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Discussion

Is it common for nurses to have papers published?

Hi,

I am a pre-nursing student that is just about to graduate from my first bachelor's degree. During my undergrad I was fortunate to have participated on multiple research projects. A paper that I co-authored is about to be published in the BMJ. I focused my undergrad on research since I was first considering doing a research-related masters degree. Anyways, after I finish my accelerated nursing degree and work as a nurse, I am wondering if publishing more research would be a very real possibility to pursue as a nurse?

Thanks!

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    Yes, there are many journals that are primarily nursing focussed. Most industry based companies (medical manufacturers, pharma, etc) hire teams of nurse writers who do nothing but write articles, sometimes under their names but many times they ghostwrite.

    Many large hospitals and hospital systems also hire nurse writers to not just write but also help others and maybe even ghostwrite articles concerning their facilities or patients.

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    The only way would for you to work in Research at a large academic hospital system. Staff nurses usually don't have time to do research projects while they are working.

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    Common? Not really -- though it depends on your particular job. Beginner-level staff nurses rarely publish, but nurses who have teaching and research careers publish all the time. Nurses in other situations are in the middle. Who do you think writes all those articles in nursing journals and newsletters? Nurses do.

    If you want to publish, there are many opportunities ... and you can choose to pursue those opportunities if that interests you. However, as a beginner-level staff nurse, it probably won't be part of your job. If you want to do it, you'll have to make time to do it -- and you might be doing it on your own time. But it can be done.

    If you want a career that emphasizes research and publication, you can do that. But that's not a common path for nurses to take and it usually takes a few years to get that type of career developed. But some people choose that route.

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    The only way would for you to work in Research at a large academic hospital system. Staff nurses usually don't have time to do research projects while they are working.

    I disagree.

    Staff nurses do research projects and/or write and publish journal articles about current QI initiatives all the time.

    Go to any EBP symposium or nursing conference. Walk around the poster sessions. Almost all of them are done by staff nurses.

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    The only way would for you to work in Research at a large academic hospital system. Staff nurses usually don't have time to do research projects while they are working.

    Gotta disagree. Both of my research studies (Principal Investigator) were completed while I was working as a bedside RN. Both published and presented nationally- all while bedside.

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    Go to any EBP symposium or nursing conference. Walk around the poster sessions. Almost all of them are done by staff nurses.

    I concede your point. I answered based on my experience at my current job. There is a lack of ambition to do anything beyond your job. Unfortunately, it is corporate induced.

    We used to have a Clinical Advancement Program that had several elements that were required to get your cash bonus (no raise) that had publishing as a possible element. This year they revised it to Professional Nursing Contribution Program that is designed as a "recognition and retention program for the highest performing RN's at the point of care that are contributing to XXX Healthcare and the nursing profession." You must be nominated by a nurse manager, educator, director to be able to participate in the program. They also reduced the cash bonus for completing the program. So, increase the number of hoops (must be nominated) and decrease the reward.

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    When I was taking my BSN I pulled out two papers I wrote for courses, buffed them up, and had them published. It's a great way to stand out when you apply for a job.

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