The clinical nurse researcher: institutionalizing the role

The role of the clinical nurse researcher is central to the conduct of clinically relevant research and the integration of research findings into nursing practice, particularly within inpatient settings. Interviews with clinical nurse researchers revealed that implementation of the role occured under four major models: nursing research unit, dual roles, collaborative roles, and functional role division. Organizational and colleague support were critical to the visibility and viability of the clinical nurse researcher role.