Nursing scholar urges recognition of nurses' dual expertise in Lancet letter

A letter to the editor in *The Lancet* has drawn attention to the hidden breadth of nursing expertise. Dr. Kathryn Connell, a Penn Nursing faculty member and registered nurse with critical care credentials, argues that nurses routinely possess “dual expertise” – the combination of clinical practice and research knowledge – yet this dual role remains structurally invisible within the profession.

Connell’s critique highlights that many nurse clinician‑scientists juggle bedside care, scholarly work, and personal lived experience, yet institutional frameworks and funding mechanisms often fail to recognize or support this intersection. She calls for urgent systemic reforms, including dedicated career pathways, protected research time, and equitable recognition, to sustain and advance nurses who bridge patient care and scientific inquiry.

The letter underscores a growing call within the nursing community for policies that formally acknowledge and nurture the dual expertise that underpins evidence‑based practice. If implemented, such reforms could strengthen the profession’s capacity to translate research into improved patient outcomes and enhance the career prospects of nurse clinician‑scientists.