Sharing resources for clinical research.

The unstructured, verbal contact of the Sharing Resources Model between persons of different institutions allowed each to accomplish goals. In a time of limited health care funding, this model helped all involved to conduct nursing research. The director and ET nurse explored long-term questions about research. For example, during this time of nursing shortage, how does a nurse researcher include the staff nurse in clinical research? How can clinical agencies implement research findings and monitor their impact? Can research interest of the nursing staff be stimulated by reading research? In addition these individuals were able to document a need for continued research development and research consultation. Sharing of resources allowed the nurse faculty member to be a team member in the agencies in which she was conducting research. Providing consulting allowed her to repay to the agencies the time commitment they made to her research and an opportunity to share with clinical experts. Clinical agencies and schools of nursing need to examine ways to increase research collaboration. Since ET nurses are exposed to numerous researchable questions, they should explore within their agencies the structuring of nursing research. If nursing research assistance is not available, the Sharing Resources Model may initially help ET nurses with their research and document a need to the agency for research assistance. Whatever model the ET nurse uses for research assistance, all involved should benefit.