Perspectives of clinician nurses working in a nurse-led research team: Building nurse research capacity

Objective: To explore the perspectives of clinician nurses working as research assistants in a nurse-led research project. Background: Supporting clinician nurses’ exposure to nurse-led research encourages a culture of excellence, innovation and quality improvement and improves health outcomes. In a recent project, clinician nurses were provided an opportunity to gain exposure to nurse-led research by working as research assistants, screening and consenting participants, and collecting data. Study design and methods: An exploratory qualitative descriptive approach was taken. Eight nurses participated in semi-structured interviews representing an exhaustive sample consisting of all eligible participants. Inductive content analysis was conducted. Results: Three themes and seven categories were developed: (1) Making a difference to patients (Nurses at the bedside motivated to improve care, Hearing what patients had to say was rewarding); (2) How the role was laid out shaped the experience (Working closely with the research team, Flexibility of the role, Working within the constraints of the clinical setting); and (3) Growing confidence as researchers (Encouraged to do more, Making opportunities and support accessible to ward-based nurses). Conclusion: This study offers insights into how nurses can be supported to undertake and contribute to nurse-led research. Strategic support and monetary investment are needed to facilitate ongoing and broader strategies to develop the research-active clinician workforce. Implications for research, policy and practice: Despite the recognised value of research-engaged clinicians, little is known about the existing opportunities and experiences of clinician nurses working in research. Nurses’ motivations to engage in this initiative included the project’s focus on their clinical specialty and the opportunity to improve patient care. Practical opportunities for clinician nurses to engage in research must be accompanied by systematic supports, including protected time and mentorship, to address known barriers. Strategic approaches to support clinician-led research have the potential to offer wide-spread benefits to the healthcare system.