Nurses' Opinions About Clinical Nursing Research: A Cross-Sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Research
• Clinical Practice
• Healthcare Improvement

Background:

• Nurses' engagement in clinical research is crucial for advancing patient care and healthcare quality.
• Understanding nurses' perspectives and involvement levels is essential for developing effective research support strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine registered nurses' opinions on clinical research.
• To assess the current level of nurses' engagement in clinical research activities.

Main Methods:

• An observational, cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 186 registered nurses in Victoria, Australia.
• Data were collected using a 5-point Likert scale survey and analyzed with descriptive and univariate statistics, alongside content analysis of open-ended questions.

Main Results:

• Nurses hold positive views on research's role in patient outcomes but report lower confidence in research skills and resource access.
• Limited experience was noted in study design, data analysis, and manuscript preparation.
• Higher academic qualifications and senior roles correlated with more positive opinions and greater research engagement.
• Key themes identified included accessibility, support, time constraints, professional development, and research integration.

Conclusions:

• While nurses value research, significant barriers hinder their active participation.
• Developing targeted interventions to build nurses' confidence and capacity is critical for increasing research involvement.
• Research leaders should focus on creating and testing strategies to boost nurses' engagement in clinical research.