work
- Effort: 25% on mentor’s projects, 75% on coursework and pilot projects
- Includes: 3 elective courses, monthly seminars, research projects with mentors, collaboration on manuscripts, conducting a pilot study, conference presentations, preparing grant applications
Postdoctoral Application
- Eligibility: RN or Advanced practice nurse with PhD/DNS within 5 years of graduation; Evidence of U.S. Citizenship, non-citizen national status, or admission for permanent residence (NIH requirement)
- Statement of research experiences, goals, activities, and plans to achieve goals during the fellowship; include fit with mentor’s research and Nurse-LEADS program (2 pages)
- CV and official transcripts
- One or two scholarly papers (published preferred)
- Two letters of recommendation (one from dissertation chair)
Please submit statement and CV through the application portal:
Official transcripts, scholarly papers, and recommendation letters are to be e-mailed:
Major Training Components:
Funding: Two years for predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees.
Key Activities:
- Research career development
- Monthly seminars (Duke, NCCU, and UTEP)
- Three experiential learning courses (9 credits):
- Course 1: Nurse Led Models of Care Addressing SDOH
- Course 2: Digital Solutions to Attain Health Equity
- Course 3: Engagement Science and Multisector Partnerships
- Tailored learning experiences
- Training in responsible conduct of research
Postdocs trainees will also:
- Complete a pilot research study
- Mentor pre-doctoral trainees
Nurse-led Models of Care
- Nurses are uniquely positioned to lead care models addressing health inequities.
- These models emphasize patient and family involvement, respect for values, and provide equitable, holistic, and coordinated care.
- Proven to improve outcomes, reduce costs, and increase satisfaction.
- Effective in managing chronic conditions and serving underserved populations, including rural and low-income communities..
Short-term Outcomes:
- More nurse scientists with advanced training in health equity
- Improved competency in addressing SDOH through nurse-led care models
- Development of new, evidence-based care models
Long-term Outcome:
- Create a new generation of nurse scientists to reduce health inequities through nurse-led care models
A More Diverse Scientific Nursing Workforce
- Diversity in nursing is crucial for reaching underserved communities.
- Only 19.4% of nurses are from racial/ethnic minoritized groups, while 40% of the U.S. population identifies as people of color.
- Only 20% of NINR-funded Principal Investigators are from these groups.
- Diverse nurse scientists are more likely to address and advocate for issues in underserved communities, improving access to culturally aligned healthcare
Digital Health & Advanced Analytics
- Digital health technologies and analytics offer new methods for addressing SDOH.
- Nurse scientists trained in digital health can improve patient outcomes and drive healthcare innovation.
- Digital literacy and internet connectivity are now critical SDOH, influencing other determinants.
- These technologies can shape healthcare but may also perpetuate existing inequities.
Engagement Science & Multisector Partnerships
- Engagement science and multisector partnerships are essential for integrating health equity into nurse-led care models.
- Community engagement enhances research design and impact on health inequities.
- Nurse scientists must engage with sectors beyond healthcare to influence living conditions.
- Multisector coalitions can identify priorities and develop effective interventions for SDOH.
Steering Committee:
Advisory Committee
- Lusine Poghosyan
Chair, Columbia School of Nursing - Yolanda VanRiel
NCCU Nursing Department Chair - Leslie Robbins
UTEP Dean of College of Nursing - Suzanne Barbour
Duke Graduate School - David Edelman
Duke School of Medicine - Margarita Alegria
Harvard Medical School
Mentors
Nurse-LEADS Aim 1: Recruit and retain pre- and postdoctoral trainees from underrepresented groups in nursing science, in research training on health equity, SDOH, and nurse-led models of care.
All program faculty will contribute to this aims through the DUSON-NCCU-UTEP partnership and team-based mentoring. Although all program faculty have experience working with underrepresented trainees, the follow faculty have experience leading training initiatives specifically focused on underrepresented learners and/or training activities focused on health equity, SDOH, and nurse-led models of care.
Primary DUSON Mentors
Debra Brandon, Donna Biederman, Rosa Gonzalez-Guarda, Michael V. Relf
MSI Mentors
Karen Fowler, Cherise Harrington, Seronda Robinson, Guillermina Solis
Nurse-LEADS Aim 2: Support trainees to contribute to emerging theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches to develop and scale nurse-led models of care addressing the SDOH.
All the Primary Mentors included are developing nurse-led models of care addressing the SDOH. Faculty listed under this aim provide an example of nurse-led models in different practice settings, allowing for a diverse breath of opportunities for trainees to apply their training. Co-Mentors provide support for testing these models using contemporary and innovative designs that apply a health equity lens.
Primary DUSON Mentors
Co-Mentors
Nurse-LEADS Aim 3: Develop methodological expertise to leverage digital health and advanced analytics to conduct cutting-edge research to evaluate nurse-led models of care addressing SDOH.
Given contemporary advancement in research, healthcare, and analytic tools, all Primary and Co-Mentors are integrating some form of these into their nurse-led models of care and represented by exemplar faculty.
Primary DUSON Mentors
Co-Mentors
Nurse-LEADS Aim 4: Apply engagement science and multisector partnerships.
Duke Univesrity School of Nursing will leverage longstanding relationships with health organizations, community partners, systems, and multisector coalitions to provide trainees with opportunities to used engagement strategies and partnerships to address the SDOH. Some examples of engagement strategies and multisector partnerships that trainees will integrate in through practicums are highlighted below.