Master of Science in Nursing students’ expectations to participate in nursing research-related tasks in clinical practice after completing their education – A cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Objective: To describe Master of Science in Nursing students’ expectations to participate in nursing research-related tasks in daily clinical practice after completing their education.Methods: To support this assumption a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to describe Master of Science in nursing students’ expectations to participate in nursing research-related tasks in daily clinical practice after completing their education. Data were collected using a 41-item structured questionnaire.Results: A convenience sample of Master of Science in Nursing students (n = 116) was recruited during their third semester and 92 (79.3%) students replied the questionnaire. The results showed how 91.3% of the students expressed high expectations regarding their possibilities for participation in nursing research-related tasks in clinical practice. However, 64.1% doubted that time and resources would be allocated to nursing research.Conclusions: The key motivator for the students was to improve patient care, further develop clinical practice, and strengthen the nursing profession. However, the literature suggests that colleagues and the nursing management in clinical practice impose certain barriers that prevent nurses from participating in research.