Nursing research
Why it matters and how to pursue it
From reducing inequity to leading clinical trials, nursing research transforms care and patient outcomes.
Research is critical to health and social care. Being able to deliver evidence-based practice makes what we do safe and effective. Without evidence, care may be at best ineffectual, and at worst, dangerous.
Find out how we're supporting nurses to get involved in research and see if a career in research could be a good match for you. If you already work in research, find helpful resources to take your career to the next level.
The role of nursing research
Identifying questions
At the front line of care, nursing staff are uniquely placed to identify challenges and trends that form impactful research questions.
Conducting research
Nurse researchers design qualitative and quantative studies, including clinical trials and patient safety programmes.
Shaping evidence-based practice
Nurse researchers improve knowledge, education and policy locally and internationally.
Advocating for change
Nursing research forms the basis of powerful campaigning for systemic and social change in the UK and beyond.
Be inspired at our nursing research conference
Whatever your goals in nursing research, find a path there at our Annual International Nursing Research Conference, from 8-10 September.
Get involved in workshops, learn about cutting-edge research, hear from international keynote speakers and network with researchers.
Research resources at your fingertips
From research papers and lectures to introductory courses, explore our resources.
Browse our research library
Discover Europe's largest nursing-specific collection of journals, articles, databases and more.
Watch groundbreaking lectures
Access a growing body of evidence with our list of lectures from the nursing and midwifery professoriate.
Access our dedicated course
Create an account with the National Institute for Health and Care Research to enrol on our introduction to clinical research course.
Connect through research: join the forum
Our research forum is a place for nursing staff passionate about research to network, share ideas and promote research as a powerful tool for change.
Find paths into research
Your RCN research team
Meet the expert team championing research in nursing and leading our evidence-led approach.
Professor Jane Ball
Director of the RCN Institute for Nursing Excellence
Jane is director of the RCN Institute of Nursing Excellence. Over the past 30 plus years her research has focused on nursing employment and deployment, looking at how features of nurse staffing affect care quality, patient outcomes and nurses themselves. The unifying aim of the work has been to identify conditions needed to allow nurses to deliver excellent care and have satisfying and sustainable careers.
Dr Ada Hui
Head of Research
Ada has extensive experience working in research, health and higher education. Her work is grounded in a deep commitment to advancing equity and tackling injustice. As a sociologist, mental health nurse and executive coach, she uses multidisciplinary approaches to address complex health and social challenges. She provides strategic direction, oversight and operationalisation for research to drive transformational change.
Dr Helen Elliott
Professional Lead for Education Quality Assurance
Helen is a registered adult nurse, children’s nurse and health visitor with extensive experience across acute, community and academic settings. In higher education roles, including Associate Professor, she’s helped shape public health curriculum and practice. Helen has extensive experience in research – focusing particularly on domestic abuse – and holds a Doctorate in Education. Her expertise also spans public health nursing, leadership, academic skills and research methods. Helen is a Queen’s Nurse and Principal Fellow of Advance HE, recognised for her clinical and educational leadership excellence. She’s also a published scholar and peer reviewer.
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Research events happening soon
Hear from our research experts
5
blog posts
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23 Aug 2024
Why nursing voices matter in shaping care home research
Research undertaken in older adult care homes helps to drive innovation, but should be guided by what's important to residents and the people who support them – including nurses, who play a crucial part in residents' care. Do you have ideas about where care home research could make a difference?
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20 Jun 2024
A guide to crafting and submitting research abstracts
This blog aims to dispel fears that nurses may have around submitting research abstracts. We aim to empower nurses by providing a comprehensive guide on how they can confidently put together abstracts and contribute to the advancement of nursing knowledge.
