Within the first year this effort resulted in the creation of three joint clinical research positions. This concept was formalized as the Denver Collaborative Research Network in 1985 with the Center providing coordination. Currently seven collaborative nurse research are integrating the research mission within their clinical institutions by increasing nurses' utilization of research findings, mentoring nurses in research skills, and facilitating the conduct of faculty and clinician research that will influence patient care outcomes. NurseLink, an electronic telecommunications system funded by U.S. West, is used for information and messaging. The Center has become a resource for the State of Colorado and the region.
Staff provide consultation and perform research activities through a contractual mechanism.
The Center has fulfilled contracts with numerous state agencies, hospitals and other health care institutions, and professional associations. With the support of the Center, the success of the faculty in obtaining research grants has been remarkable. In 1986, six grants were funded by the newly created NIH National Center for Nursing Research. This resurgence of NIH grant awards ranked the University of Colorado School of Nursing fifth in the nation among schools of nursing in 1986 and made the School eligible for resumption of BRSG funds and other federal research support programs. These projects involve a number of other faculty as co-investigators as well as many graduate students.