Integrating Nursing Research Findings into the Curriculum: A Descriptive Study

Improving Undergraduate Nursing Research Education: The Effectiveness of Collecting and Analyzing Oral Histories

Nine oral histories of retired RNs (age range from 60 to 77) were collected by trained senior nursing students in their nursing research class. Attitudes toward nursing research of the 18 undergraduate baccalaureate nursing students participating in the collection and analysis of oral histories were compared with 20 students who did not participate. Both groups of students completed a pretest and posttest Attitudes Toward Nursing Research Questionnaire. The participating students had significantly positive changes in their attitudes toward nursing research. The nonparticipating group did not. While reminiscing about their careers, the retired RNs related historical events that influenced their nursing practice. Three themes emerged: World War II, technology, and intensive care units. Through an open-ended, written questionnaire following the interview, the nurses expressed positive benefits of participation. The collection and analysis of oral histories was an effective experiential learning strategy with positive outcomes for the students and the retired nurses who were interviewed.

Research utilization by undergraduate students

In our experience as nurse educators, baccalaureate students, after completing an introductory research course, are not prepared to critique research studies skillfully and determine their potential use in professional practice. Also, staff nurses need help determining the appropriateness of implementing research findings into clinical practice. To remedy this situation, a research utilization component was successfully incorporated into a senior-level clinical course. This approach has implications for improving patient outcomes.