ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF CLINICAL NURSE RESEARCHERS

A follow-up survey of 142 nurse researchers employed in clinical setti ngs (NRECS) was conducted 10 years after the first one conducted by Kn afl, Bevis, and Kirchhoff in which only 34 individuals qualified for i nclusion. An 80-item questionnaire included items about the structure of the position, processes used, variables that may influence outcomes , and outside activities. When ineligible persons were excluded, the r esponse rate was 75 per cent. Most commonly NRECS had positions in cli nical settings only (55.7 per cent), offices (75.5 per cent), some sta ff (72.6 per cent), and secretarial support (52.8 per cent), and they usually reported to the chief nurse executives (71.7 per cent). Althou gh the majority of NRECS reported responsibility for research activiti es, the average time spent on research is only 50 per cent. Most (82 p er cent) have a nursing research committee, but NRECS also sit on othe r research-related committees in the department or hospital. Details a bout salary, responsibilities, and processes will be helpful to those preparing themselves or others for this role, for those who wish to st art such a position for themselves or another, or for those in the rol e wanting to know how other NRECS perform. Copyright (C) 1996 by W.B. Saunders Company