Nursing students are taught the importance of research particularly with respect to the concept of evidence-based practice. They learn to critically evaluate research articles but may lack exposure to practical research that complement the theoretical learning. St Lawrence College (SLC) provides one of five Ontario collaborative college sites for delivering the Bachelor of Sciences in Nursing (BScN) degree in collaboration with Laurentian University. A number of research-based courses are offered throughout the program. Despite the value of these courses, a gap remains with respect to the practical research and laboratory exposure.
The objective of this course is to develop a model for integrating practical research in the undergraduate years that help student nurses appreciate the steps and efforts involved in generating and completing research studies that they are often required to analyze, and to expand on the laboratory exposure that may be required in their future professional practice.
This practical research/ education model (LUSL1001UN) was introduced as an elective course for the third year BScN students. The course provides an opportunity for students to explore various research initiatives. Each student completes a small research project starting with performing an extensive literature review followed by formulating a research question, writing a research proposal, conducting a well-controlled experiment, practicing data analysis using appropriate statistical methods and drawing a conclusion. Students present their data via two open mini-symposia (poster and oral presentations) and finally write manuscripts following journal specific author guidelines.
The course provided a unique experience for students to conduct their own research, raised their academic writing standards, improved their scientific communication, critical thinking and presentation skills and enhanced their motivation towards research. This course represents a new learning approach in the BScN program. A description of the course layout and delivery methods will be provided and synopsis of the students’ projects, outcomes and feedback will be presented. We recommend this course to be considered as a required rather than elective course to extend this learning opportunity to all students in the program.