Practice nurses and research - The Fremantle Primary Prevention study.

BACKGROUND The Primary Health Care Research Evaluation and Development strategy provides financial support for the development of early to mid career researchers through its Research Capacity Building Initiative and Research Development Program. Practice nurses can provide valuable contributions to research practices undertaking research projects. OBJECTIVE This article documents the experiences of three practice nurses involved in an independently funded cardiovascular research project and how the experience helped to enhance their role in their general practice. DISCUSSION The combination of general practitioner and practice nurse working together is an important component of primary care research. The development of research skills is an exciting option for practice nurses wishing to expand and develop their careers.