Allison P Squires

Faculty

Prof. Allison P Squires headshot

Allison P Squires

PhD RN FAAN

Professor

1 212 992 7074

433 First Ave
New York, NY 10010
United States

Accepting PhD students

Allison Squires, Ph.D., FAAN, RN, is a Professor at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing. She is a global health services researcher with two focal areas of research: Creating a sustainable nursing workforce and improving immigrant health outcomes. Dr. Squires is also the Founder and Director of the Global Consortium of Nursing & Midwifery Studies (GCNMS). In addition to holding multiple national and international leadership positions in nursing organizations during her career, she has consulted with the Migration Policy Institute, the International Council of Nurses, and the World Bank on nursing and health workforce issues and produced several major policy analyses with their teams and continues to serve as an expert resource on nursing workforce issues globally.

She has several projects currently funded by domestic and international funders. Domestically, she is studying the impact of language barriers on hospital nursing practice and evaluating the impact of the Magnet journey on small hospitals.  Her current funded international studies focus on nursing workforce capacity building in Greece, Ghana, and Guyana. Her signature project, the GCNMS, is now an 87-country research consortium collaborating on research capacity-building projects in nursing and midwifery globally. The consortium's current research study is examining the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the nursing and midwifery workforces globally.

Prior to entering academia full-time, Squires worked as a staff nurse in solid organ transplant and as a staff educator for 11 years in the U.S. healthcare system in rural and urban locations. Her practice has since shifted largely to community-based nursing roles as a volunteer.

Amongst her many honors and awards, Squires was the 2019–2020 Distinguished Nurse Scholar in Residence for the National Academy of Medicine where she worked on the consensus study "Future of Nursing 2020–2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Equity." In 2023, she received the Outstanding Mentor Award from the Interdisciplinary Research Group on Nursing Issues interest group of Academy Health. Yale School of Nursing Alumni Association named her their 2025 Distinguished Alumna.

She is currently accepting Ph.D. students and/or post-doctoral fellows/associates with interests in the following areas: Global health, migration & immigrant health, and health services and workforce research.

Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Center for Health Outcomes & Policy Research -University of Pennsylvania
PhD - Yale University School of Nursing Doctor of Philosophy
MSN, Master of Science in Nursing Education - Duquesne University School of Nursing
BSN, Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a Minor in Latin American Studies - University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing

Global Health
Health Services Research
Immigrant Health
Midwifery Workforce
Nursing workforce

Academy Health
American Nurses Association
National Council for Interpreting in Health Care
Sigma International

Distinguished Alumna, Yale School of Nursing Alumni Association (2025)
Outstanding Mentor Award, Interdisciplinary Research Group on Nursing Issues of Academy Health (2023)
Writing Award for Distinguished Manuscript on Geriatric/Gerontological Nursing (Ma et al. 2021), Gerontological Society of America Nursing Care of Older Adults Interest Group (2021)
Distinguished Nurse Scholar in Residence, National Academy of Medicine (2020)
Distinguished Nurse Scholar in Residence, National Academy of Medicine (2019)
Fellow Ambassador to the Media, New York Academy of Medicine (2018)
Fellow Ambassador to the Media, New York Academy of Medicine (2017)
Fellow, American Academy of Nursing (2015)
Distinguished Alumna, Duquesne University School of Nursing (2015)
Fellow, New York Academy of Medicine (2014)
Fellow, Yale World Fellows Program, Yale University (2003)
Inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International (1998)

Language and communication issues in healthcare practice and research: A call for papers

Squires, A., & Jacobs, E. A. (2014). International Journal of Nursing Studies, 51(3), 357-358. 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2014.01.003

Latina food patterns in the United States: A qualitative metasynthesis

Gerchow, L., Tagliaferro, B., Squires, A., Nicholson, J., Savarimuthu, S. M., Gutnick, D., & Jay, M. (2014). Nursing Research, 63(3), 182-193. 10.1097/NNR.0000000000000030
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Obesity disproportionately affects Latinas living in the United States, and cultural food patterns contribute to this health concern. Objective: The aim of this study was to synthesize the qualitative results of research regarding Latina food patterns in order to (a) identify common patterns across Latino culture and within Latino subcultures and (b) inform future research by determining gaps in the literature. Methods: A systematic search of three databases produced 13 studies (15 manuscripts) that met the inclusion criteria for review. The Critical Appraisal Skills Program tool and the recommendations of Squires for evaluating translation methods in qualitative research were applied to appraise study quality. Authors coded through directed content analysis and an adaptation of the Joanna Briggs Institute Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument coding template to extract themes. Coding focused on food patterns, obesity, population breakdown, immigration, acculturation, and barriers and facilitators to healthy eating. Other themes and categories emerged from this process to complement this approach. Results: Major findings included the following: (a) Immigration driven changes in scheduling, food choice, socioeconomic status, and family dynamics shape the complex psychology behind healthy food choices for Latina women; (b) in Latina populations, barriers and facilitators to healthy lifestyle choices around food are complex; and (c) there is a clear need to differentiate Latino populations by country of origin in future qualitative studies on eating behavior. Discussion: Healthcare providers need to recognize the complex influences behind eating behaviors among immigrant Latinas in order to design effective behavior change and goal-setting programs to support healthy lifestyles.

Methodological considerations when translating "burnout"

Squires, A., Finlayson, C., Gerchow, L., Cimiotti, J. P., Matthews, A., Schwendimann, R., Griffiths, P., Busse, R., Heinen, M., Brzostek, T., Moreno-Casbas, M. T., Aiken, L. H., & Sermeus, W. (2014). Burnout Research, 1(2), 59-68. 10.1016/j.burn.2014.07.001
Abstract
Abstract
No study has systematically examined how researchers address cross-cultural adaptation of burnout. We conducted an integrative review to examine how researchers had adapted the instruments to the different contexts. We reviewed the Content Validity Indexing scores for the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey from the 12-country comparative nursing workforce study, RN4CAST. In the integrative review, multiple issues related to translation were found in existing studies. In the cross-cultural instrument analysis, 7 out of 22 items on the instrument received an extremely low kappa score. Investigators may need to employ more rigorous cross-cultural adaptation methods when attempting to measure burnout.

Quality of life in aging multiple sclerosis patients

Bitton Ben-Zacharia, A., & Squires, A. (2014). Journal of Clinical Outcomes Management, 21(10).
Abstract
Abstract
Objective. To evaluate the association between clinical and demographic factors and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among older people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Design. Cross-sectional survey-based study. Setting and participants. Patients with MS aged 60 years or older were recruited from 4 MS centers in Long Island, NY. Patients with severe cognitive impairment as determined by the health care practitioner were excluded. Participants were asked to complete 3 surveys at 3 different time-points. In the first survey, participants completed the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale and the Patient Multiple Sclerosis Neuropsychological Screening Questionnaire (P-MSNQ). The second survey was the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 (MSQOL-54), and the third survey included the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and a disability status self-assessment scale. Cognitive function was measured at the time of recruitment using the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). Analysis. The Andersen Healthcare Utilization model was used to structure the multivariate regression analysis. This model identifies multiple domains affecting quality of life, and the variables from the surveys were categorized according to domain: predisposing characteristics (demographic variables), enabling resources (caregiver support and living situation), needs (eg, health-related measures), and health behaviors (medication use, adherence). Main results. A total of 211 completed the first survey, 188 the second, and 179 the third. 80% were female and 95% were white. Average age was 65.5 (SD 5.6) years. 56% of respondents' self-reported scores on the SDMT classified them as cognitively impaired. Risk of neuropsychological impairment, depression, and disability status were significantly associated with a decreased mental and physical HRQOL. Significantly, there was a strong association between predisposing characteristics and QOL. Being widowed and remaining employed were the strongest predictors of better physical QOL and having an education level of high school or less was a predictor of lower mental HRQOL. Conclusion. Clinicians should measure HRQOL in older MS patients regularly and assess for depression and cognitive impairment.

The role of remittances in international nurse migration

Squires, A., & Amico, A. (2014). Nursing: Research & Reviews, 5, 1-12.

Use of HbA1c in the diagnosis of diabetes in adolescents

Nahum, J. L., & Squires, A. (2014). Journal of Clinical Outcomes Management, 21(7), 298-299.
Abstract
Abstract
Objective. To examine the screening practices of family practitioners (FPs) and pediatricians for type 2 diabetes (T2D) in adolescents. Design. Cross-sectional study. Setting and participants. The researchers randomly sampled 700 pediatricians and 700 FPs who participated in direct patient care using the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile using a mail survey. Exclusion criteria included providers who were residents, hospital staff, retirees, or employed by federally owned medical facilities, certified with a subspecialty, or over age 70. Main outcome measures. Providers were given a hypothetical case of an obese, female, teenaged patient with concurrent associated risk factors for T2D (family history of T2D, minority race, signs of insulin resistance) and asked what initial screening tests they would order. Respondents were then informed of the updated American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines that added hemoglobin A1c as a screening test to diagnose diabetes. The survey then asked if knowing this change in recommendation has changed or will change their screening practices in adolescents. Main results. 1400 surveys were mailed. After 2 were excluded due to mailing issues, 52% of providers provided responses. Of these, 129 providers reported that they did not care for adolescents (age 10-17), resulting in 604 providers in the final sample, 398 pediatricians and 335 FPs. The vast majority (92%) said they would screen the hypothetical case for diabetes, with most initially ordering a fasting test (fasting plasma glucose or 2-hour glucose tolerance test) (63%) or A1c test (58%). Of the 58% who planned to order HbA1c, only 35% ordered it in combination with a fasting test. HbA1c was significantly more likely to be ordered by pediatricians than by FPs (P = 0.001). After being presented with the new guidelines, 84% said then would now order HbA1c, a 27% increase. Conclusion. In response to information about the new guidelines, providers were more likely to order A1c as part of initial testing. Due to the lower test performance in children and increased cost of the test, the use of HbA1c without fasting tests may result in missed diagnosis of T2D in adolescents as well as increased health care costs.

Validation of a spanish version of the practice environment scale of the nursing work index in the colombian context

Alzate, L. C. C., Bayer, G. L. A., & Squires, A. (2014). Hispanic Health Care International, 12(1), 34-42. 10.1891/1540-4153.12.1.34
Abstract
Abstract
The literature supports that organizations that create working conditions with positive practice environments improve nurses' job satisfaction and reduce turnover in hospital settings (Havens & Johnston, 2004; International Council of Nurses [ICN], 2007). Positive practice environments promote quality nursing care and better patient outcomes. However, in South America, there are no instruments to measure the nursing practice environment in a hospital setting. The purpose of this research was to examine the validity and reliability of a Spanish translation of the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI; Lake, 2002) in the Colombian clinical context. An instrument validation study using expert panel review, content validity indexing techniques, and a factor analysis of survey responses from 144 nurses was used. The scale-level content validity evaluation achieved high levels of acceptability, with values above 0.90. Construct validity results suggest that the instrument consists of 5 factors as prescribed by original instrument. The overall internal consistency value was a Cronbach's alpha level of 0.89. This is the first instrument to measure the work environment of nursing practice in South America, now validated in the Colombian context.

What are the long-term outcomes of bariatric surgery in obese adults?

Caceres, B., & Squires, A. (2014). Journal of Clinical Outcomes Management, 21(6), 259-260.

"“In our country tortilla doesn’t make us fat:” Dimensions and meanings of goal-setting for lifestyle change in urban Latina women

Squires, A. (2014). Journal of the Poor & Underserved.

Content validity of the Spanish version of the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index

Orts-Cortés, M. I., Moreno-Casbas, T., Squires, A., Fuentelsaz-Gallego, C., Maciá-Soler, L., González-María, E., Gómez-García, T., María González-Martín, A., Gómez-González, B., Quesada-Ramos, C., Candel-Parra, E., Oltra-Rodríguez, E., Terol-García, E., Abad-Corpa, E., Guerra-Bernal, F. J., Lozano-Olea, F., Rodríguez-Escobar, J., Martínez-Gimeno, L., Ferrús-Estopa, L., … Sebastián-Viana, T. (2013). Applied Nursing Research, 26(4), e5-e9. 10.1016/j.apnr.2013.08.006
Abstract
Abstract
Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the content validity of the Iberian Spanish version of the questionnaire The Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI) by using the Content Validity Indexing (CVI). Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional observational study was conducted. The Spanish version of the questionnaire was translated from the American English instrument through forward and back translation processes. Experts evaluated the translated items through content validity indexing. Once the assessments were completed, CVI indicators were calculated: number of agreements, item Content Validity Index and overall content validity and modified kappa coefficient of the instrument. Results: The overall content validity of the instrument was 0.82. The average modified kappa coefficient of the items was 0.80, with a rating of 'excellent'. Only 4 of the items were rated as weak or poor. Conclusions: The study demonstrates that the content validity of the Spanish version of the PES-NWI is acceptable. Some results indicate that some items have cross-cultural applicability challenges that need to be addressed in future research studies. Use of the instrument in other Spanish language speaking countries should be taken with caution since some words may not reflect the language of the healthcare systems there.