Low research use among newly graduated nurses : a threat to patient safety?

• Background: The application of research-based knowledge in clinical practice has the potential to improve quality of care, effectiveness and safety. However, the gap between research and practice is well-known and has been addressed globally. Among the educational goals of nursing education are abilities of critical reflection and implementation of new knowledge into practice. Knowledge about the extent of newly graduated nurses’ research use (RU) in clinical practice and factors that can hinder or facilitate their RU is however scarce. Aim: The overall aim of the thesis presented here was to study nurses’ self-reported RU the first three years postgraduation, change in RU over time and associated factors. Further, the aim was to study nursing students’ RU intentions and whether intention and educational factors could predict RU behavior. Methods: Data derive from the LANE study, a national and longitudinal survey study comprising three cohorts of nursing students, subsequently nurses, graduating in 2002, 2004 and 2006. Outcome measures were instrumental, conceptual and persuasive RU (IRU, CRU and PRU) at one, two and three years postgraduation (Y1, Y2, Y3), as well as IRU intention in last term of undergraduate studies. Results: At all time points, IRU was reported as most prevalent, followed by CRU and finally PRU. About one third of the respondents reported IRU on half or more than half of the working shifts. Seven different RU profiles across the three kinds of RU were identifed. The two clusters representing overall low RU were predominating, representing about half or more of the samples. Low users tended to become even lower over time between Y1 and Y2. A number of individual, organizational and educational factors were found as significantly related to overall low RU at Y2. IRU intention in last term of undergraduate studies showed that 34% of the sample intended to use research to a larger extent and IRU intention predicted IRU behavior at Y1. In addition, intention acted as a mediating factor for the effects from a number of other educational factors on IRU behavior. Implications: The results constitute unique knowledge. Considering today’s demand for evidence-based nursing practice, the relatively low extent of RU is worrying and may impact patient safety. Multiple factors were associated with the extent of RU the first years postgraduation and results have implications both for undergraduate nursing education and the healthcare organization.

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MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

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