undergraduate nursing research topics

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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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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Memorable human trafficking essay: topics & outline [2024], credible sources 101: how to evaluate them + 60 reliable websites for students, 265 powerful research proposal topics to consider [+ writing tips].

251+ Nursing Research Topics To Explore In 2024

Nursing research is an essential aspect of healthcare education, and it involves exploring various topics to improve patient care and outcomes. However, choosing the right nursing research topic can be challenging, especially for students who are new to the field. To help nursing students and professionals, we have compiled a list of 26 categories and 260 research ideas related to nursing research topics.

These categories include a large number of nursing research topics, including nursing ethics, paediatric nursing, mental health nursing, nursing education, nursing informatics, community health nursing, evidence-based nursing, nursing leadership, nursing management, nursing theory, holistic nursing, palliative care nursing, critical care nursing, maternal-child nursing, public health nursing, and more. By exploring these categories and research ideas, nursing students and professionals can gain valuable insights and inspiration for their research projects.

7 Tips For Nursing Students To Stay Fit And Healthy

Table of Contents

Before jumping on to the nursing research topics let us have a look at some of the tips for nursing students to stay fit and healthy:

• Stay Active: Take breaks during study sessions to stretch or walk. Find activities you enjoy, like dancing or cycling.
• Balanced Diet: Treat your body with a balanced diet and have good and healthy food. Include fruits, vegetables, proteins, and whole grains.
• Stay Hydrated: To stay fit, your water intake should be good to keep your body hydrated and drink water regularly.
• Tackle Stress: Practise relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation. Take breaks to recharge.
• Sleeping Schedule: Take regular sleep of around 7 to 9 hours. Quality sleep boosts energy and supports learning.
• Socialise: Connect with friends, join study groups, or engage in hobbies. Social support is key for mental health.
• Self-Care Routine: Take time for yourself. Whether it’s a warm bath, reading, or listening to music, prioritise self-care to recharge.

251+ Nursing Research Topics

Here we have made different categories and listed top 10 research topics for all of them. Let us start.

Nursing Research Topics On Patient Care Management

• Impact of Telehealth Services on Patient Care Outcomes
• Comparative Analysis of Nurse-Patient Ratios on Care Quality
• Role of Interdisciplinary Teams in Enhancing Patient Care
• Effectiveness of Patient Education Programs on Self-Management
• Integration of Technology in Patient Care: Efficacy and Challenges
• Assessing the Influence of Cultural Competency Training on Care Delivery
• Patient-Centred Care Models: Evaluation and Implementation
• Evaluating the Long-Term Effects of Care Continuity on Patient Health
• Utilisation of Evidence-Based Practice in Patient Care Decision-Making
• Patient Satisfaction and its Correlation with Care Management Practices

Nursing Education Techniques

• Efficacy of Simulation-Based Learning in Nursing Education
• Integrating Virtual Reality in Nursing Curriculum
• Impact of Peer-to-Peer Teaching Methods in Nursing Programs
• Assessing the Effectiveness of Online Education for Nursing Students
• Use of Gamification in Enhancing Nursing Education
• Comparative Analysis of Clinical vs. Classroom Learning in Nursing
• Cultural Competence Training in Nursing Education: Outcomes and Implementation
• Evaluation of Mentorship Programs for Nursing Students
• Incorporating Interprofessional Education in Nursing Curricula
• Adaptive Learning Techniques for Diverse Nursing Learners

Pain Management In Nursing

• Efficacy of Non-Pharmacological Interventions in Pain Management
• Comparative Analysis of Different Pharmacological Approaches for Pain Relief
• Impact of Holistic Care Practices on Pain Management Outcomes
• Nurse-Led Pain Management Interventions: Effectiveness and Patient Satisfaction
• Addressing Barriers to Effective Pain Assessment in Clinical Settings
• Integrating Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Pain Management Protocols
• Exploring the Role of Nursing Staff Training in Improved Pain Control
• Pain Management Strategies for Special Populations (Pediatrics, Geriatrics, etc.)
• The Influence of Patient Education on Pain Perception and Coping Mechanisms
• Pain Management in Palliative Care: Challenges and Best Practices

Quality Improvement In Healthcare

• Implementation of Lean Management Principles in Healthcare Settings
• Analysing the Impact of Electronic Health Records (EHR) on Quality Improvement
• Patient Safety Initiatives and their Effectiveness in Healthcare Quality
• Role of Interdisciplinary Teams in Enhancing Healthcare Quality
• Planning for Reducing Medical Errors and Adverse Events
• Continuous Quality Improvement Models in Healthcare Institutions
• Evaluating the Effectiveness of Benchmarking in Healthcare Quality
• Impact of Patient-Centred Care Models on Healthcare Quality
• Addressing Disparities in Healthcare Quality: Strategies and Interventions
• The Influence of Quality Improvement Initiatives on Cost-Efficiency in Healthcare

Mental Health Nursing Interventions

• Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Interventions in Mental Health Nursing
• Evaluating the Impact of Psychoeducation in Mental Health Nursing Practices
• Role of Therapeutic Communication in Psychiatric Nursing Care
• Integrating Art Therapy in Mental Health Nursing Interventions
• Comparative Analysis of Pharmacological vs. Non-Pharmacological Interventions
• Analysing the Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in Mental Health Nursing
• Trauma-Informed Care in Mental Health Nursing: Implementation and Outcomes
• Evaluation of Family-Based Interventions in Psychiatric Nursing
• Integrating Technology-Assisted Interventions in Mental Health Nursing Care
• Addressing Stigma Reduction Interventions in Mental Health Nursing

Pediatric Nursing Practices

• Pain Management Strategies in Pediatric Nursing Care
• Impact of Family-Centred Care in Pediatric Nursing
• Effectiveness of Play Therapy in Pediatric Nursing Interventions
• Pediatric Immunization Practices: Efficacy and Adherence
• Psychosocial Support for Children with Chronic Illnesses
• Nurse-Led Education Programs for Pediatric Health Promotion
• Comparative Analysis of Pediatric Care in Different Healthcare Settings
• Integrating Technology in Pediatric Nursing: Benefits and Challenges
• Mental Health Screening and Support in Pediatric Nursing
• Palliative Care in Pediatrics: Enhancing Quality of Life

Geriatric Nursing Studies

• Fall Prevention Strategies in Geriatric Nursing Care
• Comparative Analysis of Pharmacological vs. Non-Pharmacological Approaches in Geriatric Care
• Assessing the Effectiveness of Dementia Care Models in Geriatric Nursing
• Role of Nutrition and Diet in Geriatric Health and Nursing Interventions
• Polypharmacy and Medication Management in Geriatric Nursing
• Geriatric Mental Health Interventions: Efficacy and Challenges
• Geriatric Palliative Care and End-of-Life Nursing Practices
• Evaluating Gerontechnology Integration in Geriatric Nursing Care
• Handling Social Isolation and Loneliness in Geriatric Nursing
• Nurse-Led Health Promotion Programs for Elderly Populations

Holistic Nursing Approaches

• Integrative Medicine and Holistic Nursing Practices
• Impact of Mind-Body Interventions in Holistic Nursing Care
• Comparative Analysis of Holistics vs. Traditional Nursing Interventions
• Spirituality and its Role in Holistic Nursing Care
• Wellness Promotion through Holistic Nursing Models
• Exploring the Efficacy of Alternative Therapies in Holistic Nursing
• Holistic Pain Management Strategies in Nursing Care
• Environmental and Occupational Health in Holistic Nursing Practices
• Holistic Health Assessments in Nursing Practice
• Cultural Competence and Diversity in Holistic Nursing Care

Nursing Ethics And Professionalism

• Ethical Dilemmas in End-of-Life Care: Nursing Perspectives
• Professional Boundaries in Nurse-Patient Relationships
• Ethical Implications of Artificial Intelligence in Nursing Practice
• Cultural Competence and Ethical Decision-Making in Nursing
• Professionalism and Social Media Use among Nurses
• Ethical Issues in Resource Allocation and Healthcare Equity
• Patient Advocacy and Ethical Nursing Practices
• Ethical Considerations in Nursing Research and Publication
• Legal and Ethical Challenges in Nursing Informatics
• Integrity and Ethical Decision-Making in Nursing Leadership

Nursing Research Topics On Nursing Informatics

• Impact of Electronic Health Records (EHR) on Nursing Workflow
• Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Nursing Informatics
• Usability and User Experience of Nursing Informatics Systems
• Data Security and Privacy in Nursing Informatics
• Telehealth and Remote Patient Monitoring in Nursing Informatics
• Standardisation and Interoperability in Nursing Informatics
• Big Data Analytics in Nursing for Improved Patient Outcomes
• Nursing Informatics and Clinical Decision Support Systems
• Mobile Health (mHealth) Applications in Nursing Practice
• Evaluating the Role of Informatics in Evidence-Based Nursing Practice

Community Health Nursing

• Effectiveness of Health Promotion Programs in Underserved Communities
• Effect of Community Health Nurses in Disease Prevention and Control
• Addressing Health Disparities in Urban vs. Rural Communities
• Effect of Community-Based Interventions on Public Health Outcomes
• Mental Health Support in Community Health Nursing
• Evaluating the Efficacy of School-Based Health Programs
• Community Health Nursing in Disaster Response and Preparedness
• Community Health Assessment and Planning Strategies
• Collaborative Partnerships in Community Health Nursing
• Assessing the Role of Technology in Enhancing Community Health Services

Palliative Care Research

• Level of Life Assessment in Palliative Care Settings
• Family Caregiver Support in Palliative Care
• Implementation of Palliative Care in Chronic Disease Management
• Spiritual and Existential Concerns in Palliative Care                
• Palliative Care in Non-Oncological Conditions
• Palliative Care and End-of-Life Decision-Making
• Advance Care Planning and Preferences in Palliative Care
• Palliative Care for Paediatric Populations
• Healthcare Provider Training in Palliative Care Practices
• Cultural Competence in Palliative Care Settings

Nursing Leadership And Management

• Transformational Leadership in Nursing
• Diversity and Inclusion in Nursing Leadership
• Effective Strategies for Nurse Retention and Satisfaction
• Nurse Manager’s Role in Staff Well-being and Burnout Prevention
• Change Management in Nursing Practice
• Leadership Styles and its Effect on Patient Outcomes
• Collaborative Leadership in Interprofessional Healthcare Teams
• Mentorship and Succession Planning in Nursing Leadership
• Ethical Leadership in Nursing Management
• Financial Management in Nursing Practice

Nursing And Technology Integration

• Adoption and Implementation of Wearable Health Devices in Nursing
• Impact of Telemedicine on Nursing Practice and Patient Care
• Cybersecurity Challenges in Nursing Technology Integration
• Role of Artificial Intelligence in Nursing Decision Support Systems
• Robotics and Automation in Nursing Care
• Nursing Workflow Efficiency through Electronic Health Records (EHR)
• Assessing the effect of Virtual Reality in Nursing Education and Practice
• Patient Engagement and Empowerment through Health Apps
• Augmented Reality Applications in Nursing Training
• Blockchain Technology in Healthcare and Nursing Documentation

Evidence-Based Practice In Nursing

• Implementation Strategies for Evidence-Based Practice in Clinical Settings
• Assessing Barriers to the Adoption of Evidence-Based Nursing Interventions
• Long-Term Outcomes of Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing
• Impact of Evidence-Based Protocols on Patient Safety
• Evaluating the Role of Nursing Research in Shaping Evidence-Based Practice
• Patient Outcomes and Adherence to Evidence-Based Guidelines
• Incorporating Patient Preferences in Evidence-Based Nursing Care
• Sustainability of Evidence-Based Practice Initiatives in Nursing
• Nurse Education and Training in Evidence-Based Practice
• Comparative Effectiveness of Evidence-Based vs. Traditional Nursing Interventions

Cultural Competence In Nursing

• Cultural Competence Training Impact on Nursing Care
• Assessing Communication Challenges in Cross-Cultural Nursing
• Culturally Sensitive Care in End-of-Life Nursing Practices
• Effectiveness of Cultural Competence Assessments for Nursing Staff
• Cultural Competence and Health Disparities in Nursing Care
• Integrating Cultural Competence into Nursing Curriculum
• Cultural Competence in Mental Health Nursing Interventions
• Role of Cultural Competence in Patient Satisfaction and Outcomes
• Cultural Competence and Decision-Making in Nursing Practice
• Addressing Ethical Dilemmas in Culturally Diverse Nursing Settings

Women’s Health Nursing

• Maternal Health and Pregnancy Outcomes
• Addressing Disparities in Women’s Access to Healthcare
• Menopause Management and Quality of Life
• Breast Health and Screening Practices
• Women’s Mental Health and Nursing Interventions
• Reproductive Health and Family Planning Services
• Gender-Based Violence and Nursing Support
• Chronic Disease Management in Women’s Health
• Cultural Influences on Women’s Health Decision-Making
• Innovations in Women’s Health Nursing Care

Nursing Research Topics On Nursing Workforce Issues

• Nursing Shortages: Causes and Solutions
• Consequences of Nurse Staffing Levels on Patient Outcomes
• Nurse Burnout and Mental Health in the Workforce
• Diversity and Inclusion in the Nursing Profession
• Job Satisfaction and Retention Strategies for Nurses
• Transitioning to Remote Work in Nursing
• Effect of Shift Length and Schedule on Nursing Performance
• Generational Differences in the Nursing Workforce
• Global Mobility and Migration of Nurses
• Impact of Technology on the Future Nursing Workforce

Nursing And Chronic Disease Management

• Nurse-Led Chronic Disease Management Programs
• Impact of Education Programs on Chronic Disease Self-Management
• Integrative Medicine in Chronic Disease Nursing Care
• Nurse Practitioner Role in Chronic Disease Management
• Home-Based Chronic Disease Care by Nursing Teams
• Palliative Care Integration in Chronic Disease Management
• Telemedicine and Remote Monitoring in Chronic Disease Nursing
• Cultural Competence in Chronic Disease Nursing Care
• Addressing Health Disparities in Chronic Disease Management
• Long-Term Outcomes of Nursing Interventions in Chronic Disease

Critical Care Nursing Research

• Early Mobilisation in Critical Care Patients
• Nurse Staffing Ratios and Patient Outcomes in Critical Care Units
• Sedation Practices and Patient Outcomes in Intensive Care
• Family-Centred Care in Critical Care Settings
• Infection Control Measures in Critical Care Nursing
• Impact of Nurse Education on Critical Care Patient Outcomes
• Ethical Dilemmas in Critical Care Nursing Practice
• End-of-Life Care in Critical Care Settings
• Technology Integration in Critical Care Nursing
• Burnout and Resilience among Critical Care Nurses

Healthcare Policy And Nursing

• Impact of Health Policy Changes on Nursing Practice
• Advocacy Role of Nurses in Health Policy Development
• Nursing Workforce Policies and Healthcare Delivery
• Access to Healthcare Services and Nursing Advocacy
• Health Equity Policies and Nursing Interventions
• Regulatory Policies and Nursing Practice Standards
• Nursing Leadership Influence on Health Policy
• Global Health Policy and Nursing Contributions
• Telehealth Policy Implementation in Nursing Practice
• Healthcare Financing Policies and Nursing Implications

Nursing In Disaster Management

• Communication Strategies in Disaster Nursing
• Psychological First Aid in Disaster Situations
• Triage Protocols during Natural Disasters
• Role of Nurses in Mass Casualty Incidents
• Resilience and Coping Mechanisms in Disaster Nursing
• Community Preparedness and Nursing Response
• Mobile Health Units in Disaster Relief
• Ethics and Decision Making in Crisis Nursing
• Nursing Leadership in Disaster Response
• Training and Education for Nurses in Disaster Management

Health Promotion And Diseases Prevention

• Effectiveness of Community-Based Health Promotion Programs
• Role of Technology in Disease Prevention Initiatives
• Impact of Lifestyle Modifications on Disease Prevention
• Cultural Adaptation in Health Promotion Strategies
• Workplace Wellness Programs and Disease Prevention
• Public Policy and Disease Prevention Interventions
• Health Literacy and Disease Prevention Outcomes
• Integrative Medicine in Health Promotion
• Behavioral Economics and Health Behavior Change
• Environmental Factors in Disease Prevention

Nursing Research Topics On Ethical Issues In Nursing

• End-of-Life Decision Making and Nursing Ethics
• Informed Consent in Nursing Practice
• Ethical Challenges in Nurse-Patient Relationships
• Confidentiality and Privacy in Nursing Care
• Cultural Competence and Ethical Care Delivery
• Allocation of Scarce Resources in Nursing
• Ethical Implications of Advanced Technology in Nursing
• Moral Distress Among Nurses
• Ethical Dilemmas in Mental Health Nursing
• Professional Boundaries and Ethical Practice in Nursing

Infectious Disease Control

• Effectiveness of Vaccination Campaigns in Disease Control
• Antibiotic Resistance and Infection Control
• Nosocomial Infections and Hospital Protocols
• Contact Tracing Strategies in Controlling Outbreaks
• Behavioral Interventions for Infectious Disease Prevention
• Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plans
• Role of Public Health Policies in Disease Control
• Environmental Factors in Infectious Disease Transmission
• Community Engagement in Disease Control Efforts
• Surveillance Systems for Infectious Disease Monitoring

Wound Care And Healing

• Advanced Wound Dressings and Healing Outcomes
• Biofilm Management in Chronic Wounds
• Role of Nutrition in Wound Healing
• Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Treatment Strategies
• Regenerative Medicine in Wound Care
• Innovations in Wound Closure Techniques
• Pain Management in Wound Care
• Psychological Impact of Chronic Wounds on Patients
• Factors Influencing Scar Formation and Management
• Telemedicine Applications in Wound Assessment

As we wrap up this exploration of nursing research topics, remember, the world of nursing is vast, diverse, and always evolving. These 26 categories we’ve covered offer an introduction into the huge possibilities for research within this field. With 260 research ideas to spark your curiosity, there’s something here for every aspiring nurse researcher.

But this is just the beginning. The beauty of nursing research lies in its ability to make a real impact, from improving patient care to shaping healthcare policies. Your journey doesn’t end here; it’s the first step towards contributing to a healthier, more informed world.

So, take these categories and ideas as inspiration. Dive deeper, ask questions, and let your passion for nursing guide your research works. Each idea is a curiosity waiting to bloom into a significant contribution to the nursing profession. Increase your curiosity, enjoy the challenges, and most importantly, feel the journey of discovery in nursing research. The future of healthcare eagerly awaits your perception and innovations!

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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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14 Research Topics for Nursing Students

What are you struggling with in nursing school?

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As a nursing student, you will be expected to conduct research as part of your coursework. Choosing a research topic can be challenging, but it's essential to find a topic that is both interesting and relevant to your field. In this post, we'll explore some good research topics for nursing students and provide links to resources where you can learn more.

The effects of shift work on nurses' health and well-being Shift work is a common practice in nursing, but it can have negative effects on nurses' health and well-being. This research topic could explore the impact of shift work on sleep patterns, stress levels, and overall health.

Improving patient outcomes through evidence-based practice Nurses play a crucial role in delivering evidence-based care. This research topic could explore the use of evidence-based practice to improve patient outcomes in a particular area, such as wound care or medication management.

Examining the role of the nurse in end-of-life care End-of-life care is an important aspect of nursing practice. This research topic could explore the nurse's role in providing end-of-life care, including ethical considerations and communication with patients and families.

Reducing healthcare-associated infections in hospitals Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a significant problem in hospitals. This research topic could explore strategies for reducing HAIs, such as hand hygiene and infection control measures.

Exploring the impact of cultural diversity on healthcare outcomes Cultural diversity is an essential aspect of nursing practice. This research topic could explore the impact of cultural diversity on healthcare outcomes, including patient satisfaction, adherence to treatment, and health disparities.

Investigating the use of technology in nursing practice Technology is increasingly being used in nursing practice. This research topic could explore the use of technology in areas such as telehealth, electronic health records, and medication administration.

Addressing healthcare disparities among underserved populations Healthcare disparities are a significant problem in the United States. This research topic could explore the factors contributing to healthcare disparities among underserved populations and strategies for addressing these disparities.

Improving pain management in hospitalized patients Pain management is an essential aspect of nursing practice. This research topic could explore strategies for improving pain management in hospitalized patients, including the use of non-pharmacological interventions.

Examining the effectiveness of nursing interventions in preventing falls in hospitalized patients Falls are a significant problem in hospitals, particularly among older adults. This research topic could explore the effectiveness of nursing interventions in preventing falls in hospitalized patients.

Investigating the use of complementary and alternative therapies in nursing practice Complementary and alternative therapies are becoming increasingly popular among patients. This research topic could explore the use of these therapies in nursing practice, including their efficacy and safety.

The impact of social determinants of health on healthcare outcomes Social determinants of health, such as income and education level, can have a significant impact on healthcare outcomes. This research topic could explore the relationship between social determinants of health and healthcare outcomes.

Investigating the relationship between nurse staffing and patient outcomes Nurse staffing levels can have a significant impact on patient outcomes. This research topic could explore the relationship between nurse staffing levels and patient outcomes, including mortality rates and length of stay.

Examining the use of simulation in nursing education Simulation is becoming an increasingly popular teaching tool in nursing education. This research topic could explore the use of simulation in nursing education, including its effectiveness and best practices.

Improving nursing leadership and management in healthcare organizations Nursing leadership and management are essential components of healthcare organizations. This research topic could explore strategies for improving nursing leadership and

Setting Yourself Up for Success: What Are SMART Goals for Nursing Students?

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110 Impressive Nursing Research Topics To Use

As with all sciences, nursing is a technical subject to handle. It is not one of those subjects that you can wake up in the middle of a dream and start writing. A nursing assignment calls for an apt mind that can think both logically and coherently.

The Mount Everest of any assignment is settling on the topic. Students will endure sleepless nights, and especially in nursing, to come up with a viable case. For you to attain your nursing degree, the healthcare topic you choose should:

Appeal to the reader’s interest in mind Deal with a problem where you have the scope to research Bring something new or offer a solution

How To Develop Researchable Topics in Nursing

Whether you are an undergraduate, graduate, or doctorate level scholar, the topic you choose for your paper should be up to the mark. There is no place for playing around with every ‘Tom, Dick, and Harry’ title.

You can generate ideas for your nursing research paper using the following tips and tricks:

• Brainstorming them with pen and paper
• Consulting your friends and professor
• Looking at other nursing topics
• Reading on a specific nursing niche
• Visiting a healthcare facility

With the ideas above, you can develop fascinating nursing research topics that will guarantee you a score. However, avoid the temptation of plagiarizing already existing nursing topics. Doing this will cost you – not only your grades but your reputation as well.

You can also use the following questions to develop your nursing topic(s):

• What is that one area that people have overlooked in nursing?
• Is there any heated nursing debate you can address?
• Does your topic bring out a fresh perspective?
• Is there a nursing problem under research? How can you contribute to it?

These and more will jog your mind to articulate potential nursing topics. Nevertheless, your assignment may be due soon, and you need writing help on your case. We have a full pack for you. Scroll down to view 110 expert-recommended nursing topics.

Interesting Nursing Research Topics For College Students

• Why does the number of nurses in a work station affect productivity?
• Is working for long shifts suitable for nurses and patients?
• Should nurses receive motivational packages now and then?
• Is it right for nurses to go on strike?
• What is the difference between nurses and doctors?
• Why does it seem odd for men to enroll as nurses?
• Is the salary of nurses proportional to the work they do?
• Should nurses advance their level of education?
• Why are medical training colleges receiving low entries?
• What are the work ethics that determine the conduct of nurses at work?

Researchable Topics in Nursing

• What are the dangers of nurses administering prescriptions?
• Can a doctor operate effectively without a nurse?
• What is the future of nursing in the digital age?
• What is the difference in care between private and public nursing homes?
• How did nurses come in handy in the care of coronavirus patients?
• Do nurses work more than doctors?
• Is online training recommended for professional nurses?
• Why do hospitals have more nurses than doctors?
• Why should nurses have an ever-smiling face?
• The importance of psychological conditioning for nurses

Nursing Research Paper Topics on Ethics

• How nurses defend the dignity of those in their care
• What personal traits should nurses portray?
• How should nurses respond to the vulnerability of patients?
• Do nurses find it difficult to handle mentally ill patients?
• Can nurses develop intimate relationships with patients?
• What are the moral dilemmas in nursing?
• What happens when a patient attacks a nurse?
• Is it ethical for male nurses to handle female patients?
• Why are nurses quitting based on ethical problems?
• Should nurses discuss their patients’ issues with their families?

Nursing Research Questions on Critical Care

• How to communicate with patients in critical care
• Do critical care nurses experience mental breakdowns?
• How can nurses handle patients in Acoma effectively?
• Which means do nurses use to gather data from critically ill patients?
• How do nurses deal with deaths in the critical care unit?
• Does critical care nursing impact the psychological behavior of these nurses?
• How long should a nurse work in an acute care unit?
• How can nurses interact with patients in ICU?
• How long should blood be stored after donation?
• What is the best care for a patient who has just had a heart transplant?

Quantitative Nursing Research Topics

• How can we relate nursing care with the patient’s recovery rate?
• Discuss the significance of donning protective gear (PPEs)
• What is the link between cost and quality of nursing care?
• Factors responsible for irritable patient behavior.
• Differentiate care, treatment, and healing.
• Role of technology towards an improved healthcare system.
• The significance of family support inpatient recovery.
• The relationship between immunizations and vaccines.
• The effect of coronavirus on nursing care practices and protocols
• Discuss how the ventilator functions

Hot Topics in Nursing

• What is the effectiveness of e-care in the digital age?
• How to deal with women and men sexual disorders
• What is the best approach when handling a bisexual patient?
• Latest measures in handling coronavirus patients
• Is healthcare receiving the support it needs from the government?
• Why should all medicine be tax-free?
• What should happen to doctors practicing illegal abortion?
• Does a medical practitioner possess the right to end life?
• Why are syringe injections more effective than tablets?
• What is the difference between midwifery in urban and rural areas?

Good Nursing Research Topics

• What are some of the shortcomings of home-based healthcare?
• Why should people practice healthy nutrition and hydration?
• What are the standard operating procedures in case of an accident?
• Ways of treating headaches without visiting a doctor
• Is it recommended to take prescriptions from chemists and shops?
• Should we treat mild illness seriously?
• Why is the world racing against time to find a coronavirus vaccine?
• Can an ambulance be a hospital?
• Should Ph.D. holders still serve as nurses?
• How to remain healthy without visiting a hospital

Popular Nursing Research Paper Topic Ideas

• Discuss why Nurses Unions are essential in fighting for their rights
• The role of teamwork in the nursing profession
• How to reduce the chances of heart attacks in obese patients
• Steps to take when a patient refuses to eat
• Why are there increasing cases of depression among youths?
• Can nurses serve as an alternative for a psychologist?
• Consequences of self-medication without a doctor’s prescription
• Ways of dealing with infectious diseases without being infected
• What is the place of robots in nursing care?
• How to deal with alcohol addiction and get rid of it

Nursing Research Topic Ideas on Standard Treatments

• Ways in which post-surgery care can accelerate recovery
• Why ICU patients need the support of their family more than anything else
• What are the treatment options for coronavirus?
• What happens when a doctor makes a wrong diagnosis?
• Why is the oxygen necessary during surgery?
• How to care for amputated body organs
• How long should patients stay in the hospital after surgery?
• Quick treatment for a patient who has gone in shock
• Critical care skills that each nurse should posses
• How to prevent re-infection of contagious diseases in a hospital

Nursing Topics on the Career

• Which are the best nursing schools?
• Between colleges and universities, which one offers top nursing education?
• Should you advance your nursing certificate or degree?
• What are the potential nursing areas you can venture to in school?
• What are the challenges that nurses face in their career?
• Is nursing a well-paying job?
• Considerations you have to take before pursuing a nursing course
• Will you have time for your family if you are a nurse?
• Discuss privileges associated with a nursing career
• How long does a nursing career take?

Holistic Research Topics For Nursing Students

• How nurses deal with stress at work
• How to manage an open wound during surgery
• Are nursing interns overworked?
• A study about caring for cancer patients at home
• An in-depth analysis of what causes obesity
• How long should nurses take a break from their patients?
• The dangers of seeking herbal medical care
• Top control measures for HIV/AIDS
• How to care for homeless patients
• Do patients in prison receive adequate medical care?

We have more examples of tip-top nursing topics that can be made available at your request. Our writers are qualified in their respective nursing fields – childcare, surgery, adult care, mental health, and many more.

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200 Nursing Research Topics to Ignite Your Scholarly Journey

If your major is nursing, you know it’s a tough and strenuous route. Certainly, you would probably be thrilled to finish your studies and land a job in a great hospital or clinic. But first you have to get through a few challenges like keeping up with the practical assignments and writing projects like nursing research papers. 

Nursing research papers are particularly hard to get right. From the research and writing to the structure, formatting, and citations. To top it off, it’s often a challenge to pick the perfect nursing research topic. As hunting one takes a lot of looking into journals and online sources by investing hours of quality time. Don’t fret as we have over 200 unique topics for you to craft a masterpiece. 

Table of Contents

Comprehensive Lists of Interesting Nursing Research Topics

Let’s take you to the first of many lists filled with  our writers  favorite nursing research topics. 

General Nursing Research Topics

Dig into the fascinating world of general nursing research topics and discover how patient satisfaction and quality of care can be improved. Here you go with the first list from a professional  paper Custom writing service  provider.

• The escalating advance of technology in the work of nurses
• Compliance with ethical standards by nurses
• Measures to be taken with patients who refuse to feed
• Actions in the care of outpatient geriatric patients
• Physical and emotional management in patients suffering from cancer
• Reduction in the risk of infection in a patient with a central catheter
• Nursing practices through non-verbal communication
• Stress and anxiety levels of nurses working in an emergency room
• Operating conditions of nurses working in an emergency room
• Working conditions of nurses working in public and private care centers
• Merits and qualities of nurses working in intensive care units
• Working conditions of nurses working in pediatric institutions
• Hypnosis in nursing
• Maintaining the autonomy of residents in nursing homes
• Humor in the face of preoperative anxiety
• Nursing research to change practices?
• Care, beyond transfusion
• Representations of hygiene and the nurse-patient relationship
• The violence of patients, the suffering of caregivers
• Dealing with schizophrenic patients in need of nursing help
• Violence and its impact on the caregiver-patient relationship
• Importance of training nurses to deal with autistic patients and patients with other psychotic problems
• The animal as a therapeutic mediator
• When manual handling becomes care
• Limitations and discontinuation of therapy in adult intensive care
• Caring for migrant people without compromising their cultural preferences
• The role of communicative education is to help nurses understand the deal with patients on different academic levels and cultural backgrounds

Emergency Nursing Research Topics

Emergency nursing focuses on providing quick medical attention to patients in need. Research on the following topics could help in improving the emergency care services. Here are some topics to look into. 

• The emergency nurse confronted with his coping strategies
• The nurse’s role in central venous tract infection in intensive care
• Suicidal care in the emergency room
• Relational care in pre-hospital emergency situations
• When the psychiatric emergency invites itself to general emergencies
• The nursing relationship in an emergency situation
• The vital emergency: a fight between death and the caregiver
• Emergencies and management of a young polytraumatized patient
• The emergency situation: what place for the family?
• Emergencies: from crisis to violence
• Stress, care, and emergencies
• The care of the elderly person at the end of life in the emergency room
• When emergencies occur in healthcare services
• The Reception and Orientation Nurse – Faced with recurrent violence in emergencies

Child Nursing Research Paper Topics

This list of topics focuses on areas such as pediatric diseases, developmental milestones, psychosocial aspects of child health, and more. Here are some topics to look into.: 

• Role of the nurse in the prevention of diseases in children under five years of age 
• Adolescent mother’s knowledge about the development of infants under one year of age living
• Nursing care in infants with pneumonia
• Interaction system that influences the growth and development of infants in the care of adolescent parents 
• Risk factors that affect gastroenteritis in children under five years of age
• The importance of a public health policy to control obesity in children
• The procedures and approaches of the World Health Organization in understanding child development
• Leading causes of infant mortality
• Stem cell solutions for pediatric diseases
• Antibiotic resistance in children
• Childhood obesity prevention strategies
• Presentation and treatment of ADHD
• Prenatal effects of exposure to environmental contaminants
• How to prevent malnutrition in children
• How to mitigate baby injuries during birth
• How to improve care for children in hospitalization centers
• How to address the psychological problems of children with physical illnesses
• The success of treatments against malnutrition in children
• How has childhood cancer treatment evolved?
• Genetic factors of diabetes in children
• Ethics of pediatric care
• Effects of secondhand smoke inhalation in the first years of life
• Effects of childhood exposure to environmental contaminants
• The impact of antibiotics on childhood immunities

The COVID-19 Pandemic Topics in Nursing

Nurses have played and still play a major role in coping with the challenges of pandemic. Here you go with some research topics here:

• Incidence Of Covid-19 In Patients in Dialysis Units 
• Burnout Syndrome in Nurses in The Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic 
• Triggers of burnout syndrome in health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Importance of nursing care in intensive care units for patients with COVID-19
• COVID-19 vaccines on the effectiveness of neutralization 
• Incidence of COVID-19 in patients in dialysis units 
• Nursing professional assistance in the COVID-19 pandemic
• Complications in elderly adults with COVID-19
• COVID-19 pandemic and depression in nursing staff 
• Physical and emotional state against COVID-19 in nursing staff in the United States of America
• Nursing care for COVID-19 patients in the intensive care unit 
• Emotional intelligence and its relationship to the academic performance of medical staff and nursing students during the time of the COVID-19

Adult Nursing Research Topics

Writing a research paper  on adult nursing could be a challenge. But these topics can get you on the right track: 

• The physical and emotional state of patients who work in public and private hospitals
• Risk factors associated with the development of pressure ulcers in hospitalized patients. 
• Basic needs of nurses in patients with Alzheimer’s
• Triggers of chronic anxiety disorders
• History of migraine treatment with examples and analysis
• History of treating anxiety disorders
• Treatment of the acute coronary syndrome
• Non-Chemical Treatments for Bipolar Disorders
• History of treatment of eating disorders and analysis of current treatment
• Evolution of nursing in a specific period
• Practical strategies to maintain the emotional health of nurses
• Comparison of the effect of culture on nursing in different countries
• Analyze the history of nursing and its role in health care
• Analyze the difference in diets
• Analyzing the difference between the treatment of cardiovascular problems between the sexes
• Analyze the causes of depression
• Analyzing the benefits of collaborative nursing
• Analyze the balance of health care and cost

Midwifery and Nursing Research Topics

Use these topics to research into subjects such as prenatal care, giving birth, post-birth care, and more. Here you go with the list: 

• How to prevent urinary tract infections in women during pregnancy 
• Descriptions and perceptions of pregnant women with substance abuse problems midwives
• Traditional delivery practices in Canada
• Role and importance of midwives in Underdeveloped countries
• Competence of midwives affected in the clinical settings
• Facilitating informed decisions and decision-making in a critical time of pregnancy
• Common models regarding health care for pregnant women
• Support nurse-midwife intervention team in the management of caesarean sections
• An evaluation of community nursing services available to pregnant women and newborns
• A midwife’s duty to establish bonds of trust
• Security perception regarding midwives
• Attention to doubts regarding nutrition, health care, dangerous practices
• Need for the mother to be accompanied by someone they trust throughout labor
• Speaking to pregnant with respect, by name, and be attentive
• Midwife’s duty of clear explanations in understandable language
• Representations of the equipment or tools used by midwives
• How to take care of the woman during pregnancy and childbirth?
• Research and its relationship with Obstetric-Gynecological Nursing
• Implications of Midwifery in the Goal of Health for All
• Guidance on the role of Research, specifically that applied to Obstetric-Gynecological Nursing area in healthcare aspects
• Quality of care and management of health resources
• Establish and apply standards of governance, Practice, Research, and training for midwives
• Improve professional skills and those who are under the supervision of midwives
• Executing actions derived from medical diagnosis and treatment during pregnancy
• Improvement in the safety of the nursing intervention
• The expectations, preferences, and values of pregnant clients
• Execution of operational aspects during pregnancy
• Technical Feasibility for midwife nurses regarding the condition of the pregnant/patient
• Contribution from midwives to clinical knowledge as a social value
• The effectiveness of the procedures, with result indicators in midwifery
• Process for nursing care in care for “Imminent labor” outside the delivery area
• Management of cardiac arrest in pregnancy
• Communicating with women from different cultures facing gyne problems
• Immigration and Health Care
• Breastfeeding Best Start study
• Application of thermotherapy in the perineum during the expulsive period of normal childbirth
• Changing the classic restrictive practice of intake in the birth process
• The natural cesarean: a woman-centered technique
• Midwife’s procedure for admissions and DISCHARGES of low-risk pregnant women
• Cultural differences in the perception and experience of childbirth

Research Topics about Nursing the Elderly

This list of topics looks into managing long-term sickness, ways to make life better for seniors, and more. Here’s the list: 

• From the evidence-based nursing program to the health needs of elderly cancer patients
• Effectiveness and efficiency of the National Health System in the provision of services to the elderly
• Community nursing for the care of the elderly suffering from chronic diseases
• Elderly outpatient care and community nursing services
• Nursing thesis about the care of the elderly
• Treatment of cardiovascular risk
• Strategies to improve recognition of dehydration in older adults
• Medical emergencies associated with cancer treatment in elderly patients
• Ethics of critical care in geriatric patients
• Analysis of complications derived from prolonged hospital stays
• Age-related factors in the cardiovascular deterioration
• Analysis of the effects of aging on the immune system
• Analysis of the physical environment as a factor of functional deterioration
• Analyze the role of a nurse in planning advanced care
• Vaccination case studies for older adults
• Care strategies to improve pain management in elderly patients

New Topics About Nursing Research

Looking after people in pain is an important part of healthcare. It’s all about relieving suffering and making the patient feel better. Here are some more nursing topics for research paper. 

• Treatments to help stroke patients recover their motor functions
• Techniques to prevent and deal with post-traumatic disorder
• Methods for Recognizing and Helping Victims of Intimate Partner Violence
• Genetic factors in bipolar disorder
• Environmental factors concerning Alzheimer’s disease
• Effects of social media on mental health
• Bipolar Disorder Screening and Risk Factors
• ADHD Stimulant Chemical Treatments
• Benefits of the use of antipsychotics in the prevention of delirium
• Analysis of treatments for patients with dementia
• Analyzing the connection between screen time and ADHD
• Analysis of the link between dopamine levels and autism
• Analysis of risk factors for anorexia
• Analysis of mirror therapy in brain rehabilitation
• Analysis of mediation treatment in patients with impaired cognitive development
• ADHD management strategies
• Hypnosis during a painful treatment.
• The link between anxiety and care-related pain.
• Assessment of pain in the poly-handicapped patient.
• Patient anxiety in the operating room.
• Pain management and placebo.
• Invisible: when the trauma is present.
• The newborn and the management of pain.
• Amputation, towards the acceptance of a new body image.
• Other methods to relieve pain.

Nursing topics related to death

With these topics, you can look into different aspects of palliative care, advance care planning, and more. Here you go with the list: 

• The emotions of the nursing student in the face of death
• Vegetative state: always aim for the dignity of the patient
• Nursing support for a patient at the end of life
• Support after the announcement.
• End of life at home: the caregiver-caregiver relationship
• Ethics, end-of-life tact
• Thinking about death… To better heal life
• Near-death story and the nursing role
• End of life: the experience of the nurse
• Dying before being: and the nurse in all this?

Health management nursing

Health management nursing is all about giving patients the best care possible. Finding ways to improve health outcomes, encouraging healthy habits, and more. Here are the lists of topics to explore:

• Long-term pain treatments
• Pain management in hemophilia
• Risk of COVID-19 in elderly and children
• Diagnostic of chronic diseases and immediate measures to take
• Need to enlighten nurses about massage therapies
• Nursing Department Safety Standards
• Values and moral ethics in nursing practice
• What model should a nursing student choose to be successful in their profession?
• Perceptions of USA nurses on the integration of sustainable food into their clinical practice
• Nursing care in the context of an epidemic with rapid mortality
• Work of nurses practicing in hospital settings
• Nursing the psychologically handicapped children in a rural region
• Development of a clinical intervention program in nursing sciences
• Miscarriage in emergency departments
• Involvement of the nurse in discussions in intensive care
• The determinants of the maintenance of physical activity behaviors
• Experience in using two computerized methods of care consultation tools
• An exploratory study in sodium-restricted patients with heart failure
• Manifestation of the cultural competence of Afro-American nurse trainers
• Recognition and nursing care
• Caring for a migrant
• The caregiver is in touch with social representations
• Communication difficulties between patients and caregivers
• The cultural and religious identity of the patient
• Relational touch, or how to take care of the self-image of dependent elderly people
• Representations of schizophrenia among caregivers in general care units
• Caring for people in precarious situations
• The well-treatment of the elderly in the living environment
• The elderly and their diet in nursing homes
• History and best practices of cognitive hypnotherapy in the treatment of pain
• Efficacy of pain management strategies in cancer patients
• Chemical and non-chemical pain treatment plans for post-surgical patients
• Analysis of the role of the nurse in the treatment of pain
• To analyze the efficacy of non-chemical methods of pain management in adolescents

Research for Nursing in Women’s Health

This list of topics looks into the specialized healthcare needs and obstacles faced by women. Here’s the list:

• Acne treatments for women
• The gap between female and male health professionals
• Factors that increase conception in women
• Ethics in women’s health
• Ethical treatment of infertility
• Environmental factors that cause high rates of infertility
• Efficacy of breast cancer screening measures
• Breast cancer diagnostic procedure
• Female sexual health disorders
• Cultural differences in women’s health
• Analysis of health care for immigrant women
• Study of sleep disorders in women
• Analysis of prevention measures for sexually transmitted infections
• Analysis of the emotional symptoms of premenstrual syndrome
• Nursing regarding gender and associated concepts
• The culture of care and the impact on nursing
• Care and nursing throughout history in regard to gender studies
• Breastfeeding Information for Black Communities
• Cultural concerns regarding the health of black women
• Need to enlighten nurses about massage therapies for women
• Pregnancy in women with systemic lupus erythematosus
• Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health
• Approach to abnormal uterine bleeding in non-pregnant women of reproductive age
• Choosing a Primary Surgical Procedure for Pelvic Organ Prolapse in Women
• Diagnostic of breast cancer in women and immediate measures
• Management of prosthetic heart valves in pregnant women
• Nursing interventions in pregnant women with preeclampsia
• Nursing care protocol for women after childbirth
• The nursing care process applied to high-risk pregnant women in the hospital
• Osteoporosis risk factors and quality of life in women over 60 years of age in the health centre

Nursing Research Topics for Mental Health

• Understanding schizophrenia: Fantasy vs. Reality
• Analyzing the association between screen time and ADHD
• Measures to take in the occurrence of fatigue or depression in cancer patients

This amazing collection of 200 nursing research topics is an incredible resource to spark scholarly exploration in the nursing field. It covers a wide range of healthcare topics which surely will inspire any aspiring researcher to dive deeper and select a subject that truly speaks to them. If you still have problems choosing a topic or writing a Nursing research paper , don’t hesitate to  order now .

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Best Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Nursing Research Topics and Ideas

We have already explored as much as there is regarding evidence-based nursing in our comprehensive EBP paper-writing guide . A time comes in your nursing school journey, either at basic (ADN, LPN, or BSN) or advanced levels (MSN, DNP, or PhD), when you are required to select a suitable evidence-based practice nursing research topic, research, and write an evidence-based nursing paper, report, or white paper. The process for selecting the topic is more or less the same as when selecting a nursing dissertation topic or topic for a nursing capstone .

You have to go through the instructions, consider an area of nursing specialization that interests you, do some thorough research, reading, and analysis, come up with a few topics, and eliminate and remain with the most suitable topic for your EBP nursing paper. You can locate good EBP project ideas from course materials (readings, handouts, PPTs, and class notes), online blogs and websites (like NurseMyGrade), nursing textbooks, nursing journals and articles, and other online resources.

General, Current, and Latest Evidence-Based Nursing Topics

• Effects of evidence-based practice on the quality and safety of patients
• Attitudes and readiness for Evidence-Based Nursing Practice among newly hired nurses
• Engaging advanced practice nurses in evidence-based practice through an e-monitoring program
• Effectiveness of EBP practice guidelines in preventing adverse events in clinical settings
• The attitudes of nurses toward adhering to clinical guidelines regarding the management of various conditions
• Prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) among surgical patients
• Effectiveness of warming interventions for women undergoing Cesarean Section
• Strategies for managing second-stage labor
• Effects of gum chewing and early mobilization on intestinal mobility after cesarean birth
• Therapeutic use of music in maternity wards post-cesarean section
• Strategies for preparing women for unplanned Cesarean birth
• Effectiveness of hydrotherapy during labor
• Strategies to implement skin-to-skin contact in the OR following Cesarean birth
• Benefits of the EBP Organizational culture and readiness scale
• Transferability, reach, and impact of the EBP Questionnaire
• Barriers and facilitators influencing the implementation of EBP in clinical settings
• Challenges to implementing EBP in healthcare systems
• The beliefs and competencies of medical-surgery nurses on EBP
• Effects of EBP courses on MSN and DNP students' attitudes and beliefs on EBP
• The impacts of gamification on EBP training among nursing students
• Strategies to promote evidence-based nursing practice among nursing students
• The link between knowledge of EBP and nurse job satisfaction
• Impacts of nursing ethics on evidence-based practice
• Strategies to address the implementation gap between practice, research, and knowledge in nursing
• Using social media to promote the dissemination of evidence-based practice
• Strategies for implementing and translating evidence-based practice
• Benefits of frequently training nursing staff on evidence-based practice
• Role of evidence-based practice in modeling professional nursing practice
• Strategies for enhancing utility and understanding of evidence-based practice during undergraduate nursing education
• Knowledge, attitude, beliefs, and use of evidence-based practice among registered pediatric nurses
• Improving the readiness of evidence-based practice in critical care units
• Strategies for improving evidence-based practice among registered nurses (RNs)
• Best strategies for assessing compliance to EBP guidelines for VAP prevention among ICU nurses
• Impacts of EBP guidelines on clinical decision-making
• Challenges in communicating research evidence and translating it to practice
• Effectiveness of SBAR Tool Implementation to advanced communication and collaboration in clinical settings
• Knowledge of EBP and the confidence of newly recruited nurses
• Role of evidence-based practice guidelines in maintaining competence among mental health nurses
• Impacts of teaching advanced evidence-based practice research in doctoral nursing programs

Evidence-Based Topics for Anesthesia

• Primary concerns in the process of extubation in the anesthesia settings
• Perceptions and attitudes of anesthesia professionals on digital anesthesia information management system
• Benefits of nurse anesthetist perioperative dialog
• Causes of high attrition rates and turnover among nurse anesthetists
• Perceptions and attitudes of nurses on automatic dispensing cabinets
• Strategies for translating evidence-based research into anesthesia practice
• Addressing challenges associated with anesthesia in clinical settings
• Causes and solutions to anesthesia-associated mortality and morbidity
• An evidence-based approach to airway management via anesthesia administration
• Attitudes, knowledge, skills, and use of anesthesia teams toward EBP practice in clinical settings
• Why anesthetists are hesitant to implement ERAS guidelines

Related read: How to complete Shadow Health Assessments .

Cardiovascular and Respiratory Evidence-Based Topics

• Improving the quality of cardiovascular care through evidence-based practice
• Addressing social determinants of health as a means of addressing cardiovascular diseases
• Effects of listening to music during cardiac rehabilitation on clinical outcomes
• Effectiveness of physical activity on cardiovascular health
• Role of physical therapists in the management of venous thromboembolism
• Effectiveness of aerobic exercise training in improving aerobic capacity after heart transplant
• Impacts of guarding on the outcomes of the 6-minute walk test
• Role of Mitsungumin 53 in cardiovascular diseases (CVD)
• Effects of autophagy on the cardiovascular system
• The ethics of using embryonic stem cells in cardiovascular research
• Use of telehealth in early detection of anxiety and depression in post-coronary patients
• Effectiveness of indoor allergen reduction in the management of asthma
• Non-invasive technologies for diagnosing coronary artery disease in women
• Impacts of smoking on the lungs of a fetus
• Strategies to address obstructive sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease
• The link between consuming fatty animal meat and cardiovascular health
• Benefits of prone positioning for patients with ARDS
• Response of COPD to prophylactic antibiotics
• Evidence-based nursing strategies for the prevention of contrast-induced acute kidney injury
• Impacts of home monitoring on COPD patients

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Evidence-Based Topics

• The link between probiotics use and diarrhea
• The effectiveness of vitamin C in the prevention of complex regional pain syndrome following wrist fractures
• The link between using essential oils and hypertension
• Effectiveness of cranberry products for the treatment of UTIs
• Effectiveness of botulism toxin in the treatment of restless legs syndrome
• Using therapeutic honey in tropical wound management
• Impacts of scalp cooling on alopecia among cancer patients
• Effects of spiritual beliefs on type 2 diabetes mellitus patients
• Effects of aromatherapy in the management of depression and anxiety
• Non-pharmacologic interventions for treatment-resistant depression among adolescents

Nursing Ethics Evidence-Based Topics

• Effects of abandonment on nursing staff shortage
• Effects of negligence on patient outcomes
• AI ethics awareness, attitudes, and beliefs, and the behavioral intentions of nursing students
• Attitudes and perspectives of nursing faculty on noncompliance with ethics in nursing academic environments
• Application of Nightingale's professionalism among student nurses
• Influence of nursing ethics on clinical decision-making
• Perceptions and awareness of student nurses on social justice in the healthcare system
• Benefits of increased ethical competency of nurses in clinical settings
• Ethical problems of clinical nursing practice
• Factors influencing professionalism in nursing among Registered Nurses
• Information literacy and ethical decision-making among nurses
• The link between clinical dishonesty and perceived clinical stress among nursing students
• Strategies to help nurses handle compassion fatigue
• Ethical perspectives of evidence-based practice
• Influence of laws and Legislation on evidence-based practice
• Moral distress among Registered Nurses
• Barriers and facilitators of addressing nursing research ethics
• Role of nursing ethics in the implementation of evidence-based practice

Family Practice Evidence-Based Topics

• The significance of genetic counseling in diabetes prevention
• Challenges for contraception for women with diabetes
• Management of autism in children
• Diagnosis, treatment, and management of psoriasis
• Using a gluten-free diet to improve outcomes in patients with psoriasis
• The link between psoriasis and cardiovascular diseases
• Impacts of nutritional counseling on the BMI of patients
• Using Metformin over Sulfonylurea for initial treatment of gestational diabetes
• Best ways to diagnose menopause in perimenopausal women
• Dinoprostone vs. vaginal misoprostol in labor induction: which is better?
• Effectiveness of using narcotics to treat patients with chronic daily headaches
• Vitamins and cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease
• The link between regular family dinners and obesity in adolescent patients
• Is the Mediterranean diet better for bone health?
• Benefits of self-managed diabetes programs
• Is acupuncture effective in the treatment of allergic rhinitis?
• The link between antibiotic use and acute sinusitis
• Effectiveness of Flu vaccine on prevention of community-acquired pneumonia
• The link between male obesity and infertility
• Lower back pains and NSAIDS
• Seasonal Nasal Irrigation and Seasonal Allergic Reactions: Best management strategies
• Effectiveness of abortive treatment for acute migraine
• Effectiveness of combination treatment for hepatitis C
• Benefits of tailored education for melanoma management
• Genetic testing and obesity
• Treatment and management of atopic dermatitis

Nursing Forensics Evidence-Based Topics

• Strategies to document injuries from domestic violence abuse by forensic nurses
• Perceptions of forensic nurses on victim counseling before post-domestic violence cases
• Stress management and coping strategies in prison settings
• Mental health as a risk factor for sexual assault
• Barriers and challenges to implementing remote sexual assault nurse examiner programs
• Limit setting and de-escalation in forensic mental health units
• The risk factors for domestic minor sex trafficking in the USA
• Benefits of sexual assault nurse examiners practicing trauma-informed care
• Ethical issues involved during forensic nursing investigations
• Strategies for preparing victims of sexual assault to be witnesses in courts of law
• Role of forensic nurses in combating human and sexual trafficking
• The link between sexual assault and suicide
• Strategies to handle compassion fatigue among forensic nurses
• Strategies for emergency contraception administration among the SANE and non-SANE medical providers
• Strategies forensic nurses use to resolve difficulties in supporting offenders with mental health disorders
• Role of forensic nurses in addressing challenges for children in foster care
• Forensic nursing interventions for patients with personality disorders
• Application of telehealth among sexual assault forensic examiners
• Strategies for handling children facing maltreatment from parents
• Interprofessional collaboration to optimize trauma-informed care
• Role of pediatric forensics in clinical settings
• Role of forensic nurses in abortion investigations
• Steps and evidence-based methods for screening children for neglect or abuse
• Strategies for solving burnout among forensic nurses
• Role of forensic nurses in death investigations
• Attitudes of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) toward sexual assault victims
• Methods for promoting resilience, competence, and quality of life of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners
• Role of correctional nurses in advocating for pregnant women's rights in prison
• An evidence-based approach to suicide risk assessment following sexual assault

Gastroenterology Evidence-Based Topics

• The use of probiotics to treat and manage irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Using behavioral therapy adjunct to drug therapy in the management of urinary incontinence
• Pharmacological strategies for the management of Crohn's disease
• Complementary alternative medicine approaches to the management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
• Intermittent fasting among obese women and the management of pylori
• Homemade solutions for constipation among pregnant women

Geriatrics or Long-Term Care Evidence-Based Topics

• The effectiveness of the North Dakota Association of director of Nursing Administration (NADONA) /Long-Term Care standards of Practice in managing long-term care facilities
• Strategies to encourage elderly people to age in place
• Methods to improve drug adherence among elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease
• Methods for managing polypharmacy among elderly adults
• Design strategies to address falls for patients aging in place
• Use of technology to address the challenges of elderly adults who choose to age in place
• Benefits of music therapy for patients with Multiple Sclerosis
• Strategies for addressing pressure ulcers among the elderly
• Benefits of teaching self-care practices to elderly patients with long-term in-dwelling catheter
• Using stories to entertain and give hope to elderly patients in long-term care facilities
• Multifactorial approach towards management of falls in long-term care facilities

Hospital-Acquired Infections Evidence-Based Topics

• Effectiveness of hand hygiene in reducing hospital-acquired infections
• Strategies to prevent blood contamination and infection during transfusion
• The value of Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection Bundle Compliance in preventing CLABSI
• Impacts of implementing central nervous catheter bundle in reducing central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI)
• The knowledge and attitudes of nurses on evidence-based guidelines for the prevention of surgical site infections
• Benefits of governments supporting nursing homes in infection management
• How effective are leadership rounds in reducing healthcare-associated infections?
• Knowledge, beliefs, and attitude of newly graduated nurses on infection prevention and control
• Evidence-based strategies to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia
• Perceptions of NICU nurses regarding measures to prevent HAIs
• The role of chlorhexidine gluconate bathing in preventing HAIs
• Importance of communication networks in the management of infections in ICUs
• Strategies to reduce catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs)
• The perspectives and experiences of patients on HAIs
• Nurse-led quality improvement interventions to reduce hospital-acquired infections in the NICU
• Using a multimodal approach to institute hand hygiene
• The correlation between hospital length of stay and acquiring infections
• Evidence-based strategies to prevent nosocomial infections in clinical settings
• Value of e-learning for preventing healthcare-associated infections
• Impacts of nurse burnout and shortage on HAIs
• Core components of an infection prevention and control program for a nursing home
• Leadership skills of the APRNs and prevention of HAIs
• The motivations of healthcare workers to reduce HAIs
• Hand hygiene knowledge and beliefs among newly recruited nurses
• Impacts of hospital design on HAIs
• Overcrowding in the ER and hospital-acquired infections
• Effects of training on nurses' knowledge and skills in indwelling urinary catheters in preventing CAUTIs
• Low rates of Influenza vaccination among nurses and HAIs
• Role of environmental cleaning in the control of HAIs
• Green cleaning and HAIs
• Compliance with Chlorhexidine wipes to prevent Hospital-acquired infections
• The knowledge of nurses of the WHO Five Moments of Hand hygiene and HAIs in the Operating rooms

Nursing Education Evidence-Based Topics

• Effectiveness of situated e-learning on medical and nursing education
• Benefits of cultural competence training among nurses on the patient satisfaction
• Experiences and attitudes of student nurses on formal preceptor programs
• The effectiveness of using virtual and augmented reality in nursing education
• Strategies to attract, train, and retain student nurses until retirement
• The application of gamification in nursing training
• Should nurses be taught basic coding concepts?
• Inclusion of LGBTQ student nurses in clinical settings
• The use of social media to facilitate learning among nursing students
• Benefits of introducing students to reflective nursing practice
• Benefits of e-learning for nursing education
• Online nursing programs as a means to prepare nurses for leadership roles
• The nurse training pipeline is an essential aspect of addressing nurse shortages
• Discrimination among nurse student acceptance of some programs/nursing schools
• Factors affecting the progress of nursing students in the USA
• Should the nursing career be ubiquitous globally?
• Student nurses should join professional organizations that advocate for their rights
• Steps to improve collaboration and teamwork among nurse students

Pain Management Evidence-Based Topics

• Effectiveness of ERAS in postoperative pain management
• Non-pharmacological methods and perceived barriers in pain management by nurses
• Psychological and behavioral pain management strategies in pediatric oncology departments
• Mindfulness mediation as a strategy for chronic pain management
• Impacts of relaxation techniques for pain management during labor
• The efficacy of cannabis-based medicines for pain management
• Use of music therapy during labor
• Impacts of massage therapy on cancer pain management
• The effectiveness of craniosacral therapy for chronic pain management
• Effectiveness of manual therapy vs. exercise therapy in the management of adult neck-pain
• Non-pharmacological pain management approaches for cancer patients
• Music-induced analgesia in chronic pain management
• The effectiveness of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation for cancer pain
• The efficacy of acupuncture in the management of postoperative pain
• The application of cannabinoids in pain management
• Acupressure for pain management during labor

Pediatrics Evidence-Based Topics

• Practical strategies for preventing failure to rescue obstetric patients
• Effectiveness of neonatal pain management via oral sucrose
• Benefits of nutritional assessment and intervention in a pediatric oncology unit
• Strategies to manage inguinal hernias in children
• Impacts of clinical settings appearance on the anxiety of kids in cancer care facilities
• Evidence-based strategies for the management of the acute phase of Kawasaki disease
• Strategies to address diabetes ketoacidosis among pediatric patients
• The use of virtual reality in managing anxiety among pediatric patients
• The use of probiotics in the prevention of diarrhea among children
• The efficiency of using gastronomy tubes among pediatric patients
• Best strategies to treat and manage infant colic
• Management of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) among neonates and children
• Strategies parents can use to cope during acute pediatric hospitalizations
• Strategies to address childhood constipation
• Strategies to prevent SIDS during breastfeeding
• The safety of corticosteroids in young children with acute respiratory conditions
• Management of hospital-acquired venous thromboembolism in pediatric patients
• Efficacy of insertion and maintenance bundles in preventing central-line associated bloodstream infections in critically ill pediatric patients
• Prevalent and management strategies for burnout among pediatric nurses
• The efficacy of magnesium supplementation in addressing postoperative arrhythmias after cardiopulmonary bypass among pediatric patients

As we come to the End of this Article '

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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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Digital Commons @ USF > College of Nursing > Theses and Dissertations

Nursing Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2023 2023.

Psychological Distress, Resilience, and the Impact on Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors With Taxane-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy , Lauren Schwab

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Medication-Assisted Treatment Versus 12-Step Group Therapy: A Comparative Analysis of Adherence and Abstinence In Patients With Opioid Use Disorder , Derrick C. Glymph

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Quality of Life of Older Adults with Complicated Grief Receiving Accelerated Resolution Therapy: A Mixed Methods Study , Tina M. Mason

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

In Post-Extubated Patients What are the Preferred Methods of Communication During Their Experience of Endotracheal Intubation with Mechanical Ventilation , Lanette Dumas

The Effect of Hope on the Relationship between Personal and Disease Characteristics and Anxiety and Depression in Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer , Sharon B. McNeil

Predictors of Nonadherence to Radiation Therapy Schedules Among Head and Neck Cancer Patients , Jennifer Lynn Miller

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Perceived Discrimination and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Blacks: A Secondary Data Analysis of the Heart SCORE Study , Marilyn Aluoch

Exploration of Gratitude in Cardiovascular Health: Mediators, Medication Adherence and Psychometrics , Lakeshia A. Cousin

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Fatigue-related Symptom Clusters and their Relationship with Depression, and Functional Status in Older Adults Hospice Patients with Cancer. , Suzan Fouad Abduljawad

Genetic Moderation of Pain and Fatigue Symptoms Resulting from the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Breast Cancer Program , Carissa Bea Alinat

The Moderating Effect of Religion on Death Distress and Quality of Life between Christian Cancer patients in the United States with Muslim cancer patients in Saudi Arabia , Doaa Almostadi

Prevention of Post Intensive Care Syndrome-Family with Sensation Awareness Focused Training Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial Pilot Study , Paula L. Cairns

Assessing Abstinence in Infants Greater Than 28 Days Old , Genieveve J. Cline

The Relationship Between Sleep Quality and Motor Function in Hospitalized Older Adult Survivors of Critical Illness , Maya N. Elías

The Role of Migration-Related Stress in Depression Among Haitian Immigrants in Florida: A Mixed Method Sequential Explanatory Approach , Dany Amanda C. Fanfan

The Effect of Depression, Inflammation and Sleep Quality on Risk for Cardiovascular Disease , Catherine L. O'Neil

Adapting SafeMedicate (Medication Dosage Calculation Skills software) For Use In Brazil , Samia Valeria Ozorio Dutra

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

The Relationship Between Total Neuropathy Score-reduced, Neuropathy Symptoms and Function. , Ashraf Abulhaija

Validation of the Electronic Kids Dietary Index (E-KINDEX) Screening Tool for Early Identification of Risk for Overweight/Obesity (OW/OB) in a Pediatric Population: Associations with Quality of Life Perceptions , Patricia A. Hall

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

The Effectiveness of an Intervention Designed to Improve Chlorhexidine (CHG) Bathing Technique in Adults Hospitalized in Medical Surgical Units , Janette Echemendia Denny

Levels of Distress Among Women Veterans Attending a Women’s Health Specialty Clinic in the VA Healthcare System , Debbie T. Devine

Examination of the Use of Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) in the Treatment of Symptoms of PTSD and Sleep Dysfunction in Veterans and Civilians , Marian Jevone Hardwick

Investigating the Mutual Effects of Depression and Spiritual Well-being on Quality of Life in Hospice Patients with Cancer and Family Caregivers Using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model , Li-Ting Huang

The Change in Nutritional Status in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients: A Retrospective Descriptive A Retrospective Descriptive Study , Dina A. Masha'al

Exploring the Relationship Between Severity of Illness and Human Milk Volume in Very Low Birth Weight and Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants Over Six Weeks , Shannon Leigh Morse

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Scores and Novel Risk Factors in Relation to Race and Gender , Johanna Wilson

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

A Comparative Evaluation of the Learner Centered Grading Debriefing Method in Nursing Education , Marisa J. Belote

Sleep, Depressive Symptoms and Cognition in Older Adults and Caregivers of Persons with Dementia , Glenna Shemida Brewster

The Relationship between Hearing Status and Cognitive Performance and the Influence of Depressive Symptoms in the Older Adult , Julie A. Daugherty

Basal Salivary Oxytocin and Skin to Skin Contact among Lactating Mothers of Premature Infants , Jessica Marie Gordon

The Relationship Between Nurses' Emotional Intelligence and Patient Outcomes , Mary Kutash

Sexual Functioning and Body Image in Younger Breast Cancer Survivors , Carly Lynn Paterson

Cognitive Load of Registered Nurses During Medication Administration , Sarah Faith Perron

A Comparison of Quality of Life between Intense and Non-Intense Treatment for Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia and High-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome , Sara Marie Tinsley

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Acculturation, Self-Efficacy and Breastfeeding Behavior in a Sample of Hispanic Women , Ivonne F. Hernandez

Knowledge and Acceptance of HPV and the HPV Vaccine in Young Men and Their Intention to be Vaccinated , Brenda Renee Jasper

The Relationships Between Sleep Disturbances, Depression, Inflammatory Markers, and Sexual Trauma in Female Veterans , Ellen Marcolongo

Examination of Possible Protective Effect of Rhesus D Positive Blood Factor on Toxoplasma-related Depressive Symptoms in Pregnancy , Lisa Lynn Parnell

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice of Primary Care Nurse Practitioners Regarding Skin Cancer Assessmnets: Validity and Reliability of a New Instrument , Debra Michelle Shelby

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

Knowledge and Practice of Reproductive Health among Mothers and their Impact on Fetal Birth Outcomes: A Case of Eritrea , Winta Negusse Araya

Race/Ethnicity, Subjective and Objective Sleep Quality, Physical and Psychological Symptoms in Breast Cancer Survivors , Pinky H. Budhrani

Factors Predicting Pap Smear Adherence in HIV-infected Women: Using the Health Belief Model , Crystal L. Chapman Lambert

The Relationship Between Socioeconomic Status and Body Mass Index on Vitamin D Levels in African American Women with and without Diabetes Living in Areas with Abundant Sunshine , Shani Vann Davis

Predictors of Quality of Life in Patients with Cutaneous T cell Lymphoma , Darcie Marie Deaver

Relationship between dysphoric moods, risk-taking behaviors, and Toxoplasma gondii antibody titers in female veterans , Allyson Radford Duffy

Prenatal Stress, Depression, and Herpes Viral Titers , Pao-Chu Hsu

Factors Associated with Fear of Breast Cancer Recurrence Among Survivors , Jean Marie Lucas

Sickle Cell Disease: The Role of Self-Care Management , Nadine Matthie

Factors Influencing Vaccination Decisions in African American Mothers of Preschool Age Children , Chauntel Mckenzie Mcnair

The Strong Black Woman, Depression, and Emotional Eating , Michelle Renee Offutt

Development of an Investigator-designed Questionnaire Concerning Childbirth Delivery Options based on the Theory of Planned Behavior , Chun-Yi Tai

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

The Mediating Effect of Distress Caused by Constipation on Predictors of Quality of Life of Hospice Patients with Cancer. , Abdel Alkhalouf

Testing a Model of Bacterial Vaginosis among Black Women , Jessica Brumley

The Effect of Tight Glycemic Control on Surgical Site Infection Rates in Patients Undergoing Open Heart Surgery , Sierra Gower

Development of a Tool for Pressure Ulcer Risk Assessment and Preventive Interventions in Ancillary Services Patients , Monica Shutts Messer

Hospice Nurses- Attitudes and Knowledge about Pain Management , Amie Jacqueline Miller

Theses/Dissertations from 2011 2011

Literacy and Hazard Communication Comprehension of Employees Presenting to an Occupational Health Clinic , Christine Bouchard

A Meta-Analysis of Cultural Competence Education in Professional Nurses and Nursing Students , Ruth Wilmer Gallagher

Relationship Between Cancer-Related Fatigue and Depression: A Pilot Study , Gloria Michelle Guess

A Comparison of Oncology and Non-Oncology Nurses in Their Knowledge of Cancer Pain Management , Nicole Houle

Evaluating Knowledge and Attitudes of Graduate Nursing Students Regarding Pain , Eric Bartholomew Jackson

Bone Marrow Transplant Nurses' Attitudes about Caring for Patients Who are Near the End of Life: A Quality Improvement Project , Leslie Lauersdorf

Translation and Adaptation of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) Scale Into Tigrigna Language for Tigrigna Speaking Eritrean Immigrants in the United States , Mulubrhan Fisseha Mogos

Nurse Manager Emotional Intelligence as a Predictor to Registered Nurse Job Satisfaction and RN Perceptions of the Practice Environment and the Relationship to Patient, Nursing and Hospital Outcomes , Jacqueline Cecilia Munro

The Relationship of Mid-Pregnancy Levels of Cytokines, Stress, and Depression with Gestational Age at Delivery , Melissa Molinari Shelton

Prophylactic, Risk-Reducing Surgery in Unaffected BRCA-Positive Women: Quality Of Life, Sexual Functioning and Psychological Well-Being , Sharon Tollin

Theses/Dissertations from 2010 2010

The Relationship Between FAM5C SNP (rs10920501) Variability, Metabolic Syndrome, and Inflammation, in Women with Coronary Heart Disease , Jennifer L. Cline

Women’s Perceptions of Postpartum Stress: A Narrative Analysis , Nancy Gilbert Crist

Lived Experience: Near-Fatal Adolescent Suicide Attempt , Phyllis Ann Dougherty

Exploring the Relationships among Work-Related Stress, Quality of Life, Job Satisfaction, and Anticipated Turnover on Nursing Units with Clinical Nurse Leaders , Mary Kohler

A Comparative Study of Knowledge of Pain Management in Certified and Non-Certified Oncology Nurses , Sherrie A. LaLande

Evaluating Knowledge and Attitudes of Undergraduate Nursing Students Regarding Pain Management , Jessica Latchman

Evaluation of Oncology Nurses' Knowledge, Practice Behaviors, and Confidence Specific to Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy , Rebecca Denise McAllister

Moderating the Effectiveness of Messages to Promote Physical Activity in Type 2 Diabetes , Rachel E. Myers

Factors Affecting the Process of Clinical Decision-Making in Pediatric Pain Management by Emergency Department Nurses , Teresa A. Russo

The Correlation Between Neuropathy Limitations and Depression in Chemotherapy Patients , Melissa Thebeau

Theses/Dissertations from 2009 2009

Fatigue Symptom Distress and Its Relationship with Quality Of Life in Adult Stem Cell Transplant Survivors , Suzan Fouad Abduljawad R.N., B.S.N.

Nursing Advocacy and the Accuracy of Intravenous to Oral Opioid Conversion at Discharge in the Cancer Patient , Maria L. Gallo R.N., O.C.N.

Transitional Care for Adolescents with HIV: Characteristics and Current Practices of the Adolescent Trials Network Systems of Care , Patricia Gilliam

The Effect of Ethical Ideology and Professional Values on Registered Nurses’ Intentions to Act Accountably , Susan R. Hartranft

Falls in Bone Marrow Transplant Patients: A Retrospective Study , Lura Henderson R.N., B.S.N.

Predictors of cancer caregiver depression symptomatology , Henry R. Rivera

Psychosocial outcomes of weight stigma among college students , Sabrina Joann Robinson

The Experience of Fatigue and Quality of Life in Patients with Advanced Lung Cancer , Andrea Shaffer

The Relationship Between Uncertainty in Illness and Anxiety in Patients With Cancer , Naima Vera

Shifting Paradigms: The Development of Nursing Identity in Foreign-Educated Physicians Retrained as Nurses Practicing in the United States , Liwliwa Reyes Villagomeza

Theses/Dissertations from 2008 2008

Prostate Cancer Screening Intention Among African American Men: An Instrument Development Study , Susan Anita Baker

The Geriatric Cancer Experience in End of Life: Model Adaptation and Testing , Harleah G. Buck

Communication Systems and HIV/AIDS Sexual Decision Making in Older Adolescent and Young Adult Females , Rasheeta D. Chandler MS, ARNP, FNP-BC

Relationship of Anger Trait and Anger Expression to C-Reactive Protein in Post-Menopausal Women , Rosalyn Gross

Identifying Patients with Cancer at Risk of Experiencing a Fall While Hospitalized , Joann M. Heaton

Modulation of Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cell Maturation and Function by Cigarette Smoke Condensate in a Bronchial Epithelial Cell Co-Culture Model , Alison J. Montpetit

Cancer Patients with Pain: Examination of the Role of the Spouse/Partner Relationship In Mediating Quality of Life Outcomes for the Couple , Mary Ann Morgan

Development of an Ecological Model to Predict Risk for Acquisition of Clostridium difficile -Associated Diarrhea During Acute Care Hospitalization , Susan Elaine Steele

Development and Psychometric Evaluation of the Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Assessment Tool , Cindy S. Tofthagen

Health Decision Behaviors: Appropriateness of Dietary Choice , Daryle Hermelin Wane

Theses/Dissertations from 2007 2007

The Relationship Between Sleep-Wake Disturbance and Pain in Cancer Patients Admitted to Hospice Home Care , Marjorie Acierno

Wheelchair Positioning and Pulmonary Function in Children with Cerebral Palsy , Lee Barks

Structural Equation Model of Exercise in Women Utilizing the Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms and Social Cognitive Variables , Sarah Elizabeth Cobb

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A Comprehensive Approach to Undergraduate Nursing Students' Research Experiences

• PMID: 29381163
• DOI: 10.3928/01484834-20180102-12

Background: As the demands for high-quality nursing care increase and organizations are held accountable for patient outcomes, health care must be driven by research and evidence-based practice (EBP). Historically, prelicensure nursing students have expressed little interest in these topics as they focus on establishing the clinical skills necessary to provide care and have found that courses on nursing research are not clinically relevant.

Method: This article presents one institution's approach to undergraduate nursing research education by three initiatives: (a) a summer research program, (b) a distinguished major program, and (c) an EBP approach in the undergraduate nursing research course.

Results: The results of these initiatives have demonstrated positive outcomes in three areas: practice improvements, knowledge dissemination, and student interest in research and further professional development.

Conclusion: These programs have proven to be clinically beneficial, while increasing student interest in research and further nursing education. [J Nurs Educ. 2018;57(1):58-62.].

Copyright 2018, SLACK Incorporated.

• Attitude of Health Personnel*
• Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / methods*
• Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / organization & administration
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Nursing Education Research
• Nursing Evaluation Research
• Nursing Methodology Research
• Nursing Research / education*
• Students, Nursing / psychology*

• Open access
• Published: 06 August 2022

Undergraduate nursing students’ experiences of becoming a professional nurse: a longitudinal study

• Susanne Lundell Rudberg 1 , 2 ,
• Margareta Westerbotn 3 , 4 ,
• Taina Sormunen 2 ,
• Max Scheja 5 &
• Hanna Lachmann 1  

BMC Nursing volume  21 , Article number:  219 ( 2022 ) Cite this article

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During education it is essential for nursing students to develop professionalism in nursing. Nurses are placed in situations based on trust, and it is crucial that their patients have confidence in them to provide professional and safe care. A key period in nursing students’ development of a professionalism occurs during training when students gain knowledge and skills that separate nurses as professional healthcare workers from laypeople. The purpose of this study was to investigate nursing students’ experiences of professional competence development during education.

A longitudinal study was carried out using qualitative content analysis with a manifest inductive approach. Thirty-four students enrolled in a Swedish three-year nursing program, from August 2015 to January 2017 were interviewed on four occasions.

The results revealed that students’ professional role developed gradually. The students’ started their education with dreams and a naive understanding of the profession, but their understanding of the complexity of the nursing profession gradually evolved. Students became theoretically equipped at the university and developed clinical skills through practice. Students’ focus went from mastering medical technology to a more holistic approach. Before graduating, students felt ready but not fully trained.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate a discrepancy between the content of the theoretical education and the clinical settings since students identified a lack of evidence-based practice. A solid theoretical education before entering clinical training offered students possibilities for reflecting on evidence-based practice and the clinical settings. The realization that there is always potential for professional improvement can be interpreted as an emerging awareness, and development of professionalism. It is clear that students could benefit from increased collaborative work between clinical supervisors and faculty staff at the university.

Peer Review reports

It is essential to maintain professionalism in the nursing profession [ 1 ]. Nurses are placed in situations based on trust, and it is crucial that the persons depending on these professionals have confidence in them to provide professional and safe care [ 1 ]. A key period in nursing students’ development of a professionalism occurs during training when they gain knowledge and skills that separate nurses as professional healthcare workers from laypeople [ 2 ]. However, there is limited theoretical knowledge of the aspects that constitute and drive the development of nursing students’ professional competence.

Professionalism and competence

The term ‘professionalism’ is used globally to describe professions with a nonspecific focus. There is no simple, generalizable definition of the multidimensional concept of professionalism, or a simple way of assessing it [ 3 ]. When applied to nursing, professionalism is associated with behaviors such as a belief in public service, autonomy and self-regulation, and a sense of vocation [ 1 ]. So the concept of professionalism is complex and maintaining professionalism is essential in the nursing profession [ 3 ]. Apart from being time specific and related to specific contexts, nursing students’ competencies, domains and levels vary by professional assignment, description, and country [ 4 ]. The governance of nursing education varies globally, and is controlled by national regulations [ 5 ]. It has become common to use a holistic view in defining nurse competencies, including behavior statements reflecting the skills, knowledge, attitudes, and judgments required for effective performance in the nursing profession [ 6 , 7 ]. Professionalism in healthcare is associated with a wide range of benefits, for example staff displaying higher levels of professional attitudes also seem to behave more professionally [ 8 ], and increased safety for patients [ 9 ]. To integrate quality into nursing education a framework has been developed comprising six nurse core competencies; person-centered care, evidence-based practice, teamwork and collaboration, safety, quality improvement and informatics [ 10 ].

Nursing students’ journey towards professionalism

Dr Benner describes the concept of professional development in the nursing profession as evolving from novice to expert in five stages: novice, advanced beginner, competent proficient and expert [ 11 ]. In health care, the learning process, and also the socialization to develop a professional identity, have often meant adopting standards and norms of the professional group [ 12 , 13 ]. Nursing students are socialized towards professionalism during training, being required to integrate the attributes of professionalism in their routine practice [ 1 ]. Students are motivated to learn when they feel included in the clinical environment, while experiences of exclusion and lack of belonging influences negatively on motivation to learn [ 14 ]. Deliktas et al. [ 15 ] found that undergraduate nursing students’ approach to the nursing profession is associated with humanism, also identified as conscience, coupled with an ambition to touch people’s lives. It requires great effort from the students together with substantial support from teachers and supervisors to develop a comfortable professional identity upon graduation [ 16 ]. Students’ journey to becoming an RN has been investigated previously [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. However, longitudinal studies of students’ experiences of professional development throughout the whole education are scarce.

The present study aimed at investigating nursing students’ experiences of professional competence development during education.

This study applied a descriptive longitudinal design involving qualitative content analysis with a manifest inductive approach.

Settings and participants

Thirty-four students enrolled in a Swedish three-year nursing program, starting from August 2015 to January 2017, were followed longitudinally. The group comprised 28 women and six men, a distribution coherent with national statistics of students in health care in HE [ 21 ]. In respect of age, students ranged from 20 to 51 on enrolment. Fourteen students had previously attended HE, and ten had completed a university degree in another subject. Twelve reported living in a single household and eight had children of their own, whilst ten students shared a household with up to three children.

Data collection

A purpose sampling technique was used. During the first week of education, all students enrolled were invited to participate. Information about the purpose of the study was given orally after an introductory lecture and in writing on the university’s learning platform. Students were also informed about whom to contact if they had questions prior to the interviews. Students who signed a written informed consent were invited on four occasions (Fig.  1 ) to individual, semi-structured interviews carried out in an undisturbed conference room at the university. A total of thirty-four students participated in all interviews. A semistructured interview guide was designed to capture students’ ongoing professional development, including questions about their views of nurse core competencies at interviews two, three and four, ( supplementary file ). All four interviews were carried out by the first author and lasted five to 40 min. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim [ 22 , 23 ].

Overview of methods including generic categories, main categories, and overarching themes

The study was approved by the Regional Ethical Review Board, Stockholm (Registration no: 2015/894–31/5).

Data analysis

The interview transcripts were read several times making sense of the data as whole [ 24 ] and then analyzed using qualitative content analysis with a manifest inductive approach [ 25 , 26 ]. Data were divided into four chronological data sets, interviews 1–4. Each dataset was read again when conducting open coding, using NVivo software [ 27 ]. Identified codes were grouped into sub-categories labelled with a phrase that described the meaning content. Sub-categories were grouped by contextual meaning resulting in 19 generic categories. From this categorization, an abstraction was derived describing one main category of students’ experiences from each interview [ 28 ], Fig.  1 .

Individual patterns were analyzed to identify and validate shared patterns [ 29 ], Table 1 .

Finally, an overarching main theme of professional development was abstracted from the main categories and shared patterns, Table 2 . To ensure trustworthiness data was discussed among the authors in every step of the analysis until consensus was reached [ 22 ]

One main category was created from interviews performed at the same semester. Results are presented as four main categories: ‘Anticipation’; ‘Prepared for internship’; ‘Deepened understanding; ‘Insight’ with associated generic themes, summarized in the overarching theme: ‘Ready but not fully trained’, Fig.  1 .

Anticipation

In the first interview students expressed their conceptions, expectations and doubts regarding both education and the nursing profession.

Make a difference

Students voiced a desire to make a difference, to contribute to society, change structures, and help people. They also voiced expectations of receiving tools to deal with real-life problems and change the world for the better. For some students, this desire to make a difference had meant choosing to end a prosperous career in another field.

“I have expectations that you should be able to contribute something every day, to feel needed and important, an important cog in the wheel” (Student no 30).

Students also emphasized they were proud to become nurses and the profession was perceived depicted as incorporating aspects of emotionally rewarding personal development. Employment security was also underscored expressing beliefs that there will always be a need for RNs to help the sick and injured.

“I am going to have an occupation I’m proud of, when people ask what I do for a living I want to say that I am a nurse and it is the best job in the entire world, that is the strongest anticipation” (Student no 31).

Self-confidence

The students presented a picture of being aware of their own strengths and weaknesses, and expressed a belief in their personal capacity, looking forward to the challenges to come. Students explained the decision to become an RN saying that they had been told they had a suitable personality, but they underscored that the final decision had been their own. Some mentioned having a childhood dream of becoming an RN.

“Many have told me; you should become a nurse, but it was I who made this decision, because I did not want to become a nurse for a long time because I didn´t want to study” (Student no 1).

Doubts were identified in three areas: one´s true nature, life situation, and the nursing profession. Concerns of trying out if RN would be an appropriate occupation, being incapable, coming to dislike the profession or regretting having started the program were linked to ideas about self-awareness and personality. Responsibilities to significant others were mentioned as a potential obstacle in coping with the education. Doubts about the profession concerned poor working conditions including an overwhelming workload, becoming stuck in the middle and not being appreciated.

“That I shall never be able to relax but will always be sitting in the wrong chair all the time, and to have to struggle financially, no salary, will I be able to take extra shifts or not, yes worries, and if I should feel it isn´t my cup of tea too, it would be sad if I had put a lot of effort into the education” (Student no 31).

Prepared for internship

In the second interview after two semesters in theoretical education students were about to put their theoretical knowledge into practical skills.

Theoretically equipped

Students expressed a belief in their own progress and having learned a lot, feeling theoretically prepared for internship. However, this experience of being successful in their studies was not particularly influenced by failing exams or not passing a course.

“A lot of theoretical knowledge that I think is still present even if you forget a little here and there, I think it is in the back of your head somewhere, and anyway, still you don’t feel that you’re thrown in at the deep end, now you get to learn to swim, but you still have some knowledge, that you hopefully will be able to try” (Student no 11).

Need experience

The transition of knowledge from abstract to concrete was expressed as a longing to develop clinical skills. Consequently, the desire for internship was regarded as a long-awaited opportunity to develop practical experience.

“I’m just looking forward more and more to internship and to see how it is for real and so on, because sometimes you want to be able to see if it is as good as you read in the books” (Student no 20).

Professional approach

Students testified to the experience of having changed their outlook on their personal life and of being able to act professionally when needed. They felt more competent having acquired more knowledge. Students talked about an increased interest in searching for evidence-based practice in daily life and compared this with how they used to do things because they had heard or read about it somewhere. They described this in terms of a change in mindset, being more thorough when it came to searching for information.

“I have learned the difference between just being nice and being too much sugar and spice with the risk of being condescending, just think of small things such as saying that, like not to say, come on, let’s go and shower, because it may not actually be the way to talk to someone, it becomes a little statement of stupidity, sweetie or love or whatever, so I think my communication has probably improved, and I think I have a slightly more humble attitude than before” (Student no 3).

Trust in educators

A trust in educators emerged in this interview, expressed by expectations about being taught what they need to become an RN. Additionally, sometimes the understanding and relevance of topics brought to the fore in the teaching did not occur until after having completed a course; during the course the aims and structure sometimes came across as unclear and ambiguous. Students expressed taking for granted that all the topics taught built on evidence-based practice.

“It’s hard to say because I have not practiced it, I feel that we get the tools at university that equip us to think safely” (Student no 8).

Insecurity was brought up by students in terms of lacking knowledge, competence, or ability. The fear of making mistakes and harming a patient was one of the students’ worst fears. Feelings of underperforming were mentioned and often related to personal issues. When talking about pressures felt in relation to studying, students mentioned that they had themselves to blame, for example because of poor planning or prioritizing other things besides studying.

“The thought of internship makes me incredibly nervous, but also very excited so there are conflicting emotions… it is nerve-racking in both directions, but I hope that you feel safe then with all the theory that we have received, we have gained a very solid knowledge so that’s not what I’m unsure of, it’s rather my own competence to take in everything I’m a little unsure of” (Student no 23).

Fairy-tale world

Since students were about to embark on their clinical practice, issues about this reality were highlighted. There was a preconception of what to expect, combined with thoughts of being taught about a fairy tale world. Even so, the pre-understanding of how things worked was considered valuable. Additionally, an awareness of being underpaid as an RN was raised, but this was overruled by the prospect of receiving emotional rewards in the profession.

“These things are repeated all the time, but you never get the chance to discuss what reality looks like, and what do I do if it doesn´t look like this, because it doesn´t, so it becomes very much like what the fairy tale world looks like, and we hope reality looks like that too “ (Student no 5).

Deepened understanding

The third interview took place halfway through the program when all students had attended internship. The internship was described as an opportunity to transfer theoretical knowledge to practical skills. Students particularly testified to experiences involving broadened knowledge of the nursing profession, nurse core competencies and the health-care organization.

Constant process

Development at this stage was experienced as challenging. Learning was described as a personal responsibility, although students also stressed the importance of being able to observe supervisors as good role models.

“It is a constant learning process, searching for knowledge, you should always question why do we do this, there should be evidence… we develop all the time” (Student no 26).

Contrariwise learning

Students described examples of supervision settings in which the tutor did not follow guidelines or failed to uphold patient safety. Students dealt with such ‘negative learning experiences’ by setting personal objectives not to act as these tutors. Students underscored that those experiences of negative examples could potentially be more beneficial given opportunities to reflect on these together with a peer.

“It is very educational to be out and see both good and bad examples because then you see how you absolutely don´t want to work and how you don´t want to become and what you don´t think is okay” (Student no 16).

Want to influence

When talking about negative matters in health care, students highlighted their visions of making influence. Students talked about the ability to act professionally during internship, something that became complicated when supervisors took shortcuts or skipped guidelines. Sometimes this led to a complex change in mindset about the professional role as students did not want to question the supervisors openly.

“Sometimes it has also been like this:’You see that I have gloves on me, ok’, although they don´t have gloves,’for educational purposes I have gloves, you know now, okay’.“ (Student no 25).

Reality shock

Some clinical placements were described as being charged with a negative atmosphere including staff who acted negligently or carelessly. It was concluded that the nurse core competencies were an excellent theoretical model, but some of them were regarded impossible to maintain. For example, students’ estimations of patients’ safety in clinics ranged from dangerous to secure. An unsafe environment was explained as a consequence of exhausted staff and lack of time. Students were annoyed with the amount of documentation and non-appropriate software, stealing time from patient care. Instances of hierarchical thinking were mentioned as a minor problem, primarily experienced in meetings with employees close to retirement age.

“You want so incredibly much, and you have your high ambition when you go out [in the clinic] and so, and then there is no time or something, it was kind of quite scary to come out and see how it actually is in reality” (Student no 10).

Learning practical skills was described as exhausting since trained staff offered diverse methods, sometimes lacking in evidence. Students also voiced problems identifying ‘the correct way’ to perform medical technical. Additionally, students did not want to oppose their supervisors but rather sought their guidance and support.

“It was tough to have such a long internship, it was absolutely dreadful … and then you are new and should be so damn alert… because it is our own responsibility, our own learning of course, you want so much… I was actually completely exhausted” (Student no 33).

In the fourth interview, the students were aware that their education was coming to an end, and they were about to leave the student role. Students highlighted that even if they felt prepared to work as RN:s, they did not consider themselves fully trained.

Feeling prepared

Students expressed having learnt the professional role, being equipped, and having trust in their own competence and ability. Competence was referred to as a personal capacity, including both professional skills and abilities. Students also testified to having an insight into the necessary knowledge of an RN and expressed gratitude to persistent lecturers pushing them to learn things they initially did not understand.

“From not really knowing what I got myself into, to knowing I have an ethical compass, and I can question certain actions or prescriptions that I am not sure about, that I wish the patient well, that I can see it” (Student no 27).

Influences of reality

Students reflected on poor terms of employment, mentioning issues of low salary, lack of time and poor working environments. These concerns were strengthened by internship experiences of working alongside tired staff or those only waiting for retirement. Students also reflected on societal values that have a negative impact on RNs, for example increased ethnocentrism, and an overall hardening climate. Moreover, students voiced fears of becoming bored and not caring about their work, linking back to encounters with tired and overworked nurses at the clinic.

“I saw staff who didn´t have time to eat lunch and such, it may not be a major part of the profession itself but more healthcare in general and that is probably what I have thought about a lot, will it be like that when I finish and have to work for well, thirty more years” (Student no 13).

Exciting and scary

Despite describing a conviction of being able to work as an RN, emotions of insecurity were voiced in terms of an unknown future regarding both graduation and being employed. Worries about ending up in a non-functional workplace were voiced as well as the importance and purpose of collaboration. Having observed teams of varying functionality students also talked about the importance of belonging to a purposeful team. To take on a leading role of an interprofessional team was considered to be both exiting and scary. Additionally, students underscored the advantage of participating in an introductory program when applying for employment, along with a strategy to change workplace if they felt dissatisfied.

“It feels scary at the same time as it feels really fun and fine to finally finish, I aim for advanced studies eventually, but I want to work to feel a bit more confident” (Student no 8).

Personal development

Students reported an increased level of personal awareness in terms of having developed humility and ability to identify their own shortcomings. Reflections on supervisors working against regulations due to lack of time or laziness, led to reasoning about the risk of ending up the same way, not taking care of patients in an evidence-based and secure way. Another opinion was that the education offered too little time to develop the ability to handle future professional challenges.

“I have gained a lot of knowledge, but also that you grow a lot as a person and as a human, in what you do you learn a lot about yourself “ (Student no 24).

Overarching theme: ready but not fully trained

The interviews revealed emotions of being competent but also of lacking knowledge and skills; students considered that continued learning and development was necessary to work as a professional RN. The students pointed out that they would give up working as an RN if they felt there was no need for further learning, because there will always be room for improvement, leading to the overarching theme; Ready but not fully trained as students explained that the nursing profession implies lifelong learning and lifelong improvement.

Findings from this study describe students perceived gradual transformation of becoming a professional RN. In particular our findings indicate that students entering higher education sometimes have a naive or idealized view of the nursing profession, driven by dreams such as helping people, developing a career and delivering excellent nursing, as found by ten Hoeve et al. [ 30 ]. Similar to Lindberg et al. [ 31 ] we found that today’s entrants to nursing education believe in themselves and their ability to make an impact.

During the first year students were primarily focused on acquiring theoretical knowledge to develop a solid basis. After having completed a year of theoretical education, they felt prepared to test their theoretical knowledge in practice. Moreover, due to the first theoretical year, students’ self-esteem had increased even if they were not always aware of their progress until they had had time to reflect and look back. Their own professional development became tangible when they started to compare their current skills and competence with the experiences they had at the outset of education, a “delayed” professional understanding. Our findings advance earlier work on delayed understanding that refers to a situation in which students taking a particular course have difficulty understanding topics introduced in the teaching, and why particular things should be learned [ 32 ]. Later on, they do see the point of taking the course, but this understanding can sometimes be substantially delayed, which may cause some students to experience considerable frustration.

When entering clinical practice students are theoretically equipped, but most students lack practical experience, they are on a Novice level [ 11 ]. In the second year, after practicing their skills in clinical environments, students described how theory and practice were joined to become a whole. Our study indicate that the students’ expectations constituted motivation for theoretical studies, which in turn provided readiness for practical training with the support of acquired theoretical knowledge. The experiential learning in clinic seems to give the students possibility to enter the level of Advanced beginner [ 11 ].

The clinical environment was sometimes a rough wake-up call when students’ experiences did not quite meet their dreams and expectations, previously described by ten Hoeve et al. [ 30 ]. Even so, this study revealed that students testified to experiences of having been able to train according to guidelines, although the staff worked according to routines without practicing person-centered care. Students’ professional development became obvious when they reflected on, and assessed, the behaviors and actions of the clinical staff. Interestingly, students used the experience of meeting supervisors lacking in professional competency as “bad examples” which led to a personal goal not to act in a similar way. From these observations it is clear that learning occurs in all areas, also when there are discrepancies and gaps [ 33 ]. Despite the negative experiences of students, our findings suggest that students did mature as human beings, identifying changes in their own behavioral patterns, indicating they were involved in a transformative learning process [ 34 ]. Gaining experience from both work and personal life seemed to be beneficial to professional development. Furthermore, during the clinical education, students deepened their understanding through experiential learning and at the time of graduation, the students had developed a professional insight. Benner describes that newly graduated nurses are mostly Advanced beginners [ 11 ], but our results suggests that many students have reached the level Competent.

Students professional development became visible in how they transformed their understanding of the six core competencies: person-centered care, evidence-based practice, teamwork and collaboration, safety, quality improvement and informatics [ 10 ]. In the early interviews, students spontaneously ranked the importance of each competency, some considered more essential and others less significant. At the end of the program students described a pattern of connection between all core competencies, implying that if one was missing it would be to the detriment of the others. Students’ ability to connect the core competencies as parts forming a coherent whole revealed their understanding of the complexity of the nursing profession as described by Guaroni et al. and Lindberg et al. [ 31 , 35 ]. Similar to findings reported by Manninen et al. [ 36 ] our results showed students’ focus on professional development shifting from managing medical-technical skills to the capability of using a person-centered and holistic perspective when interacting with patients. Our findings of students’ ability to overview the context and achieve a holistic understanding of the core competencies reveals a clear progression in their professional development. The findings presented here indicate that students experience insecurity at the end of their education as they realize they have to master nursing care as well as be able to co-ordinate the professional team, an observation which has previously been reported by Lindberg et al. [ 31 ]. These dichotomous emotions of excitement and fear at time of graduation could be connected to the fact that the biggest step from being a student to a professional RN involves taking independent responsibility as shown by Kumaran and Carneys [ 37 ]. Additionally, students’ observation that an RN always needs further development clearly indicate that the interviewees reflected on their own professional competence as well as nursing competence in general. This is an important reminder for employers and managers to sanction time for staff professional development activities.

Strengths and limitations

This study offered longitudinal insights into a sample of 34 students followed throughout their education. Different measures were taken to enhance trustworthiness including dependability and credibility [ 23 ]. All students who had entered the nursing program, regardless of previous experiences, were invited to participate. The same interview guide was used on each occasion although students started their studies at different times. All interviews were carried out by the first author, who had a pre-understanding working as a lecturer at the university. To reduce impact on students’ participation no interviews were performed in the semester when the first author graded the students. The interviews took place at one specific university and these contextual boundaries need to be taken into consideration in assessing the transferability of the results to other contexts. However, the Swedish nursing program is regulated by national guidelines, likewise to nursing education globally which suggests that these findings may be of relevance to programs of a similar kind. The findings presented here make important connections the more general concept of authenticity and Benner´s [ 11 ] nursing theory and Mezirows theory of transformative learning [ 34 ] which may potentially enhance the generalizability of the results.

The process of developing a professional competence as a nurse progresses gradually. Upon graduation, students feel ready but not fully trained, which signifies a professional approach in which an RN can always improve academic and clinical skills. A solid theoretical knowledge contributes to students reflecting on both their own role and the nurse’s role in clinical settings. Our findings indicate a discrepancy between the content of the theoretical education and the clinical settings since students identified a lack of evidence-based practice. It is clear that students could benefit from increased collaborative work between clinical supervisors and faculty staff at the university.

Availability of data and materials

The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are not publicly available due to that the material may contain details about participants that might need to be anonymized but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the students for giving their time and valuable information.

Open access funding provided by Karolinska Institute. Supported by grants provided by the Stockholm County Council (ALF-project) and the Sophiahemmet Research Foundation, Sweden.

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Susanne Lundell Rudberg & Hanna Lachmann

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Susanne Lundell Rudberg & Taina Sormunen

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Margareta Westerbotn

Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, 118 83, Stockholm, Sweden

Department of Education of Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden

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HL designed the study. SLR performed interviews and analyses. SLR, HL, TS, MW and MS drafted and revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the manuscript.

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The research was approved by Sophiahemmet University Research Board. All students enrolled in the program were informed about the aim of the study and were invited, both orally and in writing, to participate in interviews. Informed consent in writing was obtained from the participants. Information about the study was provided to participants and verbal consent was obtained before the interviews were conducted. This study was performed according to the guidelines of the Helsinki Declaration and approved by the Regional Ethics Review Board, Stockholm (Registration number: 2015/894–31/5).

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Lundell Rudberg, S., Westerbotn, M., Sormunen, T. et al. Undergraduate nursing students’ experiences of becoming a professional nurse: a longitudinal study. BMC Nurs 21 , 219 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-022-01002-0

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290 Good Nursing Research Topics & Questions

Florence Nightingale is called “the mother of modern nursing.” She was the first one who started incorporating research into her practice. While providing patients with health care and support, nurses observe things that may need further investigation. This way, they become not only caretakers but also scientists.

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Research topics in nursing are a way to gain valuable evidence-based knowledge while providing patient care. Moreover, they offer an opportunity to help other nurses by contributing to global healthcare. Some of the most pressing nursing research questions concern medical surgery, midwifery, and geriatrics, as well as the issues of leadership and management.

Need some inspiring topics for nursing students? Look no further! This article by Custom-writing.org experts contains 290 hot nursing research topics, as well as useful additional information and writing tips.

• 🔝 Top 10 Topics
• ☑️ How to Choose a Topic?
• 🐥 Pediatric Topics
• 👴 Geriatric Topics
• 🍼 Midwifery Topics
• 💆 Mental Health Topics
• 🏊 Health Promotion Topics
• 💡 Topics for Discussion
• 🔝 10 Research Questions
• 🔢 Quantitative Research
• 🔬 Qualitative Research

👋 Conclusion

🔝 top 10 nursing research topics 2024.

• The social effect of the opioid crisis.
• Cancel culture and women’s health.
• Economic aspects of euthanasia.
• Nursing adaptation for a digital era.
• The gender pay gap in nursing.
• Health issues of immigrant women.
• Should futile medical care be provided?
• Ways to improve diversity in nursing.
• Ethics of artificial hydration and nutrition.
• Overcoming vaccine hesitancy during pregnancy.

☑️ Research Topics in Nursing: How to Choose?

BSc students and interns often find it challenging to come up with a nursing research paper topic. Healthcare covers a lot of very diverse topics. It’s easy to get confused while trying to choose the most interesting one.

First of all, t is very important to narrow your focus. If the problem you’ve chosen is too large, it can be impossible to examine it properly. Remember: you don’t have to solve world problems in order to contribute to medical science. Choose a current topic which already has plenty of literature studies , and add something new to it. There are interesting nursing research questions in any area, be it social work, psychology, obstetrics, or clinical nursing.

You can choose a topic based on your personal experience. It can be something you observe in your family or an issue that made you interested in the nursing profession in the first place. You can look at the situation in your hometown or city to help you come up with an idea for evidence-based practice nursing research topics.

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📜 Nursing Research Topics

Once you’ve chosen your area of interest, you are ready to formulate your thesis and write a research proposal. Below is a list of research questions examples for you to choose from.

🐥 Pediatric Nursing Research Topics

Ways of enhancing language development for children with developmental disabilities

• Evaluation of pragmatic language patterns in autistic children
• Taking care of children with congenital heart disease : psychological issues
• Childhood cancer treatment optimization: new ways
• Children with cancer and their families: psychological issues
• Cancer: health service delivery efficiency
• Childhood obesity: a population health issue
• Radiation therapy: the response of the hematopoietic system in oncology patients
• Leukemia cells and the immune system: mechanisms of interaction
• Childhood acute leukemia : the use of molecular markers in diagnosis
• Blindness in children receiving oxygen therapy : risk-reducing strategies

• Early life exposures that promote heart disease later in life
• Role of early-life exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals in childhood obesity
• Obesity in children and adolescents : prevention strategies
• Childhood obesity and other cardiovascular risk factors: epidemiologic research
• Childhood obesity: identification, screening, prevention, and management
• Stem cells and their usage in the treatment of pediatric diseases
• Early-life exposure to air pollution: health effects
• Prenatal exposure to nicotine: health effects
• Effects of early life stress on metabolic and cognitive development of children
• Asthma in children: diagnosis and management
• Asthma in children : monitoring techniques
• Opportunistic fungal infections: pathogenesis and treatment
• HHV6: pathogenesis, immunology, and treatment
• Meningitis in children: prevention and vaccination
• Vaccination against influenza in children: reactions and complications
• Common measles complications in children
• Surfactant replacement therapy for premature infants: beneficial effects
• Animal models for respiratory diseases: the investigation of pathogenesis
• Cells and molecules in lung health and disease: understanding the function
• Neurotrophin and neurotransmitter receptors: a molecular study
• New therapeutic approaches to developmental diseases of the nervous system
• Movement disorders in children: understanding and treatment
• Tourette syndrome in children: causes and treatment
• Neuroblastoma in children: understanding racial differences
• Understanding Metabolic Syndrome: symptoms and causes
• Anorexia and related changes in brain function and behavior
• Eating disorders in children : effects on growth and health
• Infant nutrition: prevention of obesity and eating disorders
• ADHD medication for children: long-term effects
• ADHD in children: efficacy of dance and music therapy
• Efficacy of mind-body therapy in children with ADHD
• Autism in children : benefits of meditation techniques
• Ear infections in children: diagnosis and treatment
• Acute renal insufficiency: nursing care and treatment
• Childhood nephrotic syndrome : nursing care and management
• Kidney stones in children: preventive strategies
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: development and symptoms
• Hypoplastic left heart syndrome: management strategies
• Type 1 diabetes in children: genetic and environmental factors
• Children with type 1 diabetes from ethnic minorities: risk factors

👴 Geriatric Nursing Research Topics

• Age-Related Changes in Health: cardiovascular system
• Age-Related Changes in Nervous System and Cognition abilities in older adults
• Physiologic changes in the musculoskeletal system in older adults
• The effects of aging on the immune system
• Vaccination for older adults: benefits and challenges
• Urinary tract infections in older adults: risk factors and diagnosis
• Malnutrition in older adults: consequences and effects on organ systems
• Gastrointestinal tract disorders in older age: nursing care strategies
• Nursing: long-term care facilities
• Sensory system changes and impairments in older adults: nursing care strategies
• Assessment of physical function in older adults: effects of regular physical activity
• Oral health conditions in older adults: effects and treatment
• Ways of improving oral care for older people
• Oral hydration in older adults: ways of maintaining
• Dehydration in older adults: prevention, recognition, and treatment
• Diet as a risk factor for dementia

• Personalized diets for older adults and their role in healthy aging
• The role of diet in reducing the risk of osteoporosis
• Family caregiving of older cancer patients: psychological issues
• Taking care for seniors with chronic illness : psychological issues
• Risk factors for functional decline in older patients: ways of optimization
• Physical environment as a risk factor for functional decline in older patients
• Later-life depression: cause and risk factors
• Ophthalmic care for older patients: nursing strategies
• Medication adherence in patients with dementia : development and implementation of interventions
• Use of machine learning in predicting dementia in older adults: effectiveness and accuracy assessment
• Alzheimer’s disease : biological mechanisms and preventive measures
• Cognitive therapy for older patients with Alzheimer’s disease: effectiveness and strategies
• Delirium in elderly patients: prevention strategies
• Massage Therapy vs. Simple Touch to Improve Pain and Mood in Patients with Advanced Cancer: A Randomized Trial
• Improving pain management in older patients: care strategies
• Falls and injury risk in older adults: prevention and management
• Adverse drug effects in elderly patients: interventions and care strategies
• Use of physical restraints : ethics of the issue
• Ethnicity as a risk factor for pressure ulcer development
• Excessive sleepiness as a risk factor of cognitive decline in elderly patients
• Alcohol use disorders in elderly patients: care strategies
• Substance use disorders in older adults: treatment and care options
• Management of sepsis in critically ill elderly patients
• Complications in critically ill patients due to prolonged hospital stay
• Heart failure in older adults: current therapeutic options
• Care of elderly surgical patients: ways of optimization
• The concept of geriatric dehydration
• Perioperative care of older adults: nursing strategies
• Medical emergencies associated with cancer treatment of elderly patients
• Cancer surgery in elderly patients: risk assessment
• Pancreatic cancer surgery in older adults: balancing risks and benefits
• Bladder cancer in older adults: risk factors and challenges
• Older patients with fragility hip fracture: care strategies
• Handling pressure ulcers in hip fracture patients
• Care of the older patients in the ED: nursing intervention
• Transitional care for elderly patients with chronic disease : care strategies
• Advanced care planning: nurse’s roles and strategies

🍼 Midwifery Nursing Research Topics

• Women with a disability: pregnancy and childbirth
• The effect of midwifery care in pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postnatal period
• Maternal and infant outcomes of caseload care
• Caseload midwifery care in ethnic minorities
• Ways of improving health outcomes for women and babies from ethnic minorities
• Depression and anxiety in new mothers: effects on the health of mothers and infants
• Postnatal depression: risk factors
• Complication of pregnancy: Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH)
• Effectiveness of peer support in preventing postnatal depression
• Telephone support as a means of reducing postnatal depression : a cost-effectiveness analysis
• Diabetes in pregnancy: risk factors and management
• Hypoglycemia in newborns: preventive measures
• Women’s experience of motherhood: attachment and mother-infant bonding
• Stress in midwives and nurses: causes and prevalence
• Group antenatal care: feasibility and acceptability
• The positive impact of early parenting education

• Midwifery continuity of care and its effectiveness.
• The role of community support in maintaining emotional health during pregnancy
• Birth plan and its effects on the birth experience
• Effects of prenatal yoga on women and infants
• Prolonged labor and its effect on birth experience in women
• Childbirth experience for autistic women
• Pain management in labor: relaxation techniques and therapies
• Cesarean section: risks and long-term effects
• Fear of childbirth: symptoms and treatments
• Parental experiences with premature and low birth weight infants
• Sleep disorders in new mothers: effects on mothers and infants
• Perinatal palliative care : the role of midwives in providing care and support to families
• Childbirth expectations and experience: effect on new mother’s mental health
• Advanced maternal age: risk factors
• Adverse pregnancy outcomes: causes and risk factors
• Periodontitis: effect on preterm birth and low birth weight in babies
• Spirituality in midwifery: effects on labor and delivery
• Obesity and pregnancy: labor intervention and outcomes
• Teamwork in midwifery: key concepts
• Power dynamics in midwifery care: initiating, building, and maintaining relationships
• Domestic violence against women: raising awareness among midwives
• Midwifery care for women of low socioeconomic status: benefits of understanding social context
• Psychological traumatic childbirth: contributing factors
• The role of midwives in the monitoring process of emergency care
• Fetal monitoring, screening, and other tests during pregnancy
• Weight management and physical activity in pregnancy
• Handling physical and emotional changes during pregnancy
• Facilitating and maintaining normal childbirth: strategies and practices
• Decision-making during birth: the role of midwives
• Midwifery care during the immediate postnatal period
• Engaging fathers in perinatal services: ways and strategies
• Skincare and hygiene for newborns and infants
• Immediate care of the newborns
• Infant feeding: methods and techniques
• Common feeding problems: identification and management

💆 Mental Health Research Topics in Nursing

• The connection between air pollution and Alzheimer’s disease
• Vitamin D Deficiency and long-term cognitive impairment among older patients
• Effects of meditation on patients with cognitive impairment
• The connection between social phobia and selective mutism
• Post-traumatic stress disorder: new prevention techniques
• Social media : effects on mental health among teenagers
• Stimulant treatments of ADHD
• Bipolar disorder: early detection and risk factors
• Bipolar disorder in families: genetic factors
• Effectiveness of deep brain stimulation in patients with depression

• Reconstruction of the sense of self in schizophrenia patients
• Understanding personal experience and phenomenology in patients with schizophrenia
• The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy for panic attack treatment
• The connection between panic disorder and maladaptive behavior
• The connection between brain inflammation and OCD
• White matter abnormalities in patients with OCD
• The combined effects of TMS and therapy on patients with depression
• Changes in task performance under stress in patients with anxiety disorders
• Biological processes of generalized anxiety
• Depression in perimenopausal women
• Schizophrenia: genetic factors
• Schizophrenia: environmental factors
• Ways of diagnosing autism spectrum disorder in adults
• Ways of detecting early-stage dementia
• The connection between dopamine levels and autism spectrum disorders
• The connection between serotonin levels and autism spectrum disorders
• The connection between screen time and inattention problems in children with ADHD
• ADHD : prevention strategies
• The efficacy of mindfulness techniques in patients with social phobia
• The efficacy of paroxetine in treating patients with anxiety
• Etiology of anorexia nervosa
• The role of socio-cultural factors in the development of eating disorders
• Treatment of agoraphobia : new ways
• Phobias and the ways to deal with them
• Seasonal affective disorder: summer and winter patterns
• Brain differences in patients with insomnia
• Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder: brain mechanisms and risk factors
• The physical response to a traumatic experience in patients with PTSD
• Borderline personality disorder: brain factors
• Effects of music therapy for adolescents with autism
• The connection between traumatic events during childhood and the development of borderline personality disorder
• Dialectical behavior therapy in the treatment of patients with a borderline personality disorder
• Ways of diagnosing of psychogenic movement disorders
• Conduct disorder in children : ways of increasing awareness
• Adverse childhood experiences : the long-term effects
• Body dysmorphic disorder : diagnosis and treatment
• The mechanisms of body dysmorphic disorder: the use of brain imaging studies
• Adjustment disorder : diagnosis and treatment
• Schizotypal personality disorder : neurobiology and symptoms
• The efficacy of exposure therapy in the treatment of PTSD
• Codependency : ways of raising awareness
• Mood disorders in children: treatment options

🏊 Health Promotion Research Topics in Nursing

• Preventative medicine practices for seniors
• New ways of maintaining a healthy lifestyle in older age
• Communication and sharing of preventative medicine techniques: new ways
• Community-based exercise programs for older adults
• Late-life depression management programs for the elderly
• Planning meaningful activities with older adults as a means of reducing depressive symptoms
• Smoking cessation: the study of obstacles
• Ideas for quitting smoking : new techniques
• Youth inactivity : ways of raising awareness
• Health promotion strategies for obesity
• Motivation to change inactive behavior in young people
• Involvement of children in various physical activities: promotion strategies
• New ways of educating young people about the importance of having a positive body image
• The relationship between a healthy lifestyle promotion and social media: new educational strategies
• Improving diabetes lifestyle
• New ways of increasing cancer screening rates
• New strategies in fostering cancer-preventive behaviors
• Workplace wellness programs as ways of supporting healthy behavior
• Occupational health and safety programs for people working in dangerous conditions
• Maintenance of healthy work environments : new ways
• Workplace programs for raising awareness of AIDS
• Workplace programs for raising awareness of heart disease
• Workplace health promotion among low-paid workers: new strategies
• New ways of increasing workers’ participation in shaping the working environment
• Non-occupational factors in the general environment: ways of raising awareness
• Award-system as means of promotion of participation in workplace initiatives
• New ways of reducing exposure to cancer risk factors
• The effects of second-hand smoking: ways of raising awareness
• Healthy eating habits as a means of preventing the development of diet-associated cancers
• The connection between obesity and cancer: ways of raising awareness
• Alcohol use as a risk factor for cancer: ways of raising awareness
• The importance of vaccines for the hepatitis B virus in cancer prevention
• Cancer-causing air pollution: ways of raising awareness
• The connection between air pollution and lung cancer
• UV radiation and skin cancer: ways of raising awareness
• Physical inactivity as a major cause of death in developed countries
• Physical activity promotion among people of low socioeconomic background: challenges and opportunities
• Physical activity promotion among people with disabilities: challenges and opportunities
• Eating habits and behaviors in children: ways of influencing
• The efficacy of school-based sex education programs
• Cyberbullying: ways of raising awareness and prevention
• Workplace policies: depression management promotion
• The efficacy of school health promotion
• The role of school-based interventions in preventing childhood mental health problems
• Brain health programs: creating new strategies on a small budget
• Brain exercise: understanding key principles
• Communication of useful health information to lay community: new ways
• Managing the global epidemic: ways of raising health awareness
• Disease outbreaks : the role of health promotion
• HIV prevention: new ways of health promotion
• Ways of raising awareness on the routes of transmitting infectious diseases
• Healthy childhood development: health education for children

💡 Nursing Topics for Discussion

• Concept comparison and analysis across nursing theories
• New technologies in nursing
• Undergraduate nursing program and resnick’s theory
• Contemporary nursing knowledge components
• Nurse-patient interactions and outcomes in clinical practice
• Continuing nursing education: a 3-5 year plan
• Evidence-based practice & applied nursing research
• Nursing communication process
• Certified nurse assistant preparatory school: business plan
• Nurse roles in practice
• Self-employed nurses as agents of change in Canada
• Joint Commission: national patient safety goals

🔝 Top 10 Nursing Research Questions

• What’s the connection between psychiatric ward design and aggressive behavior?
• How can computerized nursing records improve the outcomes for patients?
• Do changes that occur in the brain due to dementia cause pain?
• How can tweet reminders help teenagers with type 1 diabetes maintain lower blood sugars?
• What’s the efficacy of yoga as a treatment in reducing lymphedema in cancer patients?
• How can peer support intervention help to prevent suicides among female high school students?
• Is it possible to link veterans’ suicide rates to the timing and location of suicide prevention appointments?
• What can be done to improve the sustainability of operating rooms?
• What are the roles of nurse managers in turnover intervention among nursing staff?
• What are the ways of preventing cachexia in cancer patients receiving radiation and chemotherapy?

📑 Types of Nursing Research

When writing nursing research, you need to use a particular research design. Typically, the choice of design depends on your research question. There can be qualitative and quantitative nursing research topics.

🔢 Quantitative Research In Nursing

Quantitative research is aimed at gaining empirical evidence using deduction and generalization. This means gathering evidence to support or refute a particular theory and deciding to what extent the results can be generalized to a larger population.

Quantitative research can be non-experimental and experimental in design.

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Non-experimental designs imply a description of what happens naturally, without intervention. They are usually not used to detect causes and effects and are not effective for making predictions. Non-experimental designs are classified as follows:

• Descriptive. Descriptive studies are centered on under-researched subjects and phenomena. You describe it, see how often it occurs, and categorize the information you’ve gained.
• Correlational. Correlational studies are aimed at the examination of relationships between the variables. You must measure the variables, analyze the results, and present statistics.

Experimental designs imply strict control from the researcher. They can be used for establishing cause-and-effect relationships, as well as predictions. The experiments are usually blind, which helps to avoid bias. Experimental designs are classified in the following way:

• True-experimental designs , in which cause-and-effect relationships are examined in a controlled environment. It includes studying two groups of people who receive different treatments, assigned randomly.
• Quasi-experimental designs , which differ from true experiments by the absence of random assignments.

🔬 Qualitative Research In Nursing

Qualitative research studies are focused on one’s personal experience. It is conducted through observation and interaction with patients via interviews, notes, and diaries. Induction is often used, by which you gain evidence to support a theory without generalizing the results.

Qualitative research study designs include four types:

• Phenomenology. Phenomenological research is aimed at describing the phenomena as it is experienced by an individual. In this study, you need to select people who are familiar with the particular phenomenon. You gain information from each participant and make a conclusion.
• Grounded theory. This type of study includes the influence of social processes on individuals. You would need to interview the subjects themselves, as well as their relatives, spouses, etc. Then you synthesize the data into one theory.
• Ethnography. This type of research design is associated with the influence of a particular culture on individuals. It involves describing unique attributes of a culture from the insider’s perspective.
• Narrative inquiry. Narrative inquiry is a research study design that is based on an interpretation of personal accounts of the participants. You ask your subjects to talk about their experiences, and then you analyze their narratives. Contents, as well as the structure of the narratives, must be taken into account.

As you can see, there are great many research topics for nursing students to choose from! See what suits you best and formulate the idea for your own project. You can then publish your results in a nursing research journal article and start a discussion with other nurses around the world.

Get an originally-written paper according to your instructions!

If you’ve chosen an evidence-based practice nursing research topic, make sure that you find suitable human subjects for your experiment. You can ask your friends or make online questionnaires to help you conduct your research. Always take care of your subjects and protect their rights.

Once you’ve chosen your topic, study the available literature. See if there’s anything you can critique or question. This type of research is just as useful as applied research, as it helps to keep medical science relevant by constantly checking for obsolete information.

Find the topic, choose the design for your research, set yourself clear goals – and write your best nursing research paper or reflective essay ! Good luck!

🤔 Nursing Research FAQs

Nursing research is a type of study conducted by nurses during their practice. It helps them to gain evidence on the effectiveness of different treatments. Nursing research can be used to demonstrate the trustworthiness of new methods in medicine, as well as to predict outcomes for patients with illnesses or injuries.

The scientific activity of nurses is essential for the medical community. Nurses help to move medicine forward by challenging traditional practices with fresh ideas. Their research is usually aimed at enhancing professional practice and improving nursing activities. The topics include both physical and mental health.

The primary sources of nursing research are experience and scientific knowledge. Your personal experience as a nurse is especially important because it allows you to observe and gather first-hand information about various medical conditions. Scientific knowledge is then used for the evaluation and analysis of the collected data.

Sampling theory in medical science is a study of gathering information about a population by investigating only a part of it. To do that, you need to collect samples from a group of individuals who all share a common trait. A statistic is then estimated and applied to the whole population. Sampling is often conducted as part of nursing research because it allows making conclusions without testing it with all people.

Qualitative research in nursing is aimed at gathering information about patients’ subjective experiences. It is usually conducted in the form of interviews, notes, and diaries. It helps in understanding complex phenomena and is often used in psychology. Sometimes nurses themselves are interviewed about their working conditions. This type of research allows nurses to make their practice better by continually learning from experience.

Extraneous variables may affect the results of your research and even threaten its validity. They are hard to control, but their influence can be reduced in the following ways:

• Assign the subjects to treatment and control groups as randomly as possible.
• Match your samples by distributing people with different variables, such as age and gender, as evenly as possible.
• Maintain objectivity by avoiding bias.
• Adjust the results for the effects of extraneous variables through statistical analysis.

You might also be interested in:

• 226 Research Topics on Criminal Justice & Criminology
• 204 Research Topics on Technology & Computer Science
• 178 Best Research Titles about Cookery & Food
• 497 Interesting History Topics to Research
• 180 Best Education Research Topics & Ideas
• 110+ Micro- & Macroeconomics Research Topics
• 417 Business Research Topics for ABM Students
• 190+ Research Topics on Psychology & Communication
• 512 Research Topics on HumSS
• 281 Best Health & Medical Research Topics
• 501 Research Questions & Titles about Science
• A List of Research Topics for Students. Unique and Interesting
• Good Research Topics, Titles and Ideas for Your Paper

🔎 References

• Find a Topic Idea: Questia
• Nursing: Choosing a Research Topic (FGCU Library)
• Examples of Research Questions: Vanderbilt School of Nursing
• Current Issue: Nursing Research
• Nursing Research: Definitions and Directions (NCBI)
• Table of Contents (Nursing Research and Practice – Volume 2023)
• Nursing, research, and the evidence: Evidence-Based Nursing
• Psychiatry & Mental Health Topics: Medscape
• Geriatric Topics: ConsultGeri
• Major Research Areas: Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester
• An overview of research designs relevant to nursing: Part 1: Quantitative research designs: SciELO
• An overview of research designs relevant to nursing: part 2: qualitative research designs: SciELO
• Clinical Nursing Research: Academia
• Innovation and scientific discovery: School of Nursing, University of Washington
• Center for Nursing Research: Duke University
• Research: Penn Nursing
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From the Bedside to Research: Navigating Change in Nursing

As we celebrate National Nurses Week, the AcademyHealth Interdisciplinary Research Group on Nursing Issues shines a spotlight on the indispensable contributions of nurses to the health care sector. Amid evolving challenges, these frontline professionals continue to lead with resilience and innovation, driving significant changes across the industry.

National Nurses Week is a time to celebrate and reflect on the evolving role of nurses and their significant impact on the health care system. As frontline caregivers, nurses face a myriad of challenges, yet they continue to lead and innovate, shaping the future of health care with their resilience and pioneering spirit.

Addressing Nurse Compensation

The establishment of the  Commission for Nurse Reimbursement in 2023 marks a significant shift in the financial recognition of nurses within the health care system. Historically, nursing services have been bundled into the general costs of health care, much like hospital supplies, leading to undervaluation and lack of visibility in the billing process. This commission, led by co-chairs Rebecca Love, RN, BS, MSN, FIEL, and Sharon Pearce, DNP, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN, was formed in response to a critical staffing shortage and aims to transform nursing care into a billable service. By advocating for changes in how Medicare and other entities reimburse for nursing services, the commission seeks to elevate the financial stature of nursing, enhancing job satisfaction, and retention, and ultimately stabilizing health care services. This initiative not only acknowledges the indispensable role of nurses but also strives to create a sustainable work environment that attracts and retains skilled professionals

Combating Workplace Violence

Workplace safety is another critical issue in the nursing sector, particularly the rising incidents of violence that nurses face. On average,  two nurses per hour are assaulted in acute care settings, underscoring the urgent need for better protection. Strategies to combat this include training staff in de-escalation techniques, implementing stricter security protocols, and establishing support systems for those affected by violence. Ensuring the safety of nurses is crucial for allowing them to provide the best possible care to their patients.

Policy Engagement: Amplifying Nurses' Voices

Nurses play a vital role in health care policymaking, given their direct patient care experience and patient-centered perspectives. Their active participation in legislative discussions helps ensure that health policies are practical and effectively implemented. Nurses advocate for policies that reflect the realities of patient care, steering the health care system toward more effective and humane outcomes.

Nurse Researchers: Pioneers of Innovation

Nurse researchers are at the forefront of refining nursing practices and introducing innovations that improve patient outcomes. Their work in 2024 is particularly vital as they research staffing models, patient care techniques, and the integration of new technologies such as digital health records and predictive analytics tools. These innovations are transforming everyday nursing practices, making health care more effective and responsive.

Embracing Technological Innovations

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Telehealth has been a game-changer in health care delivery,  spearheaded by nurses . AI enhances diagnostic accuracy and treatment protocols by analyzing vast amounts of patient data. Telehealth, on the other hand, expands access to medical services, especially in remote or underserved areas, ensuring timely and efficient care. These technologies provide nurses with tools that augment their clinical skills and allow for better care across various settings.

As we observe National Nurses Week, it is essential to acknowledge the adaptability and innovative spirit of nurses globally. Despite numerous challenges, they continue to lead in the health care sector. With initiatives like the Commission for Nurse Reimbursement and the adoption of new technologies like AI, nurses are setting new standards in health care delivery. This week, and every week, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting and empowering the nursing profession as it continues to navigate these transformative times. From bedside care to research labs, nurses play an indispensable role in enhancing our health care system.