Establishing a Pathway to Excellence® Research Agenda: A Delphi Study to Identify Research Priorities for Evaluating Positive Practice Environments

• Published in: The Journal of nursing administration Vol. 53; no. 4; p. 189
• Main Authors: Mulvey, Tanya, Cámpoli, Marcela, Lundmark, Vicki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.04.2023
• Subjects: Delphi Technique; Humans; Leadership; Nursing Research
• ISSN: 1539-0721
• DOI: 10.1097/NNA.0000000000001269

The aim of this study was to develop research priorities for positive practice environments identified by Pathway to Excellence® (Pathway) leaders and appraisers. Identifying research priorities achieves 2 goals: 1) advancing research agendas that impact improving practice environments, and nurse and patient outcomes; and 2) informing nursing leaders, researchers, and funders of potential research projects to conduct and support. Research topics related to the 6 Pathway standards were developed and then rated for importance through 3 rounds of a Delphi survey by leaders at Pathway-designated organizations and Pathway appraisers. Twenty research priorities were identified from the initial 54 research topics. The top 2 priorities were building and maintaining shared governance participation (91.9%) and nurse participation in performance improvement and evidence-based practice activities (90.7%). Establishing a Pathway research agenda will guide nursing leadership, researchers, and funders in selecting impactful research priorities to help bolster positive practice environments that engage and empower nurses.