| Learning Objective #1: Describe six strategies to support and promote nursing research in nursing practice | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Explain demonstrated benefits of a strong nursing research program on promoting evidence-based practice |
Objectives: In the Trauma and Neurosurgery (TNS) Program of a large, inner-city, academic teaching hospital, education-based strategies were used to: familiarize staff with research based practice; facilitate the development and conduct of nursing-based research; and to support research-based practice.
Methods: A research team consisting of a non-clinical scientist and a registered nurse provided research-based education through Research Seminars, an intensive Research Workshop and developed Nursing Journal Rounds. The team also established a Research Committee and an internal multi-disciplinary small grant program to provide incentive and financial support for the development of nursing-based research proposals. Through a peer-review process, guidance was also provided to the nursing staff for the development of grant proposals and abstracts for conferences.
Results: High turn-out to the Research Seminars was consistently observed with 92.5% of the attendees reporting that the Seminars “met their expectations”. In the six month period since the implementation of the education strategies, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of grant applications submitted and approved for funding and in the number abstracts submitted and accepted for conferences.
Conclusions: Nursing research and evidence-based practice is enhanced when there is a strong research program. Essential components of such a program include education, personnel support, access to resources, and guidance and leadership. A strong research program enhances an evidence-based nursing environment leading to better patient outcomes and safety, and improved patient and staff satisfaction.