Rebuilding the research enterprise of a historical research intensive college of nursing

Jeannette O. Andrews, University of South Carolina, College of Nursing, Columbia, SC. Electronic address: j.andrews@sc.edu.
Cynthia Corbett, University of South Carolina, College of Nursing, Columbia, SC.
Robin B. Dail, University of South Carolina, College of Nursing, Columbia, SC.
Bernardine M. Pinto, University of South Carolina, College of Nursing, Columbia, SC.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Maintaining a productive research enterprise within a college of nursing is multifaceted and complex. It is especially challenging when a college's mission transitions to address other priorities, and later attempts to re-emerge in the competitive funding environment and re-establish a productive research portfolio. PURPOSE: To describe how a college is rebuilding the research enterprise to meet the established research mission after a decade of marginal research productivity. STRATEGIES: Targeted multi-level strategies at the university, college, and individual levels are being implemented to enhance the research infrastructure and faculty capacity to increase research productivity. IMPACT: In the past five years, compared to the previous five years, annual faculty publications have doubled, annual extramural funding per tenure track faculty increased by 72%, and the College's average extramural sponsored award funding per year increased 118%. National Institutes for Research rankings moved from no ranking (2013) to top 31 (2017). DISCUSSION: Early results are positive and efforts to maintain and further grow the research enterprise will require sustained effort to meet ongoing challenges.