Optimizing Research Publication of Nurse Researchers Through a Mentored Writing Retreat Programme (MWRP): A Participatory Action Research Protocol

Nurse researchers often face challenges in publishing their work due to limited writing skills, inadequate mentorship, and insufficient institutional support. Strengthening research dissemination is essential for improving evidence-based practice, professional growth, and the visibility of nursing scholarship. Thisprotocol aims to identify barriers and facilitators to research publication among nurse researchers and to evaluate the effectiveness of a Mentored Writing Retreat Programme (MWRP) in optimizing the publication process. A participatory action research design will be adopted and implemented in two phases. Phase I will examine publication barriers and facilitators through a survey and focus group discussions among nurse researchers across Karnataka (n = 317). Phase II will use a quasi-experimental pre-test–post-test design with intervention and control groups (n =50 per group). The MWRP will be developed based on Phase I findings and will include structured workshops, mentoring, and guided manuscript development over four months, followed by structured follow-up after six months post-intervention. The protocol is expected to generate comprehensive evidence on challenges affecting research publication and to determine whether a structured writing retreat improves writing skills, increases publication readiness, and enhances scholarly productivity among nurse researchers. The findings will help inform future strategies to strengthen research capacity and enhance publication outcomes in nursing. Protocol Outline: • Identify publication barriers and facilitators among nurse researchers. • Develop and deliver a structured Mentored Writing Retreat Programme. • Evaluate changes in participants’ publication-related skills and outcomes.