Linking research and practice: participation of nurses in research to influence policy

In this article, the authors describe research conducted by the Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC) in Islamabad, Pakistan. The research was carried out through collaboration of two components of a large multicomponent Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)-funded project--the Development of Women Health Professionals Program (DWHP)--with the Colleges of Nursing and the Pakistan Nursing Council. The research was guided by staff of the DWHP and performed by eight nurses undergoing a research course as part of a Diploma in Teaching Administration (DTA) at a postgraduate College of Nursing in the Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP), Pakistan. Research questions related to the collection and analysis of nursing workforce statistics were asked and partially answered, while students gained experience in conducting research. A description of the context in which the research was conducted is provided. Finally, results of the research and the potential benefits for influencing health workforce policy are discussed.