Nurses develop research skills in
program
by Megan FinkPublic Relations
The Clinical Nurse Scholars Program is an opportunity for bedside nurses to learn research initiatives, lead future evidence-based practices and mentor others in their field. Selected nurses take knowledge gained from the seven-month-long program to their respective units to improve patient care.
Clinical Nurse
Scholar Program mentors and participants, from left: Dr. Lynne Nemeth,
Mia Barron, Leah Ramos, Dr. Charlene Pope, Lucretia Wilson, Janet
Muchuelas, Nicole Wrazin, Linda Victurine, Carrie Maxwell and Kris
Douglass. Not pictured is Jennifer Wieckowski.Nine nurses were accepted into the pioneer program, which began in June—seven coming from the Medical University Hospital Authority and two from the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center. During the next several months, these nurses will learn how to question, implement and evaluate existing formal research. In addition, they will conduct their own project within their specialty areas.
Leah Ramos, R.N., is a member of the neurosciences intensive care unit (NSICU) team and a clinical nurse scholar. Ramos became interested in research a few years ago while gathering data for Julio Chalela, M.D., NSICU director. Their work was presented at a Neurocritical Care Society meeting along with other notable critical care advancements. “The meeting also opened my eyes to the power of research in influencing and enhancing bedside care,” Ramos said.
Ramos also has submitted an abstract to the Neurocritical Care Society and American Association of Neuroscience Nurses regarding a new assessment scale that improves patient diagnoses. “We plan to publish our findings in the future and the program will guide me in the right direction,” said Ramos. In addition, she plans on utilizing lessons learned to advise co-workers and motivate their interest in research.
Clinical nurse scholars have been working with nursing researchers Lynne Nemeth, Ph.D., R.N., and Charlene Pope, Ph.D., to develop their individual research questions for their projects. Nemeth, research assistant professor in the College of Nursing (CON), wants to increase the spirit of inquiry in nursing research and teach scholars to become more systematic in their approach to patient care.
“Nurses are cultivating critical thinking skills and executing decisive appraisals on literature,” Nemeth said. “It’s about learning how to read research literature and apply those findings with confidence.”
Pope, associate nurse executive for research in the VAMC and assistant professor in CON, attributes the creation of the Clinical Nurse Scholars model to the collaborative efforts of the Nursing Research Councils at the VAMC and MUSC.
“The nurse scholars are members of the Nursing Research Council and commit to returning to their units and acting as mentors to other nurses interested in evidence-based practice and potential research projects,” Pope said. “Every seven months a competitive application process will be held to select the next clinical nurse scholars, an activity meant to continue the VAMC commitment to improving care for our veterans.”
Registered nurses with at least one year’s experience can apply for the next Clinical Nurse Scholar Program, which begins in January.
For information on the program or application, contact Nemeth at 792-9122, or e-mail nemethl@musc.edu.
Friday, Sept. 28, 2007
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