Advanced practice nurses' application of the Stetler model for research utilization: improving bereavement care.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the role of the advanced practice nurse in applying the Stetler Model for Research Utilization, to demonstrate advanced practice nurse use of the model as applied to improving bereavement care, and to discuss problems and opportunities that advanced practice nurses encountered when applying a research utilization model to a clinical problem.


METHODS
Published articles identified through computerized literature searches; both assessment- and intervention-focused research articles were selected for review if the study populations and settings were comparable to those of the authors and the research design used was experimental or quasi-experimental.


RESULTS
The Stetler model guided formal review of selected research reports for applicability and feasibility of translation into clinical practice. Final recommendations were made for departmental implementation to improve bereavement care.


CONCLUSIONS
The Stetler model facilitates implementation of research findings into clinical nursing practice, practice change recommendations based on research utilization can be both clinical and organizational in nature, and advanced practice nurses have an important departmental role to play in a formal research utilization process.


CONCLUSIONS
Advanced practice nurses are ideally suited for leadership roles in the research utilization process; however, research utilization task forces require that individuals who already face multiple demands on their clinical time invest a significant amount of time. Despite this, it is advantageous for advanced practice nurses to adopt and apply a formal research utilization model in their practice.
Hanson
J L
JL
Johns Hopkins Oncology Center, Baltimore, MD.
Ashley
B
B
D001601:Bereavement; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009720:Nurse Clinicians; D012944:Social Support