- (2013) Volume 7, Issue 2
Georgios Vasilopoulos*
Lecturer, Department of Nursing A’, Technological Educational Institute of Athens, Greece
Research is considered to be a basic function in contemporary nursing. Nursing research encourages nurses into using the scientific approach in order to gain new knowledge that is directly useful in clinical practice. Nursing research also focuses on nursing education, nursing administration, health services and the characteristics on nurses and nursing roles.
Research is considered to be a basic function in contemporary nursing. Nursing research encourages nurses into using the scientific approach in order to gain new knowledge that is directly useful in clinical practice. Nursing research also focuses on nursing education, nursing administration, health services and the characteristics on nurses and nursing roles. [2]
In 2010 the International Council of Nurses acknowledged that the quest for quality nursing care and evidence based practice has brought nursing research into the forefront.2 This ascertainment led to the idea of creating a Nursing Research Network. The purpose of such a network would be to provide the means for continuous data exchange and experience between nurses. It would also serve as a meeting point for the exchange of ideas, experience and expertise.
Since then only few Nursing Research Networks has been established all over the world. Examples are the Royal College of Nursing Network for Psychiatric Nursing Research, The Massachusetts School Nurse Research Network, and The Irish Nurses Research Network.
Since 2009, a Nursing Research Network endorsed by the Hellenic Society of Nursing Research and Education, has been established in Greece. The aims of the HSNRE are to enhance and disseminate research as well as to organize continuing education programs. Aim of the NRN in Greece is to promote nursing research. The innovation of this network is that it is based on a structured framework of support and cooperation between "researchers" and "partners" in order to conduct research studies. [3]
• Implementing research at national and international level.
• Providing support to nurse-researchers facilitating cooperation amongst themselves.
• Providing a flexible framework for nurses’ continuing education on new data, especially in relation both research and generally nursing.
• Enabling nurses throughout the country to participate in an extensive research process.
• The development of cooperation among nurse-researchers, especially in areas requiring highly specialized or structured collection of information.
• Time and cost reduction of the research effort.
• The contribution of nursing research to improve health care. [3]
The growth of social networks and the need for faster distribution of information between scientists may contribute in the establishement of new NRN’s the next decades
