A vision for nursing research

One of my key priorities is advancing the pace of developing capacity and capability in nursing research. In November 2021 the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) for England, Ruth May, launched a ‘strategic plan’ to support nurses to lead, participate in, and deliver research. In the foreword to the document (CNO for England, 2021) she highlighted the importance of research for ‘public benefit’—for example, improving public health and patient experience. The strategy sets out a vision for research to ‘reflect’ the priorities of patients, carers, service users, residents, the public and nurses.

‘Research led by nurses and contributions they make as members of multidisciplinary research teams can drive change. It is the cornerstone of high-quality, evidence-based nursing.’

CNO for England, 2021: 6

The five themes underpinning the plan are:

The national plan is detailed to be delivered in three phases: discover, build, and sustain. A detailed implementation plan is expected in spring 2022 and will set out what will be delivered in 2022 and 2023.