Background Research provides the evidence on which to base effective, safe clinical services. Engaging healthcare staff in research improves healthcare. However, clinical staff may not want to leave clinical practice to develop their research experience. Gaining postdoctoral research experience is a difficult step to make and opportunities are limited.

Aim To describe an approach to developing sustainable research capacity by supporting nurses and allied health professionals to develop their postdoctoral research skills while remaining in clinical practice.

Discussion An approach to developing nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals (NMAHPs)’s postdoctoral research skills was devised and implemented in an acute NHS hospital in England. This collaborative approach involved negotiating strategic support from senior managers and incorporated an action-learning framework to develop and fund a research project addressing a clinical priority.

Conclusion A ‘whole organisation’ approach is needed to develop postdoctoral nurse and NMAHP researchers that requires a reflexive model with strategic, organisational and individual support encompassing action learning and corporate buy-in from senior managers.

Implications for practice Taking such an approach can enable nurses to remain in practice while developing NMAHP-led research. This shows its usefulness to senior managers and enables nurses to have the knowledge and confidence to support others to develop their research skills.