Learning Objective #1: Identify focused initiatives and mentorship strategies to engage nurses in developing and leading research projects relevant to their practice settings.

Learning Objective #2: Discuss academic and quality work environment-related outcomes associated with nurses' involvement in developing and leading research projects in practice settings.

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Nurses at University Health Network are committed to developing, publishing, and sharing innovative research projects designed to enhance nursing knowledge and improve health, quality of life, patient care, and quality of work-life. Since 2003, more than 85 nursing studies have been implemented and nurse researchers have received more than $7 million in research funding, published more than 80 highly cited articles in high impact journals, and formed multiple research teams. The purpose of this presentation is to demonstrate how the research culture in nursing was developed using focused initiatives and mentorship structures. It will provide an overview of the processes established to foster a research culture among all nurses including: implementing nursing director, research chair, clinician scientist, and research coordinator positions; establishing research competitions and partnerships; providing education about research, grant writing, and writing for publication; establishing an online research virtual village with an interactive database of research projects; developing  Nursing Research News, a web-based video broadcast that highlights accomplishments, education events, funding opportunities, and findings; and focusing on creative modes of research dissemination. The annual Nursing Research Challenge will be highlighted as a successful way of engaging staff nurses in designing and carrying out research in their practice settings.