Context for Practice: Nurses contribute to the advancement and generation of knowledge of the practice of nursing. By engaging in research and/or participating in scholarly activities and sharing clinical insights, nurses contribute valuable information and innovative practices that advance nursing knowledge, improve outcomes (i.e., client, nurse, team, organization, system) and inform health system transformation. Nurses’ involvement along the consumer-provider research continuum, evidence-based practice, and lifelong learning helps to refine existing techniques and develop new approaches, ultimately leading to improved client outcomes, transformation of the health system, and the progression of the nursing profession.
| Ethical Responsibilities: Nurses contribute to the advancement of existing knowledge and the generation of new knowledge by |
| 6.4.1 |
promoting or engaging in research, scholarship, innovation or creative activities that promote safe, competent, compassionate and ethical care, while including clients where appropriate (with their consent); |
| 6.4.2 |
promoting or engaging in quality improvement initiatives (across all domains of quality — safe, effective, patient-centred, timely, efficient, and equitable) that enhance the profession and improve outcomes (i.e., ethical care, services and/or supports, team, organizational, system); |
| 6.4.3 |
advocating for recognition of nurse researchers’ contribution to the highest level of evidence available to advance nursing science and improve patient care outcomes; |
| 6.4.4 |
engaging with professional and other organizations (e.g., regulatory, governmental bodies, educational sector, associations, unions), contributing to the development of standards, policies and educational resources that shape the future of nursing; |
| 6.4.5 |
using ethical research guidelines that align with nursing values and that comply with Canadian guidelines for the conduct of research with human subjects; and |
| 6.4.6 |
prioritizing the well-being of clients during the research process by focusing on client safety, informed consent, balancing risks and benefits, protecting privacy and confidentiality, and monitoring and evaluating the research process. |