*This is an archive page. The links are no longer being updated.
1993.06.11 :  National Institute of Nursing Research

Public Health Service  Friday, June 11, 1993
Linda Cook  (301) 496-0207

       HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala today welcomed a new National
Institute of Nursing Research as the 17th institute of the National
Institutes of Health.  The NINR was established as part of the NIH
reauthorization legislation, signed by the president on June 10,
*This is an archive page. The links are no longer being updated.
1993.
       "I am particularly pleased that nursing research has
received this recognition," Secretary Shalala said.  "Nursing
research makes a vital contribution to improving the nation's
health.  Strengthening that research role is certainly something I
am proud to support."
       The institute began life as a center at NIH in April 1986. 
With a structure and mission similar to an NIH institute, the
center has conducted research programs and has supported research
and training throughout the country with grants.
       The institute's purpose is to provide a strong scientific
base for nursing practice, answering such questions as: How can
nurses help mothers-to-be prevent low birthweight babies?  How can
the extent of a child's pain be determined so that the right help
can be given?  What can nurses do to help women deal with the
typical symptoms of menopause?  How can older people live
independent lives as long as possible? 
       In addition to ameliorating illness, nurse scientists also
study health promotion and disease prevention, including how to
motivate people to adopt healthy lifestyles.  Innovative approaches
are developed and tested to improve the delivery of health care
through high quality nursing services.  Nursing research is
strongly collaborative and works closely with many health
disciplines to find answers to health problems.
       NIH Director Bernadine Healy, M.D., said, "Since the center
is performing as an institute, it should have the name to go with
it.  With the new institute's special focus on prevention and the
health and well-being of the entire patient, nursing research will
have a growing importance to the NIH and to the public."
       Medical research focuses on finding better ways to diagnose
and treat illness.  Nursing research focuses on how people react to
an illness and its treatment.  For example, a medical researcher
might study how to diagnose the HIV virus sooner, or which drugs
and what doses are best to combat HIV infection.  A nurse
researcher, on the other hand, might study the symptoms patients
are experiencing, such as eating problems or muscle wasting,
whether they are caused by the disease or the treatment, and how
they can be reduced to improve quality of life.
       Although the change in status from center to institute does
not involve a change in budget, NINR Director Ada Sue Hinshaw,
Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N., said, "It does send an important signal to
the nursing community and the public."  She emphasized that "it
strengthens nursing research at the national level, increases its
visibility within the health research community, and indicates a
permanence and stability for this type of research."
       The new institute within the NIH is part of the Public
Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services.

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