Empowering Nurses in Clinical Research

My journey into nursing and global health began at the University of Rwanda with a simple desire: to make a real difference through evidence-based healthcare. During my first clinical placement at Rwamagana Level Two Teaching Hospital, I met nurses with decades of experience who served patients with dedication but had no involvement in research. I kept asking myself: why should nurses and midwives, who make up over 60% of the global health workforce, contribute less than 3% to clinical research? In Africa, research output accounts for only 2% of the global total, with 90% coming from just ten countries-and Rwanda is not yet among them. This reality became my inspiration to help bridge the gap between clinical care and research in Africa.

This drive led me to establish the Nursing Research Club (NRC), now connecting over 5,000 members across Rwanda, Uganda, Nigeria, and beyond. NRC serves as a platform to inspire and engage nurses and midwives in research, evidence-based practice, capacity building, community engagement, and cross-sector collaboration. Through NRC, we have organized three Annual International Nursing Symposiums, uniting over 800 health practitioners, researchers, academicians, policymakers, development partners, and other key players for research dissemination, knowledge exchange, career guidance, and advancing evidence-based healthcare delivery.

What keeps me motivated is the belief that there is still a large gap to close and that patients deserve quality healthcare at every level. To young nurses, midwives, and health professionals, I say: dare to dream bigger. Your work extends beyond clinical duties-embrace research, education, leadership, technology, and community engagement. Together, we can transform healthcare and build a healthier future for Africa.