Nursing research at German university hospitals: A descriptive, cross-sectional study on the current status of nursing research activities and challenges for ethical approval

Nursing research is an integral part of nursing science and essential for evidence-based nursing practice. Research conducted by nursing scientists employed at university hospitals is shaped by the specific prevailing conditions. It is largely unclear to what extent these nursing scientists are engaged in research and which difficulties they have to face. The purpose of the study was to gain insight into nursing scientists’ research activities in German university hospitals and to assess the challenges they encounter in gaining ethical approval from institutional review boards.