The Midwest Nursing Centers Consortium Research Network: translating research into practice

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Public Health
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Community nursing centers (CNCs) are vital for serving marginalized, culturally diverse populations facing health disparities.
• Innovative primary care models integrating medical management, nursing case management, and community health promotion are employed by CNCs.
• Existing practice-based research networks (PBRNs) are predominantly physician-led, with limited representation from non-physician primary care settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the mission and activities of the Midwest Nursing Centers Consortium Research Network (MNCCRN).
• To highlight the MNCCRN as a unique, federally funded, non-physician primary care PBRN exclusively comprising CNCs.
• To emphasize the role of Advanced Practice Nurses in delivering primary care and reducing health disparities within the MNCCRN.

Main Methods:

• Establishment of a multisite, multistate collaboration.
• Focus on community-based participatory research (CBPR) methodologies.
• Utilization of Advanced Practice Nurses for primary health care delivery.

Main Results:

• Successful formation of a collaborative research network across multiple states.
• Demonstration of a model for practice-based research in community nursing centers.
• Foundation laid for informing practice, education, and health policy related to primary care for underserved populations.

Conclusions:

• The MNCCRN represents a significant advancement in primary care research, focusing on health equity.
• The network's collaborative structure and CBPR approach are effective for addressing complex health issues in diverse communities.
• Future research and policy initiatives can be informed by the MNCCRN's work to reduce health disparities.