Nursing Research and Practice Development Centre (NRPDC)

Nursing Research and Practice Development Centre (NRPDC) was founded in 2010, to foster change through research and encourage the implementation of evidence-based practice regarding patient care. The NRPDC houses a nurse-led research team whose aim is to inspire, support and undertake quality research within The Prince Charles Hospital (TPCH) in Brisbane, Australia, with a focus on pressure injury research. 

Our research priorities are embedded within the NRPDC Strategic Plan 2021 – 2024, which is agreed jointly between TPCH and ACU. The NRPDC Strategic Plan performance indicators are consistent with key objectives identified in the Metro North Hospital and Health Service Strategic Plan (2020 – 2024), as well as ACU’s Research Indicators. 

Our contributions

The NRPDC aims to improve clinical outcomes through:

  • undertaking research and practice development that is aligned with TPCH nursing strategy
  • undertaking research and practice development that impacts on the quality of patient care and improves outcomes
  • extending nursing research capacity and capability and enhancing the research culture within the hospital and university
  • assisting clinicians in research activities by mentoring and facilitating research development, data collection, data analysis and dissemination
  • providing research ethics and governance guidance
  • providing information about internal and external funding sources, and assisting/collaborating with research grant applications
  • supporting and co-writing research articles for conferences and peer-reviewed journals
  • helping clinical staff obtain adequate funds to provide time away from their substantive roles to work on research projects
  • supporting nursing staff to undertake higher degree by research (HDR) studies, supervised via the NRPDC
  • providing HDR students with supervision, a research community, and office space and facilities to work on their research.

Why our research matters

Pressure injuries in hospitals are adverse events associated with admission and preventable with the use of appropriate measures. Nonetheless, hospital-acquired pressure injury continues to occur, negatively impacting patients through pain, decreased quality of life and even increased mortality. Pressure injury also carries implications for health services, including increased cost and length of stay.

Research in pressure injury occurrence and prevention within the acute hospital setting is important to improve these outcomes and optimise patient safety. Similarly, our projects in other research areas, such as falls prevention and wound management, are targeted at improving and informing future patient care and improving outcomes.

Our governance

The NRPDC is governed by a Steering Committee, which determines and monitors the strategic direction and outcomes of the centre.

Meet the members

Our people

Our researchers inspire others, support nursing and clinical staff, and undertake quality research that progresses our research priorities.

Meet our people

Our annual reports

Our annual reports give an overview of our team, achievements, publications and activities throughout the year.

View reports

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