Research utilization and clinical nurse educators: a systematic review

Background Clinical nurse educators and other linking agents such as clinical nurse specialists, advanced nurse practitioners, and nurses working in research leadership positions are an important link in the facilitation of evidence-based practice in health care organizations. Aim The purpose of this paper is to report the findings of a systematic review of the literature regarding clinical nurse educators and research utilization, using the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services framework as a backdrop for the analysis. Findings There is a positive relationship between research utilization and attitude toward research, higher levels of education, and reading professional nursing journals among clinical nurse educators. The authors suggest that not all clinical nurse educators have the necessary critical appraisal skills and research knowledge to use research effectively in practice. Conclusion Few studies have examined clinical nurse educators and the determinants of their research utilization behaviour in clinical practice. Future research on clinical nurse educators needs to focus on the outcomes of research utilization, including the effectiveness of their role as facilitators and the contexts in which they practice.