The primary aim of this study was to determine the current profile of nursing research in the acute and psychiatric domains of hospitals/health services in Victoria. A self-administered questionnaire was developed by the authors to obtain information onthe individual, environmental and organisational characteristics influencing nursing research activity within these settings. The questionnaire was distributed to 422 health services in Victoria.Eighty-eight responses were received representing a return rate of 20.9%. The respondents indicated a high level of interest in research and research utilisation, with a preparedness to provideorganisational support. However, relatively few reported the articulation of nursing research into the organisations’ mission statement or employing nurses in dedicated research positions. The results suggest that organisations continue to be hampered by a number of barriers to increasing research activity and utilisation by nurses.