System Nurse Scientist

Bronson Healthcare Group•Kalamazoo, MI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The System Nurse Scientist provides strategic scientific leadership and mentorship for the nursing research program. The role supports 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 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 sets nursing research priorities with nursing leadership and supports the design and execution of research studies, including study protocols, IRB submissions, recruitment, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting. It mentors nurses and nurse leaders in research and scholarly dissemination, delivers education on research and evidence-based practice, and supports Magnet designation through research activities and documentation. The position also collaborates with clinical, academic, IRB, compliance, and data partners, tracks program outcomes, and helps maintain compliance with institutional, federal, regulatory, and ethical requirements. The position is primarily office-based, with occasional time on clinical units. It may require attendance at evening or weekend meetings or conferences. It is a first-shift, part-time position scheduled for 32 hours per week, based at the BHG Skyrise Business Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Requirements

Current Registered Nurse (RN) licensure in the State of Michigan.
PhD required; if the PhD is not in Nursing, a graduate degree in Nursing is required.
At least 2 years of clinical nursing experience.
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 (EHR) and data analytics tools.
Experience serving 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 in partnership with nursing leadership and drive initiatives to build and maintain nursing research infrastructure.
Provide scientific consultation and leadership for nursing research studies, 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 disseminating research findings through presentations, posters, and publications.
Participate in or lead the Nursing Research Council and other professional governance councils, aligning research priorities with organizational strategy and identifying nurse-led inquiry opportunities.
Provide scientific oversight of study progress, methodological rigor, data integrity, research ethics, and protocol compliance.
Mentor nurses and nurse leaders in evidence-based practice and research skills, from question development and methodology through implementation, interpretation, and dissemination.
Support journal clubs, research workshops, investigator development, and bedside inquiry initiatives.
Develop and deliver educational programs on nursing research, evidence-based practice, clinical inquiry, and Magnet research standards.
Promote nurse-led research and scholarly dissemination.
Facilitate nursing research activities that support nursing excellence and Magnet designation efforts.
Serve as a liaison between nursing leadership, staff, and the Magnet Program Director.
Assist with preparing, writing, and submitting Magnet documentation, including empirical outcomes and research reports.
Monitor trends and best practices in nursing research and Magnet standards, and support organizational compliance and excellence.
Ensure adherence to Magnet standards and institutional, federal, regulatory, and ethical requirements governing nursing research and human-subject protections.
Maintain documentation for ongoing and completed studies.
Work with nursing leaders, professional governance councils, and interdisciplinary teams to identify, develop, and carry out nurse-led research and evidence-based practice.
Participate in strategic planning and operational initiatives related to nursing research.
Collaborate with clinical teams to design and implement evidence-based practice projects and quality improvement initiatives.
Coordinate communications and events that promote a culture of research and nursing inquiry.
Track and communicate nursing research program progress, outcomes, scholarly productivity, and impact to stakeholders.
Collaborate with academic, IRB, compliance, and data partners to advance nursing research.