The Journal of School Nursing2025, Vol. 41(4) 416–417© The Author(s) 2025Article reuse guidelines:sagepub.com/journals-permissionsDOI: 10.1177/10598405251342656journals.sagepub.com/home/jsn
As of this writing, the U.S. nursing research ecosystem itself stands at a pivotal moment in time, with potentially significant implications for school nursing research. For more than three decades, the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) has served as a cornerstone of scientific progress in nursing and health, integrating frontline practice with rigorous inquiry to inform, shape, and elevate care for individuals, families, and communities. Originally established in 1986 as the National Center for Nursing Research (NCNR) within the National Institutes of Health, the Center was elevated to full Institute status in 1993—becoming the NINR as we know it today (National Institute of Nursing Research, n.d.). Since then, NINR has championed the growth of nursing science and played a pivotal role in cultivating generations of nurse scientists whose work has profoundly influenced clinical practice, health policy, and nursing education. Thanks to the steadfast leadership of these scientists and advocates, the world now recognizes what nurses have always known: nursing science is essential to solving the most complex, personcentered health challenges of our time.
Today, however, nursing science is at a precarious crossroads. Proposed federal budget cuts and a sweeping restructuring plan threaten the very existence of the NINR, which in 2023 alone awarded $140 million in vital research funding. The proposed changes are not merely a fiscal issue—it is a threat to public health, scientific progress, and the visibility of nursing within the broader national research agenda. Most alarmingly, it risks marginalizing the unique perspective that nursing brings to health research.
Professional nursing organizations are mobilizing to defend nursing research. The American Nurses Association, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, and Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science, among many others, have issued public statements, launched advocacy efforts, and urged members to contact legislators. They understand what’s at stake—not just funding, but the very identity of nursing as a science-driven, solution-oriented profession that has had a profound impact on improving health outcomes.
Moreover, the proposed deep cuts to—and potential closure—of the Department of Education also represent a serious threat to the access to large volumes of school data, the future of school nursing, and the important research that supports it (Walker, 2025). These reductions would severely hinder efforts to ensure equitable access to health services for students, particularly those in underserved communities. As we all know, schools are the frontlines of public health for youth, and without targeted investment, conducting school nursing research—and translating that research into effective practice—will be severely jeopardized.
At its core, this is a values issue. Are we, as a nation, committed to health research that centers the patient (or child in the case of school nursing research), embraces interprofessional collaboration, and addresses the social influences of health that shape life trajectories, particularly for children? Advocacy—not only for the survival of NINR but also for the continued inclusion of nursing and school nursing—is a national priority. We must ensure that future discoveries are not lost, that person-centered care remains central to the research agenda, and that the next generation of nurse scientists has essential institutional support. This moment demands unity and action across all health professions.
By the time you read this editorial, the trajectory of nursing and school health research may have shifted. Yet, school nursing research has never been more critical. It sits at the nexus of health, education, equity, and public policy. Our professional charge is clear: to uphold the foundational values of trustworthiness, access, justice, and client-centered care—and to continue generating rigorous, unbiased research that informs practice, drives innovation, and strengthens our collective impact to improve the health of all our nation’s youth.
As Editor, I am dedicated to maintaining The Journal of School Nursing as a trusted platform for practice-relevant, policy-shaping research. We are committed to publishing work that reflects the realities of school nursing, advances the science of school nursing research, and elevates the voices of the communities we serve. Let us proceed with a clear sense of purpose and unwavering support to ensure that The Journal of School Nursing remains a leading forum for the generation and dissemination of evidence that advances the school nursing profession and promotes the well-being of the communities we serve. History has shown that nursing is resilient—and now, our resilience must be matched with empowerment, advocacy, collaboration, and resolve. Let us work collectively together to shape our research trajectories and protect the future of nursing science.
Mayumi A. Willgerodt, PhD, MPH/MS, RN, FAAN, FNASNEditorThe Journal of School Nursing
Mayumi A. Willgerodt https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9874-3739
National Institute of Nursing Research. (n.d.). Milestones in NINR history. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. https://www.ninr.nih.gov/milestones-in-ninr-history
Walker, T. (2025). How dismantling the Department of Education would harm students. neaToday. https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/how-dismantling-department-education-would-harm-students
