NEW YORK NURSE: September 2011

Council on Nursing Research re-established to advance evidence-based practice

by Erin Silk

NYSNA’s Council on Nursing Research (CNR) has been re-established to help aid members and staff in highlighting research and evidence-based practice studies. The group, which includes members from varying clinical backgrounds and expertise, has held four meetings this year.

At its initial meeting in January, the purpose of the CNR was defined and four main strategies were identified as primary foci of the council.

The purpose of the CNR is to develop awareness about the need for nursing research which may include initiatives and services such as: identifying opportunities for nursing research; providing nursing research consultation; sharing information about nursing research activities for members, councils and the Board of Directors; and analyzing and disseminating quality data for nursing practices and standards.

The following four strategies were identified by the CNR. These strategies are in alignment with goals identified in the NYSNA Strategic Plan:

Develop a process for research-related consultation referral requests from members and non-members.
Develop and conduct a needs assessment survey to identify members’ research-priority needs.
Establish a NYSNA Council of Nursing Research-Schools of Nursing (SON) Research Faculty Collaborative Team to serve as the resource team for the council.
Collaborate with various NYSNA departments and councils in developing strategic approaches to relevant and prevailing issues affecting nursing such as, the value of Nursing Intensity Weights, implementing recommendations and the implications resulting from the IOM-RWJF Future of Nursing Report, patient safety initiatives and safe staffing ratios.

“Research and evidence-based nursing are now more pervasive in the day-to-day practice of registered nurses to improve and advance the care and management of patients. The Council on Nursing Research will assist NYSNA members and staff in the conduct of these studies and when synthesizing, highlighting, and disseminating research findings, help to integrate them meaningfully into their nursing practice,” said council Chair Edmund J.Y. Pajarillo.

Some of the tasks accomplished by the CNR this year include the development of a form and process workflow for research-related consultation referral requests from members, and an informational FAQ fact sheet about research-related questions. These materials will be posted on the NYSNA website once they are finalized.

Additional projects currently in process include the development of a needs assessment survey to identify members’ research-priority needs. This survey will be conducted online. The council also plans to reach out to select schools and colleges of nursing to begin assembling the “Research Faculty Collaborative Team.” In addition, the CNR is providing input to update research-related information currently posted to the NYSNA website.