TriService Nursing Research Program

**ORIGIN OF TSNRP** Doctorally-prepared nurses from the Army, Navy, and Air Force began meeting informally in 1988 at the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States convention. In fall 1990, representatives from all three services formed a Federal Nursing Research Interest Group; it later became the TriService Nursing Research Group (TSNRG). In spring 1991, the TSNR Group and the Nurse Corps Chief/Directors, met with the National Center for Nursing Research (NCNR, now the National Institute for Nursing Research) to discuss how NCNR could assist the military services with developing a coordinated strategy of nursing research. The meeting concluded with informal recognition of the TSNR Group by the Corps Chiefs and Directors and the NCNR commitment to consult on matters relevant to military nursing research. The TSNR Group became responsible for finding ways to promote military nursing research collectively and individually, within and across the services. In 1992, an initial $1M was appropriated by Congress to conduct research by military nurses. The TSNR Group was instrumental in selecting appropriate projects and executing the funds. The 1996 U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Authorization Act authorized the TriService Nursing Research Program as part of the DoD health care program, established at the Uniformed Services University. At that time, TSNRP was appropriated $5M in funds for military nursing research. Over the last 30 years, TSNRP has grown from a desire to expand the research opportunities for military nurses to a fully-funded program that offers several educational opportunities through the TSNRP Resource Center, while managing multiple research and EBP awards on projects that are relevant to military nursing that ultimately optimize the health of military members and their beneficiaries.