Empowering clinical participation nurses through academic and research participation

Sindhu Sivanandan1, Lydia Annie J2

1Clinical Lead and Chief Neonatologist, Kauvery Hospital, Radial Road, Chennai

2Chief Nursing Officer, Kauvery Hospital, Radial Road, Chennai

Introduction

Nurses in neonatal and pediatric intensive care units (NICU and PICU) are at the forefront of delivering specialized care to critically ill newborns and children. Beyond their vital role at the bedside, they are increasingly contributing to research, quality improvement, and evidence-based practice, shaping the future of intensive care nursing. Traditionally, research opportunities have been confined to academic nurses who are often not directly involved in patient care. Clinical bedside nurses may lack knowledge and awareness about research methodologies, limiting their participation. Involving them in research not only bridges this gap but also motivates and empowers them, transforming routine care into evidence-based, outcome-driven practice.

Nursing participation in PEDICRITICON

Our nursing teams recently showcased this empowerment by participating in the first National Nursing PEDICRITICON, held in Bengaluru from first to 3 August 2025. This landmark conference brought together nurses from across India to exchange knowledge and show case innovations in pediatric and neonatal critical care. Our unit proudly presented four e-posters, all of which were original research studies collaboratively conducted by nurses and physicians: – NICU: Antibiotic stewardship in neonatal sepsis—highlighting how implementation of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Standard Treatment Workflow (STW) significantly reduced antibiotic use (Fig 1) and clinical profile of neonates with respiratory distress(Fig2). PICU: Clinical profile of children requiring respiratory support (Fig 3) and seizure-related admissions in children (Fig4).

Nurses ‘role in research

1. Implementing evidence-based practices at the bedside

  • The antibiotic stewardship program was nurse-led in our unit. Nurse’s ensured that blood cultures were collected before antibiotics were initiated, discussed de-escalation needs during rounds, and marked ‘antibiotic stop’ orders in drug charts to enforce judicious antibiotic use.

2. Participation in meticulous data collection over two years

  • Nurses collaborated closely with physicians, systematically documenting clinical parameters and outcomes to ensure high-quality data for research.

3. Involvement in monthly audits

  • Nurses actively participated in audit meetings, reviewing outcomes, reflecting on practices, and identifying improvements, fostering a culture of continuouslearning.
  • Their involvement demonstrated that tasks requiring stringent supervision and monitoring, such as infection control and antibiotic stewardship, are best executed by nurses due to their continuous bedside presence and ability to ensure adherence to established protocols

Discussion

Participation in PEDICRITICON empowered our nurses by providing them with a platform to present their work, interact with national experts, and gain exposure to evolving standards in pediatric critical care nursing. This experience enhanced their confidence, reinforced critical thinking, and strengthened ownership of patient care. Engaging bedside nurses in research bridges the gap between academia and clinical practice. When nurses lead or participate in research, they directly apply findings to patient care, ensuring sustainability and improved outcomes. Evidence-based interventions, such as nurse-led antibiotic stewardship, show case how frontline nursing leadership can influence practice transformation and reduce inappropriate antibiotic use. A supportive environment played a crucial role in making this possible. Nurses were granted on-duty leave and were supported by travel and accommodation arrangements, thanks to the encouragement and backing from the Kauvery Hospital Management at Radial Road. Such institutional support is vital in fostering nurse empowerment and enabling their active participation in academic forums. Fostering nursing empowerment through education, mentorship, and research opportunities is essential to strengthen intensive care teams. Empowered nurses not only elevate their own professional growth but also contribute significantly to advancing care standards in NICU and PICU settings. Our participation at PEDICRITICON is a testament to this progress and represents a vital step toward integrating clinical nursing expertise into the academic and research community.

Here some of the poster Presented at the PEDICRITICON

Fig (1): E-Poster on antibiotic stewardship in NICU. Nursing champions include RN Jeyalakshmi and RN Dhivya

Fig (2): E-Poster on neonates with respiratory distress. Nursing champions include RN Abhirami, RN Jayalakshmi and RN Dhivya

Fig (3): E-Poster from PICU on clinical profile of children with respiratory illness. Nursing champion is Saraswathy, charge nurse

Fig (4): E-Poster on clinical profile of seizure related admissions in PICU. Nursing champions include RN Nisha and Saraswathy

References

  • Kaur M, Jayashree M. Empowered nurses: A win-win situation in pediatric critical care. Indian Pediatr. 2022; 59:951–954. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-022-2673-42. Sharma SK, Thakur K, Peter RP. Status of nurses in India: Current situation analysis and strategies to improve. J Med Evid. 2020;1(2):147–152. DOI: 10.4103/JME.JME_164_20

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