Making research real: Innovative approaches for graduate level nursing research

Background: Engaging graduate students in the research process is often challenging. Making research real requires more innovation than lecture alone. Purpose: This project is a new curricular approach to Nursing Research, where graduate students collectively engage in the entire research process, from project conception through dissemination. Methods: The Seven Principles of Good Practice framework was utilized to structure this innovative teaching strategy. Graduate students work together over the course of four semesters with the same faculty member guiding their research study. There are six major components to this innovative curriculum approach: student driven research idea, proposal writing, IRB application process, data collection, data analysis, and dissemination. Results: Student enthusiasm was consistent across all five research projects to date. Students report they have been challenged by the experience but also enjoyed it. The group research project turned something that seemed intimidating into something accomplishable. Students spoke to the idea that through the process of mentoring and collaboration, they gained the needed skills and confidence to embrace their own research agendas. Conclusion: Developing and maintaining a student research innovation creates an enriched environment for instilling the passion and practical experience of being a nurse researcher.