The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing
Vol. 39 No. 3 March 2008
By Doris M. Sawatzky-Dickson, RN, MN; Diana E. Clarke, PhD, RN
ABSTRACT
Misconceptions and trepidation about research abound among practicing nurses. However, in light of the movement toward increasing accountability to consumers and the concurrent drive toward evidence-based practice, the need for nursing research can no longer be ignored. Innovative approaches to augment nurses’ training and education in research and evidence-based practice must be incorporated into continuing education programs. The Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Committee of a large tertiary care teaching hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, developed a series of opportunities for staff nurses to participate in research projects and have ongoing exposure to the steps in the research process. The Great Canadian Cookie Experiment was an opportunity to participate in quantitative research. Qualitative data from patients’ thank you cards were analyzed in an interactive fashion during luncheon seminars held during Nursing Week in 2 subsequent years. A survey of nurses who participated in the luncheon seminars indicated an overall increase in their knowledge about qualitative research methods and an appreciation for participating in the process of nursing research. Continued visibility of nursing research will contribute to changing nurses’ attitudes toward fostering an evidence-based approach to clinical practice.
J Contin Educ Nurs 2008;39(3):105-109.
AUTHORS
Ms. Sawatzky-Dickson is Clinical Nurse Specialist, Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Dr. Clarke is Assistant Professor, University of Manitoba; and Scholar in Residence, Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
The authors disclose that they have no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity, including research support.
The authors wish to acknowledge the Health Sciences Centre Nursing Research and Evidence-based Practice Committee, and Mary Cheang, Manitoba Nursing Research Institute, for statistical advice.
Presented as an abstract at the International Conference on Evidence-Based Best Practice Guidelines, June 7-8, 2007, Markham, Ontario, Canada.
Address correspondence to Doris M. Sawatzky-Dickson, RN, MN, Clinical Nurse Specialist, CS432 Children’s Hospital, 840 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3A 1S1 Canada.
