NAWSON launches “HONU Scientists,” a new initiative aimed at propelling student-involved nursing research
Nearly 50 participants attended the launch event for the new Hui to promote Opportunities for the development of Nurse Scientists (HONU) program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, School of Nursing. Students learned about HONU while also meeting nursing faculty Drs. Holly Fontenot, Samia Dutra, Gary Glauberman, Cynthia Greywolf, Donna-Marie Palakiko, and Merle Kataoka-Yahiro.
What is HONU? The purpose of this faculty-student organization is to provide a supportive environment for students to learn about and engage in nursing research. Specific activities and functions of the hui are to foster mentoring, professional and peer networking and other activities that promote nursing research.
According to Dr. Glauberman, faculty advisor for the group, “HONU was formed to encourage nursing students to learn more about nursing-led research, and inspire them to consider careers where they can actively advance nursing science. Hawaii’s nurses have a lot they can contribute to the nursing field, and by getting involved in research at an early stage in their careers, nursing students can have an outsized impact on programs, policies and practices that improve nursing care.”
HONU was also designed to facilitate nursing students’ participation in UH Manoa’s Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP).” UROP offers financial and programmatic support for students to engage in mentored research. Students who participate in UROP work one on one with a faculty research mentor on a research project, allowing students to join a real research team and take the lead on an aspect of an active research project.
Students benefit tremendously from UROP. The program allows students to document research experience on their resumes while learning about advanced roles of nurse scientists. Through UROP, students will garner experiences that may inform future career paths – while also getting paid a stipend.
Students who are interested in participating in UROP should attend HONU events, or contact HONU faculty advisor Dr. Glauberman (glauberm@hawaii.edu) to learn about current research and scholarship at the school of nursing and how to join one of the nursing research faculty’s project teams.