System Nurse Scientist
About The Position
The System Nurse Scientist provides strategic scientific leadership and mentorship for the nursing research program. The role supports the development of rigorous nurse-led research and evidence-based practice initiatives, fosters a culture of inquiry, and aligns nursing research with institutional priorities and ANCC nursing excellence standards. Reporting directly to the Director of Nursing Professional Practice, the position collaborates with nurse leaders, educators, and interdisciplinary teams to build research capacity, ensure research integrity, and promote scholarly excellence across the system. The role provides scientific guidance across research design and execution, investigator development, education, Magnet program support, research governance, and interdisciplinary collaboration. It also monitors research progress and outcomes, supports regulatory and ethical compliance, and helps communicate the impact of the nursing research program.
Requirements
- Current Registered Nurse (RN) licensure in the State of Michigan.
- PhD; if the PhD is not in Nursing, a graduate degree in Nursing is required.
- At least 2 years of clinical nursing experience and demonstrated experience conducting nursing or healthcare research.
- Experience mentoring nurse investigators and building research capacity.
- Proficiency in research design and methodologies, IRB processes, data collection, statistical analysis, research ethics, scholarly dissemination, and quality improvement tools.
- Evidence of scholarly dissemination through peer-reviewed publications, abstracts, or professional presentations.
- Exceptional communication, leadership, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
- Strong scientific, analytical, and critical-thinking abilities.
- Strong organizational and project-management skills.
- Ability to influence, lead change, and foster collaboration across departments.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and research data-management software.
- Commitment to nursing excellence and lifelong learning.
Nice To Haves
- Prior nursing leadership experience.
- Knowledge of Magnet Recognition Program standards and components.
- Research certification such as CCRA, CCRC, CCRP, or ACRP-CP.
- Evidence-based practice or quality-improvement training.
- Familiarity with electronic health records and data analytics tools.
- Experience as a principal investigator or co-investigator and contributing to grant proposals or funded research.
- Experience contributing to or developing nursing research infrastructure.
Responsibilities
- Set nursing research priorities with nursing leadership and lead system initiatives to build, strengthen, and maintain nursing research infrastructure.
- Provide scientific consultation and leadership for nursing research studies, including distinguishing research from quality improvement and evidence-based practice and supporting integration into clinical care.
- Guide investigators in developing rigorous research protocols, IRB submissions, and regulatory documentation.
- Guide study design, recruitment plans, data collection, interpretation, and reporting.
- Mentor nurses and nurse leaders in research skills and in disseminating findings through presentations, posters, and publications.
- Participate in or lead the Nursing Research Council and other applicable professional governance councils, aligning research priorities with organizational strategy and identifying opportunities for nurse-led inquiry.
- Oversee study progress, methodological rigor, data integrity, research ethics, and protocol compliance.
- Support journal clubs, research workshops, investigator development, bedside inquiry, and educational programs on nursing research, evidence-based practice, clinical inquiry, and Magnet research standards.
- Promote nurse-led research and scholarly dissemination.
- Facilitate research activities supporting nursing excellence and Magnet designation; liaise between nursing leadership, staff, and the Magnet Program Director.
- Assist with preparation, writing, and submission of Magnet documentation, including empirical outcomes and research reports.
- Monitor nursing research and Magnet standards trends and best practices; support compliance with applicable standards and requirements.
- Maintain documentation for ongoing and completed studies.
- Collaborate with nursing leaders, professional governance councils, interdisciplinary teams, academic partners, IRB, compliance, and data partners to advance nurse-led research and evidence-based practice.
- Participate in strategic planning and operational initiatives related to nursing research.
- Collaborate with clinical teams on evidence-based practice projects and quality improvement initiatives.
- Coordinate communications and events promoting research and nursing inquiry.
- Track and communicate nursing research program progress, outcomes, scholarly productivity, and impact to stakeholders.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
