| Primary Author: | Tammy Cupit, PhD, RN-BC |
| Co-Principal Investigators/Collaborators: |
Barbara Bonificio, MSN, RN, Jennifer Baer-Grant, MSN, RN, Meredith Hartzog, BSN, RN, Roselyn Ogunkunle, MSN, RN, Dora Kuntz, MSN, RN, Valerie Brumfield, MSN, RN, Timothy Hilt, MSN, RN, Mary Quebe, BA |
| Organization: | University of Texas Medical Branch |
Abstract
Purpose
To share, in an entertaining, informative manner, the problems and successes associated with engaging and maintaining front-line nurse clinicians in ongoing research data collection.
Background
The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) partnered with the ISRN to participate in UTMB’s first multi-site nursing research study. A team of 8 nurses collaborated throughout the study period to meet the challenges inherent in initiating and maintaining, front-line nurse clinicians from three medical-surgical units, in the research process. The problems, strategies, and successes are summarized in adages.
Materials & Methods
Reflecting on the process, well-known, universal human truths (adages) were identified which were indicative of pitfalls and small successes that occurred throughout our study set-up and data collection. These are shared in this presentation with an aim to inform and prepare future sites.
Results
Five adages are indicative of the experience UTMB had with initiating and maintaining the STAR-2 Study.
Conclusion
Put the cart before the horse. Materials and suggestions provided by the ISRN helped UTMB prepare for and anticipate many issues. Adage II: Many hands make light work. Having a research team of nurse collaborators across diverse, essential areas contributed largely to the successes. Adage III: All things are more complex than they seem to most people. Including the research team. Response rates and sustained engagement were challenges despite planning and strategies. What the team thought was well-understood was open to misinterpretation. Many nurses did not complete all of their pocket cards and some completed more pocket cards than they were given. Adage IV: Better late than never. UTMB started and ended a bit later than planned (see adage III). Adage V: All’s well that ends well. The experience and learning were invaluable and the data obtained will be very useful. A total of 242 pocket cards were collected across 3 units for a 64% response rate. The relationship forged with the ISRN is also a huge bonus.
Bibliography
- Enchanted Learning. (n.d.). Adages. Retrieved May 31, 2014 from http://www.easybib.com/reference/guide/apa/website
© Improvement Science Research Network, 2012
The ISRN published this as received and with permission from the author(s).