The Status of Nursing Research Funding - An issue for the 90'S

Abstract

Nursing research is essential to the development of knowledge and skills that ensure effective and safe nursing care. There is a reality accepted by practitioners who face a major obstacle when they plan to study various aspects of their practice - a lack of funding. The current funding infrastructure in Canada creates limitations with wide ranging implications (Beaton, 1990; Stinson, Lamb & Thibaudeau, 1990): The paucity of research funding pertains not only to the design and conduct of investigations but as well to the support of such infrastructure as research training, university and health care agency based clinical researchers, seed money, research development programs in health care agencies, scientific travel, conferences and journals - and the development of research units. (Stinson, Lamb & Thibaudeau, 1990, p. 118) It appears that not only is the funding situation for Canadian nursing research at a low level but also, that it has been retrogressive for years. In this paper, evidence is presented to support these two assertions, implications of the reality are considered and suggestions are made about how to begin tackling the situation.