A nurse scientist is a registered nurse with advanced education and expertise in nursing research.[1] These professionals play a critical role in advancing nursing knowledge, improving patient care, and shaping the future of the nursing profession.[1] Highly educated and specialized, nurse scientists conduct research to generate new knowledge about nursing care, employing a deep understanding of nursing theory, research methodologies, and clinical practice.[2] Nurse scientists are essential contributors to the development of new nursing interventions and practices.[3] Their skills extend beyond academic settings and these advanced nurses work in hospitals, research institutes, and community organizations. Through their efforts, nurse scientists have a profound impact on the quality of healthcare, contributing significantly to the improvement of patient care and the overall advancement of the nursing profession.[3] They possess advanced qualifications, typically holding a Ph.D. in nursing or a related field, demonstrating expertise not only in research principles and methodology but also in-depth content knowledge within a specific clinical area. The primary focus of the role is to provide leadership in the development, coordination and management of clinical research studies; provide mentorship for nurses in research; lead evaluation activities that improve outcomes for patients participating in research studies; contribute to the overall health sciences literature.[4] Nurse scientists have been regarded as knowledge brokers.[5] They participate in nursing research.[6][7][8][9][10][11][12]
^Brant, Jeannine M. (November 2015). "Bridging the Research-to-Practice Gap: The Role of the Nurse Scientist". Seminars in Oncology Nursing. 31 (4): 298–305. doi:10.1016/j.soncn.2015.08.006. PMID26525730.
^Armstrong, Deborah K.; McCurry, Mary; Dluhy, Nancy M. (January 2017). "Facilitating the Transition of Nurse Clinician to Nurse Scientist: Significance of Entry PhD Courses". Journal of Professional Nursing. 33 (1): 74–80. doi:10.1016/j.profnurs.2016.06.005. PMID28131151.