Staff nurses' attitudes toward nursing research: a descriptive survey

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Research Methodology

Background:

• Staff nurse engagement in clinical research is crucial for advancing evidence-based practice.
• Understanding nurses' attitudes is key to fostering a research-supportive environment.
• This study was conducted during the development of nursing research procedures in a teaching hospital.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the attitudes of registered nurses toward clinical nursing research.
• To identify factors influencing staff nurse involvement in research.
• To inform strategies for promoting research participation in a hospital setting.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire incorporating the Boothe Attitudes on Nursing Research Scale was administered.
• A survey was conducted among all registered nurses (n=925) at a midwestern teaching hospital.
• A response rate of 77.8% (n=720) was achieved.

Main Results:

• A significant proportion of nurses expressed interest in research.
• Nurses believed their institution would support research activities and the implementation of findings.
• Key barriers identified included time constraints, lack of knowledge, and perceived inadequate supervisory and research support.

Conclusions:

• While nurses are interested in research, systemic barriers impede their active participation.
• Addressing issues of time, knowledge, and support is essential for increasing staff nurse involvement in clinical research.
• The findings provide insights for developing effective nursing research support services.