Nursing research and nursing practice--teaching the inseparable duo

This series of research courses provides (a) an initial emphasis on learning the content at the knowledge and comprehension levels; (b) sequential and continuous courses so that research is not seen as isolated, and therefore esoteric, knowledge; (c) an application component congruent with the clinical/practice needs and interests of students; and (d) low faculty-student ratios, at least some of the time. Teaching research so that it becomes a fundamental part of nursing practice is a goal that must be met. Reading and critiquing research provides an ideal avenue for stimulating and embellishing the critical-thinking abilities that are so basic to excellence in practice. The development of nursing science and the complexities involved in enhancing patient well-being depend on the promotion of nursing research and the clinical application of nursing research findings. Knowledge about nursing research must be taught; structuring teaching so that nursing research becomes a valued and inherent part of clinical practice from the beginning is the challenge for nursing educators.