Graduate nurses’ and midwives’ perceptions of research

Abstract

An increasing amount of quantitative research has shown that nurses face considerable organisational and motivational barriers to conducting research. However, there is comparatively little qualitative information offering more detailed and subjective information about the research experiences of graduate nurses. The aim of this research was to explore graduate nurses' perceptions of the nursing research and development (R&D) culture in one health trust in the United Kingdom (UK). The research was conducted in two phases. Phase one consisted of a questionnaire survey investigating areas thought to be important for the development of a research and development culture. Phase two consisted of three focus group discussions (N ¼ 20) exploring the nurses' experiences and any barriers and facilitators to conducting research. This paper reports findings from the focus group data that provided further understanding about the meaning of research for graduate nurses. Participants' accounts were underlined by a strong rhetoric of support for research governance, with participants expressing intentions to conduct research but inhibited by cultural and organisational barriers. Education was also a strong determinant of research engagement, with participation in research education proving to be both a barrier and a facilitator. The study has implications for educationalists and the formation of R&D strategies in health trusts.

Research involvement, support needs, and factors affecting research participation: A survey of Mental Health Consultation Liaison Nurses

“…The only statistically significant finding was that those enrolled in postgraduate degrees were more likely to report current involvement in a research project as a partial requirement of their degree. Other research has shown that graduate nurses (nurses with university degrees) perceive fewer barriers to research and have positive views concerning involvement in research compared to nurses with no graduate degrees (Snelgrove & James 2011). In addition, nurses with a higher level of education, in comparison with less educated peers, use research findings more frequently in practice (Veeramah 2004).…”

“…A lack of communication about support available within organizations was also a barrier to research participation (Roxburgh 2006). Other studies of generalist nurses in the UK and USA suggest that family life and work balance was more of a priority for the participant's use of their time and that lack of time, organizational structures, and cultural differences posed significant barriers which diminished motivation, confidence, knowledge, and engagement with research (Snelgrove & James 2011). Other barriers to research that have been frequently reported are lack of research funding and education to become research ready (Darbyshire 2008).…”

“…Increasing research capacity among nurses is also important for generating research agendas and identifying research priorities relevant to the individual's clinical specialty (Darbyshire 2008). Active participation in research has been shown to help with gaining confidence in research methods and is integral to becoming research active (Snelgrove & James 2011). Nursing competency standards outline the need for nurses to become involved in research, in particular, senior nurses such as Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) and Clinical Nurse Consultants (CNC) (Albert & Fulton 2011; Deave 2005; Hek & Shaw 2006), (Australian Nursing & Midwifery Council 2006), (Australian Nursing Federation 2005).…”

Barriers to conducting multicenter nursing research

“…Nurses frequently report that great personal motivation and personal sacrifices are necessary to integrate clinical research into their professional role. Research activities are often on one's own time, in addition to other professional responsibilities [7,11]. Two related themes were that of nurses' lack of ownership in the research in which they participate and the lack of dissemination of results of nursing research.…”

Building research capacity in musculoskeletal health: qualitative evaluation of a graduate Nurse and Allied Health Professional internship programme

“…Whilst the internship has been successful, the challenges identi ed need to be addressed. In particular, the challenge of supporting research activity in a clinical environment that often devalues such enterprises has long be recognised, particularly for Nurses and Allied Health Professionals [28].…”