Nurse led clinical research: neonatal nurses' perceptions and experiences

Over the last 2 decades, nurses have had increased exposure to research. In spite of this, the literature reports that many nurses have not begun to undertake or use research. A qualitative study of neonatal nurses would add depth to our understanding of nurses' experiences relative to nurse led clinical research in neonatal nursing. The purpose of this study was therefore to understand the experiences of clinical neonatal nurses in participating or conducting nurse led clinical research. Phenomenology was used to explore the perceptions and experiences of clinical neonatal nurses. A purposive sample of five neonatal nurses were interviewed; semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were used to collect data. Themes were explicated and analysed from audiotaped interviews. Two conceptually distinct themes, current culture and embryonic culture, emerged from the data. Current culture had three sub-themes - role, time, access. Embryonic culture also had three sub-themes - engagement, nurturing and preparedness. In the context of current culture, clinical research remains burdensome on the nurse and nurse led research is still not considered to be a central concern in the clinical nurses' role in neonatal care. If neonatal nursing practices are to be based on the best available research evidence, organisations need to be acutely attuned to the culture in neonatal nurseries and address these issues