Allison P Squires

Faculty

Prof. Allison P Squires headshot

Allison P Squires

FAAN PhD RN

Professor

1 212 992 7074

433 First Ave
New York, NY 10010
United States

Accepting PhD students

Allison P Squires, Ph.D., FAAN, RN, is a professor and the Director of the Global Consortium of Nursing and Midwifery Studies, or GCNMS. The GCNMS is a 70-country research consortium collaborating on research capacity-building projects in nursing and midwifery globally. The consortium's current collaboration is examining the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the nursing and midwifery workforces globally. Domestically, her research focuses on improving immigrant and refugee health outcomes with a special interest in addressing inequities in health outcomes resulting from language discordance during a healthcare encounter.

Prof. Squires has consulted with the Migration Policy Institute and the World Bank on nursing and health workforce issues and produced several major policy analyses with their teams. A prolific writer, Squires has authored over 200 publications, including 125+ in peer-reviewed journals. She serves as an associate editor of the International Journal of Nursing Studies since 2012. She 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.

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. Her practice has since shifted largely to community-based nursing roles as a volunteer.

Prof. Squires received her Ph.D. at Yale University, MSN at Duquesne University, and BSN with a minor in Latin American Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. She completed a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Health Outcomes Research at the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to her primary appointment at the College of Nursing, at NYU she holds affiliated faculty appointments/affiliations with the Department of General Internal Medicine at the Grossman School of Medicine, the Center for Latin American Studies, and the Center for Drug Use and HIV Research.

She is currently accepting Ph.D. students and/or post-doctoral fellows/associates with interests in the following areas: 1) global health, 2) migration & immigrant health, and 3) health services and workforce research.

Post-Doctoral Fellowship - University of Pennsylvania
PhD - Yale University
MSN - Duquesne University
BSN - University of Pennsylvania

Global
Immigrants
Gerontology
Health Services Research

Academy Health
American Nurses Association
Consortium of Universities for Global Health
Interdisciplinary Research Group on Nursing Issues (Academy Health)
National Council for Interpreting in Health Care
Sigma Theta Tau International

Chair of the Nursing Section of the New York Academy of Medicine (2022)
Co-Chair, American Academy of Nursing's Global Health Expert Panel (2021)
Chair of the Nursing Section of the New York Academy of Medicine (2021)
Vice-Chair, Global Health and Health Care Interest Group for Academy Health (2020)
Co-Chair, American Academy of Nursing's Global Health Expert Panel (2020)
Chair, Interdisciplinary Research Group on Nursing Issues for Academy Health (2020)
Chair of the Nursing Section of the New York Academy of Medicine (2020)
Distinguished Nurse Scholar in Residence, National Academy of Medicine (2020)
Vice-Chair, Global Health and Health Care Interest Group for Academy Health (2019)
Co-Chair, American Academy of Nursing's Global Health Expert Panel (2019)
Chair, Interdisciplinary Research Group on Nursing Issues for Academy Health (2019)
Chair of the Nursing Section of the New York Academy of Medicine (2019)
Distinguished Nurse Scholar in Residence, National Academy of Medicine (2019)
Chair, Global Health and Health Care Interest Group for Academy Health (2019)
Outstanding Scholarly Contribution to Gerontological Nursing Practice, International Journal for Older People Nursing (2018)
Chair of the Nursing Section of the New York Academy of Medicine (2018)
Chair, Global Health and Health Care Interest Group for Academy Health (2018)
Prose Award, “A New Era in Global Health” (W. Rosa, Ed.) (2018)
Vice Chair, Interdisciplinary Research Group on Nursing Issues for Academy Health (2018)
Fellow Ambassador to the Media, New York Academy of Medicine (2017)
Distinguished Alumna, Duquesne University (2015)
Fellow, American Academy of Nursing (2015)
Fellow, New York Academy of Medicine (2014)
Fellow, Yale World Fellows Program (2003)

Exploring patient experiences with and attitudes towards hypertension at a private hospital in Uganda: A qualitative study

Lynch, H. M., Green, A. S., Clarke Nanyonga, R., Gadikota-Klumpers, D. D., Squires, A., Schwartz, J. I., & Heller, D. J. (2019). International Journal for Equity in Health, 18(1). 10.1186/s12939-019-1109-9
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Hypertension is the leading risk factor for mortality worldwide and is more common in sub-Saharan Africa than any other region. Work to date confirms that a lack of human and material resources for healthcare access contributes to this gap. The ways in which patients' knowledge and attitudes toward hypertension determine their engagement with and adherence to available care, however, remains unclear. Methods: We conducted an exploratory, qualitative descriptive study to assess awareness, knowledge, and attitudes towards hypertension and its management at a large private hospital in Kampala. We interviewed 64 participants (29 with hypertension and 34 without, 1 excluded) in English. General thematic analysis using the Integrated Conceptual Health Literacy Model was used to iteratively generate themes and categories. Results: We identified three main themes: Timing of Hypertension Diagnosis, Aiming for Health Literacy, and the Influence of Knowledge on Behavior. Most participants with hypertension learned of their condition incidentally, speaking to the lack of awareness of hypertension as an asymptomatic condition. Drove nearly all participants to desire more information. However, many struggled to translate knowledge into self-management behaviors due to incomplete information and conflicting desires of participants regarding lifestyle and treatment. Conclusions: Internal patient factors had a substantial impact on adherence, calling attention to the need for educational interventions. Systemic barriers such as cost still existed even for those with insurance and need to be recognized by treating providers.

Health translators and interpreters in national healthcare systems

Squires, A. (2019). In Multicultural Health Translation, Interpreting and Communication (1–, pp. 25-36). Taylor and Francis. 10.4324/9781351000390

How language barriers influence provider workload for home health care professionals: A secondary analysis of interview data

Squires, A., Miner, S., Liang, E., Lor, M., Ma, C., & Witkoski Stimpfel, A. (2019). International Journal of Nursing Studies, 99. 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2019.103394
Abstract
Abstract
BackgroundIncreasingly, patients with limited English proficiency are accessing home health care services in the United States. Few studies have examined how language barriers influence provider role implementation or workload in the home health care setting.ObjectivesTo explore home health care professionals’ perspectives about how workload changes from managing language barriers influence quality and safety in home health care.DesignA qualitative secondary data analysis using a summative content analysis approach was used to analyze existing semi-structured interview data.SettingA large urban home health care agency located on the East Coast of the United States.ParticipantsThirty five home health care providers [31 registered nurses, 3 physical therapists, 1 occupational therapist].ResultsA total of 142 discrete incidents emerged from the analysis. Overall, home health care providers experienced distinct shifts in how they implemented their roles that added to their workload and time spent with Limited English Proficiency patients and family members. Providers were concerned about interpretation accuracy and perceived it as potentially posing risks to patient safety. Changes in work patterns, therefore, sought to maximize patient safety.ConclusionsHome health care providers decision-making about how they adapt practice when faced with a language barrier is a sequence of actions based on awareness of the patient’s language preference and if they spoke another language. Subsequent choices showed proactive behaviors to manage increased workload shaped by their perceived risk of the threats posed by the quality of interpreter services. Future research should develop quantitative models examining differences in workload when caring for limited English proficiency versus English speaking patients as well as the relationship between visit length and patient outcomes to determine optimal quality models.

Integrating Health Care Interpreters Into Simulation Education

Latimer, B., Robertiello, G., & Squires, A. (2019). Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 32, 20-26. 10.1016/j.ecns.2019.04.001
Abstract
Abstract
Patients with limited English proficiency skills are accessing health care services more frequently around the world. Language barriers increase patient vulnerability for adverse events, and health care interpreters may mitigate this risk. Nursing education regarding the effective and appropriate use of health care interpreters has been limited. Interpreters are natural partners for nurses as a strategy to bridge language barriers with patients and could be integrated more regularly into nursing education using clinical simulation strategies. This article offers an overview of the different types of interpreters in health care, proposes recommendations for integrating them into simulation education, and provides a case example to illustrate implementation.

The Interdisciplinary Research Group on Nursing Issues: Advancing Health Services Research, Policy, Regulation, and Practice

Squires, A., Germack, H., Muench, U., Stolldorf, D., Witkoski-Stimpfel, A., Yakusheva, O., Brom, H., Harrison, J., Patel, E., Riman, K., & Martsolf, G. (2019). Journal of Nursing Regulation, 10(2), 55-59. 10.1016/S2155-8256(19)30116-4

No One Left Behind: Public health nursing in a time of inclusion, equity, and sustainability

Rosa, W. E., & Squires, A. P. (2019). Public Health Nursing, 36(1), 1-2. 10.1111/phn.12581

Nursing’s public image in the Republic of Georgia: A qualitative, exploratory study

Squires, A., Ojemeni, M. T., Olson, E., & Uchanieshvili, M. (2019). Nursing Inquiry, 26(4). 10.1111/nin.12295
Abstract
Abstract
The public image of nursing is important because it can facilitate or create barriers to achieving an adequate supply of nursing human resources. This study sought to gain a better understanding of nursing’s professional image within the Republic of Georgia. The Nursing Human Resources Systems model was used to guide the study’s exploratory, qualitative approach. Data collection occurred over a 2-week period in the Republic of Georgia, and thirty-three participants formed the final study sample. Participants included healthcare professionals, key informants from nonprofit and research institutions, and patients. Data analysis occurred using directed content analysis techniques, and three themes emerged: (a) gender dimension; (b) the nursing service recipient experience; and (c) historical legacies. Themes revealed the complexities of nursing’s image in the country. Findings from this study serve as baseline data for understanding nursing’s image in the Republic of Georgia which could assist with improving pre-entry nursing production issues.

Physician resilience: a grounded theory study of obstetrics and gynaecology residents

Winkel, A. F., Robinson, A., Jones, A. A., & Squires, A. P. (2019). Medical Education, 53(2), 184-194. 10.1111/medu.13737
Abstract
Abstract
Objective: Enhancing physician resilience has the promise of addressing the problem of burnout, which threatens both doctors and patients and increases in residents with each year of training. Programmes aimed at enhancing physician resilience are heterogeneous and use varied targets to measure efficacy, because there is a lack of clarity regarding this concept. A more robust understanding of how resilience is manifested could enhance efforts to create and measure it in physicians in training. Methods: A qualitative study used grounded theory methodology to analyse semi-structured interviews with a purposive, intensity sample of obstetrics and gynaecology residents in an urban academic health centre. Longitudinal engagement through two sets of interviews 3-6 months apart allowed for variations in season and context. Thematic saturation was achieved after enrollment of 18 residents representing all 4 years of postgraduate training. A three-phase coding process used constant comparison, reflective memos and member checking to support the credibility of the analysis. Results: A conceptual model for resilience as a socio-ecological phenomenon emerged. Resilience was linked to professional identity and purpose served to root the individual and provide a base of support through adversity. Connections to others inside and outside medicine were essential to support developing resilience, as was finding meaning in experiences. The surrounding personal and professional environments had strong influences on the ability of individuals to develop personal resilience. Conclusions: Physician resilience in this context emerged as a developmental phenomenon, influenced by individual response to adversity as well as surrounding culture. This suggests that both programmes teaching individual skills as well as systematic and cultural interventions could improve a physician's capacity to thrive.

Policy update - Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act: Strengthening language access rights for patients with limited English proficiency

Squires, A., & Youdelman, M. (2019). Journal of Nursing Regulation, 10(1), 65-67.

Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act: Strengthening Language Access Rights for Patients With Limited English Proficiency

Squires, A., & Youdelman, M. (2019). Journal of Nursing Regulation, 10(1), 65-67. 10.1016/S2155-8256(19)30085-7