Nurse-driven Research

As an academic medical center, clinical inquiry is an integral part of MUSC Health’s mission. A dedicated Nurse Scientist role was created in 2016 to promote improved patient outcomes and advance nursing professional practice through performance improvement, evidence-based practice, and nurse driven research initiatives. The Nurse Scientist also mentors staff, representatives on the Nursing shared governance New Knowledge and Innovation Council.

Nurses at all levels participate in nursing research as principle investigators, co-investigators, and members of research teams. Since the introduction of the Nurse Scientist role, the number of nurse-driven research initiatives have increased significantly. MUSC Health’s nurses actively engage in dissemination of clinical inquiry work by presenting at local, regional, national, and international conferences.

For example, the New Knowledge & Innovation Council sponsors the Nursing Showcase, which allows units to present the innovations implemented over the previous year. In recent years, the council has also collaborated with community partners to offer an annual nursing research conference that focuses on the translation of research to bedside practice.