Many significant changes in practice have stemmed from more than 50 years of active nursing research. For example, nurses used to bundle newborns so mothers would not contaminate their infants. Only the baby’s face was exposed so that the mother could breast-feed. Early research in infant touch and maternal bonding demonstrated no ill effects, such as increased infection. Research did prove that mothers needed to be able to touch their newborns everywhere, such as fingers and toes. Caressing the infants was essential for bonding.

Practice certainly has changed. Now we have family-oriented birthing centers where siblings and other family members are invited into the birth rooms. Yes, we nurses have made great strides in changing practice based on research findings.

Nurse researchers can find solutions to some of the problems that arise in clinical practice, as outlined in this issue’s cover story. This is a logical way to involve staff nurses in research within the practice setting.

Several years ago, when I was a faculty member at a major university teaching hospital, research protocols were not adequately spelled out, so I refused to allow the students to participate in the administration of the research medication. I said to the resident, "I do not carry sufficient liability insurance for that." It did not take long for a committee to establish guidelines and define a responsible protocol.

You could dismiss that as being in the past, but what about the nurse who recently blew the whistle on inappropriate research drugs, which were not approved by the FDA, being administered to patients? That nurse may have lost her position on the research team, but she certainly was a strong patient advocate. Every patient has the right to refuse participation in any research study without pressure.

Another caveat: Often the use of the word "research" frightens patients. "Evaluation" or "testing of a new care system," or "trying to improve care" may be more helpful terms to use.

Sharing with the public any findings achieved through research and informing them that it has allowed for positive changes in practice are two ways to gain support for research.

If you really want to affect your practice setting and have an idea that could make a difference in patient care or your practice environment, partner with a nurse researcher and develop a project. If you never try something, you can never make a mistake, but you also can’t make changes. So do it! Climb the mountains of dogmatism and peaks of confusion and improve your practice through research. Your ideas are the best and will continue to improve patient care.

~Barbara Brown, ED.D., RN, FAAN