Tales from the field: what the nursing research textbooks will not tell you.

The process of conducting nursing research can be far more complicated than what is described in nursing textbooks, particularly when the investigation is conducted in a new and unfamiliar care setting. This article describes a number of unexpected events and outcomes associated with implementing what was considered, at the onset, a well-designed research study under the leadership of experienced investigators. Lessons learned, which are believed to be valuable to both neophyte and seasoned researchers, are reviewed.