Fostering the growth of research-based oncology nursing practice.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To describe the initial stages involved in fostering a research-based oncology nursing practice in a comprehensive cancer program, including planning the initial implementation strategies to stimulate research awareness and create a program of research studies in clinical oncology nursing. DATA SOURCES: Literature searches; published articles, abstracts, and books; interviews with staff nurses; departmental, committee, and task force meetings; nursing grand rounds and workshops. DATA SYNTHESIS: Review and use of the available information facilitated the design of implementation strategies that addressed issues identified in the literature and in clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: The nursing department was able to plan, introduce, and evaluate a series of activities directed toward integrating research and clinical practice and building a series of research studies in oncology nursing. Introducing both goals was challenging but facilitated staff learning about research, participating in research-related activities, and seeing results from research studies relevant to their clinical practice. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Research can be introduced successfully into the clinical setting if staff are involved in the planning and design of research-related activities and if research expertise is available to foster and support their participation.