Overview of Nursing Research
During the mid-nineteenth century, nursing began with the concepts and practices of Florence Nightingale. Promotion of health, care of the sick, and the prevention of disease were central approaches to her practice and publications (Lobiondo-wood & Haber 2013). Nightingale became the pioneer of data collection in the nursing field, beginning with analyzing her evidence of British soldiers during the Crimean War.
In the twentieth century, nursing took a turn in its research and focused primarily on nursing education, however, some patient- and technique-oriented research was simultaneously utilized (Lobiondo-wood & Haber 2013). Changes in the educational structure for nurses was essential for the development of research in nursing. Lobiondo-wood and Haber (2013) indicated that, "In Canada, the establishment of university nursing courses in 1918, followed by master's degree programs in the 1950s and the 1960s and by doctoral programs in the 1950s and 2000s" (p. 13), was the pivotal development in nursing research.
Lobiondo-wood and Harber (2013) found that the two dominant factors influencing the development of nursing research was centered on the organization of doctoral programs as well as funding to support nursing research. Through the 1970s and 1980s, schools of nursing established their research resources for the purpose of preparing doctoral programs. Expanding awareness of the significance of research in nursing led to the accessibility of research funds (Lobiondo-wood & Harber, 2013). Potter, Wood, and Duggleby (2014) stated that, "in 1999, in response to the intensive lobbying by the CNA, the federal government established the Nursing Research Fund, budgeting $25 million" (p. 72).
In the twenty-first century, expansion of nursing research has continued to broaden and currently provides various opportunities for nurses to analyze significant research questions, promote healthcare, and prevent the side effects of treatment while optimizing the health outcomes of patients and their families (Jennings & McClure, 2004).
In the twentieth century, nursing took a turn in its research and focused primarily on nursing education, however, some patient- and technique-oriented research was simultaneously utilized (Lobiondo-wood & Haber 2013). Changes in the educational structure for nurses was essential for the development of research in nursing. Lobiondo-wood and Haber (2013) indicated that, "In Canada, the establishment of university nursing courses in 1918, followed by master's degree programs in the 1950s and the 1960s and by doctoral programs in the 1950s and 2000s" (p. 13), was the pivotal development in nursing research.
Lobiondo-wood and Harber (2013) found that the two dominant factors influencing the development of nursing research was centered on the organization of doctoral programs as well as funding to support nursing research. Through the 1970s and 1980s, schools of nursing established their research resources for the purpose of preparing doctoral programs. Expanding awareness of the significance of research in nursing led to the accessibility of research funds (Lobiondo-wood & Harber, 2013). Potter, Wood, and Duggleby (2014) stated that, "in 1999, in response to the intensive lobbying by the CNA, the federal government established the Nursing Research Fund, budgeting $25 million" (p. 72).
In the twenty-first century, expansion of nursing research has continued to broaden and currently provides various opportunities for nurses to analyze significant research questions, promote healthcare, and prevent the side effects of treatment while optimizing the health outcomes of patients and their families (Jennings & McClure, 2004).
Two views about nurses in research
- One view is that nurses involved in research should focus on knowledge that is directly useful in clinical practice.
- Another view is that nursing research includes studies of nursing education, nursing administration, health services, and characteristics of nurses and nursing role as well as clinical practice (Lobiondo-Wood & Haber 2014).