nursing dissertation structure

Integrated sessions: Nursing: Your dissertation template

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Your dissertation template

A template is provided to use for your dissertation. We recommend you use this as soon as you start any writing  rather than trying to apply it afterwards. As well as showing you the structure for your dissertation, it has built in styles than can help you format it as required for a long academic document.

Scroll down the page to find videos to help you with using the template.

Downloading the template

The template for your dissertation is provided here:

Nursing Dissertation Template

This includes a pre-created PRISMA flow diagram (just add the numbers) and the NMC template for Part B. If you are not using this format for Part B then you will of course need to delete/amend this.

Just click on either the link above or the image on the right to download the template. It will usually be automatically saved into your 'downloads' folder. We recommend moving it from there to a dedicated folder where you keep everything for your dissertation.

Important note:

You do not need to alter any of the fonts in the template, they have been approved by your faculty. Please ignore any advice that you see elsewhere about using alternative fonts.

Videos showing you how to use the template

The Skills Team have provided three videos which show you how to use the template. These are:

• An introduction to the template - including filling the title page
• Using the built-in styles and updating the table of contents
• Adding labels to your tables and figures and updating the lists of these

There are also some other videos that support using the generic university template (rather than the Nursing one specifically) that may be useful to some of you. These include using the cross-referencing tool and inserting landscape documents. You can find these videos on the Skills Team's  Undergraduate Dissertation Video Workshop page. Not all of you will find these useful however, so they are not included here.

An introduction to the template

Using styles and updating table of contents

Writing Nursing Dissertations, Theses, & Scholarly Projects (Step-by-Step Guide)

Are you a doctoral, master's, or undergraduate nursing student? If yes, this guide has been made with love for you! As long as you will be handling a nursing scholarly project or dissertation, you have all the reasons to fall in love with this well-thought-guide.

The dissertation writing process is complicated to follow for most DNP nursing students. So, we made this guide to simplify it; we created this guide to make life a bit easier for you.

Although this step-by-step guide will not help you design and execute clinical research or implement quality improvement processes, it will help you successfully plan, organize, and write your nursing dissertation or scholarly project.

Let's begin.

What Is a Nursing Dissertation?

A nursing dissertation is a comprehensive research project a doctoral nursing student must complete to graduate. The centerpiece of the research project is the paper documenting the entire thing, and this paper is what is known as a dissertation.

Some nursing programs allow master's and undergraduate students to write dissertation-style scholarly projects.

Generally, nursing dissertations are between 5,000 to 15,000 words long. The length of your dissertation will largely be determined by the dissertation requirements set by your nursing school, and it will take you between three to twelve months to write your dissertation, depending on its length and complexity.

A typical nursing dissertation comprises several chapters, a references section, and an appendices section. And it is formatted following the APA manual. Therefore, when writing your paper, strictly adhere to the APA stylebook or Harvard formatting style (if you study in Australia or UK).

Before you commence your dissertation project, you will be assigned a supervisor. The supervisor is supposed to provide you with the guidance (mentorship) you need to make your dissertation a robust academic paper.

Therefore, you and them will have to meet regularly to discuss your dissertation from start to finish. So if you were very worried about the dissertation writing process thinking you may fail, you now know there will be someone to hold your hand and get you back on track in case you deviate.

As you may have noticed from the information shared above, a nursing dissertation is a complex paper requiring plenty of work and effort, and you must be at the top of your game to write a solid dissertation paper.

Get professional dissertation assistance from us if you need it at any point.

Structure of Nursing Dissertation

The typical nursing dissertation has the following chapters.

Chapter 1: Introduction

Your nursing dissertation paper has to start with an introduction chapter. In the chapter, you have to provide the reader with background information on the topic of your paper.

The chapter introduces your topic and makes a case for its significance. Any reader reading your nursing dissertation should tell the topic by reading the first two sentences.

Therefore, if you are handling a topic related to CAUTIs, make the first sentence about CAUTIs. A good way is to give statistics or statements about the CAUTIs issue in healthcare settings. You can describe the affected population, the depth of the issue, mortality and morbidity rates, and whether the problem is increasing or its impact is becoming greater.

Beginning the introduction with general to specific ideas help you settle in your readers. Therefore, the first paragraph of the introduction chapter should state the problem and its prevalence while making a general statement on its impact. In your succeeding paragraphs, you will have finer details through your problem statement, purpose statement, research or PICOT question, rationale, and aims/objectives. Giving appropriate background information is critical.

When writing the introduction, you should answer four fundamental questions:

• What is happening?
• Why should we care?
• What do we know currently?
• What do we need to find out and why?

Answering these questions should lead to a statement otherwise referred to as the purpose statement. A clear and concise purpose statement is vital to your dissertation introduction. Below is an example of a nursing dissertation purpose statement.

This quality improvement project aims to reduce the number of adverse events resulting from medical errors within 90 days.

This study aims to determine whether educating mothers about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding at a local maternity facility will increase adherence and acceptance to exclusive breastfeeding of newborns rather than relying on alternatives such as supplements.

Sometimes, you might be required to write a PICOT-based problem statement, especially if you are doing quantitative research or a quality improvement project.

PICOT stands for:

• Population: Who is the focus of the project or study?
• Intervention: What activity/behavior is being tested?
• Comparison: What group are you comparing your population to?
• Outcome: What are the outcomes you are examining?
• Time: What is the duration of the intervention or study?

Related Reading: Formulating PICOT questions plus examples.

Since patients with heart failure have high readmission rates, I propose implementing a discharge follow-up program that encompasses a bi-weekly post-discharge home visit by nurse practitioners within two weeks after hospital discharge. I will compare 40-day readmission rates for the patients during the six months before and after the introduction of the program.

Note that not all the purpose statements for nursing dissertations can be formulated as PICOT problem statement the same way; not all nursing research questions can be PICOT questions. If you are doing a qualitative study, you might sometimes not have time for the comparison, outcome, and intervention.

The purpose statement is followed immediately with a brief description of how you plan to accomplish it. If you are researching, detail your methodological approach, including the design, population, data collection and analysis methods, and your research timeline.

You can also state your hypotheses in the last section of your paragraph. It is also wise to include measurable objectives. Below is an example:

In the six months following the implementation of nurse practitioner-led post-discharge home visits, the average 40-day heart failure readmission rate will be lower than 15%.

You can then reformulate the purpose statement into a specific research question or question. For example:

Will biweekly home visits by nursing practitioners for two weeks post-hospital discharge reduce the readmission rates of heart failure patients?

You also have to provide the reader with an explanation of what is known and what is not known. Lastly, it would be best to clarify what you are investigating, why it is important, and how you will do it.

A good dissertation introduction convinces the reader of the importance of the study or project, includes clear and concise background information and a purpose statement, and identifies the research gap. It also has research questions, hypotheses, and aims/objectives as needed.

Chapter 2: Literature Review

In this chapter, you have to provide definitions for concepts and variables, and you also have to provide the theoretical framework for your dissertation. Your chapter two or the literature review should help the readers understand everything you are researching, the issue you are addressing, and why. It offers the context of the study or project and establishes the significance of the topic and the rationale for your study. A comprehensive literature review helps you critically analyze or synthesize all the available information on your topic. Focusing on peer-reviewed scholarly articles published in the last five years is important. You can also include seminal and classic articles. If you have gray literature, identify it as such in your literature review. The gray literature includes non-peer-reviewed articles,

technical reports, conference reports, reports from recognized organizations working in the topic area (such as NGOs), committee reports, white papers, or unpublished research report

Note that chapters one and two of the dissertation are the same as your proposal (if you were initially asked to write one). It should explain your chosen theoretical model or conceptual framework in depth. You can include your search strategy in the literature review, especially for doctoral programs.

Wrap up the literature review by stating the research gaps you identified that your current study would address.

As the literature review is the longest chapter in a dissertation, you can use subheadings to organize information and guide the readers through complex concepts.

Of course, your lit review must have a review of the literature, and you must provide a comprehensive and analytical review of the literature in this chapter, followed by a summary and an identification of the research gaps.

Chapter 3: Methodology

The methodology chapter is one of the most important chapters of a nursing dissertation because it is the chapter where the design of the study is revealed. So you have to discuss the design of your project in this chapter.

The discussion should include your planning activities, the setting, the people, the sample, the ethical considerations, the data collection, the instruments, the data analysis, the anticipated and actual barriers, the strategic plan, the budget, and the project timeline.

As you can see, many important project elements are to be covered in this chapter. Do not forget any of them if you want to ensure your dissertation is not rejected.

Chapter 4: Results/Findings

This chapter is just as crucial as the chapter above, and it is where you discuss the results of your project. The must-have elements of this chapter include the response rate, the sample size, the demographics, the preliminary statistical tests, the final statistical tests/analyses, the qualitative tests, and the project implementation outcomes.

This chapter is written at a sweet time when you have already collected and analyzed your data or fully implemented your science project. Writing it is all about detailing what you did and the outcomes.

Chapter 6: Discussion, Conclusion, and Recommendation

After detailing what you found out in your project, you must discuss it. This is where the rubber meets the road - you show the world you are a worthy doctoral nursing student. The essential elements you should have in this chapter include a summary of the problem, your key findings, what the findings mean, the implications of the findings, recommendations for future studies, the limitations of the study, and your conclusion.

Unlike the previous chapters, this chapter needs a lot of thinking and a lot of interpretation. Therefore, many students consider it challenging to write. Nevertheless, it is just a chapter like the others, so it can be written. It may take some time, but it can be written.

References Section

The references section of your dissertation is where you make clear the sources you used. Here, you must correctly include the citations for all the sources you have used in your dissertation.

You do this to credit other researchers who have worked hard like you to do their research. You also do it to avoid plagiarism, and your dissertation can be dismissed if you are found to have used sources without referencing.

Appendices Section

The appendices section of your dissertation provides your reader with all the images, tables, and other raw data you used in your dissertation.

You do this to enable the reader to find out more without distracting them from the main objective of your paper.

Steps for Writing the Perfect Nursing Dissertation

Follow the steps below to write a brilliant nursing dissertation.

1. Choose A Topic

This may sound easy, but it is not because your chosen topic will determine whether your dissertation is successful. To choose the perfect topic for your dissertation, you need to do a lot of brainstorming.

Do this by thinking about your areas of interest in nursing. What would you like to improve or to know more about? Note down everything significant that comes to mind. Then proceed to look at recently published journal articles in nursing and note down interesting gaps in the research.

All the things you have noted are potential topics for your dissertation. Identify the three most interesting ones and present them to your dissertation supervisor for a discussion. They will help to settle on the perfect topic for your nursing dissertation.

Related Reading:

• Capstone project ideas and topics
• Tips for choosing a nursing dissertation topic
• Epidemiology nursing topics
• Mental health nursing topics
• Nursing informatics topics
• Steps for writing a nursing philosophy statement
• Nursing research topics for nursing papers and essays.

2. Conduct Pre-Research

After settling on the perfect topic for your dissertation, you should research your topic. This research aims to help you refine your topic and your potential research question.

The most efficient way to conduct pilot research into your chosen topic is to find and review relevant scholarly literature. Find the literature by searching your topic or its keywords in broad scholarly databases such as Google Scholar and CINAHL.

Take plenty of notes as you review the literature to understand the topic better.

3. Conduct Deep Research

A nursing dissertation is an opportunity to show your readers (professors) your nursing knowledge, research, and writing skills. And the only way you can confidently do this is by reading a lot of literature on the topic you want to write about.

So conduct deep research into your chosen topic to find relevant literature for your dissertation. Use the notes you took in the step above to conduct the research. And conduct the research into as many nursing databases as you have access to � Google Scholar, CINAHL, Embase, the Cochrane Library, ClinicalKey, PubMed, etc.

As you conduct deep research into the topic, take plenty of notes. Your goal during this step should be to know your topic inside-out, which will help you think clearly about it and know what exactly you need to do.

4. Write A Research Proposal

Before writing your dissertation, you will need to write a research proposal. Your supervisor will assess the proposal, and the format and all the other requirements will be made clear by your supervisor.

The proposal aims to show you understand what you want to investigate and discuss in your dissertation. Therefore, make sure it discusses your dissertation research topic, proposed methodology, and the key literature reviewed. In this step, you will have to think of the best methodology to use for your research.

Upon assessing your proposal, your supervisor will give you feedback on whether you are on the right track. They will tell you what to do to ensure your dissertation is perfect.

5. Research A Lot

After getting feedback from your supervisor, you should incorporate their feedback and then embark on research. Research differentiates an ordinary dissertation from an extraordinary one, so ensure your research is thorough.

What are you researching in this step? You are researching similar dissertations to the one you have proposed, and you should use resources like ProQuest Dissertations to find them.

The purpose of researching similar dissertations to what you have is to understand what it takes to develop an outstanding dissertation. You most likely have never read a published dissertation before. So read several and look at the language, the formatting, the methodology, the discussion, and so on to find out what you need to do.

6. Start Writing

This is where you start pulling everything together. Start writing your introduction chapter, the next chapter, and the next until you conclude. Writing the thousands of words you need to complete your dissertation will take time and effort. Have this in mind when you start writing to avoid getting frustrated.

As you are writing, make sure you properly organize your chapters. If you are unsure what chapter to write next or what to write in a chapter, refer to the outline/structure provided in this post.

One more thing to remember is that each chapter is a building block to your entire research. Therefore, it must agree with the rest of the chapters; nothing in it must sound off or out of place.

7. Present Your Paper to Your Supervisor

After you write your dissertation or thesis paper, present it to your supervisor for discussion. You now have something to show and something concrete for them to assess. Send it to them and await their feedback.

They will assess your dissertation and give you feedback. Upon receiving the feedback, you need to incorporate the feedback into your dissertation. This will ensure your final paper/dissertation is perfect or near perfect.

8. Proofread and Polish Your Dissertation

After incorporating the feedback given by your professor, proceed to proofread and polish your dissertation. Since your dissertation is thousands of words long, you should proofread and polish it chapter by chapter.

Remember, it usually takes days to proofread and polish a dissertation. Therefore, do not feel pressured or frustrated if you feel as if you are moving slowly. Just push forward, and you will get to the end.

9. Make Sure Your Dissertation Is Well-Formatted

After polishing your paper, ensure your dissertation is well-formatted. You need to be very careful when formatting. Do not forget to apply any APA rule to your dissertation.

Move methodically and apply every relevant formatting rule to your paper. Do not forget to correctly add all the references and appendices to your dissertation.

10. Present Your Dissertation to Your Supervisor

After you complete the step above, you will be all but done with writing your dissertation. What you need to do now is to present your dissertation to your supervisor one more time.

They will give you their feedback and help you prepare to defend your dissertation. Of course, you must incorporate their feedback into your academic writing before starting any dissertation defense preparations.

Once you are done with this step, you are done writing your dissertation.

Tips for Writing an Excellent Dissertation for Nursing

Follow the 20 tips below to write a brilliant nursing dissertation paper.

1. Start Immediately

When you know your school's guidelines for writing a nursing dissertation, you should start working toward choosing a dissertation topic. After choosing a topic, you should begin taking steps to prepare your dissertation writing, and then you should go ahead and start writing it.

Students often assume they have much time to write their dissertations, which is frequently untrue. Time flies when you are a DNP student; before you know it, you will have only a few short months to start and complete your dissertation.

2. Cite All the Sources You Use

When writing your dissertation, cite all the sources you use. A dissertation is an opportunity for you to show not only your academic knowledge but also your academic integrity. And academic integrity is all about honesty.

You need to cite all the sources you use. Never present someone else's work as your own. Always cite the source where you've taken information. Failure to cite correctly can result in your dissertation being rejected. Most professors are rigorous on this.

3. Make Sure Your Topic Is Specific

When choosing a topic for your dissertation, ensure it is very specific. Making sure your topic is particular will make your research easier, and it will also make your dissertation much easier to write and better to read.

In contrast, if your topic is too big or ambitious, you will end up with a situation where your dissertation sounds too broad. You will find it somewhat difficult to cover your topic as in-depth as you like. So be realistic and make your topic specific.

4. Don't Use Big Words When Simple Words Can Do

Some students think a dissertation is an opportunity to show how clever or sophisticated they are. Therefore, they use big words, jargon, and complicated sentences to try and prove this. This is unnecessary because it usually doesn't make their work any better.

Using big words, jargon, and complicated sentences will most likely make your work difficult to read and affect the flow of your work. So use simple words instead of big words whenever you can.

5. Save Your Progress Often and in Multiple Places

Starting and completing a dissertation is a massive undertaking. This is because a typical dissertation research project takes months to complete. The number of words to be typed to complete a dissertation is in the thousands, and the formatting is usually a pain in the *ss.

Because starting and completing a dissertation is difficult, you should save your work often and in multiple places. Send it to yourself in your email, WhatsApp, etc. These backup copies will ensure all your hard work is NOT lost in case you lose your laptop to a virus or a thief.

6. Plan Your Dissertation Writing Process

There is a common saying about planning that is almost cliche; failure to plan is planning to fail. If you don't plan for something, you unknowingly plan to fail. In other words, planning is essential for success.

So once you have been given the departmental guidelines for writing your dissertation, you should create a comprehensive plan with deadlines to help you complete your dissertation project. If you create a good plan, you will find the dissertation writing process easier to manage.

7. Make Sure Your Major Decisions Are Research-Informed

Every big decision you make in your paper is informed by research. For example, before you decide on your dissertation's focus, research more about what you want to write about. Before you decide on the methodology, you will use research to discover the most appropriate methods.

Making sure your significant decisions are backed up by research, as shown in the two examples above, will make it very easy for you to explain why you made the decisions to your reader. It will also make your paper more scientific, accurate, and academically sound.

8. Don't Panic If Your Results Are Not What You Expected

If, after the careful planning and execution of your research project, you get unexpected results, do not panic. Unexpected results are as valuable as expected results. The key is to ensure you do more research to explain why you think you got the results in your discussion section.

By carefully explaining your unexpected results, you will show your professors you researched and understood the topic you decided to investigate. This will make your dissertation more likely to get an excellent mark/grade.

9. Show Awareness of Your Research Limits

No matter how good your research skills are, it would help if you showed awareness of your research limits. In other words, you should indicate the limitations of your research. Of course, the limitations you note should be backed by research.

It is essential to show the limitations of your project to let the reader know that you fully understood what you were doing. It will also help the reader better contextualize your results and findings.

10. Take It Easy

Dissertation writing is hard work full of pressure and frustrations. However, it would help if you didn't let all that get to you. Remember, calm heads always prevail in one way or another. So keep your cool no matter how difficult and frustrating things get.

Keeping your cool no matter what will help you to push forward with your dissertation and to complete it successfully. On the other hand, getting frustrated will make you get stuck, which could result in you being among the many students that do not complete their dissertations.

11. First Draft Isn't Perfect

When writing your dissertation, please do not feel too much pressure to perfect it. Your goal should be simple; to complete your first draft, and your goal should be to complete your first draft to get a psychological boost and not make the first draft perfect.

The first draft isn't perfect and doesn't need to be. If you make peace with this, writing and completing your first draft will be easier. The right time to perfect your dissertation is when you proofread and edit it. You will likely need to rewrite huge parts of your first draft to make it brilliant.

12. Be Flexible

You don't need to write the chapters in a perfect sequence when writing your essay. Some students think they must do this to create a good dissertation flow. However, this is unnecessary. You create flow by making sure your sentences and paragraphs are easy to understand and by using transition words and sentences generously.

Write your chapters in any way you like. Write the easiest chapters first to gain momentum in your dissertation. This momentum will make it easier for you to write the trickier chapters.

13. Talk to Your Supervisor Regularly

Your dissertation supervisor/advisor is there to help you. You should plan to meet them biweekly or more frequently to discuss your dissertation and the progress you have made.

Do not be afraid or shy to ask your supervisor questions or clarifications. Your supervisor is there to help you and guide you through your work, and they are there to ensure you stay on track. So meet them regularly and show them your work to get all the tips and advice you need to remain on the proper path.

14. Don't Forget Your Health and Wellbeing

Just because you are writing your dissertation doesn't mean you have to let your health deteriorate. Ensure you eat well, exercise, sleep well, and stay healthy. Maintaining your physical health will ensure you are always in the right physical condition to continue putting in the hard work you need to complete your project.

Also, take care of your mental health. Your mind is the biggest tool you need for your project. Protect it by taking breaks, relaxing, hanging out with friends, and doing the things you love regularly. The more protected your mind is, the easier it will be for you to write your dissertation.

15. Don't Give Up

Dissertating is extremely difficult, and it takes a lot of physical and mental effort to complete a nursing dissertation successfully. Therefore, you will feel like throwing in the towel in many instances. If you ever feel like this, do not do it.

Don't give up. Choosing not to give up and persevering will give you a sweet psychological victory and make you feel stronger and more capable. It will also ensure you graduate with the master's degree you have sacrificed so much to get.

16. Get Professional Assistance

If you ever need assistance to complete your entire dissertation or a part of it, do not be afraid to get professional assistance. Many dissertation writing services can provide you with the help you need at a small fee, and we are one such service.

We can help you write your entire dissertation paper or any part. We can also help with specific parts of the dissertation writing process, e.g., the research, the introduction, the methodology section, the proofreading/editing, and the incorporation of feedback.

As you Ponder the Steps and Tips ...

We hope we have provided all the information you need to write your nursing dissertation paper. Now it is up to you to step up and start dissertating.

Related Articles:

• Step-by-step guide for writing a nursing change project
• A guide for writing a nursing capstone project
• How to write a perfect Evidence-Based Nursing Paper
• Tips for making a poster presentation in nursing .

If you need any assistance in any part of the dissertation writing process, please visit our home page to get the assistance you need.

Our writers are experts with multiple years of experience in dissertation writing, formatting, and editing. You can never go wrong with us.

What is a dissertation?

A dissertation is a comprehensive research paper written to fulfill a graduate degree. A dissertation can be required to graduate with a master's degree in the UK or a doctorate in the US.

How long does it take to write a nursing dissertation?

It usually takes between three to twelve months to write a nursing dissertation. Two things largely determine how short or long a dissertation will be - the departmental requirements and the methodology chosen.

Can you write a nursing dissertation in three months?

Yes, you can. It is certainly not impossible, but it will take you every single day and night to write a good dissertation in such a short time. If you don't have enough time to write a dissertation, work with a dissertation writing service to get the desired results quickly.

Related: Is the WGU RN-BSN worth your time and money?

How long is a nursing dissertation?

Most nursing dissertations are between 6000 to 16000 words long. Of course, some are shorter than 6,000 words, and others are longer than 16000 words.

What is the difference between a thesis and a dissertation?

Masters nursing students need to write a thesis to complete their degree, while doctoral nursing students need to write a dissertation to complete their degree.

Is getting help with a nursing dissertation online illegal?

No, it is not. No law prohibits you or anybody else from getting a nursing dissertation online. So if you need dissertation assistance from a dissertation writing business online, feel free to get it.

Can a nursing dissertation be done as a group?

No. Dissertations are individual research projects, and you can get guidance and assistance from anywhere you want, but your dissertation is your project and will only have a single author - you.

Does a nursing dissertation require an abstract poster?

Yes, if it is going to be presented at a conference. The poster should include a title, a summary, an intro, the methodology used, the results, the discussion, and the conclusions. All these things should be less than 300 words.

Do nursing students defend their nursing theses and dissertations?

Yes, they do. In most colleges, nursing students must defend their theses and dissertations before a committee that usually includes faculty members.

Who writes a nursing dissertation?

In the US, a doctoral student writes a nursing dissertation, while a master's student writes a nursing thesis. In the UK, it is the opposite - a master's student writes a nursing dissertation and a doctoral student writes a nursing thesis.

Struggling with

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Dissertation

Candidacy examination, degree credentials, dissertation committee, dissertation status.

The Dissertation Proposal Defense serves as the Candidacy Examination. The purpose of the Candidacy Examination is to demonstrate an understanding of knowledge in the concentration area that supports the student’s dissertation research. Upon successful completion of required coursework and this examination, the student advances to degree candidacy status.

Students are expected to pass the Candidacy Examination no later than the end of the 3rd semester following Dissertation Seminar unless the student obtains written permission of the Graduate Group in Nursing Chair. Students who do not abide by these policies will no longer be in good academic standing (see “Academic Standing”) which will be reported to funding agencies and the Associate Dean for Academic Programs.  

Degree credentials (e.g., AD, BS, BSN, MS, MSN, PhD, EdD, DNP) are commonly used and indicate completion of a particular educational program. The highest degree attained is usually placed immediately after the last name. All or some of degrees can be used.

Terms used to indicate partial completion of a degree or student status such as “SNP” (student nurse practitioner), “PhDc” (PhD candidate) or “ABD” (all but dissertation) are fabricated terms and are not to be used.

The Dissertation Committee oversees and approves the research proposal, and ultimately, the dissertation.

Following Dissertation Seminar, the student will be registered for dissertation status.  Registration is done by the Office of Student Information and is required in each succeeding semester until all degree requirements are met. A student on Dissertation Status who wishes to take additional coursework may do so with approval of the academic advisor and Graduate Group in Nursing Chair depending on available funding for tuition. While supported by School of Nursing or federal funding, students may only take coursework that is directly related to their dissertation question.

The preparation of the dissertation constitutes the final phase of the PhD program. The dissertation should demonstrate a high-level of analytical and research competence and represent an original contribution to the field of nursing science. It is expected that the formation of a topic will begin in the early phases of study in the program and grow out of experience and work in the focused area of science and scholarship. It is also expected that the dissertation topic will build on the research and expertise of two or more members of the Graduate Group in Nursing. 

Dissertation Format

Generally, three dissertation formats are appropriate. The best option depends on the type of research planned. Each format is described in the table below, with an explanation of the nature and scope of work for the dissertation proposal. Note that all three formats are potentially suitable for qualitative and mixed-methods research; students pursuing a qualitative or mixed-methods project should consult with the Chair and the Dissertation Committee to determine the most appropriate format for the student’s specific study. The dissertation format must be approved by the student’s Dissertation Committee. Additional formats may be suggested as nursing science continues to evolve; formats of dissertations (and proposals) that are not addressed below will be considered. In this case, the Dissertation Chair and student will review their recommended format with the Graduate Group in Nursing Chair.

University of Pennsylvania policy permits dissertations based on joint work with other researchers, provided that, in such cases, a unique and separate dissertation is presented by each degree candidate. The candidate must include a concise account of his or her contribution to the whole work. Authorship of a dissertation by more than one degree candidate is not allowed.

Dissertation Formats

* NOTE: The proposal for a five-chapter or three-article dissertation may use the NIH PHS398 subheadings (Specific Aims, Background and Significance, Innovation, and Approach) provided that the background and significance are presented in sufficient depth to demonstrate thorough mastery of the relevant literature. PHS398 page limits do not apply; proposals using the PHS398 subheadings will likely be longer than 10-15 single-spaced pages. An NRSA proposal is not an acceptable dissertation proposal. If using the PHS398 subheadings for the dissertation proposal, the student should negotiate the appropriate scope of the Background and Significance section in advance with the Chair and Committee. An underdeveloped background and significance section may be grounds for failing the Candidacy Exam.   

The three manuscripts option may include manuscripts that are published during the course of the doctoral program; see the “Use of Copyrighted, Previously Published, or Coauthored Material” section of the University’s Doctoral Dissertation Manual  for details.

Requirements and Format of the Three Article Dissertation

The Graduate Group allows students who publish papers during their doctoral program to use these papers as part of their dissertation.  Following are the requirements and format for the Three Article dissertation option:

Dissertation Defense

When the written dissertation is completed to the satisfaction of the dissertation committee, an oral defense with public and closed components will be scheduled for two hours. The examining committee for the dissertation consists of the dissertation committee and two readers from the Graduate Group in Nursing who are appointed by the Graduate Group in Nursing Chair. All members of the Graduate Group and doctoral students as well as other individuals whose presence is desired by the student are invited to the public component. The public component consists of a brief presentation of the findings and their implications by the student followed by a brief question and answer by individuals who are not members of the examining committee. The following component may be either open or closed depending on the preference of the Dissertation Chair. In this portion, guests may be excused while questioning and discussion by the readers, the dissertation committee members, and the student occur. The dissertation defense is graded on a Pass/Fail basis with the majority of the five examiners necessary for a decision.

At least three members of the dissertation committee must participate in the defense. Defense may take place in person or remotely. 

Source: PennBook Academic Rules for PhDs and Research Masters Degrees

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Feeling overwhelmed by the mere thought of writing your dissertation or scholarly project? Wondering how to begin and where to find the time? You are not alone. Earning your advanced degree is an extraordinary accomplishment, but completing those final stages can be a daunting task. A Nurse's Step-By-Step Guide to Writing a Dissertation or Scholarly Project, Third Edition, is a straightforward how-to guide. This book is intentionally concise because, let's be honest, the last thing a busy candidate needs is another unwieldy, doorstop-sized book.

Packed with practical steps and tools, this fully updated third edition will help you plan, document, organize, and write your dissertation or scholarly project. Don't go it alone; let author and fellow dissertation survivor Karen Roush help you get from square one to DONE.

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Adult Nursing BSc: L6 Dissertation

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Welcome to your L6 Dissertation Reading list. Here you will find all the resources you need to support you through this module.

Reading for this module will be dependent on the topic area that the student selects.  

Below is an indication of books which may be of value to the student in the process of producing an evidence based practice project.

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How to Write a Nursing Dissertation: A Comprehensive Guide for Nursing Students

• Carla Johnson
• September 18, 2023
• Academic Writing Guides

As a nursing student, you’ve likely encountered various academic challenges throughout your educational journey. However, one of the most daunting tasks you may face is writing a nursing dissertation . A dissertation is a significant and complex research project that requires careful planning, research, and organization. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the process of writing a nursing dissertation step by step, providing you with valuable insights and tips to help you succeed in this academic endeavor.(nursing dissertation writing process)

A nursing dissertation is a culmination of your academic journey, demonstrating your expertise in a specific area of nursing and your ability to conduct in-depth research. It’s a substantial piece of work that requires dedication, time management, and a structured approach. Whether you’re just beginning your nursing dissertation or have already started, this guide will assist you in navigating the challenges and ensuring your dissertation stands out.

1. How to Write a Nursing Dissertation

Selecting the right topic for your nursing dissertation is the first and crucial step in the process. Your topic should be both interesting to you and relevant to the field of nursing . Here are some tips for choosing a suitable topic:(nursing dissertation writing process)

a. Personal Interest

Consider what aspects of nursing intrigue you the most. Your passion for the topic will keep you motivated throughout the research and writing process.

b. Research Gap

Identify areas within nursing where there is a gap in research or a need for further exploration. Addressing these gaps can make your dissertation more valuable to the nursing community.(nursing dissertation writing process)

c. Feasibility

Ensure that your chosen topic is manageable within the scope of your dissertation. Complex or overly broad topics can lead to difficulties in research and analysis.

2. Crafting a Strong Nursing Dissertation Proposal

Before you start writing your dissertation, you will typically need to submit a dissertation proposal for approval by your academic institution. The proposal outlines your research objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes. Here’s how to craft a compelling proposal:(nursing dissertation writing process)

Provide a clear and concise title that reflects the essence of your research.

b. Introduction

Introduce your topic, explain its significance in the nursing field, and present your research questions or hypotheses.

c. Literature Review

Summarize existing research related to your topic. Identify gaps or areas that your dissertation will address.

d. Methodology

Describe the research methods you will use, including data collection and analysis techniques.

e. Expected Outcomes

Outline the expected outcomes and contributions of your research.

f. References

Include a list of references that you have consulted for your proposal.

3. Conducting a Thorough Literature Review

A literature review is a critical component of your nursing dissertation. It provides the foundation for your research by summarizing and analyzing existing studies related to your topic. Here’s how to conduct an effective literature review :(nursing dissertation writing process)

a. Identify Key Sources

Find relevant scholarly articles, books, and research papers related to your topic. Use academic databases like PubMed, CINAHL, and Google Scholar to search for literature.(nursing dissertation writing process)

b. Organize Your Sources

Create an organized system for storing and referencing your sources. Consider using reference management software like EndNote or Zotero.

c. Analyze and Synthesize

Critically analyze the findings of the studies you’ve reviewed. Identify common themes, gaps in research, and areas where your dissertation can contribute.

d. Cite Properly

Ensure that you properly cite all the sources you use in your literature review. Follow a citation style such as APA, MLA, or Chicago as per your institution’s guidelines.(nursing dissertation writing process)

4. Developing a Nursing Dissertation Structure

A well-structured dissertation is easier for both you and your readers to navigate. Here’s a typical structure for a nursing dissertation:(nursing dissertation writing process)

a. Introduction

• Introduce your topic and research questions .
• Provide context for your study.
• State the significance of your research.

b. Literature Review

• Summarize existing research on your topic.
• Identify gaps in the literature.(nursing dissertation writing process)
• Justify the need for your research.

c. Methodology

• Describe your research methods and procedures.
• Explain how you will collect and analyze data.
• Discuss any ethical considerations .
• Present the findings of your research.(nursing dissertation writing process)
• Use tables, charts, and graphs to illustrate your results.
• Interpret the data and relate it to your research questions.

e. Discussion

• Analyze your results in the context of existing literature.
• Discuss the implications of your findings.
• Suggest recommendations for further research.

f. Conclusion

• Summarize the key points of your dissertation.
• Restate the significance of your research .(nursing dissertation writing process)
• Provide a concise answer to your research questions.

g. References

• List all the sources you’ve cited in your dissertation.
• Follow the citation style recommended by your institution.

5. Writing and Editing Your Nursing Dissertation

Writing your dissertation can be a challenging and time-consuming process, but with proper planning and organization, you can make it more manageable:(nursing dissertation writing process)

a. Start Early

Give yourself plenty of time to research, write, and edit your dissertation. Procrastination can lead to unnecessary stress.

b. Set Goals

Break down your dissertation into smaller, manageable tasks. Set daily or weekly goals to track your progress.

c. Seek Feedback

Share your work with your advisor or mentor regularly to receive constructive feedback . They can help you refine your ideas and improve your writing.(nursing dissertation writing process)

d. Edit Carefully

Proofread and edit your dissertation for grammar, spelling, and clarity. Consider using editing software like Grammarly to assist you.

6. Ethical Considerations in Nursing Dissertations

As a nursing student, it’s essential to be aware of ethical considerations when conducting research involving human subjects. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

a. Informed Consent

Obtain informed consent from participants, ensuring they understand the purpose of the study and their rights.

b. Privacy and Confidentiality

Protect the privacy and confidentiality of research participants. Use pseudonyms or codes to anonymize data.

c. Institutional Review Board (IRB)

If required, obtain approval from your institution’s IRB before conducting any research involving human subjects.

Writing a nursing dissertation is a challenging but rewarding endeavor that demonstrates your expertise and dedication to the field of nursing. Remember to choose a relevant and interesting topic, craft a strong proposal, conduct a thorough literature review, and follow a well-structured format. Additionally, maintain ethical standards in your research and seek feedback from advisors or mentors.(nursing dissertation writing process)

Writing a nursing dissertation is undoubtedly a demanding task, but it’s also an opportunity to make a significant contribution to the field of nursing. If you ever find yourself overwhelmed by the complexity of the process or facing time constraints, consider seeking professional assistance from our dissertation writing services . Our experienced team of writers specializes in nursing dissertations and can provide you with the support you need to excel in your academic journey. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve your academic goals.

In conclusion, writing a nursing dissertation is a challenging but achievable task with careful planning, dedication, and adherence to ethical guidelines. We wish you the best of luck in your dissertation journey and look forward to assisting you if you ever need our expertise.(nursing dissertation writing process)

FAQs: Writing a Nursing Dissertation

1. how do i start writing my dissertation.

To begin writing your nursing dissertation, start by selecting a well-defined topic, creating a proposal, conducting a thorough literature review, and outlining your research methodology. Establish a timeline and set clear goals to guide your progress.

2. How long is a nursing dissertation?

The length of a nursing dissertation can vary, but it typically ranges from 10,000 to 15,000 words, excluding references and appendices. Be sure to follow your institution’s specific guidelines for dissertation length.(nursing dissertation writing process)

3. Do nurses write a dissertation?

Yes, nursing students, particularly those pursuing advanced degrees such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), often write dissertations as part of their academic requirements. Dissertations allow nurses to contribute to the field’s knowledge and practice.

4. How do I choose a nursing dissertation topic?

When selecting a nursing dissertation topic, consider your personal interests, research gaps in the field, and the feasibility of the topic within the scope of your dissertation. Ensure that the chosen topic aligns with your academic and career goals in nursing.

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Dissertation

The dissertation research involves the generation of new knowledge that will contribute to nursing science. By researching and writing a dissertation, the student is expected to demonstrate a high level of knowledge and the capability to function as an independent scholar.

• Graduate School guidelines
• Dissertation Committee
• Dissertation formats
• Dissertation proposal
• Final dissertation guidelines

Writing a Thesis for Nursing School

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Writing a thesis presents an opportunity for graduate students to conduct scholarly inquiry, with the potential of publishing their finished paper. A thesis requires nursing students to identify a problem in nursing, and review academic literature while developing advanced research skills. Thesis advisors and committees guide students from the proposal phase to the final oral defense, a process that spans about two semesters.

Not every nursing student is required to complete a thesis. Some nursing programs offer a non-thesis option, in which candidates complete a final capstone project or oral examination on topics such as nursing theories and clinical practices.

The thesis process and requirements vary by school. Ohio State University’s master of science in nursing program’s final examination includes oral and written portions.

Want to know what to expect during the thesis process? Read on to learn how you can choose a thesis topic and orally defend your paper.

Choosing Your Nursing Thesis Topic

Nursing students must choose a thesis topic before they begin the research and writing process, typically within the first two terms of nursing school. A solid thesis must present an original argument, manageable research scope, and worthy academic pursuit. A thesis advisor or research professor will help to guide each student through the process of choosing a topic.

In the conceptual phase, candidates research potential thesis topics based on their interests within their nursing specialty. Students may start with a broad topic such as obesity and weight management, depression, or cardiovascular disease. To narrow their thesis argument, graduate students might focus on racial or ethnic groups, socio-economic issues, or current events.

After settling on a topic, students draft and submit a thesis proposal to an advisor or committee chair. Once this proposal has been approved, students can begin the formal work on his or her approved thesis topic.

While graduate students must complete a thesis to fulfill the requirements of a master’s degree in nursing, the thesis process also offers a chance for future nurses to immerse themselves in current academic literature and collaborate with fellow graduate students, faculty, and professors. A thesis can also serve as the foundation for doctoral studies. A thesis at the doctoral (PhD) level is called a dissertation.

Completing Your Nursing Thesis

Brainstorming a thesis topic begins as early as the first semester of a master’s in nursing program. The formal thesis process, which typically spans multiple terms, does not take place until the student’s final year, usually during the last term.

Thesis requirements vary by school, and students must meet specific deadlines and take prerequisite courses beforehand. At the University of Texas-Houston’s School of Nursing , candidates take a public health class before they submit a thesis proposal.

Future nurses work under the guidance of a thesis committee and advisor. The experience of writing a thesis trains students in original investigation, data collection, implementing research design, and public speaking. Candidates also learn to flex their analytical thinking skills and master a specific area of nursing as they develop the ability to analyze and draw conclusions through data.

At a program’s conclusion, students submit their thesis as a bound manuscript or electronic file. In addition to submitting a written report, students orally defend their final thesis in front of the committee. Many graduates also submit their manuscripts for publication.

Presenting Your Nursing Thesis

Graduate students generally orally defend their proposal and present their completed thesis in front of their committee. This committee also includes the thesis mentor, a faculty member specializing in the nursing discipline of their scholarly inquiry. There are generally 3 total committee members on a thesis committee.

Fellow graduate students or consultants outside of the college may attend presentations, if the process is open to the public. Otherwise, the thesis defense remains a private session, with students presenting their findings. The oral examination of the thesis takes up to one hour, but can last longer depending on how many questions the committee has for the student.

During that time, the committee evaluates the thesis based on how the research experience has shaped the student’s graduate education and the findings’ significance to the nursing field. When the exam concludes, the committee either accepts or rejects the thesis defense.

How is a Nursing Thesis Graded?

Nursing schools rely on each committee to formally grade each product in the thesis process. Some graduate nursing students may receive a letter grade, while other nursing schools adhere to a “pass” or “fail” policy.

To determine a grade, the committee assesses the thesis based on set criteria. Committee members look at the project’s key components, including the statement of purpose, literature review, research methodology, analysis, findings, and implications. The process and grading criteria for the thesis process can be found in the school’s graduate handbook. Most of these handbooks are published online for student review.

The thesis must identify significant issues or service gaps in nursing and present them in a concise and coherent fashion. Candidates must support all findings and analysis by research and explain the implications for healthcare.

The oral defense also factors into the grade. The committee grades the defense based on the quality of the student’s presentation, taking into consideration if the student spoke clearly and presented a logical and well-organized argument.

What is the Difference Between a Nursing Thesis and a Capstone?

A nursing thesis and a capstone demonstrate the student’s comprehensive knowledge and educational journey. Graduate students in a non-research track may have the choice of completing a clinical project. Doctoral of Nursing ( DNP ) students complete a capstone project.

Graduate-level nursing students work on an original scholarly inquiry during their thesis, while undergraduates recap their cumulative learning experience. The thesis process, which includes completing nursing courses and writing a proposal, takes place over the entire program.

Learn more about the difference between a thesis and capstone project on this page .

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How to Write a Nursing Dissertation: Guide for DNP Students

• Author Jermaine Huey
• Published November 29, 2023

Welcome to NursingWriters.net, your go-to resource for expert information and guidance on writing a nursing dissertation. As a busy DNP student, we understand that you may face unique challenges when it comes to crafting a high-quality dissertation that meets the standards of your program. That’s why we’re here to empower you with the knowledge and tips you need to excel in your nursing dissertation writing journey.

Our comprehensive guide will take you through each step of the process, from developing a topic to formatting and submitting your dissertation. With our guidance, you’ll learn how to address a specific nursing problem, contribute to the scholarship in the field, and make a significant impact in your chosen area of focus.

So, whether you’re just starting your nursing dissertation or looking to enhance your writing skills, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s dive in and discover the secrets to writing a successful nursing dissertation!

Key Takeaways:

• Choose a specific nursing problem to address
• Contribute to the scholarship in the field
• Make a significant impact in your chosen area of focus
• Develop a well-structured and coherent dissertation
• Utilize the resources and support available to you

Stay tuned for the next section of our nursing dissertation writing guide , where we’ll explore the DNP Project Study and its importance in the dissertation process.

Understanding the DNP Project Study

The DNP Project Study is a crucial component of the nursing dissertation, allowing DNP students to delve deep into a specific nursing problem and make a significant contribution to their chosen area of focus. This study presents an opportunity for students to evaluate existing quality improvement projects, conduct staff education projects, develop clinical practice guidelines, or review existing research on a specific nursing topic. By conducting a DNP Project Study , students can address a defined nursing problem, fill a gap in the literature, and advance their understanding of the subject matter.

To ensure a successful nursing dissertation, it is essential to approach the DNP Project Study with careful planning and thorough research. Students should begin by identifying a specific and applied nursing problem that aligns with their area of interest. This problem should have the potential to make a meaningful impact on nursing practice or patient outcomes. By selecting a well-defined problem, students can contribute valuable insights and findings to the existing body of nursing research.

Furthermore, the DNP Project Study should demonstrate the student’s knowledge and expertise in the subject areas covered in the literature review. This requires a comprehensive understanding of the relevant scholarly articles, research studies, and other sources of information related to the chosen topic. By conducting a thorough literature review, students can establish the context for their study, identify gaps in the existing research, and provide a solid theoretical framework for their dissertation.

By understanding the purpose and importance of the DNP Project Study, DNP students can approach their nursing dissertation with confidence and clarity. This study provides an opportunity for students to contribute to the scholarship in the field, address a specific nursing problem, and make a lasting impact on nursing practice. With careful planning, thorough research, and a strong theoretical foundation, students can successfully complete their nursing dissertation and advance their professional careers.

Developing a Dissertation Topic

Choosing the right topic is the first step in writing a nursing dissertation. It is important to select a topic that is impactful, relevant, and feasible. Here are some steps to help you develop a compelling nursing dissertation topic:

• Identify a Nursing Problem: Start by identifying a nursing problem that you are passionate about addressing. This could be a gap in clinical practice, an issue in healthcare policy, or a challenge in patient care.
• Narrow Down the Problem: Once you have identified a broad nursing problem, narrow it down to a specific, local problem that you can realistically address within the scope of your dissertation.
• Review Existing Literature: Conduct a comprehensive literature review to ensure that your topic has not already been extensively researched. Look for gaps in the existing literature where your dissertation can make a unique contribution.
• Consider Relevance and Feasibility: Evaluate the relevance and feasibility of your topic. Is it significant to the field of nursing? Can you gather the necessary data and resources to successfully complete your dissertation?
• Refine and Finalize: Refine your topic based on feedback from your advisor or mentor. Once you have a clearly defined and well-researched topic, finalize it and move on to the next step in your dissertation writing process.

Remember to choose a topic that aligns with your personal interests and career goals. A well-chosen dissertation topic will not only make the writing process more enjoyable but also contribute to the advancement of nursing knowledge and practice.

Table: Examples of Nursing Dissertation Topic Ideas

These are just a few examples of nursing dissertation topics. Remember to choose a topic that aligns with your interests, expertise, and the specific needs of the nursing community. Developing a strong topic will set the foundation for a successful dissertation journey.

Writing the Dissertation Prospectus

Once you have selected your topic for your nursing dissertation, the next step is to write a prospectus. The prospectus serves as a roadmap for your research and outlines important details about your study. It is crucial to follow a structured format and adhere to the guidelines provided by your institution. The prospectus should include the research question or objective, a justification for the study, a review of relevant literature, and a description of the research design and methods. This document will help you stay focused and organized throughout the writing process.

When writing the prospectus, it is important to consider the specific structure required for your nursing dissertation. Typically, the prospectus will include an introduction where you provide an overview of the research problem and its significance. This is followed by a comprehensive literature review that showcases your understanding of existing research in the field. The prospectus should also outline the methodology you plan to use, including data collection methods and analysis techniques. Finally, you should include a timeline for completing your dissertation and any potential challenges or limitations you may encounter.

Key Components of a Dissertation Prospectus:

• Research question or objective
• Justification for the study
• Review of relevant literature
• Research design and methods
• Timeline and potential challenges

Writing the dissertation prospectus is an essential step in the nursing dissertation writing process . It helps you clarify your research goals and provides a foundation for your study. By following a structured format and including all necessary components, you will set yourself up for success as you move forward with your research.

Overall, writing the dissertation prospectus is an important step in the nursing dissertation writing process . It not only helps you plan and structure your research, but it also provides a clear direction for your study. By investing time and effort into creating a strong prospectus, you will set yourself up for success as you embark on your dissertation journey.

Nursing Research for Dissertation: A Key Component of Successful Nursing Dissertation Writing

When it comes to writing a successful nursing dissertation, conducting thorough nursing research is a crucial step. A well-executed literature review not only establishes the context for the study but also helps identify gaps in existing research and provides a theoretical framework for the dissertation. By using credible sources and properly citing all references, DNP students can build a strong foundation for their research and contribute to the scholarship in their chosen area of focus.

One effective way to approach nursing research for a dissertation is to create a structured plan. Start by clearly defining the research question and identifying the key terms and concepts related to the topic. Then, systematically search for relevant research studies, scholarly articles, and other sources of information using databases and academic journals. By critically analyzing and synthesizing the findings, DNP students can gain valuable insights and develop a comprehensive understanding of the current state of knowledge in their chosen area.

Table: Key Steps for Conducting Nursing Research for a Dissertation

Remember, a literature review is not just a summary of existing research but an opportunity to critically evaluate and demonstrate your understanding of the topic. It is important to use a variety of sources and integrate them seamlessly into your dissertation, ensuring a robust and well-rounded analysis.

By conducting rigorous and comprehensive nursing research, DNP students can contribute to advancing knowledge in the nursing field and make a significant impact through their dissertations. The insights gained from a well-executed literature review can inform evidence-based practice, improve patient outcomes, and drive positive change in the healthcare system.

Nursing Research for Dissertation: Tips and Techniques

Undertaking a nursing dissertation requires a comprehensive approach to data collection and analysis. Conducting thorough research is crucial to ensure the validity and reliability of the study findings. Here are some valuable tips and techniques to guide nursing students in their research journey.

Gathering Data

When collecting data for a nursing dissertation, it is essential to employ appropriate research methods and tools. This may involve conducting surveys, interviews, or observations, or analyzing existing data sets. It is crucial to plan the data collection process meticulously, ensuring the sample size is representative and the data collected aligns with the research objectives. Additionally, maintaining strict confidentiality and ethical considerations is paramount in nursing research.

Analyzing Data

Once the data has been collected, the next step is to analyze it. Statistical analysis plays a significant role in nursing research, helping to derive meaningful insights and draw conclusions. Utilizing relevant statistical software can simplify the analysis process and provide accurate results. It is essential to interpret the findings accurately, ensuring they align with the research objectives and contribute to the existing nursing knowledge base.

Quote: “Data analysis is a crucial step in nursing research, as it helps to uncover significant patterns and relationships that can inform evidence-based practice.” – Dr. Jane Simmons, Nursing Researcher

Reporting Findings

Effectively reporting the research findings is vital in a nursing dissertation. The results section should present the analyzed data in a clear and concise manner, using appropriate tables, graphs, and visual aids. It is important to provide relevant explanations and interpretations of the findings, highlighting their significance in the context of the research objectives. The presentation of findings should be aligned with the research questions and contribute to the overall aim of the study.

Table: Pros and Cons of Different Research Methods

Writing the Dissertation Chapters

Once the topic has been developed and the dissertation prospectus has been completed, DNP students can begin writing the different chapters of their nursing dissertation. Each chapter serves a specific purpose and contributes to the overall structure and coherence of the dissertation.

Introduction

The introduction chapter sets the stage for the rest of the dissertation. It provides an overview of the research problem, highlights the significance of the study, and presents the research question or objectives. The introduction should also provide a clear rationale for the study and establish the gap in the existing literature that the dissertation aims to fill.

Literature Review

The literature review chapter critically examines and analyzes relevant research studies, scholarly articles, and other sources of information related to the chosen topic. It helps to establish the context for the study, identify gaps in the existing research, and provide a theoretical framework for the dissertation. The literature review should be well-organized, focused, and comprehensive, with proper citations and references.

Methodology

The methodology chapter outlines the research design and methods used in the dissertation. It describes the approach, data collection methods, sample selection, data analysis techniques, and ethical considerations. The methodology should be clear, logical, and aligned with the research question and objectives. It should also address any limitations or potential biases that may exist in the study.

The results chapter presents the findings of the study based on the data collected and analyzed. It should be organized in a logical and coherent manner, using tables, charts, or graphs to present the data effectively. The results should be discussed in relation to the research question and objectives, and any patterns, trends, or significant relationships should be highlighted.

The discussion chapter interprets the results of the study and relates them to the existing literature. It provides an analysis of the findings, identifies the implications and significance of the study, and discusses the limitations and potential areas for future research. The discussion should be objective, critical, and well-supported by evidence from the literature and the data collected.

Nursing Dissertation Writing Tips: Polishing Your Dissertation with Editing and Proofreading

Once you have completed the initial draft of your nursing dissertation, it’s crucial to allocate time for thorough editing and proofreading. This final stage of the writing process ensures that your dissertation is polished, error-free, and ready for submission. Below are some key tips to help you effectively edit and proofread your nursing dissertation:

1. Take a Break Before Editing

Before you dive into the editing process, take a break from your dissertation. Stepping away from your work for a short period of time will give you a fresh perspective and allow you to approach the editing process with a clear mind. This break will help you spot mistakes, inconsistencies, and areas for improvement that you may have overlooked when writing.

2. Review for Grammar and Spelling Errors

During the editing phase, carefully review your dissertation for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Use grammar and spell-check tools to identify and correct any mistakes. Pay attention to the clarity and conciseness of your sentences, ensuring that your ideas are effectively communicated.

3. Ensure Consistency in Formatting and Style

Consistency is key when it comes to the formatting and style of your nursing dissertation. Check that your headings, subheadings, font size, margins, and citation style are consistent throughout. This attention to detail will enhance the overall professionalism and readability of your dissertation.

4. Seek Feedback and Professional Assistance

Don’t hesitate to seek feedback from your peers, mentors, or professional editors. Fresh eyes can identify errors or suggest improvements that you may have missed. Consider hiring a professional editing service to ensure that your dissertation meets the highest standards of academic writing.

Remember, editing and proofreading are essential steps in the nursing dissertation writing process . By taking the time to carefully review and refine your work, you can ensure that your dissertation is well-crafted, error-free, and ready to make a significant contribution to the field of nursing.

Nursing Dissertation Writing Process: Formatting and Submission

Once you have completed the writing and editing of your nursing dissertation, the final step is formatting and submission. This stage is crucial to ensure that your dissertation meets the specific guidelines provided by your institution and is ready for evaluation and assessment.

Formatting your dissertation involves following the required citation style, adjusting font size and style, setting margins, and numbering pages correctly. It is essential to review each aspect of formatting thoroughly to ensure compliance with all requirements. This attention to detail will showcase your professionalism and dedication to producing a high-quality dissertation.

Before submitting your dissertation, take the time to review your work one final time. Check for any remaining grammar or spelling errors, inconsistencies in formatting or style, and overall clarity and coherence of your writing. It can be helpful to seek feedback from peers, mentors, or professional editors at this stage, as fresh eyes can often spot areas of improvement that you may have missed.

When you are confident that your dissertation is complete and meets all requirements, it is time to submit it for evaluation. Follow the submission guidelines provided by your institution, ensuring that you include all required documents and meet the specified deadline. Submission marks the culmination of your hard work and the beginning of the evaluation process that will determine the outcome of your nursing dissertation.

Publishing Your Dissertation

Once you have completed your nursing dissertation, you may want to consider publishing your research findings to contribute to the scholarly community and help disseminate knowledge in the field. Publishing your dissertation can be a rewarding experience that allows you to share your insights and make an impact in the nursing profession.

When it comes to publishing your dissertation, it is important to understand the publication process and choose the right publisher or journal for your research. Look for journals or publishers that specialize in nursing or the specific area of focus of your dissertation. Take the time to review the guidelines and requirements of the publisher or journal to ensure that your manuscript meets their criteria.

Preparing your manuscript for publication is crucial. Pay attention to formatting, citation style, and other guidelines provided by the publisher or journal. Make sure that your research is presented in a clear, concise, and coherent manner. Consider seeking guidance from experienced researchers or writing mentors who can provide valuable feedback on improving the quality of your manuscript.

Remember that the publication process may involve revisions and peer review. Be prepared to make changes based on the feedback you receive. Take the time to carefully address any comments or suggestions from reviewers to improve the quality of your work.

Publishing your nursing dissertation can be a significant achievement in your academic and professional journey. It allows you to contribute to the body of knowledge in nursing and share your research with others in the field. Remember to celebrate your accomplishment and continue to explore opportunities for further research and advancement in nursing.

Tips for Publishing Your Dissertation:

• Choose a publisher or journal specializing in nursing or your dissertation’s area of focus.
• Review and adhere to the guidelines and requirements provided by the publisher or journal.
• Prepare your manuscript meticulously, paying attention to formatting and citation style.
• Seek guidance from experienced researchers or mentors to improve the quality of your manuscript.

Resources and Support

Writing a nursing dissertation can be an overwhelming task, but with the right resources and support, it can become a more manageable and successful endeavor. DNP students have access to a wide range of resources that can aid in the dissertation writing process and ensure the quality and rigor of their work.

One valuable resource is the writing center, where students can seek guidance on various aspects of the writing process, including structuring their dissertation, refining their research questions, and improving their writing style. Writing centers often offer one-on-one consultations, workshops, and online resources to support students at different stages of their dissertation journey.

Research libraries and online databases are also essential resources for nursing students. These repositories provide access to a vast array of scholarly articles, research papers, and other relevant sources of information. Utilizing these resources can help students deepen their understanding of their chosen topic, identify gaps in the existing literature, and stay informed about the latest advancements in nursing research.

Academic advisors and writing mentors play a crucial role in providing support and guidance throughout the dissertation process. They can offer feedback on research ideas, help refine research questions, and provide insights into the latest trends and advancements in the field of nursing. Regular communication with the dissertation committee is also essential to receive valuable feedback and ensure alignment with the academic standards set by the institution.

Suggested resources for nursing dissertation writing:

• NursingWriters.net: A nursing writing service that provides expert information and guidance on writing challenges in nursing programs, including BSN, MSN, and DNP.
• Online writing communities and forums: Platforms where nursing students can connect with peers, share experiences, and seek advice on various aspects of the dissertation writing process.
• Nursing journals and publications: These sources can provide valuable insights into current research, best practices, and emerging trends in the nursing field.

In conclusion, the resources and support available to DNP students can greatly assist in the successful completion of their nursing dissertations. By utilizing writing centers, research libraries, academic advisors, and writing mentors, students can enhance the quality and rigor of their work. These resources, combined with regular communication with the dissertation committee and engagement with relevant online communities, can provide the guidance and feedback necessary to produce a well-written and impactful nursing dissertation.

Writing a nursing dissertation can be a challenging but rewarding journey for DNP students. With the right guidance and support, you can successfully navigate through each step of the process and produce a high-quality dissertation that contributes to the field of nursing. Here are some tips to help you along the way:

1. Plan Ahead

Start early and create a realistic timeline for completing each section of your dissertation. Break down the tasks into manageable chunks and set specific goals to keep yourself motivated.

2. Conduct Thorough Research

Take the time to delve into the existing literature and gather relevant sources to support your research. Use reputable databases and libraries to find scholarly articles, research studies, and other sources that will strengthen your arguments.

3. Seek Guidance and Support

Don’t hesitate to reach out for help when you need it. Utilize the resources available to you, such as writing centers, research libraries, academic advisors, and writing mentors. Regular communication with your dissertation committee will also provide valuable feedback and guidance.

4. Revise and Edit

Proofread your dissertation thoroughly to ensure it is free of errors and inconsistencies. Pay attention to grammar, spelling, and formatting. Seek feedback from peers or professional editors to improve the clarity and coherence of your writing.

By following these tips and staying committed to the process, you can successfully complete your nursing dissertation and make a significant contribution to the field. NursingWriters.net is here to support you every step of the way, providing expert information and guidance to help you excel in your DNP program. Good luck!

What is the main goal of a nursing dissertation?

The main goals of a nursing dissertation are to address a specific nursing problem, contribute to the scholarship in the field, and make a significant contribution to the student’s chosen area of focus.

What is the DNP Project Study?

The DNP Project Study allows DNP students to evaluate existing quality improvement projects, conduct staff education projects, develop clinical practice guidelines, or review existing research on a specific nursing topic.

How do I develop a topic for my nursing dissertation?

Start by identifying a problem that exists in the nursing world and then narrow it down to a specific, local problem. Make sure the topic has not already been addressed by other researchers and that there is a gap in the literature.

What is a prospectus and why is it important?

A prospectus is a document that outlines the research question, provides a justification for the study, reviews relevant literature, and describes the research design and methods. It serves as a roadmap for the dissertation writing process.

What is a literature review and why is it important?

A literature review involves identifying and analyzing relevant research studies, scholarly articles, and other sources of information related to the chosen topic. It helps establish the context for the study, identify gaps in the existing research, and provide a theoretical framework for the dissertation.

How do I collect and analyze data for my nursing dissertation?

Depending on the nature of the study, you may need to conduct surveys, interviews, observations, or analyze existing data sets. It is important to use appropriate research methods and tools, ensure the reliability and validity of the data, and interpret the findings accurately.

How should I structure the chapters of my nursing dissertation?

The dissertation is typically divided into several chapters, including an introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion. Each chapter has a specific purpose and should be clearly structured and well-written.

How do I edit and proofread my nursing dissertation?

Thoroughly check for grammar and spelling errors, ensure consistency in formatting and style, and improve the overall clarity and coherence of the writing. Seek feedback from peers, mentors, or professional editors to make necessary improvements.

How should I format and submit my nursing dissertation?

Follow the specific formatting guidelines provided by your institution, including citation style, font size, margins, and page numbering. Review the dissertation thoroughly to ensure compliance with all requirements before submission.

Should I consider publishing my nursing dissertation?

Publishing your research findings can help disseminate knowledge and contribute to the scholarly community. Understand the publication process, choose the right publisher or journal, and prepare the manuscript according to specific guidelines.

What resources and support are available for writing a nursing dissertation?

Utilize writing centers, research libraries, online databases, academic advisors, and writing mentors. Regular communication with the dissertation committee can also provide valuable guidance and feedback.

How can I successfully complete my nursing dissertation?

By following a step-by-step process, conducting thorough research, and seeking guidance and support, you can successfully complete your nursing dissertation. It represents a significant contribution to the field of nursing and can pave the way for future research and advancements in practice.

Jermaine Huey

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• Volume 24, Issue 1
• Producing a successful PhD thesis
• Article Text
• Article info
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• http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4308-4219 David Barrett 1 ,
• http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9104-1999 Alison Rodriguez 2 ,
• Joanna Smith 3
• 1 Faculty of Health Sciences , University of Hull , Hull , UK
• 2 School of Healthcare , University of Leeds , Leeds , West Yorkshire , UK
• 3 School of Healthcare , University of Leeds , Leedss , West Yorkshire , UK
• Correspondence to Dr David Barrett, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, UK; D.I.Barrett{at}hull.ac.uk

https://doi.org/10.1136/ebnurs-2020-103376

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• statistics & research methods
• nurse education
• qualitative research

All doctoral students strive for the day—after years of often all-consuming study—that their thesis is ready to submit. For both doctoral students and supervisors there is often trepidation about whether the thesis will meet the criteria to merit the award of a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). As anxieties increase, doctoral students often ask what makes a good PhD, something we explored in a recent ‘Research Made Simple’ article, 1 but perhaps the more important question is ‘what makes a PhD student successful?’ In this article we outline the core criteria on which PhD theses are judged and offer suggestions for achieving success.

How are PhDs assessed

Traditionally, a PhD involves 3 to 4 years of full-time study (or a longer part-time programme), which is assessed by the student submitting the work they have undertaken as a thesis or—less commonly—a portfolio of published papers and an associated narrative (sometimes referred to as ‘PhD by publication’). In addition, the student must undertake an oral defence of their work through a discussion (the ‘viva’) with examiners, who are deemed to be experts in the field of study or with related methodological expertise. 2

Sets out the problem and context of the research, including theoretical perspectives.

Outlines existing approaches that have addressed the problem or related issues before, typically by undertaking a thorough critical analysis of literature and identifying a gap in the evidence.

Justifies and critically evaluates the research methodologies and methods chosen to address the problem.

Presents the finding of the research and how they add to existing knowledge.

Makes recommendations as to how the findings can advance the discipline and improve practice, and/or suggest further research directions.

What criteria are used to assess a PhD thesis?

The core criteria for PhD success—ubiquitous to all disciplines and universities—are that the student;

Has made an original and significant contribution to knowledge of the topic under investigation;

Draws on a well-argued and cohesive conceptual/theoretical framework;

Demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate and justify the research methodology and methods adopted;

Can convey information (written and verbally) succinctly;

Produces a thesis is of sufficient rigour that the work is evaluated as publishable in relevant discipline-specific journal(s).

Table 1 highlights some of the key ingredients of PhD success, in terms of the study, thesis and viva.

• View inline

Key principles to PhD study success

Justifying methods

The justification of methodological choices is usually presented in a distinct chapter that typically has two components: first, a ‘big picture’ description of the theoretical perspective and methodological justification (sometimes called the research approach), followed by an account of procedure (methods) of how the research was undertaken.

Critical writing

An essential criterion expected from examiners is that students demonstrate criticality in the way they present and defend information. This can be a challenge, and many PhD students perceive that there is little guidance about how to develop effective arguments and few opportunities to develop critical writing skills. 2 3 Similar to developing knowledge and understanding of research methods, students need the knowledge and skills for effective oral communication of ideas and writing. 3

The student must be able to write succinctly and critically to produce a robust and coherent thesis. 2 4 A thesis should open with a clear outline of the problem, informing the reader what the thesis about and why the topic is important. It should detail what contexts and perspectives are relevant and offer an outline to the layout of the thesis. In all chapters, students should consider the following:

Use of ‘signposts’ to tell the reader where they are going to go, summarising afterwards and providing appropriate links throughout.

Meaningful headings: the content of chapters and sections need to reflect the heading.

Avoidance of vague terms or superfluous words, keeping sentences clear and focussed.

Paragraphs that are distinct enough to explore and evaluate a clear issue but linked well enough to enhance the flow of the thesis. A general rule of thumb is that a paragraph should be about half a page: any less and there is limited criticality, any longer and there is a tendency to ramble, lose focus and cause the reader to become disengaged.

A PhD is not about how much the student can write: it is about how well they articulate and critically analyse information.

Critical writing at Doctoral level is essential to establish the quality of the research and the credibility of the researcher. A good thesis creates a portrait of an authoritative and competent researcher, and critical writing is crucial for building the examiners’ confidence in the research undertaken.

Publishable standard of the work

Publishing in refereed journals and conferences is the traditional way in which the research community disseminates findings and builds knowledge, although there is increasing recognition of the role of social media platforms as a means of rapidly sharing knowledge. Refereed journals use recognised standards (such as the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) guidelines for trials) 5 and rigorous review processes to assess the quality of a research paper, which must be met for successful publication. It is therefore unsurprising that many examiners view a thesis more favourably if a student provides evidence of having published elements of their work. 6

Summary of key considerations

Unlike undergraduate assessment, there is a paucity of research exploring the assessment of PhDs. However, a study that explored the process and judgements of experienced examiners, 6 provided a valuable summary of the characteristics of a poor and excellent thesis ( table 2 ).

Characteristics of a poor and excellent thesis 6

This article has outlined some of the steps that a PhD student should consider in order to produce a high-quality thesis and ensure a successful viva. We have considered how it is important that decision-making is transparent in the thesis, and defendable in the oral defence/viva. A PhD thesis should show evidence of originality and theoretical/conceptual cohesiveness, communicated via the student’s critical writing ability. The thesis and defence provide students with the opportunity to share their knowledge and expertise in the field, offers them a methodological stage and gives the platform to share their critical perceptions, experiences and expertise.

• Rodriguez A ,
• McKenna C , et al
• Wellington J
• Campbell MK ,
• Elbourne DR ,
• Altman DG , et al
• Mullins G ,

Twitter @barrett1972, @ARodriguez339, @josmith175

Competing interests None declared.

Provenance and peer review Commissioned; internally peer reviewed.

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Writing the introduction to your dissertation or scholarly project

This chapter from A Nurse's Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Dissertation or Scholarly Project,  Second Edition,  discusses the elements of your introduction—from background information to your action plan.

ELEMENTS OF YOUR INTRODUCTION

• Provides some background information so that readers understand the issue
• Explains why the issue is important
• Describes what is known about the issue
• States what we need to find out or what action needs to be taken and why
• Presents how you plan to do that (your study/project)

Whatever it is, something made you sit up and pay attention. The introduction is your opportunity to make the reader do the same. In this part of the dissertation, you tell readers why you care about this topic, and even more important, why they should care, too.

In dissertation/project speak, we call this establishing significance . In plain English, we’re saying, “Hey, listen up! This is important, and here’s why.”

Of course, you can’t expect readers to just take your word for it. You need to first give them information so that they understand the problem, and you need to back up that information with evidence. After you do that, you can ask them to consider your idea for what we need to do next, whether that is gathering more information or trying out a solution.

You’ve already started Good news: You’ve already done most of the work for this chapter! Much of the introduction will come from all the information you gathered when you did your literature review. What you want to do is summarize the literature review. As you do so, include enough information to familiarize readers with your topic and to convince them of its importance without extensive details or an in-depth review of individual studies.

Creating an outline You can begin by developing an outline based on the required elements. To do so, first answer each of the following questions (which correlate with required elements 1 through 4 listed at the beginning of this chapter) with one or two sentences:

• What is happening?
• Why should we care?
• What do we know now?
• What do we need to find out and why? or What do we need to do to address this?

After you’ve answered the questions, read your answers in order. Each answer should connect with what comes before, and all of them should lead you straight to a logical therefore statement.

Therefore, I am going to conduct a study to…

Therefore, I designed a quality improvement project to…

If the answers don’t lead directly to the therefore statement, what’s missing? Where does the connection get lost? If you haven’t gotten the reader to care, then it doesn’t matter what you know and what you want to do. Or maybe now the reader cares but wonders why you need to do this particular study at this particular time, because it doesn’t seem to be the next logical thing to do based on what’s already been done. Or you haven’t shown how the solution you propose could effectively address the problem you’ve identified.  

Here’s an example of what the answers to these questions might be for a dissertation proposal on intimate partner violence (IPV) in the rural setting:

• What is happening? IPV is a pervasive health and social problem in the United States. One out of three women experience IPV in their lifetime.
• Why should we care? IPV causes tremendous physical and emotional suffering and even death. It’s costly to individual women and society.
• What do we know now? Women in the rural setting who experience IPV face unique challenges. Current support and resources are inadequate and ineffective.
• What do we need to find out and why? There is little research on the lived experience of IPV for women in the rural setting. We need to understand this so we can develop effective services and provide appropriate resources and support.

Therefore, I propose a qualitative descriptive study of the lived experience of women who experience intimate partner violence in the rural setting.

Here’s an example for a scholarly project to decrease the rate of central line-associated bloodstream infections in an ICU:

• What is happening? Rates of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) in the intensive care unit are higher than national benchmarks.
• Why should we care? CLABSI is associated with higher morbidity rates and a mortality rate of 10% to 20%. It leads to an increased length of stay for the patient and costs the hospital over $28,000 per patient. CLABSI costs the U.S. healthcare system close to 2 billion dollars annually.
• What do we know now? CLABSIs are preventable. Evidence-based protocols reduce the rate of CLABSIs. The Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program (CUSP) toolkit has reduced the national rate of CLABSIs by 41%.
• What do we need to do to address this? Follow evidence-based protocols in caring for patients with central lines.

Therefore, I am going to lead a team to modify the CUSP toolkit to meet the needs of the ICU and implement it on the unit.

How you proceed at this point depends on your own writing work style. Some people prefer to work from a detailed outline. If you do, you can now begin to fill in your answers with more particulars. If you are not an outline type of worker, you can move on to writing the introduction, as described later in this chapter.

Filling in the outline Under each question, list the different pieces of information that you need to add. Depending on your topic and purpose, your outline should include some or all of the following information:

• Condition, problem, issue
• Definition or brief description
• Population affected
• Epidemiology
• Where (e.g., United States, globally, developing countries, hospital or community)
• Mortality rates
• Local problem (for quality improvement project)
• Associated concepts necessary to understanding of problem or approach
• Morbidity and mortality
• Pain and suffering it causes
• Economic costs
• Organization/institution
• Increasing or worsening?
• Consequences/impact of local problem
• Recent research
• Current treatments or interventions
• Limitations
• What do we need to find out and why?
• Questions that still need to be answered
• Interventions to be trialed
• Factors or outcomes in a specific population
• Benefits to be gained
• Better patient outcomes
• More effective interventions
• Improved services
• Workforce issues
• Improved systems

Writing the introduction When you start writing this part of your dissertation, remember that each section is an introduction to the material included. So, don’t get too detailed. The important thing is that you adequately and succinctly cover all these areas. In your Literature Review (Chapter Two), you critically review prior research and cover the individual studies in depth. In the Introduction, in contrast, you present what is known with appropriate citations of the evidence but don’t get into detailed information about that evidence.

In addition, you’ll notice some overlap among the four questions. Don’t try to adhere to a structure that rigidly partitions answers to each question. For example, when you talk about prevalence in answer to the “What is happening?” question, you are beginning to make a case for significance.

What is happening? The first paragraph introduces your topic and makes a brief statement about its significance. Within the first two sentences, the reader should know what the topic is. Don’t take the reader on a roundabout trip to your topic. If your topic is stress incontinence in older women, start with a statement about stress incontinence. Don’t start by talking about the aging of the population and then explain how older people have more problems with incontinence and that there are different types of incontinence, one of which is stress incontinence. Try to get the topic in the first sentence. After we know you’re talking about stress incontinence, you can go on to tell us that it is more common in older women and that its prevalence is increasing with the aging of the population.

Describe the population that is affected and provide statistics on the prevalence:

• How many people are affected, or how often does it happen?
• How big is this problem?
• What population is primarily affected?
• What are the mortality and morbidity rates?
• Is the problem increasing, or is its impact becoming greater?

In a scholarly project, you also have to give the reader background information on the “local problem.” What is happening in your specific setting that compels you to do this quality improvement project? How do you know there is a problem? What is the population affected? What are the consequences of the problem?

Why should we care? Now that readers know what you’re going to be talking about, you need to convince them of its importance. You do this by talking about its impact on those affected by it and on society. If you haven’t talked about prevalence, an important aspect of a problem’s significance, you’ll want to discuss it here.

The impact on those it affects is the other important aspect of a problem’s significance. Depending on your topic, this may include any of the following:

• Physical and mental health effects
• Social implications
• Economic impact on the individual and society
• Contribution to healthcare costs
• Healthcare system implications
• Patient safety outcomes
• Impact on the nursing profession

Be careful how and where you talk about the economic costs of a problem. You don’t want it to appear that you are prioritizing cost over people. If your purpose is related to a health systems problem, economic costs may be a primary factor. However, if it is related to a patient outcomes problem, cost may be one of the reasons we should care, but it should not be the primary one. You can make this clear in the wording and where in the text you place information. If it is a patient-related problem, talk about cost last and begin with a transitional phrase such as in addition to or along with [the impact on patients]:

In addition to the decrease in patient suffering and lower risk of death, improving our CLABSI rates will result in significant cost savings to the hospital.

What do we know now? You will have included some of what we know now in answering the first two questions. In answering this question, though, you want to talk about what is known in relation to the specific purpose of your study or project. This will then lead the reader to what we need to find out, which is the knowledge or practice gap that your dissertation or project is trying to fill.

If your study or project is looking to better understand a problem or discover more information about the impact of a problem, then in this section you’ll describe current understanding or information. If you are doing an interventional study or quality improvement project that looks at how to address a problem, you also need to describe what we currently know about what works or doesn’t work (in other words, what’s already been tried and how it worked out).

What do we need to find out and why? Now that you’ve established where we’re at currently, it’s time to let the reader know what the next step should be. This is where you introduce the knowledge or practice gap that you are going to address in your study or project. This will be a shorter version of what you discuss in the literature review, but the same format applies. Use a transitional sentence to move from what is known to what we need to find out or from what is known about a problem to what you are proposing to do about the problem. Then tell the reader why the knowledge or project is necessary.

But remember, keep it brief. One or two sentences should cover it. For example:

Though there is evidence from studies of disenfranchised grief to suggest that parents who experience the death of an estranged son or daughter may suffer complicated grief and receive less support than other bereaved parents, there is little research that explores this experience in this population. Understanding the lived experience of grief after the death of an estranged son or daughter is needed for us to develop effective counseling and support services for these parents.

And finally, what you are going to do:

Therefore, I am going to conduct a qualitative phenomenological study of the meaning of grief in parents following the death of an estranged son or daughter.

PICOT statements You may be directed to write a PICOT problem statement, particularly if you are doing quantitative research or a quality improvement project. Here’s what a PICOT statement covers:

P opulation: Who is the focus of your study or project? I ntervention: What activity/behavior is being tested? C omparison: What group are you comparing your population to? O utcome: What are the outcomes you are examining? T ime: What is the duration of the intervention or study period?

Your plan (methodology) After you state your purpose, you need to briefly describe how you propose to accomplish it. If you are doing a research study, your purpose statement usually includes the methodological approach you plan to use (as shown in the preceding examples). You should then describe your design in one or two sentences. Are you going to use a survey? Conduct interviews? Do focus groups? What is the sampling frame? What’s the duration of the project or study period? For example:

Therefore, I propose a discharge follow-up program for heart failure patients that provides biweekly home visits by nurse practitioners for 2 weeks following hospital discharge. I will compare 30-day readmission rates for patients during the 6 months prior to initiation of the program and for the 6 months after initiation of the program.

Research questions Finally, you include your specific research question or questions. This is usually your purpose statement reformulated as a question but may also include additional questions that drill down into more specifics:

What is the lived experience of IPV for women in the context of the rural setting?

What are the IPV-related knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of healthcare providers in the rural setting?

Will biweekly home visits conducted by nurse practitioners for 2 weeks post hospital discharge reduce readmission rates for heart failure patients?

Does participation in simulation teamwork exercises improve the perception of teamwork among interprofessional operating room staff?

If you have specific hypotheses, you include those in this section as well.

Checking that you’ve covered your purpose statement When you finish the introduction, go back and check that you’ve covered all aspects of your purpose or therefore statement. Break the purpose statement into questions and check that each question is answered, albeit briefly, in the introduction. Not knowing the answer to any of the questions reveals gaps in your thinking or in your review of the literature.

Nothing about your purpose statement should be arbitrary. You should be able to clearly see where it came from: What in the literature or your practice supports your decisions about variables, time duration, and outcome measures?

So, let’s look at the example of the discharge follow-up program for heart failure patients:

Therefore, I propose a discharge follow-up program that provides biweekly home visits by nurse practitioners for 2 weeks following hospital discharge. I will compare 30-day readmission rates for patients during the 6 months prior to initiation of the program and for the 6 months after initiation of the program.

For this purpose statement, you would want to be able to answer the following questions:

• Why look at a discharge follow-up program for HF patients?
• Why post-discharge home visits as the follow-up intervention?
• Why make the visits biweekly?
• Why by nurse practitioners (versus other healthcare personnel)?
• Why 2 weeks duration following hospital discharge?
• Why 30-day readmission rates as the outcome measure?

Of course, you will only be able to answer all the questions if your literature review was comprehensive and complete. If you haven’t answered all these questions in the introduction, go back to your literature review and see whether the answers are there. If not, you’ve got to get back into the literature and find them and revise your literature review to include that information before moving on.

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How to Write a Dissertation | A Guide to Structure & Content

A dissertation or thesis is a long piece of academic writing based on original research, submitted as part of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree.

The structure of a dissertation depends on your field, but it is usually divided into at least four or five chapters (including an introduction and conclusion chapter).

The most common dissertation structure in the sciences and social sciences includes:

• An introduction to your topic
• A literature review that surveys relevant sources
• An explanation of your methodology
• An overview of the results of your research
• A discussion of the results and their implications
• A conclusion that shows what your research has contributed

Dissertations in the humanities are often structured more like a long essay , building an argument by analysing primary and secondary sources . Instead of the standard structure outlined here, you might organise your chapters around different themes or case studies.

Other important elements of the dissertation include the title page , abstract , and reference list . If in doubt about how your dissertation should be structured, always check your department’s guidelines and consult with your supervisor.

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Table of contents

Acknowledgements, table of contents, list of figures and tables, list of abbreviations, introduction, literature review / theoretical framework, methodology, reference list.

The very first page of your document contains your dissertation’s title, your name, department, institution, degree program, and submission date. Sometimes it also includes your student number, your supervisor’s name, and the university’s logo. Many programs have strict requirements for formatting the dissertation title page .

The title page is often used as cover when printing and binding your dissertation .

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The acknowledgements section is usually optional, and gives space for you to thank everyone who helped you in writing your dissertation. This might include your supervisors, participants in your research, and friends or family who supported you.

The abstract is a short summary of your dissertation, usually about 150-300 words long. You should write it at the very end, when you’ve completed the rest of the dissertation. In the abstract, make sure to:

• State the main topic and aims of your research
• Describe the methods you used
• Summarise the main results
• State your conclusions

Although the abstract is very short, it’s the first part (and sometimes the only part) of your dissertation that people will read, so it’s important that you get it right. If you’re struggling to write a strong abstract, read our guide on how to write an abstract .

In the table of contents, list all of your chapters and subheadings and their page numbers. The dissertation contents page gives the reader an overview of your structure and helps easily navigate the document.

All parts of your dissertation should be included in the table of contents, including the appendices. You can generate a table of contents automatically in Word.

If you have used a lot of tables and figures in your dissertation, you should itemise them in a numbered list . You can automatically generate this list using the Insert Caption feature in Word.

If you have used a lot of abbreviations in your dissertation, you can include them in an alphabetised list of abbreviations so that the reader can easily look up their meanings.

If you have used a lot of highly specialised terms that will not be familiar to your reader, it might be a good idea to include a glossary . List the terms alphabetically and explain each term with a brief description or definition.

In the introduction, you set up your dissertation’s topic, purpose, and relevance, and tell the reader what to expect in the rest of the dissertation. The introduction should:

• Establish your research topic , giving necessary background information to contextualise your work
• Narrow down the focus and define the scope of the research
• Discuss the state of existing research on the topic, showing your work’s relevance to a broader problem or debate
• Clearly state your objectives and research questions , and indicate how you will answer them
• Give an overview of your dissertation’s structure

Everything in the introduction should be clear, engaging, and relevant to your research. By the end, the reader should understand the what , why and how of your research. Not sure how? Read our guide on how to write a dissertation introduction .

Before you start on your research, you should have conducted a literature review to gain a thorough understanding of the academic work that already exists on your topic. This means:

• Collecting sources (e.g. books and journal articles) and selecting the most relevant ones
• Critically evaluating and analysing each source
• Drawing connections between them (e.g. themes, patterns, conflicts, gaps) to make an overall point

In the dissertation literature review chapter or section, you shouldn’t just summarise existing studies, but develop a coherent structure and argument that leads to a clear basis or justification for your own research. For example, it might aim to show how your research:

• Addresses a gap in the literature
• Takes a new theoretical or methodological approach to the topic
• Proposes a solution to an unresolved problem
• Advances a theoretical debate
• Builds on and strengthens existing knowledge with new data

The literature review often becomes the basis for a theoretical framework , in which you define and analyse the key theories, concepts and models that frame your research. In this section you can answer descriptive research questions about the relationship between concepts or variables.

The methodology chapter or section describes how you conducted your research, allowing your reader to assess its validity. You should generally include:

• The overall approach and type of research (e.g. qualitative, quantitative, experimental, ethnographic)
• Your methods of collecting data (e.g. interviews, surveys, archives)
• Details of where, when, and with whom the research took place
• Your methods of analysing data (e.g. statistical analysis, discourse analysis)
• Tools and materials you used (e.g. computer programs, lab equipment)
• A discussion of any obstacles you faced in conducting the research and how you overcame them
• An evaluation or justification of your methods

Your aim in the methodology is to accurately report what you did, as well as convincing the reader that this was the best approach to answering your research questions or objectives.

Next, you report the results of your research . You can structure this section around sub-questions, hypotheses, or topics. Only report results that are relevant to your objectives and research questions. In some disciplines, the results section is strictly separated from the discussion, while in others the two are combined.

For example, for qualitative methods like in-depth interviews, the presentation of the data will often be woven together with discussion and analysis, while in quantitative and experimental research, the results should be presented separately before you discuss their meaning. If you’re unsure, consult with your supervisor and look at sample dissertations to find out the best structure for your research.

In the results section it can often be helpful to include tables, graphs and charts. Think carefully about how best to present your data, and don’t include tables or figures that just repeat what you have written  –  they should provide extra information or usefully visualise the results in a way that adds value to your text.

Full versions of your data (such as interview transcripts) can be included as an appendix .

The discussion  is where you explore the meaning and implications of your results in relation to your research questions. Here you should interpret the results in detail, discussing whether they met your expectations and how well they fit with the framework that you built in earlier chapters. If any of the results were unexpected, offer explanations for why this might be. It’s a good idea to consider alternative interpretations of your data and discuss any limitations that might have influenced the results.

The discussion should reference other scholarly work to show how your results fit with existing knowledge. You can also make recommendations for future research or practical action.

The dissertation conclusion should concisely answer the main research question, leaving the reader with a clear understanding of your central argument. Wrap up your dissertation with a final reflection on what you did and how you did it. The conclusion often also includes recommendations for research or practice.

In this section, it’s important to show how your findings contribute to knowledge in the field and why your research matters. What have you added to what was already known?

You must include full details of all sources that you have cited in a reference list (sometimes also called a works cited list or bibliography). It’s important to follow a consistent reference style . Each style has strict and specific requirements for how to format your sources in the reference list.

The most common styles used in UK universities are Harvard referencing and Vancouver referencing . Your department will often specify which referencing style you should use – for example, psychology students tend to use APA style , humanities students often use MHRA , and law students always use OSCOLA . M ake sure to check the requirements, and ask your supervisor if you’re unsure.

To save time creating the reference list and make sure your citations are correctly and consistently formatted, you can use our free APA Citation Generator .

Your dissertation itself should contain only essential information that directly contributes to answering your research question. Documents you have used that do not fit into the main body of your dissertation (such as interview transcripts, survey questions or tables with full figures) can be added as appendices .

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How to Write a Nursing Dissertation – Tips & Examples

Published by Alvin Nicolas at November 24th, 2022 , Revised On February 1, 2024

Nurses are primarily seen as someone who care for and ensures the best treatment and support for the patients. So it is no surprise that many nursing students struggle to write a flawless nursing dissertation and fail to achieve their desired grade.

If you are a nursing student learning to write a nursing dissertation, you have landed on the right page.

Writing a nursing dissertation can be laborious if one is not adequately prepared. The nursing profession focuses on providing health care services and doesn’t involve a lot of research and writing.

As a result, writing a solid dissertation for nursing students can often become challenging. This article teaches nursing students how to produce an exceptional nursing dissertation.

Students must complete their nursing dissertations before the deadline provided by their department and to a high academic quality standard. When writing a nursing dissertation, you must ensure that whatever you write is precise, clear, and intelligible.

A strong nursing dissertation is a way to showcase your research and writing skills. You may find these skills useful at some point in your professional career. A logical methodology is necessary for writing an excellent nursing dissertation.

Without further ado, let’s look at the most critical steps of writing a nursing dissertation.

When you Need to Write a Nursing Dissertation

You will need to produce a proposal and a dissertation if you are a nursing student pursuing an undergraduate, Master or a PhD programme. Undergraduate students must complete and submit the dissertation project in their final year. On the other hand, Master’s and PhD students must successfully complete and defend their dissertation research to be awarded the degrees. For nursing students, completing a dissertation of high quality is of utmost importance. Be mindful of the following when starting to write your thesis paper.

• You will need to be adept at combining data from many sources.
• You should demonstrate the ability to blend analysis with description.
• You must discuss theoretical ideas and concepts in detail.

13 Steps to Write a Nursing Dissertation

Step 1: begin your dissertation with topic selection.

The first step of the process is selecting a suitable nursing dissertation topic . Make sure you don’t rush this process because the idea you are investigating is the foundation for your dissertation. It must be something you are interested in, relevant to the discipline you chose to study and going to add value to the existing literature.

Step 2: Introduction

You acquaint your readers with the nursing dissertation topic in the introduction chapter. Here, you provide the rationale and history, set up the hypothesis or research questions, and present the background information and fundamental concepts relating to your thesis topic. A strong introduction can enable you to achieve a high score. Use a consistent format and ensure clarity and coherence because the introduction is the first line of the nursing dissertation.

Step 3: Obtaining and Combining Proof from Reliable Sources

Every dissertation, particularly a nursing dissertation, requires supporting data from peer-reviewed journals like “Advances in Neonatal Nursing,” “Clinical Nurse Specialist,” and similar journals. Aside from books and newspapers, aim to use journal articles by reputable authors and academics. You must make sure, among other things, that the evidence you use for your Master’s nursing dissertation is reliable.

Step 4: Critically Evaluate the Evidence

Without thoroughly evaluating the evidence, you will not be able to develop a first-class dissertation that other academicians can rely on. Giving your supervisor a glimpse of the evidence using the spectacle of critical appraisal tools is a great technique to show them the extensive study you conducted for your dissertation.

Step 5: Review of Literature

Here’s where you perform a comprehensive review of the existing literature. This chapter discusses fundamental theories surrounding your research topic and concludes with the outcomes of this secondary data review. Write this section while maintaining objectivity, and only include what you read.

Step 6: Outlining the Significance of the Dissertation

Finding a pertinent passage from previously published works is the next stage in determining the topic’s applicability in the present day.

For instance, if you are writing a dissertation on evidence-based nursing practice, you can access a variety of papers on the subject that have been produced by numerous nursing academics from all over the world. You could strengthen your work by doing this.

Step 7: Employing Clinical Standards for Audit and Inspection

Regardless of the research area you are exploring, mentioning relevant nursing policies and frameworks is crucial. Others will only use your work as a resource and future reference material if you have employed clinical standards, audit, and inspection guidelines.

Step 9: Choose the Methodology

A nursing dissertation isn’t done until you have developed a coherent and tangible nursing research methodology . Depending on your research topic, you could choose qualitative, quantitative, or a mix of both. Typical nursing dissertations involve a lot of data and analysis, and you may probably have to use some statistical analysis tool as part of the methodology.

Step 9: Results

Always reflect the actual outcomes. Write down anything unusual you notice while exercising the research.

The results chapter is where you present the findings of your study. The results and methodology chapter are often regarded as the most critical components of the dissertation paper. If you are basing your dissertation on quantitative research, consider including graphs and tables to provide evidence for your claims. You can, however, seek outside nursing assistance if you feel that writing the complete thesis paper would be too stressful for you.

Step 10: Recommendations

Presenting recommendations based on your experience is the last step in a nursing master’s dissertation. These serve as potential fixes for the shortcomings in the current study that can be applied in the future.

Step 11: Appropriate Format and List of References

You will lose important marks if your dissertation’s bibliography and references are not in proper order. Make sure your paper uses the format and style as instructed in your dissertation handbook.

Step 12: Structure

Forging a persuasive structure is another nursing dissertation requirement. The dissertation will stay on topic with logical organisation and order building. The exact structure you must follow varies from one nursing programme to another. We recommend that you check with your supervisor or read the handbook in detail to determine the structure you must follow.

Step 14: Proofreading

Any writing task becomes tedious after a while, and students are more likely to make mistakes when working with more extensive academic papers such as a dissertation. Under any circumstance, proofreading is required. Due to the strain of work and satisfying academic obligations, some students make mistakes in their dissertations even after reading them repeatedly.

These errors are typically modest and don’t seem noticeable to everyone. The process of proofreading ensures that every step, from the introduction to the appendices section, has been appropriately arranged.

Proofreading makes the writing process much more organised and clutter-free. Proofreading makes up the remaining two-thirds of the fight after writing and can make you succeed.

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Closing Remarks!

As a future nurse, you are aware that you must submit a solid dissertation to receive your professional qualification. Certainly, submitting a high-calibre nursing paper improves your chances of graduating with honours.

You may have a lot of academic and extracurricular commitments, making it tough to focus on writing your research.

The good news is that you still have room to work on your research, even though you only have a little time left before the deadline. Following the simple but exceptional tips presented in this article, you can produce an excellent dissertation swiftly.

We hope that this comprehensive guide to writing your nursing dissertation has helped you comprehend the critical components of a nursing dissertation.

How to write a nursing dissertation?

Writing a nursing dissertation can be complicated for a few students, but by following the given steps, you will be able to write a good nursing dissertation.

• Start by choosing an intriguing topic.
• Write a catchy introduction. 
• Collect proof and citations from reliable sources
• Critically evaluate the gathered evidence 
• Perform literature review
• Outline the significance of your nursing dissertation 
•  Mention the relevant nursing policies and frameworks 
• Choose the right methodology 
• Reflect on the actual outcomes 
• Provide recommendations for the future. 
• Use the appropriate format and referencing style. 
• Review the structure of your nursing dissertation. 
• Make sure to proofread before sending. 

Where do I find the trending nursing dissertation topics?

If you are looking for trending nursing dissertation topics, you can check 100s of amazing and professional topics here . If you cannot find a topic that interests you in the list, you can place your order at Essays UK and get a Free nursing dissertation topic recommendation.

What is the difference between a nursing essay and a dissertation?

A nursing essay and a nursing dissertation are two different types of academic writing. They differ in many aspects, including:

• Length: A nursing essay is typically shorter than a dissertation. An essay may be several pages long, while a dissertation is usually several hundred pages.
• Depth of research: A dissertation requires original research and analysis of a particular topic, while an essay may be based on existing literature or research.
• Level of complexity: A dissertation is generally more complex and in-depth than an essay. It requires a higher level of critical thinking and analysis.
• Format: A dissertation typically follows a specific format, with chapters dedicated to the introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion. An essay may be more flexible in its format.
• Purpose: A dissertation is often required to obtain a doctoral degree, while an essay is typically an assignment for a nursing course.

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Visualizing and compressing information in the form of diagrams, drawings, or tables helps improve the readability and understandability of a document. Graphic inserts, which deliver information more accurately and quickly and give diversity to typography, are a good alternative to only words written. 

A dissertation or a thesis preface is your chance to reflect on your experience during the writing. A preface is similar to reflective essay writing and mainly written in the first person.

A research question is a topic on which you base your research. It points out precisely what you want to achieve from this research. 

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Nursing: How to Write a Literature Review

• Traditional or Narrative Literature Review

Getting started

1. start with your research question, 2. search the literature, 3. read & evaluate, 4. finalize results, 5. write & revise, brainfuse online tutoring and writing review.

• RESEARCH HELP

The best way to approach your literature review is to break it down into steps.  Remember, research is an iterative process, not a linear one.  You will revisit steps and revise along the way.  Get started with the handout, information, and tips from various university Writing Centers below that provides an excellent overview.  Then move on to the specific steps recommended on this page.

• UNC- Chapel Hill Writing Center Literature Review Handout, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
• University of Wisconsin-Madison Writing Center Learn how to write a review of literature, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
• University of Toronto-- Writing Advice The Literature Review: A few tips on conducting it, from the University of Toronto.
• Begin with a topic.
• Understand the topic. 
• Familiarize yourself with the terminology.  Note what words are being used and keep track of these for use as database search keywords. 
• See what research has been done on this topic before you commit to the topic.  Review articles can be helpful to understand what research has been done .
• Develop your research question.  (see handout below)
• How comprehensive should it be? 
• Is it for a course assignment or a dissertation? 
• How many years should it cover?
• Developing a good nursing research question Handout. Reviews PICO method and provides search tips.

Your next step is to construct a search strategy and then locate & retrieve articles.

•  There are often 2-4 key concepts in a research question.
• Search for primary sources (original research articles.)
• These are based on the key concepts in your research question.
• Remember to consider synonyms and related terms.
• Which databases to search?
• What limiters should be applied (peer-reviewed, publication date, geographic location, etc.)?

Review articles (secondary sources)

Use to identify literature on your topic, the way you would use a bibliography.  Then locate and retrieve the original studies discussed in the review article. Review articles are considered secondary sources.

• Once you have some relevant articles, review reference lists to see if there are any useful articles.
• Which articles were written later and have cited some of your useful articles?  Are these, in turn, articles that will be useful to you? 
• Keep track of what terms you used and what databases you searched. 
• Use database tools such as save search history in EBSCO to help.
• Keep track of the citations for the articles you will be using in your literature review. 
• Use RefWorks or another method of tracking this information. 
• Database Search Strategy Worksheet Handout. How to construct a search.
• TUTORIAL: How to do a search based on your research question This is a self-paced, interactive tutorial that reviews how to construct and perform a database search in CINAHL.

The next step is to read, review, and understand the articles.

• Start by reviewing abstracts. 
• Make sure you are selecting primary sources (original research articles).
• Note any keywords authors report using when searching for prior studies.
• You will need to evaluate and critique them and write a synthesis related to your research question.
• Consider using a matrix to organize and compare and contrast the articles . 
• Which authors are conducting research in this area?  Search by author.  
• Are there certain authors’ whose work is cited in many of your articles?  Did they write an early, seminal article that is often cited?
• Searching is a cyclical process where you will run searches, review results, modify searches, run again, review again, etc. 
• Critique articles.  Keep or exclude based on whether they are relevant to your research question.
• When you have done a thorough search using several databases plus Google Scholar, using appropriate keywords or subject terms, plus author’s names, and you begin to find the same articles over and over.
• Remember to consider the scope of your project and the length of your paper.  A dissertation will have a more exhaustive literature review than an 8 page paper, for example.
• What are common findings among each group or where do they disagree? 
• Identify common themes. Identify controversial or problematic areas in the research. 
• Use your matrix to organize this.
• Once you have read and re-read your articles and organized your findings, you are ready to begin the process of writing the literature review.

2. Synthesize.  (see handout below)

• Include a synthesis of the articles you have chosen for your literature review.
• A literature review is NOT a list or a summary of what has been written on a particular topic. 
• It analyzes the articles in terms of how they relate to your research question. 
• While reading, look for similarities and differences (compare and contrast) among the articles.  You will create your synthesis from this.
• Synthesis Examples Handout. Sample excerpts that illustrate synthesis.

Regis Online students have access to Brainfuse. Brainfuse is an online tutoring service available through a link in Moodle. Meet with a tutor in a live session or submit your paper for review.

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