Abstract
This study was performed to determine the barriers to the implementation of nursing research findings, as perceived by the nurses working in Asser Region of Saudi Arabia. Seven hospitals were randomly selected using a cluster sampling technique, encompassing governmental and private hospitals. A cross-sectional survey design was used and nurses working in these hospitals participated (response rate 67%). The barriers scale was used to fulfill the purpose of this study. The greatest barriers as perceived by nurses were insufficient time to implement new ideas (56 %); the facilities are inadequate for implementation (52.5 %); the nurse does not have time to read research (51.2 %); the nurse does not feel she/he has enough authority to change care (48.8 %); and research reports/articles are not readily available (46.7 %). The most frequently mentioned facilitators were improving research knowledge through training (82 %), providing sufficient financial support for research(77 %), increasing enough time for research activities (70 %), enhancing administrative support & encouragement from colleagues (68 %), and more employees & sufficient staff in place of work (60 %). The findings suggested that there is a need for education to increase nurses’ awareness of the knowledge and skills of research utilization.