The financial and clinical benefits of a hospital-based PhD nurse researcher.

Aligning quality outcomes with cost effectiveness is the cornerstone of the direction of health care in the United States. Implementing and supporting an evidence-based practice (EBP) environment requires resources. Because research is a foundational element of the EBP process, resources allocated for nursing research are essential. As part of operational costs, PhD nurse researchers can affirmatively impact an organization by improving quality of care and patient outcomes. Incorporation of a PhD nurse researcher can favorably alter the organization in a pay-for-performance environment.