A pilot study appraising the climate for perioperative nursing research

Fifty-four perioperative nurses from five Midwestern hospitals completed a questionnaire about areas of interest, perceived barriers, and experience with clinical nursing research. The 22-item questionnaire explored their attitudes, education levels, perceptions of barriers, interest, experience related to nursing research, and demographic information. Fifty-eight percent of the perioperative nurse respondents reported a definite interest in clinical nursing research, 55% had not attended a nursing research class, and only 40% had ever read nursing research. The perceived barriers included lack of on-duty time to do research, lack of administrative support, and lack of recognition.