The Nursing Health Services Research Unit is a collaborative project of the University of Toronto, Lawrence S. Bloomberg, Faculty of Nursing and McMaster University, School of Nursing.

The Unit consists of Scientific Directors, Dr. Diane Doran at the University of Toronto site and Dr. Andrea Baumann at the McMaster site, and 28 co-investigators and other affiliated researchers. This team represents a multidisciplinary group from six academic sites including McMaster University, University of Toronto, Laurentian University, Queens University, University of Western Ontario and University of Windsor. The NHSRU has been recognized internationally, nationally, and provincially for its comprehensive team approach to problem identification and resolution.

History

The Nursing Health Services Research Unit was established in 1990 by Dr. Andrea Baumann and Dr. Linda O’Brien-Pallas. The unit has been named three times to reflect its evolving research emphasis, as it responds to changing health services priorities.

• 1990, Quality of Nursing Work life Research Unit (QWL). Five year base funding from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC)
• 1996, Nursing Effectiveness Utilization and Outcomes Research Unit (NEUORU). Funding extended to 2004
• 2004, Nursing Health Services Research Unit (NHSRU). Five year funding. Funding extended in 2009 for three years.