Research Mentorship: Engaging Nurses in Clinical Research

Purpose:
The Nursing Research Mentorship program engages beside nurses in pragmatic clinical studies through a tailored stepwise process. The program fosters excitement for clinical inquiry and builds pride in practice among nurses of all experience levels, contributing to a professional work environment.

Relevance/Significance:
Nurses who feel valued are poised to deliver high-quality care. Investing in clinical nurses as researchers enhances self-esteem and promotes valuable skills. As nurses share findings from their own clinical questions, they shine. Contributing to new knowledge is a rewarding experience that feels unachievable to most clinical nurses. As nurses are guided through the research process and identify best practices in patient care, they begin to invest in bringing evidence to all facets of care.

Strategy and Implementation:
The Nursing Research Mentorship Program hosts an annual call for applications. In addition to continuing to build the skills of previously selected research mentors, the program directors work alongside new research mentors to teach them research. The new mentors attend a one-day kick-off session where they are introduced to the mentorship program and the research process. After the session, mentors return to their practice settings to team-up with colleagues and develop a research question. The mentors lead weekly meetings with their teams as they progress through the process, with the directors present to provide gentle coaching along the way. Each mentor formulates an IRB proposal, collects and analyzes data, and publishes the findings. The mentorship is individualized based upon experience level and the nuances of the research study. Throughout the process, the research mentor and the clinician teams build an understanding of clinical inquiry and rich sense of professionalism.

Evaluation:
The outcomes of the Research Mentorship Program are exceptional. With 18 active mentor teams and 5 in development, nursing research spans the health system. Several teams are entering their 3rd and 4th generation of studies as the enthusiasm for research grows. The mentors and their teams are particularly proud to boast an abstract acceptance rate of 100% acceptance at external conferences.

Implications for Practice:
The Nursing Research Mentor Program is successfully training nurses while building an atmosphere of professionalism and pride in practice. The program is a high-value, low-cost venture which can be integrated into any practice setting to bolster nurse empowerment and quality care.