A translational research framework for nurse practitioners.

Abstract

This study aims to explore a proposed translational research continuum for nurse practitioners. Nurse practitioners are acknowledged as clinical leaders responsible for transforming health care delivery. It is important that nurse practitioners contribute to health care knowledge using scientific processes for the implementation of evidence-based practice and evaluation of outcomes of interventions for their patient groups. This paper provides a review of translational research literature including implementation science to align nurse practitioner activities to a modified translational research framework. A translational research framework has the potential to strengthen nursing research in the nurse practitioner role. Adapting an accepted translational research continuum for nurse practitioners places the clinical nursing leaders in an equitable research position with all health care professionals. The translational research continuum provides nursing management with a structure to benchmark nursing research. The continuum applies a modern research framework to support research engagement for the nurse practitioner role.