Implementing Programs of Nursing Research and Selecting Doctoral Nurse Leaders

Recent shifts in the health care environment have renewed focus on the role of research in clinical practice. Regulatory and funding agencies stress the importance of bridging the gap between research and practice and highlight the need for collaborative, applied research and quality-driven care focusing on patient outcomes and quality indicators.1, 1, 3 and 4 These shifts, coupled with increasing numbers of hospitals seeking the prestigious Magnet certification, which demonstrates excellence in nursing care, have resulted in a heightened interest in research utilization, particularly as it applies to nursing practice.