Conducting Nursing Research -Part 2

Depending on the time frame of a research project, the unit’s interest and participation may be like a roller coaster. Keeping nursing projects in a short time-frame will help maintain interest and attention. Results will be seen faster and self-satisfaction obtained from completing a task and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. At times, staff may perceive they are doing someone else’s work, instead of having the attitude that they are part of the nursing process.

Encouragement for a job well-done must be expressed to keep everyone on the road to success and achievement.

Repetitive education must be done over and over again so accurate, detailed information can be obtained. Some key personnel may not have cared for a potential research participant for an extended period of time, and may need to be updated and reeducated on the process. This is why it is always good to have a permanent fixture, through bulletin boards and videos, accessible to the key members if needed.

Finding time and energy to review the nursing process becomes an obstacle at times for the investigators. Staffing concerns and providing a safe environment for the patients are top priority. To spend time analyzing data may become second priority in situations where patient care becomes affected.

Recommendations to improve Interest and Participation for Nursing Research

To promote nursing research, a continuous positive attitude must be displayed by all research team participants. Promoting the need to read, critique, and apply research to improve each nurses’ clinical practice. Some activities that can be promoted with fellow nurses include:

1. Participate in a research journal committee that involves meeting, reading and critiquing research articles. This may be part of a specific unit and can discuss future research possibilities that the nursing staff has been questioning.

2. Institutions of nursing education must emphasize the importance of evidenced-based nursing practice. Nursing academies must teach the new era of nurses the importance of research and has it has an impact on the profession.

3. Attend research presentations. Poster presentations are an excellent approach to spread word of the hard work that has been accomplished and the need to apply the evidence-based findings into clinical practice.

4. Assist in the collection of research information. Becoming a co-investigator to a research project will not only increase one’s own knowledge base of the research process, but will increase one’s professional growth and development.

5. Advocate for continuing educational offerings on the nursing research process. It is always helpful to review the process of conducting research to feel more comfortable in implementing the process.
Incorporating Research Findings

Incorporating research findings into nursing practice is the primary reason why research is done - to obtain evidence and validate the nursing care you do! Retaining the nursing findings without integrating them will not only deny the advancement and the quality of nursing care, but will provide an injustice to the nursing profession. You put the time and energy into collecting and analyzing the data, now take the time to integrate them!

Conclusion

At the end of the research project, celebrate, party, and enjoy! Remember to observe the effort the nursing members have taken to advance the nursing profession through all the hard work that has been completed. Lastly, publicize, market, and present the findings; it is of no use to conduct the project if you are not going to spread the word on what was researched!

Cynthia Gallagher, BSN, RN
Geisinger Medical Center
Danville, PA

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Terri Bickert, MSN, RN, Magnet Coordinator for Geisinger Health System for her mentorship in conducting nursing research. Your hard work and dedication to promote the nursing profession does not get overlooked. To Deb Mensch, MSN, Operations Manager CICU at GHS, for the time provided to conduct and analyze nursing research is appreciated. You have given another nurse professional and personal growth.

by Cynthia Gallagher, BSN, RN

Back to Top

Bookmark this page

Digg Facebook Google Bookmarks Stumbleupon Livejournal Twitter