Research education for clinical nurses: a pilot study to determine research self-efficacy in critical care nurses.
BACKGROUND
Translating research into practice is essential to providing care that promotes both cost-efficient and effective health care delivery. Nurses practicing in the intensive care unit are in need of education that can build research self-efficacy and promote understanding and the ability to apply research findings.


METHODS
This pilot study evaluated the Critical Reading of Research Publications Plus course with intensive care unit nurses to determine whether this experience would affect their research self-efficacy. The Nursing Research Self-Efficacy Scale was administered before and after the course.


RESULTS
Paired t tests showed a significant increase on three of the four subscales in research self-efficacy.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that using a course along with mentors may increase the research self-efficacy of practicing nurses.
Swenson-Britt
Evelyn
E
University Health System, 4502 Medical Drive, MS 96, San Antonio, TX 78229-2293, USA.
Reineck
Carol
C
D002983:Clinical Competence; D003422:Critical Care / Q000592:standards*; D003479:Curriculum; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008611:Mentors; D017145:Models, Educational; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015399:Nursing Research; D010865:Pilot Projects; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013781:Texas