Being a nurse between research and clinic: What challenges and opportunities for a PhD-prepared nurse? Overview from an Italian paediatric hospital

AimTo report a reflection on the role, challenges and opportunities for nurses with advanced education in research outside the academic field.DesignA discursive paper.Data SourcesWe reported the case of an Italian paediatric research hospital where PhD-prepared nurses started to apply their knowledge and competencies in different fields, both in clinical and organizational settings. From this experience, an overview of the possible barriers and challenges that PhD-prepared nurses may face up within the hospital setting.DiscussionThe application of PhD-prepared nurses in hospital settings could be an opportunity to advance high standards of quality of care in managerial and clinical areas and to create networks between highly specialized professional figures and different clinical-care realities.ConclusionMore research is needed to explore how to apply the advanced competencies of PhD-prepared nurses within healthcare organizations to provide high-quality and safe care and services. This paper can provide insights for a reflection on applying and developing PhD-prepared nurses' skills and competencies within the hospital setting in clinical, research and managerial areas. This can enhance the effective application of highly competent nursing professional figures.ConclusionMore research is needed to explore how to apply the advanced competencies of PhD-prepared nurses within healthcare organizations to provide high-quality and safe care and services. This paper can provide insights for a reflection on applying and developing PhD-prepared nurses' skills and competencies within the hospital setting in clinical, research and managerial areas. This can enhance the effective application of highly competent nursing professional figures.Patient or Public ContributionNo Patient or Public Contribution, due to study design.