Strengthening Clinical Nurses' Research Capacity: A Scoping Review of Factors That Influence Nurses' Engagement in Clinical Research

ABSTRACT

Aim

To identify and map evidence on factors that influence nurses' engagement in clinical research.

Design

A scoping review was conducted in accordance with the JBI methodology.

Methods

First, titles and abstracts of articles, then full-text articles, were screened by two independent researchers against inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data was extracted into a data extraction table. Findings from articles were synthesized using thematic analysis.

Data Sources

Searches were conducted in Medline All (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), APA PsycInfo (Ovid), CINAHL Plus with Full Text (Ebsco) and Scopus on April 28, 2025.

Results

Seventy-nine articles were included in this review. There were significant barriers that prevented nurses from engaging in research, including: lack of time, inadequate training, negative internal beliefs, insufficient organizational support and an unsupportive research culture. Factors that facilitated nurses' engagement in research included: research infrastructure, training and mentorship, visionary leadership, unit-level support, improved motivational components and enhanced organizational research culture. A multi-level framework and strategic recommendations are provided, along with an overview of the 23 interventions reported in the included articles are provided.

Conclusions

Nurses are constrained from conducting research to generate nursing knowledge due to multiple barriers. Visionary leadership is needed that prioritizes nursing research, establishes infrastructure and creates a culture of research excellence to enhance the quality and safety of nursing care.

Implications for the Profession and/or Clinical Practice

Healthcare organizations should support nursing research by providing nurses with paid release time from their clinical duties and building an accessible infrastructure. Infrastructure can include programmes, centres and academic-practice partnerships that provide nurses with access to research training, experienced mentorship, librarian and statistical support, grant and manuscript writing assistance and funding pathways for small and large studies.

Reporting Method

This scoping review is reported in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.

Protocol Registration

Registered with the Open Science Framework: 10.17605/OSF.IO/5VWE9 (12/03/25).