Abstract
Purpose Statement: To describe the formation of an Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) Research Community of Practice (CoP) led by an NP Clinician Scientist, aimed at fostering research capacity, partnerships, mentorship, scholarly engagement, and knowledge translation among NPs and Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) in two provincial healthcare organizations.
Background: The Nova Scotia Health (NSH) NP Interprofessional Practice and Learning (IPP&L) team observed ongoing challenges with NP recruitment and retention highlighted by feelings of undervaluation among NPs in clinical practice. Concurrently, changes to NP entry-level competencies and increasing NP inquiries regarding research, demonstrated a growing appetite for scholarly engagement.
Methods: Through innovation and advocacy from the NSH NP IPP&L team, the NP Clinician Scientist (CS) role was established in June 2024 (modelled after Fraser Health’s role) to meet identified NP needs. Over the next 12 months the CS and team, initiated partnerships with stakeholders from health authorities, universities, research organizations and professional associations. By June 2025, this role started to bridge the research-to-practice gap by launching an APN Research CoP. Guided by a Terms of Reference and learning needs assessment, the CoP meets monthly for education, mentorship, research updates, and collaboration, with evaluation through attendance and feedback.
Discussion: Drawing from the entry level NP competencies, this CoP provides NPs a structured opportunity to advance themselves as clinicians, leaders and scholars. The CoP is a platform for NPs to share resources, engage in collaborative research, and build confidence in scholarly activities while addressing barriers such as imposter syndrome and limited research experience. Early findings highlight strong interest in mentorship, case study development, and quality improvement initiatives. The NP Clinician Scientist role is pivotal in facilitating these activities, bridging clinical practice and research leadership.
Conclusion: The NSH NP IPP&L team has identified NP led research as a priority. The Research CoP fosters confidence, leadership, collaboration, and scholarly productivity among advanced practice nurses. There is significant research and leadership interest among NPs, however, sustained engagement requires organizational support, particularly in the current healthcare climate.
Notes
References:
1. Crowe, S. (n.d.). Nurse practitioner leader – clinician scientist [Internal document]. Fraser Health, Department of Nurse Practitioners.
2. Lloy, B., & Dunlop, M. (2025). Development of the nurse practitioner research portfolio [PowerPoint slides]. Nova Scotia Health.
3. Nova Scotia College of Nursing. (2025). National entry-level competencies for nurse practitioners.
https://www.nscn.ca/sites/default/files/documents/resources/EntryLevelCompetenciesNP.pdf
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Academic-Clinical Partnership, Workforce, Competence, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Communities of Practice, Nursing Research, Research Skills, Medical Scientists
Recommended Citation
Colgan, Sarah Jayne; Lloy, Breanna; and Dunlop, Melanie, "Leadership in Action: Building a Research Community of Practice through the NP-Clinician Scientist" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 102.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/posters_2026/102
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-09-15
Leadership in Action: Building a Research Community of Practice through the NP-Clinician Scientist
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Purpose Statement: To describe the formation of an Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) Research Community of Practice (CoP) led by an NP Clinician Scientist, aimed at fostering research capacity, partnerships, mentorship, scholarly engagement, and knowledge translation among NPs and Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) in two provincial healthcare organizations.
Background: The Nova Scotia Health (NSH) NP Interprofessional Practice and Learning (IPP&L) team observed ongoing challenges with NP recruitment and retention highlighted by feelings of undervaluation among NPs in clinical practice. Concurrently, changes to NP entry-level competencies and increasing NP inquiries regarding research, demonstrated a growing appetite for scholarly engagement.
Methods: Through innovation and advocacy from the NSH NP IPP&L team, the NP Clinician Scientist (CS) role was established in June 2024 (modelled after Fraser Health’s role) to meet identified NP needs. Over the next 12 months the CS and team, initiated partnerships with stakeholders from health authorities, universities, research organizations and professional associations. By June 2025, this role started to bridge the research-to-practice gap by launching an APN Research CoP. Guided by a Terms of Reference and learning needs assessment, the CoP meets monthly for education, mentorship, research updates, and collaboration, with evaluation through attendance and feedback.
Discussion: Drawing from the entry level NP competencies, this CoP provides NPs a structured opportunity to advance themselves as clinicians, leaders and scholars. The CoP is a platform for NPs to share resources, engage in collaborative research, and build confidence in scholarly activities while addressing barriers such as imposter syndrome and limited research experience. Early findings highlight strong interest in mentorship, case study development, and quality improvement initiatives. The NP Clinician Scientist role is pivotal in facilitating these activities, bridging clinical practice and research leadership.
Conclusion: The NSH NP IPP&L team has identified NP led research as a priority. The Research CoP fosters confidence, leadership, collaboration, and scholarly productivity among advanced practice nurses. There is significant research and leadership interest among NPs, however, sustained engagement requires organizational support, particularly in the current healthcare climate.
Description
This initiative highlights leadership in advancing NP research through the NP Clinician Scientist role and the development of an APN Research CoP. The CoP builds on NP competencies, fostering mentorship, collaboration, and scholarly confidence, positioning NPs as leaders who bridge clinical practice and research while addressing occupational barriers and driving innovation.