Purpose/Objectives:
The purpose of this presentation was to provide an overview of a research collaborative practice model that was developed and implemented as a center for nursing research at a 541-bed tertiary care facility.
Significance:
The lack of nurse scientists at many acute care facilities negatively impacts the ability of nursing staff to conduct nursing research and translate findings into clinical practice. A formal clinical-academic partnership between a tertiary care facility and a local health sciences center school of nursing provided an avenue for clinicians to explore and practically apply research.
Design/Background/Rationale:
An ongoing descriptive analysis was used in this study.
Methods/Description:
A center for nursing research was created by a joint appointment faculty/clinician position to support the advancement of nursing education, promote research at the unit level, and transition nursing culture toward clinical decision making based on the best scientific evidence.
Findings/Outcomes:
The clinical nurse specialist has played a pivotal role in the success of this model by identifying needs, evaluating performance measures, and providing links from the bedside clinician. Forty-nine written, oral, and poster scholarly works were produced through this collaboration in 2007, and bedside practice was impacted.
Conclusions:
A formal clinical-academic partnership can enhance translation of research by facilitating an organizational needs assessment, resource management, and impacting bedside clinician practice.
Implications for Practice:
A research collaborative practice model can be adapted for use in any size acute care facility.
Section Description
The 2009 NACNS National Conference will be held in St Louis, Missouri, on March 5 to 7. More than 350 clinical nurse specialists (CNSs), graduate faculty, nurse administrators, nurse researchers, and graduate students are registered. This year's theme, "Clinical Nurse Specialists: Vision, Value, Voice," demonstrates the essential leadership skills of the CNS as well as the CNS role in implementing evidence-based practice.
Seventy abstracts were selected for either podium or poster presentations. Again, this year, there is a CNS student poster session. The abstracts addressed CNS practice in 3 practice domains (spheres of influence), emphasizing patient safety and quality care outcomes, leadership, evidence-based practice, and new ways to shape CNS practice. Topics include CNS work activities incorporated into 3 spheres of influence-patients, nursing practice, organization/system-including the development of clinical inquiry skills among staff nurses, use of simulation technology, strategies to maintain clinical excellence, CNS practice in end-of-life care decisions, and many new and thoughtful ideas to support CNS education, practice, and research. Collectively, the abstracts represent the breadth, depth, and richness of the CNSs' contribution to the well-being of individuals, families, communities, as well as to the advancement of the nursing profession.
The conference abstracts were published here to facilitate sharing this emerging new knowledge with those who were unable to attend the conference. As you read each abstract, appreciate the intellectual talent and clinical scholarship of your CNS colleagues who are advancing the practice of nursing and contributing to the health of society through improved outcomes for patients and healthcare organizations. We encourage you to contact individual presenters to network, collaborate, consult, or share your thoughts and ideas on the conference topics. Watch out for next year's call for abstracts and consider submitting for presentation at NACNS' next annual conference in Portland, Oregon, on March 4 to 6, 2010.