Investment in nursing research must keep pace with the new and enhanced role of nurses, a conference will hear this week.
Christine Hancock, general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, was expected to tell the RCN's research society annual conference at Keele University that nurses are now in positions to lead the commissioning of local health care and are pioneering radical services.
But, referring to a nursing research deficit, Miss Hancock warned: "Without research to back it up, this new vision is like a house built on shaky foundations.
"We are still catching up after years of underfunding of nursing research," she said. "If nurses are to make the government's vision come alive, then nursing's house needs to be built on rock-solid research - firm evidence about what works best for patients."
Janet Finch, vice-chancellor of Keele University, was expected to tell the conference that nursing research had now reached "adulthood" - but only just.
Nurses should stop questioning the subject's legitimacy and move forward she said.
"I am fully aware that there is still hostility around. There are still people who dismiss nursing research as a waste of time and money. And that will be the case for a long time to come. If you wait until everyone is convinced before moving forward with confidence, you will never move on."