Experiences of nurse-researchers in gaining access to subjects for clinical nursing research.

Abstract

This study investigated the experiences of nurse researchers in gaining access to potential research subjects within health care agencies. Responders were nurse researchers who were primary authors of clinical nursing research studies that had been published in nursing research journals between the years 1985 and 1989. A survey was mailed to 211 responders and returned by 99 (47 per cent). Eighty-six were employed primarily by educational institutions. Responses to the survey indicated that these nurse researchers experienced political and procedural obstacles in gaining access to potential research subjects within health care agencies.