Making nursing research "real": an experiential approach.

Research can be a challenging subject for nursing students at all levels. Although a research course was a prerequisite for admittance to our masters of science in nursing program at Viterbo University, faculty found that students had varying levels of expertise with the content as well as differing attitudes toward research in practice. To initiate "research thinking" early in the program, 2 faculty members integrated research concepts across 2 of the core courses, one being the nursing research course. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were taught using didactic and experiential methods over 2 semesters. Through the combined activities in the 2 courses, many skills and a new appreciation for nursing research were instilled.