From Doubt to Drive: Transforming Student Attitudes Toward Research

Engaging undergraduate students in nursing research is of high significance for capacity building and advancement of the nursing profession especially with current global constraints to health research. Helping students understand the significance of research can position students towards success in leveraging research in their future careers. Currently, while research as a core nursing course is offered in some schools of nursing, it provides an introductory understanding of research methods and does not often contain a practical application component of what students are learning from a theoretical perspective. This editorial provides strategies on how nursing schools, universities, practice-site organizations, and external funding bodies can modify their existing practices to offer direct, application, research-based opportunities for undergraduate nursing students. Particularly, thinking about how assignments can be modified to instruct students about diverse types of publications and knowledge dissemination options can contribute to students feeling like their voice matters and this work has impact beyond a singular course. Offering students opportunities at the university level to receive research mentorship and learn about the conduct of research from inception to dissemination can equip students with the skills they need to lead research upon graduation on practice-related, first-hand issues they are witnessing as nurses. Research shadowing opportunities or involvement in research within organizations where students are practicing can demonstrate the connection between theory and real-world use of research and impact. Finally, advocating for increasing funding opportunities for undergraduate students from external funders can enhance the accessibility and quality of mentorship in research for such students.