Conceptions of learning research: Variations amongst French and Swedish nurses. A phenomenographic study

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BackgroundThe development of nursing research capacity and interactions with cultural and structural issues is at various stages throughout Europe. This process appears to be remarkably similar irrespective of the country. Sweden has developed this capacity since the 1990s, whereas France is experiencing a transition. Nevertheless, knowledge about how nurses conceive their learning about nursing research and transitioning toward being researchers is scarce.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to explore French and Swedish RNs' conceptions of research education and educational passage toward research and to describe how learning research contributes to the understanding of their norms and practices.DesignA phenomenographic approach was used to understand and describe the qualitatively different ways in which French and Swedish RNs conceive research and its apprenticeship.Settings and ParticipantsA purposive maximum variation sampling of five French and five Swedish Nurse Researchers with PhDs.MethodsIndividual in-depth interviews conducted in France and Sweden between November 2012 and March 2013 were analysed using phenomenography.FindingsThe analysis revealed one main category, “Organisational factors to sustain individual apprenticeship”. Three descriptive categories have emerged from the data and its variations amongst French and Swedish nurses: (1) entrance into research—modes of commitment; (2) nurses' engagement—the need for dedicated support; and (3) research as the means to resolve nursing situations.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates how registered nurses have integrated nursing and researcher roles following different efficient paths. Education in nursing research is part of the strategy needed for the development of nursing research and is supported by the integration of research and practice.