What kind of evidence does qualitative research offer cardiovascular nurses?

In this article I have tried to present a brief overview of qualitative research and to suggest some of the ways in which it may be of use to practitioners. Traditionally, we have not included qualitative studies in our discussion of research utilization. I think this is an unfortunate omission. Qualitative studies have a great deal to offer the practitioner and there are ways in which she or he can make use of them without doing so prematurely and without bringing harm to the client or patient. The required ingredients are twofold. First, from the research side we need scientifically sound studies. Second, from the practice side we need curious and informed consumers-consumers who are willing to take new information into their practice repertoires and let it inform those repertoires. Simple ingredients ... hard to get the cake to rise sometimes, though.