Don’t penalise nurse research in a changing educational climate

Higher education is changing and nurse academics have to take on other responsibilities, but during this change we need to support nursing and nurse researchers

As 2024 draws to a close, academics internationally face an uncertain future. While we had thought the ravages of COVID-19 were behind us, the changes to social, political and economic climates across the globe are long-lasting.

• RELATED: A researcher’s development needs support, skills and expertise of ‘a village'

Higher education is being forced to pivot to meet changing demands and fluctuating international enrolments. Nurse academics are being forced into redundancy or shifting their workloads to accommodate additional teaching or administrative responsibilities. While we cannot stop these changes, we can support our profession and those whose lives are affected.

‘We need to ensure that we value research as a key component of the nurse's academic role, not something that can be discarded or put on hold when resources are lean’

First, time for research is often a casualty of high workloads and low staffing levels. As a profession, we must ensure that we actively promote the value of developing and advancing nursing knowledge to the health and well-being of the community.

Look out for each other and show support for nursing academic colleagues

This value must be communicated not only to university administrators, but also throughout the health sector and local community. We need to ensure that we value research as a key component of the nurse's academic role, not something that can be discarded or put on hold when resources are lean.

• RELATED: Budding academic authors please take note

Second, the uncertainty of jobs and people’s future in the higher education sector creates much anxiety and distress. At times like this we, as individuals, and more broadly as a profession, need to look out for each other and show support for nursing academic colleagues and those in other disciplines.

Even small acts of kindness and respect can make all the difference to those in distress or finding times tough. It is also vital that we each take time out for self-care and are kind to ourselves. Even small acts of self-care in your daily life can have a big impact.

• RELATED: Want to do a PhD? Some important things to consider

As we go into 2025, it is clear that the world of higher education is changing dramatically. Nurses should work together to ensure that this new world is a positive place for growing future generations of the health workforce.

Elizabeth Halcomb is professor of primary healthcare nursing, School of Nursing, University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia and editor of Nurse Researcher