Incorporating Research into a 2-Year Practical Nursing Diploma Program

Research utilization is becoming increasingly important in nursing programs, especially since sound clinical nursing practice must be based on evidence-based nursing. In this study, research was incorporated into a 2-year practical nursing diploma program at the College level. No formal method exists within the practical nursing program to implement research and therefore a paradigm similar to the undergraduate research programs present in universities was employed. Student selection was based on faculty consensus and a project spanning 2 semesters was selected. Faculty met with the student approximately once a month and the student indicated satisfaction with the way the research program was integrated within the practical nursing program. To provide motivation for students in the practical nursing program at Sheridan College to participate in the research component, a record of the participation can be made on the student’s curricular record at the College. Other ways research can be incorporated into college-level practical nursing programs include the incremental introduction of research into specific courses within the program or provision a credited research course. A structured blueprint is provided to aid college-level health programs incorporate research into their curricula