Strategies to enhance the success of mid-career nurse scientists

Annette M Bourgault; Joachim G Voss; Ansley Grimes Stanfill; Ann Marie McCarthy; Ellyn E Matthews; AkkeNeel Talsma; Victoria Loerzel; Wendy A Henderson; Patricia A Kinser; Patricia E Hershberger

doi:10.1016/j.outlook.2021.06.015

Strategies to enhance the success of mid-career nurse scientists

Nurs Outlook. 2022 Jan-Feb;70(1):127-136. doi: 10.1016/j.outlook.2021.06.015. Epub 2021 Oct 5.

Affiliations

¹ University of Central Florida, College of Nursing, Orlando, FL, USA. Electronic address: Annette.bourgault@ucf.edu.
² Case Western Reserve University, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Cleveland, OH, USA, The Independence Foundation Professor of Nursing Education.
³ University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
⁴ University of Iowa, College of Nursing, Iowa City, IA, USA.
⁵ Regis University, Loretto Heights School of Nursing, Denver, CO, USA, University of Colorado, Aurora, School of Nursing, Aurora, CO, USA.
⁶ University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, College of Nursing, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
⁷ University of Central Florida, College of Nursing, Orlando, FL, USA.
⁸ University of Connecticut, School of Nursing, Storrs, CT, USA.
⁹ Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Nursing, Richmond, VA, USA.
¹⁰ University of Illinois Chicago, College of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.

PMID: 34625274
DOI: 10.1016/j.outlook.2021.06.015

Abstract

Background: The mid-career nurse scientist, defined as an associate professor with/without tenure, is often faced with a multitude of challenges and opportunities PURPOSE: This paper shares strategies to assist mid-career scientists as they juggle required career demands and navigate the mid-career phase in pursuit of the rank of full professor.

Method: A review of the literature was performed on mid-career nurse scientists.

Discussion: A combination of increased research responsibilities, increased institutional teaching and service demands, and dwindling support can result in a sense of overwhelm and burnout. The mid-career nurse scientist must balance several balls in the air at one time to remain successful.

Conclusion: Strategies aligned with the Ecological Framework, focus on intrapersonal, interpersonal, institutional, organizational, and public policy domains to provide a wide scope of strategies that target the mid-career scientist and engage the larger nursing community.

Keywords: Academic Performance; Career Planning and Development; Mid-Career; Nurse Researchers; Nursing; Research.

MeSH terms

Burnout, Professional / prevention & control
Career Choice*
Faculty, Nursing*
Goals*
Humans
Nursing Research / organization & administration*
Research Personnel / organization & administration*
Staff Development*