title: Providing Hands-on Experiences in Health Care Research to Mentor New Research Scholars.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article describes the benefits of integrating students into a National Institutes of Health-funded research project.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Research is important in all academic disciplines for increasing knowledge and determining the effectiveness of currently used interventions. Educating nursing students to read, evaluate, and use research in practice is essential for solving complex health care challenges and achieving better patient outcomes
  
  
  METHODS
  The students were involved at all levels of the research process: project development, site acquisition, recruitment of participants, data collection and analysis, and manuscript development. Interviews of the student researchers were conducted to understand the students' experience of participation in the research study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three themes were identified: creating new knowledge is worthwhile, research is interesting and meaningful, and research can shape practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Promoting knowledge and experience by involving students in research projects can create a bridge to the development of evidence-based practice.
authors.forename: Ruth G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: McCaffrey
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Weglicki
authors.forename: Juyoung
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Jacinto
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Garrido
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003479:Curriculum; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors / Q000523:psychology*; D009316:National Institutes of Health (U.S.); D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012108:Research Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States