![[ Visit Client Website ]](images/banner.gif)
Monday, November 2, 2009: 3:50 PM
Learning Objective 1: identify components of a research strategic vision and describe the structures and processes used to promote nursing research.
Learning Objective 2: describe collaborative educational partnerships, critical thinking strategies and a validated evidence-based practice model to enhance global nursing knowledge.
Nurse-driven scientific inquiry is vital to healthcare; it is imperative that nurses be catalysts in the advancement and utilization of nursing science. To support this mission, Seton Healthcare established a Center for Nursing Research. Components of the Center include: 1) developing a strategic vision to guide research activities; 2) promoting quality nurse-led studies; 3) initiating an intensive educational research fellowship in collaboration with The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing; and 4) creating a Nursing Research Council (NRC) comprised of staff nurses, advanced care practitioners and nurse leaders. The vision of the Center incorporates strategies that provide superior educational opportunities; enhance health-related quality of life through development, acquisition, and application of knowledge; generate and use empirical data to develop informed nursing policies and practice; develop a dynamic nursing culture that is embraced and respected; foster excellence in practice and continuity of care; and synchronize best practices that lead to quality outcomes. Over the past 15 months, 39 nurse-led initiatives have been developed; 13 have full IRB endorsement, seven others are in review, five are completed with dissemination efforts in process and data collection is ongoing in six additional studies. During the same time period, 45 nurses have participated in three educational research fellowship cohorts designed to develop clinically-based researchers. Some of the NRC activities include promotion of nurse-led studies through presentation of grand rounds, translation of research into informed policy development and utilization of innovative educational models incorporating current technology (Web 2.0, podcasting, PDAs). A significant component of the NRC is adoption of the Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice Model, chosen for its practical approach to the identification, evaluation and implementation of research findings. The Center is committed to imbuing nurses with the skills to be catalysts in the development of globally-significant science.