Research utilization in a small, rural, community hospital.

Professional nursing organizations and nursing leaders value the importance of research-based nursing practice. The urgency for nurses to use research in practice applies to all, regardless of institution size. In this article, unique characteristics of small, rural, community hospital settings are described in relation to research utilization. The successful initiation and maintenance of a valued research utilization program in a small, rural hospital is presented, and suggestions on overcoming perceived barriers to the facilitation of research utilization activities are reviewed.