The Scholar-Practitioner Nurse: A Review Of Nursing Contributions To Research And Knowledge Translation

Abstract

Nursing has evolved from a care-focused discipline into a profession that actively drives research, innovation, and evidence-based healthcare transformation. The concept of the scholar-practitioner nurse represents this evolution—an individual who integrates clinical expertise with scientific inquiry to improve patient outcomes, inform policy, and advance healthcare systems. This review examines nursing contributions to research and knowledge translation from 2016 to 2025, synthesizing evidence on how nurses engage in generating, disseminating, and applying knowledge in diverse clinical contexts. The findings reveal that nurses increasingly assume leadership roles in clinical research, evidence implementation, and interprofessional collaboration, despite persistent barriers such as limited time, funding, and institutional support. Facilitators include advanced education, mentorship programs, and organizational cultures that promote inquiry and reflection. The review emphasizes that strengthening the scholar-practitioner role is essential for fostering innovation, improving care quality, and sustaining a culture of lifelong learning within healthcare. Strategic recommendations are provided to enhance nursing research capacity and integrate knowledge translation frameworks across education, practice, and policy.