Advancing nursing research: framework for research development

The 21st century presents unprecedented challenges and opportunities to nursing. The explosion of information and technology, globalisation of health care, global nursing shortage, complexity of needs of clients with diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds have driven nursing to rethink its model of care delivery. There is also an increasing demand for accountability for professional practice and effective use of the finite resources. These challenges are changing the milieu of nursing. There is a need to enhance the quality of nursing practice through research.