Victorian hospital nurses' research attitudes and activity

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Research
• Clinical Practice Improvement

Background:

• Assessing registered nurses' (RNs) attitudes and engagement in nursing research is crucial for evidence-based practice.
• Understanding factors influencing research involvement, such as education and hospital policies, can inform strategies to boost research activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To survey registered nurses in Victorian hospitals regarding their attitudes toward nursing research.
• To determine the level of research activity among these nurses.
• To investigate the influence of a hospital nursing research policy on nurses' attitudes and research activities.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to 458 registered nurses across seven Victorian hospitals.
• Data collected included nurses' attitudes towards research, self-assessed research skills, and reported research activities.
• Statistical analysis was used to compare groups (e.g., graduates vs. non-graduates) and assess the impact of research policies.

Main Results:

• Nurses generally hold favorable attitudes and significant interest in nursing research.
• A moderate level of research activity was reported, with potential for increase.
• Tertiary graduates and higher-grade nurses exhibited more positive research attitudes and higher involvement.
• Hospital nursing research policies did not show a significant association with nurses' research attitudes or activities.
• High workloads and lack of time were identified as major barriers to conducting research.

Conclusions:

• Registered nurses are receptive to nursing research, but practical constraints hinder participation.
• Educational attainment is linked to more positive research attitudes and engagement.
• Addressing workload and time limitations is essential to facilitate clinical nursing research and enhance practice.