Conduct your own research from scratch?

Specialties Research

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Hi everyone,

Has anyone attempted or succeeded at conducting your own research? Found a topic you were interested in and was able to pull it all off? I see on the NIH website they have grants/funding for approved research projects. I work with an MD and we have a research idea that has been floating around in our minds. He's working on the nuts/bolts of it and I am thinking of the nursing aspect such as follow ups, documentation, compliance, etc. Has anyone ever navigated these waters? I have no research background but have been a nurse 9 years in various settings. Any thoughts?

Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

I have done a solo, IRB-approved research study. Two, in fact with plans for a third. I work closely with our hospitals Research and Regulatory Affairs liaison. The first one was a requirement for my MSN- and I learned sooooo much. My program prepared me for further work in research- and I

PS: Still work as staff- do research in my 'spare time'!

lovinglife2015

292 Posts

Typically, you must be affiliated with a university or hospital to get research grants.

RschIVF40

1 Article; 59 Posts

Although I'm getting in on the tail-end of this convo, I've done rsch at work as well as am doing it for my PhD. You mentioned you have no research background. Conducting a research study requires quite a bit of work and can be very time-consuming and specific protocols must be followed as per the IRB. Thus, it may be more challenging to get funding from the NIH without previous research experience.

That being said, perhaps if your clinic partners with another clinic (or MD office) with research experience, you could then move forward with conducting the research. Better to learn from those who have actually done research before to assure that the study goes off without a hitch especially when patients are involved. Research can be very rewarding. Best Wishes!

wannabecnl

341 Posts

Specializes in PACU, presurgical testing.

Look to your professional organization for funding support. If your work has bearing on a particular area of nursing, you can apply for a grant. For example, I'm part of ASPAN; they fund research at various levels depending on your experience. I concur that you should work with someone who has done research before; your hospital likely has a director of research that can help you get started. That's the job I hope to retire from someday!

hellokath

6 Posts

Hello!

I'm also about to start a research project and its my first time as research coordinator. This project is being passed on to me from a previous researcher. Any tips on getting started such as in organization, documentation? Any practical resources that you could recommend? Thanks!

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