Author(s)

Kirsten Lode^1,2*, Erik E. Sørensen^3,4, Susanne Salmela⁵, Anne Lise Holm⁶, Elisabeth Severinsson^1,7

¹Research Department, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.
²The University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway.
³Clinical Nursing Research Unit, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.
⁴Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
⁵Vaasa Central Hospital, Vaasa, Finland.
⁶Department of Health Science, Stord/Haugesund University College, Stord, Norway.
⁷Centre for Women’s, Family & Child Health at Buskerud & Vestfold University College, Kongsberg, Norway.

The aim of this study was to identify and evaluate evidence of clinical nurses’ research capacity building in practice. A systematic review of studies of nurses’ research capacity building in practice was performed. The quality of the articles was evaluated and reflected on in accordance with the Quality Assessment and Validity Tool for Correlation Studies. The literature searches identified a total of 4748 abstracts and titles. Eight quantitative studies were included in the evaluation. Three themes emerged from the analysis: Failure to ensure research quality and standards, Developing a research culture and Collaboration and organization of research utilization. The first theme has one sub-theme: Lack of knowledge about how to increase research utilization. The second theme is based on three sub-themes: Ability to identify clinical problems, changing nurses’ attitudes to research and research supervision. Finally, the third theme has one sub-theme: Funding as a success factor. In conclusion, research capacity building requires the development of research competence to generate knowledge that enhances quality and patient safety. Nurse leaders are essential for establishing evidence-based practice and a research culture, thus enhancing nurses’ scientific attitudes and capacity.

Capacity Building, Clinical Nurses, Practice, Systematic Review

Lode, K. , Sørensen, E. , Salmela, S. , Holm, A. and Severinsson, E. (2015) Clinical Nurses’ Research Capacity Building in Practice—A Systematic Review. Open Journal of Nursing, 5, 664-677. doi: 10.4236/ojn.2015.57070.