Barriers and perceived needs for understanding and using research among emergency nurses.
BACKGROUND
Nurses are involved in conducting research and incorporating evidence into their practice. However, barriers exist at the individual, unit, and organizational level related to understanding, conducting, and evaluating the evidence. The Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) conducted a study to understand levels of education in research, the extent of experience, and needs and barriers to research at the individual and organizational levels in emergency nursing.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey design was used to poll members of the ENA. A 62-item survey instrument was designed to assess five areas: 1) nurses' research values, skills, experience, and awareness; 2) organizational settings' opportunities, barriers, and limitations to research; 3) nurses' understanding and comprehension of research and evidence; 4) presentation and accessibility of research; and 5) continuing educational topics to improve knowledge of the research process.


RESULTS
Respondents (n = 948) identified barriers at the individual level that included lack of knowledge about critiquing research studies and familiarity with the research process. Barriers at the unit level included obtaining help from administrators and other staff in starting a project or having the authority to change practice. Barriers at the institution level included lack of support systems such as protected time to conduct research or implement changes in practice.


CONCLUSIONS
Emergency nurses are highly motivated and interested in learning more about conducting and utilizing research to improve practice. Perceived personal, unit-based, and organizational barriers were identified through this research in an effort to highlight areas for improvement at the local and national levels.
Stanford Hospital & Clinics, CA, USA.
Garrett K
GK
Chan
Susan
S
Barnason
Cynthia L
CL
Dakin
Gordon
G
Gillespie
Mary C
MC
Kamienski
Stephen
S
Stapleton
Jennifer
J
Williams
Altair
A
Juarez
Suling
S
Li
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration; D004521:Educational Measurement; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice / Q000458:organization & administration; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D015279:Organizational Culture; D057184:Practice Patterns, Nurses' / Q000458:organization & administration; D011361:Professional Competence; D012956:Societies, Nursing; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States