The effects of collaborative research-based programming on public health nurses and their practice

The study aim was to evaluate a collaborative research-based program for public health nurses. The program was initiated by a college of nursing to address public health issues. Participants were 33 public health nurses who completed a questionnaire survey; data for 25 respondents were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. To understand the experiences of nurses in depth, three group interviews were conducted with 14 nurses. Qualitative analysis revealed three major themes: (i) opportunities for learning from collaboration; (ii) developing competence of changes in practice; and (iii) openness to continuing practice improvement. Study participants reported practical changes and new openness to continued practice improvement. Thus, schools of nursing and public health nurses should welcome and invite opportunities to collaborate to address practice issues using research-based information. Because changing practice can only occur step by step, nursing educators and practitioners should cultivate an environment that expands professional development and addresses practice improvement.