descriptive nursing research topics

Best Nursing Research Topics for Students

What is a nursing research paper.

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

Best Nursing Research Topics for Students

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Nursing Research Papers

When do nursing students write research papers.

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

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

Do Nursing Students Conduct Original Research?

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

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

Example Research Project Scenario:

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

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

What Does a Nursing Research Paper Include?

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

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

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

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

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

How to Choose a Nursing Research Topic

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

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

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

The Best Research Topics for Nursing Students

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

1. Clinical Nursing Research Topics

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

2. Community Health Nursing Research Topics

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

3. Nurse Education Research Topics

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

4. Mental Health Nursing Research Topics

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

5. Pediatric Nursing Research Topics

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

6. The Nursing Profession Research Topics

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

Tips for Writing a Nursing Research Paper

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Helpful Nursing Research Writing Resources:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Nursing Topics for Research plus Ideas

Writing a good nursing essay, term paper, or research paper begins by finding a list of good nursing research topics and then narrowing it down to a specific topic that interests you the most and aligns with your assignment instructions.

For most nursing students, finding the best nursing topics for research can be challenging and confusing. From our interaction with thousands of students, we have realized many dread choosing a nursing research paper topic when given a chance.

In fact, they prefer being given a list of nursing research paper topics they can choose from, which they suppose makes work easier for them, but that's never the case.

Choosing a good topic is part of the assessment; you must do it well because it can either break or make your final nursing school grade .

You are assigned to write on specific nursing topics when the professor wants you to understand the nursing concepts. We have your back if you are after the best nursing research topics. In this blog article, we have highlighted a list of different nursing topics you can select from for any nursing paper you will be assigned and let you have the freedom to choose a topic on your own. If you are looking for a guide on writing a nursing paper, check our guide for writing a nursing research paper and the blog post on how to write a nursing essay .

We also have advanced guides on writing capstone projects, dissertations, and QI reports; go through them and write a digestible nursing research paper that gives you a maximum score. But first, let's dive into the various topics in nursing you can write a paper about.

Steps for Selecting a Good Nursing Research Topic

Before we go into the details of the research topics in nursing, it would be wise to highlight some of the steps you need to take to identify the best topic. When assigned to write a paper, use these steps to select the best topic:

Read the assignment instructions to identify whether you have a predetermined list of nursing topics or can choose one on your own;
If you are allowed to select a topic of your choice, begin by identifying the nursing research area you are passionate about;
Brainstorm for ideas on this specific area by referring to the course readings, class notes, previous class assignments, nursing topic examples online, and past nursing papers submitted by the cohorts before yours;
Narrow down to three main topics by researching your nursing research ideas and eliminating the ones that don't fit the scope of the paper;
Again do an elimination based on your research to identify a manageable (has a lot of scholarly resources), engaging, and suitable nursing topic for your nursing paper, and
Research widely to identify the best sources to use when exploring your research paper in detail, then write your nursing paper.

As you choose a nursing topic, always remember the following:

to pick a topic that falls within your area of interest or the scope of the course;
select a topic that you can share as many details without forcing yourself or getting bored;
choose a topic that has plenty of credible peer-reviewed nursing sources;
the topic should be unique and unexplored, or if it is explored, select a new perspective or approach;
the topic should be relevant, fresh, explorative, engaging, meaningful, and original;
the topic should be flexible so that you can research and form arguments;
focus on topics with concepts, frameworks, or ideas from class;
if stuck, ask for help selecting a topic from your instructor or peers;
don't choose a topic that is too broad or too narrow; choose a manageable topic;
Prioritize considering the latest, current events, or trending nursing research topics so that you can solve issues as they arise in practice.

These tips also apply to nursing research project topics.

List of Nursing Research Topics Organized by Nursing Category

If you find selecting a research topic for your nursing paper challenging, this list of different nursing topics will come in handy. Even the most proficient nursing writers face challenges with choosing topics. But that has never deterred them from writing research papers, essays, and other nursing papers. To get you ahead of everything, consider these top topics in nursing to help you brainstorm fresh nursing research topics ideas. You can also directly pick a topic of interest or slightly tweak any of them and write a good paper.

Adult Nursing Research Topics

Impacts of engaging older adult patients through Facebook
Gastric decompression in adult patients
Role advanced practice nurse in geriatric oncology care
Strategies for promoting healthy lifestyles among LGBT older adult patients
Moral distress among adult nursing practitioners
Impacts of aging on adult health
Diagnosis and management of learning disabilities in nursing
How nurses can support rehabilitation for home-dwelling adult patients
Role of nurses in addressing sigma for adults living with HIV/AIDS
Prevalence of hypertension among young adults
Managing T2DM among young black American adults
Impacts of malnutrition among elderly adults
Role of nurses in addressing domestic violence
Treatment and management of Asthma among adult patients
Treatment of acute coronary syndrome among adult patients
Strategies to prevent dehydration among elderly patients
Impacts of age on the immune system and the skin of adults
Strategies to address obesity among adults
Oral care among elderly adults in the USA
Treatment of anxiety and depression among adults
Treatment and management of COPD
Pain management strategies for adult patients
Ethical issues facing nurses that handle adult patients
Strategies to promote weight loss and management among adult patients
Impacts of colon cancer screening among adults

Child Nursing Research Topics

Diagnosis, treatment, and management of ADHD in children
Causes and management of seizures among children
Nutritional benefits of supplements for children
Impacts of over-exposure of children to antibiotics
Impacts of heavy metals on the neurological development of children
Strategies to prompt physical activity among children
Benefits of parental attachment to children's well-being
Diagnosis and management of respiratory illnesses in children
Treatment and management of cryptorchidism in children
Management of urine incontinence in children
Benefits of nutritional counseling for adolescent kids
Psychological impacts of cancer on children and their families
The ethical dilemma with consent when treating children
Health education strategies to ensure children stick to medication
Effects of the opioid epidemic on children and adolescents
The impacts of parental opioid use and children's health
Benefits of play therapy for children
The link between vaccination and the well-being of children
Should Covid-19 be part of the vaccination schedule for children?

Communications Nursing Research Topics

Using social media to raise awareness among nurses
Attitudes of nurses on using SBAR to improve communication
Impacts of body language on nursing communication
Benefits of training nurses on interprofessional communication
Impacts of communication on collaboration within interprofessional healthcare teams
Why nurses should check for non-verbal cues among patients
The role of interpreters and translators in clinical settings
Communicating with patients and their families on aspects related to cancer care
Strategies to maintain good therapeutic relationships with patients in end-of-life care
Role of interpersonal communication in transcultural nursing
Patient perceptions and attitudes of nurse-patient communication
Communication models oncology nurses can use when 'Breaking Bad News.'
Strategies to resolve communication challenges in intensive care units
Benefits of taking notes on proper communication among nurses
Use of technology to facilitate communication among nurses and patients
Factors affecting nursing error communication within ICUs
Perceptions and lived experiences of pediatric oncology nurses during palliative and end of life care
The link between communication and patient outcomes
Benefits of patient-centered communication
How can nurses address the needs of deaf patients
Perceptions of nurses of prognosis-related communication
The use of telehealth to facilitate fast communication
Benefits of using the nursing dashboard to communicate evaluation of program outcomes
Management of language barrier among nurses and patients
Management of language discordance in clinical nursing practice
Role of intercultural communication in nursing
Multi-professional communication for older patients in transitional care
Strategies nurses use to communicate with patients who are mechanically ventilated in the ICU
Improving communication among nurses through resident nurse shadowing
How to overcome elder speaking when communicating with older patients
Benefits of nursing communication on patient care quality
Barriers to communication between adult cancer patients and registered nurses in inpatient care settings
Benefits of communicating skin changes by certified nursing assistants to reduce pressure injuries
Strategies nurses can use to communicate contraceptive effectiveness
Improving nurse-patient communication when caring for patients with dementia
Using YouTube and simulation to prepare millennial nursing students to communicate well in clinical settings

Controversial Nursing Research Topics

The placement of G-tube in nursing home patients with end-stage dementia
Nurses' role in advising families against the provision of futile care or aggressive interventions
The fear of giving opioids to end-of-life patients by nurses
Dealing with patients who are non-compliant or aggressively decline treatment
Longer shifts and poor pay among nurses
Discrimination of new nurses by older nurses
Exposure of nurses to job hazards
Causes and consequences of nurse strikes
Incivility in the workplace against nurses from the minority groups
Longer education pathway for one to become a nurse

Controversies in nursing practice, training, and management can be good research topic ideas for a paper if your interest lies in a specific specialization of nursing.

Related Article: Interesting nursing debate topics for students .

Disease Management Nursing Topics

Management of burn wounds in the ER settings
Management of Diabetes Mellitus through nutritional and lifestyle changes
Modern treatment and management of coeliac disease
Importance of intermittent fasting in managing GERD
Management of hypertensive cardiovascular disease
Treatment and management of hemolytic disease of the newborn
Management of neurovascular disease
Management of neurodegenerative disease
Treatment and management of lupus
Management of endometriosis using modern means
Management of strabismus
Management of gynecomastia among adolescents and adults
Osteopathic management of cancer
Diagnosis and management of Buerger's disease
Treatment and management of Crohn's disease
Management of multiple sclerosis
Management of pulmonary heart disease secondary to chronic lung disease
Management of pruritus
Management of anemia among pregnant women
Disease management strategies for glaucoma
Management of pilonidal disease without incision
Management of alopecia in women
Medical management of Meniere's disease
Treatment and management of CUTIs
Treatment and non-surgical management of bronchiectasis
Management of hemorrhoidal disease
Management of listeria
Management of sepsis
Management of peptic ulcer disease
Diagnosis and management of peripheral vascular disease

Related: How to write a windshield survey report paper.

Emergency Room Nursing Topics

Reasons for emergency room visits during the covid-19 pandemic period
Improving postpartum visits in the gynecological emergency room
Factors leading to overcrowding at the emergency departments
Addressing inadequate visits to the emergency departments by pregnant women
Strategies to reduce emergency room visits among elderly adults
SNAP timing and emergency room visits
Pediatric emergency room visits for neurological conditions
Effects of community health centers on emergency room visits
Predictors of frequent psychiatric emergency room visits
Use of telehealth monitoring to reduce emergency room visits and hospitalizations of patients with COPD
Addressing the increased frequency of emergency room visits of asthmatic children
The link between proper patient education and emergency room visits
The connection between emergency room visits and healthcare promotion
Emergency room visits for accident victims
Impacts of air pollution on unscheduled emergency room visits
Self-reported emergency room visits for dental problems
Handling non-emergency requests presented in emergency departments
Repeat emergency room visits for hand and wrist injuries
Seasonal variations in emergency department visits
Management of sepsis and septic shock in the emergency department
Management of acute headache in the emergency department: A dilemma
Emergency management of seizures and epilepsy
Handling agitated and aggressive patients in the ED
Management of patients with thermal burns in the ED
Emergency management strategies to manage chronic pain in elderly adults
Handling myasthenia gravis in the ED
Management of priapism in the emergency department
Evaluation and management of clostridioides defficile infection in the ED
Management of hematogenous osteomyelitis in children in the ED
Management of Thunderclap Headache in the ED
Emergency department as an entry point to inpatient care
The link between delays in patient admission from ED and mortality

Evidence-Based Practice Nursing Research Topics

Importance of evidence-based nursing in addressing emerging nursing challenges
Benefits of disseminating nursing knowledge
Role of evidence-based nursing research in clarifying concepts necessary for nursing practice
Use of evidence-based practice to address gaps in nursing knowledge
The link between evidence-based practice and quality improvement
The connection between nursing research and evidence-based practice
Strategies for disseminating evidence-based strategy in nursing
Benefits of honing evidence-based practice competencies in nursing students
The Stetler Model of research utilization and EBP
Role of nurse leaders in promoting EBP implementation at the points of care
Evidence-based practice guidelines for perioperative nursing
Planning, implementing and evaluating EBP
Models of evaluating evidence-based practice strategies
Contributions of qualitative and quantitative research to evidence-based practice in nursing
Using action research to facilitate evidence-based practice in nursing
Factors affecting the implementation of evidence-based strategies in nursing
Attitudes, knowledge, and skills of nursing students on evidence-based practice
Benefits of evidence-based clinical guidelines for diseases
Benefits of integrating evidence-based approach to the nursing curriculum
Value of evidence-based practice in military nursing

How to formulate a good PICOT with examples
How to write an excellent evidence-based practice paper in nursing
Writing a nursing diagnosis as a nurse student.

Geriatric Nursing Research Topics

Cognitive decline among the aging patients
Polypharmacy management in elderly patients
Depression among the elderly patients
Causes of mobility issues among elderly patients
The link between undernutrition and mortality in older persons
Strategies for weight management among the elderly
Abnormal eating behaviors among the elderly patients
Functional impairment among the older persons
Sarcopenia or frailty among elderly people
Impacts of aging on the immune system
Preventing cardiovascular disease among the elderly population
Benefits of having a geriatric-friendly nurse in the ED
Benefits of Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
Utilization of Delirium Intensive Care units by the elderly patients
Improving patient outcomes in Acute Care for the Elderly Units (ACE)
How low vision impacts the driving capacity of the elderly
Relationship between ethnicity and race and depression in older adults with low vision
Impacts of loneliness among adults with visual impairment
Effects of light therapy on osteoarthritis and its sequelae in aging and older adults
Strategies to address plasticity in early Alzheimer's Disease
Pathophysiology, treatment, and rehabilitation of atherosclerosis among the geriatric population
Music therapy in geriatrics
Bone aging and osteoporosis
Degenerative gastric disorders of the musculoskeletal among geriatric populations
Addressing inflammation among the elderly
Impacts of lifestyle on vascular aging
Pathophysiology and interventions to combat degenerative aortic stenosis in elderly populations
Frailty and gait disorders in Parkinson's Disease
Management of falls in older adults
Pathogenesis and treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms and pelvic floor dysfunction diseases in elderly adults
End-of-life care in elderly people living with dementia
Management of osteosarcopenia in elderly adults
Strategies to promote healthy aging
Benefits of aging-in-place for the elderly people
Interventional strategies to improve the quality of life and health span of the older adults
Assistive technologies and innovations to help improve the quality of life of the older people
Diabetes management among elderly adults through life transitions
The impactful interventions to extend the health span of aging adults
Mechanisms, clinical significance, and management of age-related changes in body composition
Strategies to maintain longevity in old age
Redesign of homes and hospitals to accommodate the needs of elderly adults
Calorie restriction among the elderly adults
Management of elderly abuse
Strategies to measure and manage elderly abuse
Providing care for elderly patients with a frontotemporal disorder

You can check more research topic ideas from the NIH website .

Healthcare Promotion Nursing Topics

Strategies to evaluate healthcare promotion and disease prevention program
Application of the Logic Model to evaluate healthcare promotion programs
Applying the health belief model in health promotion programs
Using ecological models to formulate healthcare promotion programs
The transtheoretical model and healthcare promotion
Theory of planned behavior and healthcare promotion
Application of social cognitive theory in disease prevention programs
Holism in nursing and health promotion
Benefits of community health promotion in nursing
Health promotion role of family health nurses
Integrating interpersonal skills in health promotion
Contribution of health promotion to community children's nursing
Benefits of focused health promotion assessment
Process evaluation strategies for health promotion programs
Formative evaluation of health promotion
Outcome and impact evaluation of health promotion
Role of school nurses in promoting healthy behaviors among teenagers

Hot Nursing Research Topics

The social and economic effects of the opioid crisis
Impacts of feminism on women's health
The gender pay gap in nursing and its implications on the future of nursing
Access to healthcare by immigrant women
Strategies to improve diversity in nursing
Best strategies to reduce vaccine hesitancy during pregnancy
How nurses can use social media to promote health
Importance of virtual nursing communities on healthcare
Nurses as agents of change
Can nurses be entrepreneurs?
Benefits of evidence-based nursing practices
Importance of continuing nursing education
Role of government in providing nursing education
Strategies to address nursing staff shortage
Impacts of nurses on contraceptive uptake among women from minority races in the USA
Impact of stress on the work behavior of nurses

Neonatal Nursing Research Topics

Attitudes of neonatal nurses on hand hygiene practices in neonatal units
Causes of child mortality
Factors affecting neonatal care in rural areas
Methods of identifying and addressing eating disorders in children
Skin-to-skin contact between the newborns and their mothers
Impacts of postpartum depression on newborns
Causes of abnormal neurological development in children
Application of hormones in regulating fetal lung development
Diagnosis and management of diaphragmatic hernia in infants
Strategies to establish and maintain therapeutic rapport with infants
Impacts of the physical appearance of care settings on infants
Use of nitric acid to treat premature babies
Benefits of exposing newborns to sun rays
Use of biomarkers to diagnose and manage neonatal sepsis
Impacts of prenatal alcohol and substance use on the neurological development of a fetus
Use of biomarkers in the diagnosis of traumatic brain injuries in infants
How inflammatory processes affect the brain development of infants
Impacts of slow music in the neonatal units on the mood of children
Impacts of educating newborns on exclusive breastfeeding
Nutritional plans for a neonatal care unit
Strategies to prevent drug errors in neonatal units
Methods of reducing mortality rates in neonatal care settings
Ways to predict and address feeding problems
Strategies to increase the uptake of neonatal services among aboriginal women
Impacts of maternal obesity on infant development
Benefits of allowing men into neonatal care units
Methods of predicting diseases in newborn children
The use of genetic profiling to identify genetic disorders in newborns
Impacts of counseling by neonatal nurses before discharge from a neonatal facility
Nursing ethics for newborn care
Impacts of NICU nursing staff shortage on quality of care

Nurse Practitioner Research Topics

Transitioning from a nurse to an advanced nurse practitioner
Core competencies of a nurse practitioner
Factors affecting advanced nurse practitioner autonomy
Prescription privileges of nurse practitioners in the USA
Strategies to mentor new graduate nurse practitioners
Benefits of joining professional organizations as a nurse practitioner
Lived experiences of registered nurses transitioning to a nurse practitioner role
Role of psychiatric nurse practitioners
Benefits of family nurse practitioners in the management of genetic diseases
Role of nurse practitioners in congenital heart surgery
Benefits of establishing nurse practitioner practicums
Strategies to detraumatize nurse practitioner orientation
Collaboration between nurse practitioners and physicians in long-term care facilities
Role of a nurse practitioner in ambulatory women's health
Impacts of religiosity and spirituality of nurse practitioners in family practice
Strategies to recruit and retain nurse practitioners
Role of acute care nurse practitioner
The advanced nursing practice as a surgical assistant
Job satisfaction among nurse practitioners
Retention rates and burnout among nurse practitioners
Crisis in nurse practitioner preparation in the USA
Nurse Practitioner privileges in the UK vs. USA
Roles of pediatric critical care nurse practitioner
Factors influencing the decision by nurse practitioners to join nurse practitioner associations
Disciplinary actions for nurse practitioners who err at work
Struggle for recognition among nurse practitioners
Challenges faced by new psychiatric or mental health nurse practitioners
Does age matter in the nurse practitioner role?
Novice nurse practitioner workforce transition
Turnover intentions and its effect on nurse practitioners
Are nurse practitioners considered nurses in all settings?
Liability and authority of nurse practitioners
Impacts of postgraduate education and training for nurse practitioners
The racial disparity among nurse practitioners
Racial disparity in neonatal practitioner training programs in the USA
Impacts of recognizing achievements of nurse practitioners through honors and awards
The education trajectory of occupational health nurse practitioners in the UK
Nurse practitioner's role in endometriosis care
Mid-Level Practitioners vs. Advanced Nurse Practitioners in the UK
Role of nurse practitioners in supporting veteran patients
Nurse practitioners as healthcare advocates
Nurse practitioners as change advocates
Gender gap and payment issues affecting advanced nurse practitioners

Nursing Student Research Topics

Stress and coping strategies among nursing students
Attitudes of nursing students on the use of simulation
Attitudes of nursing students on blended learning of cardiopulmonary resuscitation
The link between the mental health of nursing students and academic performance
The perspective of nursing students on a caring relationship in clinical supervision
Professional values of nursing students
Nursing students as crucial players in the healthcare industry
Perceptions of BSN students on being a nurse
Benefits of maintaining proper sleep, diet, and quality of life among nursing students
Funding challenges affecting education continuation among student nurses
Causes and consequences of high dropout rates among nursing students
Adaptive strategies to the difficulties pre-licensure nursing students face during their first clinical experience
Strategies nursing students use to build resilience
Homophobia among nursing students
Smoking and alcohol abuse among nursing students
Stress levels of nursing students during placements and practicum
Impacts of shadowing on the experiences of student nurses
Factors affecting the readiness of nursing students to enter the nursing workforce
Performance, attitudes, and growth trajectory of foreign-born nursing students in the United States
Benefits of mentoring for nursing students
Perceptions and perspectives of minority nursing students on classroom diversity
Entry rates among minority nursing students
Causes of high dropout rates among black American nursing students
Experiences and perceptions of accelerated nursing programs
Factors affecting the retention of nursing knowledge among nursing students
Strategies to boost clinical judgment among undergraduate nursing students
Spiritual care perceptions of Baccalaureate nursing students
Perceptions of nursing students on skills learning
Strategies to promote collaboration and teamwork among undergraduate nursing students
The knowledge of nurse students on the role of nurses in the management of dysphagia
Ethical challenges nursing students face in clinical settings
Perceptions of nursing students on participatory action research
Role of nurse students in clinical research
Attitudes of nurse students on participating in pedagogical research
Moral distress among nursing students
The impacts of spiritual orientation of nursing students on their attitudes towards principles of dying with dignity
Experiences and attitudes of nurses who make mistakes in clinical
Impacts of gender and perceived faculty support on the performance of nursing students
Perception and attitudes of nursing students on the use of technology in education
Altruism, religiosity, and honesty among nursing students
Incivility experiences of student nurses in clinical settings
Addressing smartphone addiction among nursing students
The perception of undergraduate nursing students on clinical assessment at the transition to practice
Benefits of teaching nursing students transcultural caring
Causes and consequences of poor performance among nursing students
Benefits of exposing nursing students to leadership concepts in nursing

Pain Management Nursing Topics

The role of the anesthesiologist in the management of intractable pain
The value of chlorpromazine in pain management
Benefits of interdisciplinary pain management
Using Neuromodulators for pain management
Strategies to address acute pain among hospitalized children
Using virtual reality for pain management in children
Interdisciplinary approach to chronic pain management
Tools and factors to improve postoperative pain management
Using acupuncture for pain management
Knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of nurses on pain management
Role of Cannabidiol (CBD) in chronic pain management
Effectiveness of using clinical aromatherapy in pain management
Assistive technologies for pain management in patients with amputations
Benefits of training nurses on transcultural pain management
Pain management interventions in PICU or NICU
Rehabilitation therapy in perioperative pain management
Pediatric pain management in the emergency departments
Pain management among geriatric patients
Interventional strategies for the management of oncological pain
Interventions for post-craniotomy pain management
Non-pharmacologic approaches to pain management among patients
Importance of adherence to communication in pain management
Self-management of cancer pain for oncology patients
Pain assessment among deaf patients
Pain assessment among pediatric patients
The ethics of using epidural and spinal anesthesia
Pain management in patients with heart failure
Hypnosis for the management of chronic pain in children
Spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain management
Benefits of documenting postoperative pain

Pediatric Nursing Research Topics

Causes and management of Tourette syndrome in children
Diagnosis and management of asthma in children
Strategies to address pediatric polypharmacy
Management of pneumonia in children
Addressing diarrhea among preschool children
Strategies to prevent and manage tuberculosis in children
Impacts of psychological support for children with cancer
Effects of anorexia on the cognitive function of children
Reducing risk in children receiving oxygen therapy
Using molecular markers to diagnose childhood leukemia
Strategies to address childhood obesity
Diabetes among children
Use of stem cell research in solving childhood diseases
Implications of the passive smoke syndrome in children
Impacts of alcohol intake among adolescents
The administration of painkillers for children
Strategies nurses can use to prevent teenage pregnancies
Approach to counseling adolescents living with HIV/AIDS
Impacts of air pollution on the brain development of children
Diagnosis and management of ear infection among children
Addressing UTIs in adolescents

Perioperative Nursing Research Topics

Drugs to manage and prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting after general anesthesia
Benefits of postoperative education for adult patients who've undergone elective surgery
Effects of using music interventions in perioperative settings
Strategies to enhance patient safety in an operating theater
Strategies to reduce patient abuse in the operating theater
Non-pharmacological interventions in perioperative settings to prevent anxiety in adolescents
Ethical aspects of non-technical skills in operating room nursing
Postoperative accelerated recovery protocols
Benefits of pre-operative fasting
Nursing interventions to enhance perioperative care for patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery
Use of the IOWA model by perioperative nurse leaders to implement clinical practice guidelines (CPGs)
Benefits of using perioperative data set in surgical nursing
Perioperative considerations of patients with concussion

Primary Healthcare Nursing Topics

Strategies to maintain infant oral health
ED as an entry into the primary healthcare continuum
Best practices for transgender health
Benefits of offering primary oral healthcare
Strategies to improve vaccination access and uptake in rural areas
Community-based primary healthcare and child mortality rates
Strategies to improve patient experiences with primary care
Strategy for screening for poverty and poverty-related social determinants of health
The identity crisis of preventive medicine
Use of data-driven population health in primary care
Benefits of sharing with adults of adolescents sexual health information in primary care
Attitudes and perspectives of women on reproductive health services in primary care
Challenges affecting adolescents from seeing sexual health services in primary care
The link between primary care and population health
Immigration as a social determinant of health
Health promotion among older adults

Psychiatric Nursing Research Topics

Safety in psychiatric inpatient care
Impacts of risk management culture on mental health nursing practice
Consequences of community-based psychiatric nurses in addressing healthcare access for people with mental disorders
Technical competencies for postgraduate psychiatric nursing students
Benefits of using focus group interviews for psychiatric nursing research
Using reflexive methodology in psychiatric nursing research
Attitudes of psychiatric nursing staff toward containment methods in psychiatric inpatient care settings
Use of physical restraints for aggressive patients in psychiatric facilities
Role of psychiatric liaison nursing
Impacts of human patient and communication simulation on psychiatric nursing training
The application of telehealth to address mental health issues among patients in rural areas
Ethical issues in psychiatric care facilities

Related Article: Mental health nursing topics .

Qualitative Nursing Research Topics

In nursing, qualitative research deals with the lived experiences of patients and nurses. Some of the qualitative research methods include narrative inquiry, action research, grounded theory, ethnography, and phenomenology. Below are some of the qualitative topics for nursing research.

Application of positivism in qualitative nursing research
Impacts of language barriers on qualitative nursing research
Use of qualitative research methods to investigate tobacco use and control
Application of qualitative case study methodology in nursing research
Lived experience of nurses who handle pediatric patients in oncology departments
Attitudes of nurses taking care of end-of-life patients on compassion fatigue
Benefits of qualitative research in clinical epidemiology
Approaches to qualitative content analysis
Qualitative research in rheumatology
Thematic analysis in nursing research
Descriptive phenomenological vs. qualitative description research
Challenges and benefits of conducting qualitative research online
Methodological challenges in qualitative content analysis
Using lived experiences of pregnant black American mothers to assess the impacts of eclampsia
Benefits of longitudinal qualitative research in nursing
Use of action research in nursing education
Using action research to evaluate the orientation program for nurses in a multicultural healthcare setting
Effectiveness of clinical simulations for new graduate nurses
Effectiveness of cognitive therapy and family psychoeducation on the self-esteem of adolescents in orphanages
Influence of music therapy on the well-being of postoperative patients of total knee arthroplasty
Investigating the quality of life of elderly adults after spinal cord surgery
Using focus groups with women with severe psychiatric disabilities
Using virtual, synchronous focus groups among black sexual minority men
Using focus groups with children who have undergone sexual abuse prevention program training
Application of focus groups to understand the perceptions and attitudes of nurses on patient-centered care
Exploring job satisfaction and workplace engagement among millennial nurses
Barriers and facilitators of intersectoral cooperation to promote positive health behavior
Ethical issues in qualitative research
Examining the effects of the witnessed experiences of patient death during clinical practice on new student nurses
Qualitative methodological considerations when conducting focus groups in neurodegenerative disease populations
Understanding the role of gender differences within the barriers to smoking cessation and preferences for interventions in primary care
Investigation of the impacts of social media bullying on mental health
Evaluating the effects of medical tabards in reducing medical errors
Strategies for empowering nurses to prescribe medications
Role of technology in improving quality of care in nursing
Impacts of discrimination and racism on nursing student admission
The knowledge and understanding of the role of emergency nurses in recognizing and responding to patients with sepsis
Lived experiences of women seeking a diagnosis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Incidence and prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus
Using poverty screening questions to predict social determinants of healthcare
Management of antidepressant therapy induced sexual dysfunction in women

Quantitative Nursing Research Topics

The link between the knowledge level of nurses and the quality of care
Role of nurses in clinical research
Association between nosocomial infections and adherence to hand hygiene protocols
Role of nurses in caring for patients in ICU settings
Role of nurses in increasing adherence to medication among elderly patients
Using interviews to assess the level of awareness of stress coping mechanisms among nurses
Importance of nurses' communication technique in clinical settings
The impacts of clinical decisions support systems in clinical decision-making
Role of nurses in providing healthcare to patients in rural areas
Role of family practitioners in promoting family-centered care
Causes of high nursing staff attrition rates
Impacts of mindfulness meditation on stress and burnout in nurses

Trauma Nursing Research Topics

Risk of vicarious trauma in nursing research
Impacts of trauma-informed care on the holistic well-being of patients
Risk factors for postoperative delirium
Risk factors of perineal trauma during labor
Impacts of virtual trauma-focused therapy for military veterans with PTSD
Recognizing and managing poststroke depression
Prevention of fracture-related infections using a multidisciplinary approach
Best strategies for offering nursing care to children after a traumatic accident
Role of trauma nurses in providing support to families of neurotrauma patients
Management of injuries to the cervix in sexual trauma
Benefits of fluid resuscitation of the adult trauma patients
The involvement of nurses in improving compliance with tight blood glucose control in trauma ICU
Caring for older people with dementia struggling to relieve past trauma
Impacts of pediatric trauma on the health outcomes of children
Causes and consequences of geriatric trauma
Causes of under-detection of trauma in elderly adults involved in motor vehicle accidents
Impacts of simulated multidisciplinary trauma team training on team performance
Glucose interventions and outcomes in critically injured trauma patients
Best education strategies for multi-trauma patients on discharge from the ED
Strategies for managing hypovolemic shock
Investigating the experience of patients of trauma resuscitation
Role of family support on youths experiencing posttraumatic stress

Leadership Nursing Research Topics

Best leadership styles for nurse educators
Ethical leadership in nursing
Role of nursing leadership in ensuring a healthy workforce in clinical settings
Principles of strengths-based nursing leadership for strength-based nursing care
Role of nursing leadership in the management of the mental health of nurses
Benefits of collaborative leadership in nursing
Application of charismatic and transformational leadership in clinical settings
Benefits of trauma-informed nursing leadership
Impacts of nursing leadership on patient outcomes
Role of nurse leaders in maintaining cultural competency of nurses
Benefits of nurses having personal leadership development plans
Nurse leaders as managers in clinical settings
Nursing leadership styles to help handle crises
Application of situational leadership theory in clinical settings
Role of nurse leaders in developing a shared vision
Role of leaders in promoting cross-generational retention
Strategies nurse leaders can use to enable staff engagement
Role of nurse leaders in reducing incivility in the workplace
Role of nurse leaders in enhancing patient safety
The competence of black nurse leaders in clinical settings
Role of nurse leaders in promoting workplace diversity
Leadership styles and strategies to facilitate the implementation of clinical practice guidelines
An integrated approach to change leadership in nursing
Nurses ad leaders, and change advocates
Impacts of nurse leadership on attrition rates of new nurses

Women's Health Nursing Topics

Sleep disorders in women
Prevalence of diabetes and obesity in women
Infertility issues among obese women
Binge eating disorder among women
Stress and coping strategies for lonely older women after the death of a spouse
Management of carpal tunnel syndrome in women
The prevalence, diagnosis, and management of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis
Effects of date rape drugs on the memory of women
Emergency contraception in women
Benefits of HPV vaccination in women
Management and treatment of COPD in women
Impacts of menopause on the physical and emotional well-being of women
Benefits of educating women about Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
Treatment and management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in women
Prevalence and incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease in women
Diagnosis, Causes and consequences, and Treatment and Management of Pelvic organ prolapse in women
Impacts of sickle cell disease on women
Causes and management of urine incontinence in women
Offering primary healthcare services to lesbian women
Management of vaginal yeast infections: A nursing care plan
Prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment of Trichomoniasis in women
Diagnosis and treatment of Syphilis in women
Management of premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Management of postpartum depression in women
Benefits of physical activity for women's health
Benefits of mammograms in screening for breast cancer
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in women
Causes and management of bladder pain syndrome or interstitial cystitis in women
Diagnosis and management of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in women
Causes and management of anxiety and insomnia in women
Purpose, benefits, and risks of hypersectomy
The time it takes to recover from laparoscopic hypersectomy
Treatment of genital warts in women
Treatment and management of Grave's diseases in women
Impacts of caregiver stress syndrome on women
Attitudes of black women on using contraceptives
Factors and barriers to accessing insurance by black and minority women
Healthcare challenges that women immigrants face
Impacts of domestic violence on women's mental health
Impacts of noncommunicable diseases on women
Impacts of stigmatization and isolation of women with HIV/AIDS

Now you have the Topic, What Next?

Thus far, we are confident that you have brainstormed using the nursing research topic ideas and topics presented in this guide. You can now eliminate your topics until you get a good nursing research topic that you can write a top-grade nursing research paper, term paper, report, policy analysis paper, or white paper.

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List of 350 Brilliant Nursing Research Topics to Investigate in 2024

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

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

Process of Nursing Research

350 interesting nursing research topics.

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

Primary Care Research Topics

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

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

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

5 Characteristics of Quantitative Research

Research Topics in Public Health

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

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

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

Emergency Nursing Research Topics

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

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

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

Midwifery Research Topics

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

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

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

Neonatal Nursing Research Topics

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

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

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

Pediatric Nursing Research Topics

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

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

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

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

Nutrition Research Topics for College Students

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

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

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

Mental Health Nursing Research Topics

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

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

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

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

Healthcare Management Research Topics

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

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

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

Medical Ethics Research Paper Topics

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

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

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

Nursing Leadership Paper Topics

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

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

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

5 Characteristics of Qualitative Research.

Easy Topics for Nursing Qualitative and Quantitative Research

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

Qualitative vs. Quantitative Nursing Research

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

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

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

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

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

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

Qualitative Nursing Research Topics

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

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

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

Quantitative Nursing Research Topics

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

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

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

How to choose a Nursing Research Topic?

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

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

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

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

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

❓ What Is Translational Research in Nursing?

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

❓ What Is an Example of a Clinical Question?

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

❓ How to Determine Level of Evidence in Nursing Research?

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

❓ What Are Some Controversial Issues in Nursing?

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

📎 References:

Evidence-Based Practice: PICO. Duke University .
Asking the clinical question. Penn State University
Evidence-Based Practice Toolkit. Darrell W. Krueger Library
Top 5 Ethical Issues in Nursing. American Mobile
Differences Between Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods.
Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research – What Is the difference? Imotions
The Seven Steps of the Research Process. Teacherph
Research Paper Writing Guide. Grammarly
Choosing a research topic. Florida Gulf Coast University
Nursing Process. NCBI
Sample Research Topics. CFAES
Selecting a Research Topic: Overview. MIT Libraries
Three Important Nursing Subjects Students Should Know. Distant learning systems
Evidence-Based Practice Tutorial: Asking Clinical Questions. University of Maryland
Top 5 Ethical Issues in Nursing. Avant Healthcare
Ethical Issues in Nursing: Explanations & Solutions. Duquesne University
Clinical & Translational Research. UNC
Writing a Thesis for Nursing School | Nursejournal.org
A practical approach to the process of writing a dissertation. Nursing Times
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Memorable human trafficking essay: topics & outline [2024], credible sources 101: how to evaluate them + 60 reliable websites for students, 265 powerful research proposal topics to consider [+ writing tips].

Research Topics & Ideas: Nursing

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

Research topics for nursing dissertations and theses

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

NB – This is just the start…

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

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

Overview: Nursing Research Topics

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

General Nursing Research Topics & Ideas

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

Topics & Ideas: Medical-Surgical Nursing

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

Topics & Ideas: Pediatrics Nursing

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

Ideas: Obstetrics and Gynecological Nursing

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

Topics & Ideas: ICU Nursing

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

Topics & Ideas: Mental Health Nursing

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

Nursing Dissertation & Theses

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

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

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

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

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200+ Great Ideas of Nursing Research Topics to Get Started

nursing research topics student assignments

Running out of topic ideas for your nursing research paper?

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

What are Some Cool topics to Research?

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

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

1. Primary Healthcare Nursing Research Topics

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

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

2. Good Research Topics in Healthcare Management

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

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

3. Nursing Research Topics about Pain Management

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

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

4. Pediatric Nursing Research Topics

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

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

What are the Current issues in Nursing?

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

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

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

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

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

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

1. Research topic ideas for Midwifery Nursing

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

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

2. Health Promotion Research Topics

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

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

3. Adult Research Topics for Nursing Students

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

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

4. Geriatric Care Nursing Journal Topics

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

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

What are the recent nursing research paper topics?

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

1. Women’s Health Nursing Research Topics

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

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

2. Mental Health Nursing Research Articles Topics

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

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

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

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

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

Academic Writing Service: Work Directly With the Experts

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

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

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

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

Final Thoughts

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

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

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

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

Registered Nurses' experiences of reading and using research for work and education: a qualitative research study

Sonia Hines 1 , 2 ,
Joanne Ramsbotham 2 &
Fiona Coyer 2 , 3

BMC Nursing volume 21 , Article number: 114 ( 2022 ) Cite this article

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Considerable resources have been expended, both in universities and health workplaces to improve nurses' abilities to interact with research and research literature to enable their engagement with evidence-based practice. Despite these efforts, a considerable number of nurses experience difficulty with research literature and are reluctant to use it in practice.

This study aimed to explore the experiences and perceptions of Registered Nurses when they have been required to read and understand research literature for work or education.

A qualitative descriptive study using online and in-person focus groups.

Focus groups (online and in-person) were conducted between June and November 2020. Forty participants were included. We used focus group recordings and field notes to collect data. Transcribed records of these focus groups were coded on the basis of similarity of meaning and then subjected to thematic analysis.

Three distinct themes were identified from the data: 'coming into learning about research', fitting research into the reality of nursing life', and 'working towards using research.' Participants described their early experiences in learning about research, experiences both positive and negative in integrating research into practice, and their personal strategies for reading and using research, particularly in the context of significant anxiety about understanding the content of methods and results sections of quantitative research articles.

This study goes beyond the barriers and facilitators dichotomy that has been the majority of the conversation about nurses' evidence-based practice engagement previously, and explores the issues underlying aversion to research literature. Many nurses struggle with the language, numbers, and/or statistics used in research and this requires educational interventions suited to the problem and the population.

Peer Review reports

Introduction

Reading and using research is integral to evidence-based practice and therefore to nursing [ 1 ]. It is known, however, that many nurses avoid engagement with research literature and evidence-based practice (EBP) for a variety of reasons [ 2 ]. Positive attitudes to EBP, involvement in research education and activities, regular journal reading, and higher levels of education have been found to be associated with higher levels of EBP engagement [ 3 ]. These positive EBP attitudes may indicate that past experiences and associated feelings about research are a more important factor than perhaps the literature would indicate.

Considerable resources have been expended, both in universities and health workplaces to improve nurses' abilities to interact with research and research literature. Most university nursing degree courses around the world include research education in some form as part of their undergraduate curriculum, however in practice there continue to be nurses who are reluctant to engage with evidence-based practice and research utilization [ 4 ]. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) identifies nurse graduate attributes that includes the ability to demonstrate the use of evidence in practice [ 5 ]. This research, which is part of a larger body of work on nurses' research literacy, intends to describe RNs' perspectives on reading and using research in practice and education, to understand their feelings about this activity and to generate new knowledge about their behavior in this area of practice.

A qualitative systematic review of 11 studies has identified a broad range of emotional responses nurses may experience when interacting with research literature including negative feelings such as discomfort, irritation, frustration and vulnerability [ 6 ]. While this small body of qualitative research describes the barriers to nurses' research utilization in practice, a notable gap in understanding the experiences that have led to forming those emotional reactions has been identified.

The requirements for Registered Nurses are clear – they are expected to be able to participate in evidence-based practice and this requires them to be research literate – able to read and understand publications that use research language – but what is equally clear is that nurses find evidence-based practice difficult, challenging or even impossible [ 7 , 8 , 9 ].

In addition to factors such as organizational characteristics and pressures [ 10 ] it has been hypothesized that nurses experience difficulty understanding the language used in research literature [ 9 ]. Difficulties with language, however, may not be the only issue at the root of this problem. Nurses learn a great many specialist terms in their careers, quickly becoming familiar with the particular language used in different clinical, community and other specialist areas, so it seems unlikely that research language alone is the problem. It may be that there are particular feelings and experiences specifically attached to research literature that deter nurses from engaging with it, or other factors affecting their engagement. Much is known about barriers to EBP, but less is known about nurses' experiences and feelings about research in the context of their lives and careers.

The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and perceptions of registered nurses when they have been required to read and understand research literature as part of work or educational activities chiefly, to describe their feelings about this activity, to understand the relationship between these experiences and participants' willingness to engage in activities that require interaction with research literature and their experiences with those activities.

Research question

This study was designed to answer the question, "How do registered nurses experience and perceive reading and using research for work and education?".

This study employed a qualitative descriptive design, as described by Sandelowski [ 11 ], Milne [ 12 ], Lambert [ 13 ], and Kim [ 14 ]. The aim of the qualitative descriptive design, according to Lambert, is to comprehensively summarize particular events experienced by individuals [ 13 ]. Used widely in nursing due to its pragmatic, simple approach, qualitative descriptive research seeks to understand experiences and perceptions without transforming them beyond recognition [ 15 ]. The qualitative descriptive design was derived from the interpretivist research paradigm which holds that reality and truth are socially constructed and that complex phenomena can have many interpretations [ 16 ].

Qualitative descriptive studies, considered a form of naturalistic inquiry [ 17 ], use straightforward methods of data collection, such as focus groups, to elicit information about participant experiences and so this methodology is most suitable for research questions such as those being posed in this study. This design is categorized by minimal transformation of the data, and to this end we attempted to utilize the participants' own voices as much as possible to convey their experiences as they described them [ 14 ].

In this study, we conducted a series of online and in-person focus groups utilizing semi-structured interviews to collect participants' responses to open-ended questions and prompts from the researcher about their experiences and perceptions. Focus groups, due to their inherently social nature, are ideal for revealing attitudes, beliefs and experiences.

Sample/participants

The study protocol planned for a sample size of 75 registered nurses, however data saturation was reached at 40 participants and so recruitment was ceased. Sampling was not purposive, and any interested registered nurse was eligible to volunteer to participate.

The study population was planned to be drawn from registered nurses attending educational short courses or sessions at the study location (a center for education and research in a remote Australian town), however this was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and travel and contact restrictions meant that in-person short courses and other education were moved to online delivery, preventing recruitment for in-person data collection, except for five participants for one focus group. Additional participants were then recruited to participate in online focus groups using nursing forum posts, social media, email, and personal contacts. Eligible participants were any adult person holding a current nursing registration with AHPRA (Australian Health Professional Regulation Agency), currently practicing in any health setting and with any educational background.

Data collection

Data were collected between June and October of 2020. Online focus groups were conducted using Zoom video-conferencing software, which enabled video as well as audio capture of participants' interactions. Video-conferencing supported participant to participant interactions, as well as participant to researcher, and moderately replicated the strength of the social elements of an in-person focus group. The single in-person focus group was audio-recorded only, but field notes were recorded. Post-interview field notes were also recorded for the online focus groups. Fourteen focus groups were scheduled, with 45 min allocated to each. Following their completion of the consent form, participants were contacted with a range of focus group times to choose from and once three to six participants had chosen the same time slot, the group time was confirmed and took place. In three cases, scheduled participants did not attend or advise their inability to attend, and so the data collection proceeded with only one participant.

Expectations for the group in terms of turn-taking, disagreements and politeness were discussed at the start of each group's session. Focus groups each generally took 30–45 min to discuss the questions in the interview guide, although occasionally more time was taken due to lively conversation.

The interview guide (Fig. 1 ) was developed by the researchers at the beginning of the study and changed iteratively over the course of the interviews in response to the discussions and two more questions were added. Questions in the interview guide were designed to answer the research question, and influenced by Melnyk's work on EBP in organizations, and EBP education [ 18 , 19 , 20 ] as well as the researchers' previous work in this field. The primary researcher was the only interviewer.

Interview guide. Items with asterisks* were added iteratively

Data analysis

This study used the six stage thematic analysis process recommended by Braun and Clark [ 21 ]:

After verbatim transcription of the audio recordings by a professional transcription service, the first author spent considerable time reading the transcripts and becoming familiar with the data.

Transcripts were entered into NVivo 12 (QSR International) which was used to aid thematic analysis. Initial codes were developed from both meaning and context by the PI at a semantic level of meaning. The codes were checked by the associate investigators to improve dependability.

Codes were then categorized into groups on the basis of patterns of similar meanings.

Categorization into themes and subthemes was achieved through repeated readings of the transcripts and considering the meaning of participants' statements. The associate investigators checked and gave input on the themes and subthemes at this stage.

The themes and subthemes were named in an iterative process that involved repeated readings and returns to the participant data to select the appropriate illustrative quotes which were then used verbatim to convey participants experiences and perceptions.

The sixth and final stage involved writing up the data, deciding on the order the themes and subthemes would be presented and making final decisions about how the story of the research might best be told. At this stage, participant names were replaced with pseudonyms to preserve confidentiality.

Reflexivity

The primary researcher SH is a registered nurse coming from a professional background in nursing research and education, particularly focusing on evidence-based practice and research capability. Reflecting on her experiences teaching and learning about research and EBP, she needed to recognize her biases and prior assumptions regarding the root causes of disengagement with research and EBP literature, acknowledging these in discussions and making space for participants to relate their own experiences.

Trustworthiness

The trustworthiness of this research was enhanced through careful attention to credibility, transferability, dependability, confirmability, auditability, and reflexivity [ 22 , 23 ]. The credibility and auditability of this study was enhanced by the use of extensive record keeping for the field notes, recordings, transcripts, and coding. Decisions about coding and data management were clearly documented. After each focus group field notes were recorded and checked against the recording.

Transferability and authenticity [ 24 ] have been addressed by recording and reporting detailed 'thick' descriptions of the interactions and discussions in each focus group. While qualitative research is not precisely transferable, there are similarities between many kinds of human experiences and readers of the research may recognize the findings as transferable to their own context, particularly as we have included the participants' own words as much as practicable [ 22 ].

Dependability in qualitative research is similar to the concept of reliability in quantitative research [ 25 ]. In this study we have ensured the research has been accurately reported, that decisions were documented and so are able to be clearly auditable. The use of an interview guide to ensure the same questions are asked of each focus group was also designed to increase the dependability of the study. The confirmability of the study will be established when the above methods for achieving credibility, transferability and dependability have been enacted [ 22 ]. All data related to the study has been retained: focus group recordings, transcripts, field notes, coding decisions, the codebook, and NVivo files. Completeness of reporting was ensured by following the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) guideline [ 26 ].

Participant descriptions

Initially 53 registered nurses (RN) volunteered and signed a consent to participate, however not all responded to the contact emails to arrange a focus group time or were able to find a suitable time to participate, and so 40 registered nurses completed the study in 14 focus groups of 1–6 participants. All focus groups were planned to be at least three participants in addition to the investigator, however last-minute cancellations meant that was not always possible and three focus groups proceeded with only one participant and the researcher conversing.

All participants were registered nurses licensed to practice in Australia, located in every state and territory of Australia in a variety of urban ( n = 23), rural and remote areas ( n = 17). Most participants were female, and their ages ranged from 24 – 65 years. Participants were working in a wide range of clinical settings including emergency department ( n = 7), medical-surgical ( n = 7), intensive and critical care ( n = 5), mental health ( n = 5), perioperative services ( n = 3), oncology ( n = 3), remote area nursing ( n = 3), family nursing ( n = 2), pediatrics ( n = 1), occupational health ( n = 1), community nursing ( n = 1), rehabilitation ( n = 1), and Aboriginal health ( n = 1). All spoke fluent English, as required for nursing registration in Australia [ 27 ], however several spoke English as an additional language. Most were very experienced in their nursing career, with an average length of nursing experience of over 20 years and the majority of participants had a postgraduate level of education (Table 1 ).

The 14 focus groups with 40 participants yielded three themes: 'Coming into learning about research', 'Fitting research into the reality of nursing life', and 'Working towards using research' and ten subthemes (Table 2 ). All participant names used here have been pseudonymized. Pseudonyms, ages and length of RN career are provided in parentheses with each participant quote to give further context to participants' responses.

Theme 1: Coming into learning about research

Given our interest in nurses' early learning experiences regarding research, a significant part of each group discussion focused on participants' first encounters with research. Participants had come to nursing from a variety of paths; as school-leavers, mature-age students changing careers or entering the workforce at a later age, so they had a range of educational and life-skills preparation as they entered nursing. Some participants had begun nursing prior to tertiary nursing education implementation, having been trained in hospitals, and this also impacted on their experiences of learning about research even if they had completed tertiary studies at a later time.

Early experiences

Most of our participants had begun their careers when nurse education was very different from today, some in the early days of university education and some through the hospital training system. This time gap had an impact on the recall of these early events for some participants but for others the memories of their experiences were very clear. Participants described, some with laughter, their initial feelings when first faced with learning about research, either in their undergraduate nursing degree or subsequent graduate level studies, conveying a range of reactions:

When I was first exposed to research as an undergrad, I was horrified (Jack, 55, RN 26 years), I mean it was really good. I loved it, but it was a very steep learning curve (Anna, 59, RN 13 years), and, I didn't really take any interest in articles until I started my first Masters (Joy, 52, RN 33 years).

Difficulty understanding the concepts and feeling lost were common experiences for these nurses as they began to learn about research. Using self-deprecating humor, participants spoke of trying to find simple articles they could understand:

What I would try to do is I would try to find this… Try, try to find the sort of research that spoke in the most simplest of terms.., once I got halfway through it and I recognized that it was well beyond, above me…(Walter, 49, RN 29 years)

The volume of research available was confusing to them as students and they found it hard to identify which was relevant:

It's so broad trying to get so much, I think I actually did, you know, like I went to areas that wasn't meant to be trying to gather information because of time limit I found it was overwhelming (Fatima, 47, RN 9 years) and evidence for practice was not necessarily connected to research being used for an assignment: I think as an undergraduate, you can't… The research underpins your theory so that you have some kind of extended understandings to what you're doing and why, but once you actually get into a prac experience and you're actually on the floor with your mentors or etcetera, then you kind of don't link the two together (Kathy, 46, RN 11 years).

Early learning also brought with it problems of how to interact with the research literature. How and if to critique the literature was recalled as a significant problem:

I vividly remember thinking, who am I to put up an argument against this? These people have published this, for goodness sake. You know who am I to say that they're wrong? So that was my first thing was it was really difficult (Sophie, 51 RN 30 years)

Developing a critical mindset was not something they found easy to develop:

I just took them all as gospel. You know, what was in these articles was gospel, and I used what I could (Joy, 52, RN 33 years)

Others, however, felt they had personal characteristics that helped them in their early learning years:

I was always a bit of a bookworm, so yeah, I didn't struggle too much with that (Jenny, 52, RN 27 years)

Help with learning

A great deal of the focus groups' conversations about their formative years dealt with the help participants had received with their research learning, including help from mentors and role-models. One participant remembered:

When I was doing my nursing degree, one of the best and most memorable tutorials I ever had was in a research topic, which are traditionally the ones everyone hates, find really difficult to do. I had a very inspiring tutor in that topic, and the most memorable tutorial I think I ever had was when we discussed ethics in research (Tess, 42, RN 13 years)

Other participants recalled helpful programs such as peer mentoring, learning success programs, and academic writing courses, as well as library services and librarians that were another source of valuable help. Mentors, lecturers, educators and peers were described as helpful, inspirational, or supportive, and they were described as key to surviving these early learning experiences, according to participants' recollections:

Having good role models, and as I said… Or as I said, mentors, but having mentors, good role models, good people around you that value it helps you to value research 'cause you see what they can make of it (Jack, 55, RN 26 years) and: Study-wise, like I said, I had a fantastic mentor that just encouraged me and pushed me and pushed me, and it was wonderful (Sarah, 59, RN 40 years)

Similarly, the absence of role models was felt to be an additional source of difficulty:

…they tell you to find a mentor or… There just wasn't anyone. You know, it's yeah, a small country town. You don't find anyone, there's, there's nobody that understands it, there's nobody that… that can do that interpretation for you…that…can help you with how to do that (Jenny, 52, RN 27 years)

Theme 2. Fitting research into the reality of nursing life

This theme and its three subthemes (organizational issues, interpersonal issues, and confidence) emerged from discussions of how reading and using research connected with the rest of their nursing lives. Participants were asked about how any difficulties they had with learning to understand research impacted on how they perceived their chances for success as a nurse, how pressures from their working life impacted on interacting with research literature, and how their degree of comfort with reading and using research influenced their involvement in work activities. The need or desire to read and use research sometimes did not fit well with a nursing career, especially in the early years when it was perceived that consolidating the tasks of nursing was paramount. Supportive structures, senior staff and peers were spoken of admiringly, with a sense that they were 'lucky' to be in a research-friendly environment. Achieving confidence with reading and using research was seen as a function of personal characteristics rather than the actions of educators and workplaces.

Organizational issues

A prevalent view across multiple focus group discussions was that organizations were perceived to view nurses' involvement in evidence-based practice (other than simply complying with policy) as an optional extra in the context of getting the job done:

There's really no time for anything else, and from a higher level, research is considered something of a luxury. If there's resource cuts, then education and research are always hit first (Samantha, 55, RN 22 years).

Some participants perceived that preserving the status quo was a higher priority than promoting practice change:

...if people understood how to use the databases, how to research evidence to back up practice or to, or even just to augment their practice great, but it's so hierarchical in nursing and people guard their policies and procedures with their life. I don't think they want change sometimes (Kerry, 53, RN 18 years)

The hierarchical nature of many nursing structures also worked against participants' desires to become involved in EBP activities:

I have never been involved in projects, before because of the hierarchy, I'm at the bottom level (Fatima, 47 RN 9 years)

Many participants worked in organizations with expectations that staff participate in EBP activities, but that did not necessarily mean that resources or support was available to facilitate these activities:

The fact that I was in a, a large metropolitan health service still didn't mean that I could reach out and grab somebody to help me, So but in more recent times, they've put some structures in place to improve that, and it has improved. However, would I call it supportive? I don't know that I'd call it that (Walter, 49, RN 29 years)

There was a consciousness of different organizations being at different levels of engagement with EBP:

…other organizations I've worked for in the past, they're at the forefront, they're engaged with universities and tertiary providers which work alongside the clinical service, and I think that people have a greater understanding about the importance of research and generating research outputs and also using that to inform practice. Whereas, I think that not all organizations are at that stage, which is just how it is really (Ron, 40, RN 16 years)

Interpersonal issues

Many participants recognized that EBP was not something they could really achieve alone, and that without the cooperation of their team it was unlikely they could influence practice change. There was also considerable discussion of the overt hostility some had faced when trying to change practice or undertake further studies. The nature of interpersonal interactions was of considerable importance to these nurses, reflecting the strong focus on teamwork in nursing. Being 'different' or acting outside the team's norm put individuals at risk of feeling out of place in their workplace or in their job. Other participants related stories of assistance and support and spoke of their pride in their workplace and team for providing high quality care.

The perception that research and EBP are not really core to nursing was clear from several participants, as one said:

I don't think I actually put the two together as either being the researcher or the clinician nurse, in that I often probably was looking for something because I couldn't find the answer to it. So, I would… Nobody else was looking up anything and so I guess I felt odd, actually (Ella, 34, RN 14 years)

The demarcation between EBP and practice as it happens 'in real life' was made quite clear:

And when you have eight hours to finish everything that you have to get done, the urgent priorities take over the important or even, really don't know if you call it important, I'd call it a side gig(Mei, 35, RN 14 years)

Caring was seen to be at odds with intellectual activity:

…whereas nurses, well, you're supposed to care, like where's where does research fit into that? (Jenny, 52, RN 27 years)

People inside and outside of nursing did not seem to perceive research as something that nurses should be concerned with:

a fairly new RN, who's got a position as a researcher and yeah, she's had a lot of flak from people, including in our family, about, "Why are you doing this? Is that what you did nursing for?" So yeah, it just speaks to the stereotypes about how research is not an essential part of our profession, which of course it is (Jack, 55, RN 26 years)

Supportive teams and colleagues were seen to enable practice improvement through research use:

I don't have much experience outside emergency departments, but I do think emergency and critical care, there is generally a good culture around that sort of thing. When I was quite a junior nurse, for my graduate certificate, I had to do a literature review on pressure area injuries in emergency care. And through that I was able to alter our nursing assessment charts to include a Braden score because of the evidence that I showed the organization about the risks of pressure injuries and things like that. And they were very receptive to that I found (Tess, 42, RN 13 years)

Participants appreciated a supportive culture in the workplace:

So, I've just become interested in research recently, and just talking to people who are in that field in the hospital has been really easy and very helpful and supportive. And yeah, and helping me try to do that in helping you try to learn that as well. So, it's yes. Really, really good. Really supportive (Maya, 30, RN 3 years).

Participants identified their own personal characteristics as being key to their confidence with research:

I was always very ambitious and thirsty for knowledge. So I read every you know, there are professional magazines that come out like my first place as a registered nurse was the operating theatre. So I read all the operating theatre magazines that came out (Mona, 52, RN 32 years)

Participants related early experiences with reading research that increased their confidence:

I went to search in the library at the [hospital] and got out some articles and read them, and then told my educator that this is what I'm gonna do, and she was of course very impressed. But that was sort of like an automatic. But not all students did that though. You know what I mean? It's probably because I'm just a type A personality and it worked for me… (Diya, 48, RN 20 years)

Confidence with one aspect of using research was perceived as leading to other things:

Yes, I've been taking on, like, you know, the mentoring and the facilitation of the students. And I wasn't really looking into that side of stuff until I started to get a little bit more into the research stuff (Eve, 30, RN 10 years)

Confidence with research literature was something they perceived in other nurses as well:

The nurses who do read articles do stand out, and they're usually of that caliber, and so they're usually in the middle of their Masters or in the middle of pursuing some form of formal education, and even if they weren't, the thing is they're few and far between, that's what I mean by "they stand out," as nurses, the team is receptive to their passion, but they wouldn't be going looking for articles the way this person would (Mei, 35, RN 14 years)

Theme 3. Working towards using research

This final key theme emerged from the discussions about the participants' experiences with research literature, the feelings they had about using it, and strategies they used for dealing with texts they might find difficult. Four subthemes were identified through repeated readings of the transcripts: approaches to reading and understanding research; using research; mathematics difficulties; and research language. In addition, as a final question to all the focus groups, participants were asked how they would feel if they were asked to read a research paper "right now" and their reactions to that prompt, including their non-verbal observed reactions are discussed.

Approaches to reading and understanding research

This was a somewhat unexpected subtheme developed over the course of the focus groups and so was discussed in more detail with the later groups. Participants spoke of how difficult and time-consuming reading research literature was and related their strategies for extracting the meaning, as they understood it, from the papers they read. Very few participants who spoke about their reading strategies stated that they always read the whole article, instead using a range of different approaches.

The methods section of a research paper was a particular source of discomfort, as this participant described in her approach prior to commencing her research degree:

I'd read the abstract and the introduction, skip through all the middle bits, and read the conclusion. None of the actual research methodologies or any of that made any sense whatsoever (Ella, 34, RN 14 years)

Participants developed strategies to allow them to extract some meaning from research articles, even if they had to take the paper's reliability on trust:

...discussion sections were fine as a uni student but trying to interpret what they was talking about in their methods…. And like their results section I kind of skipped past that to the discussion because it was just easier. They even if they were doing something really simple the terminology they used made no sense (Lyn, 24, RN 3 years)

Details of the methods and results were not considered by some participants to be "relevant" to their needs:

I just want to go straight to the facts, I don't care about all that stuff that's probably relevant to a researcher but it's not to me. I tend to go straight to the end to see what the outcomes were and skip everything in the middle, where it's leading to because that stuff just isn't relevant to me on a day to day basis, I just want the information that is relevant (Maryanne, 46, RN 10 years)

Participants also spoke of making pragmatic decisions about reading papers in the context of their limited time:

If I've got the time, I'll read the whole thing. If not, I won't. Definitely being wary of the methodology and the size of the study, and I guess the particular context and any notes on that (Andy, 25, RN 2 years)

They were aware their strategies were not always 'correct' but they were perceived as effective:

Read the abstract content and results. Read the conclusion. That was enough to get through my 3rd year evidence-based practice subject (Eve, 30, RN 10 years)

Using research

Many of the participants were undertaking or had completed postgraduate studies and spoke about using research in writing assignments, but they were also using research to underpin practice and to justify their practice choices. They seemed acutely aware of the expectations on them to use research in education and practice, and sometimes these expectations were felt to be burdensome. Despite the difficulties many experienced with understanding research literature, they were still generally willing to try to use it whenever it was needed.

Using evidence to drive practice change in the interests of patient safety was discussed by several participants:

I don't do research. I use research. So, my emphasis is on finding solid stuff to back up things or, you know, what is evidence based on? That's where I'm still quite active in this field of health and safety (Danni, 54, RN 36 years)

There was a sense that proposed change based on strong evidence was less likely to be argued with:

If I put in an improvement form, I'll often staple a couple of research articles to back it up when I hand it in, and highlight what's relevant, and they don't argue anymore (Noni, 54, RN 38 years).

Participants' own personal safety was also seen to be preserved by the use of the right evidence in practice: Like I work for agency as well. If I don't believe it—if their practices are not based on evidence based practice—I just stick to those places that I know that are evidence based practice because I work in medical oncology/ hematology and I'm very cautious about the fact of how much it will affect me, because I'm still of child-bearing age. So… So, if I work in an area that is not using best practice, I'm not gonna go back there (Bella, 36, RN 14 years).

For some participants working in education, using and normalizing using research was challenging but necessary:

And so, my challenge has been to try and make it relevant to day to day practice. And it's slow, but it's achievable if you can find projects or links where you can sort of embed a little bit of research in there. And then they say that it's not a mystical kind of weird thing that only a bunch of weirdos do somewhere else (Samantha, 55, RN 22 years)

Mathematics difficulties

Difficulties with understanding use of numbers, mathematics, and statistics emerged as a strong theme from these discussions. Participants expressed dismay at the problems they experienced in understanding quantitative results and statistical terminology. Qualitative research, on the other hand, was not considered to be difficult to understand, and the focus of participants' discomfort was centered strongly on numbers and statistics.

Participants found the way that numerical results were written to be confusing:

For me it's the way it's written with all the 0.5 s and all that sort of thing, it doesn't make sense. If it was simple percentages, then that makes sense (Joan, 60, RN 30 years)

There was a sense that statistical terms were a language they did not speak:

...just enough on stats. I think there's something a bit harsher about them being a bit more numbers, but thing I hate about them is almost that foreign language involved, you know, squared chi Wilcoxon and whatever the hell of the names of the and so they frighten me a bit (Sally, 50, RN 8 years)

One participant queried whether discomfort with numbers was related to gender:

It's feeling comfortable with using numbers and whether that's a male or female thing, talk about it as gender, but just feeling really more comfortable, with say, phenomenological studies and things like that just seem to make more sense, and whether that's why I'm a nurse or it's..[trailed off] (Gen, 65, RN 48 years)

However, male participants expressed discomfort also:

The second I saw like, you know, the analysis and all that kind of stuff, I'm like I'm not gonna read over this, you know, You see that I'm not a very numbers person (Bob, 48, RN 1 year)

There was a sense that numbers and feelings were diametrically opposed:

I much prefer to read a qualitative paper… Yeah, rather than… I'd rather read about people's feelings, than the numbers (Joan, 60, RN 30 years)

Numbers were seen as excluding the human element that nurses value:

I also think it's about whether you like the human element and people mattered more to me than numbers. I think it's maybe that and probably I think, you know, when I went to midwifery and child health, that's all about more about humans (Lisa, 54, RN 33 years)

Research language

The specific language used in research was a problem for many participants. They seemed alienated by the language; despite the often-complex terms used by their various clinical specialties the terms used in research seemed untethered from logical meaning. That lack of connection to an action or object that could be clearly conceptualized meant that participants often felt that research was not written with them as readers in mind. When they could see a clear connection to their work or studies, research language became more relatable and easier to understand.

Research language was viewed as alien or foreign:

I think there's an aspect of unfamiliarity with the language too, because it's like reading anything in a foreign language, it's really hard work. And to a lot of nurses, research is a foreign language. They're not being exposed to it (Jack, 55, RN 26 years)

There was a strong sense that research was genuinely regarded as language not everyone could speak:

I haven't done research, so I can talk about research I've read with people at work, but it's like talking another language (Noni, 54, RN 38 years)

Trying to understand the language was full of pitfalls:

So, I started in that levels of hierarchy and evidence. I started then really starting to get picky about what I was really and looking at the language then got confused with intervals and confidence of a lot of talk about 0.95 (Eve, 30, RN 10 years)

Particularly in their early years, it was difficult to engage with research literature due to the language:

I lost interest straight away… I'm better now than I was then, obviously, but in those days, yeah, I was absolutely intimidated by the, the way it was written (Walter, 49, RN 29 years)

The language used in the paper was tied to how much effort participants would put into trying to understand it:

…it was so full of so much jargonized rubbish, that you almost needed to research that research paper, whereas then you find another person who's writing it in a tone or a language that you can understand and you immediately resonate (Kathy, 46, RN 11 years)

Difficulties understanding the language also influenced their reading strategies:

It's a discussion section that I go to. First, the abstract, but then after that the discussion, and only if it's got anything useful, then I will go further if I have to, but that's because the plain English is in the discussion section, that's where they don't dribble on about X equals Y, and we found that, blah, blah, and the average of this was that and… Yeah, 'cause I understand they have to spell out their tables and Excel tables and findings and everything. But the discussion is where the English is, that's where normal human speak is (Mei, 35, RN 14 years)

Despite these issues, most participants, when asked how they would feel if asked to read a research article "right now", responded at least somewhat positively. Some conveyed considerable wariness or concern in the tone of their responses:

I would want to know what the topic was and I would want to know. I would want to know why you wanted me to read it (Nina, 57, RN 9 years)

Some responded with defensiveness:

Again, why? I've got plenty to read. I don't need what you want to give to me to read. Is there any benefits in this particular paper? What is it trying to achieve? So is it a valid study or is it just some ivory tower, need to know something for the sake of it? (Anna, 59, RN 19 years)

Even with a hypothetical request, participants were cautious about committing their time:

I'd be more likely to actually be able to get through it if it was a shorter one rather than a 20 page (Karen, 35, RN 13 years)

Most, however, responded with confidence they would give it a try:

I'm gonna say yes. Tell me what it's about, and I'll say yes, let's read it and see what we can do (Diya, 48, RN 20 years)

Participants in this study responded with a rich variety of stories about their experiences and how they felt about reading and using research literature. Some participants were, as described in the literature, 'research reluctant' [ 28 ] but many held positive views. Having positive attitudes towards research and EBP did not mean participants experienced no challenges with reading and using research, however. Positive attitudes to EBP, combined with involvement in research education and activities, regular journal reading, and higher levels of education have been found to be associated with higher levels of EBP engagement [ 2 , 3 ], but engaging nurses in those educational activities and promoting higher education can be a difficult task.

We deliberately avoided framing the focus group discussions in terms of barriers and facilitators, largely because for more than 30 years a segment of the nursing literature has framed the question of nurses' engagement with EBP and research in terms of this binary [ 29 , 30 , 31 ] with little progression in resolving this issue. Barriers and facilitators, while conceptually helpful in considering issues of implementation, are less so in the presence of an unclear and complex situation such as this. It was also important to gain a deeper understanding of the issues rather than simply statements of barriers or facilitators.

Research methods education at the tertiary level is often designed to train students to conduct research, whereas in most clinical fields such as nursing, the majority of students will be research users [ 32 ]. A systematic review of non-discipline-specific research methods education studies presents some findings similar to the perceptions and experience related by participants in this study [ 32 ]. Earley’s review synthesizes a number of student characteristics observed in the 51 included studies, such as “They are typically anxious or nervous about the course,” “They fail to see the relevance,” and “They come to the course with poor attitudes about research,” [ 32 ](p. 245).

This study adds several nuances to the current conversation about nurses' EBP and research engagement. In exploring the research reading strategies used by the participants this data connects with other work conducted on research reading strategies [ 33 ]. Similar to the findings by Hubbard and Dunbar [ 33 ], their sample of undergraduates and early career researchers in biological sciences placed less value on understanding the methods and results sections of a paper, as did many of the nurses in our study. Some participants in this study believed the methods and results sections held little useful information for them. It has been suggested that addressing research language difficulties can help increase engagement and improve reading strategies [ 33 ].

Research language has been identified as an issue for learners across the professions, including nursing. Nurses in a Swedish quantitative study were asked several questions about their experiences reading research literature, with the vast majority indicating they only "sometimes" understood the research articles they read, and that if research articles used "simple/normal language" they would read them more often and apply the findings in practice [ 4 ]. Participants in our study also commented on their difficulties with the language in research papers and expressed a wish for simpler language to be used. As research writing conventions are unlikely to change, it may be that a different pedagogical approach would be beneficial for bringing learners into an understanding of research literature. Learning the language of research has been compared to second language acquisition and the use of similar teaching and learning approaches has been suggested [ 34 ]. A language-based approach, genre analysis, has been piloted with registered nurses for research methods education with some success, however more work is needed [ 35 ].

Related to participants' difficulties with the methods and results sections of research papers, may be connected to a well-known phenomenon known as mathematics anxiety – a fear of or aversion to mathematics, which often leads to avoidance of mathematics-related activities [ 36 ]. Participants in our study made many mentions of "the numbers"; they felt numbers were hard to understand, incompatible with caring, and confusing. Given the importance of mathematics to nursing, any changes to research methods pedagogy will need to include strategies to improve attitudes to and abilities with understanding and interpreting numerical reporting in research literature [ 37 ].

In our exploration, we focused on nurses' experiences and the feelings they attached to those experiences, rather than research attitudes or knowledge, although both these are important, they are not the whole story. Whatever the sources of the challenges in addressing nurses' engagement with research and EBP, it seems clear that a multifaceted approach is needed. Effective pedagogies along with strategies to address work culture and organizational challenges are all needed to provide the environment for evidence-based healthcare to flourish.

Implications for practice

Some of the factors influencing nurses' perceptions of research, such as mathematics anxiety, may not be modifiable by nursing educators at a tertiary or workplace level, however confidence and self-efficacy in terms of reading and understanding research can be increased by creating success experiences using effective pedagogies [ 38 ]. Creating scaffolded research methods education that gradually introduces nurses into an understanding of research literature focusing on both understanding the language and understanding the statistics and numerical reporting may be the most appropriate approach to creating familiarity, and increasing self-efficacy, therefore leading to better experiences and greater engagement. Increasing the research friendliness of workplaces and availability of mentoring options would encourage all nurses to engage with research.

Implications for research

There is likely to be considerable value in investigating new pedagogical strategies for teaching research, both to undergraduates and registered nurses. Future research could further investigate in detail the theorized link between research aversion and mathematics anxiety.

Limitations

Registered nurses who self-selected to participate in this study may have been systematically different in important ways from nurses who declined to volunteer, particularly in their level of education and interest in research. Many of the participants were in senior roles in their organizations, and some were studying for research degrees. Participants in this study were slightly older than the average Australian RN (44.3 years vs 47.5 for this study) and slightly more likely to be male – 89.1% of Australian RNs are female, while 87.5% of these participants were [ 39 ]. These small differences may affect the transferability of these findings to the wider population, however the findings do align with other work, such as that by Hendricks and Cope [ 4 ], the findings of which are discussed above.

Nurses have a wide range of experiences interacting with research literature, but many report struggling with the language, the numbers, or the statistics. Many nurses value research and EBP and capably use it in practice, however the current reading strategies used by nurses in this study do pose a risk to EBP if research is used without being properly appraised. Nursing workplace cultures are a significant influence on how nurses perceive research reading and use, and workplaces with hostile or apathetic culture toward research risk poor practice and alienating staff interested in improving practice.

Availability of data and materials

The data used in this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the valuable contribution of Flinders Rural and Remote Health, NT to enabling the completion of this project.

This study was funded in part by a scholarship awarded to the primary author by the Australian College of Nursing. The funding body had no role in designing, conducting or analyzing the data for this study.

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Contributions

SH conceived and wrote the study protocol with contributions from JR and FC. SH completed and submitted the ethics application in collaboration with JR and FC. JR and FC provided feedback on the interview guide. SH recruited participants and conducted the focus groups. JR and FC provided advice and guidance during data collection. SH arranged for transcription, checked the transcripts against the recordings and conducted the initial coding. Coding decisions were approved by all three authors. Themes and subthemes were initially conceived by SH and then agreed by all three authors. SH wrote the initial draft of the manuscript and revised it in response to feedback from JR and FC. All authors have approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Sonia Hines .

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The study was approved by the Central Australian Human Research Ethics Committee in 2020, as well the Queensland University of Technology Office of Research Ethics (approval numbers: CA-20–3639, and 2000000237 respectively). All methods were carried out in accordance with the conditions of the approval and any relevant guidelines and regulations.

Individuals volunteering for the study all provided written informed consent after reading the study's participant information sheet online and signing electronically. Participants were only contacted to arrange an interview time once this had been completed, meaning that individuals had sufficient time to consider whether to participate. All participants consented to being recorded, although some participants chose not to enable video during all or part of the interview due to internet service difficulties or for personal reasons. As a token of gratitude for their time and effort, a $20AUD grocery store gift card was sent to all participants after their interview.

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Hines, S., Ramsbotham, J. & Coyer, F. Registered Nurses' experiences of reading and using research for work and education: a qualitative research study. BMC Nurs 21 , 114 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-022-00877-3

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NURSING RESEARCH 103 5 Nursing Research In dwelling upon the vital importance of sound observation, it must never be lost sight of what observation is for. It is not for the sake of piling up miscellaneous information or curious facts, but for the sake of saving life and increasing health and comfort. âFlorence Nightingale, 1860, p. 125 Population growth, urbanization, new energy sources, advanced technology, industrialization, and modern agricultural methods have enabled unprecedented progress. At the same time, they have created hazards to human health that are dramatically different from hazards of the past. Synthetic chemicals, new sources of toxic substances, and naturally occurring radiation are distributed throughout the environment. The potential risks from many of these agents were initially either unrecognized, underestimated, or accepted as inevitable and minor in comparison to the benefits of modernization and economic growth. Public awareness and perceptions have changed. Extensive research programs, carried out in public health and environmental agencies, are under way to determine the potential harmful effects of chemical agents on the environment and health. âHealthy People 2000 (DHHS, 1990, p. 312) Implicit in the Healthy People 2000 objectives is the recognition that within the next decade, research is certain to provide a better understanding of the relationship between exposure to environmental hazards and adverse health outcomes. Nursing research could also be expanded to address the nature of hazards in the physical environment and their impact on human health. The impact of the human-physical environment interaction on the health of individuals and of all people has been an enduring theme in the development of the discipline and science of nursing (Donaldson and Crowley, 1978). Indeed, in the early nineteenth century Florence Nightingale, a pioneer in the development of nursing science, emphasized that the nature and quality of a patient's physical environment are determinants of the patient's recovery of health. A major therapeutic function of

NURSING RESEARCH 104 nurses was to control the physical environment (Nightingale, 1860). However, the centrality of studies of the physical environment to nursing science has been lessened by the emergence of competing realms, such as studies that address other types of human relationships (e.g., social and nurse-client) and their impact on human health. One of the challenges to nursing presented by the Healthy People 2000 report is to reemphasize the importance of research related to physical environmental hazards and the health of humans. NURSING RESEARCH PERSPECTIVE Nursing research emanated from and continues to develop because of a societal mandate and demand for professional nursing services. As a branch of disciplinary knowledge, nursing is a professional rather than an academic discipline (Donaldson, 1995; Donaldson and Crowley, 1978), and nursing research reflects the profession's focus on the health status and care of individuals and populations. According to the National Institute for Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health (established in 1993 to supersede the National Center for Nursing Research [National Center for Nursing Research, 1993, p. 5]): Nursing is the discipline associated with the science and art of caregiving. Although all health professionals care about those to whom they provide services, actual acts of care-giving in health and illness are most frequently performed by nurses. The nursing discipline grew out of public demand for educated, formal caregivers devoted to the public good. Throughout its history, nursing has espoused the idea that caregiving during health and illness must be organized around individuals, families, and communities rather than diseases (Lynaugh and Fagin, 1988). Nursing also recognizes the effect of culture in shaping the definition of health and illness and interpreting human responses to physiological and biological changes. The nursing research perspective focuses on understanding the biological and behavioral elements of human health rather than on elucidating diseases and their treatment or cure. Understanding the complex relationship between human behavior and the physical and biological environmental hazards with the aim of assisting in bringing about the requisite changes in societal action and human behavior is the major focus of nursing in environmental health. The knowledge generated from nursing research provides information on how humans achieve health, respond to threats to their health, and cope with disease, as well as how to treat disease. In nursing research the conceptualization of human (either individual or collective) is holistic, and a priority is the preservation of human autonomy in the achievement of health (Donaldson, 1995; Gortner, 1990).

NURSING RESEARCH 105 Thus, in the area of environmental health, nursing research addresses (1) human responses to potential and real environmental hazards and (2) interventions directed toward preventing exposure to environmental hazards (primary intervention), limiting exposure to the hazards (secondary intervention), and treating or rehabilitating individuals exposed to environmental hazards (tertiary intervention). Nursing research also addresses the quality and safety of the physical environment from the perspective of how humans interact with their environment in their general pattern of living. An example of this type of research is the work-related enhancement of person- environment compatibility by reducing ambient stresses such as noise and sound levels (Topf, 1994). Nursing research is also directed toward quality control of the human physical environment and public policy related to that goal. Nursing research thus spans from the individual human biological (e.g., physical symptoms of lead poisoning) and behavioral (e.g., ingestion of paint chips) responses to collective or group behavior (e.g., community-based efforts or regulatory policy to remove a hazard) in the area of environmental health. MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH BASE FOR NURSING PRACTICE As a profession, nursing's highest priority is professional practice that is research based and scholarly. The significant changes that are occurring in the scope of nursing clinical practice and the curricula of the professional educational programs require a supporting knowledge base. If the area of environmental health is to be incorporated into all realms of nursing practice, an appropriately conceptualized knowledge base must be available and continually expanded. In clinical practice, nurses provide service in a wide variety of settings that are significant to humans (e.g., health care facilities, home, workplace, school, and community). Nurses plan their intervention strategies in the context of the setting, the social network, and the resources of the client. Knowledge essential to this clinical practice is that derived from nursing research as well as the more traditional areas of environmental health research such as human disease manifestation, risk assessment, and risk management. Nurses in clinical practice need to have knowledge of these traditional realms to recognize and identify hazards, but they also must know how to control the quality of the physical environment and to effect change in human behavior (whether it be an individual's lifestyle or policy-making) to help individuals avoid, reduce, or eliminate environmental hazards. Nurses also participate in treating humans affected by these hazards. For example, radioactive contamination of soil has adverse

NURSING RESEARCH 106 effects on the health of an individual (e.g., increased risk of cancer, adverse reproductive effects) and community health (e.g., contaminated food and water supplies). Studying this hazard and treating humans affected by this hazard are major challenges that should be addressed by many disciplines and professions, including nursing. Thus, research and clinical practice in environmental health best serve societal health when they are approached from an interdisciplinary perspective in both research and practice. REVIEW OF NURSING RESEARCH IN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH The committee conducted a review of recently funded research projects and recently published research reports to ascertain the scope and general nature of nursing research activity in environmental health. For the purposes of the review, nursing research grants were defined as environmental health and occupational health projects if they could be directly related to clinical nursing practice and to the discipline of nursing (i.e., nurse principal investigator and funded by a nursing organization or conducted in a unit of higher education with a formal professional nursing education program, such as a school of public health). In conducting the literature search, research reports were categorized as nursing research if they were published in a nursing journal and pertained directly to nursing practice, regardless of whether the author was a nurse. The databases surveyed for funded research projects were broad. They were chosen with the intention of capturing the majority of the funded projects in the general area of environmental and occupational health and included a survey of those professional and private research organizations known to fund nursing research (Table 5.1). Similarly, the survey of research reports in the published literature was broad and included surveys of large databases such as MEDLINE and CINAHL to capture as much nursing research as possible in the area of environmental and occupational health (Table 5.2). The search parameters for the various databases surveyed are given in Tables 5.1 and 5.2. Note that the funded projects identified as nursing research all had a nurse as a principal investigator and were funded by a nursing organization or conducted in a unit of higher education with a formal professional nursing program, such as a school of public health. For those funded grants and published reports identified as nursing research in environmental and occupational health in Tables 5.1 (21 grants) and 5.2 (14 papers), an additional content analysis was performed as shown in Table 5.3. The coded study characteristics and categories used in this content analysis of each project or report are given in Table 5.3; note that the published papers analyzed for Table 5.3

NURSING RESEARCH 107 TABLE 5.1 Recently Funded Research Grants from the Government and Professional or Private Research Organizations Related to Environmental Health Content in Nursing Databases Parameters No. of No. of Nursing Surveyed for Citations Research Grants Funded Research Directly Related to Environmental Health Government Agencies Department of Grants involving 30 2 Defense nurses, 1993â1994 National Institute Grants active in 1994 737 0 of Environmental Health Sciences National Institute Grants active in 1993 98 0 of Justice National Institute Grants active in 1993 500 6 for Nursing Research National Institute Grants involving 2 1 for Occupational nurses, 1990â1994 Safety and Health Subtotal 1,367 9 Professional or Private Research Organizations American Cancer All environmentally 345 0 Society related grants, 1990â 1993 American Heart All awards to 2,476 0 Association individuals, 1992â 1993 American Environmentally 8 8 Association of related research, Occupational 1990â1994 Health Nurses American Nurses All grants, 1990â 109 1 Foundation 1993 Association of All grants, 1990â 24 0 Women's Health, 1994 Obstetrics and Neonatology Oncology Nursing All grants, 1990â 95 0 Society 1994 Sigma Theta Tau All grants, 1990â 68 3 International 1993 Subtotal 3,125 12 TOTAL 4,492 21

NURSING RESEARCH 108 TABLE 5.2 Recently Published Research Reports Related to Environmental Health in Nursing Literature Parameters No. of No. of Nursing Databases citations Research Reports Surveyed Directly Related to Environmental Health CINAHL Terms used 1,098 14 Medline include: ERIC community health NTIS nursing, maternal Conference or child health and Paper Index nursing, nursing and environment, occupational health nursing, pediatric nursing, and public health nursing (1990â July 1994) did not have to have a nurse principal investigator or a nursing organization affiliated with the principal investigator. For all of the survey data collection and content analysis of individual research projects, two committee members developed and pilot tested a coding sheet to test the reliability and the completeness of the data collected. All discrepancies in coding between coders were resolved by consensus. Results of Review Results of the survey of funding agencies are reported in Table 5.1. The total pool of grants reviewed was large (4,492), but only a small proportion (21 of 4,492, or 0.5 percent) was identified as nursing research in environmental or occupational health. Similarly, only a small proportion (14 of 1,098, or 1.3 percent) of the relevant research literature was in the area of nursing research in environmental or occupational health (Table 5.2). Government agencies, professional nursing organizations, and private organizations participated in funding of the grants and published research articles. The results of the content analysis of the 35 projects and publications identified as nursing research in environmental or occupational health are displayed in Table 5.3. The data reported in Table 5.3 reflect a high proportion (94.3 percent) of nurse principal investigators, which was somewhat expected, since all of the funded grants (n = 21) had a requirement of a nurse principal investigator. But even in the review of the literature, 12 of the 14 (85 percent) published papers that were categorized

NURSING RESEARCH 109

NURSING RESEARCH 110 as nursing research in environmental or occupational health were authored by nurses. Most (48.6 percent) of the principal investigators of the research grants and published papers were affiliated with schools of nursing; other nonnursing units of universities represented 11.4 percent of the principal investigators, making institutions of higher education the primary source of nursing research in environmental or occupational health. Corporations were affiliated with 20 percent of the research. The data in Table 5.3 also indicate that there are funding sources for nursing research in environmental health, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Emergency Room Nursing Foundation, and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) that were not included in the databases that were searched for funded grants (Table 5.1). The focus of the grants and published reports (Table 5.3) was primarily occupational health (91.4 percent), the topics, subject groups, and health hazards or conditions were broad, and the design of the research projects was predominantly descriptive (80 percent). Discussion of Review On the basis of the survey results, there is, in general, a dearth of research in environmental or occupational health related to the practice of nursing. Nursing research represents an extremely small component of the portfolio of funded research of the agencies and organizations polled (Table 5.1; 9 of 1,367, or 0.6 percent, of government grants and 12 of 3,124, or 0.4 percent, of grants from professional and private research organizations). The reason for this underrepresentation of nursing research in environmental or occupational health was not explored, but it likely reflects

NURSING RESEARCH 111 a very small pool of nurse researchers in general. Thus, nurse researchers and nursing research in the area of environmental or occupational health are underrepresented in terms of numbers and activity, respectively. Nonnurse investigators in the area of environmental or occupational health do not appear to be conducting studies directly related to the knowledge base for nursing practice. Expansion of the research directly related to the practice of nurses in the area of environmental or occupational health is most likely to be accomplished by expanding the research conducted by nurse investigators. Currently, nurse principal investigators in the area of environmental and occupational health identified in the survey are primarily affiliated with schools of nursing (48.6 percent; Table 5.3). Of interest is that the principal nurse investigators in corporate settings identified in the review (Table 5.3) make up a higher proportion (20 percent) than the proportion in other, nonnursing university units (11.4 percent), for example in schools of public health. This finding is most likely a reflection of the predominant occupational health focus of the studies captured as part of the survey of the literature (91.4 percent; Table 5.3). Schools of nursing and universities are the administrative homes for the majority of the nurse investigators in environmental or occupational health. However, there is evidence that the private sector is active in nursing research. The scope of the research studies surveyed (grants and published papers) seems to be broad in terms of topics, subject groups, and health hazards or conditions. In contrast, the type of design (i.e., descriptive studies) and total funding for nursing research appear to be limited. Current nursing research in the area of environmental or occupational health appears to be predominantly descriptive rather than clinical studies employing experimental or other nonexplorative designs. This is a limitation because the application of knowledge to practice generally follows clinical intervention studies. The reason for the preponderance of descriptive nursing research studies is not known, but descriptive work usually signifies a research realm in which the problems and variables are not well defined or little is known about the area. In other words, to conduct research that can serve as a basis for clinical nursing practice in environmental or occupational health, it may be necessary to conduct some descriptive studies to identify appropriate and valid biobehavioral models from which nursing interventions could emanate. However, the highly descriptive research found in the survey might also reflect an inadequate focus of the research on clinical intervention strategies for nurses, even though it is conducted by nurse investigators. It is difficult to ascertain information regarding the nurse's role in multidisciplinary team research where the nurse is not a co-investigator.

NURSING RESEARCH 112 Regardless of the reason for the predominantly descriptive nature of the work, it is clear that scant research supports the clinical practice of nursing in environmental or occupational health. Because nursing, like the other health professions, strives to base its clinical practice and educational programs on knowledge generated from research, the volume of relevant clinical research in environmental health must be increased to support nursing practice in this area. To generate an adequate knowledge base to support nursing practice in environmental or occupational health, the numbers of nurse researchers and funded projects must be increased, and the design of the work must be broadened to include experimental and intervention studies. MEETING THE NEED FOR NURSING RESEARCH IN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH Development of the Cadre of Nurse Researchers Nurses at all educational levels can contribute to the research enterprise in meaningful ways, be it problem identification, risk assessment, investigation, data analysis, dissemination of knowledge, research utilization, policy formulation, or risk communication. However, nurses at the doctoral level must be prepared to guide these investigations. Because of their unique access to people in multiple settings, nurses are essential for identifying researchable problems and questions. For example, maternal and child health nurses could be continuously screening children who may have been exposed to residential lead- based paint or pesticides on farms; emergency room nurses could attempt to decipher how individuals are exposed to toxic wastes or environmental poisons; occupational health nurses could be screening for the vast array of workplace exposures resulting in illness and injury such as reproductive toxicity, cancer, neurological dysfunction, and musculoskeletal disorders; and pediatric nurses could be linking childhood illnesses to toxins transported from a parent's workplace to the home. Nurses working in community health, especially those in inner-city and rural settings, have a key role in environmental health. Some nurses in community-based practice are involved in identifying group patterns of illnesses and sentinel health events that may have their origins in environmental exposures (Lipscomb, 1994b; Rogers, 1994). For example, a draft U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report stated that epidemiological studies of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field exposures and leukemia, lymphoma, and cancers of the nervous system among children and workers show a consistent pattern of response that suggests but does not prove a causal link (EPA, 1990). This conclusion is

NURSING RESEARCH 113 supported by several epidemiological investigations that have shown higher rates of brain tumors and leukemia among children who lived near high- distribution lines (Savitz, 1988); greater risk for brain cancer in workers with high levels of exposure to electromagnetic radiation (Savitz and Loomis, 1995); developmental delays and miscarriages from exposure to electric blankets and ceiling cable heating systems (Wertheimer and Leeper, 1986, 1989); and a possible link between male breast cancer and electromagnetic field exposure in telephone linemen (Demers, 1990; Matanowski et al., 1989). Clearly, public health or community health nurses could be involved in identifying and investigating these types of problems. Nurses who complete a thesis as part of their masters degree requirements are prepared to conduct preliminary or pilot studies related to their specialties, work settings, or problems identified through their clinical practice. For example, community health nursing programs identify, collect, and analyze population-based data. However, although research is a component of their practice, it is not the focus of their professional responsibilities. As in the other health professions and sciences, the leaders and principal investigators of nursing research are best prepared in educational programs that require a dissertation in either the field of nursing or other disciplines. The graduate degrees in nursing that correspond to this preparation are the PhD, DNS, DNSc, and DSN (Doctor of Nursing Science). Although research is one component of the curriculum in baccalaureate and master's programs in nursing, the purpose of these non-doctoral-level programs is to prepare nurses to apply research and to act as participants in the research process. The preparation of independent investigators is the domain of the graduate-level doctoral programs. Currently there are 49 PhD programs and 11 DNS/DNSc/DSN programs in institutions of higher education in the United States (American Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN] 1994â1995 Enrollment and Graduations Baccalaureate and Graduate Programs in Nursing). Postdoctoral nursing research programs are also available at 12 institutions. Existing nurse researchers might use postdoctoral programs in nursing or environmental health-related sciences (e.g., toxicology and public health) to gain expertise in conducting research in environmental health. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of environmental health, educational programs and mentorships involved in interdisciplinary research are desirable. Additionally, nurses with doctorates in related environmental health sciences may be particularly helpful in integrating nursing research and facilitating the interdisciplinary nature of research. Solutions to the problems and questions presented by the complex interaction between humans and their environment generally require the collaboration of investigators in several disciplines. Nursing has a place

NURSING RESEARCH 114 in these interdisciplinary endeavors. Fostering interdisciplinary research, in which nurses interact to identify and study environmental topics of concern, will result in a wide range of contributions that can be used to solve problems. Moreover, the fairly recent revolution in academic nursing research was created, above all, by scientists pursuing not only support for their own investigations, but also opportunities to participate in exciting science. To benefit from the valuable observations and powers of reasoning of those nurse researchers with firsthand knowledge of humans in their environments, communication with the broad research community, both intradisciplinary and interdisciplinary, must be improved. The NIOSH-sponsored Educational Resource Centers (see Chapter 4) can be a tremendous resource to researchers in environmental health because of their multidisciplinary nature. The number of openings for students in existing doctoral programs in nursing is limited, and environmental health is not a current focus in these programs. Thus, there are major challenges to increasing the cadre of nurse researchers in environmental health. Stimuli are needed to expand doctoral programs in nursing and to redirect the programmatic offerings to emphasize research in environmental health. Implicit in such efforts is support for faculty research programs in environmental health and for researchers who can mentor doctoral and postdoctoral students. There is also value in nurses seeking doctorates in nonnursing disciplines (e.g., toxicology and epidemiology). The interaction of environmental factors associated with acute and chronic illness, health promotion, and disease prevention are important foci of nursing research to improve the health of the community and patient care. To take advantage of the rapid changes taking place in the environmental sciences and to explore these environmental linkages, training and career development resources should be focused on the areas of environmental science that underlie and influence nursing practice (e.g., human response to environmental exposures and conditions). Thus, there is a need for research training and career development in the environmental sciences to (1) develop a cadre of nurse scientists with research training at the predoctoral and postdoctoral levels in environmental science and nursing science and (2) enhance the knowledge base of midcareer nurses with doctorates whose research relates to or might be redirected to environmental sciences. The overall goal of a training initiative would be to increase the number of nurse researchers in the environmental sciences who are prepared to explore the environmental linkages to nursing practice and research as they affect the public's health. To accomplish this goal, it is important that applicants for research funding include a nurse scientist as cosponsor when the sponsoring environmental scientist (i.e., mentors) does not have

NURSING RESEARCH 115 a nursing degree. Training and career development programs could provide opportunities for nurses to conduct supervised clinical and basic research at the interface between nursing and at least one of the traditional environmental disciplines. The academic, clinical, and laboratory environments could facilitate growth and development for promising students, new research scientists, and midcareer scientists. Important elements of training would include, for example, ongoing interactive departmental seminars; a faculty well published in refereed journals; and an interactive, interdisciplinary research team funded by multiple sources. This type of training opportunity links research and graduate education âthe defining strength of academic research and the education enterprise. The National Institute for Nursing Research is committed to promoting the development of a career trajectory for research training of nurse investigators. The purpose of the trajectory is to operationalize the philosophical stance that research training is a career commitment. Such a trajectory allows researchers to remain updated and in the forefront of the content and methodologies of their scientific fields. A series of award mechanisms are available to facilitate research training and career development. Current Priorities of Funding Sources for Nursing Research Nursing research and research education in environmental and occupational health sciences have several sources of interdisciplinary support. Those organizations most likely to be interested in environmental health and nursing are listed in Table 5.1 and were included in the survey. However, it is also apparent from the survey that there is some private-sector corporate funding for nursing research. The potential of this funding source has not been explored. Sigma Theta Tau International Since 1992 Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) has engaged in joint endeavors with several specialty organizations to fund collaborative research projects. Rogers (1994) reported on such efforts between STTI and the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, STTI and the Oncology Nursing Society, STTI and the Emergency Nurses Association, and STTI and the American Association of Diabetes Educators, whereby research projects are jointly funded and overall administrative coordination is handled by the specialty organization. The participating organizations jointly recognize the award recipients.

NURSING RESEARCH 116 National Institute for Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health The National Institute for Nursing Research (NINR) and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) have announced their interest in receiving individual and institutional National Research Service Award (NRSA) applications for support of training at the pre- and postdoctoral levels for nurses interested in pursuing research careers combining environmental health and nursing sciences. Applications for predoctoral awards will be considered only by NINR. The purpose is to provide a cadre of nurse investigators who can apply the principles of clinical nursing research to environmental health research problems and to achieve the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of Healthy People 2000 (DHHS, 1990). Targeted NRSA fellowships in environmental sciences must focus on environmental science development, advanced clinical science development, and supervised research training experience. Applicants must integrate an area of environmental theory with a relevant nursing problem. It is necessary that the sponsor be an environmental nurse scientist or an environmental scientist with a nurse scientist as cosponsor. The following are currently available NRSA fellowships: â¢ The predoctoral environmental science fellowship is designed to provide predoctoral nurses with supervised clinical or basic environmental research training leading to the PhD. Applicants must be registered nurses. â¢ The postdoctoral environmental science fellowship is designed to provide postdoctoral research training to nurse scientists who wish to refine their research interests, initiate independent research programs, and gain depth of knowledge in their clinical or basic environmental research area. To prepare scientists to explore the environmental underpinnings of nursing practice and research, applicants must integrate environmental science with a nursing problem or a clinical practice issue. Priority status will be given to nurses with doctorates who submit a successful postdoctoral NRSA application, which would enable continued training without a break between doctoral and postdoctoral programs. To ensure maximum growth and development as a research scientist and to increase the integration of new theories and ideas, postdoctoral fellows are advised to choose universities or departments other than the site of their doctoral training. â¢ The senior biological science fellowship award provides advanced training for experienced nurse scientists (with at least 7 years of relevant research or experience beyond the doctoral level). These awards are designed to enable nurse scientists to take time off from their regular professional

NURSING RESEARCH 117 responsibilities to make major changes in the direction of their research careers or to broaden their scientific backgrounds by acquiring new research capabilities. This award is directed at nurse researchers who are well prepared in environmental science and who desire to learn new methodologies and techniques. For example, a nurse scientist might combine sabbatical time with senior biological science fellowship funding. NINR also has available the full menu of National Institutes of Health-type research (e.g., investigator-initiated R01) and training awards (K type) for investigator-initiated projects, which could include environmental health. One such opportunity, the Exploratory Center Award mechanism (e.g., P20) has worked well for establishing centers of excellence in multidisciplinary research in various realms of nursing science. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health In recent years the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) began to fund nursing research and nursing research training originally related to the 10 leading causes of morbidity and mortality that are biomedical in origin. The effort to emphasize the linkage of nursing research to national priorities gives graduate students more opportunities to participate in interdisciplinary research that is relevant to occupational health, safety, and related issues. Students thereby gain increased experience working in multidisciplinary and often multisectional groups on projects designed to highlight connections between new knowledge and the health and well-being of society. NIOSH offers a variety of research awards that are frequently related to the cause and prevention of leading work-related problems identified by NIOSH. This source provides a specific funding avenue for nurses who desire to investigate occupational health, safety, and related issues. American Association of Occupational Health Nurses The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN) offers competitive annual awards to promote and recognize research and innovative projects that focus on issues and problems within occupational health nursing. Research priorities established by AAOHN identify a wide range of researchable topics for occupational health nursing investigations. 3

NURSING RESEARCH 118 RECOMMENDATIONS Scope of Nursing Research in Environmental Health Recommendation 5.1: Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary researchendeavors should be developed and implemented to build the knowledgebase for nursing practice in environmental health. Rationale: Despite the match of the nursing research perspective with the realm of environmental health, there is a dearth of research to support environmental health in clinical nursing practice. Furthermore, designs for nursing research projects in environmental health are of inadequate methodological depth, and are primarily descriptive. Strategies for Achieving Recommendation 5.1: 1. Establish multidisciplinary environmental health training grants that include content in physical, biological, and behavioral sciences relevant to nursing practice. 2. Provide incentives for multidisciplinary mentorship for pre- and postdoctoral research fellowships that include nursing research. 3. Provide incentives to include a nursing research component in environmental health program projects. 4. Establish mechanisms for nurse researchers to interact with and access the resources of the existing National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's Educational Resource Centers and the National Institute of Environmental Sciences' Environmental Health Centers. 5. Use existing mechanisms for establishing multidisciplinary centers of research excellence, such as the NIH Exploratory Center Award (P20), to develop sites for nursing research in environmental health. 6. Individual nurse researchers should seek collaborative research opportunities in environmental health. 7. Include nurses as members of editorial boards and institutional review boards (IRBs). Availability of Researchers Recommendation 5.2: The number of nurse researchers should be increasedto prepare to build the knowledge base in environmental health asit relates to the practice of nursing. Rationale: Few researchers, nurse or nonnurse, have published data and findings that support environmental health in the clinical practice of

NURSING RESEARCH 119 nursing. Of this very small number, the researchers contributing to the knowledge base for clinical nursing practice and environmental health are almost exclusively nurses. Nurse researchers are also the faculty most likely to incorporate research findings into the curricula of nursing education programs. Strategies for Achieving Recommendation 5.2: 1. Increase the numbers of new investigator awards available to nurse researchers in environmental health. 2. Create mechanisms for recognizing achievement in developing the body of knowledge in environmental health. 3. Use research and other funding mechanisms to create centers of research excellence in environmental health with nurse researcher principal investigators. 4. Create incentives for faculty in general and for faculty of schools of nursing and other units of higher education to incorporate environmental health content into a research-based curriculum. 5. Plan consensus and other conferences in which nursing and other faculty can identify and coalesce current research-based content in environmental health with regard to the clinical practice of nursing. 6. Provide incentives for nursing faculty to develop expertise in environmental health. Priorities for Nursing Research in Environmental Health Recommendation 5.3: Research priorities for nursing in environmentalhealth should be established and used by funding agencies for resourceallocation decisions and to give direction to nurse researchers. Rationale: The descriptive nature of the existing nursing research in environmental health suggests an underdeveloped approach to building the knowledge base for clinical practice. In addition, despite the breadth of topical areas, nursing research in environmental health lacks depth in any one area. Strategies for Achieving Recommendation 5.3: 1. Use multidisciplinary teams of experts in environmental health (including nurse researchers, advanced-practice nurses, and public health nurses) jointly to identify the nursing research priorities.

NURSING RESEARCH 120 2. Include private-sector corporations in setting priorities for funding. 3. Provide incentives for nurse researchers to be primary investigators on interdisciplinary research directed towards the clinical practice of nursing. 4. Encourage joint programs among different institutions to help achieve ''critical mass" and to have the broadest possible impact. Dissemination of Research Findings Recommendation 5.4: Current efforts to disseminate research findingsto nurses, other health care providers, and the public should bestrengthened and expanded. Rationale: The impact of research on nursing practice is enhanced by effectively communicating the research findings to nurses, other health care professionals, and the public. For this reason, it is important that the findings be published in peer-reviewed journals and other mediaâincluding nursing and interdisciplinary journals as well as the public pressâthat will reach the appropriate target audiences. An emphasis on interdisciplinary dissemination is particularly important in regard to occupational and environmental health research. Strategies for Achieving Recommendation 5.4: 1. In addition to publishing reports, articles, and other documents, the dissemination of environmental health research results at a wide variety of professional meetings should also be pursued (e.g., through presentations and posters). 2. Researchers should be encouraged to share research instruments as a way of furthering the body of knowledge and the replication of studies. 3. Focused research conferences on environmental health in nursing could be used to disseminate research findings to nurse clinicians and educators.

America's nurses, an estimated 2 million strong, are often at the frontlines in confronting environmental health hazards. Yet most nurses have not received adequate training to manage these hazards.

Nursing, Health, and the Environment explores the effects that environmental hazards (including those in the workplace) have on the health of patients and communities and proposes specific strategies for preparing nurses to address them.

The committee documents the magnitude of environmental hazards and discusses the importance of the relationship between nursing, health, and the environment from three broad perspectives:

Practice—The authors address environmental health issues in the nursing process, potential controversies over nurses taking a more activist stance on environmental health issues, and more.
Education—The volume presents the status of environmental health content in nursing curricula and credentialing, and specific strategies for incorporating more environmental health into nursing preparation.
Research—The book includes a survey of the available knowledge base and options for expanding nursing research as it relates to environmental health hazards.

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625 Good Nursing Research Topics, Ideas, and EBP

18 January 2024

last updated

Nursing research topics encompass various aspects of patient care, such as pain management strategies, promoting mental health, prevention of chronic diseases, impacts of caregiving, healthcare policy, telehealth effectiveness, and neonatal nursing. They also involve studying the effectiveness of nursing models, patient satisfaction, nursing ethics, holistic nursing techniques, and evidence-based practice (EBP). Research in various nursing areas can contribute significantly to improving patient outcomes, streamlining healthcare processes, and enhancing the professional development of nurses. By exploring different nursing research topics, people can continue to push the boundaries of nursing science and clinical application.

Hot Nursing Research Topics

Exploring the Impact of Telemedicine in Patient-Centered Care
Effectiveness of Pain Management Techniques in Palliative Care
Roles of Nursing in Improving Healthcare Accessibility in Rural Areas
Strategies for Preventing Nurse Burnout and Ensuring Occupational Well-Being
Advances in Neonatal Care: A Focus on the Role of Nursing
Patient Safety Measures in High-Risk Surgical Procedures
Implementing Technological Innovation in Geriatric Nursing
Effects of Nursing Leadership Styles on Team Morale and Patient Outcomes
Mental Health Considerations for Nurses During Global Pandemics
Promoting Self-Management of Chronic Diseases: Nurse-Led Initiatives
Evaluating the Efficiency of Evidence-Based Practice in Oncology Nursing
Assessing the Role of Nursing in Multidisciplinary Healthcare Teams
Addressing Cultural Competence in Nursing: Benefits and Challenges
Analyzing the Impact of Home Healthcare Nursing on Patient Rehabilitation
Strategies for Handling Ethical Dilemmas in Nursing Practice
Pediatric Nursing: Dealing With Emotional and Psychological Aspects of Child Care
Quality of Life Enhancement in Patients With Terminal Illness: A Nursing Perspective
The Role of Nurses in Implementing Antibiotic Stewardship Programs
Nursing Education: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities in the 21st Century
The Intersection of Nursing and Artificial Intelligence: The Future of Patient Care

Good Nursing Research Topics, Ideas, and EBP

Easy Nursing Research Topics

Improving Patient Care Through Evidence-Based Practice
Technological Advancements in Pain Management
Mental Health Awareness in Pediatric Nursing
The Role of Student and Registered Nurses in Chronic Disease Management
Telemedicine’s Impact on Nursing Practice
Holistic Approaches to Palliative Care
The Effect of Nurse-Patient Ratios on the Quality of Care
Nursing Intervention Strategies for Substance Abuse
Stress Management Techniques for Nursing Professionals
Elder Care: Prevention of Falls in Nursing Homes
Developing Cultural Competence in Nursing Practice
The Influence of Artificial Intelligence on Nursing
Ethics in End-of-Life Care Decisions
Impact of Nurse Leadership Styles on Patient Outcomes
Strategies for Improving Communication in Nursing
Nursing Practices for Neonatal Intensive Care Units
Role of Nutrition in Wound Healing: Nursing Perspectives
Use of Simulation Training in Nursing Education
Integration of Yoga and Meditation in Nursing Practice
The Future of Home Health Care: A Nursing Perspective

Interesting Nursing Research Topics

Impacts of Sleep Quality on Nurses’ Performance
Exploring the Role of Nurses in Community Health
Patient Safety Measures in High-Risk Hospital Wards
Strategies for Managing Burnout Among Nursing Staff
Innovations in Geriatric Nursing: Trends and Techniques
Ethical Dilemmas in Pediatric Nursing: Case Studies
Roles of Nurses in Managing Chronic Pain
Understanding Patient Perception of Nurses’ Empathy
Neonatal Nursing: Challenges and Coping Mechanisms
Implications of Nursing Shortage on Healthcare Quality
Addressing Language Barriers in Multicultural Nursing
Improving Handover Communication in Nursing Shift Changes
The Impact of Nursing Leadership on Patient Satisfaction
Strategies for Enhancing Mental Health Nursing Practice
Roles of Nurses in Health Promotion and Education
The Influence of Family Involvement in Palliative Care
Barriers to Advancement in the Nursing Profession
Roles of Registered Nurse Practitioners in Primary Care
Application of Telehealth in Modern Nursing Practice

High School Nursing Research Topics

The Role of School Nurses in Child Health Education
Understanding the Basics of Pediatric Nursing
Exploring Career Paths in the Nursing Profession
Importance of Mental Health Awareness in Nursing Practice
First Aid: Essential Skills for Nurses
The Role of Nurses in Preventing School Bullying
Ethical Considerations in Nursing: A Discussion
Introduction to Palliative Care: A Nursing Perspective
The Impact of Nutrition on Patient Recovery: Nurses’ Role
Learning About Patient Confidentiality in Nursing
Role of Nurses in Managing Chronic Illnesses
Nursing Intervention Techniques for Childhood Obesity
Emotional Intelligence in Nursing: Why It Matters
Nursing and Care for the Elderly: An Introduction
How Do Nurses Contribute to Holistic Patient Care?
Significance of Good Communication Skills in Nursing
The Role of Nurses in Vaccination Campaigns
Dealing With Stress: Strategies for Nurses
Importance of Hygiene in Nursing Practice
Understanding the Basics of Neonatal Nursing

Nursing Research Topics for College Students

The Impact of Nurse-Patient Ratio on the Quality of Care
Mental Health Stigma in Healthcare: A Nursing Perspective
Challenges in Pediatric Nursing: A Comprehensive Review
The Role of Nurses in Pain Management: Ethical Considerations
Advanced Practice Nursing: Exploring the Scope and Limitations
Improving Patient Safety: Strategies for Error Reduction in Nursing
Telemedicine and Its Implications for the Nursing Profession
Nurses’ Role in Implementing Preventive Health Measures
Exploring the Mental Health of Nurses: Coping Mechanisms and Support
The Ethics of End-of-Life Care: A Nursing Perspective
Understanding the Complexities of Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing
Innovations in Nursing Education: Trends and Challenges
Influence of Cultural Competency on Nursing Practice
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Nursing Leadership Styles
Roles of Nursing in the Management of Chronic Illnesses
The Impact of Technology on Nursing Practice: A Critical Analysis
Nurse Burnout: Causes, Effects and Prevention Strategies
The Influence of Nursing Care on Patient Satisfaction
Importance of Communication Skills in Palliative Care Nursing
The Role of Nurses in Advancing Healthcare Policy and Advocacy

University Nursing Research Topics

Examining the Role of Nurses in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
The Impact of Hospital-Acquired Infections on Nursing Practice
Role of Nurses in Managing Patient Experience During Healthcare Delivery
Exploring the Ethical Challenges in Geriatric Nursing
The Importance of Cultural Competence in Global Nursing Practice
The Role of Nurses in Palliative Care: Bridging the Gap
Telehealth and Its Impact on Nursing Practice and Patient Care
Understanding the Mental Health Implications of Nursing Stress and Burnout
The Effect of Nurse-led Patient Education on Disease Management
Impacts of Interprofessional Communication and Collaboration on the Quality of Care in Nursing
Pediatric Nursing: Techniques for Reducing Pain and Anxiety in Children
Advanced Practice Nurses: Advocates for Health Policy and Reform
Role of Nursing in Managing Chronic Conditions like Diabetes and Hypertension
Holistic Nursing Practice: The Integration of Mind, Body, and Spirit
The Effect of Evidence-Based Practice on Nursing Outcomes
Nurses’ Role in Addressing Health Disparities in Underserved Communities
Analyzing the Effect of Nurse Staffing on Patient Safety and Quality of Care
Strategies for Promoting Self-Care Among Nurses: An Essential Component of Healthcare
The Future of Nursing: Preparing for the Impact of Climate Change on Health

Clinical List of 468 Research Topics for Nursing

Pediatric nursing research topics.

Managing Pain in Pediatric Patients: Strategies and Challenges
The Impact of Family-Centered Care in Pediatric Nursing
Use of Play Therapy in Pediatric Patient Recovery
Pediatric Mental Health: Role and Responsibility of Nurses
Effective Communication Techniques With Pediatric Patients
The Influence of Technology on Pediatric Nursing Care
Pediatric Palliative Care: Principles and Practices
Autism Spectrum Disorder: Nursing Approaches and Management
Nutrition Assessment in Pediatric Nursing: Best Practices
Nursing Care for Pediatric Patients With Rare Genetic Disorders
Strategies for Improving Vaccination Rates in Pediatric Populations
Roles of Nurses in Managing Pediatric Chronic Illnesses
Pediatric Oncology: Providing Care and Support to Child Cancer Patients
Pediatric Nursing in Intensive Care Units: Stress Factors and Coping Mechanisms
Childhood Obesity: Prevention and Management in Pediatric Nursing
Supporting Families of Children Living With Disabilities: Role of Pediatric Nurses
The Impact of Hospital Design on Pediatric Patient Well-Being
Approaches to Pediatric Trauma Care: Best Nursing Practices
Pediatric Medication Administration: Safety Measures and Error Prevention

Geriatric Nursing Research Topics

The Impact of Geriatric Nursing on Patient Quality of Life
Exploring Best Practices in Pain Management for Elderly Patients
The Role of Geriatric Nurses in End-of-Life Care
Challenges in Nursing Care for Elderly Patients With Dementia
The Use of Technology in Enhancing Geriatric Nursing Practice
Cultural Sensitivity in Geriatric Nursing: Necessity and Implementation
Assessment and Management of Depression in Elderly Patients
Geriatric Nursing and the Promotion of Healthy Aging
The Influence of Family Involvement in Geriatric Nursing Care
Fall Prevention Strategies in Geriatric Care: Role of Nurses
Nutritional Assessment and Care in Geriatric Nursing
Ethical Issues in Geriatric Nursing: A Case Study Approach
Roles of Geriatric Nursing in Managing Chronic Diseases
Impacts of Social Isolation on Health Outcomes in Elderly Patients
Implementing Person-Centered Care in Geriatric Nursing
Sleep Disorders in Elderly Patients: Assessment and Management
Geriatric Rehabilitation: The Role of Nurses in Recovery and Therapy
The Effectiveness of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy in Dementia Care
The Importance of Communication Skills in Geriatric Nursing

Midwifery Nursing Research Topics

The Impact of Midwifery-Led Care on Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes
Roles of Midwives in Promoting Natural Childbirth: A Systematic Review
Midwifery and Home Births: An Analysis of Safety and Satisfaction
Understanding the Role of Midwives in Antenatal and Postnatal Mental Health
Challenges and Solutions for Improving Midwifery Education
The Influence of Midwifery Care on Reducing Cesarean Section Rates
Midwifery in Rural Settings: Challenges and Opportunities
Exploring the Role of Midwives in Promoting Breastfeeding
The Impact of Cultural Competence in Midwifery Care
Midwives’ Roles in Advocating for Women’s Reproductive Rights
Understanding the Transition Process From Student Midwife to Practicing Midwife
Comparative Analysis of Midwife-led Care vs. Obstetrician-led Care
Examining Burnout and Stress Among Midwives: Implications for Practice
Role of Midwives in Advancing LGBTQ+ Inclusive Care
The Use of Technology, Internet, and Digital Tools in Midwifery Practice
Exploring the Impact of Midwifery Care on Maternal Mortality Rates
Addressing Domestic Violence: The Critical Role of Midwives
Midwifery and Holistic Care: Incorporating Complementary Therapies into Practice
The Role of Midwives in Health Promotion and Education
Barriers to Accessing Midwifery Services: A Socioeconomic Analysis

Mental Health Nursing Research Topics

Unveiling the Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Interventions in Alleviating Anxiety Symptoms Among Adolescents
Delving into the Role of Social Support in Nurturing Resilience Among Individuals With Schizophrenia
Examining the Influence of Art Therapy on Enhancing Emotional Expression Among Patients With Major Depressive Disorder
Probing the Link Between Childhood Trauma and the Emergence of Borderline Personality Disorder
Assessing the Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Mitigating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Children
Investigating the Impact of Exercise on Mitigating Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Among Veterans
Scrutinizing the Effects of Stigma on Help-Seeking Behavior Among Individuals With Bipolar Disorder
Exploring the Relationship Between Sleep Disturbances and Suicidal Ideation in Adolescents
Illuminating the Role of Family Therapy in Enhancing Communication Patterns among Families of Individuals With Substance Use Disorders
Examining the Impact of Peer Support Programs on Safeguarding Against Relapse in Individuals With Substance Use Disorders
Investigating the Effectiveness of Animal-Assisted Therapy in Mitigating Aggression Among Psychiatric Inpatients
Unraveling the Factors Influencing Medication Adherence Among Individuals With Schizophrenia
Unearthing the Relationship Between Childhood Abuse and the Development of Eating Disorders in Adolescents
Evaluating the Efficacy and Effectiveness of Dialectical Behavior Therapy in Addressing Self-Harming Behaviors Among Borderline Personality Disorder Patients
Investigating the Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy in Treating Phobias
Exploring Valid Links Between Social Media Use and Body Image Dissatisfaction among Young Adults
Assessing the Impact of Traumatic Brain Injury on Mental Health Outcomes Among Military Personnel
Investigating the Effectiveness of Music Therapy in Alleviating Anxiety, Stress, and Depression in Older Adults With Dementia
Understanding the Role of Cultural Factors in Shaping Help-Seeking Behavior Among Minority Populations With Mental Illness

Health Promotion Nursing Research Topics

Promoting Healthy Aging: Strategies for Enhancing the Quality of Life Among Older Adults
The Role of Nursing Professionals in Promoting Sexual Health and Safe Practices Among Adolescents
Implementing Smoking Cessation Methods and Interventions in Primary Care Settings: Identifying Best Practices and Assessing Outcomes
Enhancing Mental Health and Well-Being Among College Students: Interventions and Support Systems
Assessing the Effectiveness of HIV/AIDS Prevention Programs Among At-Risk Populations
Workplace Wellness Programs: Evaluating Their Impact on Employee Health Outcomes and Productivity
The Role of Nurses in Leading Health Promotion Interventions for Managing Chronic Diseases
Promoting Vaccination Uptake and Building Vaccine Confidence in the Community: The Role of Nurses
Exploring the Effectiveness of Community-Based Programs for Weight Management to Prevent Obesity
Addressing Health Disparities in Underserved Populations: Cultural Competence in Health Promotion
Supporting Breastfeeding Initiation and Duration: Strategies to Assist and Empower New Mothers
Assessing the Impact of Nutrition Education on Eating Habits and Nutritional Status of School Children
Promoting Injury Prevention and Raising Safety Awareness: Contributions of Nurses to Public Health Education
Strategies for Encouraging Physical Activity among Sedentary Populations: Promoting Behavior Change
Improving Medication Adherence among Patients With Chronic Diseases: Strategies and Nurse-led Interventions
Nurse-Led Interventions for Promoting Healthy Sleep Habits and Hygiene Practices
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Health Education Programs in Encouraging Adolescents to Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Implementing Vaccination Programs in Schools: Overcoming Challenges and Identifying Best Practices
Enhancing Health Literacy: Empowering Patients to Take Active Control of Their Health
Promoting Healthy Work-Life Balance among Healthcare Professionals: Strategies for Self-Care and Resilience

Discussion Nursing Research Topics

The Impact of Education and Nurse Staffing Levels on Patient Outcomes and Healthcare Costs
Exploring Technology Integration in Nursing Education and Clinical Practice
Addressing the Global Nursing Shortage: Strategies for Recruitment, Retention, and Workforce Planning
Advancing Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing: Bridging the Gap Between Research and Practice
Discussing the Contributions of Advanced Practice Nurses in Primary Care Settings
Culturally Competent Nursing Practice: Challenges and Strategies for Healthcare Professionals
Integrating Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Contemporary Nursing Practice
Nurse Burnout: Implications for Patient Care and Strategies for Retention
Trauma-Informed Care in Nursing: Understanding the Impact and Implementing Best Practices
Addressing the Opioid Crisis: Nursing Strategies and Interventions
Nursing Leadership: Enhancing Patient Safety and Quality of Care
Ethical Considerations in End-of-Life Care: Perspectives From Nursing Practice
Simulation-Based Training in Nursing Education: Enhancing Clinical Competence
Fostering Patient-Centered Care in Nursing: Empowerment and Engagement Strategies
Reducing Health Disparities in Vulnerable Populations: Innovative Nursing Interventions
Effective Communication Strategies in Nurse-Patient Interactions: Enhancing Patient Outcomes
Team-Based Care Models in Nursing: Examining Effectiveness and Implementation
Promoting Mental Health and Well-Being in Nursing Practice: Holistic Approaches and Interventions
Advancing Health Equity: Nursing Advocacy and Social Justice Initiatives

Adult Nursing Research Topics

Enhancing the Quality of Care for Older Adults: Strategies for Person-Centered Nursing Practice
Managing Chronic Illness in Adult Populations: Innovative Approaches to Improve Health Outcomes
Promoting Healthy Aging: Interventions for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion in Older Adults
Addressing the Healthcare Services and Mental Health Needs of Older Adults: Exploring Effective Nursing Interventions
Exploring the Nursing Challenges in Managing Multiple Chronic Conditions in Older Adults
Enhancing Medication Safety in Adult Care Settings: Strategies to Prevent Adverse Drug Events
Nursing Leadership in Adult Care: Fostering Collaborative and Evidence-Based Practice
The Impact of Nursing Staffing Levels on Patient Outcomes in Adult Healthcare Settings
Promoting Healthy Lifestyles in Adults: Strategies for Health Behavior Change and Risk Reduction
Exploring the Role of Advanced Practice Nurses in Adult Primary Care
Advancing Cultural Competence in Adult Nursing: Meeting the Diverse Needs of Patients
Addressing Health Disparities in Underserved Adult Populations: A Nursing Perspective
The Use of Technology in Adult Nursing: Enhancing Communication and Care Delivery
Promoting Safety and Preventing Falls in Older Adults: Evidence-Based Nursing Interventions
Managing Pain in Adult Patients: Integrating Non-Pharmacological Approaches in Nursing Practice
The Role of Family in Adult Patient Care: Engaging and Supporting Caregivers
Advancing Evidence-Based Practice in Adult Nursing: Bridging the Gap Between Research and Clinical Settings
Exploring the Nursing Challenges in Managing Complex Wound Care in Adult Patients
Promoting Continuity of Care in Adult Nursing: Strategies for Effective Transitions and Care Coordination

Quantitative and Qualitative Nursing Research Topics

Association Between Nurse-Patient Ratios and Quality of Care Outcomes in Acute Care Settings Explored
Lived Experience of Nurses in High-Stress Work Environments Understood: A Qualitative Inquiry
The Importance of a Communication Skills Training Program for Nursing Students Examined: A Mixed Methods Approach
Impact of Patient Education Interventions on Medication Adherence in Chronic Disease Management Assessed
Perceived Barriers and Facilitators to Evidence-Based Practice Implementation in Nursing Explored
Relationship Between Nurse Leadership Styles and Staff Satisfaction in Healthcare Organizations Investigated
Factors Influencing Nurse Retention in Rural Healthcare Settings Understood: A Grounded Theory Study
Impact of Nurse-Initiated Interventions on Patient Outcomes in Acute Care Settings Explored
Experiences of Nurses Providing Palliative Care Examined: A Phenomenological Investigation
Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Programs in Reducing Burnout Among Nurses Assessed
Factors Affecting Job Satisfaction Among Nurse Educators Explored: A Quantitative Analysis
Perceptions of Patients and Families Regarding Cultural Competence in Nursing Care Investigated
Experiences of Nurses Working With Diverse Populations Understood: A Qualitative Inquiry
Effectiveness of Simulation-Based Training in Enhancing Nursing Competencies Examined
Impact of Nurse-Managed Interventions on Patient Safety Outcomes in Long-Term Care Facilities Assessed
Challenges and Benefits of Interprofessional Collaboration in Healthcare Teams Explored: A Mixed Methods Study
Experiences of Nurses Providing End-of-Life Care in Intensive Care Units Investigated: A Phenomenological Approach
Effectiveness of Telehealth in Improving Access to Care and Health Outcomes in Underserved Populations Assessed
Factors Influencing the Implementation, Adoption, and Use of Electronic Health Records in Nursing Practice Understood
Relationship Between Nurse Staffing and Patient Falls in Acute Care Hospitals Examined: A Quantitative Analysis

Critical Care Nursing Research Topics

Innovative Approaches in Critical Care Nursing: Advancing Patient Outcomes
Navigating Ethical Dilemmas in Critical Care: Complex Decision-Making in Nursing Practice
Technology Integration in Critical Care Nursing: Enhancing Patient Monitoring and Care
Effective Teamwork and Communication: Promoting Interprofessional Collaboration in Critical Care
Safe and Effective Medication Administration: Managing Complex Regimens in Critical Care
Family Involvement in Critical Care: Impact and Engagement in the Care Process
Alleviating Suffering: Optimizing Pain Management in Critical Care
Cultural Sensitivity in Critical Care Nursing: Providing Culturally Competent Care
Comfort and Dignity: Enhancing End-of-Life Care in Critical Care Settings
Preventing Healthcare-Associated Infections: Evidence-Based Practices in Critical Care
Patient Safety in Critical Care Environments: Error Prevention and Risk Management
Psychological Impact of Critical Illness: Support for Patients and Families in Critical Care
Simulation in Critical Care Education: Enhancing Knowledge and Skills for Nursing Professionals
Seamless Transitions in Critical Care: Promoting Continuity of Care
Culturally Competent Critical Care: Addressing Ethnocultural Considerations
Advancing Critical Care Nursing Research: Identifying Knowledge Gaps and Opportunities
Critical Care Nurses in Disaster Response: Preparedness, Resilience, and Adaptive Capacity
Job Satisfaction and Retention: Impact of Critical Care Environment on Nurses
Empowering Families: Family-Centered Care in Critical Care Settings

Healthcare Management Nursing Research Topics

The Relationship Between Healthcare Organizations and Nursing Leadership Styles: A Mixed Methods Study Exploring Staff Satisfaction
Factors Influencing Job Satisfaction Among Nurse Managers: A Quantitative Analysis Examined
Experiences of Nurses in Managing Ethical Dilemmas in Healthcare Settings: A Qualitative Inquiry
Staffing Ratios and Patient Safety Outcomes in Acute Care Hospitals: A Comparative Study
Perceptions of Healthcare Providers Regarding Interprofessional Collaboration in Patient Care Analyzed
Technology’s Role in Enhancing Medication Management Practices in Long-Term Care Facilities Investigated
Factors Affecting Nurse Retention in Magnet-Designated Hospitals Explored: A Mixed Methods Approach
Relationship Between Nursing Workload and Patient Outcomes in Intensive Care Units Examined: A Comparative Analysis
Emotional Intelligence’s Impact on Nurse-Physician Collaboration Investigated: A Cross-Sectional Study
Barriers to Effective Communication Among Interdisciplinary Healthcare Teams Analyzed
Implementation and Outcomes of Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing Investigated: A Longitudinal Study
Nursing Informatics in Enhancing Patient-Centered Care: Perceptions of Healthcare Providers Explored
Experiences of Nurses in Managing Conflict in Multicultural Healthcare Environments Examined: A Qualitative Inquiry
Effectiveness of Leadership Development Programs in Enhancing Nursing Leadership Competencies Assessed: A Quantitative Analysis
Factors Influencing Nurse Satisfaction in Rural Healthcare Settings Analyzed: A Comparative Study
Perceived Benefits and Challenges of Telehealth Implementation in Primary Care Settings Explored
Impacts of Nurse-Managed Interventions on Quality-of-Care Outcomes in Home Healthcare Investigated: A Mixed Methods Study
Factors Affecting Adoption of Electronic Health Records in Nursing Practice Explored: A Qualitative Inquiry
Effectiveness of Patient Education Interventions in Improving Self-Management of Chronic Diseases Assessed: A Quantitative Study

Emergency Nursing Research Topics

Emergency Nursing Care for Pediatric Trauma Patients: Special Considerations
Mental Health Management in the Emergency Department: Enhancing Care Delivery
Triage Protocols in the Emergency Department: An In-depth Analysis
Effectiveness of Disaster Preparedness Training among Emergency Nurses
Emergency Department Crowding: Understanding Causes and Developing Solutions
Critical Care for Acute Stroke Patients: Best Practices in Emergency Nursing
Simulation Training in Emergency Nursing: Assessing its Effectiveness
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among Emergency Nurses: Identifying Risk Factors
Pain Management in the Emergency Department: Current Practices and Challenges
Workplace Violence in Emergency Departments: Prevention and Coping Strategies
Patient Safety Culture in Emergency Departments: Evaluating Measures and Outcomes
Point of Care Ultrasound: Training and Utilization among Emergency Nurses
Disaster Response: Role of Emergency Nurses in Mass Casualty Incidents
Nurses’ Perceptions of Palliative Care in Emergency Departments
Information Technology in Emergency Nursing: Adoption and Utility
Critical Incident Stress Management for Emergency Nurses: An Evaluation
Emergency Nursing Care for Patients With Sepsis: Guidelines and Outcomes
Advanced Practice Emergency Nursing: Roles, Challenges, and Future Directions
Resuscitation Decision-Making in Emergency Care: Ethical Considerations
Compassion Fatigue among Emergency Nurses: Causes and Mitigation Strategies

Obstetrics Nursing Research Topics

Prenatal Education: Effective Strategies for Expectant Mothers
Nurse-Led Interventions to Reduce Cesarean Section Rates: A Review
High-Risk Pregnancies: Advanced Nursing Care and Management
Postpartum Depression: Detection and Management in Obstetric Care
Pregnancy and Childbirth Experiences of Women With Disabilities: A Qualitative Study
Home Births: Assessing Safety and Obstetric Nursing Roles
Promoting Breastfeeding: Evidence-Based Strategies in Obstetric Nursing
Preeclampsia Management: Best Practices in Obstetric Nursing Care
Cultural Competence in Obstetric Nursing: Meeting the Needs of Diverse Populations
Obstetric Nursing Care for Teenage Mothers: Unique Considerations and Challenges
Pain Management in Labor and Delivery: An Evaluation of Non-Pharmacological Methods
Maternal Mortality: Exploring Preventive Measures in Obstetric Care
Prenatal Care Utilization: Identifying Barriers and Promoting Access
Birthing Practices Across Cultures: A Comparative Analysis
Neonatal Resuscitation: Advanced Training and Preparedness in Obstetric Nursing
Perinatal Palliative Care: Preparing Families for Infant Loss
Midwifery Care vs. Medical Model of Birth: Outcomes and Patient Satisfaction
Stress and Burnout among Obstetric Nurses: Causes and Coping Strategies
Fathers in the Birth Room: Obstetric Nurses’ Perceptions and Experiences

Neonatal Nursing Research Topics

Pain Management in Neonates: Best Practices in Non-Pharmacological Interventions
Neonatal Sepsis: Early Detection and Nursing Management
Nutritional Needs of Preterm Infants: Evidence-Based Nursing Care
Skin-to-Skin Contact: Investigating Outcomes in Neonatal Intensive Care Units
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: Improving Nursing Care for Drug-Exposed Infants
Palliative Care in Neonatology: Challenges and Best Practices
Stress in Parents of Neonates Admitted to the NICU: Nursing Support Strategies
Prevention of Hypothermia in Very Low Birth Weight Infants: Nursing Interventions
Simulation Training in Neonatal Resuscitation: Impact on Nursing Competence
Breast Milk vs. Formula: Evaluating Outcomes in Neonates With Congenital Heart Disease
Nursing Care for Neonates With Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Current Guidelines
Neonatal Jaundice: Improving Parental Education and Nursing Care
Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Preterm Infants: The Role of Neonatal Nurses
Noise Levels in the NICU: Implications for Neonatal Health and Development
Kangaroo Mother Care: Evaluating Implementation in Different Cultural Contexts
Ethical Considerations in Neonatal End-of-Life Care: A Nursing Perspective
Nursing Management of Infants With Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: A Systematic Review
Prevention of Retinopathy of Prematurity: Nursing Strategies and Outcomes
Neonatal Nurse Practitioners: Evaluating Their Contribution to NICU Outcomes
Quality of Life of NICU Graduates: Long-Term Outcomes and Nursing Interventions

Women’s Health Nursing Research Topics

Cardiovascular Disease in Women: Nursing Strategies for Prevention and Management
Postpartum Depression: Identifying Risk Factors and Promoting Early Intervention
Breast Cancer Screening: Improving Adherence Through Nursing Interventions
Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women: Preventive Strategies in Nursing Practice
Women’s Sexual Health: Addressing Taboos and Promoting Open Dialogue
Menopause and Mental Health: Unraveling the Complex Relationship
Domestic Violence: Nursing Interventions and Support Strategies
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination: Strategies to Increase Uptake
Female Genital Mutilation: A Global Health Issue and Nursing Response
Health Literacy Among Women: A Tool for Promoting Self-Care
Cervical Cancer: Early Detection and Management in Nursing Practice
Preconception Care: Enhancing Women’s Health Before Pregnancy
Nursing Care for Women With Endometriosis: Management of Chronic Pain
Female Veterans’ Health: Unique Challenges and Specialized Care Needs
Women’s Health in Refugee Populations: Access and Equity Issues
Maternal Obesity: Implications for Pregnancy Outcomes and Interventions
Fibromyalgia in Women: Improving Diagnosis and Management
Body Image Disturbances in Women: Prevention and Treatment Approaches
Health Consequences of Early Marriage in Girls: A Global Perspective

Ethics Nursing Research Topics

Ethical Dilemmas in End-of-Life Care: A Nursing Perspective
Patient Autonomy in Nursing Care: Challenges and Solutions
Nurses’ Perceptions of Ethical Climate in Healthcare Institutions
Bioethical Issues in Genomic Nursing: Navigating Uncharted Territory
Nurse Whistleblowing: Balancing Professional Responsibility and Personal Risk
Ethical Considerations in Pediatric Palliative Care: A Critical Review
Euthanasia and Assisted Dying: A Nursing Ethics Exploration
Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: Ethical Implications for Nursing Practice
Ethical Challenges in Global Health Nursing: A Cross-Cultural Examination
Nurses’ Ethical Competence: Evaluating Education and Training Programs
Organ Transplantation: Ethical Dilemmas in Nursing Practice
Nurse Leaders’ Roles in Promoting Ethical Climate in Nursing Units
Rationing Care in Times of Scarcity: Ethical Considerations for Nurses
Health Information Privacy: Navigating Ethical Concerns in Nursing Practice
Research Ethics in Nursing: Safeguarding Rights of Human Subjects
Ethics of Care in Nursing: Revitalizing the Concept for Modern Practice
Nursing Ethics in Mental Health: Autonomy vs. Beneficence Dilemmas
Ethical Aspects of Informed Consent in Nursing Research and Practice
Decision-Making in Neonatal Intensive Care: Ethical Dimensions
Ethical Considerations in Disaster Nursing: Providing Care in Crisis Situations

Intervention Nursing Research Topics

Fall Prevention Interventions in Geriatric Nursing: A Systematic Review
Early Mobilization in ICU Patients: Nursing Strategies and Outcomes
Promoting Medication Adherence: Evaluation of Nurse-Driven Interventions
Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Anxiety in Pediatric Patients: A Systematic Review
Nurse-Led Cognitive Stimulation Therapy for Patients With Dementia
Improving Sleep Quality in Hospitalized Patients: Nursing Interventions and Results
Pressure Ulcer Prevention in High-Risk Patients: Nurse-Led Interventions
Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Stress Reduction in Nursing Staff
Nursing Interventions to Improve Nutritional Status in Cancer Patients
Therapeutic Communication in Mental Health Nursing: Evidence-Based Strategies
Implementing Delirium Prevention Strategies: Nursing Interventions in the ICU
Nursing Interventions for Smoking Cessation: Evaluating Effectiveness
Self-Management Support for Patients With Diabetes: Nurse-Led Interventions
Improving Physical Activity in Patients With Cardiovascular Disease: Nursing Approaches
Holistic Interventions for Palliative Care: An Integrative Nursing Approach
Optimizing Hydration in Elderly Patients: Nurse-Led Initiatives
Breathlessness Management in Patients With COPD: Nursing Interventions and Outcomes
Nursing Strategies for Enhancing Family Engagement in the ICU
Reducing Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections: Evidence-Based Nursing Interventions

Leadership Nursing Research Topics

Transformational Leadership in Nursing: Enhancing Patient Outcomes
Effectiveness of Shared Governance Models in Nursing Practice
Exploring the Relationship Between Leadership Styles and Nurse Retention
Servant Leadership in Nursing: A Review of Empirical Studies
Mentoring in Nursing: Strategies for Developing Future Leaders
Emotional Intelligence in Nursing Leadership: A Comparative Analysis
Analyzing the Leadership Competencies Needed for Telehealth Nursing
Distributed Leadership in Multidisciplinary Healthcare Teams: An Empirical Review
Authentic Leadership and its Influence on Nurse Job Satisfaction
Leadership Development Programs in Nursing: A Critical Appraisal
Transformation Through Leadership: Nurse Managers Navigating Change
Nursing Leadership in Disaster Response: A Case-Based Review
Clinical Leadership: Key Skills for Advanced Practice Nurses
Leadership and Ethical Decision-Making in Nursing Practice
Fostering Innovation in Nursing Through Transformational Leadership
Cross-Cultural Leadership in Nursing: A Global Perspective
Leadership Styles and Organizational Culture in Nursing Practice
Leadership Challenges in Rural Nursing: Strategies for Improvement
Nursing Leadership in Palliative Care: An Underexplored Dimension
Leadership Transition in Nursing: Identifying Succession Planning Best Practices

Practitioner Nursing Research Topics

Managing Chronic Pain: Best Practices for Nurse Practitioners
Optimizing Patient Education Strategies in Chronic Disease Management
Holistic Approaches to Mental Health Care in Nursing Practice
Child Abuse Identification and Reporting: Training Needs for Nurses
Addressing Health Literacy in Diverse Patient Populations
Strategies for Improving Medication Adherence in Elderly Patients
Ethical Dilemmas in Palliative Care: A Nurse Practitioner’s Perspective
Obesity Prevention and Intervention: A Nursing Practice Approach
Integrating Telemedicine in Primary Care: Challenges and Opportunities for Nurses
Promoting Healthy Lifestyle Choices: The Efficacy of Nurse-led Interventions
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Veterans: Implications for Nursing Practice
Diabetes Management in Primary Care: Nurse Practitioner Strategies
Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment: Nursing Approaches
Examining Burnout and Resilience Among Nurse Practitioners
Cultural Competence in Nursing Practice: Enhancing Patient Care
Nurse Practitioners in the Emergency Room: Opportunities and Challenges
Pediatric Vaccination: Addressing Parental Concerns and Misconceptions
Implementing Shared Decision-Making in Nursing Practice
Home Health Care: Optimizing Nurse Involvement and Patient Outcomes

Psychiatric Nursing Research Topics

Psychoeducation in Schizophrenia Management: A Nursing Perspective
Caring for Patients With Eating Disorders: Nursing Approaches
Nursing Interventions for Patients With Major Depressive Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Therapeutic Approaches in Psychiatric Nursing
Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Psychiatric Nursing
Nursing Strategies for Managing Co-Morbid Mental Health and Substance Abuse Disorders
Care for Patients With Dementia: Psychiatric Nursing Approaches
Psychiatric Nursing Interventions for Patients With Anxiety Disorders
The Relationship Between Sleep Quality, Dreams, and Mental Health: Implications for Psychiatric Nursing
Bipolar Disorder Management: Best Practices in Psychiatric Nursing
Holistic Care for Patients With Personality Disorders: A Psychiatric Nursing Perspective
Therapeutic Communication Techniques in Psychiatric Nursing
Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Interventions in Psychiatric Nursing
Promoting Self-Care in Patients With Chronic Mental Illness
Management of Suicidal Patients: A Guide for Psychiatric Nurses
Mental Health Promotion Strategies for Adolescents: A Nursing Perspective
Ethical Dilemmas in Psychiatric Nursing: An In-Depth Analysis
Improving Medication Adherence in Patients with Severe Mental Illness
Psychosocial Rehabilitation: Role of Psychiatric Nurses
Psychiatric Nursing Care for Patients With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Child Nursing Research Topics

Managing Pediatric Pain: Evidence-Based Practices for Nurses
Childhood Obesity: Prevention Strategies in Nursing
Autism Spectrum Disorder: Nursing Interventions and Care
Pediatric Palliative Care: An In-depth Analysis for Nurses
Addressing Mental Health Issues in Pediatric Nursing
Vaccine Hesitancy: Strategies for Nurse-Led Parent Education
Nursing Care for Neonates: Practices and Challenges
Childhood Asthma Management: A Nursing Approach
Pediatric Oncology: Nursing Strategies for Comprehensive Care
Type 1 Diabetes in Children: Nursing Management and Education
Childhood Trauma: Implications for Pediatric Nursing
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Child Life Specialists in Pediatric Care
Child Abuse Identification: Training Needs for Pediatric Nurses
Cystic Fibrosis: A Comprehensive Approach to Nursing Care
Transitioning Care for Adolescents With Chronic Conditions
Management of Congenital Heart Diseases: Implications for Pediatric Nurses
Ethical Issues in Pediatric Nursing: Consent, Confidentiality, and Beyond
Nursing Care for Children With Rare Genetic Disorders
Pediatric Advanced Life Support: Training and Implementation in Nursing Practice
Effectiveness of Play Therapy in Pediatric Nursing

Elderly Nursing Research Topics

Dementia Care in Nursing: Current Practices and Challenges
Promoting Healthy Aging: The Contribution of Nurses
Palliative and End-of-Life Care in Geriatric Nursing
Treatment, Intervention, and Management of Chronic Pain in the Elderly
Mental Health Issues in Geriatric Population: A Nursing Perspective
Medication Management for Older Adults: Nursing Strategies
Osteoporosis Management: Nursing Care and Patient Education
Alzheimer’s Disease: Improving the Quality of Life Through Nursing Care
Strategies for Dealing With Elder Abuse in Nursing Practice
Promoting Independent Activities of Daily Living for Older Adults
Cardiovascular Disease Management in Geriatric Nursing
Coping With Grief and Loss in Older Adults: A Nursing Approach
Enhancing Communication With Elderly Patients Suffering From Hearing Loss
Addressing Nutritional Needs of the Elderly: A Role for Nurses
Nursing Care for Elderly Patients With Diabetes
Transitioning to Residential Aged Care: A Guide for Nurses
Ethical Dilemmas in Elderly Care: Informed Consent, Autonomy, and Beyond
Nurse-led Health Promotion Interventions for Older Adults
Implementing Family-Centered Care in Geriatric Nursing

Primary Healthcare Nursing Research Topics

Chronic Disease Management in Primary Care: Nursing Strategies
Implementing Preventive Health Measures: A Nursing Approach
Health Promotion and Education in Primary Care: The Nurse’s Perspective
Pediatric Care in Primary Health Settings: Nursing Practices
Addressing Mental Health Issues in Primary Care Nursing
Patient-Centered Care in Primary Health Settings: A Nursing Approach
Implementing Telehealth in Primary Care: The Role of Nurses
Management of Acute Illnesses in Primary Care: Nursing Strategies
Nursing Interventions for Lifestyle-Related Conditions in Primary Care
Elderly Care in Primary Health Settings: Opportunities and Challenges for Nurses
Health Literacy: The Role of Nurses in Primary Care Settings
Nursing Strategies for Addressing Substance Abuse in Primary Care
Family-Centered Care in Primary Health Settings: Nursing Practices
Optimizing Medication Management in Primary Care Nursing
Reducing Health Disparities Through Community-Based Nursing Care
Navigating Ethical Dilemmas in Primary Care Nursing
Cancer Screening and Early Detection: Implications for Primary Care Nurses
Incorporating Genomic Medicine in Primary Care: A Nursing Perspective
Nurse-Led Clinics in Primary Care: Outcomes and Efficacy

Careers Nursing Research Topics

Career Satisfaction Among Nurses: Influencing Factors and Outcomes
Exploring the Transition From Student to Registered Nurse
Nurse Retention Strategies in the Healthcare Industry
The Trajectory of Advanced Practice Nursing Careers: An Empirical Study
Navigating Leadership Roles in Nursing: Opportunities and Challenges
Investigating Burnout and Resilience Among Nurses Across Different Specialties
Exploring Barriers to Men Entering the Nursing Profession
Work-Life Balance Among Nurses: Strategies and Outcomes
Mentorship Programs in Nursing: Efficacy and Outcomes
Job Stress and Coping Strategies Among Nurses in High-Stress Environments
The Influence of Organizational Culture on Nurse Job Satisfaction
Nursing Education Pathways: Outcomes and Career Progression
Exploring the Effectiveness of Continuing Professional Development for Nurses
Nursing in Rural Areas: Career Opportunities and Challenges
Ethical Issues Encountered by Nurses: Impact on Career Progression
Balancing Clinical and Administrative Roles in Nurse Management
Influence of Leadership Styles on Nursing Team Performance
Addressing Diversity and Inclusion in Nursing Workforce
The Experience of Foreign-Educated Nurses in the U.S. Healthcare System
Impacts of Technological Advancements on Nursing Practice and Career Progression

Controversial Nursing Research Topics

End-of-Life Decisions: Ethical Dilemmas Encountered by Nurses
Balancing Patient Autonomy and Public Health in Vaccine Hesitancy
Controversies Surrounding Mandatory Overtime for Nurses
Nursing and Assisted Suicide: Ethical Considerations
Exploring the Legality and Ethics of Patient Restraints in Nursing
Confidentiality in Nursing: Rights of Minors vs. Parental Consent
The Controversy Over Prescriptive Authority for Advanced Practice Nurses
Cultural Competence in Nursing: Controversies and Challenges
Ethics of Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment: A Nursing Perspective
Controversies Surrounding the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Nursing Practice
Nurse Participation in Abortion Services: Ethical and Legal Considerations
Addressing Moral Distress in Nursing: Causes and Coping Strategies
The Debate Over Full Practice Authority for Nurse Practitioners
Forced Medication Administration: Ethical Implications for Nursing
Genetic Testing and Privacy: Implications for Nursing Practice
Rationing of Care in Nursing: Ethical Considerations
Controversies Surrounding the Role of Nurses in Euthanasia
Informed Consent in Pediatric Nursing: Controversial Aspects
Substance Abuse Among Nurses: Causes, Implications, and Controversial Solutions
Dilemmas in Advanced Directives: A Nursing Perspective

Evidence-Based Nursing Practice Research Topics

Incorporating Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing Education: Strategies and Outcomes
Roles of Evidence-Based Practice in Enhancing Patient Outcomes in Oncology Nursing
Evidence-Based Nursing Practices in Chronic Pain Management
Evidence-Based Approaches to Reducing Hospital Readmission Rates
Mental Health Care: Implementing Evidence-Based Practices in Nursing
Evidence-Based Nursing Interventions for Patients With Diabetes
Promoting Evidence-Based Practice in Pediatric Nursing
Strategies for Enhancing Evidence-Based Practice in Geriatric Nursing
Evidence-Based Nursing Care for Patients With Cardiovascular Diseases
The Role of Clinical Decision Frameworks and Support Systems in Promoting Evidence-Based Practice
Evidence-Based Nursing Strategies for Preventing Hospital-Acquired Infections
Application of Evidence-Based Practice in Wound Care Nursing
Evidence-Based Practice in Home Health Care Nursing: Challenges and Opportunities
Quality Improvement Initiatives and Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing
Roles of Evidence-Based Practice in Managing Obstetric Complications
Application of Evidence-Based Practice in Critical Care Nursing
Evidence-Based Practice in Psychiatric Nursing: Implementation and Outcomes
Roles of Clinical Practice Guidelines in Evidence-Based Nursing
Evidence-Based Nursing Strategies for Managing End-of-Life Care

20 Top Nursing Research Topic Questions

How Can Evidence-Based Practice Improve Pediatric Nursing Outcomes?
What Are Effective Strategies for Managing Work-Related Stress in Nursing?
Which Interventions Are Most Effective in Promoting Mental Health Among Nurses?
How Do Ethical Considerations Influence Decision-Making in Palliative Nursing Care?
What Is the Relationship Between Leadership Styles and Nurse Job Satisfaction?
How Can Nursing Interventions Improve Outcomes for Patients With Chronic Heart Failure?
Can Telehealth Implementation Improve the Quality of Care in Rural Nursing Practice?
What Are the Implications of Genomic Medicine for the Future of Nursing Practice?
How Can Nurses Effectively Address the Challenge of Antibiotic Resistance?
What Strategies Can Enhance Cultural Competence in Nursing Practice?
How Effective Are Nurse-Led Health Promotion Programs in Primary Care Settings?
What Is the Role of Nursing in Managing Chronic Illnesses Like Diabetes and Hypertension?
How Can Simulation Training Enhance Clinical Skills Among Student Nurses?
How Does Organizational Culture Influence Nurse Retention and Job Satisfaction?
What are the Primary Challenges of Implementing Family-Centered Care in Pediatric Nursing?
How Can Nursing Interventions Improve the Quality of Life for Elderly Patients?
What Are the Most Effective Strategies for Pain Management in Nursing?
How Do Ethical Dilemmas in Elderly Care Affect Nursing Practice and Decision-Making?
How Can Nurses Contribute to Reducing Health Disparities in Underserved Populations?
What Role Does Nursing Play in the Management of Public Health Crises and Challenges Like the COVID-19 Pandemic?

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18 Descriptive Research Examples

Descriptive research examples and definition, explained below

Descriptive research involves gathering data to provide a detailed account or depiction of a phenomenon without manipulating variables or conducting experiments.

A scholarly definition is:

“Descriptive research is defined as a research approach that describes the characteristics of the population, sample or phenomenon studied. This method focuses more on the “what” rather than the “why” of the research subject.” (Matanda, 2022, p. 63)

The key feature of descriptive research is that it merely describes phenomena and does not attempt to manipulate variables nor determine cause and effect .

To determine cause and effect , a researcher would need to use an alternate methodology, such as experimental research design .

Common approaches to descriptive research include:

Cross-sectional research : A cross-sectional study gathers data on a population at a specific time to get descriptive data that could include categories (e.g. age or income brackets) to get a better understanding of the makeup of a population.
Longitudinal research : Longitudinal studies return to a population to collect data at several different points in time, allowing for description of changes in categories over time. However, as it’s descriptive, it cannot infer cause and effect (Erickson, 2017).

Methods that could be used include:

Surveys: For example, sending out a census survey to be completed at the exact same date and time by everyone in a population.
Case Study : For example, an in-depth description of a specific person or group of people to gain in-depth qualitative information that can describe a phenomenon but cannot be generalized to other cases.
Observational Method : For example, a researcher taking field notes in an ethnographic study. (Siedlecki, 2020)

Descriptive Research Examples

1. Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder (Psychology): Researchers analyze various behavior patterns, cognitive skills, and social interaction abilities specific to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder to comprehensively describe the disorder’s symptom spectrum. This detailed description classifies it as descriptive research, rather than analytical or experimental, as it merely records what is observed without altering any variables or trying to establish causality.

2. Consumer Purchase Decision Process in E-commerce Marketplaces (Marketing): By documenting and describing all the factors that influence consumer decisions on online marketplaces, researchers don’t attempt to predict future behavior or establish causes—just describe observed behavior—making it descriptive research.

3. Impacts of Climate Change on Agricultural Practices (Environmental Studies): Descriptive research is seen as scientists outline how climate changes influence various agricultural practices by observing and then meticulously categorizing the impacts on crop variability, farming seasons, and pest infestations without manipulating any variables in real-time.

4. Work Environment and Employee Performance (Human Resources Management): A study of this nature, describing the correlation between various workplace elements and employee performance, falls under descriptive research as it merely narrates the observed patterns without altering any conditions or testing hypotheses.

5. Factors Influencing Student Performance (Education): Researchers describe various factors affecting students’ academic performance, such as studying techniques, parental involvement, and peer influence. The study is categorized as descriptive research because its principal aim is to depict facts as they stand without trying to infer causal relationships.

6. Technological Advances in Healthcare (Healthcare): This research describes and categorizes different technological advances (such as telemedicine, AI-enabled tools, digital collaboration) in healthcare without testing or modifying any parameters, making it an example of descriptive research.

7. Urbanization and Biodiversity Loss (Ecology): By describing the impact of rapid urban expansion on biodiversity loss, this study serves as a descriptive research example. It observes the ongoing situation without manipulating it, offering a comprehensive depiction of the existing scenario rather than investigating the cause-effect relationship.

8. Architectural Styles across Centuries (Art History): A study documenting and describing various architectural styles throughout centuries essentially represents descriptive research. It aims to narrate and categorize facts without exploring the underlying reasons or predicting future trends.

9. Media Usage Patterns among Teenagers (Sociology): When researchers document and describe the media consumption habits among teenagers, they are performing a descriptive research study. Their main intention is to observe and report the prevailing trends rather than establish causes or predict future behaviors.

10. Dietary Habits and Lifestyle Diseases (Nutrition Science): By describing the dietary patterns of different population groups and correlating them with the prevalence of lifestyle diseases, researchers perform descriptive research. They merely describe observed connections without altering any diet plans or lifestyles.

11. Shifts in Global Energy Consumption (Environmental Economics): When researchers describe the global patterns of energy consumption and how they’ve shifted over the years, they conduct descriptive research. The focus is on recording and portraying the current state without attempting to infer causes or predict the future.

12. Literacy and Employment Rates in Rural Areas (Sociology): A study aims at describing the literacy rates in rural areas and correlating it with employment levels. It falls under descriptive research because it maps the scenario without manipulating parameters or proving a hypothesis.

13. Women Representation in Tech Industry (Gender Studies): A detailed description of the presence and roles of women across various sectors of the tech industry is a typical case of descriptive research. It merely observes and records the status quo without establishing causality or making predictions.

14. Impact of Urban Green Spaces on Mental Health (Environmental Psychology): When researchers document and describe the influence of green urban spaces on residents’ mental health, they are undertaking descriptive research. They seek purely to understand the current state rather than exploring cause-effect relationships.

15. Trends in Smartphone usage among Elderly (Gerontology): Research describing how the elderly population utilizes smartphones, including popular features and challenges encountered, serves as descriptive research. Researcher’s aim is merely to capture what is happening without manipulating variables or posing predictions.

16. Shifts in Voter Preferences (Political Science): A study describing the shift in voter preferences during a particular electoral cycle is descriptive research. It simply records the preferences revealed without drawing causal inferences or suggesting future voting patterns.

17. Understanding Trust in Autonomous Vehicles (Transportation Psychology): This comprises research describing public attitudes and trust levels when it comes to autonomous vehicles. By merely depicting observed sentiments, without engineering any situations or offering predictions, it’s considered descriptive research.

18. The Impact of Social Media on Body Image (Psychology): Descriptive research to outline the experiences and perceptions of individuals relating to body image in the era of social media. Observing these elements without altering any variables qualifies it as descriptive research.

Descriptive vs Experimental Research

Descriptive research merely observes, records, and presents the actual state of affairs without manipulating any variables, while experimental research involves deliberately changing one or more variables to determine their effect on a particular outcome.

De Vaus (2001) succinctly explains that descriptive studies find out what is going on , but experimental research finds out why it’s going on /

Simple definitions are below:

Descriptive research is primarily about describing the characteristics or behaviors in a population, often through surveys or observational methods. It provides rich detail about a specific phenomenon but does not allow for conclusive causal statements; however, it can offer essential leads or ideas for further experimental research (Ivey, 2016).
Experimental research , often conducted in controlled environments, aims to establish causal relationships by manipulating one or more independent variables and observing the effects on dependent variables (Devi, 2017; Mukherjee, 2019).

Experimental designs often involve a control group and random assignment . While it can provide compelling evidence for cause and effect, its artificial setting might not perfectly mirror real-worldly conditions, potentially affecting the generalizability of its findings.

These two types of research are complementary, with descriptive studies often leading to hypotheses that are then tested experimentally (Devi, 2017; Zhao et al., 2021).

Benefits and Limitations of Descriptive Research

Descriptive research offers several benefits: it allows researchers to gather a vast amount of data and present a complete picture of the situation or phenomenon under study, even within large groups or over long time periods.

It’s also flexible in terms of the variety of methods used, such as surveys, observations, and case studies, and it can be instrumental in identifying patterns or trends and generating hypotheses (Erickson, 2017).

However, it also has its limitations.

The primary drawback is that it can’t establish cause-effect relationships, as no variables are manipulated. This lack of control over variables also opens up possibilities for bias, as researchers might inadvertently influence responses during data collection (De Vaus, 2001).

Additionally, the findings of descriptive research are often not generalizable since they are heavily reliant on the chosen sample’s characteristics.

See More Types of Research Design Here

De Vaus, D. A. (2001). Research Design in Social Research . SAGE Publications.

Devi, P. S. (2017). Research Methodology: A Handbook for Beginners . Notion Press.

Erickson, G. S. (2017). Descriptive research design. In New Methods of Market Research and Analysis (pp. 51-77). Edward Elgar Publishing.

Gresham, B. B. (2016). Concepts of Evidence-based Practice for the Physical Therapist Assistant . F.A. Davis Company.

Ivey, J. (2016). Is descriptive research worth doing?. Pediatric nursing , 42 (4), 189. ( Source )

Krishnaswamy, K. N., Sivakumar, A. I., & Mathirajan, M. (2009). Management Research Methodology: Integration of Principles, Methods and Techniques . Pearson Education.

Matanda, E. (2022). Research Methods and Statistics for Cross-Cutting Research: Handbook for Multidisciplinary Research . Langaa RPCIG.

Monsen, E. R., & Van Horn, L. (2007). Research: Successful Approaches . American Dietetic Association.

Mukherjee, S. P. (2019). A Guide to Research Methodology: An Overview of Research Problems, Tasks and Methods . CRC Press.

Siedlecki, S. L. (2020). Understanding descriptive research designs and methods. Clinical Nurse Specialist , 34 (1), 8-12. ( Source )

Zhao, P., Ross, K., Li, P., & Dennis, B. (2021). Making Sense of Social Research Methodology: A Student and Practitioner Centered Approach . SAGE Publications.

Dave Cornell (PhD)

Dr. Cornell has worked in education for more than 20 years. His work has involved designing teacher certification for Trinity College in London and in-service training for state governments in the United States. He has trained kindergarten teachers in 8 countries and helped businessmen and women open baby centers and kindergartens in 3 countries.

Dave Cornell (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/dave-cornell-phd/ 25 Positive Punishment Examples
Dave Cornell (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/dave-cornell-phd/ 25 Dissociation Examples (Psychology)
Dave Cornell (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/dave-cornell-phd/ 15 Zone of Proximal Development Examples
Dave Cornell (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/dave-cornell-phd/ Perception Checking: 15 Examples and Definition

Chris Drew (PhD)

This article was peer-reviewed and edited by Chris Drew (PhD). The review process on Helpful Professor involves having a PhD level expert fact check, edit, and contribute to articles. Reviewers ensure all content reflects expert academic consensus and is backed up with reference to academic studies. Dr. Drew has published over 20 academic articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education and holds a PhD in Education from ACU.

Chris Drew (PhD) #molongui-disabled-link 25 Positive Punishment Examples
Chris Drew (PhD) #molongui-disabled-link 25 Dissociation Examples (Psychology)
Chris Drew (PhD) #molongui-disabled-link 15 Zone of Proximal Development Examples
Chris Drew (PhD) #molongui-disabled-link Perception Checking: 15 Examples and Definition

1 thought on “18 Descriptive Research Examples”

Very nice, educative article. I appreciate the efforts.

290 Good Nursing Research Topics & Questions

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

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

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

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

👋 Conclusion

🔝 top 10 nursing research topics 2024.

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

☑️ Research Topics in Nursing: How to Choose?

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

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

Narrow your focus when choosing a research topic.

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

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📜 Nursing Research Topics

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

🐥 Pediatric Nursing Research Topics

Ways of enhancing language development for children with developmental disabilities

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

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

👴 Geriatric Nursing Research Topics

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

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

🍼 Midwifery Nursing Research Topics

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

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

💆 Mental Health Research Topics in Nursing

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

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

🏊 Health Promotion Research Topics in Nursing

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

💡 Nursing Topics for Discussion

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

🔝 Top 10 Nursing Research Questions

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

📑 Types of Nursing Research

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

🔢 Quantitative Research In Nursing

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

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

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

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

Types of quantitative research in nursing.

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

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

🔬 Qualitative Research In Nursing

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

Qualitative research designs in nursing.

Qualitative research study designs include four types:

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

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

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

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

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

🤔 Nursing Research FAQs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

🔎 References

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

Edward barroga.

1 Department of General Education, Graduate School of Nursing Science, St. Luke’s International University, Tokyo, Japan.

Glafera Janet Matanguihan

2 Department of Biological Sciences, Messiah University, Mechanicsburg, PA, USA.

The development of research questions and the subsequent hypotheses are prerequisites to defining the main research purpose and specific objectives of a study. Consequently, these objectives determine the study design and research outcome. The development of research questions is a process based on knowledge of current trends, cutting-edge studies, and technological advances in the research field. Excellent research questions are focused and require a comprehensive literature search and in-depth understanding of the problem being investigated. Initially, research questions may be written as descriptive questions which could be developed into inferential questions. These questions must be specific and concise to provide a clear foundation for developing hypotheses. Hypotheses are more formal predictions about the research outcomes. These specify the possible results that may or may not be expected regarding the relationship between groups. Thus, research questions and hypotheses clarify the main purpose and specific objectives of the study, which in turn dictate the design of the study, its direction, and outcome. Studies developed from good research questions and hypotheses will have trustworthy outcomes with wide-ranging social and health implications.

INTRODUCTION

Scientific research is usually initiated by posing evidenced-based research questions which are then explicitly restated as hypotheses. 1 , 2 The hypotheses provide directions to guide the study, solutions, explanations, and expected results. 3 , 4 Both research questions and hypotheses are essentially formulated based on conventional theories and real-world processes, which allow the inception of novel studies and the ethical testing of ideas. 5 , 6

It is crucial to have knowledge of both quantitative and qualitative research 2 as both types of research involve writing research questions and hypotheses. 7 However, these crucial elements of research are sometimes overlooked; if not overlooked, then framed without the forethought and meticulous attention it needs. Planning and careful consideration are needed when developing quantitative or qualitative research, particularly when conceptualizing research questions and hypotheses. 4

There is a continuing need to support researchers in the creation of innovative research questions and hypotheses, as well as for journal articles that carefully review these elements. 1 When research questions and hypotheses are not carefully thought of, unethical studies and poor outcomes usually ensue. Carefully formulated research questions and hypotheses define well-founded objectives, which in turn determine the appropriate design, course, and outcome of the study. This article then aims to discuss in detail the various aspects of crafting research questions and hypotheses, with the goal of guiding researchers as they develop their own. Examples from the authors and peer-reviewed scientific articles in the healthcare field are provided to illustrate key points.

DEFINITIONS AND RELATIONSHIP OF RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND HYPOTHESES

A research question is what a study aims to answer after data analysis and interpretation. The answer is written in length in the discussion section of the paper. Thus, the research question gives a preview of the different parts and variables of the study meant to address the problem posed in the research question. 1 An excellent research question clarifies the research writing while facilitating understanding of the research topic, objective, scope, and limitations of the study. 5

On the other hand, a research hypothesis is an educated statement of an expected outcome. This statement is based on background research and current knowledge. 8 , 9 The research hypothesis makes a specific prediction about a new phenomenon 10 or a formal statement on the expected relationship between an independent variable and a dependent variable. 3 , 11 It provides a tentative answer to the research question to be tested or explored. 4

Hypotheses employ reasoning to predict a theory-based outcome. 10 These can also be developed from theories by focusing on components of theories that have not yet been observed. 10 The validity of hypotheses is often based on the testability of the prediction made in a reproducible experiment. 8

Conversely, hypotheses can also be rephrased as research questions. Several hypotheses based on existing theories and knowledge may be needed to answer a research question. Developing ethical research questions and hypotheses creates a research design that has logical relationships among variables. These relationships serve as a solid foundation for the conduct of the study. 4 , 11 Haphazardly constructed research questions can result in poorly formulated hypotheses and improper study designs, leading to unreliable results. Thus, the formulations of relevant research questions and verifiable hypotheses are crucial when beginning research. 12

CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND HYPOTHESES

Excellent research questions are specific and focused. These integrate collective data and observations to confirm or refute the subsequent hypotheses. Well-constructed hypotheses are based on previous reports and verify the research context. These are realistic, in-depth, sufficiently complex, and reproducible. More importantly, these hypotheses can be addressed and tested. 13

There are several characteristics of well-developed hypotheses. Good hypotheses are 1) empirically testable 7 , 10 , 11 , 13 ; 2) backed by preliminary evidence 9 ; 3) testable by ethical research 7 , 9 ; 4) based on original ideas 9 ; 5) have evidenced-based logical reasoning 10 ; and 6) can be predicted. 11 Good hypotheses can infer ethical and positive implications, indicating the presence of a relationship or effect relevant to the research theme. 7 , 11 These are initially developed from a general theory and branch into specific hypotheses by deductive reasoning. In the absence of a theory to base the hypotheses, inductive reasoning based on specific observations or findings form more general hypotheses. 10

TYPES OF RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND HYPOTHESES

Research questions and hypotheses are developed according to the type of research, which can be broadly classified into quantitative and qualitative research. We provide a summary of the types of research questions and hypotheses under quantitative and qualitative research categories in Table 1 .

Research questions in quantitative research

In quantitative research, research questions inquire about the relationships among variables being investigated and are usually framed at the start of the study. These are precise and typically linked to the subject population, dependent and independent variables, and research design. 1 Research questions may also attempt to describe the behavior of a population in relation to one or more variables, or describe the characteristics of variables to be measured ( descriptive research questions ). 1 , 5 , 14 These questions may also aim to discover differences between groups within the context of an outcome variable ( comparative research questions ), 1 , 5 , 14 or elucidate trends and interactions among variables ( relationship research questions ). 1 , 5 We provide examples of descriptive, comparative, and relationship research questions in quantitative research in Table 2 .

Hypotheses in quantitative research

In quantitative research, hypotheses predict the expected relationships among variables. 15 Relationships among variables that can be predicted include 1) between a single dependent variable and a single independent variable ( simple hypothesis ) or 2) between two or more independent and dependent variables ( complex hypothesis ). 4 , 11 Hypotheses may also specify the expected direction to be followed and imply an intellectual commitment to a particular outcome ( directional hypothesis ) 4 . On the other hand, hypotheses may not predict the exact direction and are used in the absence of a theory, or when findings contradict previous studies ( non-directional hypothesis ). 4 In addition, hypotheses can 1) define interdependency between variables ( associative hypothesis ), 4 2) propose an effect on the dependent variable from manipulation of the independent variable ( causal hypothesis ), 4 3) state a negative relationship between two variables ( null hypothesis ), 4 , 11 , 15 4) replace the working hypothesis if rejected ( alternative hypothesis ), 15 explain the relationship of phenomena to possibly generate a theory ( working hypothesis ), 11 5) involve quantifiable variables that can be tested statistically ( statistical hypothesis ), 11 6) or express a relationship whose interlinks can be verified logically ( logical hypothesis ). 11 We provide examples of simple, complex, directional, non-directional, associative, causal, null, alternative, working, statistical, and logical hypotheses in quantitative research, as well as the definition of quantitative hypothesis-testing research in Table 3 .

Research questions in qualitative research

Unlike research questions in quantitative research, research questions in qualitative research are usually continuously reviewed and reformulated. The central question and associated subquestions are stated more than the hypotheses. 15 The central question broadly explores a complex set of factors surrounding the central phenomenon, aiming to present the varied perspectives of participants. 15

There are varied goals for which qualitative research questions are developed. These questions can function in several ways, such as to 1) identify and describe existing conditions ( contextual research question s); 2) describe a phenomenon ( descriptive research questions ); 3) assess the effectiveness of existing methods, protocols, theories, or procedures ( evaluation research questions ); 4) examine a phenomenon or analyze the reasons or relationships between subjects or phenomena ( explanatory research questions ); or 5) focus on unknown aspects of a particular topic ( exploratory research questions ). 5 In addition, some qualitative research questions provide new ideas for the development of theories and actions ( generative research questions ) or advance specific ideologies of a position ( ideological research questions ). 1 Other qualitative research questions may build on a body of existing literature and become working guidelines ( ethnographic research questions ). Research questions may also be broadly stated without specific reference to the existing literature or a typology of questions ( phenomenological research questions ), may be directed towards generating a theory of some process ( grounded theory questions ), or may address a description of the case and the emerging themes ( qualitative case study questions ). 15 We provide examples of contextual, descriptive, evaluation, explanatory, exploratory, generative, ideological, ethnographic, phenomenological, grounded theory, and qualitative case study research questions in qualitative research in Table 4 , and the definition of qualitative hypothesis-generating research in Table 5 .

Qualitative studies usually pose at least one central research question and several subquestions starting with How or What . These research questions use exploratory verbs such as explore or describe . These also focus on one central phenomenon of interest, and may mention the participants and research site. 15

Hypotheses in qualitative research

Hypotheses in qualitative research are stated in the form of a clear statement concerning the problem to be investigated. Unlike in quantitative research where hypotheses are usually developed to be tested, qualitative research can lead to both hypothesis-testing and hypothesis-generating outcomes. 2 When studies require both quantitative and qualitative research questions, this suggests an integrative process between both research methods wherein a single mixed-methods research question can be developed. 1

FRAMEWORKS FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND HYPOTHESES

Research questions followed by hypotheses should be developed before the start of the study. 1 , 12 , 14 It is crucial to develop feasible research questions on a topic that is interesting to both the researcher and the scientific community. This can be achieved by a meticulous review of previous and current studies to establish a novel topic. Specific areas are subsequently focused on to generate ethical research questions. The relevance of the research questions is evaluated in terms of clarity of the resulting data, specificity of the methodology, objectivity of the outcome, depth of the research, and impact of the study. 1 , 5 These aspects constitute the FINER criteria (i.e., Feasible, Interesting, Novel, Ethical, and Relevant). 1 Clarity and effectiveness are achieved if research questions meet the FINER criteria. In addition to the FINER criteria, Ratan et al. described focus, complexity, novelty, feasibility, and measurability for evaluating the effectiveness of research questions. 14

The PICOT and PEO frameworks are also used when developing research questions. 1 The following elements are addressed in these frameworks, PICOT: P-population/patients/problem, I-intervention or indicator being studied, C-comparison group, O-outcome of interest, and T-timeframe of the study; PEO: P-population being studied, E-exposure to preexisting conditions, and O-outcome of interest. 1 Research questions are also considered good if these meet the “FINERMAPS” framework: Feasible, Interesting, Novel, Ethical, Relevant, Manageable, Appropriate, Potential value/publishable, and Systematic. 14

As we indicated earlier, research questions and hypotheses that are not carefully formulated result in unethical studies or poor outcomes. To illustrate this, we provide some examples of ambiguous research question and hypotheses that result in unclear and weak research objectives in quantitative research ( Table 6 ) 16 and qualitative research ( Table 7 ) 17 , and how to transform these ambiguous research question(s) and hypothesis(es) into clear and good statements.

a These statements were composed for comparison and illustrative purposes only.

b These statements are direct quotes from Higashihara and Horiuchi. 16

a This statement is a direct quote from Shimoda et al. 17

The other statements were composed for comparison and illustrative purposes only.

CONSTRUCTING RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND HYPOTHESES

To construct effective research questions and hypotheses, it is very important to 1) clarify the background and 2) identify the research problem at the outset of the research, within a specific timeframe. 9 Then, 3) review or conduct preliminary research to collect all available knowledge about the possible research questions by studying theories and previous studies. 18 Afterwards, 4) construct research questions to investigate the research problem. Identify variables to be accessed from the research questions 4 and make operational definitions of constructs from the research problem and questions. Thereafter, 5) construct specific deductive or inductive predictions in the form of hypotheses. 4 Finally, 6) state the study aims . This general flow for constructing effective research questions and hypotheses prior to conducting research is shown in Fig. 1 .

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Research questions are used more frequently in qualitative research than objectives or hypotheses. 3 These questions seek to discover, understand, explore or describe experiences by asking “What” or “How.” The questions are open-ended to elicit a description rather than to relate variables or compare groups. The questions are continually reviewed, reformulated, and changed during the qualitative study. 3 Research questions are also used more frequently in survey projects than hypotheses in experiments in quantitative research to compare variables and their relationships.

Hypotheses are constructed based on the variables identified and as an if-then statement, following the template, ‘If a specific action is taken, then a certain outcome is expected.’ At this stage, some ideas regarding expectations from the research to be conducted must be drawn. 18 Then, the variables to be manipulated (independent) and influenced (dependent) are defined. 4 Thereafter, the hypothesis is stated and refined, and reproducible data tailored to the hypothesis are identified, collected, and analyzed. 4 The hypotheses must be testable and specific, 18 and should describe the variables and their relationships, the specific group being studied, and the predicted research outcome. 18 Hypotheses construction involves a testable proposition to be deduced from theory, and independent and dependent variables to be separated and measured separately. 3 Therefore, good hypotheses must be based on good research questions constructed at the start of a study or trial. 12

In summary, research questions are constructed after establishing the background of the study. Hypotheses are then developed based on the research questions. Thus, it is crucial to have excellent research questions to generate superior hypotheses. In turn, these would determine the research objectives and the design of the study, and ultimately, the outcome of the research. 12 Algorithms for building research questions and hypotheses are shown in Fig. 2 for quantitative research and in Fig. 3 for qualitative research.

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EXAMPLES OF RESEARCH QUESTIONS FROM PUBLISHED ARTICLES

EXAMPLE 1. Descriptive research question (quantitative research)
- Presents research variables to be assessed (distinct phenotypes and subphenotypes)
“BACKGROUND: Since COVID-19 was identified, its clinical and biological heterogeneity has been recognized. Identifying COVID-19 phenotypes might help guide basic, clinical, and translational research efforts.
RESEARCH QUESTION: Does the clinical spectrum of patients with COVID-19 contain distinct phenotypes and subphenotypes? ” 19
EXAMPLE 2. Relationship research question (quantitative research)
- Shows interactions between dependent variable (static postural control) and independent variable (peripheral visual field loss)
“Background: Integration of visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive sensations contributes to postural control. People with peripheral visual field loss have serious postural instability. However, the directional specificity of postural stability and sensory reweighting caused by gradual peripheral visual field loss remain unclear.
Research question: What are the effects of peripheral visual field loss on static postural control ?” 20
EXAMPLE 3. Comparative research question (quantitative research)
- Clarifies the difference among groups with an outcome variable (patients enrolled in COMPERA with moderate PH or severe PH in COPD) and another group without the outcome variable (patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH))
“BACKGROUND: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) in COPD is a poorly investigated clinical condition.
RESEARCH QUESTION: Which factors determine the outcome of PH in COPD?
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We analyzed the characteristics and outcome of patients enrolled in the Comparative, Prospective Registry of Newly Initiated Therapies for Pulmonary Hypertension (COMPERA) with moderate or severe PH in COPD as defined during the 6th PH World Symposium who received medical therapy for PH and compared them with patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) .” 21
EXAMPLE 4. Exploratory research question (qualitative research)
- Explores areas that have not been fully investigated (perspectives of families and children who receive care in clinic-based child obesity treatment) to have a deeper understanding of the research problem
“Problem: Interventions for children with obesity lead to only modest improvements in BMI and long-term outcomes, and data are limited on the perspectives of families of children with obesity in clinic-based treatment. This scoping review seeks to answer the question: What is known about the perspectives of families and children who receive care in clinic-based child obesity treatment? This review aims to explore the scope of perspectives reported by families of children with obesity who have received individualized outpatient clinic-based obesity treatment.” 22
EXAMPLE 5. Relationship research question (quantitative research)
- Defines interactions between dependent variable (use of ankle strategies) and independent variable (changes in muscle tone)
“Background: To maintain an upright standing posture against external disturbances, the human body mainly employs two types of postural control strategies: “ankle strategy” and “hip strategy.” While it has been reported that the magnitude of the disturbance alters the use of postural control strategies, it has not been elucidated how the level of muscle tone, one of the crucial parameters of bodily function, determines the use of each strategy. We have previously confirmed using forward dynamics simulations of human musculoskeletal models that an increased muscle tone promotes the use of ankle strategies. The objective of the present study was to experimentally evaluate a hypothesis: an increased muscle tone promotes the use of ankle strategies. Research question: Do changes in the muscle tone affect the use of ankle strategies ?” 23

EXAMPLES OF HYPOTHESES IN PUBLISHED ARTICLES

EXAMPLE 1. Working hypothesis (quantitative research)
- A hypothesis that is initially accepted for further research to produce a feasible theory
“As fever may have benefit in shortening the duration of viral illness, it is plausible to hypothesize that the antipyretic efficacy of ibuprofen may be hindering the benefits of a fever response when taken during the early stages of COVID-19 illness .” 24
“In conclusion, it is plausible to hypothesize that the antipyretic efficacy of ibuprofen may be hindering the benefits of a fever response . The difference in perceived safety of these agents in COVID-19 illness could be related to the more potent efficacy to reduce fever with ibuprofen compared to acetaminophen. Compelling data on the benefit of fever warrant further research and review to determine when to treat or withhold ibuprofen for early stage fever for COVID-19 and other related viral illnesses .” 24
EXAMPLE 2. Exploratory hypothesis (qualitative research)
- Explores particular areas deeper to clarify subjective experience and develop a formal hypothesis potentially testable in a future quantitative approach
“We hypothesized that when thinking about a past experience of help-seeking, a self distancing prompt would cause increased help-seeking intentions and more favorable help-seeking outcome expectations .” 25
“Conclusion
Although a priori hypotheses were not supported, further research is warranted as results indicate the potential for using self-distancing approaches to increasing help-seeking among some people with depressive symptomatology.” 25
EXAMPLE 3. Hypothesis-generating research to establish a framework for hypothesis testing (qualitative research)
“We hypothesize that compassionate care is beneficial for patients (better outcomes), healthcare systems and payers (lower costs), and healthcare providers (lower burnout). ” 26
Compassionomics is the branch of knowledge and scientific study of the effects of compassionate healthcare. Our main hypotheses are that compassionate healthcare is beneficial for (1) patients, by improving clinical outcomes, (2) healthcare systems and payers, by supporting financial sustainability, and (3) HCPs, by lowering burnout and promoting resilience and well-being. The purpose of this paper is to establish a scientific framework for testing the hypotheses above . If these hypotheses are confirmed through rigorous research, compassionomics will belong in the science of evidence-based medicine, with major implications for all healthcare domains.” 26
EXAMPLE 4. Statistical hypothesis (quantitative research)
- An assumption is made about the relationship among several population characteristics ( gender differences in sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of adults with ADHD ). Validity is tested by statistical experiment or analysis ( chi-square test, Students t-test, and logistic regression analysis)
“Our research investigated gender differences in sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of adults with ADHD in a Japanese clinical sample. Due to unique Japanese cultural ideals and expectations of women's behavior that are in opposition to ADHD symptoms, we hypothesized that women with ADHD experience more difficulties and present more dysfunctions than men . We tested the following hypotheses: first, women with ADHD have more comorbidities than men with ADHD; second, women with ADHD experience more social hardships than men, such as having less full-time employment and being more likely to be divorced.” 27
“Statistical Analysis
( text omitted ) Between-gender comparisons were made using the chi-squared test for categorical variables and Students t-test for continuous variables…( text omitted ). A logistic regression analysis was performed for employment status, marital status, and comorbidity to evaluate the independent effects of gender on these dependent variables.” 27

EXAMPLES OF HYPOTHESIS AS WRITTEN IN PUBLISHED ARTICLES IN RELATION TO OTHER PARTS

EXAMPLE 1. Background, hypotheses, and aims are provided
“Pregnant women need skilled care during pregnancy and childbirth, but that skilled care is often delayed in some countries …( text omitted ). The focused antenatal care (FANC) model of WHO recommends that nurses provide information or counseling to all pregnant women …( text omitted ). Job aids are visual support materials that provide the right kind of information using graphics and words in a simple and yet effective manner. When nurses are not highly trained or have many work details to attend to, these job aids can serve as a content reminder for the nurses and can be used for educating their patients (Jennings, Yebadokpo, Affo, & Agbogbe, 2010) ( text omitted ). Importantly, additional evidence is needed to confirm how job aids can further improve the quality of ANC counseling by health workers in maternal care …( text omitted )” 28
“ This has led us to hypothesize that the quality of ANC counseling would be better if supported by job aids. Consequently, a better quality of ANC counseling is expected to produce higher levels of awareness concerning the danger signs of pregnancy and a more favorable impression of the caring behavior of nurses .” 28
“This study aimed to examine the differences in the responses of pregnant women to a job aid-supported intervention during ANC visit in terms of 1) their understanding of the danger signs of pregnancy and 2) their impression of the caring behaviors of nurses to pregnant women in rural Tanzania.” 28
EXAMPLE 2. Background, hypotheses, and aims are provided
“We conducted a two-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate and compare changes in salivary cortisol and oxytocin levels of first-time pregnant women between experimental and control groups. The women in the experimental group touched and held an infant for 30 min (experimental intervention protocol), whereas those in the control group watched a DVD movie of an infant (control intervention protocol). The primary outcome was salivary cortisol level and the secondary outcome was salivary oxytocin level.” 29
“ We hypothesize that at 30 min after touching and holding an infant, the salivary cortisol level will significantly decrease and the salivary oxytocin level will increase in the experimental group compared with the control group .” 29
EXAMPLE 3. Background, aim, and hypothesis are provided
“In countries where the maternal mortality ratio remains high, antenatal education to increase Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness (BPCR) is considered one of the top priorities [1]. BPCR includes birth plans during the antenatal period, such as the birthplace, birth attendant, transportation, health facility for complications, expenses, and birth materials, as well as family coordination to achieve such birth plans. In Tanzania, although increasing, only about half of all pregnant women attend an antenatal clinic more than four times [4]. Moreover, the information provided during antenatal care (ANC) is insufficient. In the resource-poor settings, antenatal group education is a potential approach because of the limited time for individual counseling at antenatal clinics.” 30
“This study aimed to evaluate an antenatal group education program among pregnant women and their families with respect to birth-preparedness and maternal and infant outcomes in rural villages of Tanzania.” 30
“ The study hypothesis was if Tanzanian pregnant women and their families received a family-oriented antenatal group education, they would (1) have a higher level of BPCR, (2) attend antenatal clinic four or more times, (3) give birth in a health facility, (4) have less complications of women at birth, and (5) have less complications and deaths of infants than those who did not receive the education .” 30

Research questions and hypotheses are crucial components to any type of research, whether quantitative or qualitative. These questions should be developed at the very beginning of the study. Excellent research questions lead to superior hypotheses, which, like a compass, set the direction of research, and can often determine the successful conduct of the study. Many research studies have floundered because the development of research questions and subsequent hypotheses was not given the thought and meticulous attention needed. The development of research questions and hypotheses is an iterative process based on extensive knowledge of the literature and insightful grasp of the knowledge gap. Focused, concise, and specific research questions provide a strong foundation for constructing hypotheses which serve as formal predictions about the research outcomes. Research questions and hypotheses are crucial elements of research that should not be overlooked. They should be carefully thought of and constructed when planning research. This avoids unethical studies and poor outcomes by defining well-founded objectives that determine the design, course, and outcome of the study.

Disclosure: The authors have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose.

Author Contributions:

Conceptualization: Barroga E, Matanguihan GJ.
Methodology: Barroga E, Matanguihan GJ.
Writing - original draft: Barroga E, Matanguihan GJ.
Writing - review & editing: Barroga E, Matanguihan GJ.

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1. Clinical Nursing Research Topics. Analyze the use of telehealth/virtual nursing to reduce inpatient nurse duties. Discuss the impact of evidence-based respiratory interventions on patient outcomes in critical care settings. Explore the effectiveness of pain management protocols in pediatric patients. 2.
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That is why they need to be solved, and research topics related to nursing ethics present a good opportunity for highlighting them: The role of ethical values in the nursing decision-making process. Particular ethics of data collection in primary care. The ethical dilemma of abortion. Moral choice in opioid addiction.
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Finding and choosing a strong research topic is the critical first step when it comes to crafting a high-quality dissertation, thesis or research project. If you've landed on this post, chances are you're looking for a nursing-related research topic, but aren't sure where to start. Here, we'll explore a variety of nursing-related research ideas and topic thought-starters, including ...
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Margaret McCann (PhD, MSc, BNS, RNT, RGN) is an Assistant Professor in General Nursing at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin. Research interests are focused on chronic illness management, the use of digital health and smart technology in supporting patient/client education, self-management and independence.
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Latest Articles : Nursing Research
Nursing Research is a peer-reviewed journal celebrating over 60 years as the most sought-after nursing resource; it offers more depth, more detail, and more of what today's nurses demand. Nursing Research covers key issues, including health promotion, human responses to illness, acute care nursing research, symptom management, cost-effectiveness, vulnerable populations, health services, and ...
Characteristics of Qualitative Descriptive Studies: A Systematic Review
Qualitative description (QD) is a label used in qualitative research for studies which are descriptive in nature, particularly for examining health care and nursing-related phenomena (Polit & Beck, 2009, 2014).QD is a widely cited research tradition and has been identified as important and appropriate for research questions focused on discovering the who, what, and where of events or ...
5 Nursing Research
The reason for the preponderance of descriptive nursing research studies is not known, but descriptive work usually signifies a research realm in which the problems and variables are not well defined or little is known about the area. ... Research priorities established by AAOHN identify a wide range of researchable topics for occupational ...
PDF qualitative nursing research
sensitivity of the research topic or phenome-non of interest, and researchers' skills. For ex-ample, a study with a narrow scope, skilled ... Descriptive N/A Content analysis of data What is the nursing role in end-of-life decisions? Discourse analysis Many In-depth analysis of written, What discourses are used in nursing practice and ...
Commentary: An overview of the qualitative descriptive design within
Commentary: An overview of the qualitative descriptive design within nursing research. Choosing an appropriate study design to answer the research question is a crucial stage in the research process. Adopting a specific methodological approach, such as ethnography or phenomenology, can help the researcher undertake a logical and theoretically ...
625 Good Nursing Research Topics, Ideas, and EBP
team. 18 January 2024. last updated. Nursing research topics encompass various aspects of patient care, such as pain management strategies, promoting mental health, prevention of chronic diseases, impacts of caregiving, healthcare policy, telehealth effectiveness, and neonatal nursing. They also involve studying the effectiveness of nursing ...
An overview of the qualitative descriptive design within nursing research
An overview of qualitative descriptive research is provided, orientates to the underlying philosophical perspectives and key characteristics that define this approach and identifies the implications for healthcare practice and policy. Background Qualitative descriptive designs are common in nursing and healthcare research due to their inherent simplicity, flexibility and utility in diverse ...
Descriptive Research
Presidential Popularity. M.B. Grossman, in International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences, 2001 2 The Fabric of Presidential Popularity. The second line of study involves descriptive research emphasizing the action and/or statements of a president and his entourage as they attempt to bolster his standing with the public. Using interviews, observations, and reviewing documents ...
18 Descriptive Research Examples (2024)
18 Descriptive Research Examples. Descriptive research involves gathering data to provide a detailed account or depiction of a phenomenon without manipulating variables or conducting experiments. "Descriptive research is defined as a research approach that describes the characteristics of the population, sample or phenomenon studied.
Qualitative Descriptive Research
A qualitative descriptive research study was undertaken at the completion of the semester to explore students' perceptions of the effect of the educational program on their knowledge, skills and attitudes to the elderly. The university's ethics committee granted ethical approval. Data were collected using an open-ended questionnaire ...
290 Good Nursing Research Topics & Questions
Research topics in nursing are a way to gain valuable evidence-based knowledge while providing patient care. Moreover, they offer an opportunity to help other nurses by contributing to global healthcare. Some of the most pressing nursing research questions concern medical surgery, midwifery, and geriatrics, as well as the issues of leadership ...
Commentary: An overview of the qualitative descriptive design within
Determining the appropriate research design with which to most effectively answer a specified research question is perhaps the most fundamental aspect of any research training. The reviewed study focuses on the relevance of the descriptive design in responding to challenges and curiosities in nursing research and clinical practice.
What is Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing?
5 min read • June, 01 2023. Evidence-based practice in nursing involves providing holistic, quality care based on the most up-to-date research and knowledge rather than traditional methods, advice from colleagues, or personal beliefs. Nurses can expand their knowledge and improve their clinical practice experience by collecting, processing ...
'I got Davis!' Match Day places medical students into residency programs
A couple of minutes before 9 a.m. Friday, UC Davis fourth-year medical student Treysi Vargas received an email that would alter her family life — for better or worse. The email, from the National Resident Matching Program, would tell Vargas if she would stay at UC Davis for her OB-GYN training the next four years, or move as far as Chicago.
A Practical Guide to Writing Quantitative and Qualitative Research
INTRODUCTION. Scientific research is usually initiated by posing evidenced-based research questions which are then explicitly restated as hypotheses.1,2 The hypotheses provide directions to guide the study, solutions, explanations, and expected results.3,4 Both research questions and hypotheses are essentially formulated based on conventional theories and real-world processes, which allow the ...
UC Davis nursing faculty receive seed grant for work in Kenya
Rebecca Badeaux. [email protected]. Phone: 916-751-0443. Fax: 916-452-2112. UC Davis School of Nursing faculty have received a $20,000 grant to help support global clinical work and interprofessional-education simulation training in Kenya.

Best Nursing Research Topics for Students

About Nursing Research Papers

Do Nursing Students Conduct Original Research?

Example Research Project Scenario:

What Does a Nursing Research Paper Include?

How to Choose a Nursing Research Topic

The Best Research Topics for Nursing Students

1. Clinical Nursing Research Topics

2. Community Health Nursing Research Topics

3. Nurse Education Research Topics

4. Mental Health Nursing Research Topics

5. Pediatric Nursing Research Topics

6. The Nursing Profession Research Topics

Tips for Writing a Nursing Research Paper

Helpful Nursing Research Writing Resources:

Nursing Topics for Research plus Ideas

Steps for Selecting a Good Nursing Research Topic

List of Nursing Research Topics Organized by Nursing Category

Adult Nursing Research Topics

Child Nursing Research Topics

Communications Nursing Research Topics

Controversial Nursing Research Topics

Disease Management Nursing Topics

Emergency Room Nursing Topics

Evidence-Based Practice Nursing Research Topics

Geriatric Nursing Research Topics

Healthcare Promotion Nursing Topics

Hot Nursing Research Topics

Neonatal Nursing Research Topics

Nurse Practitioner Research Topics

Nursing Student Research Topics

Pain Management Nursing Topics

Pediatric Nursing Research Topics

Perioperative Nursing Research Topics

Primary Healthcare Nursing Topics

Psychiatric Nursing Research Topics

Qualitative Nursing Research Topics

Quantitative Nursing Research Topics

Trauma Nursing Research Topics

Leadership Nursing Research Topics

Women's Health Nursing Topics

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Pediatric Nursing Research Topics

Nutrition Research Topics for College Students

Mental Health Nursing Research Topics

Healthcare Management Research Topics

Medical Ethics Research Paper Topics

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Easy Topics for Nursing Qualitative and Quantitative Research

Qualitative vs. Quantitative Nursing Research

Qualitative Nursing Research Topics

Quantitative Nursing Research Topics

How to choose a Nursing Research Topic?

❓ What Is Translational Research in Nursing?

❓ What Is an Example of a Clinical Question?

❓ How to Determine Level of Evidence in Nursing Research?

❓ What Are Some Controversial Issues in Nursing?

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