Factors Facilitating Peer-Reviewed Publication by Clinical Nurses in Magnet Settings

Abstract

Clinical nurses are in pivotal positions to generate best practices to influence health care reform and advance nursing science in hospital settings. It is critical that clinical nurses disseminate these best practices through scholarly publication in peer-reviewed journals. Yet, research into factors that facilitate publication by clinical nurses is limited and inconclusive. As a result, little is known about how to implement interventions in hospital settings that enhance the dissemination of knowledge related to best practices. The purpose of this study was to examine the cognitive, behavioral, and environmental factors that facilitate publication by clinical nurses in Magnet hospitals. These factors were explored using a focused ethnographic, multiple-case study design. Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory and the concept of "human agency" provided a framework and theoretical propositions to guide the study. Five cases within one Magnet hospital system was selected for study. Data were collected and triangulated from four sources of evidence: 1) physical artifacts, 2) case interviews, 3) direct observations, and 4) documentation. Multiple-case analysis occurred from cross-case synthesis of the five cases using pattern matching of empirically-found patterns with theoretical propositions. Analysis revealed two patterns of cognitive factors (Professional Perspective, Writing Knowledge, and Intrinsic Motivation), behavioral factors (Writing Behaviors and Taking Initiative) and environmental factors (Culture and Resources). Findings reveal an emphasis upon the use and generation of knowledge. Yet, minimal structures or strategies existed to support dissemination of that knowledge through peer-reviewed publication. Consequently, the cases credited cognitive and behavioral factors as most often contributing to writing for publication. Despite minimal structures or strategies to support peer-reviewed publication, the cases still chose to publish. As human agents, all five cases initiated behaviors to create an environment conducive for writing manuscripts. As a result of these behaviors, the cases produced peer-reviewed publications. Case descriptions emphasized the causation effect among all three factors confirming the interdependence and influence of cognitive, behavioral, and environmental factors. Findings also confirm that the cases were both products and producers of their environment responding to various influences that did and did not facilitate their efforts to write for publication. Findings provide both implications and recommendations for nursing practice, education, and research.