Research utilization: A challenge for nursing graduate education to improve patient care

To improve patient care, hospitals and other health care facilities are loo king to improve patient outcomes through examining how nursing care can be changed or modified based on research. The process of applying research res ults into clinical practice is called research utilization (RU). In this ar ticle, a master's level research utilization course is described. The proce ss of research utilization is highlighted along with specifics regarding co urse development and evaluation methods. Graduate level research courses su ch as this one can assist students to demonstrate competency in research ut ilization including: synthesis of research literature, development of pract ice guidelines based on research, and identification of strategies to carry out RU protocols and evaluate outcomes.