By
Chantille Haynes
A practicum report submitted to the School of Graduate Studies
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Nursing
School of Nursing Memorial University
August, 2018
St. John’s Newfoundland and Labrador
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work, they are best suited to identify knowledge gaps and use research to find solutions.
Unfortunately, nurses often lack research skills and confidence, which makes a
collaboration between clinical and academic nurses ideal in determining best practices.
Purpose: This report describes a feasibility study undertaken to assess interest and
support for a research-practice collaboration between Memorial University’s School of
Nursing and Eastern Health’s Mental Health and Addictions Program. Methods: The
feasibility study involved four components. First, an integrative literature review was
conducted to identify the successes and challenges in the establishment and sustainability
of an academic-practice partnerships involving nursing. Second, a series of consultations
was conducted that included interviews with administrators from both organizations and
focus groups with practicing psychiatric mental health nurses. Administrators indicated
support for the collaboration and nurse s, although they described minimal exposure to
research, were open to involvement in practice-driven projects. The third activity
involved establishment of the research team that included four practicing nurses and the
development of a research proposal that reflected patient care priorities identified by
nurses in the consultation. A mixed-methods research proposal was developed by the
team over a period of eight weeks. The final activity involved the development of a draft
terms of reference for a formalized, research-practice collaboration between the two
organizations. Conclusion: Given the positive nature of the feasibility study outcomes,
pursuing a partnership was assessed as having strong potential for success.
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knowledge in psychiatric nursing and research which aided in the completion of this report.
I would like to thank the research team for their dedication to the research proposal:
1. Beth Rowlands, MN, BSc, RN; Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse & Research Team Member
2. Debbie Meaney, RN; Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse & Research Team Member 3. Robin Kavanagh, BN, RN; Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse & Research Team Member
4. Bev Chard, MN RN: Clinical Educator & Research Team Member
I would like to thank all the nurses who came to the consultation sessions and shared their valuable knowledge. I would also like to thank the four key informants who agreed to be interviewed and to share their knowledge which was vital in the completion of this report.
I would like to thank the unit managers of East 3A and W3A, Natasha Renouf and Sarah Gidge, and program director, Isobel Keefe, for their support and contributions to the project.
Finally, I would like to thank my fiancé, Bursin İşler, for his support through the
completion of this report.
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Acknowledgements iii
Introduction 1
Background 3
Practicum Project 4
Goals and Objectives 5
Overview of the Methods 6
Summary of the Literature Review 7
Search Strategy 7
Literature Review Findings 8
Consultation Process 12
Rationale 13
Outcomes 13
Overview of the Research Development Process 14
Establishment of the Research Team 15
Proposal Development 15
Involvement of Unit Managers 16
Assessment of Collaborations Feasibility 16
Next Steps 17
Advanced Nursing Practice Competencies 18
Conclusions 20
References 21
Appendices
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