A1. The nursing profession has evolved significantly over the decades. One of the factors that have greatly influenced these changes has been the involvement of nurses in the development of theories and data base needed to support the advancement of our profession. In the last half of the twentieth century, nurse researchers (1950s) and nurse theorists (1960s and 1970s) greatly contributed to the expanding body of nursing knowledge with their studies of nursing practice and the development of nursing models and theories (American Nurses Association, 2010, p. 16). Like in any other research activity, a special set of skills is needed in order to conduct the research required so that the whole process can be validated appropriately. Retaining an advanced practice nurse (APN) as a co-investigator and mentor is a vital part in the nursing process for the project to take shape (Gallagher, 2012, para. 5). The masters prepared nurse can be a key element of the research team providing guidance, expertise and ensuring that the information needed to appropriately conduct the research project is available. This professional can also help select members of the research team and find the latest up-to-date evidence based practice, journals, articles and other useful references as well as studies that can help with the task at hand. Research has greatly advanced our profession as well as helped improve the delivery of health as well as its outcomes. For this reason it is important that it is encouraged at all levels of our profession.…