Building Research Capacity: A Case Study of a Registered Practical Nurse's Research Fellowship

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Practice-Based Research
• Professional Development

Background:

• Registered practical nurses (RPNs) require enhanced knowledge in practice-based research.
• Developing research capacity among nursing staff is crucial for evidence-based practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a six-month research fellowship program for RPNs.
• To identify essential components for a successful nursing research fellowship.
• To provide a framework for implementing similar initiatives in acute care settings.

Main Methods:

• A six-month fellowship program incorporating research education, application, and mentorship.
• Qualitative analysis of fellowship implementation to identify success factors.

Main Results:

• Six critical components for fellowship success were identified: program infrastructure, training application, and leadership development.
• The fellowship successfully supported nurse knowledge development in practice-based research.
• The framework provides a model for building research capacity in nursing staff.

Conclusions:

• A structured research fellowship can significantly enhance RPNs' practice-based research knowledge and skills.
• The identified components offer a practical guide for developing and implementing nursing research fellowships.
• This initiative supports nurse leaders in fostering professional development and research capacity within their teams.