Nursing Clinical Research Unit

Investigators:
Mary Shelkey, PhD, ARNP, Unit Nursing Director, Geriatric Specialist
Deb Beauchaine, MN., ARNP, Geriatric Services Director
Ellen Noel, RN
Becky Dolan, BSN, RN, Dialysis
Charleen Tachibana, MN, RN, Vice-President, Chief Nursing Officer

The Nursing Clinical Research Unit (NCRU) was established in May 2002. Among its accomplishments is the creation of an infrastructure to support and guide nurses conducting nursing clinical research. The infrastructure for fostering nursing clinical research at Benaroya Research Institute (BRI) - Virginia Mason Medical Center consists of the NCRU Director, the Steering Practice by Advancing Research Knowledge and Skills (SPARKS) committee and participation as a member on the BRI Institutional Review Board.

The primary goal of nursing research is the improvement of clinical outcomes for patients. Clinical nursing research explores questions about current nursing practice and investigates those questions using relevant research methods. Research findings are then available to improve nursing practice using evidenced-based practices models. Clinical nursing research also provides opportunities for nurses to increase the breadth and depth of patient care knowledge and to personally contribute scientifically significant advances to the discipline of nursing.