A Comprehensive Approach to Undergraduate Nursing Students' Research Experiences

Abstract

Background: As the demands for high-quality nursing care increase and organizations are held accountable for patient outcomes, health care must be driven by research and evidence-based practice (EBP). Historically, prelicensure nursing students have expressed little interest in these topics as they focus on establishing the clinical skills necessary to provide care and have found that courses on nursing research are not clinically relevant.

Method: This article presents one institution's approach to undergraduate nursing research education by three initiatives: (a) a summer research program, (b) a distinguished major program, and (c) an EBP approach in the undergraduate nursing research course.

Results: The results of these initiatives have demonstrated positive outcomes in three areas: practice improvements, knowledge dissemination, and student interest in research and further professional development.

Conclusion: These programs have proven to be clinically beneficial, while increasing student interest in research and further nursing education. [J Nurs Educ. 2018;57(1):58-62.].