Research utilization by nurse managers: current practices and future directions

Forty nurse managers from seven hospitals were surveyed about barriers to utilization of research. The highest rated barriers were related to the acquisition and understanding of research; the lowest rated barriers pertained to the need for research as a basis for nursing practice. Managers with diploma and associate degree preparation and those in rural hospitals perceived themselves as having more barriers in research skills and awareness of research than did baccalaureate and master's prepared managers and managers in urban hospitals. Implications for nurse executives include support for research active environments and the time and education necessary for involvement in research and research utilization activities.