Guest Editorial

Pathway to Implementing a Program of Nursing Research

Know Your Passion

Whether we have been in nursing for less than a year or have been practicing for many years, each of us will have a unique path in our nursing career. Our paths will differ from one another’s. Some of us will have clear signs on our path guiding us more directly toward the specific goals we want to achieve in nursing, whereas others among us will have a less clearly marked path guided by the discovery of new opportunities that redirect our nursing career path toward our goal.

There are so many

An Environment to Support a Research Trajectory

New opportunities often present themselves when we least expect them. After the completion of my doctoral degree, I had an opportunity to teach in a graduate nursing program. This was a great opportunity to be in a supportive research environment² and launch a program of research as part of the tripartite mission of the college of nursing. The direction and shaping of a program of research often is informed by your own passion and interest in nursing practice. The direction for research can

Building a Meaningful Research Trajectory

One of the strategies that nurse scientists use to build their program of research is an individual development plan. This is a tool useful for identifying professional growth and competencies to achieve research career goals.³ The individual development plan can be applied to your career development regardless of your focus; it is not limited to being used only to develop a research trajectory.

If scientific knowledge is going to be useful, nurse scientists need to be knowledgeable in the

Research Trajectory Cycles

The research process is not necessarily linear; it is an iterative process. There are many personal and professional benefits of being a nurse scientist. I have been able to pursue my own research and focus on the basis of what I believe is important to improve nursing practice and patient outcomes. Conducting research is a cyclic process. Once a study is completed, the study results are disseminated at conferences and through publications. However, the cycle is also a repetitive process¹

Direct Pathway

Even when you have a clear vision of the direction of your research program, you may find that the path changes course. This may occur as your network of professional colleagues expands. The dissemination of your research often expands your network of other researchers with similar research interests, leading to new collaborative opportunities. Interwoven within my program of research has been participation in professional nursing organizations interrelated to my expertise in cardiovascular

Be a Knowledge Broker

The stretch of our influence in nursing is unique for each of us. Our span of influence can range from collaboration with other nurses in the care of patients to the broader reach we may have when conducting nursing research that informs nursing practice and improves patient outcomes. We need to be cognizant of the relevance of the research and the potential for its application to practice. By staying in touch with bedside care of patients and having close ties with colleagues at the bedside,