Cancer nursing research short course: long-term follow-up of participants, 1984-1998.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To describe research activities of cancer nurses following participation in the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS)/National Cancer Institute Cancer Nursing Research Short Course from 1984-1989. DESIGN Descriptive survey. SETTING National survey of course participants. SAMPLE 128 cancer nurses who attended the courses presented from 1984-1998. METHODS Mailed survey. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Demographic characteristics, current job titles, participation in research since course attendance, sources and amounts of research support, research roles, and publications. FINDINGS The course provided new investigators with a unique research experience not available at their own institutions and helped them launch their research careers. The participants' commitment to research is illustrated in their response rate to the survey, record of studies, funding sources, and research roles. CONCLUSIONS The short course is a valuable resource for increasing the number of committed oncology nursing researchers and assisting in the scientific foundation for the care of patients with cancer. Findings clearly show the value of the course to participants' research careers. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING ONS has a commitment to oncology nursing research as the means to increase the scientific foundation for cancer nursing care. The Cancer Nursing Research Short Course provides a valuable resource for meeting this commitment.