Fostering nursing research among nurse clinicians in an Australian area health service.
BACKGROUND
The Nursing Research Centre for Adaptation in Health and Illness (NRCAHI) is a collaborative effort of the University of Sydney and Central Sydney Area Health Service (CSAHS) in Sydney, Australia. This article reports findings of a research needs-analysis of clinical nursing staff in CSAHS that was conducted to provide research training.


METHODS
A questionnaire was administered to a random sample of nurses working in CSAHS. The questionnaire gathered information about employment and demographic information, interest in research participation, current and future levels of research skills, and areas where skill and knowledge enhancement is desired.


RESULTS
Overall, nurses expressed low levels of perceived confidence, knowledge, and research skills. Results were used as the basis for developing a range of strategies designed to enhance research confidence and participation. These strategies were sufficiently flexible to cater for the needs of nurses with varying levels of research experience.


CONCLUSIONS
Strategies implemented by the NRCAHI in its first 4 years of operation have produced positive outcomes in terms of increased research participation.
Gething
L
L
Nursing Research Centre for Adaptation in Health and Illness, The Faculty of Nursing, The University of Sydney, Caperdown, NSW, Australia.
Leelarthaepin
B
B
Burr
G
G
Sommerville
A
A
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000592:standards*; D007587:Job Description; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009517:New South Wales; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000193:education*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires