Nursing perceptions of clinical research in the neonatal intensive care unit

The purpose of the study is to determine perceptions of clinical research in the NICU. This is a survey study. Nurses (n = 68) employed in a level III NICU in the Midwestern United States were included. The main outcome variable is the cross-sectional analysis of responses to a survey exploring perceptions of clinical research. Ninety-seven percent of nurses (n = 66) agree that clinical research is important for improving care, while 57% (n = 39) report that it affects their day positively. Thirty-seven percent reported excellent communication between clinical and research teams. In addition, 27% (n = 18) of nurses reported research presents complications for families, and 79% (n = 54) reported that it is acceptable to cease a research protocol for infant benefit. Years of practice and whether nurses read research affected various responses. Clinical research is imperative to inform best practice, and nurses are an integral part of care. Therefore, it is essential to better define strategies to bridge the gap between clinical and research teams.