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Defining Excellence: Fostering Nurse Driven Research Beyond the Magnet Journey

Saturday, 29 October 2011

Jody Yvette Collins, MSN, RN
Magnet Program, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital, The Woodlands, TX

Learning Objective 1: recognize the importance of establishing a defined infrastructure necessary to support nursing research through education and implementation of evidence based practice.

Learning Objective 2: identify the factors involved in establishing a viable nursing research council to guide and promote nurse led research within a community hospital setting.

Acknowledged throughout nursing and Magnet organizations alike, clinical aspects of nursing are no longer the primary focus of the profession.  The professional nurse’s role has evolved into one of respect among healthcare teams.  Nurses continue to have a positive influence on clinical excellence and patient outcomes through involvement in nurse led research. In the quest for Magnet designation, a primary task for an organization is to purposely integrate evidence based practice and research into everyday clinical and operational practices (American Nurses Credentialing Center, 2008). 

In pursuit of Magnet status, it was quickly recognized that understanding and execution of both, evidence based practice and research was lacking.  This poster provides insight to a community hospital’s quest for excellence and journey to Magnet designation; including the many challenges conquered to successfully establish a viable nursing research council, a defined infrastructure in sustaining nursing research through education and implementation of such.  This council provides support for nurses to identify and investigate nursing concerns, conduct scientific inquiries, analyze data and apply research findings. The heightened awareness of evidence based practice and research has transformed culture, lessening barriers to initiating research,  allowing staff to understand the impact of research in shaping the future of professional practice and highlighting the need for nurse driven research in the healthcare setting; translating research into quality practice. 

Explore how we advanced commitment to nursing research through creation of guidelines, council bylaws and membership requirements for human protection training, education of nurse sensitive indicators and annual research celebration events guide and promote excellence.  We have proudly traveled from nonexistent research to multiple, IRB approved, nurse led projects.  Now part of our strategic nursing vision, nurse led research is clearly recognized throughout our institution; seen to enhance initiatives and quality care. 

See more of: Poster Session I - Showcase of MagnetŪ Hospital Research Posters
See more of: Magnet Posters