Factors affecting acute-care nurses' use of research findings

This study describes staff nurses' perceptions of hospital support for research and their expectations for research; and relationships between organizational factors, individual factors, and staff nurses' use of research. These factors were compared for groups of nurses by education level and hospital size. Stratified random sampling of 450 nurses was obtained from a provincial nurses' association. The mailed survey was completed by 183 nurses. Use of specific research findings was related to organizational factors and was congruent with earlier studies. Nurses' perceptions of their general use of research were related to individual characteristics such as interest in research and expectations to use research, which scored high regardless of educational level. Nurses' perceptions of organizational support and expectations differed significantly according to hospital size. This study suggests that the organizational context is influential, but nurses' value of, interest in, and expectations to use research may mediate this influence. Enhancing research-based practice will require attention to the organizational context of practice.