This article discusses the issues associated with disseminating research findings in nursing. It addresses dissemination methods in academic nursing, barriers to the use of research in practice and ways to overcome these. The researcher needs to be motivated and support from local managers and professional bodies are required to complete the dissemination cycle in nursing research. Attention should be focused on undertaking research that can be applied to, and is meaningful for, nursing practice. This should reduce the hiatus between academic nursing research and effective clinical research.