Nursing as a research-based profession: 22 years after Briggs

Area of Science:

• Nursing Science
• Healthcare Research

Background:

• The UK has seen significant growth in nursing research over the past 22 years.
• There is ongoing debate regarding nursing's status as a research-based profession.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the development of nursing research in the UK.
• To evaluate the extent to which research findings influence clinical nursing practice.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of existing data on nursing research output and impact in the UK.
• Analysis of trends in nursing research funding and publication over a 22-year period.

Main Results:

• While nursing research has expanded, a significant gap persists between research generation and its application in clinical settings.
• The consensus suggests limited translation of research findings into routine nursing care.

Conclusions:

• Despite increased research activity, nursing in the UK has not fully established itself as a research-based profession.
• Strategies are needed to improve the integration of evidence into clinical nursing practice to bridge the research-practice gap.