Attitudes, activities, and involvement in nursing research among psychiatric nurses in a public-sector facility

The purpose of this descriptive study was to explore attitudes, activities, and involvement in nursing research among psychiatric nurses practicing in a public-sector facility. A convenience sample of 90 nurses was asked to complete the Probe Nursing Research Questionnaire (PNRQ) and the Selby Research Attitude Inventory (SRAI). Nurses demonstrated positive attitudes toward nursing research by SRAI scores. The findings indicated that the education level was positively correlated (p = .003), whereas years of employment reflected an inverse relationship with SRAI scores (p = .013). Nurses with a high school diploma as their highest level of education scored lowest; those with an advanced education level scored highest. Nurses employed longer at the public-sector facility scored lower on the SRAI than those recently hired. The cross-product of age/employment with SRAI scores found that nurses who were older and employed for a greater number of years had lower research attitude scores (p = .003). Strategies are offered to enhance nursing research activities and involvement in public-sector facilities.