Building Clinical Nursing Research Capacity: A Scalable Multi-Institutional Fellowship Model

Area of Science:

• Nursing Research
• Health Systems Science
• Clinical Research Capacity Building

Background:

• Clinical nursing research capacity is crucial for evidence-based practice.
• Existing models often require significant infrastructure at each site.
• A need exists for scalable, collaborative research training programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the structure and implementation of the multi-institutional Nursing Research Fellowship (NRF).
• To evaluate the organizational value and scalability of the NRF model.
• To identify facilitators, barriers, and leadership considerations for program expansion.

Main Methods:

• The NRF program utilizes a structured, mentorship-driven approach.
• It provides protected time, PhD-prepared mentorship, and a standardized curriculum.
• Implementation occurred across multiple partner institutions without requiring independent research infrastructure at each site.

Main Results:

• The NRF successfully expanded from a single academic medical center to a multi-institutional model.
• Key facilitators included strong mentorship and a standardized curriculum.
• Barriers involved navigating multi-institutional logistics and leadership buy-in.

Conclusions:

• The NRF offers a scalable and sustainable model for enhancing clinical nursing research capacity.
• It supports professional development and integrates nurse-led inquiry into diverse clinical settings.
• This approach is valuable for nursing leaders aiming to foster research within their organizations.