Aim Reflect upon the visibility of nursing‐led research during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Background The emerging SARS‐CoV‐2 infection has galvanized collaborative and multidisciplinary efforts in clinical and research practice worldwide. The scarce evidence‐base to manage patients with COVID‐19 has included limited nurse‐led research. Introduction Clinical research nurses have greatly contributed to the delivery of COVID‐19 research, yet the number of COVID‐19 nursing‐led research papers appears to be limited, with even fewer nurse‐led research projects funded. Methods Authors’ views and PubMed search on ‘COVID‐19 and nursing’. Findings There is a dearth of nursing‐led research. Most papers describe the nursing contribution to COVID‐19 care, changes in nursing working arrangements and emotional burden. There are opportunities to explore the consequences to vulnerable population groups of public health measures implemented to stop the progress of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Discussion Workforce gaps, limited integration in research structures and clinical redeployment may have hampered nurse‐led research. COVID‐19 may exacerbate staffing deficits by disrupting the education pipeline, obstructing the transition from clinical to academic practice, particularly in areas where clinical academic roles are yet to emerge. Conclusion The absence of nurse‐led research in COVID‐19 can be explained by chronic, underlying factors and the features of the pandemic response. Emerging models of care, effective staffing and inequalities related to COVID‐19 appear obvious research areas. Nursing leadership needs to strengthen its political voice and lobbying skills to secure nurse‐led research funding. Implications for Nursing Policy Embracing international nursing research, strengthening collaborations and lobbying policymakers for investment in nurse‐sensitive research would enhance the response to COVID‐19.