Facilitators and Barriers to Developing a Research Program: A Focused Ethnography of New Tenure-Track PhD-Prepared Nursing Faculty

Background Creating a research program is a critical requirement for new PhD-prepared tenure-track nursing faculty in Canada. Purpose The purpose of this article is to present key findings of new faculty members focusing on facilitators and barriers to development of their research program. Method We conducted focused ethnography research examining the experience of 17 new faculty members from across Canada. Results The following themes were identified: teaching release, preparation from PhD program, intense feelings, supports and processes, mentoring, obtaining grants, and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions Implications for practice include identifying ways to facilitate faculty retention as they develop their research program. This research will be of interest to deans of nursing and new faculty members.