Workshop for New Nurse
Investigators
Audrey Nelson (Tampa)
Gail Powell-Cope (Tampa)
Kate Bent (Wash DC)
Background
Education/Training needs assessment
conducted with nurse researchers
We selected 4 high priority topics,
which we will present efficiently in
about 20-25 minutes each
Outline
Building a Program of Research (A. Nelson) 25 minutes
Evidence-Based Mentoring (G. Powell-Cope) 20 minutes
Practical Tips for Developing a Research Budget
(A. Nelson) 15 minutes
Update on NRI and Tips for Successful
Submission (K. Bent) 20 minutes
Q&A: (All) 10 minutes
Building a Program of
Nursing Research
Audrey Nelson, PhD, RN, FAAN
Director, Patient Safety Research Center, Tampa VA
Email: audrey.nelson@va.gov
Web Site: http://www.visn8.med.va.gov/patientsafetycenter/
Group Activity
Take 1 minute to write down your
program of research.
Overview
1. What is a program of research?
2. How does one select a program of
research?
3. Value-Added in Building a Program of
Research
4. Shifting your focus when “opportunity
knocks”
5. Markers of Success
#1: What is a “Program of
Research” ?
Cohesive approach to sequencing a
series of research studies to efficiently
and effectively build new knowledge.
#2: Selecting a “Program of
Research”
In an area of great interest to you
(lifetime commitment)
Area of Expertise
Track Record (common thread of work
accomplished to date?)
Available On-Site Resources (Expertise,
Labs, Existing Research Team)
#2: Selecting a “Program of
Research” (cont)
Topic needs to be a fit with operational
goals
Broad enough to be cross cutting
Narrow enough to be manageable
Fundable
Examples of Nursing Research
Programs (mid-level researcher)
Too Broad
Chronic Care
Patient Outcomes
Too Narrow
Intermittent Catheterization in SCI
On Target
Safe Patient Mobility
Safe Transitions from Hospital to Home
Prevention of Pressure Ulcers in SCI
Breadth of Program of Research
Junior Researchers should be more focused,
with narrower program of research, avoiding
hopping around with a series of disjointed
studies
Mid Level Researchers begin to broaden
research, refine focus; may “re-invent”
Senior Level– research area becomes larger,
with depth in some areas– applied to broader
array of patient groups, settings, etc.
My Program of Research
Patient Safety for Persons with
Disabilities
Wheelchair Falls
Pressure Ulcers
Wandering
#3: Value Added/Benefits
What is the “value added” in developing
a program of research opposed to a
series of unrelated studies?
#3: Value Added
Personal Value Added
Increase chances of getting funded
Focused Expertise (evidence of knowledge depth)
Professional Value Added
Contribute to Science of Nursing
Contribute to Nursing Practice
Organizational Value Added
Contribute to Nursing Service
Contribute to Organization Mission
Quality of Care
#4: Shifting your focus when
“opportunity knocks”
The best laid plans do not always
work
Know when to Hold
Know when to Fold
Know when to “modify” or “reframe/
re-invent”
#5: Markers of Success
Think of a gifted nurse scientist you
know and think about what makes
them “successful”
Milestones of Success
1. Nationally known in their field of study
2. Well funded and proposals build one upon another to systematically
contribute to science; solve problems that are important; research
transcends a single discipline
3. Scholarly, with high quality/quantity manuscripts in top notch
journals; Articles are cited frequently by others
4. Evidence of research findings changing the way people think or
practice
5. Highly visible nationally (leadership roles, research presentations,
press)
6. Instrumental in training new generation of researchers
7. Creative in using research to change practice
8. Scope of impact of research findings on veterans’ health care.
Group Activity
Based on this brief discussion, how
would you change the way you would
characterize your program of research?
Too broad or too narrow?
Pass the “Elevator Test” ?
Match with organizational goals/priorities?
Tie together all your work in a cohesive
way?
Never underestimate the
ability of a small group
of committed individuals
to change the world….
Indeed, it is the only
thing that ever has.
Margaret Meade
The End…..
(Audience
applauds
wildly)