best nursing research topics 2022

Best Nursing Research Topics for Students

What is a nursing research paper.

• What They Include
• Choosing a Topic
• Best Nursing Research Topics
• Research Paper Writing Tips

Writing a research paper is a massive task that involves careful organization, critical analysis, and a lot of time. Some nursing students are natural writers, while others struggle to select a nursing research topic, let alone write about it.

If you're a nursing student who dreads writing research papers, this article may help ease your anxiety. We'll cover everything you need to know about writing nursing school research papers and the top topics for nursing research.  

Continue reading to make your paper-writing jitters a thing of the past.

A nursing research paper is a work of academic writing composed by a nurse or nursing student. The paper may present information on a specific topic or answer a question.

During LPN/LVN and RN programs, most papers you write focus on learning to use research databases, evaluate appropriate resources, and format your writing with APA style. You'll then synthesize your research information to answer a question or analyze a topic.

BSN , MSN , Ph.D., and DNP programs also write nursing research papers. Students in these programs may also participate in conducting original research studies.

Writing papers during your academic program improves and develops many skills, including the ability to:

• Select nursing topics for research
• Conduct effective research
• Analyze published academic literature
• Format and cite sources
• Synthesize data
• Organize and articulate findings

About Nursing Research Papers

When do nursing students write research papers.

You may need to write a research paper for any of the nursing courses you take. Research papers help develop critical thinking and communication skills. They allow you to learn how to conduct research and critically review publications.

That said, not every class will require in-depth, 10-20-page papers. The more advanced your degree path, the more you can expect to write and conduct research. If you're in an associate or bachelor's program, you'll probably write a few papers each semester or term.

Do Nursing Students Conduct Original Research?

Most of the time, you won't be designing, conducting, and evaluating new research. Instead, your projects will focus on learning the research process and the scientific method. You'll achieve these objectives by evaluating existing nursing literature and sources and defending a thesis.

However, many nursing faculty members do conduct original research. So, you may get opportunities to participate in, and publish, research articles.

Example Research Project Scenario:

In your maternal child nursing class, the professor assigns the class a research paper regarding developmentally appropriate nursing interventions for the pediatric population. While that may sound specific, you have almost endless opportunities to narrow down the focus of your writing. 

You could choose pain intervention measures in toddlers. Conversely, you can research the effects of prolonged hospitalization on adolescents' social-emotional development.

What Does a Nursing Research Paper Include?

Your professor should provide a thorough guideline of the scope of the paper. In general, an undergraduate nursing research paper will consist of:

Introduction : A brief overview of the research question/thesis statement your paper will discuss. You can include why the topic is relevant.

Body : This section presents your research findings and allows you to synthesize the information and data you collected. You'll have a chance to articulate your evaluation and answer your research question. The length of this section depends on your assignment.

Conclusion : A brief review of the information and analysis you presented throughout the body of the paper. This section is a recap of your paper and another chance to reassert your thesis.

The best advice is to follow your instructor's rubric and guidelines. Remember to ask for help whenever needed, and avoid overcomplicating the assignment!

How to Choose a Nursing Research Topic

The sheer volume of prospective nursing research topics can become overwhelming for students. Additionally, you may get the misconception that all the 'good' research ideas are exhausted. However, a personal approach may help you narrow down a research topic and find a unique angle.

Writing your research paper about a topic you value or connect with makes the task easier. Additionally, you should consider the material's breadth. Topics with plenty of existing literature will make developing a research question and thesis smoother.

Finally, feel free to shift gears if necessary, especially if you're still early in the research process. If you start down one path and have trouble finding published information, ask your professor if you can choose another topic.

The Best Research Topics for Nursing Students

You have endless subject choices for nursing research papers. This non-exhaustive list just scratches the surface of some of the best nursing research topics.

1. Clinical Nursing Research Topics

• Analyze the use of telehealth/virtual nursing to reduce inpatient nurse duties.
• Discuss the impact of evidence-based respiratory interventions on patient outcomes in critical care settings.
• Explore the effectiveness of pain management protocols in pediatric patients.

2. Community Health Nursing Research Topics

• Assess the impact of nurse-led diabetes education in Type II Diabetics.
• Analyze the relationship between socioeconomic status and access to healthcare services.

3. Nurse Education Research Topics

• Review the effectiveness of simulation-based learning to improve nursing students' clinical skills.
• Identify methods that best prepare pre-licensure students for clinical practice.
• Investigate factors that influence nurses to pursue advanced degrees.
• Evaluate education methods that enhance cultural competence among nurses.
• Describe the role of mindfulness interventions in reducing stress and burnout among nurses.

4. Mental Health Nursing Research Topics

• Explore patient outcomes related to nurse staffing levels in acute behavioral health settings.
• Assess the effectiveness of mental health education among emergency room nurses .
• Explore de-escalation techniques that result in improved patient outcomes.
• Review the effectiveness of therapeutic communication in improving patient outcomes.

5. Pediatric Nursing Research Topics

• Assess the impact of parental involvement in pediatric asthma treatment adherence.
• Explore challenges related to chronic illness management in pediatric patients.
• Review the role of play therapy and other therapeutic interventions that alleviate anxiety among hospitalized children.

6. The Nursing Profession Research Topics

• Analyze the effects of short staffing on nurse burnout .
• Evaluate factors that facilitate resiliency among nursing professionals.
• Examine predictors of nurse dissatisfaction and burnout.
• Posit how nursing theories influence modern nursing practice.

Tips for Writing a Nursing Research Paper

The best nursing research advice we can provide is to follow your professor's rubric and instructions. However, here are a few study tips for nursing students to make paper writing less painful:

Avoid procrastination: Everyone says it, but few follow this advice. You can significantly lower your stress levels if you avoid procrastinating and start working on your project immediately.

Plan Ahead: Break down the writing process into smaller sections, especially if it seems overwhelming. Give yourself time for each step in the process.

Research: Use your resources and ask for help from the librarian or instructor. The rest should come together quickly once you find high-quality studies to analyze.

Outline: Create an outline to help you organize your thoughts. Then, you can plug in information throughout the research process. 

Clear Language: Use plain language as much as possible to get your point across. Jargon is inevitable when writing academic nursing papers, but keep it to a minimum.

Cite Properly: Accurately cite all sources using the appropriate citation style. Nursing research papers will almost always implement APA style. Check out the resources below for some excellent reference management options.

Revise and Edit: Once you finish your first draft, put it away for one to two hours or, preferably, a whole day. Once you've placed some space between you and your paper, read through and edit for clarity, coherence, and grammatical errors. Reading your essay out loud is an excellent way to check for the 'flow' of the paper.

Helpful Nursing Research Writing Resources:

Purdue OWL (Online writing lab) has a robust APA guide covering everything you need about APA style and rules.

Grammarly helps you edit grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Upgrading to a paid plan will get you plagiarism detection, formatting, and engagement suggestions. This tool is excellent to help you simplify complicated sentences.

Mendeley is a free reference management software. It stores, organizes, and cites references. It has a Microsoft plug-in that inserts and correctly formats APA citations.

Don't let nursing research papers scare you away from starting nursing school or furthering your education. Their purpose is to develop skills you'll need to be an effective nurse: critical thinking, communication, and the ability to review published information critically.

Choose a great topic and follow your teacher's instructions; you'll finish that paper in no time.

Joleen Sams is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner based in the Kansas City metro area. During her 10-year RN career, Joleen worked in NICU, inpatient pediatrics, and regulatory compliance. Since graduating with her MSN-FNP in 2019, she has worked in urgent care and nursing administration. Connect with Joleen on LinkedIn or see more of her writing on her website.

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Research Topics & Ideas: Nursing

50+ Nursing Research Topic Ideas To Fast-Track Your Project

Finding and choosing a strong research topic is the critical first step when it comes to crafting a high-quality dissertation, thesis or research project. If you’ve landed on this post, chances are you’re looking for a nursing-related research topic , but aren’t sure where to start. Here, we’ll explore a variety of nursing-related research ideas and topic thought-starters, including general nursing, medical-surgical nursing, pediatric nursing, obstetrics and gynaecological nursing, ICU and mental health nursing.

NB – This is just the start…

The topic ideation and evaluation process has multiple steps . In this post, we’ll kickstart the process by sharing some research topic ideas within the nursing domain. This is the starting point, but to develop a well-defined research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , along with a well-justified plan of action to fill that gap.

If you’re new to the oftentimes perplexing world of research, or if this is your first time undertaking a formal academic research project, be sure to check out our free dissertation mini-course. In it, we cover the process of writing a dissertation or thesis from start to end. Be sure to also sign up for our free webinar that explores how to find a high-quality research topic. 

Overview: Nursing Research Topics

• General nursing-related topics
• Medical-surgical nursing
• Pediatric nursing
• Obstetrics and gynaecological nursing
• ICU nursing
• Mental health nursing

General Nursing Research Topics & Ideas

• The impact of cultural competence on patient care in the UK
• The importance of evidence-based practice in nursing for patients with HIV/AIDS
• The effects of workplace stress on nurse well-being and performance
• The role of nurse-patient communication for patients transitioning from adolescent to adult care
• The impact of technology on nursing practice and patient outcomes
• The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in healthcare for the rehabilitation of patients post-surgery
• The effects of fatigue on nurse performance in the emergency room
• The impact of nurse staffing levels on patient outcomes in rural areas
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions in managing chronic conditions: a case study of diabetes
• The impact of patient-centred care on health outcomes for the elderly
• The importance of patient safety in nursing: bedside nurse vigilance
• The effects of empathy and compassion in critical care nursing
• The role of nursing in disaster preparedness and response: a case study of the Haiti earthquake of 2021
• The impact of the level of nursing education on patient outcomes
• The importance of ethical considerations in frail care nursing practice

Topics & Ideas: Medical-Surgical Nursing

• The impact of bedside care on patient outcomes in medical-surgical units
• The role of the nurse in managing post-operative patient pain
• The effects of nurse-patient ratios on patient outcomes in medical-surgical units
• A systematic review of different approaches to patient education in medical-surgical units
• The relationship between nurse-patient communication and patient satisfaction in medical-surgical units: perspectives and recommendations to improving patient satisfaction

Topics & Ideas: Pediatrics Nursing

• The impact of family-centered care on pediatric patient outcomes with sickle cell anemia
• The role of nursing interventions in promoting developmental and behavioral health in pediatric patients
• The effects of play therapy on anxiety and pain in pediatric patients during hospitilisation
• A systematic review of different approaches to pain management in pediatric cancer patients
• The relationship between parent involvement and post-operative patient outcomes in pediatric units

Ideas: Obstetrics and Gynecological Nursing

• The impact of nurse-led prenatal care on maternal and fetal outcomes in African American communities
• The role of the nurse in promoting sexual and reproductive health for women in the UK
• The effects of midwifery care on maternal satisfaction of primiparous women and birth outcomes
• A comparative study of different approaches to childbirth education for expectant mothers and partners: perceptions of control
• The relationship between lactation support and breastfeeding success of primiparous women

Topics & Ideas: ICU Nursing

• The impact of nursing interventions on patient outcomes in intensive care units in a developing country
• The role of the nurse in managing palliative and end-of-life care in the ICU
• The effects of family presence on patient outcomes and satisfaction in the ICU: A systematic review of the literature
• A comparative study of different approaches to pain management for trauma patients in the ICU
• The relationship between nurse-patient communication and geriatric patient outcomes in ICU

Topics & Ideas: Mental Health Nursing

• The impact of nurse-led therapy on adolescent patient outcomes in mental health settings
• The role of the nurse in promoting recovery and resiliency in mental health patients through group interventions
• The effects of mindfulness-based interventions on stress and anxiety in mental health patients: A systematic literature review
• A comparative study of the role of nurses in applying different approaches to patient education in mental health settings
• The association between nurse-patient therapeutic alliance and patient outcomes in mental health settings

Nursing Dissertation & Theses

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a nursing-related research topic, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses to see how this all comes together.

Below, we’ve included a selection of research projects from various nursing-related degree programs to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

• Nursing Workload and Interventions of Licensed Nurses in Nursing Homes: An Observational Time and Motion Study (Kang, 2021)
• Missed Nursing Care: Accounting for Education, Experience, and Job Satisfaction in Registered Nurses (Bechard, 2021)
• Examining Predictors of Attitudes and Knowledge of Registered Nurses and Nursing Students in Tennessee toward Pregnant and Perinatal Women with a Substance Use Disorder (Patrylo, 2021)
• A Program Evaluation of the Organizational Readiness for Pathway to Excellence at Two Community Hospitals  (Behling, 2021)
• The Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic Policy Decisions on the Wellbeing of Nursing Home Residents in Missouri (White, 2022)
• Battling A Parallel Pandemic: An Evaluation of Sustainable System-Level Nursing Support in Response To COVID-19 (Gifford, 2022)
• Holistic Nursing Process Maps: a Tool for Student Nurses to Operationalize the Nursing Process to Increase Clinical Reasoning (Reyes, 2022)
• Satisfaction and Work-Life Balance in Undergraduate Nursing Faculty: A Mixed-Methods Study (Crawford, 2021)
• The Effect of Mindfulness Meditation on the Stress, Anxiety, Mindfulness, and Self-Compassion Levels of Nursing Students (Heinrich, 2022)
• Effectiveness of Simulation-Based Case Studies in Undergraduate Nursing Students (Becnel, 2022)
• A Telehealth Simulation Experiment: Exploring Prebriefing (Owen, 2022)
• Perceptions of Lateral Violence Among Vocational Nursing Students, Associate Degree Nursing Students, and Bachelor’s Degree Nursing Students (Martha, 2022)
• Nurse Educators’ Description of Ethics from a Disciplinary Perspective: A Qualitative Descriptive Research Study (Cuchetti, 2022)
• A Literature Review of the Relationship Between Oral Health and Pneumonia Risk in the Geriatric Nursing Home Population (Swift, 2021)

Looking at these titles, you can probably pick up that the research topics here are quite specific and narrowly-focused , compared to the generic ones presented earlier. This is an important thing to keep in mind as you develop your own research topic. That is to say, to create a top-notch research topic, you must be precise and target a specific context with specific variables of interest . In other words, you need to identify a clear, well-justified research gap.

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If you’re still feeling a bit unsure about how to find a research topic for your nursing dissertation, thesis or research project, check out our private coaching services below.

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The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity (2021)

Chapter: 11 the future of nursing: recommendations and research priorities, 11 the future of nursing: recommendations and research priorities.

The next 10 years will test the nation’s nearly 4 million nurses in new and complex ways. Nurses live and work at the intersection of health, education, and communities. In the decade since the prior The Future of Nursing report was published ( IOM, 2011 ), the world has come to understand the critical importance of health to all aspects of life, particularly the relationship among social determinants of health (SDOH), health equity, and health outcomes. Consistent with this broader understanding, the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice (NACNEP) (2020) advanced an important set of recommendations that the committee endorses. The NACNEP report Integration of Social Determinants of Health in Nursing Education, Practice, and Research conveys the importance of investing in SDOH and research to strengthen the nursing workforce and help nurses provide more effective care, as well as design, implement, and assess new care models.

In a year that was designated to honor and uplift nursing (the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife 2020 1 ), nurses have been placed in unimaginable circumstances by the COVID-19 pandemic. The decade ahead will demand a stronger, more diversified workforce that is prepared to provide care; promote health and well-being among nurses, individuals, and communities; and address the systemic inequities that have fueled wide and persistent health disparities.

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed in the starkest terms that illness and access to quality health care are unequally distributed across groups and commu-

___________________

1 See https://www.who.int/campaigns/annual-theme/year-of-the-nurse-and-the-midwife-2020 (accessed April 12, 2021).

nities, and has spotlighted the reality that much of what affects health happens outside of medical care. The pandemic and continued calls for racial justice have illuminated the extent to which structural racism—from decades of neglect and disinvestment in neighborhoods, schools, communities, and health care to discrimination and bias—has placed communities of color at much higher risk for poor health and well-being.

The committee’s recommendations call for change at both the individual and system levels, constituting a call for action to the nation’s largest health care workforce, including nurses in all settings and at all levels, to listen, engage, deeply examine practices, collect evidence, and act to move the country toward greater health equity for all. The committee’s recommendations also are targeted to the actions required of policy makers, educators, health care system leaders, and payers to enable these crucial changes, supported by the research agenda with which this chapter concludes. With implementation of this report’s recommendations, the committee envisions 10 outcomes that position the nursing profession to contribute meaningfully to achieving health equity (see Box 11-1 ).

In this chapter, the committee provides its recommendations for charting a 10-year path forward to enable and support today’s and the next generation of nurses to create fair and just opportunities for health and well-being for

everyone. These recommendations are aimed at all nurses, including those working in hospitals, schools, and health departments; policy makers; educators; health care system leaders; and payers. The chapter concludes with a research agenda to fill current and critical gaps that would support this future-oriented path.

CREATING A SHARED AGENDA

In order for nurses to engage fully in efforts to achieve health equity, it will be necessary for nursing organizations to work together to identify priorities for education, practice, and policy, and to develop mechanisms for leveraging existing nursing expertise and resources. Creating a shared agenda will focus efforts and ensure that all nurses—no matter where they are educated or where they practice—are prepared, supported, and empowered to address SDOH and eliminate inequities in health and health care.

Recommendation 1: In 2021, all national nursing organizations should initiate work to develop a shared agenda for addressing social determinants of health and achieving health equity. This agenda should include explicit priorities across nursing practice, education, leadership, and health policy

engagement. The Tri-Council for Nursing 2 and the Council of Public Health Nursing Organizations, 3 with their associated member organizations, should work collaboratively and leverage their respective expertise in leading this agenda-setting process. Relevant expertise should be identified and shared across national nursing organizations, including the Federal Nursing Service Council 4 and the National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations. With support from the government, payers, health and health care organizations, and foundations, the implementation of this agenda should include associated timelines and metrics for measuring impact.

Specific actions should include the following:

• Assess diversity, equity, and inclusion, and eliminate policies, regulations, and systems that perpetuate structural racism, cultural racism, and discrimination with respect to identity (e.g., sexual orientation, gender), place (e.g., rural, inner city), and circumstances (e.g., disabilities, depression).
• Develop mechanisms for leveraging the expertise of public health nursing (e.g., in population health, SDOH, community-level assessment) as a resource for the broader nursing community, health plans, and health systems, as well as public policy makers.
• Develop mechanisms for leveraging the expertise of relevant nursing organizations in care coordination and care management. Care coordination and care management principles, approaches, and evidence should be used to create new cross-sector models for meeting social needs and addressing SDOH.
• Develop mechanisms for prioritizing and sharing continuing education and skill-training resources focused on nurses’ health, well-being, resilience, and self-care to ensure a healthy nursing workforce.

2 The Tri-Council for Nursing includes the following organizations as members: the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the American Nurses Association, the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, and the National League for Nursing.

3 The Council of Public Health Nursing Organizations includes the following organizations as members: the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, the American Nurses Association, the American Public Health Association—Public Health Nursing Section, the Association of Community Health Nursing Educators, the Association of Public Health Nurses, and the Rural Nurse Organization.

4 The Federal Nursing Service Council is a united federal nursing leadership team representing the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, National Guard and Reserves, Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, American Red Cross, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Graduate School of Nursing.

• These resources should be used by nurses and others in leadership positions.
• Develop and use communication strategies, including social media, to amplify for the public, policy makers, and the media nursing research and expertise on health equity–related issues.
• Increase the number and diversity of nurses, especially those with expertise in health equity, population health, and SDOH, on boards and in other leadership positions within and outside of health care (e.g., community boards, housing authorities, school boards, technology-related positions).
• Establish a joint annual award or series of awards recognizing the measurable and scalable contributions of nurses and their partners to achieving health equity through policy, education, research, and practice. Priority should be given to interprofessional and multisector collaboration.

SUPPORTING NURSES TO ADVANCE HEALTH EQUITY

Promoting health and well-being for all should be a national priority, and a collective and sustained commitment is needed to achieve this priority. To chart this path, nurses should be fully supported with robust education, resources, and autonomy. Key stakeholders should commit to investing fully in strengthening and diversifying the nursing workforce so that it is sufficiently prepared to promote health and appropriately reflects the people and communities it serves. Nursing schools, health care institutions, and public health and community health organizations can do significantly more to empower nurses to raise their voices and use their considerable expertise to improve people’s lives, health, and well-being.

Recommendation 2: By 2023, state and federal government agencies, health care and public health organizations, payers, and foundations should initiate substantive actions to enable the nursing workforce to address social determinants of health and health equity more comprehensively, regardless of practice setting.

This can be accomplished through the following actions:

• Rapidly increase both the number of nurses with expertise in health equity and the number of nurses in specialties with significant shortages, including public and community health, behavioral health, primary care, long-term care, geriatrics, school health, and maternal health. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the Substance
• Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state governments should support this effort through workforce planning and funding.
• Provide major investments for nursing education and traineeships in public health, including through state-level workforce programs; foundations; and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS’s) HRSA (including nursing workforce programs and Maternal and Child Health Bureau programs), CDC (including the National Center for Environmental Health), and the Office of Minority Health.
• State governments, foundations, employers, and HRSA should direct funds to nurses and nursing schools to sustain and increase the gender, geographic, and racial diversity of the licensed practical nurse (LPN), registered nurse (RN), and advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) workforce.
• HRSA and the Indian Health Service (IHS) should make substantial investments in nurse loan and scholarship programs to address nurse shortages, including in public health, in health professional shortage areas for HRSA, and in IHS designated sites; and invest in technical assistance that focuses on nurse retention.
• In all relevant Title 8 programs, HRSA should prioritize longitudinal community-based learning opportunities that address social needs, population health, SDOH, and health equity. These experiences should be established through academic–community-based partnerships.
• Foundations, state government workforce programs, and the federal government should support the academic progression of socioeconomically disadvantaged students by encouraging partnerships among baccalaureate and higher-degree nursing programs and community colleges; tribal colleges; historically Black colleges and universities; Hispanic-serving colleges and universities; and nursing programs that serve a high percentage of Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander students.
• Report on and propose actions to fill critical gaps in the current nursing workforce and prepare the future workforce to address health equity.
• Use findings, including those from workforce centers, on the ° diversity, capacity, supply, and distribution of nurses; associated competencies; and organizational support for the nursing workforce in addressing social needs, SDOH, and health equity. Recommend actions to ensure nurses’ continued engagement in these areas.
• Further develop recommendations for nursing education and prac- ° tice with respect to addressing social needs, SDOH, and health equity, and assess the implications of these changes for nurse credentialing and regulatory actions.
• Identify and address gaps in evidence-based nursing and interpro- ° fessional and multisectoral approaches for addressing social needs, SDOH, and health equity.
• Provide information to the secretary of HHS regarding activities of ° federal agencies that relate to the nursing workforce and its impact on health equity.
• Public health and health care systems should quantify nursing expenditures related to health equity and SDOH. This includes providing support for nurses in activities that explicitly target social needs, SDOH, and health equity through health care organization policies, governance and related advisory structures, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Representatives of social sectors, consumer organizations, and government entities should include nursing expertise when health-related multisector policy reform is being advanced.
• State and federal governments should provide sustainable funding to prepare sufficient numbers of baccalaureate, APRN, and PhD-level nurses to address SDOH, advance health equity, and increase access to primary care.
• Employers should support nurses at all levels in all settings with the financial, technical, educational, and staffing resources to help them play a leading role in achieving health equity.

PROMOTING NURSES’ HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

During the course of their work, nurses encounter physical, mental, emotional, and ethical challenges, and burnout is an increasingly prevalent problem. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated these issues. In order for nurses to help others be healthy and well, they must be healthy and well themselves; a lack of nurse well-being has consequences for nurses, patients, employers, and communities. As nurses are asked to take a more prominent role in advancing health equity, it will become even more imperative that all stakeholders—including educators, employers, leaders, and nurses themselves—take steps to ensure nurse well-being.

Recommendation 3: By 2021, nursing education programs, employers, nursing leaders, licensing boards, and nursing organizations should initiate the implementation of structures, systems, and evidence-based interventions to promote nurses’ health and well-being, especially as they take on new roles to advance health equity.

This can be accomplished by taking the following steps:

• Integrate content on nurses’ health and well-being into their programs to raise nursing students’ awareness of the importance of these concerns and provide them with associated skill training and support that can be used as they transition to practice.
• Create mechanisms, including organizational policy and regulations, to protect students most at risk for behavioral health challenges, including those students who may be experiencing economic hardships or feel that they are unsafe; isolated; or targets of bias, discrimination, and injustice.
• Provide sufficient human and material resources (including personal protective equipment) to enable nurses to provide high-quality person-, family-, and community-centered care effectively and safely. This effort should include redesigning processes and increasing staff capacity to improve workflow, promote transdisciplinary collaboration, reduce modifiable burden, and distribute responsibilities to reflect nurses’ expertise and scope of practice.
• Establish a culture of physical and psychological safety and ethical practice in the workplace, including dismantling structural racism; addressing bullying and incivility; using evidence-informed approaches; investing in organizational infrastructure, such as resilience engineering; 5 and creating accountability for nurses’ health and well-being outcomes.
• Create mechanisms, including organizational policy and regulations, to protect nurses from retaliation when advocating on behalf of themselves and their patients and when reporting unsafe working conditions, biases, discrimination, and injustice.
• Support diversity, equity, and inclusion across the nursing workforce, and identify and eliminate policies and systems that perpetuate structural racism, cultural racism, and discrimination in the nursing profession, recognizing that nurses are accountable for

5 Resilience engineering is focused on “understanding the nature of adaptations, learning from success and increasing adaptive capacity” ( Anderson et al., 2016 , p. 1).

• building an antiracist culture, and employers are responsible for establishing an antiracist, inclusive work environment.
• Prioritize and invest in evidence-based mental, physical, behavioral, social, and moral health interventions, including reward programs meaningful to nurses in diverse roles and specialties, to promote nurses’ health, well-being, and resilience within work teams and organizations.
• Establish and standardize institutional processes that strengthen nurses’ contributions to improving the design and delivery of care and decision making, including the setting of institutional policies and benchmarks in health care organizations and in educational, public health, and other settings.
• Evaluate and strengthen policies, programs, and structures within employing organizations and licensing boards to reduce stigma associated with mental and behavioral health treatment for nurses.
• Collect systematic data at the employer, state (including state workforce centers and state nursing associations), and national levels to better understand the health and well-being of the nursing workforce. This enhanced understanding should be used to inform the development of evidence-based interventions for mitigating burnout; fatigue; turnover; and the development of physical, behavioral, and mental health problems.

CAPITALIZING ON NURSES’ POTENTIAL

Nurses often have untapped potential to help people live their healthiest lives because their education and experience are grounded in caring for the whole person and whole family in a community context. However, this potential is too often underutilized. Nurses, particularly RNs, need environments that facilitate their ability to fully leverage their skills and expertise across all practice settings—in hospitals, primary care settings, rural and underserved areas, homes, community organizations, long-term care facilities, and schools. To engage fully in advancing health equity, all nurses need the autonomy to practice to the full extent of their education and training, even as they work collaboratively with other health professionals. They are, however, frequently hindered in this regard by restrictive laws and institutional policies. Policy makers and health care systems need to lift permanently all barriers that stand in the way of nurses in their efforts to address the root causes of poor health, expand access to care, and create more equitable communities.

Recommendation 4: All organizations, including state and federal entities and employing organizations, should enable nurses to practice to the full extent of their education and training by removing barriers that prevent them from more fully addressing social needs and social determinants of

health and improving health care access, quality, and value. These barriers include regulatory and public and private payment limitations; restrictive policies and practices; and other legal, professional, and commercial 6 impediments.

To this end, the following specific actions should be prioritized:

• By 2022, all changes to institutional policies and state and federal laws adopted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that expand scope of practice, telehealth eligibility, insurance coverage, and payment parity for services provided by APRNs and RNs should be made permanent.
• Federal authority (e.g., Veterans Health Administration regulations, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [CMS]) should be used where available to supersede restrictive state laws, including those addressing scope of practice, telehealth, and insurance coverage and payment, that decrease access to care and burden nursing practice, and to encourage nationwide adoption of the Nurse Licensure Compact. 7
• The Health Care Regulator Collaborative should work to advance interstate compacts and the adoption of model legislation to improve access, standardize care quality, and build interprofessional collaboration and interstate cooperation.

PAYING FOR NURSING CARE

Nurses are bridge builders, engaging and connecting with individuals, communities, public health and health care, and social services organizations to improve health for all. Without strong financial and institutional support, however, their reach and impact are limited. How care is paid for can determine one’s access to and the quality of care. Thus, it is important to improve and strengthen the design of public and private payment models so nurses are supported, encouraged, and incentivized to bridge health and social needs for people, families, and communities. Nurses also can play a key role in helping to design those models. Also important is for local, state, and federal governments to place more value

6 The term “commercial” refers to contractual agreements and customary practices that make antiquated or unjustifiable assumptions about nursing.

7 Under the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), “nurses can practice in other NLC states without having to obtain additional licenses. The current NLC allows for RNs and LPNs/licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) to have one multistate license in any one of the 35 member states” (see https://www.ncsbn.org/nlcmemberstates.pdf ). According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), “An APRN must hold an individual state license in each state of APRN practice” (see https://www.ncsbn.org/2018_eNLC_FAQs.pdf ). There is a movement, organized by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, to have an APRN Compact (see https://aprncompact.com/about.htm ) (all accessed April 12, 2021).

on the vital role of school and public health nurses in advancing health equity by adequately funding and deploying these nurses where they are needed to promote health in communities.

Recommendation 5: Federal, tribal, state, local, and private payers and public health agencies should establish sustainable and flexible payment mechanisms to support nurses in both health care and public health, including school nurses, in addressing social needs, social determinants of health, and health equity.

Specific payment reforms should include the following:

• ensuring that the Current Procedure Terminology (CPT) code set includes appropriate codes to describe and reimburse for such nurse-led services as case management, care coordination, and team-based care to address behavioral health, addiction, SDOH, and health equity, and that the relative value units attached to the CPT codes result in adequate and direct reimbursement for this work;
• reimbursing for school nursing; and
• enabling nurses to bill for telehealth services.
• using clinical performance measures stratified by such risk factors as race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status;
• supporting nursing interventions through clinical performance measures that incentivize reductions in health disparities between more and less advantaged populations, improvements in measures for at-risk populations, and attainment of absolute target levels of high-quality performance for at-risk populations; and
• incorporating disparities-sensitive measures that support and incentivize nursing interventions that advance health equity (e.g., process measures such as care management and team-based care for chronic conditions; outcomes such as prevention of hospitalizations for ambulatory care–sensitive conditions).
• providing flexible funding (capitated payments, global budgets, shared savings, per member per month payments, accountable health communities models) for nursing and infrastructure that address SDOH; and
• incorporating value-based payment metrics that enable nurses to address SDOH and advance health equity.
• Create a National Nurse Identifier to facilitate recognition and measurement of the value of services provided by RNs.
• implementing state policies that allow school nurses to bill Medicaid and supporting schools, particularly rural schools, in meeting documentation requirements;
• reimbursing school nursing services that include collaboration with clinical and community health care providers;
• promoting new ways of financing public health to address SDOH in the community (e.g., having federal, state, and local leaders, along with public health departments and organizations, partner with payers, health systems, and accountable health communities, and blend or braid multiple funding sources);
• creating funding mechanisms and joint accountability metrics for the efforts of the health, public health, and social sectors to address SDOH and advance health equity that align incentives and behavior across the various stakeholders, including school health;
• leveraging nonprofit hospital community benefit requirements to create partnerships with and among school and public health nursing, primary care organizations, and other social sectors; and
• using pay scales for public health nurses that are competitive with those for nursing positions in other health care organizations and sectors, and that provide equal pay when the services provided (e.g., immunizations) are the same.

USING TECHNOLOGY TO INTEGRATE DATA ON SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH INTO NURSING PRACTICE

The advent and adoption of new technologies have dramatically changed nursing practice over the past several decades, and will continue to do so into the future. Given the rapid acceleration of technical advances, nurses practicing in the coming decade will need to be adept at and comfortable with using emerging technology and have the skills to support others in doing the same. Nurses are well positioned to design, adopt, and adapt new technologies in practice and leverage data on SDOH to identify and address the needs of populations, individualize care, and reduce health disparities. With care expanding beyond the walls of traditional health care settings, including hospitals and clinics, the deployment of such advanced technologies as artificial intelligence and telehealth can assist nurses in connecting to health care networks, reaching individuals in their homes and other settings, and promoting health and well-being within communities. As key stakeholders in the design, adoption, and evaluation of new care tools, nurses also need to understand how to use new technologies to reduce rather than exacerbate inequities.

Recommendation 6: All public and private health care systems should incorporate nursing expertise in designing, generating, analyzing, and applying

data to support initiatives focused on social determinants of health and health equity using diverse digital platforms, artificial intelligence, and other innovative technologies.

• With leadership from CMS and The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, accelerate interoperability projects that integrate data on SDOH from public health, social services organizations, and other community partners into electronic health records, and build a nationwide infrastructure to capture and share community-held knowledge, facilitate referrals for care (including by decreasing the “digital divide”), and facilitate coordination and connectivity among health care settings and the public and nonprofit sectors.
• Ensure that existing public/private health equity data collaboratives (e.g., the Gravity Project 8 ) encompass nursing-specific care processes that improve visualization of data on SDOH and associated decision making by nurses.
• Employ nurses with requisite expertise in informatics to improve individual and population health through large-scale integration of data on SDOH into nursing practice, as well as expertise in the use of telehealth and advanced digital technologies.
• To personalize care based on person- and family-centered preferences and individual needs, give nurses in clinical settings responsibility and associated resources to innovate and use technology, including in the use of data on SDOH as context for planning and evaluating care; in the design of personal and mobile health tools; in coordination of community and public health portals across care settings; in methods for effective communication using technology; in evaluation of datasets and artificial intelligence algorithms (e.g., for racial bias); and in partnerships with corporate settings outside of health care delivery (e.g., large technology organizations, private insurers) that are addressing health equity in the nonclinical setting.
• expanding the national strategy for a broadband/5G infrastructure to enable comprehensive community access to these services; and
• increasing the availability of the necessary hardware, including smartphones, computers, and webcams, for high-risk populations.

8 See https://sirenetwork.ucsf.edu/TheGravityProject (accessed April 12, 2021).

STRENGTHENING NURSING EDUCATION

Regardless of the setting in which they work or their level of education, nurses of the future will be expected to have a sophisticated understanding of social needs, SDOH, and health equity and to be capable of applying this knowledge in their practice. The World Health Organization has emphasized the importance of monitoring equitable service coverage across wealth and education gradients as part of achieving universal health coverage. Similarly, leading public health researchers have advocated for using markers of health equity to monitor health and health care as a first step in confronting inequities. Recognizing and meeting social needs could both lower health care spending and improve health outcomes.

Nursing schools need to prepare nurses to understand and identify the social, economic, and environmental factors that influence health by embedding content on SDOH throughout their curricula. Schools need to ensure that nurses have substantive, enduring, relevant community-based experiences and that they value diverse perspectives and cultures in order to help all people and families thrive. Nurses should have this content updated and reinforced throughout their careers through continuing education.

Recommendation 7: Nursing education programs, including continuing education, and accreditors and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing should ensure that nurses are prepared to address social determinants of health and achieve health equity.

To implement this recommendation, deans, administrative faculty leaders, faculty, course directors, and staff of nursing education programs should take the following steps:

• Integrate social needs, SDOH, population health, environmental health, trauma-informed care, and health equity as core concepts and competencies throughout coursework and clinical and experiential learning. These core concepts and competencies should be commensurate and seamless with academic level and included in continuing education.
• By the 2022–2023 school year, initiate an assessment of individual student access to technology, and ensure that all students can engage in virtual learning, including such opportunities as multisector simulation. Access to nursing education for geographically and socioeconomically disadvantaged students should be ensured through the development and expansion of the use of remote and virtual instructional capabilities. For rural areas, emphasis should be on baccalaureate preparation given the lower proportion of nurses educated at this level.
• To promote equity, inclusivity, and diversity grounded in social justice, identify and eliminate policies, procedures, curricular content, and clin
• ical experiences that perpetuate structural racism, cultural racism, and discrimination among faculty, staff, and students.
• Increase academic progression for geographically and socioeconomically disadvantaged students through academic partnerships that include community and tribal colleges located in rural and urban underserved areas.
• Recruit diverse faculty with expertise in SDOH, population health (including environmental health), and health equity and associated policy expertise, and, through evidence-based and other training, develop the skills of current faculty with the objective of ensuring that students have access across the curriculum to expertise in these areas. Faculty should also have the technical competencies for online teaching.
• Ensure that students have learning opportunities with care coordination experiences that include working with health care teams to address individual and family social needs, as well as learning opportunities with multisector stakeholders that include a focus on health in all policies and SDOH. Learning experiences should include working with underserved populations in such settings as federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, and IHS designated sites.
• Incorporate in all nurse doctoral education content related to SDOH, population health, environmental health, trauma-informed care, health equity, and social justice. All graduates of doctoral programs should have competencies in the use of data on SDOH as context for planning, implementing, and evaluating care and for improving population health through the large-scale application of these data.
• Ensure that PhD nursing graduates are competent to design and implement research that addresses issues of social justice and equity in education and/or health and health care and informs relevant policies. Increase the capacity of these graduates to apply research and scale interventions to address and improve social needs, SDOH, population health, environmental health, trauma-informed care, health equity, the well-being of nurses, and disaster preparedness and to inform relevant policies.
• Prepare all nursing students to advocate for health equity through civic engagement, including engagement in health and health-related public policy and communication through traditional and nontraditional methods, including social media and multisector coalitions.

Accreditors should take the following actions:

• Incorporate standards and competencies for curriculum that reflect the application of knowledge and skills to improve social needs, SDOH, population health, environmental health, trauma-informed care, and health equity.
• Incorporate standards for increasing student and faculty diversity.
• Require nursing education programs to initiate curricular assessments in 2022–2023 and phase in curricular changes that integrate social needs, SDOH, population health, environmental health, trauma-informed care, and health equity throughout the curriculum and are assessed in subsequent midterm and accreditation reporting. These curricular changes and their impact should be subject to continuous accreditation review processes.
• Include standards for nurses’ well-being and ethical practice in accreditation guidelines, and include such content on nurse licensing and certification exams.

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing and specialty certification organizations should take the following action:

• Incorporate test questions on meeting social needs through care coordination and on meeting population health needs, including addressing SDOH, through multisector coordination.

Continuing education providers should take the following action:

• Evaluate each offering for the inclusion of social needs, SDOH, population health, environmental health, trauma-informed care, and health equity and strategies for associated public- and private-sector policy engagement.

PREPARING NURSES TO RESPOND TO DISASTERS AND PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES

The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the vital role of nurses on the front lines of crises—whether in the hospital intensive care unit, a community testing site, or an emergency shelter—in keeping communities safe and healthy and helping people and families cope. They are reliable, trusted, experienced, and proven responders during both public health emergencies and natural disasters, such as hurricanes and wildfires. But fundamental reforms and a stronger disaster preparedness infrastructure are needed to improve nursing education, practice, and policy so nurses are fully protected during such events and can better protect and care for recovering populations.

Recommendation 8: To enable nurses to address inequities within communities, federal agencies and other key stakeholders within and outside the nursing profession should strengthen and protect the nursing workforce during the response to such public health emergencies as the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters, including those related to climate change.

To this end, the following steps should be taken:

• CDC should fund a National Center for Disaster Nursing and Public Health Emergency Response, along with additional strategically placed regional centers, to serve as the “hub” for providing leadership in education, training, and career development that will ensure a national nursing workforce prepared to respond to such events.
• CDC, in collaboration with the proposed National Center for Disaster Nursing and Public Health Emergency Response, should rapidly articulate a national action plan for addressing gaps in nursing education, support, and protection that have contributed to the lack of nurse preparedness and disparities during such events.
• The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, CDC, HRSA, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, CMS, the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), and other funders should develop and support the emergency preparedness and response knowledge base of the nursing workforce through regulations, programs, research, and sustainable funding targeted specifically to disaster and public health emergency nursing.
• The American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the National League for Nursing, and the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing should lead transformational change in nursing education to address workforce development in disaster nursing and public health preparedness. NCSBN should expand content in licensing examinations to cover actual responsibilities of nurses in disaster and public health emergency response.
• Employers should incorporate the expertise of nurses to proactively develop and implement an emergency response plan for natural disasters and public health emergencies in coordination with local, state, national, and federal partners. They should also provide additional services throughout a disaster or public health emergency, such as support for families and behavioral health, to support and protect nurses’ health and well-being.

BUILDING THE EVIDENCE BASE

Strengthening and diversifying the nursing workforce of the future, fostering nurse well-being, and developing strong and impactful nurse leaders so that nurses can fully address the wide and persistent health disparities in the United States will require a robust and rigorous evidence base. Below, the committee prioritizes the research needs and identifies gaps in the knowledge base that, if filled, would substantially move the nursing profession forward in the future.

Recommendation 9: The National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Administration for Children and Families, the Administration for Community Living, and private associations and foundations should convene representatives from nursing, public health, and health care to develop and support a research agenda and evidence base describing the impact of nursing interventions, including multisector collaboration, on social determinants of health, environmental health, health equity, and nurses’ health and well-being.

These efforts should be focused on the following actions:

• Develop mechanisms for proposing, evaluating, and scaling evidence-based practice models that leverage collaboration among public health, social sectors, and health systems to advance health equity, including codesigning innovations with individuals and community representatives and responding to community health needs assessments. This effort should emphasize rapidly translating evidence-based interventions into real-world clinical practice and community-based settings to improve health equity and population health outcomes, and applying implementation science strategies in the process of scaling these interventions and strategies.
• Identify effective multisector team approaches to improving health equity and addressing social needs and SDOH, including clearly defining roles and assessing the value of nurses in these models. Specifically, performance and outcome measures should be delineated, and evaluation strategies for community-based models and multisector team functioning should be developed and implemented.
• Review and adapt evidence-based approaches to increasing the number and diversity of students and faculty from disadvantaged and traditionally underrepresented groups to promote a diverse, inclusive learning environment and prepare a culturally competent workforce.
• Determine evidence-based education strategies for preparing nurses at all levels, including through continuing education, to eliminate structural racism and implicit bias and strengthen the delivery of culturally competent care.
• Augment the use of advanced information technology infrastructure, including virtual services and artificial intelligence, to identify and integrate health and social data, including data on SDOH, so as to improve
• nurses’ capacity to support individuals, families, and communities, including through care coordination.

Across all of these efforts, nurses should partner with key community stakeholders in research design; identification of the characteristics of new health models; and the development of related institutional and public policies at the health system, public health, and community levels. To expand the cohort of nurse researchers engaged in this research agenda, NINR should offer continuous summer intensive seminars to build expertise in population health, SDOH, and health equity. Table 11-1 summarizes gaps in the current research base that have been identified throughout this report.

TABLE 11-1 Research Topics for the Future of Nursing, 2020–2030

FINAL THOUGHTS

The nursing profession is vital to the nation’s creation of a culture of health, reduction of health disparities, and improvement in the health and well-being of the population. The committee’s nine recommendations provide a comprehensive path forward for policy makers, practicing nurses, educators, health care system leaders, researchers, and payers to enable and support the nurses of today and the future in creating fair and just opportunities for health and well-being for everyone. The social, political, and health care trends discussed in this report, while replete with myriad challenges, also offer nurses new opportunities for practice and collaboration. Nurses will need to continue to adapt and respond to new and developing health problems at both the individual and community levels, and to deepen their understanding of how social, economic, and environmental issues

and systemic barriers affect the health and well-being of the people and communities they serve. The rapidly deployed changes in community-based and clinical care, nursing education, nursing leadership, and nursing–community partnerships resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have amplified those challenges. The deployment of all levels of nurses across the care continuum, including in collaborative practice models, will be necessary to address the challenges of building a more equitable and accessible health care system.

The United States is at an inflection point with respect to addressing disparities in health and well-being that have adversely impacted too many people for too long. The nation’s health care system is also at an inflection point in terms of meeting consumers’ health needs in ways and in places commensurate with their preferences. It is imperative that the nursing profession focus on the training and competency development needed to prepare nurses, including advanced practice nurses, to work competently in home and community-based as well as acute care settings and to lead efforts to build a culture of health and health equity. There is no time to waste. Over the next 10 years, nurses will assume even greater responsibility for helping to build an accessible, equitable, high-quality public health and health care system that works for everyone. The recommendations in this report are aimed at ensuring that nurses are inspired, supported, valued, and empowered in pursuing that goal so that by 2030, all individuals and communities will have the opportunities they need to live healthy lives.

Anderson, J. E., A. J. Ross, J. Back, M. Duncan, P. Snell, K. Walsh, and P. Jaye. 2016. Implementing resilience engineering for healthcare quality improvement using the CARE model: A feasibility study protocol. Pilot and Feasibility Studies 2(61). doi: 10.1186/s40814-016-0103-x.

NACNEP (National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice). 2020. Integration of social determinants of health in nursing education, practice, and research . 16th Report to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Congress. Washington, DC: Health Resources and Services Administration.

The decade ahead will test the nation's nearly 4 million nurses in new and complex ways. Nurses live and work at the intersection of health, education, and communities. Nurses work in a wide array of settings and practice at a range of professional levels. They are often the first and most frequent line of contact with people of all backgrounds and experiences seeking care and they represent the largest of the health care professions.

A nation cannot fully thrive until everyone - no matter who they are, where they live, or how much money they make - can live their healthiest possible life, and helping people live their healthiest life is and has always been the essential role of nurses. Nurses have a critical role to play in achieving the goal of health equity, but they need robust education, supportive work environments, and autonomy. Accordingly, at the request of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, on behalf of the National Academy of Medicine, an ad hoc committee under the auspices of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine conducted a study aimed at envisioning and charting a path forward for the nursing profession to help reduce inequities in people's ability to achieve their full health potential. The ultimate goal is the achievement of health equity in the United States built on strengthened nursing capacity and expertise. By leveraging these attributes, nursing will help to create and contribute comprehensively to equitable public health and health care systems that are designed to work for everyone.

The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity explores how nurses can work to reduce health disparities and promote equity, while keeping costs at bay, utilizing technology, and maintaining patient and family-focused care into 2030. This work builds on the foundation set out by The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health (2011) report.

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Evidence for Nursing: new evidence and resources – January 2022

The latest evidence and resources for nurses and clinical support staff. You can either scroll through this page or click on any of the links below to jump to the relevant section.

Please note, unlike the rest of our blogs, our Evidence for Nursing: new evidence and resources blogs will not be updated.

Bronchiolitis

• Care of the newborn, including preterm infants

Cervical screening – encouraging uptake

Communication for adults with an artificial airway, de-implementation of low value health care , delirium prevention, dietary salt for people with chronic kidney disease, heparin injections: slow versus fast delivery, intrauterine insemination, life-threatening conditions and emergency care, patient questionnaires, perioperative non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nsaids) for women having breast surgery, preventing surgical site infection, reducing medication errors, rehabilitation after hip fracture, respiratory syncytial virus (rsv) infection in children, smoking cessation, vaccination uptake, vegan diet for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease, venous leg ulcers.

• Opportuntities and events

This year, Cochrane is continuing to produce new and updated reviews in response to the pandemic . We have blogged about many of them and this blog  COVID-19 evidence: a Cochrane round-up  brings together a large collection of evidence and resources, starting from when this evidence was first being produced in spring 2020. Like the reviews themselves, all our blogs are updated to reflect new evidence.

There is a Cochrane news item about  Ivermectin: Cochrane’s most talked about review so far, ever. Why?

The impact of measures intended to prevent or reduce the spread of Covid-19 in long-term care facilities have been explored in  Non‐pharmacological measures implemented in the setting of long‐term care facilities to prevent SARS‐CoV‐2 infections and their consequences: a rapid review . There is evidence that a number of strategies may reduce the number of infections and related outcomes Outcomes are measures of health (for example quality of life, pain, blood sugar levels) that can be used to assess the effectiveness and safety of a treatment or other intervention (for example a drug, surgery, or exercise). In research, the outcomes considered most important are ‘primary outcomes’ and those considered less important are ‘secondary outcomes’. , but more robust evidence is needed. You can read more in the news item  Can non-pharmacological measures prevent or reduce Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in long term care facilities?  and there are a number of related Cochrane Clinical Answers (see reference list).

Cochrane Special Collections

Cochrane Special Collections assemble Cochrane Reviews on important topics for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. They are developed with experts from our global Cochrane network. They are based on World Health Organization interim guidance, and continuously updated.  You can find Coronavirus (COVID-19) Special Collections here .

Cochrane Podcasts

Cochrane COVID-19 Podcasts  offer short summaries of Cochrane COVID-19 reviews from the authors themselves. A good way to hear the latest Cochrane evidence in under 5 minutes each.

Cochrane Clinical Answers

Cochrane Clinical Answers (CCAs) provide a readable, digestible, clinically-focused entry point to rigorous research from Cochrane Reviews Cochrane Reviews are systematic reviews. In systematic reviews we search for and summarize studies that answer a specific research question (e.g. is paracetamol effective and safe for treating back pain?). The studies are identified, assessed, and summarized by using a systematic and predefined approach. They inform recommendations for healthcare and research. . They are designed to be actionable and to inform point-of-care decision-making. Each CCA contains a clinical question, a short answer, and data Data is the information collected through research. for the outcomes from the Cochrane Review deemed most relevant to practising healthcare professionals.

You can find Cochrane Clinical Answers related to COVID-19 here.

A new Cochrane Review  Parenteral versus enteral fluid therapy for children hospitalised with bronchiolitis  (December 2021) with evidence from two studies, with fewer than 1000 hospitalised infants, highlights the need for an expanded evidence-base to inform practice.

As things stand, the authors find that enteral tube feeding probably reduces local complications compared with IV fluid administration. They also find that there was probably a higher rate The speed or frequency of occurrence of an event, usually expressed with respect to time. For instance, a mortality rate might be the number of deaths per year, per 100,000 people. of success in inserting a feeding tube on first try compared to an intravenous catheter, and probably a lower rate of switching method of fluid delivery.

This is one of the reviews included in our blog  Bronchiolitis: evidence and guidance for practice .

• The Cochrane Review  Music interventions for improving psychological and physical outcomes in people with cancer  was updated in 2021.
• It is included in this Evidently Cochrane blog –  Bringing harmony to the hospital: music therapies revisited .
• Podcast:  Can music interventions benefit people with cancer?

Care of the newborn, including preterm infants 

Avoidance of bottles in establishing breastfeeds in preterm infants.

The authors of the Cochrane Review Avoidance of bottles during the establishment of breastfeeds in preterm infants (October 2021) have concluded:

“Avoiding the use of bottles when preterm infants need supplementary feeds probably increases the extent of any breastfeeding at discharge, and may improve any and full breastfeeding (exclusive) up to six months postdischarge. Most of the evidence demonstrating benefit was for cup feeding. Only one study An investigation of a healthcare problem. There are different types of studies used to answer research questions, for example randomised controlled trials or observational studies. used a tube feeding strategy. We are uncertain whether a tube alone approach to supplementing breastfeeds improves breastfeeding outcomes.”

This review has been added to two existing Evidently Cochrane blogs:

• “ Yummy, yummy in my tummy, getting big with milk from mummy. Getting preterm babies feeding orally – a roundup of current evidence ”
• “ Breastfeeding: a round-up of Cochrane evidence ”

Cochrane Clinical Answer:  For preterm infants, does avoidance of bottles during establishment of breast‐feeding help to increase the extent and duration of breast‐feeding?

Corticosteroids for prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia

A Cochrane Review  Early (< 7 days) systemic postnatal corticosteroids for prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants  (October 2021) has been updated. From high-certainty The certainty (or quality) of evidence is the extent to which we can be confident that what the research tells us about a particular treatment effect is likely to be accurate. Concerns about factors such as bias can reduce the certainty of the evidence. Evidence may be of high certainty; moderate certainty; low certainty or very-low certainty.  Cochrane has adopted the GRADE approach (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) for assessing certainty (or quality) of evidence. Find out more here: https://training.cochrane.org/grade-approach evidence, the review authors have found that systemic postnatal corticosteroids, in the regimens used, have had “significant short‐term and long‐term effects ‐ both beneficial and harmful”.

They conclude that “Early systemic postnatal corticosteroid treatment Something done with the aim of improving health or relieving suffering. For example, medicines, surgery, psychological and physical therapies, diet and exercise changes. (started during the first six days after birth) prevents BPD [bronchopulmonary dysplasia] and the combined outcome of mortality death or BPD. However, it increases risks of gastrointestinal perforation, cerebral palsy, and the combined outcome of mortality or cerebral palsy. Most beneficial and harmful effects are related to early treatment with dexamethasone, rather than to early treatment with hydrocortisone, but early hydrocortisone may prevent mortality, whereas early dexamethasone does not.”

Cochrane Clinical Answer: For preterm infants with evolving or established bronchopulmonary dysplasia, what are the effects of systemic corticosteroids administered within eight days after birth?

The Cochrane Review  Late (≥ 7 days) systemic postnatal corticosteroids for prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants  (November 2021) has also been updated. There is high-certainty evidence that “late systemic postnatal corticosteroid treatment (started at seven days or more after birth) reduces the risks of mortality and BPD, and the combined outcome of mortality or BPD, without evidence of increased cerebral palsy. ” But the authors note that there is limited evidence on long-term outcomes, including possible neurodevelopment harms.

Cochrane Clinical Answer:  For preterm infants with evolving or established bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), what are the effects of late (≥ 7 days) systemic corticosteroids (CSs)?

CPAP for preterm infants

The authors of a Cochrane Review  Nasal continuous positive airway pressure levels for the prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants  (November 2021) conclude: “There are insufficient data from randomized Randomization is the process of randomly dividing into groups the people taking part in a trial. One group (the intervention group) will be given the intervention being tested (for example a drug, surgery, or exercise) and compared with a group which does not receive the intervention (the control group).   trials Clinical trials are research studies involving people who use healthcare services. They often compare a new or different treatment with the best treatment currently available. This is to test whether the new or different treatment is safe, effective and any better than what is currently used. No matter how promising a new treatment may appear during tests in a laboratory, it must go through clinical trials before its benefits and risks can really be known. to guide nasal CPAP level selection in preterm infants, whether provided as initial respiratory support or following extubation from invasive mechanical ventilation. We are uncertain as to whether low or moderate‐high nasal CPAP levels improve morbidity illness or harm and mortality in preterm infants.”

There is also a Cochrane Clinical Answer  Can prophylactic nasal continuous positive airway pressure help to prevent morbidity and mortality in very preterm infants?  for the review  Prophylactic or very early initiation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for preterm infants  (October 2021).

Enteral zinc supplementation for preterm neonates

The Cochrane Review  Enteral zinc supplementation for prevention of morbidity and mortality in preterm neonates  (February 2021) found that “Enteral supplementation of zinc in preterm infants compared to no supplementation or placebo An intervention that appears to be the same as that which is being assessed but does not have the active component. For example, a placebo could be a tablet made of sugar, compared with a tablet containing a medicine. may moderately decrease mortality and probably improve short‐term weight gain and linear growth, but may have little or no effect on common morbidities of prematurity. There are no data to assess the effect of zinc supplementation on long‐term neurodevelopment.”

Cochrane Clinical Answer:  What are the benefits and harms of enteral zinc supplementation for preterm neonates?

Opioid withdrawal in newborn infants

The Cochrane Review  Opioid treatment for opioid withdrawal in newborn infants  was updated in July 2021 with new trials added and conclusions changed.

Cochrane Clinical Answer:  For newborn infants with opioid withdrawal, how does morphine compare with methadone, buprenorphine, phenobarbital, and chlorpromazine?

Preventing bronchopulmonary dysplasia

The Cochrane Review  Late (≥ 7 days) systemic postnatal corticosteroids for prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants  (November 2021) has been updated with more evidence that shows a reduction in mortality at all ages from treatment with late systemic corticosteroids. The evidence for most outcomes is high-certainty. The authors note, however that “the methodological quality of studies determining long‐term outcomes is limited, and no studies were powered The power of a trial is the chance that it will correctly detect a real effect of an intervention being tested (for example a drug, surgery, or exercise). Studies with more participants will have greater power.   to detect increased rates of important adverse long‐term neurodevelopmental outcomes.”

Surfactant administration for preterm infants with or at risk A way of expressing the chance of an event taking place, expressed as the number of events divided by the total number of observations or people. It can be stated as ‘the chance of falling were one in four’ (1/4 = 25%). This measure is good no matter the incidence of events i.e. common or infrequent. of respiratory distress syndrome

Cochrane Clinical Answer:  How does surfactant administration via thin catheter (S‐TC) compare with surfactant administration through an endotracheal tube (S‐ETT) for preterm infants with or at risk of respiratory distress syndrome? 

Tube feeding preterm and low birth weight infants

The Cochrane Review  Monitoring of gastric residual volume during enteral nutrition  (September 2021)   concludes that “The evidence is very uncertain about the effect of GRV on clinical outcomes including mortality, pneumonia, vomiting, and length of hospital stay.”

Cochrane Clinical Answers:

• For preterm or very low birth weight infants, how does slow advancement compare with fast advancement of enteral feed volumes? 
• How do high‐ and standard‐volume fortified enteral feeds compare for improving outcomes in preterm or low birthweight infants? 
• How does continuous nasogastric milk feeding compare with intermittent bolus milk feeding for preterm infants?  
• What are the effects of push versus gravity for intermittent bolus gavage tube feeding of premature and low birth weight infants?

The Cochrane Review Interventions targeted at women to encourage the uptake of cervical screening  (September 2021) has found that the use of invitation letters probably increases the uptake of cervical screening. Lay health worker involvement amongst ethnic minority populations may increase screening coverage. Uncertainty remains about the effects of most strategies to promote uptake.

The Cochrane Review Interventions to enable communication for adult patients requiring an artificial airway with or without mechanical ventilator support  (October 2021) has highlighted a lack of evidence to guide practice on choice of communication aid and when to use them.

Chronic A health condition marked by long duration, by frequent recurrence over a long time, and often by slowly progressing seriousness. For example, rheumatoid arthritis. non‐invasive ventilation 

The Cochrane Review  Chronic non‐invasive ventilation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease  was published in August 2021. The authors concluded: “Regardless of the timing of initiation, chronic NIV [non-invasive ventilation] improves daytime hypercapnia. In addition, in stable COPD, survival seems to be improved and there might be a short term HRQL [health-related quality of life] benefit. In people with persistent hypercapnia after a COPD exacerbation, chronic NIV might prolong admission‐free survival without a beneficial effect on HRQL.”

Integrated disease management

Cochrane Clinical Answer: What are the effects of integrated disease management (IDM) interventions for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?

In the Evidently Cochrane blog  Choosing health care wisely when resources are scarce  Selena Ryan-Vig describes the first in a new series of Cochrane Special Collections which brings together examples of treatments and health care which – despite being costly and time-consuming – research suggests could be unhelpful to patients, or even harmful.

You can also read more in this Cochrane Editorial  Making wise choices about low‐value health care in the COVID‐19 pandemic

A new podcast series looks at initiatives to wind back the medical excess that is causing harm to people and the planet. You can find out more on this page:  Cochrane Sustainable Healthcare joins forces with the BMJ to explore new ways to make health systems healthier.

Delirium is common in hospitalised patients. The authors of a Cochrane Review on  Non‐pharmacological interventions for preventing delirium in hospitalised non‐ICU patients (November 2021) have concluded:

• “There is moderate‐certainty evidence regarding the benefit of multicomponent non‐pharmacological interventions for the prevention of delirium in hospitalised adults, estimated to reduce incidence The number of new occurrences of something in a population over a particular period of time, e.g. the number of cases of a disease in a country over one year. by 43% compared to usual care.
• We found no evidence of an effect on mortality.
• There is emerging evidence that these interventions may reduce hospital length of stay, with a trend towards reduced delirium duration, although the effect on delirium severity remains uncertain.”
• What are the effects of multi‐domain interventions for prevention of dementia and cognitive decline?
• Can palliative care interventions improve outcomes for people with advanced dementia?

Cochrane Author Somebody responsible for preparing and, in the case of Cochrane Reviews, keeping up-to-date a systematic review. The term ‘reviewer’ is also sometimes used to refer to an external peer reviewer, or referee. Q&A: Ketamine as a treatment for depression.

The authors of a Cochrane Review  Altered dietary salt intake for people with chronic kidney disease  (June 2021) found  high-certainty evidence  that salt reduction reduced blood pressure in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and albuminuria in people with earlier stage CKD in the short‐term. They state that “if such reductions could be maintained long‐term, this effect may translate to clinically significant Clinical significance is the practical importance of an effect (e.g. a reduction in symptoms); whether it has a real genuine, palpable, noticeable effect on daily life. It is not the same as statistical significance. For instance, showing that a drug lowered the heart rate by an average of 1 beat per minute would not be clinically significant, as it is unlikely to be a big enough effect to be important to patients and healthcare providers. reductions in CKD progression and cardiovascular events. Research into the long‐term effects of sodium‐restricted diet for people with CKD is warranted.”

Cochrane Clinical Answer:  What are the effects of altered dietary salt intake for adults with chronic kidney disease?

A recently updated Special Collection: Influenza: evidence from Cochrane Reviews.

Cochrane Review:  Slow versus fast subcutaneous heparin injections for prevention of bruising and site pain intensity   (June 2021)

Cochrane Clinical Answer: For people receiving subcutaneous low‐molecular‐weight heparin (LMWH) injections, how does a slow injection compare with a fast injection?

Cochrane Clinical Answer:  For women with subfertility, how does double intrauterine insemination (IUI) compare with single IUI in stimulated cycles?

Cochrane Clinical Answer:  What are the benefits and harms of interventions to increase patient and family involvement in the escalation of care for community health and hospital settings?

Using patient questionnaires for improving clinical management and outcomes  – an interview with Cochrane review author Christopher Gibbons about their recent Cochrane Review to find out whether healthcare workers who receive information from questionnaires completed by their patients give better health care and whether their patients have better health.

The authors of a Cochrane Review on Perioperative systemic nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in women undergoing breast surgery  (November 2021) conclude that “Low‐certainty evidence suggests that NSAIDs may reduce postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting, and postoperative opioid use. However, there was very little evidence to indicate whether NSAIDs affect the rate of breast hematoma or bleeding from any location within 90 days of breast surgery, the need for blood transfusion and incidence of other side effects compared to placebo or other analgesics.”

Cochrane Clinical Answer:  Does preoperative hair removal reduce postoperative surgical site infection?

A Cochrane Review Reducing medication errors for adults in hospital settings  (November 2021) concludes that “Compared to usual care, medication reconciliation, electronic prescribing systems, barcoding and feedback to professionals may reduce adverse drug events or medication errors, or both. Nonetheless, the best modalities to deliver these interventions, and the effect of other interventions, are less clear.”

Care and rehabilitation after hip fracture surgery are increasingly in the hands of a multidisciplinary team, and this was explored in a Cochrane Review  Multidisciplinary rehabilitation for older people with hip fractures  (updated November 2021). There is now evidence that, in hospital settings, rehabilitation after hip fracture surgery delivered by a multidisciplinary team and supervised by an appropriate medical specialist, probably results in fewer cases of ‘poor outcome’. It may also reduce the number of people with poor mobility at 12 months. Its effects (if any) on other outcomes, such as long-term hip-related pain, quality of life, and activities of daily living pain, are uncertain. The impact of supported discharge and multidisciplinary home rehabilitation is also unclear.

Cochrane Clinical Answer:  What are the benefits and harms of multidisciplinary rehabilitation (MDR) for older people with hip fracture?

This is one of several reviews included in our blog  After hip fracture: how best to help people get back on their feet .

A Cochrane Review  Palivizumab for preventing severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in children  (November 2021) has found that prophylaxis with palivizumab:

• reduces hospitalisation due to RSV infection
• reduces the number of wheezing days at one year’s follow‐up
• probably results in little to no difference in mortality or adverse events
• probably results in a slight reduction in hospitalisation due to respiratory‐related illness at two years’ follow‐up
• may result in a large reduction in RSV infection at two years’ follow‐up.

E-cigarettes

The Cochrane Review  Electronic cigarettes for smoking cessation was updated in September 2021.

Here is a summary of the review:

Cochrane Clinical Answer:  How effective and safe are electronic cigarettes (ECs) for smoking cessation?

Preventing weight gain

• Cochrane Clinical Answer:  Does varenicline or nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) help prevent weight gain after smoking cessation?
• Podcast:  Interventions for preventing weight gain after smoking cessation.

Strategies to improve smoking cessation rates in primary care

The Cochrane Review Strategies to improve smoking cessation rates in primary care  (September 2021) has found that providing adjunctive counseling by an allied health professional, cost‐free smoking cessation medications, and tailored printed materials as part of smoking cessation support in primary care probably increases the number of people who achieve smoking cessation.

Reducing sedentary behaviour

Cochrane Clinical Answer:  For people with stroke, what are the effects of interventions to reduce sedentary behavior? 

Screening for dysphagia

A new Cochrane Review Screening for aspiration risk associated with dysphagia in acute stroke  has been published and reveals an evidence gap. The authors conclude “we were unable to identify a tool that could accurately identify everyone with food and drink entering their airway, as well as detect all those who definitely did not.”

Factors influencing parents’ and carers’ decisions on routine vaccinations

The Cochrane news item  What factors influence parents’ and carers’ decisions on routine vaccinations for their children?  looks at a new Cochrane Review on this topic. The key messages are:

• “Many factors influence parents’ vaccination views and practices, including those related to individual perceptions, social relationships, and the wider social and political context in which parents live.
• When parents make decisions about vaccination for their children, they are often communicating not just what they think about vaccines, but also who they are, what they value, and with whom they identify.”

From the news item you can jump to the full review and a short implementation guide related to it.

Cochrane Clinical Answer:  What factors influence parents’ and informal caregivers’ views and practices regarding routine childhood vaccination?

Interventions to increase uptake of human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B vaccines 

Cochrane Clinical Answer:  Which interventions improve vaccination uptake among adolescents?

Cochrane Clinical Answer:  What are the effects of a vegan dietary pattern for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD)?

Cochrane Clinical Answer:  For people with venous leg ulcers, what are the effects of compression bandages?

Opportunities and events

On this page,  Important Cochrane Links , you can find opportunities to get involved, including how to join Cochrane, find volunteer tasks, or jump into the Cochrane Library.

Hundreds of health leaders and experts met on October 14 to recommend the international community urgently mount stronger evidence-based responses to global health emergencies.  Recordings from this event are now available on this page:  Cochrane Convenes recordings available: the world must learn from pandemic lessons to avoid future catastrophes.

Please note that this page includes a round-up of materials mainly published within the last two months, and is not updated after it’s posted.

References (pdf)

Join in the conversation on Twitter with  @SarahChapman30   and   @CochraneUK  or leave a comment on the blog.

Please note, we cannot give medical advice and do not publish comments that link to individual pages requesting donations or to commercial sites, or appear to endorse commercial products. We welcome diverse views and encourage discussion but we ask that comments are respectful and reserve the right to not publish any we consider offensive. Cochrane UK does not fact check – or endorse – readers’ comments, including any treatments mentioned.

Sarah and Selena have nothing to disclose.

• #EvidenceForNursing
• breast surgery
• bronchiolitis
• care of the newborn
• cervical cancer
• Chronic Kidney Disease
• communication
• emergency care
• EvidenceFor
• heparin injections
• hip fracture
• smoking cessation
• surgical site infection
• vaccination
• venous leg ulcers

About Sarah Chapman and Selena Ryan-Vig

Sarah and Selena are Cochrane UK’s Knowledge Brokers. Their role involves sharing evidence in accessible ways with those who could find it helpful for their health decision-making, and encouraging engagement with it through social media. Sarah trained and worked as a nurse, has degrees in History from the Universities of Oxford and Reading, and worked in health services research before joining Cochrane UK in 2007. She is a recent cochlear implant recipient (2021) and is a Patient Ambassador for the COACH Trial, a randomised controlled trial of cochlear implantation versus hearing aids in adults with severe hearing loss. Sarah tweets @SarahChapman30. Selena has a psychology degree from the University of Bath and has previously worked for a national charity that provides support for young women. With a colleague, Selena delivers interactive sessions to students from Years 10 to 13 to teach about evidence-based practice and to encourage critical thinking, particularly around healthcare claims made in the media.

is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

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Evidently Cochrane

Top Nursing Research Topics for Students and Professionals

This article was written in collaboration with Christine T. and ChatGPT, our little helper developed by OpenAI.

Nursing research is an essential component of the nursing profession. Its primary purpose is to enhance patient outcomes, elevate the quality of care, and advance nursing as a whole. For nursing students and practitioners, selecting an appropriate research topic is crucial for academic and professional success. This article highlights some current and interesting topics in nursing research that students and professionals can explore.

Nursing Workforce

One of the major topics in nursing research is the challenges that nurses face in their workplace, and how to address them. This is particularly relevant in light of the current shortage of nurses and the healthcare industry’s growing demands.

List of Nursing Research Topics: Nursing Workforce

• The impact of nurse staffing levels on patient outcomes in acute care settings
• The effectiveness of nurse retention strategies on improving nurse job satisfaction
• The role of nursing leadership in creating a positive work environment
• The relationship between nurse staffing ratios and nurse burnout
• The impact of nurse-to-patient ratios on nursing care quality in long-term care settings
• The effectiveness of nurse residency programs in improving new nurse retention rates
• The impact of nursing unit culture on nurse job satisfaction and retention
• The impact of nurse-patient ratios on patient outcomes
• Strategies for retaining experienced nurses in the workforce
• Analyzing the role of advanced practice nurses in healthcare teams
• The challenges and benefits of international nursing recruitment
• Addressing generational differences in the nursing workforce
• The relationship between nurse work schedules and nurse burnout
• The impact of nurse staffing levels on medication errors in hospital settings
• The role of interprofessional collaboration in reducing nursing workload and improving patient outcomes
• The impact of nursing education level on nursing practice and patient outcomes
• The relationship between nurse staffing levels and patient falls in acute care settings
• The impact of nurse workload on patient satisfaction with nursing care
• The role of nursing leadership in promoting staff well-being and reducing burnout
• The relationship between nurse staffing levels and patient mortality rates in critical care settings
• The effectiveness of nurse-led care models in improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs
• The impact of nurse staffing levels on patient readmission rates in acute care settings
• The role of nursing autonomy in improving nursing practice and patient outcomes
• The relationship between nurse job satisfaction and patient outcomes in long-term care settings
• The impact of nursing staff turnover on patient safety and quality of care
• Healthcare management: career paths and requirements
• The role of technology in improving nursing efficiency and reducing workload
• The relationship between nurse staffing levels and patient satisfaction with nursing care
• The impact of nurse staffing levels on nurse job stress and burnout in pediatric settings
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions in improving patient outcomes for chronic conditions
• The role of nursing leadership in promoting a culture of safety and reducing patient harm
• The relationship between nurse staffing levels and patient outcomes in psychiatric settings
• The impact of nurse staffing levels on nurse job satisfaction and burnout in emergency departments
• The effectiveness of nursing education programs in improving nurse practice and patient outcomes
• The role of nurse practitioners in improving access to healthcare in underserved communities
• The relationship between nurse staffing levels and patient outcomes in rehabilitation settings
• The impact of nurse staffing levels on nurse retention rates in rural healthcare facilities
• The effectiveness of nurse-led discharge planning in reducing hospital readmissions
• The role of nursing leadership in promoting interprofessional collaboration and teamwork
• The relationship between nurse staffing levels and patient outcomes in outpatient care settings
• The impact of nursing workloads on patient safety in intensive care units
• The role of nursing research in improving nursing practice and patient outcomes
• The relationship between nurse staffing levels and nurse job satisfaction in surgical settings
• The impact of nurse staffing levels on patient satisfaction with pain management in acute care settings
• The effectiveness of nursing education programs in improving nursing knowledge and skills
• The role of nursing advocacy in promoting patient-centered care and improving healthcare outcomes

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Patient Safety

Another crucial area of nursing research is patient safety. Studying ways to enhance patient safety, reduce adverse events, and improve the quality of care in hospitals and other healthcare settings can help prevent patient harm and improve patient outcomes.

List of Nursing Research Topics: Patient Safety

• Exploring the impact of workplace stress on nurses’ job satisfaction and performance
• Investigating the factors that influence nurse turnover and retention rates
• Assessing the role of nurse staffing levels in patient outcomes and quality of care
• Examining the relationship between nurse burnout and patient safety incidents
• Investigating the effectiveness of nursing leadership in creating a positive work environment
• The influence of nursing handovers on patient safety
• Strategies to reduce medication errors in hospital settings
• The role of electronic health records in enhancing patient safety
• Impact of nurse-to-patient ratios on patient safety outcomes
• Evaluating the effectiveness of patient safety training programs for nurses
• Exploring the experiences of nurses from diverse backgrounds in the workplace
• Assessing the impact of shift work on nurses’ physical and mental health
• Investigating the relationship between nurse-patient ratios and patient outcomes
• Examining the role of interprofessional collaboration in improving the nursing work environment
• Exploring the use of technology to improve nursing workflow and productivity
• Mitigating the economic and social costs of heart diseases among the aging population in the US
• Investigating the effectiveness of nursing mentorship programs in retaining new nurses
• Assessing the role of organizational culture in promoting nurse well-being and job satisfaction
• Examining the impact of nursing education on nursing workforce preparedness
• Exploring the factors that contribute to job satisfaction among nurses
• Combating health care-associated infections: a community-based approach
• Investigating the impact of nurse-led care on patient outcomes and satisfaction
• Assessing the effectiveness of nursing support programs for nurses with mental health issues
• Examining the role of nursing unions in advocating for the nursing workforce
• Exploring the experiences of male nurses in the nursing workforce
• Investigating the effectiveness of nurse-led clinics in reducing emergency department visits
• Assessing the impact of nursing teamwork on patient outcomes and quality of care
• Examining the role of nursing informatics in improving nursing workflow and patient care
• Exploring the impact of nursing shortages on patient outcomes and quality of care
• Investigating the effectiveness of nurse-led interventions for reducing hospital readmissions
• Assessing the impact of nursing certification on nursing workforce competence and confidence
• Examining the role of nursing education in promoting cultural competence in the nursing workforce
• Exploring the experiences of nurses working in rural healthcare settings
• Investigating the effectiveness of nursing delegation in improving patient outcomes and quality of care
• Assessing the impact of nursing shortages on nurse job satisfaction and burnout
• Examining the role of nursing research in informing nursing workforce policies and practices
• Exploring the impact of nurse-led quality improvement initiatives on patient outcomes and satisfaction
• Investigating the role of nursing leaders in promoting nursing workforce diversity and inclusion
• Assessing the impact of nursing autonomy on nurse job satisfaction and performance
• Examining the effectiveness of nursing residency programs in preparing new nurses for the workforce
• Exploring the experiences of nurses working in correctional healthcare settings
• Investigating the impact of nurse staffing levels on patient falls and injuries
• Assessing the role of nursing education in promoting evidence-based practice in the nursing workforce
• Examining the effectiveness of nursing preceptorship programs in improving nurse job satisfaction and retention
• Exploring the role of nursing education in preparing nurses for leadership roles in the nursing workforce
• Investigating the effectiveness of nursing empowerment interventions in improving nursing job satisfaction and performance
• Assessing the impact of nursing shortages on the quality of nursing care provided to older adults in long-term care facilities.

Chronic Illness Management

Managing chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, is a significant challenge for healthcare providers. Exploring different strategies for chronic disease management can help improve patient outcomes and enhance the quality of care.

List of Nursing Research Topics: Chronic Illness Management

• The Role of Nurses in Managing Chronic Heart Disease
• Impact of Nurse-led Interventions in Managing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• The Effectiveness of Self-management Education in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
• Nursing Strategies for Chronic Pain Management
• Chronic Kidney Disease Management: A Nursing Perspective
• Palliative Care in Chronic Illness Management
• Community Nursing and Chronic Illness: A Study on Patient Outcomes
• The Role of Nurses in Managing Chronic Pediatric Asthma
• Telehealth and Chronic Disease Management: The Future of Nursing Practice?
• Evaluating the role of nursing in diabetes self-management
• Strategies for improving patient adherence to chronic illness treatment plans
• The impact of nurse-led interventions on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management
• Exploring the role of telehealth in chronic illness follow-up and monitoring
• The effectiveness of nurse-led educational programs for patients with cardiovascular diseases
• The Importance of Nurse-led Clinics in Chronic Illness Management
• The Role of Nursing in Depression Management among Chronically Ill Patients
• Empowering the vulnerable: enhancing health and social care for individuals with specific needs
• Advanced Practice Nurses and Chronic Illness Management: A Systematic Review
• The Impact of Holistic Nursing Care on Chronic Disease Management
• The Effect of Nurse-led Health Education on Compliance in Chronic Disease Patients
• The Role of Family Nurses in the Management of Chronic Illness in Home Settings
• Nursing and the Management of Chronic Illness in Geriatric Populations
• The Influence of Nursing Interventions on Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Illness
• Challenges Faced by Nurses in Managing Chronic Illness in Low-resource Settings
• Cancer Pain: Assessment, Management, and Patient Empowerment
• Evaluating the Role of School Nurses in Managing Chronic Illnesses in Children
• Developing a Chronic Disease Management Model: The Crucial Role of Nursing
• Nursing Intervention in Lifestyle Modification for Chronic Illness Patients
• The Impact of Patient-Nurse Communication in Chronic Illness Management
• The Role of Nursing in Medication Management for Chronic Illness Patients
• The Effects of Nursing Care Coordination on Chronic Illness Outcomes
• Mental Health and Chronic Illness: The Importance of Psychiatric Nursing
• The Role of Nursing in the Self-Management of Chronic Illness: A Meta-Analysis
• Nursing Interventions for Chronic Illness Management in Rural Areas
• Nurses’ Role in Reducing Hospital Readmissions for Chronic Illness Patients
• Digital healthcare and organizational learning: enhancing patient care through technology and knowledge management
• The Impact of Nursing on Patient Empowerment in Chronic Illness Management
• Cultural Competence in Nursing and Its Effect on Chronic Disease Management
• The Role of Nursing Informatics in Chronic Illness Management
• Evaluating the Role of Community Health Nurses in Chronic Illness Prevention
• The Impact of Home Nursing on Chronic Illness Management in Aging Populations
• The ongoing risk of HIV/AIDS among men who have sex with men
• The Role of Oncology Nurses in the Management of Chronic Cancer Pain
• The Effects of Nursing-led Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Chronic Illness Management
• The Impact of Advanced Nursing Practice on Health Outcomes in Chronic Disease Management
• The Use of Digital Health Technologies in Chronic Disease Management: A Nursing Perspective

Mental Health

Promoting mental health and well-being in vulnerable patient populations is another important area of nursing research. Nurses can investigate various interventions and programs that can help prevent mental health problems and improve patients’ overall well-being.

List of Nursing Research Topics: Mental Health

• The impact of COVID-19 on mental health in healthcare workers
• The effectiveness of telehealth for delivering mental health services
• The role of social support in promoting mental health and wellbeing
• Investigating the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions for mental health
• Examining the use of virtual reality in treating mental health disorders
• The impact of sleep on mental health outcomes
• The role of exercise in promoting mental health and wellbeing
• The effectiveness of psychotherapy in treating depression
• Exploring the relationship between mental health and chronic pain
• Investigating the impact of workplace stress on mental health in nurses
• The effectiveness of nurse-led interventions for patients with depression
• Exploring the impact of nurse-patient relationships on mental health outcomes
• Strategies for improving mental health literacy among nursing professionals
• Evaluating the role of nurses in suicide prevention and intervention
• The challenges and strategies in nursing care for patients with dual diagnoses (co-existing mental health and substance use disorders)
• Examining the use of music therapy for mental health promotion
• The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders
• The relationship between mental health and nutrition
• The impact of trauma on mental health outcomes
• Investigating the use of art therapy in promoting mental health and wellbeing
• The role of spirituality in mental health and coping
• The effectiveness of group therapy for mental health disorders
• The impact of stigma on mental health outcomes
• Examining the effectiveness of psychopharmacology in treating mental health disorders
• The role of family support in promoting mental health and wellbeing
• Investigating the relationship between mental health and substance abuse
• The effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy in promoting mental health and wellbeing
• The impact of social media on mental health outcomes
• Examining the use of humor in promoting mental health and wellbeing
• The effectiveness of cognitive training for improving mental health outcomes
• Investigating the impact of gender and cultural factors on mental health outcomes
• The role of occupational therapy in promoting mental health and wellbeing
• Examining the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy for mental health disorders
• The relationship between mental health and physical activity
• Investigating the use of peer support for mental health promotion
• The effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction for mental health
• The impact of technology on mental health outcomes
• The role of nutrition in treating mental health disorders
• Examining the use of hypnotherapy in promoting mental health and wellbeing
• The effectiveness of psychotherapy for PTSD
• Investigating the relationship between mental health and social determinants of health
• The impact of social isolation on mental health outcomes
• Examining the use of dance therapy in promoting mental health and wellbeing
• The effectiveness of cognitive processing therapy for mental health disorders
• The role of self-care in promoting mental health and wellbeing in nurses

Health Promotion

Research into health promotion strategies using technology, social media, and other digital tools is a rapidly growing area of nursing research. Such research can help identify innovative and effective ways to promote health and well-being in communities and patient populations.

List of Nursing Research Topics: Health Promotion

• The effectiveness of community-based interventions in promoting physical activity and healthy eating habits
• Investigating the impact of social media on health behavior and lifestyle changes
• The role of nursing in promoting healthy behaviors and preventing chronic diseases
• Identifying effective strategies for improving health literacy among underserved populations
• Exploring the use of wearable technology in promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles
• Evaluating the effectiveness of nurse-led health promotion campaigns on community health outcomes
• The role of nurses in promoting vaccinations in various populations
• Strategies for nurses to address health literacy and its impact on patient outcomes
• The influence of cultural competence in health promotion and disease prevention
• Assessing the role of nurses in promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles in at-risk populations
• Investigating the role of family support in promoting healthy behaviors among children and adolescents
• Examining the effectiveness of peer-led interventions in promoting healthy lifestyles
• Investigating the impact of workplace wellness programs on employee health and productivity
• The impact of milk consumption on children’s growth
• The role of nursing in promoting smoking cessation and reducing tobacco use
• Exploring the use of motivational interviewing in promoting behavior change and improving health outcomes
• Investigating the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in promoting mental and physical health
• The role of social support in promoting healthy behaviors and preventing chronic diseases
• Examining the effectiveness of school-based interventions in promoting healthy behaviors among children and adolescents
• Exploring the use of technology in promoting health education and behavior change
• Investigating the role of culture and ethnicity in promoting healthy behaviors and preventing chronic diseases
• Nursing: a beautiful blend of art and science
• Examining the effectiveness of community health worker programs in promoting healthy lifestyles
• The role of nursing in promoting healthy aging and preventing age-related diseases
• Investigating the impact of environmental factors on health behavior and lifestyle changes
• Exploring the use of incentives in promoting behavior change and improving health outcomes
• Investigating the effectiveness of group-based interventions in promoting healthy lifestyles
• Examining the impact of policy interventions on health behavior and lifestyle changes
• The effects of sleep deprivation on students’ cognitive functions and emotional state
• The role of nursing in promoting healthy sleep habits and reducing sleep disorders
• Investigating the effectiveness of mobile health interventions in promoting behavior change and improving health outcomes
• Exploring the use of positive psychology interventions in promoting mental and physical health
• Investigating the role of healthcare providers in promoting healthy behaviors and preventing chronic diseases
• Examining the effectiveness of workplace policies in promoting healthy lifestyles
• The role of nursing in promoting healthy sexual behaviors and preventing sexually transmitted infections
• Investigating the impact of stress on health behavior and lifestyle changes
• Exploring the use of community-based participatory research in promoting healthy behaviors and preventing chronic diseases
• The delicate dance: balancing art and science in the nursing profession
• Investigating the role of nutrition in promoting healthy behaviors and preventing chronic diseases
• Examining the effectiveness of self-management interventions in promoting healthy lifestyles
• The role of nursing in promoting healthy pregnancy and preventing maternal and child health problems
• Investigating the impact of socioeconomic status on health behavior and lifestyle changes
• Exploring the use of health coaching in promoting behavior change and improving health outcomes
• Investigating the role of spirituality in promoting mental and physical health
• Examining the effectiveness of school-based policies in promoting healthy lifestyles
• The role of nursing in promoting healthy relationships and preventing intimate partner violence
• Investigating the impact of social determinants of health on health behavior and lifestyle changes
• Exploring the use of mobile applications in promoting healthy behaviors and preventing chronic diseases
• Investigating the role of health literacy in promoting healthy behaviors and preventing chronic diseases

Palliative Care

Improving the quality of life of seriously ill patients and their families during end-of-life care is another critical area of nursing research. Nurses can explore different interventions and support programs that can enhance the palliative care experience.

List of Nursing Research Topics: Palliative Care

• The effectiveness of palliative care on improving quality of life for cancer patients
• Understanding the needs and experiences of family caregivers in palliative care
• Palliative care and end-of-life decision-making: exploring patient and family preferences
• Optimizing the clarifying diagnosis of stomach cancer
• Improving access to palliative care for patients in rural areas
• The role of spirituality in palliative care for terminally ill patients
• Investigating the impact of music therapy on patients receiving palliative care
• Developing effective communication strategies for discussing end-of-life care with patients and families
• Exploring the experiences and needs of patients with non-cancer diagnoses in palliative care
• The impact of nurse-led interventions in improving the quality of life for patients in palliative care
• Evaluating the training needs of nurses in delivering end-of-life care
• The role of nursing in managing symptoms and side effects in palliative care patients
• Strategies for improving communication between nurses and families during end-of-life care
• Assessing the ethical considerations and challenges faced by nurses in palliative care settings
• Evaluating the effectiveness of home-based palliative care programs
• Palliative care for pediatric patients: understanding unique challenges and opportunities
• The impact of cultural and ethnic differences on palliative care provision
• Investigating the role of social support in palliative care for older adults
• The effectiveness of advance care planning in improving end-of-life care
• Understanding the experiences and needs of patients with neurological diseases in palliative care
• Exploring the impact of palliative care on reducing healthcare costs
• Investigating the role of complementary therapies in palliative care
• Improving symptom management in palliative care through medication optimization
• Palliative care and spiritual care: exploring the intersection of these two domains
• The impact of palliative care on reducing hospital readmissions
• Investigating the role of occupational therapy in palliative care
• Developing effective pain management strategies for patients receiving palliative care
• Understanding the experiences and needs of patients with heart failure in palliative care
• The role of pet therapy in improving quality of life for patients in palliative care
• Investigating the impact of palliative care on reducing caregiver burden
• Understanding the experiences and needs of patients with lung disease in palliative care
• Exploring the impact of palliative care on reducing healthcare utilization
• Investigating the role of nutrition in palliative care for patients with cancer
• Understanding the experiences and needs of patients with kidney disease in palliative care
• Improving palliative care for patients with dementia: exploring unique challenges and opportunities
• The role of art therapy in improving quality of life for patients in palliative care
• Investigating the impact of palliative care on reducing emergency department visits
• Developing effective communication strategies for discussing end-of-life care with patients with cognitive impairment
• Understanding the experiences and needs of patients with liver disease in palliative care
• Palliative care for patients with substance use disorders: unique challenges and opportunities
• Investigating the role of physiotherapy in palliative care
• The effectiveness of psychotherapy in improving mental health outcomes for patients in palliative care
• Understanding the experiences and needs of patients with multiple chronic conditions in palliative care
• Improving symptom management in palliative care through non-pharmacological interventions
• Investigating the impact of palliative care on reducing healthcare disparities
• Palliative care and medical aid in dying: exploring ethical and legal considerations

Healthcare Disparities

Studying the factors that contribute to healthcare disparities between different populations and identifying strategies to address these disparities is an important area of nursing research. Nurses can examine the role of social determinants of health in healthcare disparities and propose solutions to improve access and equity in healthcare.

List of Nursing Research Topics: Healthcare Disparities

• Examining the relationship between socioeconomic status and healthcare disparities
• Investigating the impact of implicit bias on healthcare disparities
• Analyzing the impact of racial and ethnic disparities on health outcomes
• Identifying disparities in access to preventative care among different populations
• Exploring the impact of language barriers on healthcare disparities
• Investigating the impact of discrimination on healthcare outcomes
• Identifying disparities in health insurance coverage and access to healthcare services
• Exploring the importance of national health insurance for socioeconomic growth
• Analyzing the impact of geographic location on healthcare disparities
• Evaluating the role of nursing in addressing healthcare disparities in underserved communities
• The impact of socioeconomic factors on patient outcomes and nursing interventions
• Strategies for nurses to promote health equity in diverse patient populations
• Assessing the influence of cultural competence on reducing healthcare disparities
• The role of nursing advocacy in shaping policies to reduce health inequities
• Examining disparities in mental health care access and utilization
• Investigating disparities in maternal and child health outcomes
• Exploring the relationship between healthcare disparities and chronic disease outcomes
• Identifying disparities in end-of-life care and hospice utilization
• Analyzing the impact of cultural differences on healthcare outcomes
• Investigating disparities in healthcare provider communication and patient engagement
• Examining the impact of healthcare policy on healthcare disparities
• Global health learning in nursing and health care disparities
• Identifying disparities in healthcare access and utilization among the LGBTQ+ community
• Exploring the impact of environmental factors on healthcare disparities
• Analyzing the impact of social determinants of health on healthcare disparities
• Investigating disparities in healthcare access and utilization among rural populations
• Examining disparities in healthcare access and utilization among urban populations
• Identifying disparities in healthcare access and utilization among immigrants and refugees
• Analyzing the impact of education level on healthcare disparities
• Investigating disparities in healthcare access and utilization among older adults
• Examining disparities in dental health access and utilization
• Identifying disparities in mental health treatment and access to services
• Analyzing the impact of stigma on healthcare outcomes for marginalized populations
• Investigating disparities in healthcare access and utilization among incarcerated populations
• Exploring disparities in healthcare access and utilization among individuals with disabilities
• Analyzing the impact of institutional racism on healthcare disparities
• Investigating disparities in healthcare access and utilization among low-income populations
• Examining disparities in cancer screening and early detection
• Identifying disparities in access to clinical trials and experimental treatments
• Analyzing the impact of the digital divide on healthcare disparities
• Investigating disparities in healthcare access and utilization among veterans
• Exploring the impact of healthcare worker bias on healthcare disparities
• Examining the relationship between healthcare disparities and infant mortality rates
• Identifying disparities in healthcare access and utilization among people with limited English proficiency
• Analyzing the impact of gender on healthcare disparities
• Investigating disparities in healthcare access and utilization among individuals experiencing homelessness
• Exploring the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare disparities among different populations

Patient-Centered Care

Enhancing patient-centered care, including patient feedback, patient-centered communication, and patient education, is another vital area of nursing research. Nurses can investigate the impact of patient-centered care on patient outcomes and identify ways to incorporate patient preferences and values in the care process.

List of Nursing Research Topics: Patient-Centered Care

• The importance of patient-centered care in improving health outcomes
• Exploring the effectiveness of patient-centered communication in clinical practice
• Assessing patient satisfaction with patient-centered care
• The impact of nursing staffing on patient-centered care
• The role of family and caregiver involvement in patient-centered care
• The use of technology to enhance patient-centered care
• Patient education and empowerment in promoting patient-centered care
• The role of nurses in facilitating shared decision-making in patient care
• Evaluating the impact of personalized care plans on patient outcomes and satisfaction
• Strategies for nurses to engage patients in their care across diverse cultural backgrounds
• The influence of effective communication strategies on the delivery of patient-centered care
• Assessing the barriers and facilitators to implementing patient-centered care in various healthcare settings
• The impact of culture on patient-centered care
• Measuring the quality of patient-centered care in healthcare settings
• The benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration in patient-centered care
• Understanding home dialysis: benefits, barriers, and impacts on elderly patients and the healthcare system
• Addressing language barriers in patient-centered care
• Exploring the challenges of implementing patient-centered care in healthcare organizations
• The role of patient-centered care in reducing healthcare costs
• The impact of patient-centered care on patient safety
• The importance of patient-centered care for vulnerable populations
• The role of leadership in promoting patient-centered care
• Evaluating the impact of patient-centered care on healthcare outcomes
• Examining the effectiveness of patient-centered care in chronic disease management
• The impact of patient-centered care on patient adherence to treatment
• The importance of patient-centered care in pediatric healthcare settings
• The use of patient feedback to improve patient-centered care
• Pediatric oncology: working towards better treatment through evidence-based research
• The role of patient-centered care in addressing health disparities
• Patient-centered care in end-of-life and palliative care settings
• The role of healthcare professionals in promoting patient-centered care
• The impact of patient-centered care on healthcare provider job satisfaction
• The importance of patient-centered care in emergency and critical care settings
• The use of simulation-based training to enhance patient-centered care
• The impact of patient-centered care on patient experience and engagement
• The role of healthcare policy in promoting patient-centered care
• Addressing the needs of patients with complex medical needs in patient-centered care
• The role of the nursing profession in promoting patient-centered care
• Patient-centered care in mental health and psychiatric settings
• The impact of patient-centered care on healthcare provider burnout
• The role of patient-centered care in promoting shared decision-making
• Examining the effectiveness of patient-centered care in rural healthcare settings
• The impact of patient-centered care on patient quality of life
• The use of patient-centered care in managing acute and chronic pain
• Addressing the needs of elderly patients in patient-centered care
• The impact of patient-centered care on healthcare system performance
• Promoting patient-centered care through the use of standardized patient education materials

Nursing Education

Exploring innovative approaches to nursing education and training, such as simulation-based learning and online learning, is a growing area of nursing research. Such research can help identify effective ways to prepare nursing students for their future roles in the healthcare system.

List of Nursing Research Topics: Nursing Education

• The impact of simulation-based training on nursing education outcomes
• The effectiveness of online learning in nursing education
• Innovative approaches to clinical teaching in nursing education
• The role of technology in nursing education
• Student perceptions of nursing education and their impact on learning outcomes
• The impact of cultural competence training on nursing students’ attitudes and behaviors
• The effectiveness of peer-led teaching in nursing education
• Best practices for incorporating interprofessional education into nursing curricula
• The role of reflective practice in nursing education
• The effectiveness of flipped classroom models in nursing education
• The impact of virtual reality and augmented reality tools in nursing education
• Evaluating the effectiveness of online vs. traditional classroom nursing education
• Strategies for enhancing interprofessional education in nursing curricula
• The role of continuous professional development in enhancing nursing competencies
• Assessing the influence of mentorship programs on nursing student success and retention
• Transforming advanced nursing practice: embracing IOM recommendations and higher education
• The impact of mentorship on nursing students’ learning and professional development
• The use of team-based learning in nursing education
• The effectiveness of hands-on skills training in nursing education
• Student perceptions of clinical experiences in nursing education
• The impact of service learning on nursing students’ attitudes and behaviors
• The role of cultural humility in nursing education
• The effectiveness of blended learning in nursing education
• Best practices for incorporating patient-centered care into nursing curricula
• The impact of standardized patient encounters on nursing education outcomes
• Importance and application of patient education technology in healthcare
• The use of case-based learning in nursing education
• The role of faculty development in improving nursing education outcomes
• The effectiveness of clinical reasoning strategies in nursing education
• The impact of nursing education on patient outcomes
• The role of simulation in teaching critical thinking in nursing education
• Best practices for incorporating evidence-based practice into nursing curricula
• The use of gamification in nursing education
• The effectiveness of problem-based learning in nursing education
• The impact of nursing education on student stress and burnout
• The role of intercultural competence in nursing education
• The effectiveness of collaborative learning in nursing education
• The impact of teaching communication skills in nursing education
• Best practices for incorporating patient safety into nursing curricula
• The role of interprofessional collaboration in nursing education
• The effectiveness of clinical coaching in nursing education
• The impact of teaching teamwork skills in nursing education
• The use of high-fidelity simulation in nursing education
• The role of experiential learning in nursing education
• Best practices for incorporating leadership development into nursing curricula
• The impact of nursing education on student retention and graduation rates
• The effectiveness of self-directed learning in nursing education

Healthcare Policy

Studying the impact of healthcare policy on the nursing profession and patient outcomes, including the role of nursing in healthcare reform efforts, is a crucial area of nursing research. Nurses can examine the policy’s effect on healthcare access, quality, and affordability and propose solutions to address policy gaps and challenges.

List of Nursing Research Topics: Healthcare Policy

• The impact of the affordable care act on the nursing profession
• Exploring healthcare informatics: evolution, challenges, and solutions
• The role of nursing in healthcare reform efforts
• The impact of medicare and Medicaid on nursing practice
• The impact of private insurance on nursing practice
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing workforce development
• Combating workplace violence in nursing: the impact of policies, legislation, and organizational culture
• The role of nursing in healthcare policy decision-making
• The impact of healthcare policies on patient outcomes
• The role of nurses in implementing healthcare policies
• The implications of universal healthcare policies on nursing roles and responsibilities
• Evaluating the impact of health insurance reforms on nursing care delivery
• Strategies for nurses to influence healthcare policy decisions at the national and state levels
• The role of nursing in shaping policies related to patient rights and autonomy
• Assessing the influence of healthcare policy on nursing education and licensure requirements
• Evaluating the impact of nurse advocacy on shaping health policies at local and national levels
• Strategies for nurses to stay updated on changing healthcare policies and their implications
• The role of nursing in shaping policies related to electronic health records and patient privacy
• Assessing the implications of global health policies on nursing practices and education
• The influence of healthcare policies on the scope of practice for advanced practice nurses
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing education and training
• The impact of healthcare policies on nurse staffing ratios
• The impact of healthcare policies on patient satisfaction
• Understanding the impact of the American Healthcare System Regulatory Acts
• The impact of healthcare policies on healthcare costs
• The impact of healthcare policies on healthcare disparities
• The role of nursing in advocating for healthcare policy changes
• The impact of healthcare policies on patient safety
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing job satisfaction
• Understanding the US. Health Care Reform: necessity, challenges, and implementation
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing burnout
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing retention rates
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing leadership
• The role of nursing in shaping healthcare policies
• The impact of healthcare policies on healthcare quality
• Workplace violence in healthcare: causes, regulations, and prevention strategies
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing productivity
• The impact of healthcare policies on healthcare access
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing workload
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing autonomy
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing scope of practice
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing professional development
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing research
• The role of nursing in developing healthcare policies
• Massachusetts Health Reform Act: striving for universal coverage and controlled costs
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing career advancement
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing licensure and certification
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing accreditation
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing ethics
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing professionalism
• The role of nursing in healthcare policy implementation and evaluation
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing informatics
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing diversity and inclusion
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing practice in rural areas
• The impact of healthcare policies on nursing practice in underserved communities
• The impact of healthcare policies on international nursing practice

The Importance of Research in Nursing

Research is the bedrock of nursing practice. It provides evidence-based knowledge that informs clinical decision-making, enhances patient outcomes, and advances the nursing profession. For nursing students, engaging in research activities offers several benefits:

• Enhanced Clinical Practice

Evidence-based research provides nurses with the latest knowledge and techniques to deliver optimal patient care. It bridges the gap between theoretical learning and practical application, ensuring that patients receive the most current and effective treatments.

• Professional Development

Engaging in research sharpens critical thinking and analytical skills. It fosters a culture of continuous learning, allowing nurses to stay updated with the ever-evolving medical field.

• Contribution to the Field

By conducting research, nurses contribute to the larger body of knowledge in healthcare. Their findings can lead to improvements in patient care, the development of new interventions, or changes in healthcare policies.

• Enhanced Patient Outcomes

Research equips nurses with the knowledge to educate patients, advocate for their needs, and make informed decisions. This ensures better health outcomes and improved patient satisfaction.

• Career Advancement

For those looking to advance in their careers, research can open doors to academic positions, leadership roles, or specialized fields within nursing.

Tips for Selecting a Suitable Research Topic

• Align with Interests

Choose a topic that genuinely interests you. This will keep you motivated throughout the research process.

• Relevance to Current Trends

Consider current trends and challenges in healthcare. Addressing contemporary issues can make your research more impactful.

• Feasibility

Ensure that you have access to the necessary resources and tools to conduct your research. This includes access to participants, equipment, and relevant literature.

It’s essential to choose a topic that’s neither too broad nor too narrow. A well-defined research question will guide your study and ensure it’s manageable.

• Seek Guidance

Don’t hesitate to seek advice from mentors, professors, or professionals in the field. Their insights can help refine your topic and provide valuable direction.

In conclusion, research is a vital component of the nursing profession, driving innovation and ensuring the best patient outcomes. For nursing students and professionals, engaging in research is not only a pathway to academic and career success but also a means to contribute meaningfully to the betterment of patient care.

📎 Related Articles

1. Key EBP Nursing Topics: Enhancing Patient Results through Evidence-Based Practice 2. Nursing Debate Topics: The Importance of Discussing and Debating Nursing Issues 3. Mental Health Nursing Research Topics: Inspiring Ideas for Students 4. Top Nursing Argumentative Essay Topics: Engage in Thought-Provoking Debates 5. Top Nursing Topics for Discussion: Engaging Conversations for Healthcare Professionals 6. Interesting Nursing Research Topics To Choose 7. Examples of Research Questions 8. Exploring Controversial Issues in Nursing: Key Topics and Examples 9. Pediatric Nursing Research Topics for Students: A Comprehensive Guide

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The Future of Nursing 2022: It Is Time for Us to Take the Lead

Welcome to 2022. For better or worse, another year has come and gone, yet the COVID-19 global pandemic that ensconced itself in early 2020 continues to besiege both our personal and professional lives two years later. Nurses, particularly bedside nurses, who started the early pandemic as “heroes,” are now relegated to warm bodies that should be available to staff hospital beds. Disrespected by their communities, and sadly, more profusely disrespected by the hospitals and health systems that employ them. A recent survey conducted by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) revealed that two thirds of critical care nurses have, or are considering leaving their jobs. 1 According to another survey, one in five health care workers have left their jobs, 2 with 62% of hospitals reporting a nurse vacancy rate of 7.5% or higher. 3

There is currently much focus on possible solutions to the ever-accelerating nursing shortage. Unfortunately, the bulk of this attention appears to be on increasing the pipeline of nursing graduates, with what appears to be only a secondary focus on addressing the work environment in which nurses provide care. While increasing the number of nursing graduates is an admirable recommendation that may make sense from a number's perspective, the reality is that increasing the number of nursing graduates is a mere band aid that will do nothing to stop the exodus from the profession. Such a suggestion, is quite frankly, disrespectful to current nurses and all who may consider the nursing profession as a future career choice. Increasing the number of nursing graduates, without significant interventions in the environment in which they will work, is nothing more than sending lambs into slaughter. As all perianesthesia nurses know, you can administer all of the fluids and blood infusions in the world, but if you do not ascertain and repair the source of the hemorrhage, you will ultimately lose the patient.

William Sage, MD, in a supplementary comment to the Future of Nursing 2020-2030 report 4 identifies the issue most succinctly:

“COVID-19 has also revealed profound problems with the financing and delivery of American health care, presenting both challenges and opportunities for nursing, and has reopened old wounds about lack of voice and subordination in professional hierarchies.” 4 . p. 423

I propose that the solution to the nursing shortage rests not with producing more nurses, but with systematically examining the environment in which nursing care is delivered, with a particular emphasis on the acute care environment. Sage 4 posits that “the nursing profession is an economic force for health improvement.” We, as a profession, must embrace this reality and own our power. Nursing is not a cost center…..nursing is THE ONLY revenue center that keeps hospitals open. Patients are admitted to the hospital for one, and only one reason: the need for 24/7 nursing care. Without nursing, there is no hospital, there are no surgeries, there is no care. Until hospital systems recognize and respect this reality, until they financially compensate the nurse for the critical skill sets that we bring to the table, the nursing shortage will continue to persist. Nurses should compose the majority of every hospital board; nurses should drive every major financial decision.

Just as physicians are paid for clinical tasks, so too should nurses. Nursing care must be pulled out of the room cost and translated to a revenue generator. A hospital is not defined by the number of beds that it houses; it should only be classified by the number of nurses that it has to provide patient care. That being said, unless we as nurses lead the charge in making these recommendations a reality, our plight will never improve, and we will leave those following in our footsteps with the same reality…..the same challenges. This revolution in perspective will not be an easy task. Sage 4 recommends that the nursing profession must work to identify, measure, and be rewarded for the patient and public benefits of all nursing care, at all levels. This will require a collaborative effort between bedside nurses, nurse administrators, and nurse scientists. It will require support from our physician colleagues. It will require changes in hospital billing and reimbursement. And it will require policy change at the national level. Nursing care has been bundled into the hospital charge since the inception of hospital care. The foundational work of identifying every task, every intervention, every nuance of every shift, of every patient encounter, will require a new perspective….and a new approach to both care delivery and reimbursement.

How might this work start in the perianesthesia setting? What is the work that you do, on a daily basis, to positively impact patient care and patient outcomes? Tasks should be easy enough to identify: a blood draw, an IV start, extubation, vital signs, oxygen administration, medication administration, etc. But how do you account for those subtle interventions or actions that you take on a daily basis. How do you quantify and reimburse for preoperative or discharge patient education? What about the call to anesthesia or the surgeon with concerns about preoperative labs, urinary output, respiratory depression, oversedation, etc. What is it that we do? To be reimbursed for our care, we must first clearly identify what that care is. It will be challenging work, but I know that we have the depth and breadth within ASPAN to accomplish this.

The future of nursing is an open book. Our future will look very different than that of previous generations. It will look much different than the profession in which many of us started 20, 30, or 40 years ago. The future is ours to write, but if we don't step up and take control, I can assure you that others will. If we want to be the creator of our future, we must be willing to do the work and own our future. We must assert ourselves. We must step up. We must insist. The future of nursing 2022: it is yours for the taking. I dare you to step up and take the lead.

The ideas or opinions expressed in this editorial are those solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ASPAN, the Journal, or the Publisher.

Conflict of interest: None to report.

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200+ Great Ideas of Nursing Research Topics to Get Started

Running out of topic ideas for your nursing research paper?

Stay on this page to find really cool and helpful lists of interesting research topics for your nursing dissertation or thesis.

What are Some Cool topics to Research?

Whenever students are asked to work on a research paper or present their thesis, the very first concern for them is choosing a unique, interesting, and research-worthy topic that makes their research significant and has enough future scope.

When it comes to finding a unique topic without working on something that’s already been done, most of the nursing and healthcare students struggle. A good research topic should be unique, relevant to current times, and have future scope as well. And you’ll find all three qualities in the topics mentioned below:

1. Primary Healthcare Nursing Research Topics

Primary healthcare refers to essential or basic health care service based on socially acceptable and scientifically sound methods and technology. Since it includes physical, social, emotional, and mental well-being, there are many topics for nursing scholars to explore:

• Strengthening primary healthcare system as the first line of referral system
• Introduction of home health nursing in the community set up
• Primary health care delivery system clinical pathways
• From home visits to home health care: strengthening primary health care delivery system
• Expanding the roles of community health nurses
• Millennial models of health care system
• Strengthening disease surveillance program in the community health set-up
• Home health care of debilitated patients
• Acceptance of evidence-based practice in the primary health care
• Strengthening continuity of care in the community / home health care post hospitalization
• Physical rehabilitation and occupational therapy in the community health care setting

2. Good Research Topics in Healthcare Management

Healthcare management is the management, administration, or oversight of healthcare systems, hospitals, public health systems, and other medical facilities. Since it comprises the overall management of all the work of the hospitals, it opens avenues for a lot of research work. Take, for example, the following:

• Evaluating who is responsible for failure in surgeries?
• Healthcare Contracts Limitations
• Medical Home Service
• Analysing nursing channels that nurses can use for becoming physicians?
• Gender Bias in Nursing Profession
• Starting Private Practice as a Nurse
• Medicare: Pros and Cons
• What are the most appropriate methods for increasing staff retention in a health care setting?
• Nursing Uniform Code Rules
• Role of nurses in enhancing a hospital quality improvement
• Legal Risks with Non-English Patients
• Medical Marijuana: Risk, Benefits, and Management Rules
• Shortage of Men in Healthcare
• Health tracking apps for continuity of care post discharge to home
• Telehealth: the impact of virtual care to urban and rural areas
• Strategic referral system to prevent tertiary hospital congestion
• Clinical pathways for referral system
• Drive-thru pharmacy
• Strenghtening the roles of social works and social workers in the health care team
• Case management approach in the healthcare delivery system
• Defining and application of Expected Length of Stay in patient management
• Impact of case managers in Expected Length of Stay and patient outcomes
• Redefining hospital cultures on bed rest versus mobilization
• Redefining hospital cultures on diet and food services
• Redefining hospital cultures on the assumption of the sick roles
• Strict implementation of Expected Length of Stay to prevent hospital congestion
• Roles of Case manager in the Clinical pathways
• Case Manager as a new nursing role an specialization
• Nurse navigator as a new form of nurse entrepreneurship
• Case management clinical pathway for smooth admission, patient flow and continuity of care after discharge
• Increase nursing specialization
• Internet savvy for healthcare providers

3. Nursing Research Topics about Pain Management

Pain management, in nursing, includes study of all the interventions nurses can make during their hospital hours – mainly to relieve a patient’s pain or ailments through medicinal interventions. Pain is complex, with many treatment options such as therapies, medicines, and also mind-body techniques. Nursing research scholars can research about the following topics:

• Pain management in children suffering from life-limiting illnesses: learning about the best practices
• Headache Treatment Protocol
• A closer look at hemophilia patient’s pain management
• Myofascial Pain Rehabilitation
• Labor and delivery: best practices for pain management
• Using Opioid for Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Fetal pain perception: analysis by medical experts
• Innovative Injection Use
• Therapeutic Injections: Cons & Pros
• Cognitive hypnotherapy application: how effective are they in pain management?
• Evaluating the effectiveness of Benson’s relaxation therapy as a pain management practice.
• Post-discharge pain-management strategies: evaluating their effectiveness in a health care setting?
• Phantom Pains Phenomenon
• Pain management in cancer patients: best practices according to expert nurses
• Spinal cord nerve injury related to chronic constipation
• Mobile pain unit

4. Pediatric Nursing Research Topics

In Pediatric nursing, the nursing staff is responsible for medical care of the children and neonates, and adolescents – mainly in a day-clinic or the in-patient setting. Though the main role of child health nursing is administering procedures and medicines to all children as per their prescribed nursing care plans, the research scholars can write papers on the following topics:

• Speech Disorders Therapy
• ADHD Causes & treatment
• Prevalence of misdiagnosis in child health or paediatric ward
• Vaccination & Autism
• Systematic review of range of child health nursing services in UK
• Antibiotic Resistance in Preschool Children
• Mental and Emotional health of children under 10
• Eating Disorders in Children
• Social Media Impact on Teenagers
• Seizures Causes in Infants
• Teething issues in children under 10
• Psychological Aspects of Infant Care
• Use of social media platforms in preparation and prevention of hospital phobia among pediatric groups
• Family engagement in the pediatric care by using hospital information system
• Safety and efficacy of telehealth for pediatric patients

What are the Current issues in Nursing?

Nursing is a high-pressure job. It demands patience, determination, and perseverance. As a high-pressure job, it gets quite challenging and leads to issues from time to time. Some of the examples being staff shortages, long working hours, workplace hazards, personal health, and workplace violence. All of these can be addressed in nursing research papers:

• Analysis of the registered nurse workforce and the relationship to work environments
• Transforming loss: A developing concept for nursing
• Nursing Staff Shortages
• Nursing Practitioners
• Meeting Patient Expectations: A challenge for nurses
• Biggest obstacles nurses face in their education and maintaining career alongside
• Workplace Violence and Hazards Nurses face
• Diversity in Healthcare
• Importance of Community Nursing
• Future of Nursing in the Digital Age
• What measure can a nurse take for helping a person with their eating disorder?
• Clinical Nurse Roles
• How can nurses help in treating patients who already know they don’t have a survival rate?
• Ethics and Homeless People Treatment
• Critical Care Nursing Management
• A nurse’s role in helping and assisting patients with chronic diseases?
• Nursing Theorists Works
• Remote Intensive Care Unit
• Stress Management Practice for Nurses Working in Night Shifts
• Between Career & Professional Service
• Preceptorship and training after distant education program and online learning
• Centralized infectious disease surveillance
• Centralized reporting of chronic diseases
• Patient become more educated: the pros and cons of social media
• Fake news and misinformation on health related issue with the rise of social media platforms
• BPO and call centers for medical procedures booking and admission to decongest emergency room
• Application of BPO in the quality assurance monitoring in documentation

What are Some of the Research Topic Ideas in Surgical Nursing?

• Moral distress among nurses in Surgical units
• Patient’s satisfaction and experience about care provided by nurses in the surgical units
• Organizational effects on patient satisfaction in surgical units
• Medical-Surgical nurses and their perceived leadership abilities as responders in patient deterioration events
• Role of Nurses in Surgical Wards
• Medical-surgical nursing: Critical thinking in client care
• Pain assessment and management in surgical nursing
• Understanding technology in contemporary surgical nursing
• Understanding Medical surgical nursing as an integrated approach
• Standardising fast-track surgical nursing care
• Mobilization team for the fast recovery of post-operative patients
• Use of telehealth for pre-operative preparations and elective surgical admissions to lessen hospital length of stay among surgical patients
• Continuity of care post surgery in the community health care

What have been some of the more important nursing research questions discussed in nursing class?

If you are here to find more important topics for your nursing dissertations, then scroll through this section for topics that are often discussed in nursing classes. Nursing research articles and topics change over time. However, we find these relevant to current times and challenges in healthcare:

1. Research topic ideas for Midwifery Nursing

Nurse-midwife, as a licensed healthcare professional, specialises in child birth and also women’s reproductive health. Apart from attending pregnant women during childbirth, they are responsible for several roles during emergencies, and pre and postnatal care. Hence, opening avenues for research topics such as:

• Role of nurses in improving patient safety during childbirth: Evidence from obstetric trauma
• Evaluate the impact of delayed umbilical cord clamping after child birth
• Maternal & Neonatal Practices in Rural Areas
• Emerging trends in obstetrical and midwifery nursing
• First Antenatal Appointment Analysis
• Limiting interventions during a low-risk labour
• Mental Illness & Post-natal Period
• Analysing the role of prenatal care in pregnant women
• Shift Study Midwives & Length
• Evaluating impact of AIDS and Hepatitis B in the pregnant women
• Self-Instruction Kits & Natal Safety
• Studying advanced trends in obstetrics and gynaecology
• Midwifery Continued Care
• Evaluating pros and cons of labouring in water
• Gestational Weight Gain Challenges
• Vitamin D’s role as a supplement during pregnancy
• Studying clinical reasoning integration into midwifery practice
• Obese Pregnant Women Safety Rules
• A decade after BEmONC and CEmONC

2. Health Promotion Research Topics

Health promotion mainly comes from behavioral social science which draws from the environmental, biological, psychological, medical, and physical sciences for promoting health and preventing diseases. For health promotion, the research topics include the following:

• Healthcare Dangers of Digital Age
• Benefits and Shortages of Telemedicine
• Healthy living and Preventive medicine for Senior Citizens
• Role of School Nurses
• Obstacles for Smoking cessation
• Healthy Eating & Sports
• Causes of Youth Inactivity
• Roles of Parents for Healthy Lifestyle of Children
• Obesity and Mental Stability
• Pharmacist Responsibility
• Social Media and Educational Strategies
• HealthBank as new form of medical insurance inside the hospital organization
• Collaboration of private health insurance company with public and private hospitals

3. Adult Research Topics for Nursing Students

As a nursing scholar, you can also write research papers on adult healthcare, disease prevention, and management. Take, for example, reasons behind anxiety disorders in adults. Find more topics in the list below:

• Nurses’ experiences with urinary catheter insertion: A qualitative focus group study
• Clinical Cardiology Innovations
• CV Imaging Process
• Migraine Case Example
• Bipolar Disorder Non-Chemical Practices
• Mental Health & Psychiatric Care in Adults
• Online nursing education program
• Self care in Nursing
• Home health care for longterm vented patients
• Clinical Instructor, Preceptorship, Educator and Professor as specialized field requiring licensure
• Specialization program in nursing education

4. Geriatric Care Nursing Journal Topics

Nurses working in Geriatric care and management are responsible for coordinating and planning care of the elderly people dealing with mental or physical disabilities. Some of the research work topic ideas for geriatric care include the following:

• Cerebrovascular Disease and Stroke in Elderly people
• Pain in elderly people: Assessment and Management
• Joint Disorders Study in Elderly Population
• Rapid Nutritional assessment in Elderly
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Bladder Cancer Therapy
• Atrial Fibrillation Study
• Critical Care Requirements
• Cardiovascular Risk Reduction
• Geriatrics Ethics
• Restless Legs Syndrome
• Parkinson’s Disease Precautions
• Geriatric care clinical pathways of care: holistic approach

What are the recent nursing research paper topics?

If you’re facing the challenge of choosing a recent nursing research topic, we’ve got your back. Many nurses, including experienced and freshers, are faced with this challenge at some point. But there’s no need to panic. So, without further ado, let’s jump-start the list of most recent research topics for nursing students:

1. Women’s Health Nursing Research Topics

Research topics related to women’s health are always trending, relevant, and have future scope as well. Hence, these topics are still worth exploring and researching:

• Culture affects women’s health
• Substance Abuse and Addiction in Women
• Menopause Challenges
• Infertility Ethical Rules
• Ovarian Cancer and Ovarian Disorder Analysis
• Modern Neonatal Practices
• Pregnancy Prevention Measures
• Sepsis after labour
• Cosmetic Dermatology
• Cystic Fibroids
• Sleep Disorders in Women
• Reproductive Endocrinology
• Women’s Sexual Health Disorders
• HPV and Cervical Cancer
• Vaginal Atrophy Causes
• Sleep disturbances in Women

2. Mental Health Nursing Research Articles Topics

Research papers focusing on mental health are still one of the most read and referred papers. And there’s still more scope for research on topics such as:

• Evaluating the concept of Integrated Mental and Physical Health Care
• Psychiatric Nursing and Mental Health
• Possible skills required for Nurses in Mental health care setting
• Assessing the mental health of nurses
• Depression Causes
• Schizophrenia Diagnostics
• Alcohol Addiction Disorders
• Bipolar Disorder
• Studying the impact of PTSD in the Army Veterans
• Impact of Video Games on Teenage Aggression
• Stress Among Police Officers
• Psychiatric Patient Ethics
• Forbidden Substances: Prevention and Use
• Bioterrorism Medicine
• Physical Traumas & Recovery Methods
• Application of Nursing Case Management in Psychiatry

Nursing leaders have called for research focusing on which of the following topics?

If you’d like to take an expert’s opinion before choosing a topic for your nursing dissertation, this section will be helpful. Our list of best nursing research topics doesn’t end here. We’ve got here more interesting topics that are recommended by nursing leaders and experts. Take a look at some more relevant topics:

• Preterm Labor Dangers
• Labor and Delivery Management Practices
• Saving Mother & Child Challenges
• Abortion Care Ethical Side
• Adolescent Gynecology Education
• Antenatal Care Recommendations
• Hypertensive Disorders Causes
• Newborn Resuscitation Rules
• Caesarean Section Preparation
• Delivery Room Behavior Checklist
• Nurses play vital roles in healthcare. Why are they invisible in the media?
• Increasing nursing research capacity: The roles of nurse scientists within healthcare systems
• Microeconomics and macroeconomics for sources of hospital funds
• Diverting patients and funds to economical services
• Culture vs evidence based practice
• Social media influencer in health education dissemination
• Acceptance of evidence based practice in the hospital
• Impact of socio-cultural nursing to evidence-based practice
• Hindrances in the implementation of evidence-based practice
• Nursing faculty shortage and brain-drain
• Online continuing professional education and development

Academic Writing Service: Work Directly With the Experts

The are list of best nursing research paper topics ends here. However, we still have something helpful for you. Writing a dissertation or a nursing paper is time consuming – needless to mention the mental exertion. That explains why the majority of students prefer seeking research writing help.

Take, for example, apessay.com , a place where you can get in touch with registered experts who have successfully passed their competency examinations to provide academic writing service at an affordable rate. The three USPs include plagiarism free content, complete privacy and security standards to protect your personal info, and money-back guarantee.

What makes apessay.com academic writing service unique is you can work in direct cooperation with your preferred writer and consult them for everything – from choosing a relevant topic to revisions for final submission.

Feel free to get professional help from nursing research paper writing service which will take care of your nursing papers online.

Final Thoughts

Nursing research topics for a dissertation or thesis should not be difficult to find through the ideas suggestion above. Just make sure that you provide a twist (segment or expand the topic, perhaps) and come up with a unique topic for your paper.

During the initial stages of finalising a nursing research topic, you can struggle with a lot of choices or overwhelming information. However, when you start to consider a research topic’s limitations and scope, and outline your topic into a question, you’ll be able to get a better understanding of the topic you can manage in terms of workload.

We hope these nursing research topics mentioned above help you find that unique thesis statement or idea you’re looking for. In case you’re still having a tough time making a choice, leave us a comment or drop a mail, and we will direct you to better resources.

• https://www.journals.elsevier.com/applied-nursing-research/recent-articles
• https://www.syberscribe.com.au/blog/10-emerging-trends-healthcare-technology-2019-beyond/
• https://www.purdueglobal.edu/blog/nursing/top-10-nursing-trends/
• http://ojin.nursingworld.org/

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List of 350 Brilliant Nursing Research Topics to Investigate in 2024

Nursing education is challenging. Writing hundreds of tedious nursing research pieces is the most frustrating part. But we know how to help you! Discover 350 exciting nursing research topics and learn how to choose the best one.

• Primary Care Topics
• Public Health Topics
• Emergency Nursing Topics
• Midwifery Topics
• Neonatal Nursing Topics
• Pediatric Research Topics
• Nutrition Topics
• Mental Health Topics
• Healthcare Management Topics
• Medical Ethics Topics
• Nursing Leadership Topics
• Qualitative and Quantitative Research
• How to Choose a Nursing Topic

Process of Nursing Research

350 interesting nursing research topics.

Nursing research topics for college students can cover various areas of this field. Below you will find a list of 350 exciting ideas, which we have divided into different areas of activity. No matter what nursing research is in your sphere of interest. We’ve got you covered! You can also check research essay samples on the same topic for more inspiration.

Primary Care Research Topics

Primary care is the leading clinical service that sustains the health of an entire nation. The study of this topic is mandatory for the stable development of the healthcare system. Here are primary nursing research titles examples:

• What healthcare problems can be in primary care?
• The role of private health care providers in primary care.
• Peculiarities of vaccination in rural areas.
• Basic methods for assessing the quality of primary care .
• The role of modern technology in primary care .
• Basic techniques of evaluating the patient’s health .
• Private sector activities in primary care .
• The necessity to provide childcare services.
• Primary care and chronic pain problem .
• Vaccination programs : pros and cons.
• The role of social workers in primary care.
• Responsibility of the pharmacist for public health.
• Effective methods of asthma prevention.
• Advantages and disadvantages of home nursing care.
• How can primary care system help fight depression?
• Vaccination of the elderly: challenges and potential benefits.
• Principles of preventive medicine: primary care for the elderly.
• Migraine diagnosis and treatment methods.
• Innovative methods in cardiology .
• Major causes of anxiety disorders in adults.
• The problem of obesity treatment in primary care .
• Effective ways of taking anamnesis.
• Methods for diagnosing stroke in the elderly.
• Basic precautions for Parkinson’s disease .
• Basic requirements for intensive care .
• Connection of primary care and information technology training .
• Sleep disorders in women.
• Standard protocol for the treatment of headache in adults.
• Basic guidelines for primary care for disaster victims.
• The role of government agencies in primary care.

Based on previous papers, you can try to come up with your nursing research topics, for example, on infection control.

Research Topics in Public Health

The public health area has a strong connection with government issues. However, it is doctors who study the basis of all problems. So, let’s check out these special nursing research paper topics!

• The role of governmental organizations in the public health system .
• Effectiveness of government programs to prevent drug addiction .
• What role do parents play in promoting children’s health?
• Features of the school nurses’ work.
• The importance of proper nutrition and exercise .
• Telemedicine : advantages and disadvantages.
• The role of government in providing nursing education.
• The importance of long-term care facilities to the healthcare system .
• Discovering public health’s primary functions .
• Promoting healthy lifestyle in old age.
• Sedentary change programs for adolescents.
• Educational strategies for healthcare organizations in social media.
• Ways to educate young people about a positive body image .
• Formation of public behavior in the problem of cancer prevention.
• Occupational health and safety for workers in hazardous professions.
• Connection of modern technologies and public health system .
• Government AIDS awareness programs.
• State programs to increase awareness of heart disease .
• Government programs aimed at maintaining a healthy work environment .
• Health promotion methods.
• Companies against alcohol: examples from history.
• Public health policies: sugary drink tax .
• Raising awareness of the importance of vaccines .
• How is lung cancer related to air condition?
• Promotion of activity among children with disabilities .
• Disease eradication as a leading public health policy target .
• Government mental health awareness programs.
• Improving individual health as a way to counter epidemics .
• Ways of transmission of infectious diseases .
• Educating children about the importance of sports .

Public health is an excellent topic choice for a nursing dissertation. Try it!

Emergency Nursing Research Topics

New studies are essential for new practical approaches for nurses in emergencies. Try to discover new methods with these critical care nursing research topics!

• What role can stress play in emergency nursing?
• How to deal with anaphylactic shock?
• Effective methods of providing emergency care .
• Features of decision-making by a nurse in critical situations.
• Analysis of the effectiveness of emergency assistance in case of accidents.
• Analysis of the extreme degrees of pain in a patient.
• Diagnosing problems in ER.
• Emergency training methods.
• How to increase chances to save a drowning person?
• Models for reducing violence in emergency departments.
• The problem of rural residents’ access to ambulance services.
• Can family stay close to the patient during resuscitation?
• What effect do tasers have on the development of heart disease ?
• Diagnosing sepsis in emergencies.
• Effective methods of dealing with the effects of using pepper sprays.
• Screening for alcohol and drug addiction in adolescents.
• The role of ambulance crews in the fight against human trafficking .
• Identification and assistance to victims of violence.
• How to deal with unwanted patient behavior?
• Pediatric trauma and shock.
• Psychiatric screening in first aid cars.
• Ways to develop tolerance in first-aid workers.
• Effective ER worker behavior models.
• The role of private clinics in providing emergency services.
• The role of nurses in the ambulance crew.
• Common causes of death in ER patients.
• Correct gender policy towards ER staff.
• How to organize a working emergency care system?
• How to help relatives survive the death of a patient?
• Techniques for teaching nurses to diagnose and respond to life threats quickly.

These nursing research topics for critical care would be an excellent choice for your papers!

Midwifery Research Topics

Midwifery is one of the more challenging medical areas. We picked 30 of the best nursing research topics on pregnancy and prenatal care to help you improve your knowledge! Take a look:

• How can midwifery recognize domestic violence?
• Excess weight problems during pregnancy .
• How to analyze the effectiveness of childbirth ?
• Disease prevention during pregnancy.
• Effective methods of newborn resuscitation.
• Features of adolescent education in gynecology.
• Prenatal nursing care.
• Precautions for preterm labor.
• Rules of conduct for staff in the delivery room.
• Basic rules for saving mother and child.
• Preparing staff and the patient for a caesarean section.
• Preventing depression during pregnancy.
• Features and importance of family planning .
• Childbirth in water: advantages and disadvantages.
• Features of caring for pregnant women with breast cancer .
• The influence of the autonomic nervous system on the course of pregnancy.
• Methods for predicting preeclampsia.
• Diseases of the cervix associated with human papillomavirus .
• Frequency and possible complications of pregnancy and cervical disease.
• Treatment tactics of pregnancy complications in women with disorders of the upper urinary tract.
• Identifying asymptomatic pregnancy complications.
• The use of modern technologies in the treatment of fetal diseases.
• Features of the reproductive system after termination of pregnancy.
• Reasons for using iodine supplementation during pregnancy.
• Prevention of complications after operations on the pelvic organs .
• Impact of epilepsy on reproductive health .
• Features of reproductive behavior in students and ways to correct it.
• The effect of oral contraceptives on the contents of immune complexes in the blood.
• Operative delivery and influence on the child.
• Psychological assistance to patients with infertility .

Remember some of these nursing research topics on midwifery. Profs love them!

Neonatal Nursing Research Topics

Neonatal studies are one of the most innovative medical spheres. Check out this brilliant list of research topics for nursing students in the neonatal area. They will help you better understand the neonatal care importance.

• The importance of hand hygiene in neonatal units .
• Features of neonatal practice in rural areas.
• The leading causes of child mortality .
• How neonatal care has evolved in recent decades.
• Hygiene of newborns and skincare for babies.
• Postpartum infant care basics.
• Principles of breastfeeding infants.
• Predicting feeding problems and treatments.
• The leading causes of seizures in newborns and methods of treatment.
• Eating disorder in infants.
• Methods for predicting diseases in newborn children.
• Effective medical practices for babies.
• Nursing ethics for newborn care.
• Features of modern neonatal practices.
• Features of the development of the pulmonary tract of newborns.
• Studies of the lungs of a newborn: functions and structural features.
• Influence of inflammatory processes on the infant’s brain.
• The role of biomarkers in the diagnosis of traumatic brain injury in infants.
• The importance of neonatal health services.
• Basic strategies for modeling neonatal education.
• Monitoring the quality of neonatal services.
• Influence of neonatal care on the further treatment of a newborn.
• Impact of maternal obesity on infant development.
• Causes of abnormal neurological development in children.
• Use of hormones to regulate fetal lung development.
• Diagnosis of diaphragmatic hernia in infants.
• Potential lung disease in premature babies.
• Using nitric oxide to treat premature babies.
• Parental drug use and effects on fetal neurological development.
• Use of biomarkers for neonatal sepsis.

A nursing dissertation on neonatal issues is always a wise choice!

Pediatric Nursing Research Topics

Studies in pediatrics are aimed to help students discover children’s health issues to solve. Innovative approaches are mandatory to fight modern challenges. Check out these research topics for nursing students; they’ll help you become more informed:

• The importance of self-care nursing in pediatrics.
• Features of the treatment of children with autism .
• Childhood obesity problem.
• Features of vaccination of minors.
• Therapy for speech disorders .
• Causes of diabetes in young people.
• Music therapy and phlebotomy.
• Suboptimal diabetes: causes and methods of intervention.
• Causes of increased fatigue in adolescents.
• HIV prevention in adolescence.

• Preventing unwanted teenage pregnancies .
• Features of the use of painkillers in children.
• Methods for analyzing adolescent behavior.
• Features of the work of the pediatric department in schools.
• The importance of health promotion in pediatrics .
• Ways to connect with your child.
• Pediatric care basics.
• How can a healthcare professional deal with adolescent aggression ?
• Reducing the risk in children receiving oxygen therapy .
• The role of molecular markers in the diagnosis of childhood leukemia .
• Psychological help for children with cancer .
• Assessment of language models in children with autism.
• The use of stem cells in the treatment of childhood diseases.
• How do environmental problems affect the development of a child’s body?
• Implications of passive smoker syndrome for children.
• Possible complications of measles in children .
• Methods for diagnosing asthma in children .
• Common causes of Tourette’s syndrome in children.
• How does anorexia affect cognitive function in children?
• Diagnosis of ear infections in childhood.

We guess this ultimate list of research topics in pediatric nursing will be helpful for you!

Nutrition Research Topics for College Students

The eating habits of modern people can be harmful to the body. Therefore, doctors are seriously studying the current problems in this area. Here you can find tons of excellent nursing research topics on nutrition and its possible issues.

• What are referral reasons for the dietary assessment?
• Nutrition assistance for the elderly.
• Effects of stress on childhood metabolism .
• Prevention of obesity in adolescents.
• Linking diet to behavioral changes.
• How social media influences teen food choices .
• Patient nutrition problem in healthcare policy .
• Predicting and assessing diabetes .
• The problem of dietary intervention in the elderly.
• Promoting healthy eating as a way to fight obesity.
• Nursing promotion of healthy homemade food.
• Effects of good nutrition on fetal development .
• How does nutrition affect a child’s development ?
• Root causes of weight gain : a clinical study.
• Common diseases caused by poor nutrition .
• Nutrition screening for the elderly.
• The nutritional problem of children with autism .
• The importance of proper nutrition during pregnancy .
• Baby food: preventing eating disorders.
• Diet as a cause of dementia development in adults.
• Osteoporosis: the role of diet in disease prevention.
• The role of diet in healthy aging.
• What is the relationship between cancer and diet ?
• Nursing role in the safety of nutrition.
• The main benefits of a healthy diet : advice to patients.
• The role of parents in maintaining healthy eating habits in children.
• The relationship between healthy eating and cognitive development .
• Modern trends in youth nutrition.
• The nurse’s role in maintaining quality nutrition for pregnant women .
• Innovative nursing nutritional care.

Now let’s move to the next section – research topics in mental health!

Mental Health Nursing Research Topics

Mental health problems are more relevant now than ever. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness , nearly 20% of the US adult population suffers from mental health problems. That’s why psychiatry research topics capture the interest of college students.

• The importance of nursing in mental health safety .
• Features of mental disorder in alcohol dependence .
• How does police work affect mental health?
• The connection between video games and the development of teenage aggression.
• How is schizophrenia diagnosed?

• Main theories in mental health studies .
• Features of bipolar mental disorder .
• Causes and prevention of drug addiction .
• Mental health problems of athletes after physical injuries .
• Conditions for the use of psychotherapy .
• Reasons and methods for tackling health imbalances.
• The influence of phone usage on mental health .
• Brain stimulation techniques.
• Diversity of sexual orientation psychology features.
• Methods for dealing with physical violence.
• The effectiveness of traditional methods of treating mental illness .
• Features of mental support for the patient’s relatives.
• The role of nurses in the management of geriatric patients with mental disorders.
• Combating burnout in the practice of healthcare professionals.
• The problem of war veterans’ mental health .
• The phenomenon of occupational deformation as a type of mental disorder.
• Chest pain as a symptom of mental health problems in adults.
• The relationship between increased risk of cancer and depression.
• Basic treatments for dementia .
• Nursing refugee mental health help .
• The practice of mirror therapy in rehabilitation.
• Methods to help victims of violence.
• Helping patients after a stroke .
• The use of antipsychotics : benefits and harms.
• How belly massage helps fight residual stomach volume.

We believe you’re going to find one of the best psychiatric nursing research topics!

Healthcare Management Research Topics

The effective functioning of the health care system is impossible without competent leadership. Therefore, nursing research study topics on healthcare management are as important as the others!

• The importance of financial management for the healthcare industry .
• Assessment of the economic component of primary health care .
• How does bias affect healthcare funding?
• How to properly organize health care at home?
• The Importance of a Unified Nursing Code.
• How risk management affects healthcare projects?
• Gender policy in health management .
• Features of the initial stages of private medical practice.
• The importance of the apology law.
• Features of selling medical marijuana .
• Features of healthcare contracts.
• The problem of human resources in the healthcare industry .
• The problem of the shortage of men in healthcare.
• Medicare: how to get benefits.
• How to improve the minimum level of nursing training ?
• Modern trends in the healthcare management area .
• Staff uniform rules.
• Legal risks of medical personnel .
• Gender bias in nursing.
• Features of the organization of the first aid service in private sector.
• Risk management in healthcare.
• The connection of healthcare and conflict management .
• Ways to solve staffing problems in healthcare.
• Ensuring the personnel safety from infectious diseases .
• Strategies to improve the emotional health of employees.
• What is the danger of not having enough nursing staff for patients?
• Personnel policy in public medical institutions.
• International nursing training.
• Basic principles of management in healthcare facilities.
• Possible ways to get a nursing promotion.

These nursing research titles on healthcare management will impress your professors!

Medical Ethics Research Paper Topics

Controversial issues in the field of medical ethics are felt more and more acutely every year. That is why they need to be solved, and research topics related to nursing ethics present a good opportunity for highlighting them:

• The role of ethical values in the nursing decision-making process .
• Particular ethics of data collection in primary care.
• The ethical dilemma of abortion.
• Moral choice in opioid addiction .
• Features of ethics in helping the homeless .
• Ethics of care for patients with mental disorders .
• Phantom pain phenomenon.
• Features of cultural perception in the work of nurses.
• How can religious beliefs affect medical ethics?
• The role of relatives in the treatment of geriatric patients .
• Ethics of the need to increase sales in medicine.
• The problem of sexualizing the image of a nurse.
• The importance of solving moral dilemmas in nursing .
• Assisting female patients by male nurses .
• What are the main medical ethics principles?
• Ethics of care for geriatric patients.
• The problem of compulsory vaccination : solutions.
• The dilemma of artificial feeding of patients.
• Ethics of nursing in preventive medicine.
• The importance of a hospital work ethic.
• The U.S. standard of ethics for nursing .
• The dilemma of medical ethics .
• The difference in medical ethics in Asian countries and European countries.
• How can medical ethics conflict with religious beliefs?
• Assisting suicide as a dilemma in medical ethics.
• The ethical problem of marijuana usage for medical purposes .
• The impact of cultural patterns on medical ethics .
• Child maltreatment : a medical ethics dilemma.
• Implementation of international medical ethics standards for healthcare development.
• Methods for monitoring compliance with medical ethics.

Nursing ethics research questions have a tendency to be the most interesting ones!

Nursing Leadership Paper Topics

The principle of developing leadership among nurses is vital for improving the performance of any clinic. This list consists of 30 nursing research topics about leadership in healthcare field:

• What role does leadership play in nursing?
• Which skills are necessary for effective nursing leadership performance?
• The nurse’s role in providing quality health care .
• Why is it important for nurses to attend medical conferences?
• Features of the classification of nurses.
• What is a retention strategy for experienced nurses?
• How does nursing leadership development affect patient outcomes?
• The problem of obtaining a diploma for a nurse.
• Nursing leadership : key challenges and opportunities.
• Ethical issues in nursing leadership .
• Protecting staff interests in nursing management .
• Analyzing college students’ nursing leadership experience .
• Effective nursing leadership styles .
• Ways to develop nursing leadership in private healthcare facilities.
• Nursing manual: Betty Newman theory.
• The importance of intuitiveness in the workplace.
• The importance of conflict resolution in the nursing leadership sphere .
• Patient advocacy opportunities for the lead nurse.
• Nursing manual: theory of intellectual capital.
• Effective models of professional practice in nursing.
• Professional opportunities for nursing graduates in nursing leadership .
• What are modern approaches in nursing leadership?
• Transformational leadership model for nursing.
• Fundamental theories for effective nursing leadership .
• Methods for applying leadership theories to nursing .
• What is the need for effective nursing leadership ?
• Methods for monitoring the effectiveness of nursing leadership .
• Principles of delegation of authority in nursing leadership practice.
• The importance of nursing leadership in strategic hospital planning.
• Nursing leadership as a method to retain experienced staff.

Evidence-based nursing topics on leadership can become a great start to your career!

Easy Topics for Nursing Qualitative and Quantitative Research

The division into qualitative and quantitative research can be confusing. But don’t worry, we’ll help you figure it out! Each type of nursing research topic and other materials may depend on dry numbers or subjective opinions. Keep reading for more detailed information and examples of quantitative and qualitative research topics in nursing!

Qualitative vs. Quantitative Nursing Research

Empirical research methods can be divided into two broad categories: quantitative and qualitative. As their name suggests, each view relies on specific types of data. Therefore, your nursing paper topics can also reveal either qualitative or quantitative aspects of the problem. Let’s take a quick look at the main differences between these two methods.

The quantitative method relies entirely on numbers and statistics. Your task is to find patterns and come to a conclusion by analyzing a large amount of data. This type of nursing research is as structured and objective as possible. These are the quantitative method characteristics:

• Sources of information are polls, reviews, records, documents.
• The deductive methodology involved.
• As objective as possible.
• The main content is numbers and data.
• Validity depends on the selected analysis tools.

The qualitative method , on the contrary, is a reflection of the author’s thoughts and conclusions. It depends entirely on the depth of understanding of the problem and the existing materials on the nursing thesis topics. The task of the researcher is to analyze previous works and create their theory through reflection. Check the qualitative method characteristics:

• Sources of information: focus groups, document reviews, interviews.
• The inductive process is involved.
• The subjective opinion of the author is allowed.
• The main content is text and reflections.
• Validity depends on the skill of the author.

You can check lists of topics for nursing research ideas in these spheres below!

Qualitative Nursing Research Topics

Qualitative analysis is a complex but critical aspect of medical practice. Nursing qualitative research topics are designed for students to develop skills of analyzing challenging issues and make proper conclusions:

• The role of technology in improving the quality of nursing care .
• Empowering nurses to prescribe: advantages and disadvantages.
• The problem of equality between doctors and nurses .
• Nursing stereotypes.
• Issues of accreditation of medical schools.
• The problem of systemic racism in the healthcare system.
• How nursing has changed in the 20th and 21st centuries.
• The importance of nursing staff in primary care .
• Priority of cancer in adults.
• Advantages and disadvantages of qualitative research in nursing .

These qualitative nursing research topics can help you improve your analytical skills significantly!

Quantitative Nursing Research Topics

Quantitative type of scientific work is all about statistics, percentages, and numbers. Prepare yourself to analyze tons of information with these nursing quantitative research topics:

• Evaluation of the effectiveness of primary patient care.
• The leading causes of heart disease .
• Analysis of the efficacy of telemedicine .
• The problem of an overabundance of information noise in the modern world.
• Evaluation of methods of assistance in suicide attempts.
• Statistical analysis of the benefits of diets .
• Causes of mental illness in women.
• Using unconventional methods to treat diabetes .
• Benefits of probiotics for treating diarrhea .
• Methods for assessing pain in critically ill patients.

For a successful paper, it’s importnt to pick a good research topics for nursing students based on quantitative evidence.

How to choose a Nursing Research Topic?

Choosing a quality nursing research topic idea can be a daunting task. This is mainly because the variety of possible options is simply too large. But don’t worry, here are some simple tips to help you choose the theme that’s right for you!

📜 Remove large-scale topics . You should not waste your energy on massive topics. Instead, choose narrow evidence-based ideas that allow you to focus on one issue. 📜 Use personal experience . One cannot be informed in all aspects of medicine. So when you write about a topic you have no experience with, you risk getting bogged down in hours of tedious research. Try to remember what problems you faced yourself. This way, you will already have a basic knowledge of the topic. 📜 Review literature . A large amount of ready-made research a topic will be an excellent help in writing about it. Try to do a systematic nursing topics review to find more examples. This does not mean that you should copy the work of another medic. On the contrary, it will be a good opportunity for you to highlight additional information. Therefore, before choosing from easy nursing research topics, look at how much information is already in the public domain.

What is the process of nursing research? Oh, that’s a tricky question. Let’s look at the main stages you need to go through!

✨ Define the research problem . To solve a problem, you first need to find it. That is why the first thing you should do is choose a nursing research question. If you have any experience with the topic, that will be a big plus! ✨ Develop hypothesis . Now, you need to think and create your theory. It can be of any form. The main thing is to make a connection between the data pieces and find a pattern. Of course, the hypothesis must be consistent with the current nursing research topics. ✨ Literature review . Before you start writing, it’s important to tighten your knowledge of the central thesis of the topic you’ve selected. Try reading other people’s research, finding the statistics you want, and just surfing the internet. ✨ Prepare an outline . It is essential to formulate a plan for your work before you start working on it. The more detailed you describe each paragraph of your article, the less time you will need to write it. Quality work begins with a quality plan! ✨ Conduct research . Now you start the longest and most important part of the whole nursing project. You should delve deeper into the problem and find the information you need. Everything that you write should help you prove your hypothesis in one way or another. ✨ Make a conclusion and develop further recommendations . After you have processed all the material, it is time to write a conclusion. Here, you must indicate whether you have succeeded in proving the hypothesis and recommend the application for your scientific work.

Congratulations, you did it! Writing a good paper is not that difficult. It all depends on a well-chosen research topic in the nursing field; luckily, you have a list of 350 topics to look through in this article! You can find more nursing research ideas on our website!

❓ What Is Translational Research in Nursing?

Translational research is a kind of scientific work, and its task is to transform theory into new practical approaches. In other words, discoveries made in laboratories become the basis for creating a new actionable framework in nursing.

❓ What Is an Example of a Clinical Question?

The clinical question is an integral part of your scientific work. It can relate to categories such as the cause of the problem, the manifestation of the disease in the patient, possible solutions, and potential results. A well-formulated clinical question helps you write a quality article.

❓ How to Determine Level of Evidence in Nursing Research?

Several criteria determine the level of evidence in nursing research. These include quality of design, validity, and applicability of results to patient care. Therefore, you should constantly monitor the reliability of your sources and the correctness of your conclusions.

❓ What Are Some Controversial Issues in Nursing?

In modern nursing, there are some controversial issues, mainly of an ethical nature. Such problems include the issue of vaccination of people who are against it, artificial nutrition, opioid addiction, and others. There is a lively discussion about how to act correctly in some instances and what factors the decision may depend on.

📎 References:

• Evidence-Based Practice: PICO. Duke University .
• Asking the clinical question. Penn State University
• Evidence-Based Practice Toolkit. Darrell W. Krueger Library
• Top 5 Ethical Issues in Nursing. American Mobile
• Differences Between Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods.
• Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research – What Is the difference? Imotions
• The Seven Steps of the Research Process. Teacherph
• Research Paper Writing Guide. Grammarly
• Choosing a research topic. Florida Gulf Coast University
• Nursing Process. NCBI
• Sample Research Topics. CFAES
• Selecting a Research Topic: Overview. MIT Libraries
• Three Important Nursing Subjects Students Should Know. Distant learning systems
• Evidence-Based Practice Tutorial: Asking Clinical Questions. University of Maryland
• Top 5 Ethical Issues in Nursing. Avant Healthcare
• Ethical Issues in Nursing: Explanations & Solutions. Duquesne University
• Clinical & Translational Research. UNC
• Writing a Thesis for Nursing School | Nursejournal.org
• A practical approach to the process of writing a dissertation. Nursing Times
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100+ Best Nursing Research Topics in 2024

Table of contents

• 1 What is a Nursing Research Paper?
• 2 Tips for Writing Nursing Research Papers
• 3 Mental Health Nursing Research Topics
• 4 Midwifery Nursing Research Topics
• 5 Pediatric Nursing Research Topics
• 6 Adult Nursing Research Topics
• 7 Women’s Health Nursing Research Topics
• 8 Elderly Care Nursing Research Topics
• 9 Critical Care Nursing Research Topics
• 10 Psychiatric Nursing Research Topics
• 11 Health Promotion Nursing Research Topics
• 12 Pain Management Nursing Research Topics
• 13.1 Conclusion

The place of nursing in human lives cannot be overemphasised. Throughout history, humankind has always needed nurture and care. Now, in contemporary times, the task that was previously carried out by mothers, mostly on instinct, has become a profession.

The place of nursing in human lives cannot be overemphasised. Throughout history, humankind has always needed nurture and care. Now, in contemporary times, the task that was previously carried out by mothers, mostly on instinct, has become a profession. This career calls for tenuous studies of the human body and mind. Which we can say makes up the person. By so doing, the all-around wellness of the individual is no longer overlooked. To become a nurse, you must pass through writing a nursing school research paper.

Perhaps the greatest challenge you will face while trying to do that will be the number of nursing research paper topics available. There are examples that are readily at your disposal. They include mental health nursing research papers, midwifery nursing research, and pediatric nursing research ideas, to mention a few. Knowing where to start is going to make your life a lot easier. That is why I will be compiling a list of research topics for nursing students.

Liberty is a double-edged sword. It excites you but bestows upon you a bulk of responsibilities. That is also the case in picking either worthy qualitative or quantitative nursing research topics. I hope that one of the Nursing school research topics listed below will lighten your path to choosing what best suits you.

What is a Nursing Research Paper?

Before we get down to that list, we must discuss a nursing research paper. It is a type of writing done by medical students. It’s done with the main aim of honing the skills needed for a career in nursing. Your research topic could either be theoretical or be based on lab applications.

Your supervisor will often look out for how well you understand the main points. S/he will also be checking how keen you are with details and your ability to write critically and coherently on nursing capstone project ideas . Take note that a research paper is not just your regular essay.

For one thing, it is much longer. Other than the length of the work, it involves a lot of research to compile ideas evidenced by authorities in the field and put them into a cohesive bunch.

Tips for Writing Nursing Research Papers

Many nursing students spend time that could be used for actual research worrying about what research topic to choose . Knowing how the structure of your work, how the format for citations should look, and what they should contain can help you better edit your work before it gets to your professor.

Furthermore, I know that there is a nursing paper writing service that you can choose from. But if you’ve decided to write yours by yourself, this will come in handy. To write an impressive paper on a nursing research topic that is worth its salt. A good nursing student should have the following put into consideration:

• Is the topic unique?
• Does the topic have relevance in today’s world?
• Will it be useful in the future?
• Are there available materials on the topic?

Mental Health Nursing Research Topics

Taking care of the mind has an important part to play in the twenty-first century. These are some of the most interesting and researchable topics in nursing whether or not you decide to buy nursing papers online :

• Determining the significance of joining mental and physical health care.
• Best practices for dementia treatments.
• The effectiveness of mirror therapy in brain rehabilitation.
• Evaluating the relationship between cancer treatments and depression.
• Effective methods for the treatment of domestic violence victims.
• Connections between air pollution and Alzheimer’s disease.
• Analysing the effectiveness of meditation on patients.
• Social media effects on young adults and adolescents.
• Novel methods of prevention and treatment for Post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Depression in women is caused by premenstrual syndrome.

Midwifery Nursing Research Topics

The ability to give birth is a blessing. However, it comes with its unique challenges. Pregnancy is an important part of a woman’s life. That is why it is grouped separately from generic women’s health care. Here are some topics that are worthy of research:

• Obese pregnant women: the most important safety precautions.
• The impact of delayed umbilical cord clamping on the mother.
• Effects of a postnatal period on the mind.
• The value of antenatal appointments.
• The impact of community involvement during pregnancy.
• Risk factors involved in advanced age delivery.
• Prolonged labour and pain reduction methods.
• Childbirth and associated psychological trauma.
• Weight management during pregnancy: methods and effectiveness.
• The value of a partner’s involvement in perinatal activities.

Pediatric Nursing Research Topics

This area of nursing deals with child care and support. It is often taken as a specialisation. Those who specialise in pediatric care tend to be individuals below eighteen. Even though this may be true, more emphasis is placed on infants and toddlers. The following includes some pretty good research topics in this field:

• The optimisation of modern childhood cancer treatment.
• Prevention strategies for obesity in children and young adults.
• Evaluating the relationship between obesity and cardiovascular diseases.
• The value of stem cells in the treatment of infants.
• Diagnosing and managing asthma in infants.
• Autism: understanding the patient’s language.
• Evaluating the relationship between early childhood stress and cognitive development disorders.
• Infant nutrition: preventing obesity and metabolic disorders.
• Examining the effectiveness of music therapy on children with ADHD.
• ADHD in infants: effective management methods.

Adult Nursing Research Topics

Prevention and management of diseases is a pretty interesting line of work. Although a nurse should be able to tend to patients irrespective of their age. Adult nursing focuses on people aged eighteen to sixty-five. Anyone above that age is grouped with the elderly. Here are a few research topics in adult nursing:

• Innovative clinical cardiology.
• Cardiological imaging processes.
• Non-chemical methods of bipolar disorder management.
• Sexually transmitted infections: contemporary prevention practices.
• Modern health care and spirituality.
• Home health care for the feeble.
• Community nursing and service expansion.
• The relationship between staff retention and community health care.
• Medical marijuana; the pros and cons.
• The place of gender in patient’s confidence.

Women’s Health Nursing Research Topics

Women act as a portal for bringing life into the world. Quite commonly, they are charged with nourishing it. It comprises the fitness and nutrition of women. It also comprises the evaluation of their state of mind. Everything from the prevention and treatment of physical diseases and conditions to the stability of the woman’s mind is enveloped here. These are some topics to care for the women:

• The effects of culture on women’s health.
• The long and short term effects of female genital mutilation.
• The relationship between stress and hypoactive sexual desire disorder.
• The relationship between stress and acne in women.
• Practices to avoid in maternity medical assistance.
• Feminism in the woman’s health care.
• The effects of language barriers in the woman’s health care sector.
• Post-menopausal depression: effective management methods.
• Adequate handling of premenstrual syndrome.
• Examining meditation and yoga as antidepressants.

Elderly Care Nursing Research Topics

It is also known as geriatrics. The care of senior citizens is a practice vital to every community. It is part of a study known as gerontology. This part deals with the physical, mental, and social aspects of growing old. Little wonder why there are so many people who are interested in it. Here are a few topics that you should consider:

• Preventive measures for delirium in senior citizens.
• Improved care strategies for managing the pains associated with old age.
• Prevention strategies for Alzheimer’s in older people.
• Effects of prolonged stay on critically ill older persons.
• Modern treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.
• The relationship between old age and stroke.
• Prevention and maintenance strategies for hypertensive patients.
• Early detection of hypotension.
• Old age and cognitive dissonance: modern best practices.
• Encouraging oral hydration among the elderly.

Critical Care Nursing Research Topics

This practice area involves a lot of tender loving care, also known as TLC. Critical care is the area of nursing that handles critically ill patients. The care of those on the verge of death or patients who are unstable. Topics to write about in this field include the following:

• The place of nurses in palliative care.
• Readmission of critical care patients: a critical analysis.
• Communication difficulties experienced by health care providers in the Intensive Care Unit.
• The private and public health care system: a comparative study.
• The place of intensive care in the health sector.
• The relationship between clinical management and critical care in the health sector.
• Prescription of medication: the capacity of nurses, especially in cases of emergency.
• Examining the reason for mental exhaustion in critical care nurses.
• The Intensive Care Unit and the appropriateness of an alarm system.
• Investigating the emotional intelligence factor of critical care nursing staff.

Psychiatric Nursing Research Topics

Psychiatric nursing involves the care offered to people with mental disabilities or mental disorders. In other words, a psychiatric nurse is a nurse that specialises in taking care of patients who have something wrong with their minds. Topics of interest in this speciation include:

• Genetic factors affecting bipolar disorders.
• Redefining the identity of a schizophrenic patient.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder: awareness and management techniques.
• Social media and the imposter syndrome.
• Interrogating the efficacy of alternative treatments for depression.
• The relationship between clinical depression and lifestyle changes.
• A review of psychiatric nurses’ stigmatisation experiences.
• Necessary qualities of a psychiatric nurse.
• Nursing skills relevant for psychiatric ward safety.
• The necessity of occupational therapy for nurses in the psychiatric practice.

Health Promotion Nursing Research Topics

This area of Medicare calls for the involvement of people in taking care of their health. Therefore, a health promotion nurse assesses the needs of an individual and/or community. As well as their resources and looks for a way to reduce their mortality rate. They improve their general well-being. Here are a few topics in this regard:

• Exercise programs for senior citizens.
• Understanding and tackling the hindrances of smoke cessation.
• Causes of inactivity in young adults.
• Possible solutions and motivations for physical activity in the youth population.
• Innovative means of encouraging cancer screening.
• Peer to peer accountability: the future of public health care.
• Personal and environmental hygiene initiatives for low-income earners.
• The relationship between ultraviolet rays and skin cancer.
• The relationship between malnutrition and death in rural communities.
• The road from inactivity to death: a slippery slope.

Pain Management Nursing Research Topics

Pain management is quite broad and also quite vital. It is among the most important skills any nurse in any specialisation should master before they begin to attend to patients. It deals with the ability to make the pain go away completely or to at least be bearable. Here are some pretty interesting ideas that you can work on as your project:

• Common beliefs and approaches to the appraisal of pain.
• Post-surgery pain: a cause for medication or not.
• Adequate management of chronic pain.
• Geriatric patients and effective pain management.
• Pain management in child care: modern best practices.
• Infant and teenage post-surgery pain relief.
• Contemporary trends in pain management nurses should be aware of.
• Effects of inadequate handling of pain.
• Examining pain levels during surgery.
• Effective lifestyle changes to reduce pain.

Ethics Nursing Research Topics

• The place of ethics in nursing.
• What can be considered unethical to a nurse?
• The use of physical restraints in the geriatric practice: the ethics of the matter.
• Ethics in the Intensive Care Unit: A Guide.
• What describes an ethical nurse.
• How to respond to emergencies: a code of ethics.
• Dealing with a different point of view: a nurse’s perspective.
• Euthanasia or not: an end of a life case study.
• Managing moral distress in daily medical care.
• Combining professional ethics with religion: a nurse’s guide.

Research is a crucial aspect of nursing, and choosing the right topic is essential. Luckily, you can seek assistance from a professional essay writing service like PapersOwl.com to help you identify the ideal topics for your nursing research paper. We offer a variety of relevant topics related to nursing research to help you craft a comprehensive and informative essay that meets your requirements. Our expertise can help you narrow down your options and choose the best possible topic for your research paper.

Do not forget that a paper on nursing intervention research topics differs from an essay on whether it is safe for nurses to give a diagnosis. As stated earlier, it takes several pages to complete a research paper. Putting all that research into a singular body of work can also be daunting. That is why, except your professor suggests otherwise, here is a well-respected structure that begs imitation. The Title Page is where you impute your name and project title. The Abstract is a summary that describes what your research is about. Next, in the Introduction, you tell the reader why it is important to read what you have spent so much time and energy putting together. You should also tell the reader which works have been done in that area previously.

After that, you then tell us what Methods you used to derive your data and the characteristics of the research participants. From there, you proceed to do something of a Result “dump,” where every possible finding you have made is displayed. In the Discussion, you analyse the results you have presented to reveal a noticeable pattern. It should also tell the reader the limitations of your work. And finally, you must make a judgment based on the information you have posited — stating the conclusion.

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Nursing and Healthcare Trends We Can Expect to See in 2024

• Trends continue to change as nursing attempts to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Nursing and healthcare trends in 2024 include higher wages for nursing professionals.
• Another 2024 trend is new legislation to regulate nurses in nursing homes.

Nurses are the largest group of healthcare professionals worldwide, yet the nursing shortage continues to impact healthcare facilities. Discover the nursing and healthcare trends professionals expect to see in 2024.

Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

11 Nursing Trends We Expect to See in the Coming Years

Some trends that will impact nursing include proposed legislation to regulate nursing home staffing and AI’s impact on healthcare and nursing education. Nurses may also earn more money as the demand increases, and more nurses become nurse practitioners and pursue specialties, such as virtual nursing.

1 | Job Growth for Nurses Will Continue to Rise

The United States still faces a nursing shortage , and the following factors have contributed to the current situation:

• Increased demand for care during the pandemic
• Retiring nurse educators mean a falling number of nursing faculty
• Nurse burnout from the pandemic
• An aging population with complex medical needs
• Nursing staff reaching retirement
• Greater shortage in rural areas

Job growth is a function of supply and demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6% job growth for registered nurses (RNs) from 2022-32, which is faster than average. The agency also projects an exponential 37% job growth for advanced practice nurses.

2 | Home Healthcare Will Increase in Popularity

COVID-19 prompted an unexpected rise in the need for home healthcare nurses . Demand for these nurses will continue to grow as the population ages and nursing homes close across the country.

In response, the Choose Home Care Act was introduced to the Senate in July 2021 and to the U.S. House of Representatives in October 2021. The legislation remains in limbo, but if passed, it would expand the benefits provided by Medicare for home healthcare services.

The act would also increase the opportunity for remote monitoring and telehealth nursing services for senior citizens. Seniors could choose to go home rather than a nursing facility after hospitalization.

As home healthcare expands, experts are calling for greater standardization in the industry. They point out that license requirements vary across states, making applications at the federal level next to impossible.

Industry leaders are calling for standardized onboarding and vetting procedures. This would include background checks, experience, certification, and social security verification.

3 | The Federal Government Will Regulate Nursing Home Staffing

In September 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that, for the first time, the federal government proposed legislation to regulate staffing levels in nursing homes .

The proposed rule would improve staffing assessments and enforcement strategies while creating new reporting requirements for Medicaid payments.

The CMS proposes a minimum of .55 registered nurse (RN) hours and 2.45 nurse aide hours per resident per day. The proposal, which would provide $75 million for training nurse aids, would also require nursing home facilities to staff RNs 24/7.

“There are pros and cons,” said Elaina Hall, chief quality officer at SnapCare. “Nursing homes can be challenging places to work and have your loved ones live. But there are challenges with reimbursement. From an insurance standpoint, Medicare and Medicaid don’t pay a lot.”

According to Hall, the pros are that mandated ratios increase patient care and safety, improve the quality of care, and prevent staff burnout. However, facilities are pushing against the proposal because they can’t afford it.

“They can’t afford to pay the staff, they can’t afford the ratios, they aren’t getting the appropriate reimbursement. They’ll have regulatory challenges, too, because now the state has to visit their site. The state has to figure out how they’d monitor, staff, and enforce this mandate. So, the rationale behind it is good, but the execution and implementation is the hard part.”

4 | Care Models Will Experience a Necessary Shift

Anne Dabrow Woods, the chief nurse at Wolters Kluwer Health, anticipates a necessary shift in how to apply nursing care models since the pandemic. There are two key components to how care is delivered:

• The mode of delivery
• The skills of nurses on the hospital unit

“Healthcare models must migrate from traditional nurse-to-patient staffing models to a more agile one in times of crisis that facilitates flexibility and supports the best care for patients,” Dabrow Woods explained.

While staffing must be based on patients’ care level and staff competency, Dabrow Woods proposed an improved model during crisis management: team-based with an increase in floating nurses.

This system would allow hospitals to address hardships caused by future public health events or insufficient staffing, similar to what we face now with COVID-19. Dabrow Woods stressed the need to be flexible. A care model should always support an organization and a nurse’s ability to deliver excellent patient care.

5 | Nurses Will Earn More

Nurses are in an excellent position to demand higher salaries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for RNs is $81,220, and the median wage for nurse practitioners is $125,900 annually.

Statista salary data shows that RN wages grew from about $69,000 in 2011 to $80,000 in 2020. These wages are expected to grow over the next ten years as demand for nurses increases.

Additionally, hospitals have been offering signing bonuses to nursing professionals, especially in rural communities, where hospitals and resources are few. Nurses are also earning incentives such as free lodging and tuition assistance.

Hall said nurse wages will rise due to supply and demand. Hospitals are competing with each other, vying for qualified nurses. “They definitely have to compete against each other. There aren’t enough nurses graduating from nursing schools. So that will definitely drive up wages just from market competition and supply and demand.”

According to Hall, geographic variation is another factor that will drive up wages. In small towns, it’s hard to find nurses. In large cities like California and New York, nurses have collective bargaining and unionization.

“And now you’re seeing more and more legislation and policy changes in government, driving mandated ratios,” said Hall. “All these things have an impact on nurse wages and trends we will see over the next 20 years, easily.”

6 | Artificial Intelligence Will Influence Nursing Education and Healthcare

According to a March 2023 report , the National Science Foundation is investing in AI research and education to improve equity in education via AI-augmented learning.

The report states that ChatGPT can generate mock patient interviews and other simulation cases as an interactive learning tool that nurses can use.

In addition, AI’s ability to automate assessments and grading saves nursing educators time, helping them avoid the burnout that has driven many nursing educators from the field. But AI is more than chatbots.

“To the common person, they think of ChatGPT and robots, but that’s not really what it is,” said Hall. “In hospitals and clinics, they have clinical decision support. They have different tools that monitor blood sugar. A lot of people wear Apple watches with apps that monitor their heart rates; back in the day, people used to have to wear Holter monitors.”

Western Governors University (WGU) reported in July 2023 that AI has influenced nursing since the early 1980s by revolutionizing the nursing profession through predicative modeling and assistive robotics, among other innovations. According to WGU, artificial intelligence can potentially revolutionize various healthcare practices, including:

• Patient charting
• Patient transport
• Patient education
• Medication administration

7 | Healthcare Staff Well-being Will Be a Top Priority

Earl Dalton is the chief nursing officer at Health Carousel, a workforce management solution company. He believes the mental health of nurses and healthcare staff is a top priority and trend in the coming years.

“The pandemic has acted as a wake-up call for health systems and providers to center nurse well-being in our practice and leadership,” Dalton said.

Factors that contribute to the nursing shortage include stress, traumatic experiences, and burnout. Organizations employing nurses must place the mental and physical well-being of their staff as a top priority.

Solutions may differ depending on the team and organization.

“We have a great opportunity right now to truly address healthcare tensions and enhance well-being for those who have committed their lives to serving others,” Dalton noted.

By fostering a healthy work environment, organizations can ensure that staff operates at their best. Healthy and supportive work environments can result in positive patient outcomes, helping organizations fulfill their mission to care for others.

8 | Retaining the Nursing Workforce Will Be Prioritized

As a result of the nursing shortage and poor working conditions, nurses are prone to stress-related illnesses, especially burnout and moral injury.

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) reports that 76% of U.S. nurses reported high levels of burnout and exhaustion in 2020 due to increased workloads and a lack of personal protection equipment (PPE).

Cultivating resilience and supporting nurses’ mental health is often cited as an important strategy to help combat nurse burnout and protect patient safety.

However, burnout is largely caused by the environment and how people operate within their environments. So, hospitals and healthcare organizations carry the responsibility to improve work environments by prioritizing nurse wellness retention.

“We knew there was a nursing shortage and that many nurses were already feeling stressed and overworked,” Dabrow Woods said. “COVID-19 has only brought this problem to the forefront.”

Nurses are exhausted, morally injured, and burnt out, with many considering leaving the profession earlier than they normally would, Dabrow Woods explained.

Dabrow Woods stressed how healthcare organizations must make efforts to foster resilience. A significant trend in 2024 will be restoring a safe work environment. She said another focus will be developing staffing models based on patients’ care level and workforce competencies.

9 | Short-term Solutions to the Nurse Shortage May Impact Patient Care

Dalton predicts that short-term solutions to the post-pandemic nursing shortage will impact patient care. He calls this the experience-complexity gap. Due to the shortage, hospitals and organizations must rely on unskilled or inexperienced labor to help meet patients’ needs.

For example, there will be more new graduate nurses as baby boomers reach retirement age. An older patient population means a greater number of individuals with complex conditions.

“These counter forces of limited experience and increased complexity require hospitals to remain deeply in tune with their staff makeup,” Dalton says.

Hospitals must then ensure efficient training for all new nurses . Hospitals must also work to staff nurses with greater experience across each unit.

Dalton warned that it would require improved training and better leadership models to bridge this gap to not affect patient care or staff well-being.

10 | Training and Higher Education Increase in Demand

Healthcare professionals are experts in the care they provide. As organizations struggle through the nursing shortage, it is essential not to overlook staff training and education.

Dalton stressed that the appropriate training for each role remains non-negotiable when considering nurse placements. It is only through training and education of permanent employees, short-term nursing positions , and travel nurses that staff can stay up to date on skills. This helps increase the best care possible.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing promotes the preference for nurses who hold a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) . About 72% of employers express a strong preference for bachelor’s-prepared nurses.

Dalton said that setting a high bar for education, skills, and motivation may help “dictate better patient outcomes, ensuring we in healthcare can spend each day improving lives.”

11 | More Nurses Will Pursue Specializations

Specialties in nursing are growing as more nurses pursue specializations that match their career interests. When nurses specialize, they can also earn more money and pursue career advancement. Nursing informatics and nurse practitioner are two growing specializations.

According to Lisbeth Votruba, chief clinical officer at AvaSure, virtual nursing is a growing specialization. “Virtual ICU nursing has been around for a while but what’s new is bringing it out of ICU and into the whole hospital.”

Hall noted that “four specialties that will explode over the next ten to fifteen years are mental health nursing, emergency and critical care, nursing education and leadership, and community health nursing.”

Other specializations nurses pursue include:

• Oncology nursing
• Pediatric nursing
• Clinical research director
• Nurse case manager
• Nurse educator
• Nursing manager
• Medical-surgical nursing

As the nursing shortage continues to disrupt the healthcare system, nurses benefit from pursuing continuous education, networking, and self-advocacy while also prioritizing self-care and personal wellness.

Meet Our Contributors

Anne Dabrow Woods, DNP, RN, CRNP, ANP-BC, AGACNP-BC, FAAN

Anne Dabrow Woods is the chief nurse at Wolters Kluwer, Health, Learning, Research and Practice. She drives the strategic development of evidence-based solutions for nurses and nursing institutions. A nurse for over 37 years, Dabrow Woods currently practices as an acute care/critical care nurse practitioner at Penn Medicine, Chester County Hospital. She also teaches in the graduate nursing program at Drexel University as adjunct faculty. Dabrow Woods earned a bachelor’s from West Chester University, a master’s from LaSalle University, a postmaster’s certificate from Drexel University, and a doctor of nursing practice from Texas Christian University. She is also a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing.

Earl Dalton

Earl Dalton, MHA, MSL, BSN, NEA-BC, chief nursing officer at Health Carousel, is a nurse leader who brings over two decades of experience in healthcare to his role at Health Carousel. He provides nurses the necessary training, guidance, mentoring and optimal work conditions to succeed in their profession. Dalton is a published author and speaker and sits on the Joint Commission’s Healthcare Staffing Advisory Counsel. In 2015, he received the Distinguished Nurse Administrator award from Mount St. Joseph University, and in 2021, he was recognized as a top C-Suite executive in Cincinnati.

Elaina Hall, RN, MSN

Elaina Hall is an experienced healthcare executive in healthcare system operations, performance improvement, nursing practice, and leadership consulting. With a focus on opportunities for the clinician corps working with SnapCare, Elaina has expertise in health system quality improvement and supporting clinicians in their journey to reskill and upskill for professional growth. She graduated from Clemson University and extended her education in nursing earning an MBA/MSN and is currently pursuing her DNP. Elaina leads the Ventura/Santa Barbara Chapter of the Association of California Nurse Leaders and is currently a Board-Certified Advanced Nurse Executive by the ANCC and a Fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Lisbeth Votruba, RN, MSN

As chief clinical officer of AvaSure, Lisbeth demonstrates her vision for innovative inpatient telehealth care delivery through her compassionate leadership, activism for the nursing profession, and advocacy for the dignity, safety and quality of care for patients, families and healthcare professionals.

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Best Nursing Research Topics & Ideas for Students in 2022

Nursing is one of the most popularly studied subjects in Australia, the UK, the USA and other countries. The well-known medical institute provides degree courses at various education levels. The nursing students need to write a lot of research papers.

In writing a nursing research paper , you need to have a very good concept of the nursing questions given to you. The nursing research papers need to be very much innovative. The chosen topics need to have much history, ethics and diversity.

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The major rule with your healthcare or nursing research paper is to use the best sources by following a well-structured research format. The nursing research paper layout consists of an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion with page citations.

Regarding the Nursing Research Topics, some institutes give students specific topics to write, while certain institutes ask students to select topics independently. In this case, you always need to choose the best nursing research topics.

What Are the Nursing Research Process Components?

Any good research starts with thorough research of the topics and ideas. The research can be done with the help of an academic journal related to the topic. Here it would help if you always gathered ideas on your research area from books and journals written by other authors.

The research paper introduction: This part needs to be very interesting for providing a solid statement or argumentation. Give a good solution and your own point of view regarding the given arguments. Write a very catchy call to action for your research paper to draw your readers’ attention.

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How to Select a Good Nursing Research Topic and Ideas for Impressive Content?

When choosing your nursing research topic, your topic choice needs to be unique and very strong to receive the best feedback from your assessors. The majority of the nursing students find it quite difficult to narrow these down and make them more attractive to the readers.

An ideal nursing research topic needs to include an analysis of very popular medical issues with the best proposals for the possible changes. If you are writing a nursing assignment research paper on autism, you need to select the not very common resources and are the top innovations. For selecting the best nursing topic, you need to look through the list of the best ideas and highlight the problems that you can approach differently by making your contribution to the reach writing topic more convincing.

While writing your nursing research paper, you need to use the well-known nursing theorists’ works and support your thoughts with the best citations, making your final paper fine with quantitative and qualitative elements.

What are the best 100+ Best Nursing Research Topics & Ideas for Students in 2022?

Our Nursing Research Case Study experts have shortlisted a list of the best nursing research topics for the nursing students of the current year. These topics will give you an opportunity for brainstorming various areas of healthcare and nursing. Here you can also address the nursing research-based questions:

Before Start, Read This:  What Are the Guidelines for Writing a Nursing Case Study?

Child Nursing Topics:

• ADHD Causes & treatment
• Antibiotic Resistance in Preschool Children
• Vaccination & Autism
• Seizures Causes in Infants
• Eating Disorders and Social Media Impact
• Child Obesity and Healthy Eating
• Adolescent Medicine Practices
• Speech Disorders Therapy
• Psychological Aspects of Infant Care
• Pediatric Care Ethics

Research Topics on Adult Nursing:

• Acute Coronary Syndrome Treatment
• Bipolar Disorder Non-Chemical Practices
• Reasons Behind Anxiety Disorders
• CV Imaging Process
• Clinical Cardiology Innovations
• Mental Health and Psychiatric Care in Adults
• Migraine Case Example
• Exercise and Sports Medicine
• Dental and Oral Health
• Obesity and Weight Management Programs

Nursing Research Topics on Midwifery:

• First Antenatal Appointment Analysis
• Maternal and Neonatal Practices in Rural Areas
• Shift Study Midwives and Length
• Mental Illness and Post-natal Period
• Self-Instruction Kits and Natal Safety
• Gestational Weight Gain Challenges
• Midwifery Continued Care
• Positive Birth Experience Case Study
• Childbirth Efficacy Analysis
• Obese Pregnant Women Safety Rules

Nursing Research Topics on Elderly Care:

• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Joint Disorders Study in Elderly Population
• Atrial Fibrillation Study
• Cardiovascular Risk Reduction
• Bladder Cancer Therapy
• Critical Care Requirements
• Geriatrics Ethics
• Restless Legs Syndrome
• Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease
• Parkinson’s Disease Precautions

Nursing Research Topics on Women’s Health:

• Infertility Ethical Rules
• Breast Cancer Treatment and Prognosis
• Modern Neonatal Practices
• Menopause Challenges
• Pregnancy Prevention Measures
• Ovarian Disorder Analysis
• Reproductive Endocrinology
• Vaginal Atrophy Causes
• Female Sexual Health Disorders
• Sleep Disorders in Women

Nursing Research Topics on Mental Health:

• Depression Causes
• Schizophrenia Diagnostics
• Alcohol Addiction Disorders
• Stress Among Police Officers
• Bipolar Disorder
• Forbidden Substances Prevention Use
• Teenage Aggression & Video Games
• Psychiatric Patient Ethics
• Physical Traumas and Recovery Methods

Pain Management Nursing Research Topics:

• Headache Treatment Protocol
• Abdominal Pain Management in Children
• Innovative Injection Use
• Opioid Use in Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Botulinum Toxin and Pain Management Controversy
• Therapeutic Injections: pros and cons
• Myofascial Pain Rehabilitation
• Pain Limits Analysis
• Bone Healing and Opioids
• Phantom Pains Phenomenon

Continue Reading about:   Medical Research Topics for Medical Students?

Nursing Research Topics on Primary Healthcare:

• Data Collection Ethics in Primary Healthcare
• Evidence-Based Recommendations in Primary Care
• Primary Health Care Economic Evaluation
• Private Sectors in Mental Health Service System
• Modern Vaccination Programmes in Rural & Remote Areas
• Medically Unexplained Symptoms in ER
• Childcare Services Integration in Primary Healthcare
• Medical Care Quality Assessment Methods
• Local Pharmacist Involvement in Physician’s Work
• Healthcare Financing Strategies Bias

Obstetrics Nursing Research Topics:

• Labor and Delivery Management Practices
• Abortion Care Ethical Side
• Pre-Term Labor Dangers
• Adolescent Gynecology Education
• Caesarean Section Preparation
• Hypertensive Disorders Causes
• Newborn Resuscitation Rules
• Delivery Room Behavior Checklist
• Saving Mother and Child Challenges
• Antenatal Care Recommendations

Nursing Career Research Topics:

• Ethics and Homeless People Treatment
• Nursing Theorists Works
• Between Career and Professional Service
• Critical Care Nursing Management
• Clinical Nurse Roles
• Nursing Practitioners
• Stress Management Practice for Night Shifts
• Diversity in Healthcare
• Remote Intensive Care Unit Questions
• Digital Age and Future of Nursing

Also Check Out:   Best Resources for Nursing Assignment Writing

Research Topics in Nursing on Health Promotion:

• Role of School Nurses
• Benefits and Shortages of Telemedicine
• Healthy Eating and Sports
• Pharmacist Responsibility
• Parental Roles for Healthy Lifestyle of Children
• Adolescent Education on Safe Sex Culture
• Medical Sales Promotion Campaigns Ethics
• Social Work and Role of Health Promotion Specialist
• Digital Age Healthcare Dangers
• Disease Control and Prevention Initiatives

Nursing Research Topics in Healthcare Management:

• Gender Bias in Nursing Profession
• Healthcare Contracts Limitations
• Medicare Benefits
• Starting Private Medical Practice
• Legal Risks with Non-English Patients
• Shortage of Men in Healthcare
• Apology Laws and Medical Decisions
• Medical Marijuana Management Rules
• Nursing Uniform Code Rules
• Medical Home Service

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120+ Interesting Nursing Research Paper Topics

Developing the skill of writing dissertation topics in nursing takes practice, time, and patience. Nevertheless, that skill will improve and develop the more you write. With this article, writing an essay topic will become more comfortable than ever as your confidence increases.

Therefore, let us explore some of the guidelines for any essay topic.

Tips for Great Nursing Research Paper Topics

To attain the highest standards of dissertation topics, you need to have the following tips in mind:

• The problem must define the purpose of your essay
• It should be engaging
• It should act as a hook
• It should be of the required word count

Let’s now get to the real deal; we are going to explore 70 nursing dissertation topics arranged in clusters for easier retrieval.

Research Paper Topics in Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing

• Understanding Gestational Diabetes, screening, diagnosis, and prognosis
• What are Blood pressure, renal function, and structural changes?
• How pre-ecliptic pregnancy occurs
• Receptor-mediated agonist and antagonism with particular regard to the audiology
• The process of treatment of preterm labor and primary dysmenorrhea
• Background knowledge concerning several biochemical markers
• Understanding Vascular mechanical properties
• Analyzing tissue localization and prognostic importance
• Hormonal regulation and functional significance
• Significance of the Plasminogen activation system
• Dynamic Fetal and Placental Circulatory Changes during Uterine Contractions
• Aspects of risk factors, evaluation, and surgical treatment
• Diagnosis and prognosis, with particular reference to maternal fever in labor
• Evaluation of a new form of therapy for menorrhagia
• Risk factors and the role of the urethra
• How well do Cloposcopic Cervical Screenings work and are they optimal?
• Do individuals with a higher miscarriage frequency tend to have more anticardiolipin antibodies?
• The different medical treatments for acute liver failure in pregnant patients.
• The connection of thyroid problems in obstetrics patients.
• Different techniques are used to determine fetal weight during the entire pregnancy.
• Different methods are used to control hypertension during a patient’s pregnancy.
• Women who have polycystic ovarian syndrome and how to treat their insulin resistance.
• How does supplementing with vitamin D change the conditions for a mother and her child during the pregnancy?
• The various medical techniques used to treat gestational diabetes.
• Do vaccines prevent the transfer of Hepatitis B in pregnant women?

Nursing Research Paper Topics in Critical Care

• An investigation on whether critical care nurses achieve resilience
• A phenomenological study on how critical care affects the nurse and her family personally
• Established models used to evaluate the efficacy of pain assessment in critical care
• A review of how the nurse-patient ratio in the ICU determines the quality of care
• A qualitative survey of how essential nurses of care’ manage workloads during the holiday season
• Are critical care nurses sufficiently trained to monitor acute secondary health issues arising out of primary care issues?
• A comparison of critical care nurses in cardiac units in private and public organizations
• Does miscommunication occur between physicians and nurses in the intensive care unit?
• How gender determines the effectiveness of essential nurses of care in hospitals
• A comparison of different critical care nurses’ salaries and allowances in the world
• How do critical caregivers communicate with patients in ICU?
• What is the role of Critical Care givers organizations in the country?
• Evaluating different medical schools offering critical care courses in Europe
• How to avoid complications in blood transfusions among ICU patients
• An insight into essential caregivers of rural areas versus those in urban areas
• The importance of stress and energy burnout amongst nurses.
• How can communication be improved for critical care nurses?
• How to prevent ventilator-contracted pneumonia in significantly ill patients.
• The connection between real and theoretical risk with the use of catheters.
• The various nursing techniques used to manage open abdominal wounds.
• An assessment of the effectiveness of nutritional care for significantly ill children.
• How to better interact with the family of a critically ill patient.
• Medical complications connected with incorrect insertion of peripheral catheters.
• How to avoid medical complications with patients prone to heart attacks and hypertension.
• Reasons to pursue a career in critical care nursing.

Emergency Nursing Research Paper Topics

• Pediatric trauma: The need for accurate patient assessment to identify life-threatening injuries
• How supporting relationship-based care is a standard of practice to improve patient satisfaction
• A case study on why many young people get injured: Risky games and activities
• How children maltreatment causes the deaths of many children less than four years of age
• Things to look out for and some ideas on how to fight compassion fatigue
• Identifying the mechanisms of injury associated with spinal injuries
• Goals of metabolic acidosis, hypothermia, and coagulopathy in damage control
• Assessing the benefits of a geriatric emergency department
• Exploring the latest innovations in Emergency Stroke care
• Short or long-term effects of heroin on Emergency response
• A review of the parameters used in eye assessment
• The result of a lack of self-care and how it contributes to emergency responses
• How to detect the emergency level preparedness of the patients
• The use of implanted venous access device in the Emergency Department
• Analysis of the best test instruments for measuring an emergency nurse’s perceived stress when in the emergency department
• Understanding emergency nurses’ attitudes and knowledge toward patients admitted with alcohol use and abuse
• A case study on the level of treatment emergency department nurses uses toward patient care.
• What can be done to further improve patient care in the emergency room?
• The significance of stroke care innovations in hospital emergency rooms.
• The need for more emergency rooms and nursing services in needy areas.
• A case study on the emergency responses towards men affected by heroin.
• What nursing techniques can be used to calm a highly distressed patient?
• The best strategies to use in the emergency room to calm a distressed patient.
• Detailed analysis of the techniques used to save drowning victims.
• What precautions can be taken before a large medical emergency takes place?
• How to manage the stress levels of emergency nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Research Paper Topics in Community Health Nursing

• An evaluation of new developments in community health nursing care
• How does a shortage of nurses in hospitals contribute to increased life loses
• Understanding critical care practices in a community health clinic
• How to create a pleasant work environment in community health nursing
• Effective community health nursing training programs
• Evaluating proper patient support in health institutions
• Legal issues affecting community health nurses
• Do religious or spiritual beliefs affect community health nursing?
• How can community health nurses deal with diversity in the workplace
• Importance of nursing code of ethics
• Media and community health nursing
• Role of nurses
• Health and safety of nurses
• Work-life balancing
• The importance of nurses educate patients in an environment of various cultures.
• Detailed analysis on using frailty as a factor for home placement.
• The importance of nurses educating women on domestic partner violence.
• A case study on difficult patients in the community health sector.
• The importance and significance of nurses in community health services.
• The importance of having nurses and community health services in impoverished areas.
• A case study on the impact of nurses in community health services.
• How nurses manage an inpatient dealing with depression.
• Detailed analysis of the outcomes that occur in a social setting from community health nursing services.
• The best nursing practices used in the community health sector.

Research Paper Topics in Nursing Education

• Home-based nursing services
• Effects of technology advancement on nursing
• Nurse wages case study
• Registered nurses versus fresh graduates
• Education and developmental programs for nurses
• Practical communication skills as a nurse
• Role of non-verbal communication in nursing
• Improving the efficiency of community nurses
• Purpose of personal development in nursing
• Attitude and behavior of nursing behavior
• Why is nursing at home chosen over hospital admission amongst most patients?
• What will you need to re-enter the nursing field after taking a prolonged leave of absence?
• What improvements has technology brought to nursing?
• Do nurses deserve to earn higher compensation?
• How do nursing graduates perform in the field compared to their time in education?
• Why education is important for nurses in any medical field.
• Why nurses need to have excellent communication techniques.
• How body language can communicate with patients with various needs of care.
• How can nursing be optimized as a whole?
• How nursing can contribute to self-improvement.

And that’s all, 120 top nursing research topics for you!

Now, this is interesting:

Steps to Choosing a Top-Notch Paper Topic

In such a case, the task may seem tedious, but that is about to get solved. Here are some simple steps to follow:

• Identify the purpose of your essay (informative or persuasive)
• Research on topics you find intriguing
• Evaluate the available options
• Settle on one suitable topic

The text should interest you. I don’t thiif anyone can write a captivating essay on a topic that doesn’t interest him/her in any way.

If you would like writing assistance on these titles, contact us ASAP!

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Top 10 Nursing Trends for 2024

While the pandemic had myriad effects on the world, one of the biggest was highlighting the importance of nurses.

“The pandemic has reminded all of us how much we all depend on nurses, from our first days to our last, and why all countries must invest in nurses now and for the future,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, in an address to the International Council on Nurses in November 2021.

Strides have been made to address issues such as safe working conditions, self-care, education, and opportunities for leadership, but there is still work to be done. The nursing trends that follow dive deeper into some of these existing issues as well as what’s on the horizon for the nursing profession.

1. Ample Nursing Job Opportunities Are Available Among Various Settings and Specialties

The statistics point to a continued abundance of job openings for nurses:

• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 6% job growth for registered nurses from 2022 through 2032, mostly due to retirement and the need to replace workers who transfer into other career fields. On average, about 193,100 registered nurse job openings are expected annually between 2022 and 2032, according to the BLS .
• Much of the nursing workforce is ready to retire. The 2022 National Nursing Workforce Survey showed that 28% of the workforce plans to retire by 2027.

Besides a retiring nursing workforce, one of the other reasons for nursing job growth in the U.S. is the aging population. Looking at the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 National Population Projections , the Population Reference Bureau found that by 2050, the total population share in the U.S. of people 65 and older will increase from 17% to 23%. The U.S. Census Bureau also reported in 2023 that the U.S. median age increased to nearly 40 years old and will likely continue to rise. An older population means an increased need for geriatric care as well as for people suffering from chronic diseases and comorbidities.

2. Patients’ Continued Reliance on Telehealth Creates a Need for Virtual Nurses

The use of telehealth services increased dramatically due to the pandemic, and it shows no signs of slowing down. In a November 2023 report, the health data researchers at Epic Research showed that telehealth usage has declined since its 2020 peak, but it’s still used more than before the pandemic. The American Telemedicine Association reports that “more than 50% of health care services will be consumed virtually by 2030.”

“Now, patients have increased access to general and specialized care from the comfort of their home or residence,” says Michele McMahon , DNP, academic dean and vice president of Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. “There is an opportunity for nurses to seek remote or telehealth positions. As technology continues to advance, the need for nursing support will grow.”

This will require that medical professionals, such as nurses, get specific training on managing telehealth technology as well as “how to clinically navigate a remote consultation,” according to an article in the journal Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice .

Additionally, the increase in telehealth visits raised security and privacy concerns for all health care providers. It’s important that nurses providing telehealth care stay updated on the rules of informed consent and HIPAA compliance .

>>Read More: Telemedicine, Nursing, and the Future of Health Care

3. Mental Health Is Still a Focus — for Both Nurses and the Communities They Serve

Many nurses experience stress and trauma on a daily basis, and these pressures can affect their mental health, job satisfaction, and overall quality of life. Awareness and education about self-care for nurses has become a priority in the field.

In fact, research has shown that the ability to handle stress is important for patient care. The International Journal of Nursing Studies published a systematic review of the relationship between nurse burnout and patient and organizational outcomes. They found that when nurses get burned out, patient safety and quality of care suffer.

“Nurses' mental health is a hot topic in health care due to impacts and demands of the career pre- and post-pandemic,” McMahon says. “Organizations and health care systems are maintaining their priorities with a major focus on the mental health of their nurses and associates.”

Nurses are also needed within the mental health field. According to an article in the International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, “Despite rising international needs for mental health practitioners, the mental health nursing workforce is underutilized.”

“Mental health as a whole has been brought to the forefront. It’s also a catalyst for the growing need for nursing for not only medical concerns but also to address the mental health needs of our communities,” says McMahon.

4. Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) Are Needed

APRNs are registered nurses who also have master’s or post-master’s level education in a specific role and patient population, according to the National Council on State Boards of Nursing . They integrate education, practice, research, and advanced assessment and decision-making skills to care for patients.

The BLS projects that employment of nurse practitioners will grow 45% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than average for all occupations.

“With the growing shortage of nurses in the workforce, baby boomer nurses retiring, increased demand for health care with the growing aging population, and the decreased number of physicians graduates, the need for advanced practice nurses to bridge the gap in access to care has never been greater,” says McMahon.

The public is becoming more comfortable with the idea of APRNs as primary health care providers. Research has shown that the quality of patient care provided by nurse practitioners in the primary care setting is equal to the care provided by physicians.

5. Nursing Wages Continue to Increase

There has been at least one positive outcome from the current nursing shortage — a continued increase in wages.

Using BLS wage data, NursingProcess.org found that the average salary for nurse practitioners grew nearly 16% from 2018 to 2022 and just over 21% for registered nurses . Using this data and considering factors such as inflation and rising costs of living, they predict that nurse practitioner and registered nurse wages will grow over the next five years by 16.95% and 18.69% respectively.

Additionally, nursing bonuses are being expanded. According to NurseJournal, this is also due to nursing shortages and the need to attract qualified personnel. These bonuses include:

• Sign-on bonus
• Referral bonus
• Retention bonus
• Performance bonus
• Educational bonus

There are also opportunities to earn more through shift differentials — additional pay for nurses who work shifts such as nights, weekends, or holidays — and overtime pay.

6. Online Nursing Education Maintains Growth

The pandemic necessitated the use of distance education while highlighting its learning value and benefits. By 2020, 91% of nursing programs used some form of virtual simulation, and 73% of them were offering online learning, according to Wolter Kluwers data .

The Wolter Kluwers report also predicts that by 2025, nursing programs will have fully adopted online and distance learning technologies. Besides the nursing shortage, a decrease in clinical sites will also drive this growth in online learning.

“Remote learning opportunities allow the adult learner to continue to further their education while they work and care for their families,” says McMahon. “This provides options to the everyday working adult to pursue their personal and professional goals.”

7. Nursing Home Staffing May Be Regulated by the Government

The nursing home industry is facing a crisis. In response to this, the Biden administration proposed a minimum staffing requirement for nursing homes to establish safe staffing levels for nurses to improve nursing home quality and patient outcomes. Besides raising standards for staffing levels, the proposal would also provide financial support for nursing students.

The Biden proposal also includes incentives for nursing students who agree to work in nursing homes by offering more than $75 million in scholarships and tuition reimbursement. “Implementing specified staffing requirements across all health care sectors could improve patient outcomes and improve job satisfaction in nursing,” McMahon says.

8. Entrepreneurship and Intrapreneurship Opportunities Abound

For nurses who value independence and autonomy, entrepreneurship can be a good fit. Technology and rapidly changing health care dynamics are increasing opportunities for entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs in nursing.

A report by consulting firm The Business Research Company showed that “the health care services market is expected to grow to $9,816.85 billion in 2027,” while an article in the Journal of Advanced Nursing notes that “the prevalence of entrepreneurial nurses is only 0.5–1% of all working nurses globally.” This means the potential for entrepreneurship in nursing is enormous.

“With the needs of the changing health care landscape, there have been differing opportunities for nurse entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs to have a specified control over a practice within the constraints of their employment arrangement,” says McMahon. “These opportunities allow for increased access to care in communities of need and expanded career opportunities for nurses.”

According to an article in the Journal of School of Nursing , nurse entrepreneurs can provide care “in various niches, such as offices, homes, cooperatives, consultancies, audits, events, [and] teaching, providing specialized services, among others.”

>>Read More: Opportunities for Nurses as Entrepreneurs

9. Artificial Intelligence Is Further Integrated into Nursing

While artificial intelligence (AI) in nursing — and health care in general — is not new, it has become so prevalent that the American Nurses Association (ANA) released a position statement on “The Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence in Nursing Practice” in 2022.

“We often see AI used in our everyday lives with chatbots or virtual assistants when trying to schedule appointments or when triaging patients,” says McMahon. “The potential impact of the use of AI in medicine is infinite.”

According to articles in journals SAGE Open Nursing and American Nurse , AI can be used for:

• Expanding access to quality medical care
• Improving medical records
• Improving quality of services
• Clinical decision support
• Mobile health and sensor-based technologies
• Voice assistants and robotics

“Beyond using it for only diagnostics, it could potentially identify inequities by improving systems operations, lower costs by reducing some of the manual processes, and possibly predict outcomes based on identified comorbidities,” McMahon says.

Unfortunately, the use of AI in nursing is not without some risks. For example, AI can perpetuate existing social biases based on its inputs and algorithms, according to the position statement from the ANA.

“We need to proceed with caution as we navigate both the pros and cons of the use of AI in practice,” says McMahon.

10. Violence Prevention Remains an Important Topic

On April 18, 2023, the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act was introduced into Congress. The act would require the Department of Labor to issue occupational safety and health standards that require employers in the health care and social services sectors to take actions to protect their personnel from workplace violence.

In response to the act, ANA President Jennifer Mensik Kennedy , PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN wrote, “Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen a steady rise in incidents of violence against nurses and other health care professionals. And while this rise has been shocking and horrifying to witness, it cannot obscure the fact that for years, nurses have had to contend with the lurking menace of workplace violence.”

In addition to political dissent across the nation, issues such as mental health, challenges with addiction and the opioid epidemic, gender-based and sexual violence, and racial discrimination play pivotal roles in the violence that is encountered, according to McMahon.

“As we continue to navigate this challenge, it is important that we remain firm that safety of health care workers and front line workers is paramount,” she says. “We can do this through integrating violence prevention and training strategies, improving the score of laws and regulations, and implementing zero tolerance policies to ensure that we remain safe in order to care for our communities in their time of need.”

Earn Your Next Nursing Degree Online With Purdue Global

Understanding these top nursing trends for 2024 will help you navigate this ever-evolving career field. If you want to expand your nursing opportunities, consider earning an online nursing degree with Purdue Global.

You’ll receive a world-class nursing education and the flexibility that working nurses need. Purdue Global offers an RN-to-BSN degree, Master of Science in Nursing, postgraduate certificate programs, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice. Learn more about Purdue Global’s online nursing degree programs and request more information today.

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ROLAND GRAD, MD, MSc, AND MARK H. EBELL, MD, MS

Am Fam Physician. 2023;107(4):406-414

Author disclosure: Dr. Ebell is cofounder and editor-in-chief of Essential Evidence Plus; see Editor's Note . Dr. Grad has no relevant financial relationships.

This article summarizes the top 20 research studies of 2022 identified as POEMs (patient-oriented evidence that matters), excluding COVID-19. Statins for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease produce only a small absolute reduction in a person's likelihood of dying (0.6%), having a myocardial infarction (0.7%), or having a stroke (0.3%) over three to six years. Supplemental vitamin D does not reduce the risk of a fragility fracture, even in people with low baseline vitamin D levels or a previous fracture. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are preferred medical therapy for panic disorder, and patients who discontinue antidepressants are more likely to relapse (number needed to harm = 6) compared with those who continue. Combination therapy using a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, or tricyclic antidepressant with mirtazapine or trazodone is more effective than monotherapy for first-line treatment of acute severe depression and when monotherapy fails. Using hypnotic agents for insomnia in adults comes with a significant trade-off between effectiveness and tolerability. In patients with moderate to severe asthma, using a combination of albuterol and glucocorticoid inhalers as rescue therapy reduces exacerbations and need for systemic steroids. Observational research shows an increased risk of gastric cancer in patients taking proton pump inhibitors (number needed to harm = 1,191 over 10 years). The American College of Gastroenterology updated its guideline for gastroesophageal reflux disease, and a new guideline provides sound advice for the evaluation and management of irritable bowel syndrome. Adults older than 60 years with prediabetes are more likely to become normoglycemic than to develop diabetes mellitus or die. Treatment of prediabetes via intensive lifestyle intervention or metformin has no impact on long-term cardiovascular outcomes. Persons with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy have similar degrees of improvement with monotherapy using amitriptyline, duloxetine, or pregabalin and greater improvement with combination therapy. When communicating with patients about disease risk, most patients prefer numbers over words because people overestimate word-based probabilities. In terms of drug therapy, the duration of an initial varenicline prescription should be 12 weeks. Many drugs can interact with cannabidiol. No important difference was found among ibuprofen, ketorolac, and diclofenac for treatment of acute nonradicular low back pain in adults.

For the past 24 years, a team of six clinicians has systematically reviewed more than 100 medical journals to find the research most likely to change and improve primary care practice. The team includes experts in family medicine, pharmacology, hospital medicine, and women's health. 1 , 2

The goal of this process is to identify POEMs (patient-oriented evidence that matters). A POEM must report at least one patient-oriented outcome, such as improvement in symptoms, morbidity, or mortality. It should also be free of important methodologic bias, making the results valid and trustworthy. Finally, if applied in practice, the results would change what some physicians do by adopting a new practice or discontinuing an old one shown to be ineffective or harmful. Of more than 20,000 research studies published in 2022 in the journals reviewed by the POEMs team, 253 met criteria for validity, relevance, and practice change. These POEMs are emailed daily to subscribers of Essential Evidence Plus (Wiley-Blackwell, Inc.).

The Canadian Medical Association purchases a POEMs subscription, and thousands of its members receive the daily POEM. These physicians can rate each one using a validated questionnaire. 3 This process is called the Information Assessment Method ( https://www.mcgill.ca/iam ). POEM ratings address the domains of clinical relevance, cognitive impact, use in practice, and expected health benefits. In 2022, each of the 253 daily POEMs were rated by an average of 1,087 physicians. New for 2022, readers of the daily POEM saw an “overuse alert” for POEMs that align with a Choosing Wisely recommendation. 4

In this article, the 12th installment of our annual series ( https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/content/top-poems.html ), we summarize the 20 most clinically relevant POEMs of 2022 as determined by Canadian Medical Association members. Although some of the most highly rated POEMs addressed COVID-19, rapid changes in management as the pandemic has evolved make many of them less relevant in 2023. Therefore, we briefly summarize these COVID-19 POEMs, as well as highly rated practice guidelines, separately. The full POEMs discussed in this review are available at https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/content/top-poems/2022.html .

Preventive Health Care

The first two POEMs relate to preventive medicine ( Table 1 ) . 5 , 6 Many patients take statins to reduce cardiovascular events. But how large is the benefit? A meta-analysis identified 19 studies that randomized 132,763 patients to statin therapy or placebo. 5 Studies were typically three to six years in duration, and statins reduced the risk of overall death by 0.8%, myocardial infarction by 1.3%, and stroke by 0.4%. When statins were used as primary prevention, the reductions were smaller: 0.6% fewer deaths, 0.7% fewer myocardial infarctions, and 0.3% fewer strokes, for an overall number needed to treat of 63 to prevent one event over three to six years. The 95% CI around all-cause mortality alone was 88 to 250 over several years of treatment as primary prevention. Not bad, but this is probably a higher number needed to treat than most of our patients believe.

Screening for low vitamin D levels and recommending replacement in those who are deficient have become popular, although the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) found insufficient evidence to recommend screening in asymptomatic individuals. 7 A trial randomized 25,871 men 50 years or older and women 55 years or older to receive 2,000 IU of vitamin D or placebo daily for a median of five years. 6 There was no difference between groups in any type of fracture, even in patients with low baseline vitamin D levels (hazard ratio = 1.04; 95% CI, 0.80 to 1.36) or a previous fracture.

Behavioral Health

The first POEM in this group provides insight into what happens when a patient discontinues an antidepressant 8 ( Table 2 8 – 13 ) . The study included primary care patients with at least two episodes of depression who had been taking an antidepressant for at least two years. 8 Patients were randomized to continue the medication or taper it over two months to placebo. After one year, the likelihood of relapse was significantly higher in the discontinuation group (56% vs. 39%; hazard ratio = 2.1; 95% CI, 1.6 to 2.7). Symptoms in the discontinuation group were also more severe.

The next study looked at the best way to treat these patients with acute severe depression. It showed that combination therapy is better than monotherapy for first-line treatment and in patients who do not respond to initial monotherapy (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.31; 95% CI, 0.19 to 0.44). 9 An SMD of 0.31 is consistent with a small effect size. The combination of a monoamine reuptake inhibitor (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor [SSRI], serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, or tricyclic antidepressant) with mirtazapine or trazodone is more effective than monotherapy for first-line treatment and for patients who do not respond to monotherapy.

Turning to anxiety disorders, a network meta-analysis of 87 randomized controlled trials with 12,800 participants evaluated 12 drug classes to treat panic disorder. 10 Only one trial was at low risk of bias, and most trials were no more than three months in duration. The meta-analysis found that the most effective drugs were benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants, and SSRIs, with SSRIs having the least risk of adverse effects. Sertraline and escitalopram have the best balance of high remission rates and low risk of adverse events. But remember, other studies have found that cognitive behavior therapy and mindfulness-based therapies are likely to be as effective as medications. 14 , 15

Finally, a network meta-analysis identified 154 double-blind randomized controlled trials that compared a broad range of hypnotic agents with each other and placebo for the treatment of insomnia. 11 There were 20 individual drugs and drug classes, including benzodiazepines, melatonin, trazodone, and newer short-acting hypnotics such as eszopiclone (Lunesta) and lemborexant (Dayvigo). The drugs most likely to be effective were eszopiclone and lemborexant in the long-term and eszopiclone, lemborexant, benzodiazepines, seltorexant (undergoing clinical trials in the United States), trazodone, trimipramine, zopiclone (not available in the United States), and zolpidem in the short-term. However, all drugs had relatively high rates of adverse effects (although so did placebo). The authors concluded that eszopiclone and lemborexant provide the best balance of effectiveness and tolerability in the short- and long-term.

One POEM reported on a study of 3,132 children and adults with moderate to severe asthma who were taking long-term inhaled corticosteroids and had experienced a severe asthma exacerbation in the previous year 16 ( Table 3 16 , 17 ) . They were randomized to two puffs each of albuterol, 90 mcg, plus budesonide, 80 mcg; albuterol, 90 mcg, plus budesonide, or albuterol alone as a rescue inhaler. In the higher-dose budesonide group, there was about 1 fewer exacerbation per 7 patients treated for one year compared with the albuterol only group, and patients also took significantly fewer systemic steroids (84 mg vs. 130 mg per year).

The second POEM in this group adds to the same evidence base as the first but in a more diverse population. Asthma disproportionately affects Black and Latinx patients, yet these groups have been underrepresented in research. This study randomized 1,201 self-identified Black and Latinx adults with moderate to severe asthma to a short-acting beta agonist (SABA) inhaler alone as reliever therapy or to a SABA plus a puff of a beclomethasone, 80 mcg, inhaler for every puff of the SABA. 17 There was approximately 1 fewer asthma exacerbation for every 8 patients in the combined therapy group compared with SABA alone over one year. Asthma control scores also improved, but the change was not clinically significant. Minority representation in studies is critical to addressing health disparities. 18

Gastroenterology

The first of three POEMs on gastroenterology topics ( Table 4 19 – 22 ) summarized an observational study of the following question: Is there an association between gastric cancer and the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)? Answer: Patients taking PPIs have a small increased risk of gastric cancer (number needed to harm = 1,191 over 10 years). 19 But, remember, association is not causation. That said, physicians initiating antacid therapy should begin with a histamine H 2 blocker. If physicians are prescribing a PPI, the lowest dose and duration possible should be used. Choosing Wisely Canada provides a toolkit for helping to deprescribe PPIs (available at https://choosingwiselycanada.org/toolkit/bye-bye-ppi ).

How should clinicians evaluate and manage patients with suspected gastroesophageal reflux disease? The American College of Gastroenterology guideline panel recognizes that some patients require long-term PPI therapy, and the benefits outweigh the theoretical risks in these patients. In patients who are treatment naive and have classic symptoms and no alarm symptoms, clinicians should attempt to discontinue PPIs after a successful eight-week trial. Therefore, initial prescriptions should generally be limited to a duration of eight weeks. 21

Informed by systematic reviews, the British Society of Gastroenterology published updated recommendations for the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (defined as at least six months of abdominal pain or discomfort and altered bowel habits). 22 Colonoscopy is recommended only for patients with alarm signs and symptoms or those at risk of microscopic colitis. First-line therapy includes exercise and gradually increasing doses of soluble fiber (e.g., psyllium). Recommendations for other first- and second-line treatments are summarized in the POEM.

Prediabetes/Diabetes Mellitus

The natural history of prediabetes in adults older than 60 years is the topic of the first POEM in this category ( Table 5 23 – 26 ) . This English study included more than 2,000 adults without diabetes mellitus at baseline. 23 The average age of participants was 70.6 years, and 55% were women. Over eight years of follow-up, older people with prediabetes were more likely to become normoglycemic than to develop diabetes or die. Perhaps it is time to retire the term “prediabetes” when talking with older people.

The next POEM reports on the long-term cardiovascular outcomes for participants in the original Diabetes Prevention Program trial. 24 In this trial, participants were randomized to receive metformin, 850 mg twice daily; an intensive exercise program; or placebo, and were then followed for three years. At the conclusion of the study, all patients were invited to participate in a long-term open-label follow-up study, and 86% agreed. The bottom line: In patients with prediabetes, neither an intensive lifestyle intervention nor metformin had an impact on the long-term risk of cardiovascular outcomes.

In the nursing home setting, a cohort of 42 older adults with type 2 diabetes were evaluated for the frequency and persistence of hypoglycemia. All participants were taking medications capable of inducing hypoglycemia (e.g., sulfonylureas, repaglinide, insulin). The study showed that seven people (17%) spent more than 20% of an entire day in a hypoglycemic state. Severe hypoglycemia occurred in 19 people (45%). A lower A1C level was associated with more frequent events and a longer time spent in a hypoglycemic state. 25 We should allow A1C results to be higher in frail older patients.

The last POEM in this group summarized the findings of a crossover trial that compared three drugs for decreasing pain in adults with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. 26 Similar degrees of improvement were reported with monotherapy using amitriptyline, duloxetine (Cymbalta), or pregabalin (Lyrica). Greater improvement was reported with subsequent combination therapy, regardless of initial choice of medication. This POEM included a table summarizing the adverse effects associated with three combinations of these drugs. Dizziness was more common with duloxetine plus pregabalin, nausea with pregabalin plus amitriptyline, and dry mouth with amitriptyline plus pregabalin.

Miscellaneous

Five top POEMs do not fall easily into a single category ( Table 6 27 – 31 ) . With regard to health information, understanding should clearly precede decision-making. However, when we say “rare” or “high risk,” what are we implying, and what do these terms mean to patients? A systematic review of 33 studies found significant variability in the presentation of probabilities and their subsequent interpretation by patients. This POEM also showed that most patients prefer numbers rather than word-based estimates of risk. 27

The next POEM was a randomized trial evaluating whether extending varenicline (Chantix) treatment beyond 12 weeks is beneficial for increasing the likelihood of smoking cessation. At 52 weeks of follow-up, there was no difference in quit rates between those taking varenicline for 12 weeks vs. 24 weeks. 28 Also, combining varenicline with nicotine replacement therapy produced no additional benefit. Therefore, initial varenicline prescriptions should specify a duration of 12 weeks. Using varenicline for longer than 12 weeks may be appropriate for a select group of patients who want a longer treatment course. 32

Drug interactions between cannabidiol (CBD) and commonly used medications is the topic of the next POEM. This study showed that CBD may increase serum levels of SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics, beta blockers, and opioids. 29 CBD increases levels of lamotrigine, but other anti-convulsants decrease levels of CBD. Although this reminds us of the potential for drug-drug interactions with CBD, we also need to know more about the severity of these interactions for better clinical decision-making.

The next POEM addresses the treatment of acute nonradicular low back pain. A randomized controlled trial of 198 adults 18 to 65 years of age presenting to the emergency department found no difference among ibuprofen, ketorolac, and diclofenac for the outcome of clinical improvement at five days. 30 Thus, although some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may have a reputation of being a better analgesic, there seems to be a class effect with these drugs.

Our final top POEM identified the best topical therapy for mild to moderate acne vulgaris. The authors of this network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials began by asking patients what was most important to them in terms of the outcome of acne treatment. Thus, the primary outcomes of this study were effectiveness, the proportion of patients who reported at least moderate improvement, tolerability, and the proportion who withdrew from the study or stopped using the medication due to adverse events. The bottom line: For a condition such as acne that has many treatment choices, good options include adapalene/benzoyl peroxide (Epiduo), followed by clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide and then adapalene alone. 31

COVID-19 and Practice Guidelines

As noted earlier, studies of COVID-19 vaccines were among the most highly rated for relevance. The uniform message across these studies was that vaccines and boosters are highly effective, especially at preventing hospitalizations and in older patients. 33 – 37 They are also very safe. Although there is a small increase in the risk of myocarditis, especially in younger men (about 2 to 6 cases per 100,000 vaccinated men 18 to 39 years of age), the risk of myocarditis and other complications associated with COVID-19 infection and the lower risk of cardiac arrest or death in vaccinated people support the importance of vaccination. 38

Several guidelines were also highly rated. The USPSTF no longer recommends initiating aspirin therapy for primary prevention in patients 60 years or older based on newer studies showing no net benefit. The USPSTF continues to recommend statins for adults 40 to 75 years of age who have one or more cardiovascular risk factors and an estimated 10-year cardiovascular event risk of at least 10%, with shared decision-making for those with a 10-year event risk of 7.5% to 9.9%. 39

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence updated guidelines for two important conditions. Although metformin remains the cornerstone of oral drug therapy for type 2 diabetes, increased use of sodium-glucose cotrans-porter-2 inhibitors is encouraged, especially for patients with chronic heart or renal disease. 40 The updated guideline includes a helpful decision tree (see https://www.bmj.com/content/377/bmj.o775/infographic ). The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence updated guidelines for depression highlight the importance of an ongoing patient-physician relationship and for management of less severe depression to begin with various nondrug treatment options, such as guided self-help. For more severe depression, treatment should begin with cognitive behavior therapy, medication, or both. 41

Editor's Note: This article was cowritten by Dr. Mark Ebell, deputy editor for evidence-based medicine for AFP and cofounder and editor-in-chief of Essential Evidence Plus, published by Wiley-Blackwell, Inc. Because of Dr. Ebell’s dual roles and ties to Essential Evidence Plus, the concept for this article was independently reviewed and approved by a group of AFP ’s medical editors. In addition, the article underwent peer review and editing by four of AFP ’s medical editors. Dr. Ebell was not involved in the editorial decision-making process.—Sumi Sexton, MD, Editor-in-Chief

The authors thank Wiley-Blackwell, Inc., for giving permission to excerpt the POEMs; Drs. Allen Shaughnessy, Henry Barry, David Slawson, Nita Kulkarni, and Linda Speer for selecting and writing the original POEMs; the academic family medicine fellows and faculty of the University of Missouri–Columbia for their work as peer reviewers; CMA Joule for supporting the POEMs CME program in Canada; Pierre Pluye, PhD, for codeveloping the Information Assessment Method; and Maria Vlasak for her assistance with copyediting the POEMs.

Shaughnessy AF, Slawson DC, Bennett JH. Becoming an information master: a guidebook to the medical information jungle. J Fam Pract. 1994;39(5):489-499.

Ebell MH, Barry HC, Slawson DC, et al. Finding POEMs in the medical literature. J Fam Pract. 1999;48(5):350-355.

Badran H, Pluye P, Grad R. When educational material is delivered: a mixed methods content validation study of the Information Assessment Method. JMIR Med Educ. 2017;3(1):e4.

CMA Joule medical librarians. Linking POEMs with overuse alerts from Choosing Wisely Canada. Canadian Medical Association. January 11, 2023. Accessed January 26, 2023. https://www.cma.ca/clinical-blog/linking-poems-overuse-alerts-choosing-wisely-canada

Byrne P, Demasi M, Jones M, et al. Evaluating the association between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduction and relative and absolute effects of statin treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis [published correction appears in JAMA Intern Med . 2022; 182(5): 579]. JAMA Intern Med. 2022;182(5):474-481.

LeBoff MS, Chou SH, Ratliff KA, et al. Supplemental vitamin D and incident fractures in midlife and older adults. N Engl J Med. 2022;387(4):299-309.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Final recommendation statement. Vitamin D deficiency in adults: screening. April 13, 2021. Accessed January 28, 2023. https://uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/vitamin-d-deficiency-screening

Lewis G, Marston L, Duffy L, et al. Maintenance or discontinuation of antidepressants in primary care. N Engl J Med. 2021;385(14):1257-1267.

Henssler J, Alexander D, Schwarzer G, et al. Combining antidepressants vs antidepressant monotherapy for treatment of patients with acute depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry. 2022;79(4):300-312.

Chawla N, Anothaisintawee T, Charoenrungrueangchai K, et al. Drug treatment for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia: systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ. 2022;376:e066084.

De Crescenzo F, D'Alò GL, Ostinelli EG, et al. Comparative effects of pharmacological interventions for the acute and long-term management of insomnia disorder in adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Lancet. 2022;400(10347):170-184.

Mysliwiec V, Martin JL, Ulmer CS, et al. The management of chronic insomnia disorder and obstructive sleep apnea: synopsis of the 2019 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Department of Defense clinical practice guidelines [published correction appears in Ann Intern Med . 2021; 174(4): 584]. Ann Intern Med. 2020;172(5):325-336.

Qaseem A, Kansagara D, Forciea MA, et al. Management of chronic insomnia disorder in adults: a clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2016;165(2):125-133.

Hoge EA, Bui E, Mete M, et al. Mindfulness-based stress reduction vs escitalopram for the treatment of adults with anxiety disorders: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Psychiatry. 2023;80(1):13-21.

Imai H, Tajika A, Chen P, et al. Psychological therapies versus pharmacological interventions for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016(10):CD011170.

Papi A, Chipps BE, Beasley R, et al. Albuterol-budesonide fixed-dose combination rescue inhaler for asthma. N Engl J Med. 2022;386(22):2071-2083.

Israel E, Cardet JC, Carroll JK, et al. Reliever-triggered inhaled glucocorticoid in Black and Latinx adults with asthma. N Engl J Med. 2022;386(16):1505-1518.

Bryant-Stephens T. Breaking the skin color barriers for asthma medications. It's not black, brown, or white. N Engl J Med. 2022;386(16):1574-1575.

Abrahami D, McDonald EG, Schnitzer ME, et al. Proton pump inhibitors and risk of gastric cancer: population-based cohort study. Gut. 2022;71(1):16-24.

Seo SI, Park CH, You SC, et al. Association between proton pump inhibitor use and gastric cancer: a population-based cohort study using two different types of nationwide databases in Korea. Gut. 2021;70(11):2066-2075.

Katz PO, Dunbar KB, Schnoll-Sussman FH, et al. ACG clinical guideline for the diagnosis and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Am J Gastroenterol. 2022;117(1):27-56.

Vasant DH, Paine PA, Black CJ, et al. British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines on the management of irritable bowel syndrome. Gut. 2021;70(7):1214-1240.

Veronese N, Noale M, Sinclair A, et al. Risk of progression to diabetes and mortality in older people with prediabetes: The English longitudinal study on ageing. Age Ageing. 2022;51(2):afab222.

Goldberg RB, Orchard TJ, Crandall JP, et al. Effects of long-term metformin and lifestyle interventions on cardiovascular events in the Diabetes Prevention Program and its outcome study. Circulation. 2022;145(22):1632-1641.

Bouillet B, Tscherter P, Vaillard L, et al. Frequent and severe hypoglycaemia detected with continuous glucose monitoring in older institutionalised patients with diabetes. Age Ageing. 2021;50(6):2088-2093.

Tesfaye S, Sloan G, Petrie J, et al. Comparison of amitriptyline supplemented with pregabalin, pregabalin supplemented with amitriptyline, and duloxetine supplemented with pregabalin for the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (OPTION-DM): a multicentre, double-blind, randomised crossover trial [published correction appears in Lancet . 2022; 400(10355): 810]. Lancet. 2022;400(10353):680-690.

Andreadis K, Chan E, Park M, et al. Imprecision and preferences in interpretation of verbal probabilities in health: a systematic review. J Gen Intern Med. 2021;36(12):3820-3829.

Baker TB, Piper ME, Smith SS, et al. Effects of combined varenicline with nicotine patch and of extended treatment duration on smoking cessation: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2021;326(15):1485-1493.

Balachandran P, Elsohly M, Hill KP. Cannabidiol interactions with medications, illicit substances, and alcohol: a comprehensive review. J Gen Intern Med. 2021;36(7):2074-2084.

Irizarry E, Restivo A, Salama M, et al. A randomized controlled trial of ibuprofen versus ketorolac versus diclofenac for acute, nonradicular low back pain. Acad Emerg Med. 2021;28(11):1228-1235.

Stuart B, Maund E, Wilcox C, et al. Topical preparations for the treatment of mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris: systematic review and network meta-analysis. Br J Dermatol. 2021;185(3):512-525.

Leone FT, Zhang Y, Evers-Casey S, et al. Initiating pharmacologic treatment in tobacco-dependent adults. An official American Thoracic Society clinical practice guideline. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2020;202(2):e5-e31.

Arbel R, Hammerman A, Sergienko R, et al. BNT162b2 vaccine booster and mortality due to Covid-19. N Engl J Med. 2021;385(26):2413-2420.

Magen O, Waxman JG, Makov-Assif M, et al. Fourth dose of BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 vaccine in a nationwide setting. N Engl J Med. 2022;386(17):1603-1614.

Talic S, Shah S, Wild H, et al. Effectiveness of public health measures in reducing the incidence of covid-19, SARS-CoV-2 transmission, and covid-19 mortality: systematic review and meta-analysis [published correction appears in BMJ . 2021; 375: n2997]. BMJ. 2021;375:e068302.

Altarawneh HN, Chemaitelly H, Ayoub HH, et al. Effects of previous infection and vaccination on symptomatic omicron infections. N Engl J Med. 2022;387(1):21-34.

Goldberg Y, Mandel M, Bar-On YM, et al. Protection and waning of natural and hybrid immunity to SARS-CoV-2. N Engl J Med. 2022;386(23):2201-2212.

Husby A, Hansen JV, Fosbøl E, et al. SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and myocarditis or myopericarditis: population based cohort study. BMJ. 2021;375:e068665.

Davidson KW, Barry MJ, Mangione CM, et al. Aspirin use to prevent cardiovascular disease: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation statement. JAMA. 2022;327(16):1577-1584.

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National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Depression in adults. June 29, 2022. Accessed January 28, 2023. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng222

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PICOT Question Examples for Nursing Research

Are you looking for examples of nursing PICOT questions to inspire your creativity as you research for a perfect nursing topic for your paper? You came to the right place.

We have a comprehensive guide on how to write a good PICO Question for your case study, research paper, white paper, term paper, project, or capstone paper. Therefore, we will not go into the details in this post. A good PICOT question possesses the following qualities:

• A clinical-based question addresses the nursing research areas or topics.
• It is specific, concise, and clear.
• Patient, problem, or population.
• Intervention.
• Comparison.
• Includes medical, clinical, and nursing terms where necessary.
• It is not ambiguous.

For more information, read our comprehensive PICOT Question guide . You can use these questions to inspire your PICOT choice for your evidence-based papers , reports, or nursing research papers.

If you are stuck with assignments and want some help, we offer the best nursing research assignment help online. We have expert nursing writers who can formulate an excellent clinical, research, and PICOT question for you. They can also write dissertations, white papers, theses, reports, and capstones. Do not hesitate to place an order.

List of 180 Plus Best PICOT Questions to Get Inspiration From

Here is a list of nursing PICO questions to inspire you when developing yours. Some PICOT questions might be suitable for BSN and MSN but not DNP. If you are writing a change project for your DNP, try to focus on PICOT questions that align to process changes. 

• Among healthy newborn infants in low- and middle-income countries (P), does early skin-to-skin contact of the baby with the mother in the first hour of life (I) compared with drying and wrapping (C) have an impact on neonatal mortality, hypothermia or initiation/exclusivity/ duration of breastfeeding (O)?
• Is it necessary to test blood glucose levels 4 times daily for a patient suffering from Type 1 diabetes?
• Does raising the head of the bed of a mechanically ventilated patient reduce the chances of pneumonia?
• Does music therapy is an effective mode of PACU pain management for patients who are slowly coming out from their anesthesia?
• For all neonates (P), should vitamin K prophylaxis (I) be given for the prevention of vitamin K deficiency bleeding (O)?
• For young infants (0-2 months) with suspected sepsis managed in health facilities (P), should third generation cephalosporin monotherapy (I) replace currently recommended ampicillin-gentamicin combination (C) as first line empiric treatment for preventing death and sequelae (O)?
• In low-birth-weight/pre-term neonates in health facilities (P), is skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth (I) more effective than conventional care (C) in preventing hypothermia (O)?
• In children aged 2–59 months (P), what is the most effective antibiotic therapy (I, C) for severe pneumonia (O)?
• Is skin-to-skin contact of the infant with the mother a more assured way of ensuring neonatal mortality compared to drying and wrapping?
• Are oral contraceptives effective in stopping pregnancy for women above 30 years?
• Is spironolactone a better drug for reducing the blood pressure of teenagers when compared to clonidine?
• What is the usefulness of an LP/spinal tap after the beginning of antivirals for a pediatric population suffering from fever?
• In children aged 2–59 months in developing countries (P), which parenteral antibiotic or combination of antibiotics (I), at what dose and duration, is effective for the treatment of suspected bacterial meningitis in hospital in reducing mortality and sequelae (O)?
• Does the habit of washing hands third-generation workers decrease the events of infections in hospitals?
• Is the intake of zinc pills more effective than Vitamin C for preventing cold during winter for middle-aged women?
• In children with acute severe malnutrition (P), are antibiotics (I) effective in preventing death and sequelae (O)?
• Among, children with lower respiratory tract infection (P), what are the best cut off oxygen saturation levels (D), at different altitudes that will determine hypoxaemia requiring oxygen therapy (O)?
• In infants and children in low-resource settings (P), what is the most appropriate method (D) of detecting hypoxaemia in hospitals (O)?
• In children with shock (P), what is the most appropriate choice of intravenous fluid therapy (I) to prevent death and sequelae (O)?
• In fully conscious children with hypoglycaemia (P) what is the effectiveness of administering sublingual sugar (I)?
• Is using toys as distractions during giving needle vaccinations to toddlers an effective pain response management?
• What is the result of a higher amount of potassium intake among children with low blood pressure?
• Is cup feeding an infant better than feeding through tubes in a NICU setup?
• Does the intervention of flushing the heroin via lines a more effective way of treating patients with CVLs/PICCs?
• Is the use of intravenous fluid intervention a better remedy for infants under fatal conditions?
• Do bedside shift reports help in the overall patient care for nurses?
• Is home visitation a better way of dealing with teen pregnancy when compared to regular school visits in rural areas?
• Is fentanyl more effective than morphine in dealing with the pain of adults over the age of 50 years?
• What are the health outcomes of having a high amount of potassium for adults over the age of 21 years?
• Does the use of continuous feed during emesis a more effective way of intervention when compared to the process of stopping the feed for a short period?
• Does controlling the amount of sublingual sugar help completely conscious children suffering from hypoglycemia?
• Is the lithotomy position an ideal position for giving birth to women in labor?
• Does group therapy help patients with schizophrenia to help their conversational skills?
• What are the probable after-effects, in the form of bruises and other injuries, of heparin injection therapy for COPD patients?
• Would standardized discharge medication education improve home medication adherence in adults age 65 and older compared to-standardized discharge medication education?
• In patients with psychiatric disorders is medication non-compliance a greater risk compared with adults experiencing chronic illness?
• Is the use of beta-blockers for lowering blood pressure for adult men over the age of 70 years effective?
• Nasal swab or nasal aspirate? Which one is more effective for children suffering from seasonal flu?
• What are the effects of adding beta-blockers for lowering blood pressure for adult men over the age of 70 years?
• Does the process of stopping lipids for 4 hours an effective measure of obtaining the desired TG level for patients who are about to receive TPN?
• Is medical intervention a proper way of dealing with childhood obesity among school-going children?
• Can nurse-led presentations of mental health associated with bullying help in combating such tendencies in public schools?
• What are the impacts of managing Prevacid before a pH probe study for pediatric patients with GERD?
• What are the measurable effects of extending ICU stays and antibiotic consumption amongst children with sepsis?
• Does the use of infrared skin thermometers justified when compared to the tympanic thermometers for a pediatric population?
• What are the roles of a pre-surgery cardiac nurse in order to prevent depression among patients awaiting cardiac operation?
• Does the increase in the habit of smoking marijuana among Dutch students increase the chances of depression?
• What is the direct connection between VAP and NGT?
• Is psychological intervention for people suffering from dementia a more effective measure than giving them a placebo?
• Are alarm sensors effective in preventing accidents in hospitals for patients over the age of 65 years?
• Is the sudden change of temperature harmful for patients who are neurologically devastated?
• Is it necessary to test blood glucose levels, 4 times a day, for a patient suffering from Type 1 diabetes?
• Is the use of MDI derive better results, when compared to regular nebulizers, for pediatric patients suffering from asthma?
• What are the effects of IVF bolus in controlling the amount of Magnesium Sulfate for patients who are suffering from asthma?
• Is the process of stopping lipids for 4 hours an effective measure of obtaining the desired TG level for patients who are about to receive TPN?
• What are the standards of vital signs for a pediatric population?
• Is daily blood pressure monitoring help in addressing the triggers of hypertension among males over 65 years?
• Does receiving phone tweets lower blood sugar levels for people suffering from Type 1 diabetes?
• Are males over the age of 30 years who have smoked for more than 1 year exposed to a greater risk of esophageal cancer when compared to the same age group of men who have no history of smoking?
• Does the increase in the use of mosquito nets in Uganda help in the reduction of malaria among the infants?
• Does the increase in the intake of oral contraceptives increase the chances of breast cancer among 20-30 years old women in the UK?
• In postpartum women with postnatal depression (P), does group therapy (I) compared to individual therapy (C) improve maternal-infant bonding (O) after eight weeks (T)?
• In patients with chronic pain (P), does mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (I) compared to pharmacotherapy (C) improve quality of life (O) after 12 weeks (T)?
• In patients with type 2 diabetes (P), does continuous glucose monitoring (I) compared to self-monitoring of blood glucose (C) improve glycemic control (O) over a period of three months (T)?
• In patients with chronic kidney disease (P), does a vegetarian diet (I) compared to a regular diet (C) slow the decline in renal function (O) after one year (T)?
• In pediatric patients with acute otitis media (P), does delayed antibiotic prescribing (I) compared to immediate antibiotic prescribing (C) reduce antibiotic use (O) within one week (T)?
• In older adults with dementia (P), does pet therapy (I) compared to no pet therapy (C) decrease agitation (O) after three months (T)?
• In patients with chronic heart failure (P), does telemonitoring of vital signs (I) compared to standard care (C) reduce hospital readmissions (O) within six months (T)?
• In patients with anxiety disorders (P), does exposure therapy (I) compared to cognitive therapy (C) reduce anxiety symptoms (O) after 12 weeks (T)?
• In postpartum women with breastfeeding difficulties (P), does lactation consultation (I) compared to standard care (C) increase breastfeeding rates (O) after four weeks (T)?
• In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P), does long-acting bronchodilator therapy (I) compared to short-acting bronchodilator therapy (C) improve lung function (O) after three months (T)?
• In patients with major depressive disorder (P), does bright light therapy (I) compared to placebo (C) reduce depressive symptoms (O) after six weeks (T)?
• In patients with diabetes (P), does telemedicine-based diabetes management (I) compared to standard care (C) improve glycemic control (O) over a period of six months (T)?
• In patients with chronic kidney disease (P), does a low-phosphorus diet (I) compared to a regular diet (C) decrease serum phosphate levels (O) after one year (T)?
• In pediatric patients with acute gastroenteritis (P), does probiotic supplementation (I) compared to placebo (C) reduce the duration of diarrhea (O) within 48 hours (T)?
• In patients with chronic pain (P), does acupuncture (I) compared to sham acupuncture (C) reduce pain intensity (O) after eight weeks (T)?
• In older adults at risk of falls (P), does a home modification program (I) compared to no intervention (C) reduce the incidence of falls (O) over a period of six months (T)?
• In patients with schizophrenia (P), does cognitive remediation therapy (I) compared to standard therapy (C) improve cognitive function (O) after one year (T)?
• In patients with chronic kidney disease (P), does angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (I) compared to angiotensin receptor blockers (C) slow the progression of renal disease (O) over a period of two years (T)?
• In postoperative patients (P), does chlorhexidine bathing (I) compared to regular bathing (C) reduce the risk of surgical site infections (O) within 30 days (T)?
• In patients with type 2 diabetes (P), does a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet (I) compared to a low-fat diet (C) improve glycemic control (O) over a period of six months (T)?
• In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P), does pulmonary rehabilitation combined with telemonitoring (I) compared to standard pulmonary rehabilitation (C) improve exercise capacity (O) after three months (T)?
• In patients with heart failure (P), does a nurse-led heart failure clinic (I) compared to usual care (C) improve self-care behaviors (O) after six months (T)?
• In postpartum women with postnatal depression (P), does telephone-based counseling (I) compared to face-to-face counseling (C) reduce depressive symptoms (O) after eight weeks (T)?
• In patients with chronic migraine (P), does prophylactic treatment with topiramate (I) compared to amitriptyline (C) reduce the frequency of migraines (O) after three months (T)?
• In pediatric patients with acute otitis media (P), does watchful waiting (I) compared to immediate antibiotic treatment (C) reduce the duration of symptoms (O) within seven days (T)?
• In older adults with dementia (P), does reminiscence therapy (I) compared to usual care (C) improve cognitive function (O) after three months (T)?
• In patients with chronic heart failure (P), does telemonitoring combined with a medication reminder system (I) compared to telemonitoring alone (C) reduce hospital readmissions (O) within six months (T)?
• In patients with asthma (P), does self-management education (I) compared to standard care (C) reduce asthma exacerbations (O) over a period of one year (T)?
• In postoperative patients (P), does the use of wound dressings with antimicrobial properties (I) compared to standard dressings (C) reduce the incidence of surgical site infections (O) within 30 days (T)?
• In patients with chronic kidney disease (P), does mindfulness-based stress reduction (I) compared to usual care (C) improve psychological well-being (O) over a period of three months (T)?
• In adult patients with chronic pain (P), does biofeedback therapy (I) compared to relaxation techniques (C) reduce pain intensity (O) after eight weeks (T)?
• In patients with type 2 diabetes (P), does a low-glycemic index diet (I) compared to a high-glycemic-index diet (C) improve glycemic control (O) over a period of six months (T)?
• In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P), does regular physical activity (I) compared to no physical activity (C) improve health-related quality of life (O) after three months (T)?
• In patients with major depressive disorder (P), does mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (I) compared to antidepressant medication (C) reduce depressive symptoms (O) after eight weeks (T)?
• In postpartum women (P), does perineal warm compresses (I) compared to standard perineal care (C) reduce perineal pain (O) after vaginal delivery (T)?
• In patients with chronic kidney disease (P), does a low-protein, low-phosphorus diet (I) compared to a low-protein diet alone (C) slow the progression of renal disease(O) after two years (T)?
• In pediatric patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (P), does mindfulness-based interventions (I) compared to medication alone (C) improve attention and behavior (O) after six months (T)?
• In patients with chronic pain (P), does cognitive-behavioral therapy (I) compared to physical therapy (C) reduce pain interference (O) after 12 weeks (T)?
• In elderly patients with osteoarthritis (P), does aquatic exercise (I) compared to land-based exercise (C) improve joint flexibility and reduce pain (O) after eight weeks (T)?
• In patients with multiple sclerosis (P), does high-intensity interval training (I) compared to moderate-intensity continuous training (C) improve physical function (O) after three months (T)?
• In postoperative patients (P), does preoperative carbohydrate loading (I) compared to fasting (C) reduce postoperative insulin resistance (O) within 24 hours (T)?
• In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P), does home-based tele-rehabilitation (I) compared to center-based rehabilitation (C) improve exercise capacity (O) after six months (T)?
• In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (P), does tai chi (I) compared to pharmacological treatment (C) reduce joint pain and improve physical function (O) after six months (T)?
• In postpartum women with postpartum hemorrhage (P), does early administration of tranexamic acid (I) compared to standard administration (C) reduce blood loss (O) within two hours (T)?
• In patients with hypertension (P), does mindfulness meditation (I) compared to relaxation techniques (C) reduce blood pressure (O) after eight weeks (T)?
• In elderly patients with hip fractures (P), does multidisciplinary geriatric care (I) compared to standard care (C) improve functional outcomes (O) after three months (T)?
• In patients with chronic kidney disease (P), does aerobic exercise (I) compared to resistance exercise (C) improve renal function (O) after six months (T)?
• In patients with major depressive disorder (P), does add-on treatment with omega-3 fatty acids (I) compared to placebo (C) reduce depressive symptoms (O) after 12 weeks (T)?
• In postoperative patients (P), does preoperative education using multimedia materials (I) compared to standard education (C) improve patient satisfaction (O) after surgery (T)?
• In patients with type 2 diabetes (P), does a plant-based diet (I) compared to a standard diet (C) improve glycemic control (O) after three months (T)?
• In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P), does high-flow oxygen therapy (I) compared to standard oxygen therapy (C) improve exercise tolerance (O) after three months (T)?
• In patients with heart failure (P), does nurse-led telephone follow-up (I) compared to standard care (C) reduce hospital readmissions (O) within six months (T)?
• In postpartum women with postnatal depression (P), does online cognitive-behavioral therapy (I) compared to face-to-face therapy (C) reduce depressive symptoms (O) after eight weeks (T)?
• In patients with chronic migraine (P), does mindfulness-based stress reduction (I) compared to medication alone (C) reduce the frequency and severity of migraines (O) after three months (T)?
• In older adults with delirium (P), does structured music intervention (I) compared to standard care (C) reduce the duration of delirium episodes (O) during hospitalization (T)?
• In patients with chronic low back pain (P), does yoga (I) compared to physical therapy (C) reduce pain intensity (O) after six weeks (T)?
• In pediatric patients with acute otitis media (P), does watchful waiting with pain management (I) compared to immediate antibiotic treatment (C) reduce the need for antibiotics (O) within one week (T)?
• In patients with schizophrenia (P), does family psychoeducation (I) compared to standard treatment (C) improve medication adherence (O) over a period of six months (T)?
• In patients with chronic kidney disease (P), does a low-phosphorus diet (I) compared to a regular diet (C) slow the progression of renal disease (O) after one year (T)?
• In postoperative patients (P), does wound irrigation with saline solution (I) compared to povidone-iodine solution (C) reduce the incidence of surgical site infections (O) within 30 days (T)?
• In patients with type 1 diabetes (P), does continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (I) compared to multiple daily injections (C) improve glycemic control (O) over a period of six months (T)?
• In postoperative patients (P), does the use of prophylactic antibiotics (I) compared to no antibiotics (C) reduce the incidence of surgical site infections (O) within 30 days (T)?
• In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P), does smoking cessation counseling (I) compared to no counseling (C) decrease the frequency of exacerbations (O) over a period of six months (T)?
• In patients with diabetes (P), does a multidisciplinary team approach (I) compared to standard care (C) improve self-management behaviors (O) over a period of one year (T)?
• In pregnant women with gestational hypertension (P), does bed rest (I) compared to regular activity (C) reduce the risk of developing preeclampsia (O) before delivery (T)?
• In patients with chronic kidney disease (P), does angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (I) compared to placebo (C) slow the progression of renal disease (O) over a period of two years (T)?
• In older adults with hip fractures (P), does early surgical intervention (I) compared to delayed surgery (C) improve functional outcomes (O) after six months (T)?
• In patients with major depressive disorder (P), does exercise (I) compared to antidepressant medication (C) reduce depressive symptoms (O) after eight weeks (T)?
• In children with autism spectrum disorder (P), does applied behavior analysis (I) compared to standard therapy (C) improve social communication skills (O) over a period of one year (T)?
• In postoperative patients (P), does the use of incentive spirometry (I) compared to no spirometry (C) decrease the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (O) within seven days (T)?
• In patients with hypertension (P), does a combination of diet modification and exercise (I) compared to medication alone (C) lower blood pressure (O) after six months (T)?
• In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P), does home oxygen therapy (I) compared to no oxygen therapy (C) improve exercise capacity (O) after threemonths (T)?
• In patients with heart failure (P), does a multidisciplinary heart failure management program (I) compared to standard care (C) reduce hospital readmissions (O) within six months (T)?
• In postpartum women with postnatal depression (P), does mindfulness meditation (I) compared to relaxation techniques (C) reduce depressive symptoms (O) after eight weeks (T)?
• In patients with chronic kidney disease (P), does a low-sodium diet (I) compared to a regular diet (C) lower blood pressure (O) after six months (T)?
• In pediatric patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (P), does neurofeedback training (I) compared to medication (C) improve attention and behavior (O) after six months (T)?
• In patients with chronic pain (P), does transcranial direct current stimulation (I) compared to sham stimulation (C) reduce pain intensity (O) after eight weeks (T)?
• In older adults with osteoporosis (P), does a structured exercise program (I) compared to no exercise (C) improve bone mineral density (O) after six months (T)?
• In patients with type 2 diabetes (P), does a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet (I) compared to a standard diet (C) improve glycemic control (O) over a period of six months (T)?
• In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P), does mindfulness-based stress reduction (I) compared to usual care (C) improve dyspnea symptoms (O) after three months (T)?
• In postpartum women with postnatal depression (P), does online peer support (I) compared to individual therapy (C) reduce depressive symptoms (O) after eight weeks (T)?
• In patients with chronic kidney disease (P), does resistance training (I) compared to aerobic training (C) improve muscle strength (O) after six months (T)?
• In pediatric patients with asthma (P), does a written asthma action plan (I) compared to verbal instructions (C) reduce emergency department visits (O) within six months (T)?
• In patients with chronic pain (P), does yoga (I) compared to pharmacological treatment (C) reduce pain interference (O) after eight weeks (T)?
• In older adults at risk of falls (P), does a multifactorial falls prevention program (I) compared to no intervention (C) reduce the rate of falls (O) over a period of six months (T)?
• In patients with schizophrenia (P), does cognitive-behavioral therapy (I) compared to medication alone (C) reduce positive symptom severity (O) after six months (T)?
• In postpartum women with breastfeeding difficulties (P), does breast massage (I) compared to no massage (C) improve milk flow (O) after four weeks (T)?
• In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P), does long-term oxygen therapy (I) compared to short-term oxygen therapy (C) improve survival rates (O) after one year (T)?
• In patients with major depressive disorder (P), does repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (I) compared to sham treatment (C) reduce depressive symptoms (O) after six weeks (T)?
• In patients with diabetes (P), does a digital health app (I) compared to standard care (C) improve medication adherence (O) over a period of six months (T)?
• In patients with chronic kidney disease (P), does a low-potassium diet (I) compared to a regular diet (C) lower serum potassium levels (O) after one year (T)?
• In pediatric patients with acute gastroenteritis (P), does oral rehydration solution (I) compared to intravenous fluid therapy (C) reduce hospital admissions (O) within 48 hours (T)?
• In patients with chronic pain (P), does hypnotherapy (I) compared to no hypnotherapy (C) reduce pain intensity (O) after eight weeks (T)?
• In older adults at risk of falls (P), does a tai chi program (I) compared to no exercise program (C) improve balance and stability (O) after six months (T)?
• In patients with chronic heart failure (P), does a home-based self-care intervention (I) compared to standard care (C) reduce hospital readmissions (O) within six months (T)?
• In patients with anxiety disorders (P), does acceptance and commitment therapy (I) compared to cognitive-behavioral therapy (C) reduce anxiety symptoms (O) after 12 weeks (T)?
• In postpartum women with breastfeeding difficulties (P), does the use of nipple shields (I) compared to no nipple shields (C) improve breastfeeding success (O) after four weeks (T)?
• In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P), does a comprehensive self-management program (I) compared to usual care (C) improve health-related quality of life (O) after three months (T)?
• In patients with major depressive disorder (P), does internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (I) compared to face-to-face therapy (C) reduce depressive symptoms (O) after eight weeks (T)?
• Does the increase in the habit of smoking marijuana among Dutch students increase the likelihood of depression?
• Does the use of pain relief medication during surgery provide more effective pain reduction compared to the same medication given post-surgery?
• Does the increase in the intake of oral contraceptives increase the risk of breast cancer among women aged 20-30 in the UK?
• Does the habit of washing hands among healthcare workers decrease the rate of infections in hospitals?
• Does the use of modern syringes help in reducing needle injuries among healthcare workers in America?
• Does encouraging male work colleagues to talk about sexual harassment decrease the rate of depression in the workplace?
• Does bullying in boarding schools in Scotland increase the likelihood of domestic violence within a 20-year timeframe?
• Does breastfeeding among toddlers in urban United States decrease their chances of obesity as pre-schoolers?
• Does the increase in the intake of antidepressants among urban women aged 30 years and older affect their maternal health?
• Does forming work groups to discuss domestic violence among the rural population of the United States reduce stress and depression among women?
• Does the increased use of mosquito nets in Uganda help in reducing malaria cases among infants?
• Can colon cancer be more effectively detected when colonoscopy is supported by an occult blood test compared to colonoscopy alone?
• Does regular usage of low-dose aspirin effectively reduce the risk of heart attacks and stroke for women above the age of 80 years?
• Is yoga an effective medical therapy for reducing lymphedema in patients recovering from neck cancer?
• Does daily blood pressure monitoring help in addressing the triggers of hypertension among males over 65 years?
• Does a regular 30-minute exercise regimen effectively reduce the risk of heart disease in adults over 65 years?
• Does prolonged exposure to chemotherapy increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases among teenagers suffering from cancer?
• Does breastfeeding among toddlers in the urban United States decrease their chances of obesity as pre-schoolers?
• Are first-time mothers giving birth to premature babies more prone to postpartum depression compared to second or third-time mothers in the same condition?
• For women under the age of 50 years, is a yearly mammogram more effective in preventing breast cancer compared to a mammogram done every 3 years?
• After being diagnosed with blood sugar levels, is a four-times-a-day blood glucose monitoring process more effective in controlling the onset of Type 1 diabetes?

Related: How to write an abstract poster presentation.

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National Nurses Week 2024: RN reflects on the state of the profession, calls for change

Monday, May 6 kicks off National Nurses Week , and it gives folks an opportunity to show their love and appreciation for the people who take care of the sick, injured and dying.

From neonatal nurses who help welcome newborns into the world to hospice nurses that provide peace and comfort to their dying patients, nurses play a crucial role in the medical industry.

According to the American Association of Colleges of Nurses, nurses make up the largest part of the healthcare workforce, are the primary health providers for patients in hospitals and give the most long-term care in the nation.

Restaurants and chains, like Chipotle and Dunkin' , are offering discounts and coupons to the medical professionals to show their appreciation for what they do. But experts are saying that it isn't enough and what nurses need right now goes beyond discounts.

New nursing home staffing regulations Nursing homes must meet minimum federal staffing levels under Biden rule

Catherine Kennedy, a registered nurse and the Vice President of National Nurses United , told USA TODAY that there needs to be systemic change on the federal level to give nurses the best chance to care for their patients.

A study published by the National Library of Medicine states that in 2021, nurses would work an average of "8.2 hours of paid overtime and 5.8 hours of unpaid overtime per week that year — making up the equivalent of more than 9000 full-time jobs."

According to a different study that analyzed a poll sent in from 29,472 registered nurses and 24,061 licensed practical nurses or licensed vocational nurses across 45 different states found that that 62% of nurses said they saw an increase in their work load during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to those polled they felt the following at least “a few times a week” or “every day:”

• 50.8% felt "emotionally drained"
• 56.4% felt "used up"
• 49.7% felt "fatigued"
• 45.1% felt "burned out "
• 29.4% felt "at the end of their rope"

Despite being labeled as heroes during COVID-19, Kennedy said nurses were not given the support they needed to do their jobs properly.

"Nurses were in tears because they could not provide the proper care," said Kennedy. "So a lot of nurses left nursing and other states because of that."

Difference between 2020 and now

According to Kennedy, nurses have always struggled to fight for better working conditions. But, when cases of COVID surged and the world shut down in 2020 , "it got worse."

She said nurses had to fight to make sure they had the proper equipment they needed to protect themselves, and adds that that hasn't changed four years later.

Hospitals and medical institutes are using the same techniques they did at the height of the pandemic to cut costs and it comes at the expense of nurses' safety, said Kennedy.

"It is still a constant battle to make sure that nurses are protected [and] have what they need as it relates to proper [personal protective equipment.]"

She adds that it's been an "ongoing battle" just to make sure the working conditions are safe for patients and nurses.

Safe working conditions

Safe working conditions for nurses doesn't just include having enough masks to protect oneself. It means having enough nurses and aides on staff to provide the care patients need without overworking an understaffed team.

"Every day that we walk through the doors of a hospital, we wanna be able to do the things that we've been trained to do and that's to take care of our patients," said Kennedy.

But, she adds that having to fight to be properly staffed, errors in patients' admission and racial discrimination play a factor in how well nurses can do their job.

Kennedy said that it's important to allow nurses to "do what we do best and that's taking care of patients, and we can't do that if we don't have safe working conditions."

According to National Nurses United , when nurses "are forced" to focus on too many patients, patients are at a higher risk of the following:

• Preventable medical errors
• Avoidable complications
• Pressure sores
• Longer hospital stays
• Higher numbers of hospital readmissions

Nurses push for change by backing proposed staffing standards act

To avoid complications related to overwork, exhaustion and burnout, the union supports the Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2023, S. 1113 and H.R. 2530.

Although the act was introduced a year ago in March 2023 it is still awaiting approval.

If passed, the act will require hospitals to enforce a nurse-to-patient ratio and limit the number of patients a nurse can be assigned.

Hospitals will also have to post notices of what the nurse-to-patient ratio is in each unit, record ratios in every shift and follow a procedure that determines how the ratio is determined for each unit. It will ban other staff from performing tasks that should be done by a nurse unless they are "specifically authorized within a state's scope of practice rules."

The act also states that a nurse can refuse assignments if "it would violate minimum ratios or if they are not prepared by education or experience to fulfill the assignment without compromising the safety of a patient or jeopardizing their nurse's license."

Kennedy said that a nurse-to-patient ratio will improve work conditions and bring nurses back to their jobs.

California already has a ratio in place and Kennedy said it improves working conditions.

When Kennedy worked as a nurse before the ratio was put in place, she saw anywhere from 12 to 24 patients a day. Now, she only sees five.

According to the union, the ratio law reduced costs for hospitals, improved nurse safety and job satisfaction and reduced the following:

• Spending on temporary RNs,
• Overtime costs
• Staff turnover

"California is not an island," said Kennedy. "And so federally, we need to push the ratio law because the patients are no different in California than they are in Mississippi or Montana."

McKinsey Global Private Markets Review 2024: Private markets in a slower era

At a glance, macroeconomic challenges continued.

McKinsey Global Private Markets Review 2024: Private markets: A slower era

If 2022 was a tale of two halves, with robust fundraising and deal activity in the first six months followed by a slowdown in the second half, then 2023 might be considered a tale of one whole. Macroeconomic headwinds persisted throughout the year, with rising financing costs, and an uncertain growth outlook taking a toll on private markets. Full-year fundraising continued to decline from 2021’s lofty peak, weighed down by the “denominator effect” that persisted in part due to a less active deal market. Managers largely held onto assets to avoid selling in a lower-multiple environment, fueling an activity-dampening cycle in which distribution-starved limited partners (LPs) reined in new commitments.

About the authors

This article is a summary of a larger report, available as a PDF, that is a collaborative effort by Fredrik Dahlqvist , Alastair Green , Paul Maia, Alexandra Nee , David Quigley , Aditya Sanghvi , Connor Mangan, John Spivey, Rahel Schneider, and Brian Vickery , representing views from McKinsey’s Private Equity & Principal Investors Practice.

Performance in most private asset classes remained below historical averages for a second consecutive year. Decade-long tailwinds from low and falling interest rates and consistently expanding multiples seem to be things of the past. As private market managers look to boost performance in this new era of investing, a deeper focus on revenue growth and margin expansion will be needed now more than ever.

Perspectives on a slower era in private markets

Global fundraising contracted.

Fundraising fell 22 percent across private market asset classes globally to just over $1 trillion, as of year-end reported data—the lowest total since 2017. Fundraising in North America, a rare bright spot in 2022, declined in line with global totals, while in Europe, fundraising proved most resilient, falling just 3 percent. In Asia, fundraising fell precipitously and now sits 72 percent below the region’s 2018 peak.

Despite difficult fundraising conditions, headwinds did not affect all strategies or managers equally. Private equity (PE) buyout strategies posted their best fundraising year ever, and larger managers and vehicles also fared well, continuing the prior year’s trend toward greater fundraising concentration.

The numerator effect persisted

Despite a marked recovery in the denominator—the 1,000 largest US retirement funds grew 7 percent in the year ending September 2023, after falling 14 percent the prior year, for example 1 “U.S. retirement plans recover half of 2022 losses amid no-show recession,” Pensions and Investments , February 12, 2024. —many LPs remain overexposed to private markets relative to their target allocations. LPs started 2023 overweight: according to analysis from CEM Benchmarking, average allocations across PE, infrastructure, and real estate were at or above target allocations as of the beginning of the year. And the numerator grew throughout the year, as a lack of exits and rebounding valuations drove net asset values (NAVs) higher. While not all LPs strictly follow asset allocation targets, our analysis in partnership with global private markets firm StepStone Group suggests that an overallocation of just one percentage point can reduce planned commitments by as much as 10 to 12 percent per year for five years or more.

Despite these headwinds, recent surveys indicate that LPs remain broadly committed to private markets. In fact, the majority plan to maintain or increase allocations over the medium to long term.

Investors fled to known names and larger funds

Fundraising concentration reached its highest level in over a decade, as investors continued to shift new commitments in favor of the largest fund managers. The 25 most successful fundraisers collected 41 percent of aggregate commitments to closed-end funds (with the top five managers accounting for nearly half that total). Closed-end fundraising totals may understate the extent of concentration in the industry overall, as the largest managers also tend to be more successful in raising non-institutional capital.

While the largest funds grew even larger—the largest vehicles on record were raised in buyout, real estate, infrastructure, and private debt in 2023—smaller and newer funds struggled. Fewer than 1,700 funds of less than $1 billion were closed during the year, half as many as closed in 2022 and the fewest of any year since 2012. New manager formation also fell to the lowest level since 2012, with just 651 new firms launched in 2023.

Whether recent fundraising concentration and a spate of M&A activity signals the beginning of oft-rumored consolidation in the private markets remains uncertain, as a similar pattern developed in each of the last two fundraising downturns before giving way to renewed entrepreneurialism among general partners (GPs) and commitment diversification among LPs. Compared with how things played out in the last two downturns, perhaps this movie really is different, or perhaps we’re watching a trilogy reusing a familiar plotline.

Dry powder inventory spiked (again)

Private markets assets under management totaled $13.1 trillion as of June 30, 2023, and have grown nearly 20 percent per annum since 2018. Dry powder reserves—the amount of capital committed but not yet deployed—increased to $3.7 trillion, marking the ninth consecutive year of growth. Dry powder inventory—the amount of capital available to GPs expressed as a multiple of annual deployment—increased for the second consecutive year in PE, as new commitments continued to outpace deal activity. Inventory sat at 1.6 years in 2023, up markedly from the 0.9 years recorded at the end of 2021 but still within the historical range. NAV grew as well, largely driven by the reluctance of managers to exit positions and crystallize returns in a depressed multiple environment.

Private equity strategies diverged

Buyout and venture capital, the two largest PE sub-asset classes, charted wildly different courses over the past 18 months. Buyout notched its highest fundraising year ever in 2023, and its performance improved, with funds posting a (still paltry) 5 percent net internal rate of return through September 30. And although buyout deal volumes declined by 19 percent, 2023 was still the third-most-active year on record. In contrast, venture capital (VC) fundraising declined by nearly 60 percent, equaling its lowest total since 2015, and deal volume fell by 36 percent to the lowest level since 2019. VC funds returned –3 percent through September, posting negative returns for seven consecutive quarters. VC was the fastest-growing—as well as the highest-performing—PE strategy by a significant margin from 2010 to 2022, but investors appear to be reevaluating their approach in the current environment.

Private equity entry multiples contracted

PE buyout entry multiples declined by roughly one turn from 11.9 to 11.0 times EBITDA, slightly outpacing the decline in public market multiples (down from 12.1 to 11.3 times EBITDA), through the first nine months of 2023. For nearly a decade leading up to 2022, managers consistently sold assets into a higher-multiple environment than that in which they had bought those assets, providing a substantial performance tailwind for the industry. Nowhere has this been truer than in technology. After experiencing more than eight turns of multiple expansion from 2009 to 2021 (the most of any sector), technology multiples have declined by nearly three turns in the past two years, 50 percent more than in any other sector. Overall, roughly two-thirds of the total return for buyout deals that were entered in 2010 or later and exited in 2021 or before can be attributed to market multiple expansion and leverage. Now, with falling multiples and higher financing costs, revenue growth and margin expansion are taking center stage for GPs.

Real estate receded

Demand uncertainty, slowing rent growth, and elevated financing costs drove cap rates higher and made price discovery challenging, all of which weighed on deal volume, fundraising, and investment performance. Global closed-end fundraising declined 34 percent year over year, and funds returned −4 percent in the first nine months of the year, losing money for the first time since the 2007–08 global financial crisis. Capital shifted away from core and core-plus strategies as investors sought liquidity via redemptions in open-end vehicles, from which net outflows reached their highest level in at least two decades. Opportunistic strategies benefited from this shift, with investors focusing on capital appreciation over income generation in a market where alternative sources of yield have grown more attractive. Rising interest rates widened bid–ask spreads and impaired deal volume across food groups, including in what were formerly hot sectors: multifamily and industrial.

Private debt pays dividends

Debt again proved to be the most resilient private asset class against a turbulent market backdrop. Fundraising declined just 13 percent, largely driven by lower commitments to direct lending strategies, for which a slower PE deal environment has made capital deployment challenging. The asset class also posted the highest returns among all private asset classes through September 30. Many private debt securities are tied to floating rates, which enhance returns in a rising-rate environment. Thus far, managers appear to have successfully navigated the rising incidence of default and distress exhibited across the broader leveraged-lending market. Although direct lending deal volume declined from 2022, private lenders financed an all-time high 59 percent of leveraged buyout transactions last year and are now expanding into additional strategies to drive the next era of growth.

Infrastructure took a detour

After several years of robust growth and strong performance, infrastructure and natural resources fundraising declined by 53 percent to the lowest total since 2013. Supply-side timing is partially to blame: five of the seven largest infrastructure managers closed a flagship vehicle in 2021 or 2022, and none of those five held a final close last year. As in real estate, investors shied away from core and core-plus investments in a higher-yield environment. Yet there are reasons to believe infrastructure’s growth will bounce back. Limited partners (LPs) surveyed by McKinsey remain bullish on their deployment to the asset class, and at least a dozen vehicles targeting more than $10 billion were actively fundraising as of the end of 2023. Multiple recent acquisitions of large infrastructure GPs by global multi-asset-class managers also indicate marketwide conviction in the asset class’s potential.

Private markets still have work to do on diversity

Private markets firms are slowly improving their representation of females (up two percentage points over the prior year) and ethnic and racial minorities (up one percentage point). On some diversity metrics, including entry-level representation of women, private markets now compare favorably with corporate America. Yet broad-based parity remains elusive and too slow in the making. Ethnic, racial, and gender imbalances are particularly stark across more influential investing roles and senior positions. In fact, McKinsey’s research  reveals that at the current pace, it would take several decades for private markets firms to reach gender parity at senior levels. Increasing representation across all levels will require managers to take fresh approaches to hiring, retention, and promotion.

Artificial intelligence generating excitement

The transformative potential of generative AI was perhaps 2023’s hottest topic (beyond Taylor Swift). Private markets players are excited about the potential for the technology to optimize their approach to thesis generation, deal sourcing, investment due diligence, and portfolio performance, among other areas. While the technology is still nascent and few GPs can boast scaled implementations, pilot programs are already in flight across the industry, particularly within portfolio companies. Adoption seems nearly certain to accelerate throughout 2024.

Private markets in a slower era

If private markets investors entered 2023 hoping for a return to the heady days of 2021, they likely left the year disappointed. Many of the headwinds that emerged in the latter half of 2022 persisted throughout the year, pressuring fundraising, dealmaking, and performance. Inflation moderated somewhat over the course of the year but remained stubbornly elevated by recent historical standards. Interest rates started high and rose higher, increasing the cost of financing. A reinvigorated public equity market recovered most of 2022’s losses but did little to resolve the valuation uncertainty private market investors have faced for the past 18 months.

Within private markets, the denominator effect remained in play, despite the public market recovery, as the numerator continued to expand. An activity-dampening cycle emerged: higher cost of capital and lower multiples limited the ability or willingness of general partners (GPs) to exit positions; fewer exits, coupled with continuing capital calls, pushed LP allocations higher, thereby limiting their ability or willingness to make new commitments. These conditions weighed on managers’ ability to fundraise. Based on data reported as of year-end 2023, private markets fundraising fell 22 percent from the prior year to just over $1 trillion, the largest such drop since 2009 (Exhibit 1).

The impact of the fundraising environment was not felt equally among GPs. Continuing a trend that emerged in 2022, and consistent with prior downturns in fundraising, LPs favored larger vehicles and the scaled GPs that typically manage them. Smaller and newer managers struggled, and the number of sub–$1 billion vehicles and new firm launches each declined to its lowest level in more than a decade.

Despite the decline in fundraising, private markets assets under management (AUM) continued to grow, increasing 12 percent to $13.1 trillion as of June 30, 2023. 2023 fundraising was still the sixth-highest annual haul on record, pushing dry powder higher, while the slowdown in deal making limited distributions.

Investment performance across private market asset classes fell short of historical averages. Private equity (PE) got back in the black but generated the lowest annual performance in the past 15 years, excluding 2022. Closed-end real estate produced negative returns for the first time since 2009, as capitalization (cap) rates expanded across sectors and rent growth dissipated in formerly hot sectors, including multifamily and industrial. The performance of infrastructure funds was less than half of its long-term average and even further below the double-digit returns generated in 2021 and 2022. Private debt was the standout performer (if there was one), outperforming all other private asset classes and illustrating the asset class’s countercyclical appeal.

Private equity down but not out

Higher financing costs, lower multiples, and an uncertain macroeconomic environment created a challenging backdrop for private equity managers in 2023. Fundraising declined for the second year in a row, falling 15 percent to $649 billion, as LPs grappled with the denominator effect and a slowdown in distributions. Managers were on the fundraising trail longer to raise this capital: funds that closed in 2023 were open for a record-high average of 20.1 months, notably longer than 18.7 months in 2022 and 14.1 months in 2018. VC and growth equity strategies led the decline, dropping to their lowest level of cumulative capital raised since 2015. Fundraising in Asia fell for the fourth year of the last five, with the greatest decline in China.

Despite the difficult fundraising context, a subset of strategies and managers prevailed. Buyout managers collectively had their best fundraising year on record, raising more than $400 billion. Fundraising in Europe surged by more than 50 percent, resulting in the region’s biggest haul ever. The largest managers raised an outsized share of the total for a second consecutive year, making 2023 the most concentrated fundraising year of the last decade (Exhibit 2).

Despite the drop in aggregate fundraising, PE assets under management increased 8 percent to $8.2 trillion. Only a small part of this growth was performance driven: PE funds produced a net IRR of just 2.5 percent through September 30, 2023. Buyouts and growth equity generated positive returns, while VC lost money. PE performance, dating back to the beginning of 2022, remains negative, highlighting the difficulty of generating attractive investment returns in a higher interest rate and lower multiple environment. As PE managers devise value creation strategies to improve performance, their focus includes ensuring operating efficiency and profitability of their portfolio companies.

Deal activity volume and count fell sharply, by 21 percent and 24 percent, respectively, which continued the slower pace set in the second half of 2022. Sponsors largely opted to hold assets longer rather than lock in underwhelming returns. While higher financing costs and valuation mismatches weighed on overall deal activity, certain types of M&A gained share. Add-on deals, for example, accounted for a record 46 percent of total buyout deal volume last year.

Real estate recedes

For real estate, 2023 was a year of transition, characterized by a litany of new and familiar challenges. Pandemic-driven demand issues continued, while elevated financing costs, expanding cap rates, and valuation uncertainty weighed on commercial real estate deal volumes, fundraising, and investment performance.

Managers faced one of the toughest fundraising environments in many years. Global closed-end fundraising declined 34 percent to $125 billion. While fundraising challenges were widespread, they were not ubiquitous across strategies. Dollars continued to shift to large, multi-asset class platforms, with the top five managers accounting for 37 percent of aggregate closed-end real estate fundraising. In April, the largest real estate fund ever raised closed on a record $30 billion.

Capital shifted away from core and core-plus strategies as investors sought liquidity through redemptions in open-end vehicles and reduced gross contributions to the lowest level since 2009. Opportunistic strategies benefited from this shift, as investors turned their attention toward capital appreciation over income generation in a market where alternative sources of yield have grown more attractive.

In the United States, for instance, open-end funds, as represented by the National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries Fund Index—Open-End Equity (NFI-OE), recorded $13 billion in net outflows in 2023, reversing the trend of positive net inflows throughout the 2010s. The negative flows mainly reflected $9 billion in core outflows, with core-plus funds accounting for the remaining outflows, which reversed a 20-year run of net inflows.

As a result, the NAV in US open-end funds fell roughly 16 percent year over year. Meanwhile, global assets under management in closed-end funds reached a new peak of $1.7 trillion as of June 2023, growing 14 percent between June 2022 and June 2023.

Real estate underperformed historical averages in 2023, as previously high-performing multifamily and industrial sectors joined office in producing negative returns caused by slowing demand growth and cap rate expansion. Closed-end funds generated a pooled net IRR of −3.5 percent in the first nine months of 2023, losing money for the first time since the global financial crisis. The lone bright spot among major sectors was hospitality, which—thanks to a rush of postpandemic travel—returned 10.3 percent in 2023. 2 Based on NCREIFs NPI index. Hotels represent 1 percent of total properties in the index. As a whole, the average pooled lifetime net IRRs for closed-end real estate funds from 2011–20 vintages remained around historical levels (9.8 percent).

Global deal volume declined 47 percent in 2023 to reach a ten-year low of $650 billion, driven by widening bid–ask spreads amid valuation uncertainty and higher costs of financing (Exhibit 3). 3 CBRE, Real Capital Analytics Deal flow in the office sector remained depressed, partly as a result of continued uncertainty in the demand for space in a hybrid working world.

During a turbulent year for private markets, private debt was a relative bright spot, topping private markets asset classes in terms of fundraising growth, AUM growth, and performance.

Fundraising for private debt declined just 13 percent year over year, nearly ten percentage points less than the private markets overall. Despite the decline in fundraising, AUM surged 27 percent to $1.7 trillion. And private debt posted the highest investment returns of any private asset class through the first three quarters of 2023.

Private debt’s risk/return characteristics are well suited to the current environment. With interest rates at their highest in more than a decade, current yields in the asset class have grown more attractive on both an absolute and relative basis, particularly if higher rates sustain and put downward pressure on equity returns (Exhibit 4). The built-in security derived from debt’s privileged position in the capital structure, moreover, appeals to investors that are wary of market volatility and valuation uncertainty.

Direct lending continued to be the largest strategy in 2023, with fundraising for the mostly-senior-debt strategy accounting for almost half of the asset class’s total haul (despite declining from the previous year). Separately, mezzanine debt fundraising hit a new high, thanks to the closings of three of the largest funds ever raised in the strategy.

Over the longer term, growth in private debt has largely been driven by institutional investors rotating out of traditional fixed income in favor of private alternatives. Despite this growth in commitments, LPs remain underweight in this asset class relative to their targets. In fact, the allocation gap has only grown wider in recent years, a sharp contrast to other private asset classes, for which LPs’ current allocations exceed their targets on average. According to data from CEM Benchmarking, the private debt allocation gap now stands at 1.4 percent, which means that, in aggregate, investors must commit hundreds of billions in net new capital to the asset class just to reach current targets.

Private debt was not completely immune to the macroeconomic conditions last year, however. Fundraising declined for the second consecutive year and now sits 23 percent below 2021’s peak. Furthermore, though private lenders took share in 2023 from other capital sources, overall deal volumes also declined for the second year in a row. The drop was largely driven by a less active PE deal environment: private debt is predominantly used to finance PE-backed companies, though managers are increasingly diversifying their origination capabilities to include a broad new range of companies and asset types.

Infrastructure and natural resources take a detour

For infrastructure and natural resources fundraising, 2023 was an exceptionally challenging year. Aggregate capital raised declined 53 percent year over year to $82 billion, the lowest annual total since 2013. The size of the drop is particularly surprising in light of infrastructure’s recent momentum. The asset class had set fundraising records in four of the previous five years, and infrastructure is often considered an attractive investment in uncertain markets.

While there is little doubt that the broader fundraising headwinds discussed elsewhere in this report affected infrastructure and natural resources fundraising last year, dynamics specific to the asset class were at play as well. One issue was supply-side timing: nine of the ten largest infrastructure GPs did not close a flagship fund in 2023. Second was the migration of investor dollars away from core and core-plus investments, which have historically accounted for the bulk of infrastructure fundraising, in a higher rate environment.

The asset class had some notable bright spots last year. Fundraising for higher-returning opportunistic strategies more than doubled the prior year’s total (Exhibit 5). AUM grew 18 percent, reaching a new high of $1.5 trillion. Infrastructure funds returned a net IRR of 3.4 percent in 2023; this was below historical averages but still the second-best return among private asset classes. And as was the case in other asset classes, investors concentrated commitments in larger funds and managers in 2023, including in the largest infrastructure fund ever raised.

The outlook for the asset class, moreover, remains positive. Funds targeting a record amount of capital were in the market at year-end, providing a robust foundation for fundraising in 2024 and 2025. A recent spate of infrastructure GP acquisitions signal multi-asset managers’ long-term conviction in the asset class, despite short-term headwinds. Global megatrends like decarbonization and digitization, as well as revolutions in energy and mobility, have spurred new infrastructure investment opportunities around the world, particularly for value-oriented investors that are willing to take on more risk.

Private markets make measured progress in DEI

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has become an important part of the fundraising, talent, and investing landscape for private market participants. Encouragingly, incremental progress has been made in recent years, including more diverse talent being brought to entry-level positions, investing roles, and investment committees. The scope of DEI metrics provided to institutional investors during fundraising has also increased in recent years: more than half of PE firms now provide data across investing teams, portfolio company boards, and portfolio company management (versus investment team data only). 4 “ The state of diversity in global private markets: 2023 ,” McKinsey, August 22, 2023.

In 2023, McKinsey surveyed 66 global private markets firms that collectively employ more than 60,000 people for the second annual State of diversity in global private markets report. 5 “ The state of diversity in global private markets: 2023 ,” McKinsey, August 22, 2023. The research offers insight into the representation of women and ethnic and racial minorities in private investing as of year-end 2022. In this chapter, we discuss where the numbers stand and how firms can bring a more diverse set of perspectives to the table.

The statistics indicate signs of modest advancement. Overall representation of women in private markets increased two percentage points to 35 percent, and ethnic and racial minorities increased one percentage point to 30 percent (Exhibit 6). Entry-level positions have nearly reached gender parity, with female representation at 48 percent. The share of women holding C-suite roles globally increased 3 percentage points, while the share of people from ethnic and racial minorities in investment committees increased 9 percentage points. There is growing evidence that external hiring is gradually helping close the diversity gap, especially at senior levels. For example, 33 percent of external hires at the managing director level were ethnic or racial minorities, higher than their existing representation level (19 percent).

Yet, the scope of the challenge remains substantial. Women and minorities continue to be underrepresented in senior positions and investing roles. They also experience uneven rates of progress due to lower promotion and higher attrition rates, particularly at smaller firms. Firms are also navigating an increasingly polarized workplace today, with additional scrutiny and a growing number of lawsuits against corporate diversity and inclusion programs, particularly in the US, which threatens to impact the industry’s pace of progress.

Fredrik Dahlqvist is a senior partner in McKinsey’s Stockholm office; Alastair Green  is a senior partner in the Washington, DC, office, where Paul Maia and Alexandra Nee  are partners; David Quigley  is a senior partner in the New York office, where Connor Mangan is an associate partner and Aditya Sanghvi  is a senior partner; Rahel Schneider is an associate partner in the Bay Area office; John Spivey is a partner in the Charlotte office; and Brian Vickery  is a partner in the Boston office.

The authors wish to thank Jonathan Christy, Louis Dufau, Vaibhav Gujral, Graham Healy-Day, Laura Johnson, Ryan Luby, Tripp Norton, Alastair Rami, Henri Torbey, and Alex Wolkomir for their contributions

The authors would also like to thank CEM Benchmarking and the StepStone Group for their partnership in this year's report.

This article was edited by Arshiya Khullar, an editor in the Gurugram office.

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