Nursing research and public policy: parental leave

Public policy issues offer fertile ground for the development of research questions. At state and national levels, today's legislative arena bristles with debate on policies affecting the health of women, children, and families. Nurse researchers can contribute to meaningful social debate addressing the benefits and costs of parental leave and other such issues of public policy. This article examines how a relevant social issue can help nurses identify research questions important to the development of sound public policy.