ENA Selects Fifth Class of Research Fellows to Advance Emergency Nursing

The Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) announced on Thursday the selection of its fifth class of Emergency Nursing Developing Voices Research (ENDVR) Fellows. The two selected fellows are expected to add frontline experience to the growing body of emergency nursing research.

The fellows, Elizabeth Ryann Thompson and Kristie Van Waus, will examine factors that help or hinder emergency care for vulnerable populations. Thompson's research will explore how elements such as race, socioeconomic status, and communication barriers influence triage decisions in emergency departments. Van Waus aims to investigate the impact of social determinants of health on nurse-patient communication and the delivery of compassionate, trauma-informed care.

ENA President Dustin Bass highlighted that the fellows' lived experiences are driving their research to address critical challenges in emergency nursing. He expressed confidence that their work will lead to improved patient outcomes.

The ENDVR Fellowship program, established in 2022, mentors emerging researchers by providing structured research development and training. The fellows will engage in research activities at Emergency Nursing 2026 in Phoenix, collaborate with mentors, and present their findings at Emergency Nursing 2027.