Christine T Kovner

Christine Tassone Kovner, PhD, RN, FAAN is a Professor Emerita. She was the Mathy Mezey Professor of Geriatric Nursing at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing and a professor of medicine at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Dr. Kovner is the Editor-in-Chief of Policy, Politics & Nursing Practice. She is a highly respected nurse educator and researcher with more than 150 published articles. Her research focuses on quality improvement, RN working conditions, and nursing care costs. For five years she was the principal investigator for the TL1 Pre- and Post-Doctoral Program of NYU's NIH funded Clinical and Translational Science Institute. Dr. Kovner was the principal investigator of a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant studying the career trajectories of newly licensed registered nurses over the first ten years of their careers. As a clinical nurse, she was proud to provide COVID vaccinations at Langone Health.

Dr. Kovner was a visiting scholar at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Policy for two years and has served on many government policy committees, including New York’s State Hospital Review and Planning Council. She has served as a grant reviewer for the NIH, NIOSH, and the Department of Defense among others.

Among her many honors, Dr. Kovner was awarded the Diane O. McGivern Award in 2024. The award recognizes an NYU Meyers graduate for outstanding work in legislation and policy on behalf of professional nursing. Dr. Kovner received the Excellence in Policy Award from Nursing Outlook for “Diversity and education of the nursing workforce 2006-2016,” in 2019, the IRGNI Research Mentorship Award from Academy Health (2018), the Eastern Nursing Research Society Distinguished Contributions to Nursing Research Award (2018), the Golden Pen Award from the Journal for Healthcare Quality (2007), and the Lavinia Dock Distinguished Service Award from the New York Counties Registered Nurses Association.

PhD - New York University

MSN - University of Pennsylvania

BS - Columbia University School of Nursing

Post-doctoral Fellowship - Robert Wagner School of Public Service, NYU

Nursing workforce

Community/population health

American Academy of Nursing Fellow

AcademyHealth

Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science

Sigma Theta Tau

International Association of Clinical Research Nurses

Diane O. McGivern Award, NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing (2024)

Excellence in Policy Award, Nursing Outlook (2019)

IRGNI Research Mentorship Award, Academy Health (2018)

Distinguished Contributions to Nursing Research Award (2018)

Treasurer, CGFNS International, Inc. (2016)

Distinguished Alumna Award, New York University, College of Nursing (2012)

Nursing Outlook Excellence in Policy Award for “State Mandatory Overtime Regulations and Newly Licensed Nurses’ Mandatory and Voluntary Overtime and Total Work Hours.” (2012)

Vernice Ferguson Faculty Scholar Award, New York University, College of Nursing (2010)

Golden Pen Award for “Exploring the Utility of Automated Drug Alerts in Home Healthcare,” Journal for Healthcare Quality (2007)

Health Policy and Legislation Award, New York University, College of Nursing (2006)

Honorary Recognition Award, New York Counties Registered Nurses Association (1999)

Best of Image Award in Health Policy Scholarship, for “Nurse Staffing Levels and Adverse Events Following Surgery in U. S. Hospitals," Journal of Nursing (1999)

Alumni Award for Distinguished Career in Nursing, Columbia University-Presbyterian Hospital Alumni Association (1996)

Distinguished Nurse Researcher, Foundation of the New York State Nurses Association (1994)

Lavinia Dock Distinguished Service Award, New York Counties Registered Nurses Association (1992)

Martha E. Rogers Scholarship Award, Upsilon Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau (1983)

Factors influencing long-term home care utilization by the older population: Implications for targeting

Lee, T., Kovner, C. T., Mezey, M. D., & Ko, I. S. (2001). Public Health Nursing, 18(6), 443-449. 10.1046/j.1525-1446.2001.00443.x

Abstract

Abstract

This research was designed to explore factors that affect the choice of long-term care modalities in the older population and to discuss the appropriate target population of home health care services within the entire long-term care system. The study subjects' activities of daily living limitations, cognitive status, and sociodemograhic data at the time of admission were obtained from retrospective chart reviews. The sample included 134 older subjects who were receiving long-term care from a Long-Term Home Health Care Program or a nursing home in New York City. The results indicated that Long-Term Home Health Care Program use by older persons was characterized by a higher rate of being admitted from private homes, less cognitive impairments, less limitations in activities of daily living, and younger age than older patients who were nursing home residents. Consequently, in the choice of different care modalities, health-related factors of the older population were found to be more important predictors than sociodemographic characteristics or support system. The implication to both nurses and researchers is the development of eligibility criteria that captures the unique characteristics of disabled older persons in each of the different long-term care programs to serve them better in a cost-effective manner.

Findings from the American College of Nurse-Midwives' annual membership survey, 1995-1999

Kovner, C. T., & Burkhardt, P. (2001). Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health, 46(1), 24-29. 10.1016/S1526-9523(00)00092-1

Abstract

Abstract

American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) membership data collected from 1995-1999 offer a description of the evolution of the profession of midwifery, as shown in the characteristics of certified nurse-midwives and certified midwives, including basic demographics, practice characteristics, and employment components. During the period studied, slight increases were noted in age, number of years in practice, salary, and education level. Although the overall proportion of midwives of color did not change appreciably during the 5-year period, the absolute numbers of culturally diverse midwives increased. Student midwives were found to be younger and more culturally diverse than they were in the early 1990s. Data about midwifery practice provide valuable information to health care managers, educators, policy makers, legislators, and professional organizations, which may guide allocation of resources and reflect how members of the professions can influence access to health care for women and their families.

The impact of staffing and the organization of work on patient outcomes and health care workers in health care organizations.

Kovner, C. (2001). The Joint Commission Journal on Quality Improvement, 27(9), 458-468. 10.1016/S1070-3241(01)27040-0

Abstract

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Numerous reports in the popular press express concern about the restructuring or lowering of staffing levels in health care organizations and the impact on the quality of patient care. Overtime and other extended shifts also represent work stresses for health care workers. This article reviews the research literature on the relationships among staffing, organization of work, and patient outcomes, and it discusses research findings on the relationship between staffing and the health of health care workers. RESEARCH ON STAFFING, ORGANIZATION, AND PATIENT OUTCOMES/STAFF WELL-BEING: Safe staffing level requirements have been identified for nursing homes, but only in extremely limited cases for hospitals, home care, or other health settings. There is little information about the impact of staffing levels and the organization of work on health personnel or on patient outcomes. There is almost no information about staffing and patient outcomes in home health and ambulatory care. Much of the research on staffing and quality has been discipline specific; future research should reflect the interdisciplinary nature of health care delivery rather than the impact of a particular occupation. RESEARCH USE: Research is conducted to increase the scientific base per se and to inform decision making. Who should decide staffing levels and the organization of work? Professionals, employers/owners, the government, and consumers all have significant interest in staffing levels and the organization of care. Improving health care quality requires research about the critical staffing and organization of work variables. This requires obtaining appropriate data, conducting the research, and widely disseminating the findings.

Is there another nursing shortage? What the data tell us

Brewer, C., & Kovner, C. T. (2001). Nursing Outlook, 49(1), 20-26. 10.1067/mno.2001.110700

Abstract

Abstract

New York State has a very large nursing population. We examined several sources of wage, employment, and other data and determined the presence of a moderate nursing shortage in New York State.

Nurse staffing levels and adverse events following surgery in U.S. hospitals

Kovner, C., & Gergen, P. J. (2001). In C. Harrington & C. Estes (Eds.), Health policy (3rd eds., 1–, pp. 214-222). Jones and Bartlett.

Research questions about the nursing labor supply: participation, wages, and pipeline issues.

Brewer, C. S., & Kovner, C. T. (2001). Applied Nursing Research : ANR, 14(3), 117-118. 10.1053/apnr.2001.26687

Strengthening the caregiving workforce.

Kovner, C. T., & Harrington, C. (2001). The American Journal of Nursing, 101(9), 55-56. 10.1097/00000446-200109000-00024

Visiting scholar at the agency for health care policy and research (AHCPR): A stranger in a strange land or the dream, the nightmare, and the reality

Kovner, C. (2001). Nursing Outlook, 49(4), 206.

Counting nurses

Kovner, C. (2000). American Journal of Nursing, 100, 33.

Counting nurses.

Kovner, C., & Harrington, C. (2000). The American Journal of Nursing, 100(5). 10.1097/00000446-200005000-00049

Faculty