Camouflaging nursing research-related tasks in clinical practice–Experiences of newly-graduated masters of science in nursing

Abstract

Objective: To explore and describe how newly-graduated Masters of Science in Nursing experienced engaging in nursing research-related tasks in daily clinical practice.

Methods: Fifteen nurses withholding a Masters of Science in Nursing degree were recruited from our longitudinal cohort study and interviewed six months after graduation in December 2016 (n = 10) and in December 2017 (n = 5), respectively. Data were analysed using Graneheim and Lundmann’s qualitative manifest and latent content analysis. Lincoln and Guba’s four criteria of trustworthiness were followed.

Results: The main theme of the overall interpretation was Camouflaging nursing research-related tasks in clinical practice. The main theme describe the Master of Science in Nursing graduates as highly motivated to use their new academic skills in clinical practice and how they have to hide their engagement in research due to the barriers, which are outlined in the three themes: the position as time restrainer, the management as gatekeeper, and the nursing culture as norm setter.

Conclusions: The study contributes with knowledge on how the Master of Science in Nursing graduates struggle to use their academic skills in clinical practice and how they felt the need to camouflage their commitment in research because it was not well reputed among their colleagues.