By: Mariah Taylor – Becker’s Clinical Leadership
A rare dual-nurse role is emerging in the U.S. that could serve as a powerful aid to systems: clinically based nurse scientists.
Nurse scientists, also referred to as nurse researchers, are nurses who have pursued a PhD and conduct research. Most commonly found in academia, nurse scientists often apply for grants, teach students and lead original research programs. It’s important to note that this role is different from research nurses, who are typically registered nurses or nurse practitioners involved in conducting research, such as enrolling patients into clinical trials, but do not lead their own studies.
Recently, nurse scientists have been migrating to the hospital setting while maintaining a direct connection to clinical practice. This shift can be traced back to Magnet designation, which put a major emphasis on research conducted by nurses. Over the last decade, nurse scientists’ roles in hospitals have grown significantly, Bevin Cohen, PhD, RN, director of the Center for Nursing Research and Innovation at New York City-based Mount Sinai, told Becker’s.
“We help bridge the gap,” she said. “We’re aligned with institutional priorities and able to support research that’s relevant to care delivery. We also collaborate with researchers across disciplines.”
The role of a nurse scientists within hospitals varies by person, but, according to Dr. Cohen, it usually focuses on:
Leading original research focused on a specific clinical area within the hospital and applying for funding to support that research.
Partnering with clinical staff and leaders to answer care delivery questions. These questions are often focused on real-world applications related to patient outcomes, efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Running research and evidence-based practice fellowships, mentoring staff and providing one-on-one support, especially to other nurses wanting to be involved in research. They also develop educational materials and lead classes.
Many of the top 100 systems in the U.S. have one clinically based nurse scientist on staff. But Mount Sinai is one of the few that has invested more in nurse scientists. Years ago, it created a Center for Nursing Research and Innovation, which is dedicated to these research efforts, and in June, it hosted the nation’s first conference for nurse scientists.
Although about 20 nurses hold a PhD across Mount Sinai, only five nurse scientists work within the center, Dr. Cohen said. Their areas of research vary from maternal and child health equity to transitions of care post-discharge and nurse workforce issues. When they aren’t researching, the team is running national research training programs for nurses and interdisciplinary students, as well as managing an open-access peer-reviewed journal, Practical Implementation of Nursing Science, in partnership with Mount Sinai’s Levy Library Press.
Why more systems should invest in nurse scientists
Nurse scientists are a rare dual-role in most hospitals, but their influence reaches far.
These roles help support nurses’ professional growth and make hospitals more attractive for those looking to expand into research and advanced education, thus improving nurse retention and engagement, Dr. Cohen said. They also impact patient care.
“If you want to improve any outcome — patient satisfaction, cost, quality — we’re the ones who can help you design the studies to determine what works,” she said.
Lastly, research is becoming more collaborative, and nurse researchers add key perspectives that can enhance research quality and applicability.
