Making nursing research "real": an experiential approach

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Research Methodology

Background:

• Nursing students enter master's programs with varied research knowledge and attitudes.
• A foundational research course is often a prerequisite, yet skill levels differ significantly.
• Early integration of research concepts is crucial for developing "research thinking".

Purpose of the Study:

• To integrate research concepts across core nursing courses for master's students.
• To enhance nursing students' research skills and appreciation early in their program.

Main Methods:

• Integrated quantitative and qualitative research methods into two core courses over two semesters.
• Employed both didactic instruction and experiential learning activities.
• Focused on initiating "research thinking" from the program's outset.

Main Results:

• Students demonstrated increased skills in nursing research through combined course activities.
• A greater appreciation for the importance of research in nursing practice was observed.
• Early and integrated exposure positively impacted student engagement with research.

Conclusions:

• Integrating research concepts across multiple core courses effectively enhances nursing students' skills.
• Experiential and didactic methods foster a positive attitude towards nursing research.
• Early "research thinking" development is vital for master's-prepared nurses.