Maximizing Nurse Scientist Role Potential in Health Care Organizations.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Science
• Healthcare Management
• Knowledge Translation

Background:

• Historically, nurse scientists primarily worked in academia.
• The Magnet Recognition Program necessitates knowledge generation within healthcare organizations.
• Evolving nurse scientist roles create ambiguity in knowledge creation processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify nurse scientist role components using two theoretical models.
• To explore strengths and barriers of current nurse scientist practice models.
• To describe an expanded practice model at Stanford Health Care for knowledge and innovation.

Main Methods:

• Scoping review of nurse scientist roles and practice models.
• Analysis within the context of Thompson's Knowledge Brokering Model and Edward's Research Appreciation, Accessibility, and Application Model.
• Description of a unique expanded practice model at Stanford Health Care.

Main Results:

• Identified key components of the nurse scientist role across different models.
• Highlighted strengths and barriers in current US healthcare organization practice models.
• Detailed an expanded practice model with implications for innovation capacity.

Conclusions:

• The nurse scientist role is dynamic and requires clear definition for effective knowledge generation.
• An expanded practice model can enhance new knowledge creation and innovation capacity in healthcare.
• Recommendations are provided for the ongoing development of the nurse scientist role.