nursing research topics for phd

Best Nursing Research Topics for Students

What is a nursing research paper.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Nursing Research Papers

When do nursing students write research papers.

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

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

Do Nursing Students Conduct Original Research?

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

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

Example Research Project Scenario:

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

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

What Does a Nursing Research Paper Include?

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

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

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

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

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

How to Choose a Nursing Research Topic

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

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

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

The Best Research Topics for Nursing Students

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

1. Clinical Nursing Research Topics

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

2. Community Health Nursing Research Topics

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

3. Nurse Education Research Topics

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

4. Mental Health Nursing Research Topics

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

5. Pediatric Nursing Research Topics

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

6. The Nursing Profession Research Topics

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

Tips for Writing a Nursing Research Paper

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Helpful Nursing Research Writing Resources:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Plus, get exclusive access to discounts for nurses, stay informed on the latest nurse news, and learn how to take the next steps in your career.

By clicking “Join Now”, you agree to receive email newsletters and special offers from Nurse.org. We will not sell or distribute your email address to any third party, and you may unsubscribe at any time by using the unsubscribe link, found at the bottom of every email.

Research Topics & Ideas: Nursing

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

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

NB – This is just the start…

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

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

Overview: Nursing Research Topics

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

General Nursing Research Topics & Ideas

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

Topics & Ideas: Medical-Surgical Nursing

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

Topics & Ideas: Pediatrics Nursing

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

Ideas: Obstetrics and Gynecological Nursing

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

Topics & Ideas: ICU Nursing

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

Topics & Ideas: Mental Health Nursing

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

Nursing Dissertation & Theses

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

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

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

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

Get 1-On-1 Help

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

You Might Also Like:

To learn from the GRAD Coach is a lofty goal for me. I am unable to express my gratitude for your teaching style. I need assistance with my thesis as a master’s in nursing candidate. Please assist me.

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Print Friendly

• How it works

Useful Links

How much will your dissertation cost?

Have an expert academic write your dissertation paper!

Dissertation Services

Get unlimited topic ideas and a dissertation plan for just £45.00

Order topics and plan

Get 1 free topic in your area of study with aim and justification

Yes I want the free topic

Nursing Dissertation Topics Ideas & Examples

Published by Alvin Nicolas at January 10th, 2023 , Revised On October 5, 2023

Choosing an appropriate nursing dissertation topic is an extremely important step toward producing an exciting and manageable research study. This post aims to help medicine and nursing students select the most appropriate dissertation title according to their research interests.

It should be noted that the subject of nursing encompasses various areas of knowledge, including but not limited to general nursing, community nursing, public health , environmental health, mental health, clinical management, health organization, and occupational health and safety.

So there is plenty to whet your appetite here. Nursing dissertations can be based on either primary research or secondary research. Primary data nursing dissertations incorporate the collection and analysis of data obtained through questionnaires and surveys. Secondary data nursing dissertations, on the other hand, make use of existing literature to test the  research hypothesis .

To help you get started with brainstorming for medicine and nursing topic ideas, we have developed a list of the latest nursing dissertation topics that can be used for writing your dissertation.

These topics have been developed by PhD-qualified writers of our team , so you can trust to use these topics for drafting your dissertation.

You may also want to start your dissertation by requesting  a brief research proposal  from our writers on any of these topics, which includes an  introduction  to the problem,  research questions , aim and objectives ,  literature review  along with the proposed  methodology  of research to be conducted.  Let us know  if you need any help in getting started.

Check our  example dissertations  to get an idea of  how to structure your dissertation .

You can review step by step guide on how to write your dissertation  here.

View our free dissertation topics database.

• Evidence-based Practice Nursing Dissertation Topics
• Child Health Nursing Dissertation Topics
• Adult Nursing Dissertation Topics
• Critical Care Nursing Dissertation Topics
• Dementia Nursing Dissertation Topics

Midwifery Dissertation Topics

• Palliative Care Nursing Dissertation Topics
• Mental Health Nursing Dissertation Topics
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Nursing Dissertation Topics

2022 Nursing Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: assessing the parental perceptions and attitude towards the adoption of healthy behaviour patterns to control obesity and overweight concerns in young children..

Research Aim: This study aims to analyse the parent’s perceptions and attitudes in relation to healthy behaviours practises to control obesity and overweight disorders in young children. It will also focus on the obstacles parents or caregivers experience when it comes to obesity control in young children.

Topic 2: Investigating the importance of community nursing for the care of Old People suffering from Dementia- A case study of the UK.

Research Aim: This study aims to find the usefulness of nursing practise for the care of people suffering from dementia. This will also focus on how trained nurses are very professional in providing information and support to the people suffering from dementia so that they can prepare themselves to live their life well with dementia. This study will conduct a systematic review of published literature to find the potential roles of nurses in taking care of people living with dementia. Furthermore, it will also look at various characteristics and effectiveness of nurse interventions.

Topic 3: Assessing the role of midwives in providing medical services to pregnant women in low-income countries.

Research Aim: Midwives are health professionals who are specialised in taking care of pregnant women and newborn health. Women living In low-income countries are far less to get midwifery care, and it is very challenging for them to face this situation. The aim of this study is to find the role of midwives in providing medical services to pregnant women in low-income countries. Furthermore, this study will also look at the challenges and factors in getting midwifery care for women faced with low income.

Topic 4: Examining the mental health of nurses working in ICU.

Research Aim: Nurses working in critical care had significantly higher rates of emotional discomfort and poor health than other nurses, which has a negative impact on their mental health. However, it is unknown how intensive care nurses’ physical health impacts the frequency of medical mistakes. This study will examine the mental health of nurses working in ICU and how it affects their work and causes medical errors. Furthermore, it will also analyse the perception of nurses working in ICU.

Topic 5: Examing nursing practices during the stages of newborn development – A comparative study between the UK and US.

Research Aim: This study’s primary goal is to compare nursing staff practises during the stages of newborn development in the US and UK. This study will compare the effects of nurses’ care practises and will look at the challenges that occur during this process and how they handle these challenges.

Covid-19 Medicine and Nursing Research Topics

Topic 1: research to identify the training resources of nurses to combat the covid-19 pandemic.

Research Aim: Nursing staff plays a vital role in treating and recovering patients from illness. This study will identify the training programs and resources designed for nursing staff to combat the Coronavirus pandemic.

Topic 2: Research to find whether robotic nurses will be a long-lasting solution to treat the patients of Coronavirus.

Research Aim: Medical teams across the globe have been on their toes to combat coronavirus, and substantial human resources have also been invested in overcoming this crisis. This study will focus on collecting information about the idea of using robotic nurses to treat patients of Covid-19. It will reveal the advantages and disadvantages of using robotic nurses.

Topic 3: Research to analyse the risk of nurses getting affected while treating Covid-19 patients

Research Aim: This study will focus on analysing the risks faced by nurses and the medical team. It will discuss the safety measures adopted to protect the medical staff, the challenges they face, and appropriate solutions to minimise them.

Topic 4: Research to identify the impacts of Coronavirus on pharmaceutical industries

Research Aim: This study will focus on identifying the impacts of coronavirus on pharmaceutical industries, production, and supply of medicines. It will discuss the possible ways to combat COVID-19.

Topic 5: Research to know the contributions of pharmaceutical industries to combat Covid-19

Research Aim: This study will focus on identifying the contributions of pharmaceutical industries to combat Covid-19. Did COVID-19 increase the business of pharmaceutical sectors?

More Coronavirus and Nursing Dissertation Topics

• Coronavirus research: Keys to diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of SARS.
• Investigating the nurses in Australia issue plea to stop violence, theft of sanitizer and masks.
• To study and analyse the emergency Coronavirus guidelines for nurses and medical staff across the globe with a particular focus on the USA and the UK.
• Coronavirus in nursing homes: ‘We are going to see deaths’ – A case study of the UK nursing homes
• Why are nursing homes at risk during the Coronavirus pandemic? – Case study of any European state
• How nurses and medical staff can help parents and children cope with the mental issues and uncertainly in the midst of coronavirus crisis
• To devise strategies to combat testing and prevention kits in hard-hit nursing homes.
• How coronavirus has the potential to lead shortage of nurses and doctors across the globe?

Nursing and Medicine Dissertation Topics for 2021

Topic 1: impact of coronavirus on the pharmaceutical industry.

Research Aim: This research aims to identify the impact of Coronavirus on the pharmaceutical industry.

Topic 2: The role and impact of occupational safety and health in medical clinics

Research Aim: This research aims to measure the impact of occupational safety and health in medical clinics.

Topic 3: Increasing work pressure and occupational health concerns

Research Aim: This research aims to address increasing work pressure and occupational health concerns during a pandemic.

Topic 4: How researchers’ nurses may enhance the operation of clinical research?

Research Aim: The quality improvement of the performance of health care includes scientific study. The research team from the place where there was a shortage of research has established a steadily growing spectrum of testing within the Bradford Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust. In this research, the main emphasis would be on the key role of research nurses.

Topic 15: Developing effective nursing strategies for dealing with patients possessing acute and chronic pain: A case study of NHS

Research Aim: The concept of nursing has evolved since recent times. Many health care institutions have developed effective strategies to increase nursing efficiency. Therefore, the main purpose of the research is to develop effective nursing strategies for dealing with patients possessing acute and chronic pain by analysing the case study of the NHS.

Topic 6: Critical analysis of community nursing and health care needs: A comparative analysis of UK and USA

Research Aim: Nursing and health care needs have a direct and positive relationship. The main purpose of this research is to conduct a critical analysis of community and health care needs. This research will compare the UK and USA nursing practices and provide recommendations to improve the existing strategy.

Topic 7: Analysing the societal acceptance of Marijuana: The case of developing countries

Research Aim: The purpose of this study is to contemplate upon the key benefits that the use of Marijuana, within a medicinal capacity, has. Ideally, in developing countries, the use of marijuana is considered “Taboo” or unacceptable by the members of the community/society. Hence, the study intends to analyze the societal acceptance of Marijuana within developing countries.

Topic 8: Developing effective nursing strategies for dealing with patients suffering Coronavirus disease: A case study of NHS

Research Aim: The coronavirus has taken the world by storm, infecting millions in nearly 200 countries. Many health care institutions have developed strategies to increase nursing efficiency. Therefore, the main purpose of the research is to identify effective nursing strategies for dealing with patients possessing coronavirus by analysing the case study of NHS.

Topic 9: Coronavirus research: Keys to diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of SARS

Research Aim: This research will discuss the basic life cycle and replication of the well-studied coronavirus, mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), identifying the unique characteristics of coronavirus biology and highlighting critical points where research has made significant advances, and which might represent targets for antivirals or vaccines. Areas where rapid progress has been made in SCV research, will be described. Finally, areas of need for research in coronavirus replication, genetics, and pathogenesis will be summarised.

Mental Health Dissertation Topics

• Investigating the effectiveness of psychiatric treatment and medicine for patients suffering schizophrenia – A qualitative study based on UK mental health nurses and patients
• Exploring the legal aspects of mental health research in the UK
• To study and determine the causes to increasing number of suicides in the urban youth population in the developing world
• The role of socioeconomic backgrounds on the mental health of individuals
• Investigating the impact of early maternal mental illness on children
• Parents with serious mental health problems from the perspective of professionals who offer support
• Treatment of mental health difficulties by combining psychological and complementary therapies
• To perform an interpretative phenomenological analysis to treat older people with long term mental health difficulties
• To identify the barriers and risks associated with personalization within the context of mental illness
• To explore mental illness by conducting a biographical narrative study
• Deconstructing mental health difficulties: A critical enquiry into the views and opinions of professionals dealing with families, parents, and children

How Can ResearchProspect Help?

ResearchProspect writers can send several custom topic ideas to your email address. Once you have chosen a topic that suits your needs and interests, you can order for our dissertation outline service which will include a brief introduction to the topic, research questions , literature review , methodology , expected results , and conclusion . The dissertation outline will enable you to review the quality of our work before placing the order for our full dissertation writing service!

Occupational Health and Safety Nursing Dissertation Topics

• To investigate occupational health and safety risks in the UK health care sector: Preventive techniques and recommended practices
• A quantitative study to evaluate the understanding and knowledge nurses have of occupational risks in an operating theatre environment
• To investigate the impact of occupational safety and health on the job performance of nurses
• To identify and discuss factors affecting the practice of occupational health nursing in London
• The role and impact of occupational safety and health in medical clinics
• To identify and discuss key occupational safety and health risks, challenges, and concerns in China
• Workplace health management and the role of occupational health nurses
• Increasing work pressure and occupational health concerns
• Occupational safety and health risks and practices among Filipino nurses
• Adopting a multi-climate approach to address patient safety issues in the nursing work environment
• To assess and understand occupational risks and nursing duties from an ergo logical perspective
• The need to realise the increasing importance of occupational safety and health issues in industrialised societies

“ Complete  this short online form  and provide as much information as possible to receive instant quotes from our writers specialising in your area of research . “

Environmental Health Dissertation Topics

• Improving awareness on environmental health issues by encouraging community participation
• To identify and analyse various environmental health concerns in the health care sector
• To determine the possibility of food poisoning and foot-related illness in urban regions from the perspective of environmental health
• Constrained ordinal models with application in occupational and environmental health
• To examine the impact of secondhand smoke on public health with particular focus on the relevant control strategies
• An investigation into the attitudes of bar staff workers to environmental tobacco smoke and the varying provision of smoke-free areas within public houses
• To study and understand the impact of traffic calming procedures on local air quality
• Investigating how reusable cleaning cloths can help to reduce cross-contamination within the food industry
• Analysing older driver behaviour and road safety
• To review public health nurses’ opinions on environmental hazards and health effects
• Disposing toxic wastes from the perspective of environmental health
• Recommended sanitary hygiene practices for developing countries – A quantitative study
• A qualitative study to address arsenic and lead poisoning issues

Related:  Environmental Engineering Dissertation Topics

Also Read This:   Occupational And Environmental Health Thesis And Dissertations

Evidence-Based Practice Dissertation Topics

• To identify and discuss evidence-based practices that enable nurses to provide high-quality care
• Use of evidence and knowledge management in clinical practice
• How the health care needs of elderly cancer patients can be satisfied with evidence-based nursing programme
• Investigating the use of evidence-based medicine for disease management
• To study the effectiveness of evidence-based practice in the health care industry
• To investigate the relationship between evidence-based practice and the research process
• To study the basic principles of evidence-based practice in the UK health care industry
• Why is it critical for nurses to base the foundation of their practices on reliable evidence?
• Barriers to implementing evidence-based practice and the strategies/organisations used to avoid these barriers
• The role of ethics and leadership in evidence-based nursing practice

Order a Proposal

Worried about your dissertation proposal? Not sure where to start?

• Choose any deadline
• Plagiarism free
• Unlimited free amendments
• Free anti-plagiarism report
• Completed to match exact requirements

Health Organisations Dissertation Topics

• The Highest Attainable Standard: The World Health Organisation, Contentious Politics of Human Rights and the global health governance
• Factors contributing to efficient service delivery – A qualitative study on the implementation of health policies in Argentina
• Integrating technology, process and the people in lean healthcare
• Should World Health Organisation do more to satisfy the health care needs of people in the developing world? – The current programmes and future ambitions
• An investigation in the health care plans and associated costs of countries across the globe
• To study strategic management policies and strategies of World Health Organisation
• Investigating the power, culture, and dynamics of National Health Service in the UK
• Factors influencing the healthcare policies of new health organisations
• The extent of NHS focus on providing services to elderly
• Research trends and directions within the World Health Organisation
• Exploring practices and experiences of midwives in regards to the evaluation of maternal postnatal genital tract health
• Investigating midwifery practice in the third stage of labour
• To study the professional care in midwifery practice with a focus on woman centered-care
• To determine the factors contributing to midwives decision to stay in midwifery
• How do midwives perceive normal birth and how their ability to practice and support normality might be influenced by the professional and organisational culture of a maternity unit?
• A feminist technoscience perspective of the midwife’s role
• To investigate the challenges associated with carrying out a water-birth randomised controlled trial
• To what extend do midwives can facilitate informed choices among pregnant women?
• To identify and discuss the factors influencing the competence of midwives in a clinical setting
• The role of midwifery in relation to health risks to women due to postpartum depression

Community Nursing Dissertation Topics

• The impact of community participation on social inclusion, self-perception, and everyday lives of participants
• Quality of life, good practices, and senior citizens in residential care homes
• To investigate the impact of existing welfare ideologies and policies on the elderly in Leicestershire
• To what extent the community care has met the needs of the elderly with mental health difficulties after being discharged from long-stay psychiatric clinics? – A review of literature from the past 10 years
• Exploring the relationship between ethnicity and community nursing facilities in London
• Obesity awareness and prevention: Can food labelling help to deal with obesity problems in the USA?
• The role of community nursing practice in relation to health promotion
• Recommended practices and policies to ensure high-quality community nursing services to pregnant women
• Health care needs of children and the community nursing service in Leicestershire
• Factors affecting the quality of life of older people – A review of community nursing practices and challenges

Children Health Nursing Dissertation Topics

• Improving, recording, and perceiving school children’s health from the perspective of school health nursing
• Critical evaluation of child health nursing through education and practice
• Identifying challenges and support processes of child health nursing in developing countries
• To investigate the skills and abilities required to promote and sustain the emerging practice of child health nursing
• Leadership and intellectual skills are needed to be successful in positions of leadership and caring for children
• Caring for young people and children with complicated health needs
• To explore the effects of child patient death on nursing staff in a clinical setting: A literature review
• To understand children’s perspectives on community nursing
• To identify factors that can help to improve breastfeeding initiation practices among community nurses in the UK
• Children with congenital heart diseases and the role of parents – A literature review

Related:  Top QA on Children Health Nursing

Hire an Expert Writer

Orders completed by our expert writers are

• Formally drafted in an academic style
• Free Amendments and 100% Plagiarism Free – or your money back!
• 100% Confidential and Timely Delivery!
• Appreciated by thousands of clients. Check client reviews

Clinical Management Dissertation Topics

• Clinical governance strategies and practices at National Health Services
• Hospitalised patients with diabetes and clinical decision support systems
• Developing optimum strategies for management of patients in adult intensive care units
• Clinical management of patients with prostate cancer – The risks and challenges
• Effectively managing elderly patients in a clinical setting
• Optimal management plan for patients with post-traumatic stress issues
• Use of advanced technology tools to improve clinical management efficiency
• To study various management strategies in surgical cases

Important Notes

As a student of medicine and nursing looking to get good grades, it is essential to develop new ideas and experiment with existing medicine and nursing theories – i.e., to add value and interest in the topic of your research.

The field of medicine and nursing is vast and interrelated to so many other academic disciplines like civil engineering ,  construction ,  law ,  healthcare , mental health , artificial intelligence , tourism , physiotherapy , sociology , management , marketing, cryptocurrencies and architecture . That is why it is imperative to create a project management dissertation topic that is articular, sound, and actually solves a practical problem that may be rampant in the field.

We can’t stress how important it is to develop a logical research topic; it is the basis of your entire research. There are several significant downfalls to getting your topic wrong; your supervisor may not be interested in working on it, the topic has no academic creditability, the research may not make logical sense, and there is a possibility that the study is not viable.

This impacts your time and efforts in  writing your dissertation  as you may end up in the cycle of rejection at the very initial stage of the dissertation. That is why we recommend reviewing existing research to develop a topic, taking advice from your supervisor, and even asking for help in this particular stage of your dissertation.

While developing a research topic, keeping our advice in mind will allow you to pick one of the best medicine and nursing dissertation topics that fulfil your requirement of writing a research paper and add to the body of knowledge.

Therefore, it is recommended that when finalizing your dissertation topic, you read recently published literature to identify gaps in the research that you may help fill.

Remember- dissertation topics need to be unique, solve an identified problem, be logical, and be practically implemented. Take a look at some of our sample medicine and nursing dissertation topics to get an idea for your own dissertation.

How to Structure your Dissertation on Medicine and Nursing

A well-structured   dissertation can help students   to achieve a high overall academic grade.

• A Title Page
• Acknowledgements
• Declaration
• Abstract: A summary of the research completed
• Table of Contents
• Introduction : This chapter includes the project rationale, research background, key research aims and objectives, and the research problems to be addressed. An outline of the structure of a dissertation  can also be added to this chapter.
• Literature Review :  This chapter presents relevant theories and frameworks by analysing published and unpublished literature available on the chosen research topic, in light of  research questions  to be addressed. The purpose is to highlight and discuss the relative weaknesses and strengths of the selected research area whilst identifying any research gaps. Break down of the topic, and key terms can have a positive impact on your dissertation and your tutor.
• Methodology:  The  data collection  and  analysis  methods and techniques employed by the researcher are presented in the Methodology chapter which usually includes  research design,  research philosophy, research limitations, code of conduct, ethical consideration, data collection methods and  data analysis strategy .
• Findings and Analysis:  Findings of the research are analysed in detail under the Findings and Analysis chapter. All key findings/results are outlined in this chapter without interpreting the data or drawing any conclusions. It can be useful to include  graphs ,  charts and  tables  to this chapter to identify meaningful trends and relationships.
• Discussion  and  Conclusion: The researcher presents his interpretation of results in this chapter, and states whether the research hypothesis has been verified or not. An essential aspect of this section of the paper is to draw a linkage between the results and evidence from the literature. Recommendations with regards to implications of the findings and directions for the future may also be provided. Finally, a summary of the overall research, along with final judgments, opinions, and comments, must be included in the form of suggestions for improvement.
• References:  This should be completed in accordance with your University’s requirements
• Bibliography
• Appendices:  Any additional information, diagrams, graphs that were used to  complete the  dissertation  but not part of the dissertation should be included in the Appendices chapter. Essentially, the purpose is to expand the information/data.

About ResearchProspect Ltd

ResearchProspect is a  UK-based academic writing service that provides help with  Dissertation Proposal Writing ,  Ph.D. Proposal Writing ,  Dissertation Writing ,  Dissertation Editing and Improvement .

For further assistance with your dissertation, take a look at our full dissertation writing service .

Our team of writers is highly qualified. Our writers are experts in their respective fields. They have been working in the industry for a long time. Thus they are aware of the issues and the trends of the industry they are working in.

Find 100s of dissertation topics for other research areas.

Need more Topics.?

Free Dissertation Topic

Phone Number

Academic Level Select Academic Level Undergraduate Graduate PHD

Academic Subject

Area of Research

Frequently Asked Questions

How to find nursing dissertation topics.

To find nursing dissertation topics:

• Explore healthcare challenges.
• Investigate recent research gaps.
• Consider patient outcomes or safety.
• Analyze policy or technology impacts.
• Consult peers and professors.
• Select a topic that aligns with your passion and career aspirations.

You May Also Like

Urban planning is an essential tool in creating vibrant and healthy communities. It is the practice of balancing the needs of a society with limited resources to ensure equitable development and long-term sustainability.

Need help getting started with your dissertation? Here are some interesting MBA dissertation ideas for you to choose from.

The talent management field is advancing rapidly when it becomes easier to find talent around the world. The management of talent is a subcategory of human resources that is not specific to any particular industry.

USEFUL LINKS

LEARNING RESOURCES

COMPANY DETAILS

• How It Works

• Fitzpatrick College of Nursing /
• Academic Programs /
• Graduate Program /
• PhD in Nursing /

COMPLETED PHD DISSERTATIONS

• Aric Bunch : High Versus Low-Fidelity Ultrasound Phantoms in the Acquisition of Needle to Vascular Target Contact Skill During Simulated Central Venous Line Placement
• Jessie Reich : Medical-surgical Nurses’ and Nursing Assistants’ Attitudes and Beliefs towards Young Adult Patients with Sickle Cell Disease and their Perceptions of Barriers to Providing Quality Care to this Population
• Megan Moyer : Early Patient Mobilization in the Neurological Intensive Care Unit.
• Caroline Ortiz : Decia mi Mama: Traditional Medicine from Mexico Among Mexican Women American in the Texas Rio Grande Valley
• Gwen Hamid : The Association of Functioning, Relationship Quality and Community Reintegration to Depressive Symptoms in Miliary Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury
• Kathleen Williams : An Examination of the Relationship of Mandated Reporting to Pediatric Up-to-Date Immunization Status
• Marcia Gamaly : Comparing the effectiveness of self-directed and interactive online educational interventions to reduce obesity bias in nurses in the hospital setting
• Carol Devlin : The Relationship Between Preoperative Smoking Status and Postoperative Surgical Site Infections: A Secondary Analysis of the American College of Surgeons’ 2019 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Data
• Kimberly Hampton : Survey of Baccalaureate Nursing Faculty About Non-Clinical Transition-to-Practice Courses and Their Perceived Effectiveness
• Tanya Carmichael : Effect of an Educational Intervention on Nursing Students’ Knowledge of and Attitudes toward Caring for Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People
• Waad Ali : The Influence of Undergraduate Informatics Education on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Use
• Marin Jacobwitz : Predictors of Poor Oral Feeding in Infants with a Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Following Surgical Intervention with Cardiopulmonary Bypass
• Patricia Griffith : The Effect of Structured Reflection on Diagnostic Reasoning Competency and Accuracy of Nurse Practitioner Students Who Experience Cognitive Bias: A Mixed Methods Experimental Study
• Mary Ann Zimmer : Enhancing Communication Skills of Pre-Licensure Baccalaureate Nursing Students Through the Use of Standardized Patients in Clinical Simulation
• Melissa Bourne : Clinical Nursing Faculty Perceptions about Teaching Pre-Licensure BSN Students to Provide Care for Adults with Developmental Disability in the Clinical Setting
• Melissa Leisen : Exploration of the Learning Experiences of Undergraduate Nursing Students in Relation to the Care of Children with Special Health Care Needs in Home-Based Respite Care
• Jodi Erickson : How Older Adults Perceive the Terminology “Allow Natural Death”: A Qualitative Dissertation
• Meg Kloster : Measuring Knowledge and Behavior after an Educational Program on Air Pollution as a Health Risk Reduction Strategy
• Emily Sheff : Factors Associated with Work Engagement among Doctorally Prepared Nursing Faculty
• Joseph Vena : The Lived Experience of Young Adults with Lymphoma During Acute Survivorship
• Megan M. Walsh : The Emotional Experience of Women with Multiple Sclerosis in the Postpartum Period
• Lyn Starrs-Zorn : The Lived Experience of Civilian, Female Spouse Caregivers of Community-Dwelling U.S. Veterans Who Sustained Polytrauma Injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan
• Heiddy DiGregorio : Organizational Skill Development Using Simultaneous Multiple Patient Simulation
• Laura Klenke-Borgmann : The Effect of Interprofessional Simulations in the Classroom on Pre-Licensure, Baccalaureate Nursing Students’ Clinical Judgment Development
• Sister Jackline Mayaka : Risk Factors Associated with Low-Birth-Weight Infants Among HIV-Positive Women and Related Outcomes of HIV-Exposed Low Birth Weight Infants at 18 Months Follow-up in Western Kenya
• Claire McKinley-Yoder : The Relationships Among Individual and School Characteristics and Long-Term Educational Outcomes for Students with Disabilities
• Ginger Schroers : Interruptions During Simulated Medication Administration: An Examination of Errors and Interruption Management Strategies
• Caitlin Yeager : The Role of Nurses in Surveillance of New and Emerging Infectious Disease to Enhance Global Health Security: A Delphi Study
• Cynthia Hambach : Using Standardized Patients in Simulated Learning Experiences to Develop Clinical Judgment and Clinical Competence of Sophomore Baccalaureate Nursing Students in a Foundations in Nursing Course
• Amal Alqahtani : Workplace Incivility and Work Ethic Across Three Generations of Saudi Nurses
• Zainab Al-Maqbali : Pre-gestational Diabetes Mellitus (Type 1 & Type 2), Gestational-Diabetes, and Pre-eclampsia with Preterm Birth Among Omani Women
• Susan Moyer : Fruit and Vegetable Intake of Young Adult Millennials
• Serah Nthenge : Perinatal Experiences of Women with Physical Disabilities
• Christine Pariseault : Nurse Practitioners Experiences of Polypharmacy in Older Adults in the Primary Care Setting
• Tara Sacco : The Relationship of the Work Environment to Compassion Satisfaction and Compassion Fatigue in Critical Care Nurses  
• Mia Waldron : Relationship of Parental Health Literacy (PHL) and Perceptions of Home Discharge Readiness in NICU Parents of Black Preterm Infants 
• Lisa Aiello : Assessment of Genomic Knowledge among Nurses in an Online RN to BSN Completion Program
• Zaina Al Harmali : Nurse characteristics and perceptions about safety and error reporting in Omani hospitals
• Abdullah I. Al Salmi : Self-Management Behaviors & Quality of Life of Patents with Sickle Cell Disease
• Al Cadavero : Nurse Graduates’ Perceived Educational Needs after Experiencing the Death of a Patient
• Mandy Kirkpatrick : Development of Palliative Care Competence in Nursing Students Using Simulation
• Brittany Koons : Factors Related to Travel for Transplantation Among U.S. Kidney Transplant Candidates
• Michelle McKay : The Relationship of Frailty, Fear of Falling, and Depression with the Risk for Falls and Health-Related Quality of Life in Community-Dwelling Older Adults
• Susan Myers : Postpartum Nurses’ Perceptions of Identifying and Providing Care for Mothers at Risk for Postpartum Depression
• Jennie Ryan : Parents’ Experience Using Medical Marijuana
• Cathy Sargent : The examination of nursing students’ attitudes towards chronic pain in the older adult.
• Saira Al-Bulushi : A Pilot Study of Standardized Patient Simulation Teaching Strategies and Instruments to Assess Knowledge, Skills, and Attitude of Primary Care Nurses in Cardiovascular Risk Assessment
• Khamis Al-Mamari : Omani Nurses’ Attitudes Towards Clients with Mental Illness in General and Psychiatric Hospitals in Oman
• Faith Atte : Factors Related to Caregiver Burden in Family Members of Military Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury
• Adaorah Azotam : The Intention of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses to Report Child Maltreatment
• Susan Birkhoff : Examining the Usability and Acceptability of a Patient-Centered Mobile Health Tracking App for Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy for Cancer Treatment
• Deborah Byrne : Evaluating the Level of Cultural Competence in Undergraduate Nursing Students Using Standardized Patients in Simulation
• Michael Cont i: A Descriptive Study Exploring the Perceptions of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists about Collaboration with Physician Anesthesiologists
• Becky Coyle-Mueller : Family Nurse Practitioners’ Use of mHealth Apps for Health Promotion with Patients
• Patricia Gellasch : The Developmental Screening Behaviors, Skills, Facilitators and Constraints of Family Nurse Practitioners in Primary Care
• Stacy Hohenleitner : New Nursing Graduates’ Perceptions of Support
• Amanda Jenkinson : The Relationships Among Inner Strength, Depression, and Time Since Diagnosis to Quality of Life and Health Promoting Behaviors in Female Cancer Survivors
• Sue Lynch : The Lived Experience of Newly Qualified Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) Who Have Transitioned to the Hospital Operating Room Surgical Setting: A Phenomenological Perspective
• Carlene McLaughlin : The Effect of Debriefing with Good Judgment on Nurse Anesthesia Students’ Critical Event Recognition, Response, and Treatment
• Jacquelyn McMillion-Bohler : Nurse Educators’ Perceptions of the Characteristics and Behaviors of Master Teachers in Nursing
• Kathleen Monforto : A Comparison of Outcomes in Patients with Common Pediatric Diagnoses Admitted on Weekends to Those Admitted on Weekdays
• Hanan Saca-Hazboun : Knowledge and Health Beliefs about Breast Cancer Screening among Rural Palestinian Women: A Pilot Study
• Jenna Thate : Leveraging Documentation in the Electronic Health Record to Support Interprofessional Communication: A Delphi Study 
• Susan Vacca : Patient Delivered and Expedited Partner Therapy for Chlamydia Trachomatis among Adolescent Females Using School Based Health Centers  
• Eilleen Feehan Choi : Development and Analysis of the Sodium Knowledge and Skills Index for Heart Failure (SKASI-HF)
• Katie Hooven : Development and Testing of the Collaboration in the Clinical Learning Environment (CCLE) Tool
• Christina Lam : Nurse Faculty Members' Experiences Teaching Chronic Illness Self-Management Concepts: An Exploration Study
• Patricia Ann Oertwich : Emotional Intelligence as a Component of Leadership Development in Traditional Undergraduate BSN Students
• Kelly Reilly : The Use of Simulation in Transformational Leadership Development in the Nurse Manager Role
• Robin Weingarten Wood : Workplace Bullying Between Registered Nurses: Occurrence and Perceived Effects on Work Productivity
• Christina Whitehouse : From Hospital to Home: Aiding in Patient Transitions Through Education for Obese Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
• Lisa Broughton : An Examination of the Relationship among Nurses’ Work Environment, Nurses’ Education Level and Patient Outcomes
• Karen Goldschmidt : Perspective Transformation and Professional Values of Students Enrolled in an Online RN-to-BSN Degree Completion Program
• Jana Goodwin : The Lived Experience of non-English and limited English speaking Hispanic persons associated with a past inpatient hospitalization in the United States: A phenomenological study
• Carey Heck : A Study of Moral Distress in Novice and Experienced Nurses
• Virginia Jones : Perception of Graduates from Online Accelerated Pre-Licensure Second-Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs on Quality of Educational Experience and Readiness for Clinical Practice
• Danielle Kohler : Assessment of Nurse Faculty’s Acceptance and Intent to Use Social Media Using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 Model
• James Mendez : The Role of Perceived Social Support in the Transition to Life after Lung Transplantation
• Maria Van Pelt : The Aftermath of Perioperative Catastrophe: A National Study of Nurse Anesthetists
• Nancy Wise : Nutritional Knowledge, Healthy Eating Behaviors and Personal Self-Efficaciy in Pregnant Adolescents
• Sherry Burrell : Exploring Symptom Clusters and Quality of Life in Individuals Undergoing Surgery for Pancreatic Cancer
• Jaqueline Meyer : Part-time Baccalaureate Clinical Nursing Faculty in U.S. Schools of Nursing: Factors Related to Work Engagement, Organizational Commitment and Job Satisfaction
• Nada Al Moosa : A Quality Study of Change: Implementing Quality Assurance and Continuous Quality Improvement in Health Profession Education during a Period of Transition
• Raja Jadelhack : Assessment of a Patient Satisfaction Survey and its Relationship to Hospital Sector and Nurses’ Level of Education in One Region in Saudi Arabia
• Amanda Klockars-McMulle : Development and Psychometric Evaluation of the Somatic Awareness Scale of Women with Spontaneous Preterm Labor
• Majed Alamri : Motivational Factors and Barriers Related to Saudi Arabian Nurses’ Pursuit of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree
• Hilal Alrahbi : Diabetes Self-Management (DSM) in Omanis with Type-2 Diabetes
• Terri Ares : The Professional Socialization of Students in Clinical Nurse Specialist Programs
• Ann Fronczek : The Lived Experience of the Primary Family Caregiver of a Person with Head and Neck Cancer
• Karen May : Assessing Faculty Knowledge of Disability-Related Law and Providing Academic Accommodation
• JoAnn Platko : Nursing Students’ Beliefs and Attitudes Regarding Pain Management Knowledge Across Educational Levels
• Michele Damas Smith : Utilization of Secondary Preventive Screenings (HIV, Blood Pressure and Cholesterol) Among African-American Men in Comparison to Non-Hispanic Caucasian Men
• Amy Weaver : The Effect of a Model Demonstration During Debriefing on Students’ Clinical Judgment, Self-Confidence, and Satisfaction During a Simulated Learning Experience
• Pennie Sessler Branden : The Nurse as Advocate: A Grounded Theory Perspective
• Margaret Hattori-Uchima : Chuukese Migrant Women in Guam: Perceptions of Barriers to Health Care
• Michelle Kelly : Life After Prematurity:  Special Health Care Needs, Working Memory, and Health-related Quality of Life Among 9- to 11-year old Children Born Prematurely
• Catherine Morse : The Effect of Debriefing with Good Judgment on Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Students' Reflective Ability and Perspective Transformation.
• Lisa Thiemann : Nonsurgical Pain Management Infection Prevention Competencies
• Teresa Conte : Pediatric Oncology Nurses’ Lived Experiences of Loss and Grief
• Anne Fink : Primiparous Puerto Rican Women’s Self-Reports of Postpartum Infant and Self-Care Knowledge Acquisition
• Janet Fogg : The Experience of Parenting for Single, Unpartnered Mothers of Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
• Suzanne Foley : The First Months at Home: The Perceived Needs of an American Sample of Postpartum Women
• Catherine Heilferty : The Balance We Seek:  A Sequential Narrative Analysis of Childhood Cancer Blogs
• Stephanie Jeffers : Nurse Faculty Perceptions of End-of-Life Education in the Clinical Setting:  A Phenomenological Perspective
• Kelly Kuhns : Nursing Faculty Members' Use of Web 2.0 Technology and Perceptions of Importance of Online Faculty Presence
• Jennifer Gunberg Ross : The Effect of Simulation Training on Baccalaureate Nursing Students’ Competency in Performing Intramuscular Injection
• Joanne Schwartz : A Cross-Sectional Study Comparing Graduates of an Accelerated Second-Degree Baccalaureate Nursing Program and Graduates of a Traditional Baccalaureate Nursing Program in Demographics, Nursing Professional Development and Nursing Career Satisfaction
• Jodie Szlachta : The Effect of a Peer-Instruction Model in Nurse Anesthesia Student Learning in the High Fidelity Patient Simulator
• Ruth Crothers : The Development of Organized Continuing Education for Registered Nurses in the United States 1957-1974: Challenge for a Maturing Profession
• Elizabeth M. Romeo : The Predictive Ability of Critical Thinking, Nursing GPA and SAT Scores on First-Time NCLEX-RN® Performance
• Cynthia Rubenstein : Assessing and Improving Child Feeding Practices through "Take Charge of Your Family’s Health"
• Lorraine Rusch : Exploring Clinical Reason and Decision Making in Nursing Students.
• Jennifer Specht : Use of Mentoring to Ease Role Conflict and Role Ambiguity in Neophyte Nursing Faculty.
• Tamara M. Kear : An Investigation of Transformative Learning Experiences during Associate Degree Nursing Education Using Narrative Methods
• Bonnie Baloga-Altieri : Comparison of Staff Nurse Perceptions of Nurse Executive and Nurse Manager Leadership in Magnet and non-Magnet Hospitals
• Catherine Lovecchio :   On-Line Alcohol Education: Impact on Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors of First-Year College Students
• Ruth McDermott-Levy : The Lived Experience of Female Arab-Muslim Nurses Studying in the United States
• Amy McKeever :   Female College Students’ Self-Reported Behavioral Change After an Educational Intervention to Reduce Behaviors Associated with Cervical Cancer Risk
• Ann T. Vitale : Nurses’ Lived Experience of Reiki for Self-Care

EXPLORE PhD IN NURSING

Featured dissertations, testimonials, alumni spotlights, completed phd dissertations, dissertation chair eligibility, international students, course catalog, phd handbook.

• Practice Test
• Fundamentals of Nursing
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Medical and Surgical Nursing
• Perioperative Nursing
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
• Maternal & Child Nursing
• Community Health Nursing
• Pathophysiology
• Nursing Research
• Study Guide and Strategies
• Nursing Videos
• Work for Us!
• Privacy Policy

• Nursing Notes

200+ Great Ideas of Nursing Research Topics to Get Started

Running out of topic ideas for your nursing research paper?

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

What are Some Cool topics to Research?

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

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

1. Primary Healthcare Nursing Research Topics

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

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

2. Good Research Topics in Healthcare Management

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

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

3. Nursing Research Topics about Pain Management

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

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

4. Pediatric Nursing Research Topics

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

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

What are the Current issues in Nursing?

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

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

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

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

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

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

1. Research topic ideas for Midwifery Nursing

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

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

2. Health Promotion Research Topics

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

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

3. Adult Research Topics for Nursing Students

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

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

4. Geriatric Care Nursing Journal Topics

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

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

What are the recent nursing research paper topics?

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

1. Women’s Health Nursing Research Topics

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

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

2. Mental Health Nursing Research Articles Topics

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

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

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

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

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

Academic Writing Service: Work Directly With the Experts

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

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

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

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

Final Thoughts

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

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

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

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

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Evidence-based practice in nursing: beyond the scientific proof of care, nursing research definition: the importance and nurses roles.

It’s was very helpful for me

Disparities in enumeration of staff nurses in developing countries are not researched on.

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Help & FAQ

Dissertation Topics in Nursing

• School of Nursing

Research output : Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Background: Few quantitative studies have documented the types of research topics most commonly employed by nursing PhD students and whether they differ by program delivery (in-person vs. online/hybrid programs). Objectives: We examined a large set of publicly available PhD dissertation abstracts to (a) describe the relative prevalence of different research topics and methods and (b) test whether the primary topics and methods used differed between online or hybrid and in-person PhD programs. A secondary goal was to introduce the reader to modern text-mining approaches to generate insights from a document corpus. Methods: Our database consisted of 2,027 dissertation abstracts published between 2015 and 2019. We used a structural topic modeling text-mining approach to explore PhD students’ research topics and methods in United States-based doctoral nursing programs. Results: We identified 24 different research topics representing a wide range of research activities. Most of the research topics identified did not differ in prevalence between online/hybrid and in-person programs. However, online/hybrid programs were more likely to engage students in research focused on nursing education, professional development, work environment, simulation, and qualitative analysis. Pediatrics, sleep science, older adults and aging, and chronic disease management were more prevalent topics in in-person-only programs. Discussion: The range of topics identified highlights the breadth of research nursing PhD students’ conduct. Both in-person and online/hybrid programs offer a range of research opportunities, although we did observe some differences in topic prevalence. These differences could be due to the nature of some types of research (e.g., research that requires an in-person presence) or differences in research intensity between programs (e.g., amount of grant funding or proximity to a medical center). Future research should explore why research topic prevalence may vary by program delivery. We hope that this text-mining application serves as an illustrative example for researchers considering how to draw inferences from large sets of text documents. We are particularly interested in seeing future work that might combine traditional qualitative approaches and large-scale text mining to leverage the advantages of each.

• doctoral education
• nursing science
• text mining

ASJC Scopus subject areas

• General Nursing

Access to Document

• 10.1097/NNR.0000000000000604

Other files and links

• Link to publication in Scopus
• Link to the citations in Scopus

Fingerprint

• Nursing Medicine & Life Sciences 100%
• Data Mining Medicine & Life Sciences 44%
• Nursing Students Medicine & Life Sciences 21%
• Students Medicine & Life Sciences 12%
• Nursing Education Medicine & Life Sciences 11%
• Organized Financing Medicine & Life Sciences 10%
• Disease Management Medicine & Life Sciences 9%
• Sleep Medicine & Life Sciences 7%

T1 - Dissertation Topics in Nursing

AU - Dieckmann, Nathan F.

AU - Stoyles, Sydnee A.

AU - Aebischer, Jonathan H.

AU - Olvera-Alvarez, Hector A.

N1 - Publisher Copyright: Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

PY - 2022/9/1

Y1 - 2022/9/1

N2 - Background: Few quantitative studies have documented the types of research topics most commonly employed by nursing PhD students and whether they differ by program delivery (in-person vs. online/hybrid programs). Objectives: We examined a large set of publicly available PhD dissertation abstracts to (a) describe the relative prevalence of different research topics and methods and (b) test whether the primary topics and methods used differed between online or hybrid and in-person PhD programs. A secondary goal was to introduce the reader to modern text-mining approaches to generate insights from a document corpus. Methods: Our database consisted of 2,027 dissertation abstracts published between 2015 and 2019. We used a structural topic modeling text-mining approach to explore PhD students’ research topics and methods in United States-based doctoral nursing programs. Results: We identified 24 different research topics representing a wide range of research activities. Most of the research topics identified did not differ in prevalence between online/hybrid and in-person programs. However, online/hybrid programs were more likely to engage students in research focused on nursing education, professional development, work environment, simulation, and qualitative analysis. Pediatrics, sleep science, older adults and aging, and chronic disease management were more prevalent topics in in-person-only programs. Discussion: The range of topics identified highlights the breadth of research nursing PhD students’ conduct. Both in-person and online/hybrid programs offer a range of research opportunities, although we did observe some differences in topic prevalence. These differences could be due to the nature of some types of research (e.g., research that requires an in-person presence) or differences in research intensity between programs (e.g., amount of grant funding or proximity to a medical center). Future research should explore why research topic prevalence may vary by program delivery. We hope that this text-mining application serves as an illustrative example for researchers considering how to draw inferences from large sets of text documents. We are particularly interested in seeing future work that might combine traditional qualitative approaches and large-scale text mining to leverage the advantages of each.

AB - Background: Few quantitative studies have documented the types of research topics most commonly employed by nursing PhD students and whether they differ by program delivery (in-person vs. online/hybrid programs). Objectives: We examined a large set of publicly available PhD dissertation abstracts to (a) describe the relative prevalence of different research topics and methods and (b) test whether the primary topics and methods used differed between online or hybrid and in-person PhD programs. A secondary goal was to introduce the reader to modern text-mining approaches to generate insights from a document corpus. Methods: Our database consisted of 2,027 dissertation abstracts published between 2015 and 2019. We used a structural topic modeling text-mining approach to explore PhD students’ research topics and methods in United States-based doctoral nursing programs. Results: We identified 24 different research topics representing a wide range of research activities. Most of the research topics identified did not differ in prevalence between online/hybrid and in-person programs. However, online/hybrid programs were more likely to engage students in research focused on nursing education, professional development, work environment, simulation, and qualitative analysis. Pediatrics, sleep science, older adults and aging, and chronic disease management were more prevalent topics in in-person-only programs. Discussion: The range of topics identified highlights the breadth of research nursing PhD students’ conduct. Both in-person and online/hybrid programs offer a range of research opportunities, although we did observe some differences in topic prevalence. These differences could be due to the nature of some types of research (e.g., research that requires an in-person presence) or differences in research intensity between programs (e.g., amount of grant funding or proximity to a medical center). Future research should explore why research topic prevalence may vary by program delivery. We hope that this text-mining application serves as an illustrative example for researchers considering how to draw inferences from large sets of text documents. We are particularly interested in seeing future work that might combine traditional qualitative approaches and large-scale text mining to leverage the advantages of each.

KW - doctoral education

KW - nursing science

KW - text mining

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85137124998&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85137124998&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1097/NNR.0000000000000604

DO - 10.1097/NNR.0000000000000604

M3 - Article

C2 - 35583448

AN - SCOPUS:85137124998

SN - 0029-6562

JO - Nursing research

JF - Nursing research

• Precepting at YSN
• Event Calendar

Focus on Clinical Research

The ysn phd program prepares intellectual leaders who can contribute to the development of nursing science through their theoretical, substantive, and methodological knowledge and skills..

Students bring to doctoral study unique combinations of experiences, knowledge, and abilities that serve as the basis for developing programs of study congruent with the curriculum, but individualized to allow gaining in-depth knowledge of a particular content area. Each incoming PhD student is paired with a faculty advisor whose area of expertise and active research most closely matches with the student’s scholarly interest (content and method).

The faculty strive to establish a learning environment that provides the opportunity for interchange between students and faculty that fosters individual growth, collegial relationships, and the pursuit of knowledge.  Both faculty and students have a commitment to the development of nursing science through empirical work.  

The YSN PhD program is a full-time in residence program that includes formal coursework, seminars, research assistantships, teaching fellowships, advisement, informal faculty and student interactions, and original dissertation research. 

All required coursework is completed in the first 2 years of the program. Particular emphasis is placed on knowledge development that is consistent with the mission of YSN  “better health for all” and contributes to increasing healthy life spans, reducing health inequities, improving the quality of health care, and shaping health policy.  Coursework includes required core courses and 4 cognates. The plan of study is listed below:

Fall Semester          

NURS 901  Quantitative Methods for Health Research

NURS 908  Synthesis of  Knowledge and Skills for Nursing Science  

NURS 912  Knowledge Development for Nursing Science    

EPH 505a   Biostatistics in Public Health I

Spring Semester          

NURS 902  Qualitative Methods for Health Research

NURS 909  Nurse Scientists and Grant Writing

NURS 913  Chronic Conditions: Risk Factors, Prevention and Management of Adverse Outcomes

EPH 505b   Biostatistics in Public Health II

NURS 929   Responsible Conduct of Research

Fall Semester          

NURS 903  Measurement of Biobehavioral Phenomena

NURS 905  Intervention Development and Introduction to Implementation Science

NURS 906  Dissertation Seminar 

BIS 633a    Population and Public Health Informatics

NURS 904  Mixed Methods Research

NURS 907  Dissertation Seminar

CDE 534    Applied Analytic Methods in Epidemiology or STAT 660 Multivariate Statistics

Summer Intensive (June)

NURS 985 Achieving Population Health Equity

  NURS 906/907  Dissertation Seminar  Fall and Spring semesters

Conduct of dissertation research

NURS 906/907  Dissertation Seminar  Fall and Spring semesters

Completion and Defense of dissertation research

Completion of all core courses and four cognates in the student’s area of specialization (including one advanced analysis course) is required.  Successful completion of dissertation seminar (N906/907) years 2-4 or until dissertation is complete and successfully defended, is also required.

Potential Cognate Courses Categorized by Area of Specialization and Content

Research assistantship.

During the first two calendar years of the program, students are Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs) with faculty mentors and participate in the mentor’s ongoing research. The purpose of the experience is to enhance the research training of doctoral students through participation in on-going research of faculty. GRA work includes a 15 hour per week commitment and may consist of library work, recruitment, data entry and analysis, data collection, preparation of IRB applications, grant proposal writing, abstract preparation, poster development, and manuscript preparation.  All of these activities are essential tools of the researcher and are viewed as an important aspect of doctoral education.  

Teaching Fellowship

Yale’s Teaching Fellow Program is designed to provide an excellent pedagogical apprenticeship experience for graduate students.  Teaching Fellowships provide students with the opportunity to develop teaching skills through active participation in the teaching of courses and through access to the resources of the Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning.  Two terms of a Teaching Fellowship are required.  Typically, Teaching Fellowships are completed during the third year of doctoral study after required courses have been completed.  YSN Teaching Fellows usually participate in teaching master’s level courses such as research methods, health assessment, pharmacology, clinical management courses, and contexts of care.  Students are highly recommended to complete a Certificate of College Teaching Preparation (CCTP) through the Graduate School.  

Dissertation Topics in Nursing

• PMID: 35583448
• DOI: 10.1097/NNR.0000000000000604

Background: Few quantitative studies have documented the types of research topics most commonly employed by nursing PhD students and whether they differ by program delivery (in-person vs. online/hybrid programs).

Objectives: We examined a large set of publicly available PhD dissertation abstracts to (a) describe the relative prevalence of different research topics and methods and (b) test whether the primary topics and methods used differed between online or hybrid and in-person PhD programs. A secondary goal was to introduce the reader to modern text-mining approaches to generate insights from a document corpus.

Methods: Our database consisted of 2,027 dissertation abstracts published between 2015 and 2019. We used a structural topic modeling text-mining approach to explore PhD students' research topics and methods in United States-based doctoral nursing programs.

Results: We identified 24 different research topics representing a wide range of research activities. Most of the research topics identified did not differ in prevalence between online/hybrid and in-person programs. However, online/hybrid programs were more likely to engage students in research focused on nursing education, professional development, work environment, simulation, and qualitative analysis. Pediatrics, sleep science, older adults and aging, and chronic disease management were more prevalent topics in in-person-only programs.

Discussion: The range of topics identified highlights the breadth of research nursing PhD students' conduct. Both in-person and online/hybrid programs offer a range of research opportunities, although we did observe some differences in topic prevalence. These differences could be due to the nature of some types of research (e.g., research that requires an in-person presence) or differences in research intensity between programs (e.g., amount of grant funding or proximity to a medical center). Future research should explore why research topic prevalence may vary by program delivery. We hope that this text-mining application serves as an illustrative example for researchers considering how to draw inferences from large sets of text documents. We are particularly interested in seeing future work that might combine traditional qualitative approaches and large-scale text mining to leverage the advantages of each.

Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

• Education, Nursing*
• Education, Nursing, Graduate*
• Publications
• Research Personnel
• Students, Nursing*
• United States

• Member Benefits
• Communities
• Grants and Scholarships
• Student Nurse Resources
• Member Directory
• Course Login
• Professional Development
• Institutions Hub
• ONS Course Catalog
• ONS Book Catalog
• ONS Oncology Nurse Orientation Program™
• Account Settings
• Help Center
• Print Membership Card
• Print NCPD Certificate
• Verify Cardholder or Certificate Status

• Trouble finding what you need?
• Check our search tips.

• Oncology Nursing Forum
• Number 2 / March 2016

The Research Doctorate in Nursing: The PhD

When nurses are considering an advanced degree beyond the master’s level of educational preparation, a number of considerations may direct the decision-making process. The doctorate of philosophy (PhD) in nursing is a research degree that will well serve nurses who have the desire to apply theory and develop formal programs of research, become faculty of nursing, combine clinical practice with formal research, and advance through professional leadership in the ranks of hospitals and health systems organizations.

Jump to a section

The research-focused doctorate in nursing prepares nurse scientists to lead the field and to advance the science of nursing. In addition to conducting independent research and developing their own programs of research, nurse scientists will also likely work in multidisciplinary and interprofessional teams to achieve broad research outcomes. They design and conduct studies to answer certain aims. These aims can be in response to theoretical questions, as well as to questions that derive from clinical practice or focus on individual, group, or population characteristics and behaviors—to name only a few prompts for inquiry. The findings of the inquiry are disseminated through scholarly publication and presentation, are likely to prompt additional research, and will ultimately inform an evidence base for practice, policy, and advocacy.

Historically, before doctoral degrees in nursing were available, nurses who pursued doctoral degrees did so in fields related to nursing (e.g., health education, public health, psychology, economics). However, the first doctorate that was available to nurses was established in 1924. This was the doctor of education (EdD) degree, awarded by the Teachers College of Columbia University in New York, New York. The EdD degree continues to this day, and it is a research-focused doctorate with an emphasis on education.

PhD programs in nursing began toward the end of the 20th century. However, in the 1970s, Boston University began the doctor of nursing science (DNS) degree. Further complicating the matter, Margaret Newman of New York University later promoted a purely practice-focused nursing doctorate (ND) (Schneckel, 2009). The first of these ND programs was offered in 1979 by Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio (Reid Ponte & Nicholas, 2015).

The intent of the DNS or DNSc degree was to combine research with clinical practice rather than research with theory development and application (Loomis, Willard, & Cohen, 2006). Ultimately, the DNSc degree was considered to be equivalent to the PhD degree. The curricula, program design and expectations, and dissertation and research requirements were nearly the same across programs. For that reason, many colleges and universities have changed their DNSc programs to PhD programs, and many have allowed recipients of the DNSc degree to convert those degrees into PhDs. At the close of the 20th century, the vast majority of research-focused doctoral programs were PhD programs (79%), with the remaining shared among DNSc, DNS, or DSN programs (17%) and ND programs (5%) (American Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN], 2001). As of 2013, the most recent year for which data are available, 132 research-focused doctoral programs, with 5,145 enrolled students, existed in the United States (AACN, 2014).

As of fall 2014, 81 U.S. colleges and universities also offer baccalaureate to research-focused doctoral programs (AACN Research and Data Services, 2015). These programs, designed for those who hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing, do not confer a master’s degree. Instead, they combine master’s and doctoral level course content, culminating in a PhD degree in nursing. Completion of these programs typically requires 85–90 hours of course and dissertation work.

Program Considerations

Nurses should commence the decision-making process by considering their professional goals, among other issues (see Figure 1). They should also search online for PhD programs in nursing, pull up the program web pages for several schools, and take a careful look. Many pages will include the program’s curriculum or a sample course of study. For programs that have specific foci of research, the program home page likely will offer details about research topics of interest and current work. In addition, faculty profiles will often provide details about each professor’s particular research interests, current work, grant funding, and publications. Programs will typically have coordinators and faculty contacts with whom potential students can talk. Many programs will have similar curricula (see Figure 2). Interested nurses should also seek out PhD-prepared nurses in their organizations and professional circles for their advice, guidance, and mentorship. Like most aspects of a nursing career, the opportunities for education are many, and the research-focused doctorate in nursing may lead nurses in directions they cannot begin to imagine.

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"21871","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"524","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"504"}}]]

Educational Technology

All research-focused doctoral programs will use some elements of technology (e.g., message boards, interactive whiteboards, chat rooms, email, computers). However, some programs are delivered entirely online. Much or all of this content may be asynchronous and computer-based learning. This approach and type of learning requires that students be disciplined, focused individuals who can commit to computer-based learning without significant human interaction.

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"21876","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"399","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"247"}}]]

Some schools have leveraged advanced technologies to deliver real-time classroom experiences via live teleconferencing and the use of program sharing via web-based systems. These programs are synchronous and bring together a cohort of students with like interests. This style of presentation and learning, in which learning involves live engagement with faculty and other students either in person or via videoconferencing technology, is many times more engaging than that which is asynchronous and the student is alone with only non-live, computer-based interaction. The College of Nursing at the University of Utah offers one example of a research-focused doctoral degree program that has delivered its content successfully via these methods. Several of the cohorts have been oncology focused.

The pursuit of a research-focused doctoral degree is intensive, rewarding, sometimes challenging, and always self-revelatory. Imagine the changes that can occur during the span of four to six years. Now, imagine those changes with the added context of experience and growth in a particular field of inquiry; exposure to the minds, works, and support of faculty, advisers, and dissertation chairs and members; and the shared learning with peer students. Picture the networks that will be built, the collaborations that will be fostered, and the body of work that will be produced and contribute to the science of nursing. Earning a research-focused doctorate in nursing is an amazing experience that will consistently inform the personal lives, interpersonal relationships, and the professional journeys and achievements of those who pursue it.

American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2001). Indicators of quality in research-focused doctoral programs in nursing. Retrieved from http://bit.ly/20tdKF7

American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2014). Annual report 2014: Building a framework for the future. Retrieved from http://bit.ly/1VQKilS

American Association of Colleges of Nursing Research and Data Services. (2015). Schools offering baccalaureate to research-focused doctoral programs, fall 2014 (N = 81). Retrieved from http://bit.ly/1nPAaiL

Loomis, J.A., Willard, B., & Cohen, J. (2006). Difficult professional choices: Deciding between the PhD and the DNP in nursing. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 12, 6.

Reid Ponte, P., & Nicholas, P.K. (2015). Addressing the confusion related to DNS, DNSc, and DSN degrees, with lessons for the nursing profession. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 47, 347–353. doi:10.1111/jnu.12148

Schneckel, M. (2009). Nursing education: Past, present, future. In G. Roux & J.A. Halstead (Eds.), Issues and trends in nursing: Essential knowledge for today and tomorrow (pp. 27–62). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.

About the Author(s)

Rice is the director of Professional Practice and Education at City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, CA. No financial relationships to disclose. Rice can be reached at [email protected] , with copy to editor at [email protected] .

Related Articles

Empowering oncology nurses to lead change through a shared governance project, a clinical librarian–nursing partnership to bridge clinical practice and research in an oncology setting, the value of mentoring in nursing: an honor and a gift.

List of 350 Brilliant Nursing Research Topics to Investigate in 2024

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

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

Process of Nursing Research

350 interesting nursing research topics.

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

Primary Care Research Topics

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

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

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

Research Topics in Public Health

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

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

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

Emergency Nursing Research Topics

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

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

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

Midwifery Research Topics

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

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

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

Neonatal Nursing Research Topics

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

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

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

Pediatric Nursing Research Topics

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

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

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

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

Nutrition Research Topics for College Students

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

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

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

Mental Health Nursing Research Topics

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

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

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

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

Healthcare Management Research Topics

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

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

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

Medical Ethics Research Paper Topics

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

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

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

Nursing Leadership Paper Topics

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

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

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

Easy Topics for Nursing Qualitative and Quantitative Research

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

Qualitative vs. Quantitative Nursing Research

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

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

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

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

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

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

Qualitative Nursing Research Topics

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

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

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

Quantitative Nursing Research Topics

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

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

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

How to choose a Nursing Research Topic?

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

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

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

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

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

❓ What Is Translational Research in Nursing?

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

❓ What Is an Example of a Clinical Question?

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

❓ How to Determine Level of Evidence in Nursing Research?

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

❓ What Are Some Controversial Issues in Nursing?

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

📎 References:

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

You might also like

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].

• USF Research
• USF Libraries

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

Nursing Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2023 2023.

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

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

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

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

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

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

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

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

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

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

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

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

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

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

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

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

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

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

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

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

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

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

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

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

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

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

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

Theses/Dissertations from 2011 2011

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Theses/Dissertations from 2010 2010

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Theses/Dissertations from 2009 2009

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

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

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

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

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

Predictors of cancer caregiver depression symptomatology , Henry R. Rivera

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

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

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

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

Theses/Dissertations from 2008 2008

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Theses/Dissertations from 2007 2007

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

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

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

Advanced Search

• Email Notifications and RSS
• All Collections
• USF Faculty Publications
• Open Access Journals
• Conferences and Events
• Theses and Dissertations
• Textbooks Collection

Useful Links

• College of Nursing Homepage
• Rights Information
• SelectedWorks
• Submit Research

Home | About | Help | My Account | Accessibility Statement | Language and Diversity Statements

Privacy Copyright

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

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

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

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

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

___________________

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

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

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

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

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

CREATING A SHARED AGENDA

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

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

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

Specific actions should include the following:

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

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

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

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

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

SUPPORTING NURSES TO ADVANCE HEALTH EQUITY

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

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

This can be accomplished through the following actions:

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

PROMOTING NURSES’ HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

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

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

This can be accomplished by taking the following steps:

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

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

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

CAPITALIZING ON NURSES’ POTENTIAL

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

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

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

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

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

PAYING FOR NURSING CARE

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

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

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

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

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

Specific payment reforms should include the following:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

STRENGTHENING NURSING EDUCATION

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

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

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

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

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

Accreditors should take the following actions:

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

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

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

Continuing education providers should take the following action:

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

PREPARING NURSES TO RESPOND TO DISASTERS AND PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES

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

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

To this end, the following steps should be taken:

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

BUILDING THE EVIDENCE BASE

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

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

These efforts should be focused on the following actions:

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

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

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

FINAL THOUGHTS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

READ FREE ONLINE

Welcome to OpenBook!

You're looking at OpenBook, NAP.edu's online reading room since 1999. Based on feedback from you, our users, we've made some improvements that make it easier than ever to read thousands of publications on our website.

Do you want to take a quick tour of the OpenBook's features?

Show this book's table of contents , where you can jump to any chapter by name.

...or use these buttons to go back to the previous chapter or skip to the next one.

Jump up to the previous page or down to the next one. Also, you can type in a page number and press Enter to go directly to that page in the book.

Switch between the Original Pages , where you can read the report as it appeared in print, and Text Pages for the web version, where you can highlight and search the text.

To search the entire text of this book, type in your search term here and press Enter .

Share a link to this book page on your preferred social network or via email.

View our suggested citation for this chapter.

Ready to take your reading offline? Click here to buy this book in print or download it as a free PDF, if available.

Get Email Updates

Do you enjoy reading reports from the Academies online for free ? Sign up for email notifications and we'll let you know about new publications in your areas of interest when they're released.

An official website of the United States government

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

• Publications
• Account settings

Preview improvements coming to the PMC website in October 2024. Learn More or Try it out now .

• Advanced Search
• Journal List
• HHS Author Manuscripts

PhD Programs and the Advancement of Nursing Science

Paule v. joseph.

1 Sensory Science & Metabolism Unit, Biobehavioral Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Nursing Research

Linda McCauley

2 Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University

Therese S. Richmond

3 Biobehavioral Health Sciences Department, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania

Nurses are well-positioned to be groundbreaking researchers, scientists, leaders, and innovators to improve the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Nurse scientists are needed to contribute to scientific discoveries that inform effective strategies to improve patient care and outcomes and to inform future policies. Thoughtful consideration is required about the preparation of nurse scientists to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and skill sets to meet the needs of society. Evolving health needs and priority areas of inquiry along with an ever-increasing array of sophisticated methodologies and centrality of interdisciplinary teams to solve complex problems should drive how we prepare PhD students. This paper reflects a panel and subsequent dialogue with nurse leaders at the PhD summit held at the University of Pennsylvania in October, 2019. Three aspects of PhD education and the advancement of nursing science are discussed 1) examining important elements to support nurse scientist development; 2) identifying key gaps in science that the discipline needs to address in educating the next generation of nurse scientists; and 3) preparing nurse scientists for the competitive funding environment.

Preparation of future nurse scientists in PhD programs is a high priority in order to meet the needs of individuals, families, communities, and society. We must carefully consider the preparation of PhD students as future nurse scientists in light of the fact that health and well-being are increasingly affected by the intricate interplay of biology, behavior, and environments; expanding technologic innovations; availability of electronic data from diverse sources; and the complexity of systems in which health care is provided ( Bauer & Kirchner, 2020 ; Corwin, Redeker, Richmond, Docherty, & Pickler, 2019 ). This is one in a series of papers that represents the deliberations of nurse leaders and scientists participating in an invitational summit Re-envisioning Research Focused PHD Programs of the Future , held at the University of Pennsylvania on October 11, 2019. Representatives from the top 10 Schools of Nursing in NIH funding, leaders from professional organization and funding agencies and leaders from Latin American and the Caribbean involved in PhD education attended( Fairman, Giordano, McCauley, & Villarruel, In press ).

This paper represents the reflections of three panelists who were asked to respond to the framing topic and question: “Discuss PhD programs and the advancement of nursing science. What is needed to support new graduates to be successful?”. Panelists were asked to be critical, forward-thinking, and provocative – to challenge perceived norms - in order to stimulate new ways of thinking. This paper is informed by a fourth panelist and the dialogue between the panel and the audience. The audience consisted or 77 participants from 41 educational, governmental, professional and philanthropic institutions. We reflect on three aspects in addressing future trends and needs in preparing nurse scientists 1) examining important elements to support nurse scientist development; 2) identifying key gaps in science that the discipline needs to address in educating the next generation of nurse scientists; and 3) preparing nurse scientists for the competitive funding environment.

Nurse Scientist Development: Is there a secret formula?

“Every failure is a step to success. Every detection of what is false directs us towards what is true: every trial exhaust some tempting form of error. Not only so; but scarcely any attempt is entirely a failure; scarcely any theory, the result of steady thought, is altogether false; no tempting form of Error is without some latent charm derived from Truth.” --W. Whewell

Worldwide, nurses make up the largest proportion of health care professionals and serve as the backbone of health care systems ( Kurtzman, Dawson, Johnson, & Sheingold, 2010 ). A research career in nursing is intellectually exciting and essential to develop new knowledge to improve health outcomes. PhD programs are designed to rigorously provide theoretical, methodological, and content expertise. However, in our opinion, nursing PhD programs often lack training or reserve time for discussing career meta-advice and normalizing failure throughout the scientific journey. It is critical that nursing PhD programs integrate resources, beyond how to obtain funding and publications, necessary to prepare nurse scientists to succeed in academia. Although obtaining funding is essential to maintain a research career( Gill, McDermott, Ibrahim, Petersen, & Doebbeling, 2004 ), much more is needed to develop a successful career. The road to a successful career can often be obscure for early stage investigators. It may appear as though senior nurse scientists hold the secret key to success as funding and publications may seem to have come easily. Yet, it is often the unacknowledged skillsets that lead to success. In this section, we highlight the more intangible skills required to be a successful nurse scientist and ways to hone these skills.

The path to success is a winding road that can be wide-ranging and lead to different places and the ability to thrive in science along this road can be learned. With today’s funding climate and competitive job market, nurse scientists must prepare for the inevitable career challenges. During the PhD Summit, the panel discussed qualities and experiences important to help PhD students and emerging nurse scientists flourish in their professional journey.

Emerging nurse scientists are often told to find their passion, as if passions and interests are preformed and easily discovered. Rather, passion is fluid and evolving as we age, gain wisdom and experiences ( O’Keefe, Dweck, & Walton, 2018 ). Passion and love for what we do is key; success is the byproduct. As one develops an academic career, aiming for individual success is not the only goal; striving to be a valuable contributor to the discipline is equally important ( Stull & Ciappio, 2014 ). At every stage of the career trajectory it is important to take time to re-assess and evaluate one’s status. It is important to separate passion for the discipline with satisfaction for an individual position – and to help young scholars understand this and find positions that are synchronous with their values and support their growth. This opens up a wealth of possibilities for positions not only within academia but in many diverse areas such as industry and government agencies.

Supportive Institutions, Mentors, & Sponsors

“One of the greatest values of mentors is the ability to see ahead what others cannot see and to help them navigate a course to their destination.” — John C. Maxwell

The recent National Academy of Medicine Report, The Next Generation of Biomedical and Behavioral Sciences Researchers: Breaking Through (2018) recommends that research institutions play an important role in providing high-quality training experiences to position trainees and emerging scientists for success ( National Academies of Sciences & Medicine, 2018 ). Research intensive schools of nursing are well-positioned to act on this recommendation and put supportive structures and processes in place. Emerging scholars are challenged in deciding where to work as they assume their first position as PhD-prepared nurse scientists. Preparing them to make a holistic analysis including an assessment of institutional resources and the degree to which faculty and students seem genuinely happy and supported is important. Choosing a workplace that aligns with individual goals and values and where the nurse scientist will be motivated, intellectually stimulated, and supported requires careful consideration.

Selecting good mentors and sponsors is essential ( Nowell, White, Mrklas, & Norris, 2015 ). The centrality of mentorship and sponsorship does not stop at the PhD or postdoctoral level as early-stage nurse scientists critically require ongoing and purposeful mentorship and sponsorship. Early stage nurse scientists benefit from senior scientists who see them as valuable colleagues while at the same time providing wise and thoughtful advice about their growth. Ideal mentors and sponsors take great interest in their scientific, professional, and personal development.

The difference between mentors and sponsors is important to understand. Mentors have knowledge, expertise (scientific, institutional, and/or professional) and commit to working closely with their mentees. Sponsors may or may not be mentors (and often are not) but are people who often go one step (or many steps) further, leveraging their reputation and personal capital to advocate for success of others ( Ayyala et al., 2019 ). A study by Patton et al., used data from a survey of NIH Mentored Career Development grant awardees to determine the degree to which sponsorship contributed to their career advancement and whether it differed by sex ( Patton et al., 2017 ). Sponsorship was associated with success indicating early career scientists should seek connections with senior leaders to cultivate sponsors as part of their mentorship team( Patton et al., 2017 ).

Advances in technology and living in the digital age allow mentorship to increase its impact in a new era of changed relationships and the way in which these relationships are initiated and maintained ( Whiting & de Janasz, 2004 ). The landscape has evolved over the past 25 years, with mentoring taking several forms such as peer mentoring, cross-gender mentoring, cross-cultural mentoring, mentoring circles, and e-mentoring ( “The Handbook of Mentoring at Work: Theory, Research, and Practice,” 2008 ). Emerging nurse scientists can take advantage of online, e-mentoring that provides a practical means to “leverage the positive effects of multiple mentors” ( Bunkowskim & Anderson, 2017 ). The 21 st century mentor is one who adapts to new technologies to engage their mentee and leverage the relationship. It is critical that PhD students and early career nurse scientists choose mentors and sponsors wisely( McGinty, 2017 ), individuals who are open to learning and adapting to 21 st century approaches.

Failure, Resilience, Persistence & Perseverance

“It’s not the strongest of the species that survive, not the most intelligent but the one most responsive to change” – Darwin

Failure is important and universally experienced by all nurse scientists. Society often holds failure as something to be prevented because success must be attained. Yet failure plays an important role in the development of nurse scientists and perhaps plays an even more important role than success. Emerging nurse scientists experience countless setbacks. It is the lens through which these setbacks are viewed that makes a difference in the outcome. The capacity to be flexible and demonstrate a variety of responses to adversity considerably impacts future success. Learning from failure can turn disappointments into opportunities and build resilience. Resilience is the capacity to recover from and ease adjustment to misfortune or change and perseverance is the ability to apply effort towards something despite the challenges faced ( Kanter, 2013 ). An elegant paper by Loscalzo celebrates failure and makes the case that failure is an integral component of the scientific method ( Loscalzo, 2014 ). Consider that an experiment is framed in terms of the null hypothesis, which more often turns out to hold rather than its alternate. Every failed study or experiment changes the scientist’s viewpoint, helps reframe the experimental design, and informs a gradually polished approach to the problem and over time improves the prospects for a successful study. Therefore, persistence in reaching goals, resilience in confronting obstacles and perseverance in moving forward are crucial behavioral competencies to becoming a successful nurse scientist.

Work-life Harmony & Support Systems

Scientific careers reside within the broader context of life. As nurse scientists, achieving a work-life balance can be elusive. Yet finding harmony across all aspects of life is beneficial in reducing the pressure to be perfect. To live harmoniously means to be present in the moment. When at work focus on the activity at hand and give it full effort. When with family and friends, leave work aside and focus on that moment. Do we adequately cultivate achieving harmony in PhD programs as we develop nurse scientists? Science is hard work and nurse scientists make this commitment, but it is critical not confuse hard work with working all the time. PhD preparation can incorporate methods to be strategic with time throughout the program. Consciously planning a day, week or month around priorities can amplify effectiveness and increase productivity ( Tarquinio, 2016 ). Work with PhD students in how to set the flow of their workload over a week and how to build in breaks by switching up research routines as important re-energizing strategies ( Powell, 2017 ). Consider how we teach PhD students and early stage investigators the importance of taking time to relax, taking coffee breaks, and attending interesting lectures or seminars. These provide opportunities for informal encounters with other researchers that can be very productive.

A key strategy to thrive in academia is to develop a support system( Duke & Denicolo, 2017 ). Having a support system has many benefits, such as higher levels of well-being, better coping skills and a longer and healthier life. Social support is critical to reduce stress, depression and anxiety. Support can come from family, friends, colleagues, pets, neighbors, clergy or mental health professionals. Support networks do more than offer a sense of community and belonging, they are important towards the journey of success.

Self-Investment

Preparing PhD students to invest in themselves in a thoughtful and self-directed manner is critical. Strategies such as investing in learning a new skill, taking leadership courses to develop personally or professionally, learning how to master creativity, or finding an academic coach are important life-long commitments. Because students in the U.S. move into structured PhD curricula, it is important to help them build the skill set for continued investment in themselves. Knowledge turnover happens rapidly, thus PhD programs must instill in students the thirst for ongoing learning. Working with students to habitually and thoughtfully attend colloquia outside of their home PhD program on a weekly basis is one strategy of constantly pushing themselves to move outside of their comfort zone and play with new ideas. Throughout the academic journey self-investment is required before emerging nurse scientists can make investments in others.

Networking is a vital component of a successful career( Streeter, 2014 ). Emerging nurse scientists benefit from programs aimed at developing their careers. Networking can occur at meetings, online (e.g., Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook), and within professional organizations. Scientists are increasingly embracing social media in their professional lives. Platforms such as Twitter or Facebook allow the sharing of text, pictures, links and other content. Twitter is a popular choice of microblogging platform among academics. Sharing publications and expertise via social media has become a new way to establish a name in one’s field.

The ability to build networks of social media followers is a fruitful way to foster communication and collaboration among scientists irrespective of their geographical location(“ Social media for scientists,” 2018 ). However, it is important to be mindful and cautious of the content posted in these platforms. The people in the field and circle matters and networking occurs across the continuum from graduate students to senior leaders. Establishing social media relationships with peers can help form new ideas, obtain feedback on research, and provide social support. Social media requires attention, such that once a new contact with interesting or related work is made maintaining that contact is important. Lastly, as the network is being developed it is critical that emerging nurse scientists learn to communicate their work to a variety of audiences.

Institutional support

Academic institutions play a significant role in facilitating a nurse scientists’ success and need to provide resources and opportunities for professional development. For emerging nurse scientists, a comprehensive start-up package and/or a robust and competitive pilot funding program along with a commitment for dedicated time to establish a program of research are important. Supportive institutional environments with an established administrative infrastructure for grants management, internal peer review, statistical support and other services can help new nurse scientists navigate regulatory and institutional requirements. This supports early career nurse scientists to focus fully on science and minimizes diversions into administrative tasks. Service duties such as committee work, task forces and other projects should be carefully balanced with scholarship during the first years of the academic career.

No Secret Formula but a Systematic Approach

We conclude there is no secret formula to developing successful nurse scientists, but there are critical strategies and components that should be core to PhD programs beyond course work and dissertation work. Many of these approaches are not things that happen in the classroom. Instead they should systematically take place in scholarly environments as nurse scientists professionally develop.

Several key qualities define successful scientists such as a) passion about his or her work and career; b) resilience, self-motivation and determination; c) effective commutation skills, creativity and detail-oriented; d) knowledgeable and visionary ( Stull & Ciappio, 2014 ). Many of the approaches discussed by our panel are aimed at instilling these qualities in PhD students and emerging nurse scientists. Although critical, these approaches alone cannot position PhD students for success. Rather, they need to be coupled with critical thought about PhD curricula and how curricula address gaps in knowledge that nurse scientists must address in order to 1) improve the health and well-being of patients, families, communities and populations; 2) position nurse scientists to successfully compete for research funding; and 3) substantively add knowledge in a rapidly changing landscape of health issues, evolving and sophisticated methodologies and analytic techniques, and new disciplinary partners.

Gaps in Science We Need to Address

Nurse scientists are poised to advance discovery and improve health for populations in the U.S. and globally; but it is critical that nursing PhD programs offer the knowledge and resources necessary to prepare the nursing science workforce to make these meaningful contributions. The current nursing science research priorities of the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), released in 2016, are symptom science, promotion of personalized health strategies, health promotion/disease prevention, self-management, quality of life for individuals with chronic illness, and end-of-life and palliative care (or the science of compassion). Patricia Grady, then Director of the NINR, commented that these research priorities would “guide nurse scientists as they shape their research programs” ( (NINR), 2016 ). These priority topical areas do provide context and guidance to the type of focus or questions that are important to nursing science, but do not provide strategy or methods for framing research questions or designing studies.

In 2017, the Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science (CANS) also conducted a national study on nursing priorities and concluded that the major areas of importance were:

• Precision science : includes physiological, psychological, and environmental factors, as well as ‘omics science, phenotypes, chronic disease symptoms, self-management, and palliative care
• Big data and data analytics : include informatics, technology, and sub-topics such as data security and bioethics
• Health determinants : includes health disparities, chronicity, workplace violence, military health, veterans, health promotion, and cognition
• Global health : includes nursing care in under-resourced countries, emerging infectious diseases, and the threat of epidemics ( Eckardt et al., 2017 ).

The CANS priority areas are arguably less topical than the 2016 NINR priorities; however, the consistent emphasis on precision science and big data/data analytics across papers signals that non-traditional research methods are gaining legitimacy and being prioritized by nursing scientists.

Building on this work, in the opinion of the panelists there are four areas of emerging research and methodology that can be overlooked by nursing PhD programs. We recommend that academic nursing leaders incorporate these four gap areas into their strategic planning and curricula in order to advance nursing science and position PhD students for successful engagement in the scientific community upon graduation.

Gap 1: Methods for Studying Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)

There is much dialogue surrounding the meaning of SDOH, but in general, it encompasses the five categories of social and economic stability, physical and neighborhood environment, education, community and social context, and healthcare systems ( (CDC), 2018 ). The CANS 2017 report cited health determinants as a priority area, albeit with a broader conceptualization than SDOH. Regardless of breadth, we agree with CANS that the relationship between health determinants and/or SDOH and health outcomes will “require innovative research approaches that will likely involve other research priorities including those focused on precision science and big data” ( Eckardt et al., 2017 ).

Kneipp et al. (2018) examined the extent to which NINR’s funding for research has focused on health disparities, health inequities, and SDOH, relative to other NIH institutes. Examining more than 30,000 funded projects from 2000 until 2016, the investigators found that funding for health disparities projects was 14–19 times greater than that for health equity and SDOH; funding also tended to be greater for centers and training projects than for individual research projects( Kneipp et al., 2018 ). Strikingly, no growth in equity and SDOH funding was evident for recent years. This lack of emphasis on health equity and SDOH suggests that nursing science is focusing on research that demonstrates health disparities but has not yet moved to making meaningful contributions regarding the approaches needed to address SDOH directly. Yet, a focus on SDOH is becoming increasingly important. Indeed, the overarching goals for Healthy People 2030, which inform funding priorities, include: 1) eliminate health disparities, achieve health equity, and attain health literacy to improve the health and well-being of all; and 2) create social, physical, and economic environments that promote attaining full potential for health and well-being for all( U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2018 ).

Some schools of nursing are adopting purposeful strategies to increase the amount and quality of training in SDOH, including strategies to increase diversity, community-engaged research, and big data analytical skills. Recruitment of faculty and students from more diverse backgrounds and life experiences enhances a school’s ability to develop impactful programs of research integrating SDOH. Researchers who have programs of research based within a community-based participatory framework provide excellent opportunities for students to learn the importance of community networks and how to engage the community in developing research programs responsive to their needs. Recruitment of faculty and students with skills in data analytics increases the capacity to integrate databases on SDOH into research programs, particularly as more SDOH information is incorporated in electronic health records. To advance nursing science around SDOH, the panel believes nurses will have to employ a team science perspective in collaboration with socio-behavioral scientists, economists, informaticians, and members of the communities they serve.

Gap 2: Team Science

If faculty educate the next generation of nurse scientists in isolated intellectual environments, how will students learn the team science techniques necessary to study complex phenomena such as SDOH? Likewise, how will other disciplines understand the contribution that nursing science brings in the discovery of health and wellness solutions for society? A gauge of educational excellence should be the extent to which PhD students work with and learn from scientists of all disciplines. Interdisciplinary classes and experiential learning in laboratories of other scientists should be viewed as positive mechanisms for professional growth—and a chance to show other disciplines the unique perspectives of nurse scientists.

In our opinion, nursing and allied health professions need more training grants aimed at promoting transdisciplinary learning, such as the recent NIH initiative for administrative supplements to the NIH-funded T32 and TL1 Training Grants to Better Integrate Behavioral and Social Science with Other Health-Related Sciences . These funding opportunities are designed to train a research workforce that has the content expertise and skills necessary to fill scientific gaps that cannot be effectively addressed by any singular discipline. Schools of nursing in institutions with a Clinical Translational Science Award (CTSA), often have nurse scientists and trainees engaged in high levels of team science. Unfortunately, team science is viewed by some as diluting the unique characteristics of nursing science; but for scientists hoping to compete for research funding, a team science approach is essential ( Barrett, 2017 ). Indeed, a recent study of eighteen research intensive schools of nursing showed that only eight appointment, promotion, and tenure documents included any reference to team science principles which is concerning given the increasing centrality of team science ( Brody, Bryant, Perez, & Bailey, 2019 ). Begg et al. (2014) proposed several strategies to enhance the education of PhD students in team science, including developing core competencies for team science education and training, identifying core curricular components (and teaching best practices, such as active learning and small group teaching), and establishing metrics to determine the success of students in team engagement and productivity( Begg et al., 2014 ).

Gap 3: Nursing Innovation

Innovation distinguishes a leader from a follower, but nursing science is at its infancy in encouraging innovation among PhD students. Models for supporting innovation within nursing PhD programs are emerging, however, as illustrated by the Clinical Fellowship program at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing ( Greene, FitzPatrick, Romano, Aiken, & Richmond, 2017 ). This program, which is designed for BSN-PhD scholars with little clinical experience, aims to cultivate scholarly reflection on the connections between research and practice and encourages nursing contributions to healthcare innovation.

In order to prepare innovative nurse scientists, strong clinical partnerships are needed; and PhD-prepared nurses are poised to offer unique value to these professional relationships. The benefit to healthcare systems of having PhD-prepared nurses generating new knowledge, and nurses with practice doctorates leading the integration of these findings into evidence-based practice, has yet to be fully realized. For decades, the focus on nursing PhD education has been on patient outcomes, but in the panelists’ experiences, rarely did the student develop and test a new innovative device/technique that could improve the delivery of care and ultimately health outcomes for many patients. The panelists recommend that PhD students interested in innovation be provided opportunities to identify and solve real problems in healthcare delivery. They believe that PhD nursing programs seldom require students to collaborate with others to solve these real-world problems. Both recognizing the importance of real-world problems and collaborating broadly – beyond just other health disciplines – is viewed as critical for the future of nursing science. The earlier students are exposed to opportunities to have real-world projects integrated into their curriculum, the more likely they will be to learn and appreciate innovative approaches. Optimally, these curricular opportunities would begin before PhD education.

Gap 4: Implementation Science

Evidence resulting from nursing research is only as useful as the ability to implement the evidence into practice. Unfortunately, much of nursing research is focused on the narrow testing of interventions and measuring outcomes in select populations, sometimes, but not always in multisite settings. The gap between knowledge and practice is well documented,( Boehm, Stolldorf, & Jeffery, 2020 ) and both action research and implementation science seek to address this gap.

Implementation science is defined as “the scientific study of methods to promote the systematic uptake of research findings and other evidence-based practices into routine practice and, hence, to improve the quality and effectiveness of health services and care” ( Eccles & Mittman, 2006 ). Our practice partners need nurse scientists who can focus on implementation science in their healthcare systems and provide guidance to DNP-prepared nurses who are positioned to apply the evidence. Nursing must study and propose strategies to help systems with research uptake; these recommendations should address implementation development, economics, processes by which implementation effects may be measured, and factors associated with outcomes measures.

Nurse scientists should learn methods to study the effectiveness of innovative strategies directed towards patients, individual professionals, teams, and healthcare organizations, respectively. Nurse scientists are rapidly understanding that the impact of their research is best measured by the uptake of their findings in clinical settings ( Demiris, Parker Oliver, Capurro, & Wittenberg-Lyles, 2014 ; McConnell et al., 2020 ; van Achterberg, 2013 ), but there is not yet a sufficient focus on detailed sustainability planning ( Johnson et al., 2019 ). Boehm et. al (2020) describe the importance of preparing more nurse scientists who can engage in multidisciplinary teams to affect meaningful change in the provision of health care and provide excellent resources for faculty in PhD programs( Boehm et al., 2020 ). Nursing PhD students and emerging nurse scientists need this knowledge if they are truly to follow a path of generating impactful nursing knowledge.

Preparing Nurse Scientists for the Competitive Funding Climate

One of the most challenging tasks that investigators face is securing funding for their science. In today’s arid funding climate with historically low funding levels( Chung & Shauver, 2008 ), securing research funding is highly competitive. We have discussed the qualities of successful nurse scientists and the key gaps in science that nurse scientists must be prepared to fill. Addressing both of these will help position PhD students and emerging nurse scientists to successfully secure funding and programs must prepare nurse scientists to broadly consider funding sources. Diversifying both the individual and institutional grants portfolio is important to success.

PhD programs in research intensive universities encourage students to secure their own funding to gain experience in grant writing and to develop an individual funding record. Developing grant-writing skills early in the program provides PhD students time to hone their scientific writing abilities and to bring clarity to their scientific interests. Throughout the PhD program or even prior to starting, students should be encouraged to start identifying potential grants to which they are eligible to apply. Doing so helps PhD students shape their research path and to consider multiple funding streams within the federal government, professional societies, and foundations. Internal school opportunities and foundations offer an excellent way to begin applying for grants and provide a springboard towards grant applications targeted to the federal government. Federal opportunities may include National Institutes of Health (NIH), The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), National Science Foundation (NSF), the United States Department of Defense and other agencies.

The NIH is one of the world’s largest funders of biomedical research grants and awards funding in excess of $30 billion annually for research that falls within its mission to understand living systems, enhance health, extend healthy lives, and reduce the burdens of illness and disability. The NIH is funded by the US federal government and comprises 27 institutions and research centers. The NINR is one of the institutes but not the only institute relevant to nursing science. Thinking broadly across NIH is important for faculty and PhD students alike. The funding criteria for each individual institute vary, so deeply diving into individual institutes missions, strategic priorities, and research portfolios is crucial. Additional steps can be found at https://grants.nih.gov/grants/planning_application.htm .

The NIH encourages applicants review RePORTER to aid in identifying which institute the research best fits. In RePORTER, search by term ( https://projectreporter.nih.gov/reporter.cfm ), or input an abstract or other scientific text ( https://projectreporter.nih.gov/reporter_matchmaker.cfm ) to find a list of similar funded projects. Once PhD students or emerging nurse scientists have a well thought out specific aims draft, mentoring them in how to contact the appropriate NIH institute and program officer is an important skill building opportunity.

Emerging nurse scientists should carefully consider strategies to maintain funding throughout their career. Strategies to consider include 1) writing a stream of applications at different intervals; 2) developing two related but focal areas within a program of research that can be concurrent yet at different phases in the study trajectory; 3) establishing and working with interdisciplinary teams where the nurse scientist changes roles as contact PI, mPI, and Co-I; and 4) planning new applications when mid-cycle in a currently funded grant. With grant applications come rejections (often repeated) and working with emerging nurse scientists to understand this is part of the journey and to persevere is important( Ardehali, 2014 ).

As a discipline, nursing must give critical thought to the preparation of PhD students and support of emerging nurse scientists if we are to position them to conduct rigorous, socially relevant science to improve health and well-being. We have argued that it is essential to broaden our thinking in this evolving world as to the knowledge and skills that nurses bring into the PhD program and the content, approaches, and training to prepare nurse scientists to address emerging needs and evolving methodologies in science. We must thoughtfully but rapidly refine our preparation of PhD nurse scientists in order to ensure the relevance and competitive status of nursing science.

• Preparation of nurse scientists requires curricular changes to keep pace with knowledge development
• Important gaps in science include social determinants of health, team science, nursing innovation, and implementation science
• Providing skills for success occurs well beyond required coursework
• Mentors and sponsors are essential for nurse scientists at the early phases of their career trajectory
• Nurse faculty must thoughtfully but rapidly refine preparation of PhD nurse scientists in order to ensure the relevance and competitive status of nursing science

Acknowledgments

This manuscript reflects presentations given by a panel at the PhD Summit “Re-Envisioning PhD Programs of the Future” sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania in October 2019.

This paper did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

• (CDC), C. f. D. C. a. P. (2018). Social determinants of health: Know what affects health . Healthy People 2020 . Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/socialdeterminants/index.htm
• (NINR), N. I. o. N. R. (2016). Strategic plan sets priorities, research direction for nursing science . Retrieved from https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/strategic-plan-sets-priorities-research-direction-nursing-science
• Ardehali H (2014). How to Write a Successful Grant Application and Research Paper . Circulation Research , 114 ( 8 ), 1231–1234. doi: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.114.303695 [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Ayyala MS, Skarupski K, Bodurtha JN, González-Fernández M, Ishii LE, Fivush B, & Levine RB (2019). Mentorship Is Not Enough: Exploring Sponsorship and Its Role in Career Advancement in Academic Medicine . Academic medicine : journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges , 94 ( 1 ), 94–100. doi: 10.1097/ACM.0000000000002398 [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Barrett EAM (2017). Again, What Is Nursing Science? Nursing Science Quarterly , 30 ( 2 ), 129–133. doi: 10.1177/0894318417693313 [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Bauer MS, & Kirchner J (2020). Implementation science: What is it and why should I care? Psychiatry Res , 283 , 112376. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2019.04.025 [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Begg MD, Crumley G, Fair AM, Martina CA, McCormack WT, Merchant C, … Umans JG (2014). Approaches to preparing young scholars for careers in interdisciplinary team science . Journal of investigative medicine : the official publication of the American Federation for Clinical Research , 62 ( 1 ), 14–25. doi: 10.2310/JIM.0000000000000021 [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Boehm LM, Stolldorf DP, & Jeffery AD (2020). Implementation Science Training and Resources for Nurses and Nurse Scientists . Journal of Nursing Scholarship , 52 ( 1 ), 47–54. doi: 10.1111/jnu.12510 [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Brody AA, Bryant AL, Perez GA, & Bailey DE (2019). Best practices and inclusion of team science principles in appointment promotion and tenure documents in research intensive schools of nursing . Nursing outlook , 67 ( 2 ), 133–139. doi: 10.1016/j.outlook.2018.11.005 [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Bunkowskim LM, & Anderson S (2017). A Mentoring Network for 21st Century Faculty . Journal of Education & Social Policy , 4 ( 3 ), 1–12. Retrieved from http://jespnet.com/journals/Vol_4_No_3_September_2017/1.pdf [ Google Scholar ]
• Chung KC, & Shauver MJ (2008). Fundamental Principles of Writing a Successful Grant Proposal . The Journal of Hand Surgery , 33 ( 4 ), 566–572. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2007.11.028 [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Corwin E, Redeker NS, Richmond TS, Docherty SL, & Pickler RH (2019). Ways of knowing in precision health . Nursing outlook , 67 ( 4 ), 293–301. doi: 10.1016/j.outlook.2019.05.011 [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Demiris G, Parker Oliver D, Capurro D, & Wittenberg-Lyles E (2014). Implementation science: implications for intervention research in hospice and palliative care . The Gerontologist , 54 ( 2 ), 163–171. doi: 10.1093/geront/gnt022 [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Duke DC, & Denicolo PM (2017). What supervisors and universities can do to enhance doctoral student experience (and how they can help themselves) . FEMS microbiology letters , 364 ( 9 ), fnx090. doi: 10.1093/femsle/fnx090 [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Eccles MP, & Mittman BS (2006). Welcome to Implementation Science . Implementation Science , 1 ( 1 ), 1. doi: 10.1186/1748-5908-1-1 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Eckardt P, Culley JM, Corwin E, Richmond T, Dougherty C, Pickler RH, … DeVon HA (2017). National nursing science priorities: Creating a shared vision . Nursing outlook , 65 ( 6 ), 726–736. doi: 10.1016/j.outlook.2017.06.002 [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Fairman JA, Giordano NA, McCauley K, & Villarruel A (In press). Invitational Summit: Re-envisioning research focused PhD programs of the future . Journal of Professional Nursing . [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Gill TM, McDermott MM, Ibrahim SA, Petersen LA, & Doebbeling BN (2004). Getting funded. Career development awards for aspiring clinical investigators . Journal of general internal medicine , 19 ( 5 Pt 1 ), 472–478. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1497.2004.30293.x [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Greene MZ, FitzPatrick MK, Romano J, Aiken LH, & Richmond TS (2017). Clinical fellowship for an innovative, integrated BSN-PhD program: An academic and practice partnership . Journal of Professional Nursing , 33 ( 4 ), 282–286. doi: 10.1016/j.profnurs.2016.12.001 [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• The Handbook of Mentoring at Work: Theory, Research, and Practice . (2008). In. doi: 10.4135/9781412976619 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Johnson AM, Moore JE, Chambers DA, Rup J, Dinyarian C, & Straus SE (2019). How do researchers conceptualize and plan for the sustainability of their NIH R01 implementation projects? Implementation Science , 14 ( 1 ), 50. doi: 10.1186/s13012-019-0895-1 [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Kanter RM (2013). Surprises Are the New Normal; Resilience Is the New Skill . Harvard Business Review Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2013/07/surprises-are-the-new-normal-r.html
• Kneipp SM, Schwartz TA, Drevdahl DJ, Canales MK, Santacroce S, Santos HP Jr., & Anderson R (2018). Trends in Health Disparities, Health Inequity, and Social Determinants of Health Research: A 17-Year Analysis of NINR, NCI, NHLBI, and NIMHD Funding . Nursing research , 67 ( 3 ), 231–241. doi: 10.1097/NNR.0000000000000278 [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Kurtzman ET, Dawson EM, Johnson JE, & Sheingold BH (2010). Nurses Should Drive Health Reform . AJN The American Journal of Nursing , 110 ( 1 ), 11. doi: 10.1097/01.NAJ.0000366028.82909.d8 [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Loscalzo J (2014). A celebration of failure . Circulation , 129 ( 9 ), 953–955. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.114.009220 [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• McConnell T, Diffin J, Fitzsimons D, Harrison C, Stone C, & Reid J (2020). Palliative care and heart failure: Can implementation science help where the evidence alone has failed? European journal of cardiovascular nursing : journal of the Working Group on Cardiovascular Nursing of the European Society of Cardiology , 19 ( 3 ), 190–191. doi: 10.1177/1474515119894215 [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• McGinty G (2017). Choosing Wisely: Mentors, Sponsors, and Your Kitchen Cabinet . Journal of the American College of Radiology : JACR , 14 ( 12 ), 1637–1638. doi: 10.1016/j.jacr.2017.07.006 [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• National Academies of Sciences, E., & Medicine. (2018). The Next Generation of Biomedical and Behavioral Sciences Researchers: Breaking Through . Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Nowell L, White DE, Mrklas K, & Norris JM (2015). Mentorship in nursing academia: a systematic review protocol . Systematic reviews , 4 , 16–16. doi: 10.1186/s13643-015-0007-5 [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• O’Keefe PA, Dweck CS, & Walton GM (2018). Implicit Theories of Interest: Finding Your Passion or Developing It? Psychological science , 29 ( 10 ), 1653–1664. doi: 10.1177/0956797618780643 [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Patton EW, Griffith KA, Jones RD, Stewart A, Ubel PA, & Jagsi R (2017). Differences in Mentor-Mentee Sponsorship in Male vs Female Recipients of National Institutes of Health Grants . JAMA internal medicine , 177 ( 4 ), 580–582. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.9391 [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Powell K (2017). Work–life balance: Break or burn out . Nature , 545 ( 7654 ), 375–377. doi: 10.1038/nj7654-375a [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Social media for scientists. (2018). Nature Cell Biology , 20 ( 12 ), 1329–1329. doi: 10.1038/s41556-018-0253-6 [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Streeter J (2014). Networking in academia . EMBO reports , 15 ( 11 ), 1109–1112. doi: 10.15252/embr.201439626 [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Stull AJ, & Ciappio ED (2014). Successful Scientist: What’s the Winning Formula? Advances in Nutrition , 5 ( 6 ), 795–796. doi: 10.3945/an.114.007179 [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Tarquinio KM (2016). Work-Life Balance? It Is Not about Balance, but Priorities . Frontiers in pediatrics , 4 , 6–6. doi: 10.3389/fped.2016.00006 [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, O. o. D. P. a. H. P. (2018, 06/19/2020). Healthy People 2020 . Retrieved from https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/About-Healthy-People/Development-Healthy-People-2030/Framework
• van Achterberg T (2013). Nursing implementation science: 10 ways forward . International journal of nursing studies , 50 ( 4 ), 445–447. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2013.02.004 [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Whiting VR, & de Janasz SC (2004). Mentoring in the 21st Century: Using the Internet to Build Skills and Networks . Journal of Management Education , 28 ( 3 ), 275–293. doi: 10.1177/1052562903252639 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]

How to Write a Nursing Research Proposal Topics | Guide & Examples [Updated]

• Dr. Rachel Andel
• July 24, 2023
• Nursing Writing Guides

Nursing research proposal topics can vary greatly, depending on the type of research you’re looking to conduct.

Whether you are interested in studying public health issues or improving patient care through innovative research methods, something on this list likely appeals to you.

Here’s a guide on writing a nursing research proposal and nursing research proposal topics , DNP research proposal topics, current nursing research proposal topics, and nursing research examples.

Working on a Nursing Research Proposal?

Get original papers written according to your instructions and save time for what matters most.

How to Write a Nursing Research Proposal

A nursing research proposal serves as a blueprint for conducting studies that address important clinical questions, explore innovative interventions, and contribute to the overall body of nursing knowledge. 

To create a strong nursing research proposal, there are several key considerations that nursing students must take into account, which include;

• Defining a clear and concise research question addresses an important nursing knowledge gap.
• Selecting an appropriate research design and methodology that aligns with the research question and objectives.
• Ensuring ethical considerations are addressed and appropriate measures are in place to protect the rights and welfare of participants.
• Determining an appropriate sample size and recruitment strategy to ensure adequate statistical power and generalizability of findings.
• Developing a detailed data analysis plan that aligns with the research design and objectives.
• Consider dissemination and knowledge translation strategies to ensure research findings reach the intended audience and positively impact nursing practice.

Key components of a Nursing Research Proposa l

When creating a nursing research proposal, including all the components contributing to a comprehensive and well-structured document is crucial.

Understanding these components will ensure that your proposal is clear and organized and addresses the necessary aspects of your research endeavor. 

Problem Statement

• It should provide a clear description of a problem that will be solved.
• It shows the gap between the current situation and the future goal to improve it.

Research Question

• The research question forms the foundation of your nursing research proposal. It is a concise and focused statement that outlines the main objective of your research.
• Your research question should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART), enabling you to address a particular problem or gap in the existing literature.

Study Design

• The study design section outlines the methodology and approach you will employ to conduct your research.
• It includes details on the type of study, such as quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods, and explains how data will be collected, analyzed, and interpreted.
• The study design should align with your research question and ensure the validity and reliability of your findings.

Methodology

• The methodology component of your nursing research proposal describes the specific techniques and procedures you will use to gather data.
• This may include surveys, interviews, observations, or systematic reviews.
• Clearly outlining your methodology ensures transparency and allows others to reproduce your study if needed.

Sample Size Determination

• Determining an appropriate sample size is crucial in nursing research to ensure your findings’ statistical power and representativeness.
• This section will explain how you calculated the required sample size based on the research question, study design, and expected effect size.
• It is essential to consider factors such as the population size, confidence level, and desired margin of error.

Ethical Considerations

• Ethical considerations play a vital role in nursing research.
• This component addresses the protection and well-being of participants, safeguarding their privacy and confidentiality, and the potential risks and benefits associated with the study.
• Ethical considerations also involve obtaining informed consent from participants and ensuring compliance with institutional review boards or ethical committees.

Nursing Research Proposal Outline

List of nursing research proposal topics.

• Racial and ethnic disparities in nursing care
• The impact of technology on nursing care
• Prevalence and determinants of burnout in nurses
• Quality of life for people with chronic illnesses served by nurses
• Effectiveness of nurse-led interventions for short-term weight loss in adults
• Nursing home adjusted Living Experience Surveys: measuring resident satisfaction and quality of life
• Identification and characterization of health disparities among LGBT elders in long-term care facilities
• Role of nurses in the early detection and management of cancer diagnosis
• Effects of delegation on nurse burnout, patient safety, and coordination of care
• The use of technology in home health care: a study of patient and nurse perspectives11. The impact of nurse staffing on patient safety
• Effectiveness of Nurse-led interventions for promoting healthy physical Activity in hospitalized patients.
• The role of nurses in the development and implementation of evidence-based pain management guidelines
• Effectiveness of patient-centred communication interventions to reduce bed sores in nursing home residents
• Identification and characterization of best practices for providing hospice care
• Nurse-led stress reduction interventions for long-term care staff
• Nurses’ perceptions of work-life balance: a qualitative study
• Development and  evaluation of a web-based tool to support caregiver adherence to oral health care  guidelines among long-term care residents
• Effects of sleep deprivation on nurses’ cognitive performance, satisfaction with work, and daytime sleepiness
• A study exploring the  association between nurse  staffing levels and rates of infection in a university hospital setting
• A qualitative study exploring how  nurses manage  transitions from inpatient to outpatient settings
• The use of  social media by nurses in an acute hospital  setting
• Nurses’ experiences with burnout: a cross-sectional study
• Nurse preparedness for pandemic influenza: an examination of the role of  professional development
• The use of telehealth in long-term  care settings:  a study of nurses’ experiences
• Nurses’ experiences with  chronic pain:  a qualitative study
• The impact of the Affordable Care Act on the workforce and nursing
• Nursing care plans  for patients with dementia: a systematic review
• Implementation of evidence-based interventions for preventing  falls in older adults  living in long-term care facilities
• Nurse staffing and  quality of patient care:  a cross-sectional study
• Use of  social media  by nurses during preoperative assessment
• Nurses’ perceptions of resident safety in an acute hospital setting: a qualitative study
• The effects of nurse staffing on patient satisfaction and outcomes in an acute hospital setting
• A comparative study investigating the use of videoconferencing  among nurses  in different specialties
• A qualitative study exploring how  nurse educators use technology to engage students in online learning  environments
• Examining the effect on patient safety when using electronic health records to order medications on off-hours
• Nurse staffing, work demands, and burnout in neonatal intensive care units 38. Factors that predict nurses’ decision to leave their jobs
• Effects of nurse-led interventions to improve care for  veterans with chronic pain
• The use of wearable technology in hospitals: a systematic review
• Review and assessment of technologies used to support nurses during surgery
• Nursing care plans  for patients with cancer: a systematic review
• Nurse-led interventions to prevent falls in older adults living in  long-term care facilities:  a systematic review
• The use of electronic health records to  inform clinical  decision making: a systematic review
• Implementation of evidence-based interventions to  improve patient  safety in hospitals
• A qualitative study exploring how nurses use technology in the workplace
• Factors influencing  nurse satisfaction  with their work and workplace culture
• Identification and assessment of best practices for preoperative  patient communication in the surgical setting
• Effectiveness of nurse-led stress reduction interventions on nurses’ burnout
• Nurse staffing, workload, and burnout in intensive care units: a cross-sectional study
• There are many other nursing research proposal  topics that can be explored in order to improve patient care .

Some additional potential nursing research proposal topics include:

• Assessing the effectiveness of nurse-led interventions for reducing readmissions among hospitalized patients
• Evaluating the impact of nurse call patterns on patient safety
• Analyzing the influence of nurse staffing levels on patient outcomes
• Determining the best methods for measuring patient satisfaction with nurse care
• Studying the  factors influencing  nurse decision making
• Investigating the feasibility and  effectiveness of using remote patient monitoring technology to improve patient care

DNP Research proposal topics

There are countless  nursing research  proposal topics that could be explored in a doctoral or post-doctoral program. Below is a list of some DNP Research proposal topics consider:

• Investigating the feasibility and effectiveness of using remote patient monitoring technology to improve patient care
• The effect of sleep deprivation on nurses
• The use of technology in nursing care
• Investigating the relationship between patient satisfaction and nurse retention
• Studying nutrition-related issues in the context of nursing
• Assessing the impact  of patient satisfaction on nurse recruitment and retention
• The relationship between patient satisfaction and nurse retention
• Investigating the feasibility of using remote patient monitoring technology in healthcare settings
• Evaluating the impact of patient satisfaction on nurse retention
• Research the best methods for measuring patient satisfaction with nurse care
• Studying the feasibility of using remote patient monitoring technology in healthcare settings

Check out the additional DNP Research proposal topics as suggested by a Nursing Instructor

• Nursing research  on dementia care
• Nursing research on neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) management
• Nursing research on palliative care
• Nursing research on wound healing and reconstruction 5.  Nursing research on pediatric health  nursing
• Nursing research on geriatric care
• Nursing research on pharmacology for nursing
• Nursing research on infection control in the acute care setting
• Nursing research on nutrition for nursing
• The  Effect of Health Education on Patient Outcomes
• Development and Evaluation of Nursing Intervention  Programs
• Assessment of Patient Satisfaction with  Nursing Services
• Advocating for  Improved Patient-Nurse Communication
• Assessing the Effectiveness of Interventions to Address Nurses’ Burnout
• Investigating the Relationship between Nurse workload and Patient outcomes7. Evaluating the Impact of Technology on Nursing Care
• Investigating the Relationship between Professionalism and Patient Outcomes
• Studying Nutrition-Related Issues in the Context of Nursing
• Evaluating Patient-Nurse Interactions in the Context of Home Health Services

The list of DNP Research proposal topics above should guide you in creating a Research proposal.

Current Nursing research proposal topics

Nursing research proposal topics  can vary greatly, depending on the type of research you’re looking to conduct. Some common topics include:

• The effects of sleep deprivation on nurses
• The effect of patient communication skills on nurses’ outcomes
• How to improve patient safety in nursing care
• How to reduce readmissions among hospitalized patients
• Study the feasibility of using remote patient monitoring technology in healthcare settings
• Evaluate the impact of patient satisfaction on nurse recruitment and retention
• Evaluate the impact of nurse staffing levels on patient outcomes
• Research the feasibility of using remote patient monitoring technology in healthcare  settings
• Research the impact of patient satisfaction on nurse recruitment and retention
• Opioid use in the elderly
• Preterm birth and neonatal care
• Mobile health technology in nursing
• Nursing home  quality improvement
• The impact of social media on nursing

Nursing research proposal topics can vary greatly, so it’s important to select a  topic that is of interest to you and that will help you to improve patient care .

Nursing research proposal writing tips

When  preparing your nursing  research proposal, it’s important to keep the following tips in mind:

• Be organized

Planning and organizing your data will make your research proposal more concise and easier to read. Start by identifying the specific question you want to answer, and then list all the relevant sources that you consulted in order to reach your conclusions. Use headings and subheadings to help organize your information , and be sure to include detailed citations for all sources used.

• Use effective writing techniques

To produce a well-written research proposal, use effective writing techniques such as strong thesis statements , clear language, and well-organized data. You should also make use of persuasive arguments, vivid descriptions, and concrete  examples in order to make your case for the proposed study .

• Include references

In order for your nursing research proposal to be accepted, it  must include references  from reliable sources that support your findings. Always cite the source where you obtained the data presented in your proposal, as well as any other sourcesthat you used in order to support your arguments.

• Make sure your proposal is properly formatted

Your nursing research proposal should be properly formatted and error-free in order to be accepted for review. Always use the correct style and grammar when writing, and make sure all data is properly referenced. avoid using excessive jargon or acronyms, and try to keep your presentation as concise as possible.

• Submit your proposal well in advance of the deadline

The sooner you submit your proposal, the better chance you have of being accepted for review. Make sure to follow the submission guidelines outlined by the journal you are submitting to, as well as the submission system specific to that journal .

Nursing Research Proposal Examples

• Evidence-Based Practice Project Proposal Research Design Comparison
• Evidence-Based Practice Project Proposal Presentation
• Evidence-Based Practice Project Proposal: Organizational Culture and Readiness
• Project Proposal Identification of Nursing Practice Problem Assignment
• EBP Proposal – Section E: Duck’s Change Curve Model
• Capstone Project Change Proposal Presentation
• Draft Proposal Development 1 Part 2 of Chapter 1
• Evidence-Based Practice Proposal – Complete Proposal – Sample Project
• Evidence-Based Practice Proposal – Evaluation of Process – Solved Essay
• Evidence Based Practice Proposal: Implementation Plan – Solved Essay
• Evidence-Based Proposal – Solved Essay
• Benchmark – Community Teaching Plan: Community Teaching Work Plan Proposal Example – Solved Essay
• Evidence-Based Practice Project Proposal

In this article, we will provide you with some  ideas for nursing research proposal topics  that can be used in any discipline. Whether you are interested in studying public  health issues or improving patient care  through innovative research methods, there is likely something on this list that appeals to you. So get started on your Nursing Research Proposal now by  placing an order  with us.

Nursingstudy.org  has the top and most qualified writers to help with any of your assignments. All you need to do is  place an order  with us

Working On an Assignment With Similar Concepts Or Instructions? ​

A Page will cost you $12, however, this varies with your deadline. 

We have a team of expert nursing writers ready to help with your nursing assignments. They will save you time, and improve your grades. 

Whatever your goals are, expect plagiarism-free works, on-time delivery, and 24/7 support from us.  

Here is your 15% off to get started.  Simply:

• Place your order ( Place Order ) 
• Click on Enter Promo Code after adding your instructions  
• Insert your code –  Get20

All the Best, 

Have a subject expert Write for You Now

Have a subject expert finish your paper for you, edit my paper for me, have an expert write your dissertation's chapter, what you'll learn.

Working On A Paper On This Topic?

Use our nursing writing service and save your time. We guarantee high quality, on-time delivery, and 100% confidentiality.

• Nursing Careers
• Nursing Paper Solutions
• Nursing Theories
• Nursing Topics and Ideas

Related Posts

• How to become a Hospice Nurse
• How to Become a Labor and Delivery Nurse
• Role of an Intensive Care Unit Nurse: How to Become, Role and Requirements

Important Links

Knowledge base, paper examples, nursing writing services.

Nursingstudy.org helps students cope with college assignments and write papers on various topics. We deal with academic writing, creative writing, and non-word assignments.

All the materials from our website should be used with proper references. All the work should be used per the appropriate policies and applicable laws.

Our samples and other types of content are meant for research and reference purposes only. We are strongly against plagiarism and academic dishonesty.

Phone: +1 628 261 0844

Mail: [email protected]

We Accept: 

@2015-2024, Nursingstudy.org 

The Research-Focused Doctoral Program in Nursing: Pathways to Excellence

Introduction

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)1 degree represents the highest level of formal education to prepare individuals to advance the scholarship of discovery for a given discipline (AACN, 2010). The PhD is a prerequisite for academia and certain senior leadership roles in multiple disciplines within academic institutions and development of independence in scientific or scholarly pursuits outside academia. The PhD is a research-focused degree that prepares individuals to create, translate, and communicate new knowledge as leaders within institutions of higher education and outside of academia. Postdoctoral study is recommended for individuals who plan to pursue careers in a research-intensive environment and wish to acquire expert understanding of the theories, methods, and analytics of a field. Conferral of the PhD demonstrates the graduate’s strong scientific emphasis within the discipline as well as an understanding of the importance of translational science, dissemination of innovations, and engagement in interdisciplinary 2 collaboration. In the field of nursing, the PhD graduate is prepared to steward the profession, develop its science, define its uniqueness, maintain its professional integrity, and educate the next generation of nursing professionals. To achieve its vision of improving health outcomes for all people, particularly those in populations experiencing social and health inequities, the profession must produce and support PhD-prepared nurses, nurse educators, and nurse scientists who reflect the broad diversity of society as a whole.

• Research Paper Guides
• Research Paper Topics

Nursing Research Paper Topics: 350+ Ideas and Question Examples

• Speech Topics
• Basics of Essay Writing
• Essay Topics
• Other Essays
• Main Academic Essays
• Basics of Research Paper Writing
• Miscellaneous
• Chicago/ Turabian
• Data & Statistics
• Methodology
• Admission Writing Tips
• Admission Advice
• Other Guides
• Student Life
• Studying Tips
• Understanding Plagiarism
• Academic Writing Tips
• Basics of Dissertation & Thesis Writing

• Essay Guides
• Formatting Guides
• Basics of Research Process
• Admission Guides
• Dissertation & Thesis Guides

Table of contents

Use our free Readability checker

Someone once said, “Nursing is a blessed profession because those people are the first and the last to watch the beginning and end of life. Nurses open the eyes of a newborn and moderately close the eyes of a dying man.” This quote summarizes the caregivers' importance in society. However, education for nurses is challenging because they must learn how to provide healthcare and support for patients and research different medical issues. This requires finding good research topics in nursing. In case you are looking for the best nursing research topics, we have you covered. This article explains nursing research topics, their characteristics, and how to select them. Also, we have compiled a list of more than 350 nursing topics for research papers that are divided into various categories to get you started. Choose the title you like most, and contact our professionals to buy nursing papers cheap should you need any help.

What Are Nursing Research Topics?

Nursing research topics refer to subjects or issues that interest nursing students, which they can investigate and write academic proposals about. Any nursing topic is based on theoretical components, including lab applications, human physiology, and healthcare management. However, it focuses on tackling issues from a caregiver’s perspective, such as elderly and child care, midwifery, primary healthcare, mental health, pain management, women's health, etc. The process of selecting nursing topics for research paper can be stressful and challenging for many students because practical assignments are extremely demanding, which leaves little time for writing tasks. As a result, finding the right title for your academic paper is crucial. That's why it is necessary to consider time management skills as your research may take more time than one hour for example.

Characteristics of Good Nursing Research Topics

There are times when students need help with selecting good nursing research paper topics. They may encounter challenges in choosing themes because of mental blocks or lack of time. We have provided tips to guide your selection. Before picking the title, you should be mindful that good research topics for nursing students have the following characteristics:

• Meaningful.
• Interesting.
• Explorative.

These characteristics help in selecting the title of your paper. However, feel free to seek help from your professor to narrow down the options. Their insights might make you more successful in writing your paper. 

How to Choose a Nursing Research Paper Topic?

Before writing your academic paper, it is essential to have a good nursing research topic . Ensure that the selected title has the characteristics mentioned in the above section. In most cases, your teachers will provide suggestions of good research paper topic for nursing that you can choose from. However, if that is not the case, you will have to come up with your own title. You can derive ideas from websites, books, journals, or personal experiences. To set you off, follow the next steps in selecting your title: 

• First, identify the field that is most appealing to you.
• Second, gather a lot of nursing evidence based practice topics from the category you are passionate about.
• Then, deliberate on all the title ideas and eliminate all those irrelevant or with less research scope.
• Fourth, select the most comfortable title from this narrowed-down list and begin writing about it.
• Lastly, ensure that your topic follows the guidelines provided by your teacher or school.

Best Nursing Research Questions

Using research questions in nursing is one of the best ways to arrive at a suitable topic for your study. A nursing research question can act as a guiding tool. Our professional research paper writers have provided you with some of the best examples of nursing research questions below to aid you in coming up with a great title: 

• How does the hospital wards' design influence patients' aggressive tendencies?
• Do patients diagnosed with dementia experience any pain?
• What is the negative impact of cord cutting on placenta separation?
• How has COVID-19 affected caregiving practices?
• What positive effects do computerized records have on patient outcomes?
• What changes can improve the sustainability of surgical rooms?
• How can you assist domestic violence victims?
• How to prevent chemotherapy and radiation effects among cancer patients?
• Is yoga an effective method for helping patients with back problems?
• How can music therapy help lactating mothers?
• Do healthcare providers have to be internet savvy?
• Are spinal cord nerve damage and persistent constipation related?
• What are the advantages of applying cognitive hypnotherapy in managing pain?
• How do you manage PTSD among army veterans?
• Is the immune system impacted by aging?

Top Nursing Research Topics List

If you find it challenging to come up with suitable topics about nursing, do not panic because you are not alone. In some way, many proficient writers and students have encountered the challenge of coming up with topics for nursing research paper. But we are here to help you jump-start the process by providing a list of research topics for nursing students. Some of them include the following: 

• Causes and prevention of childhood obesity.
• Effective ways used to treat ADHD.
• Ethical considerations for pediatric caregivers.
• Causes of pediatric antibiotic resistance.
• Effective ways to ensure diversity in caregiving.
• Adverse effects of children’s hormonal treatment.
• The psychological health impact caused by COVID-19.
• How air pollution is adversely affecting children.
• How is the immune system affected by age?
• What causes seizures in children?

Popular Nursing Research Topics

Another way to develop your essay is to choose from a list of popular nursing topics. There are many common caregiving ideas for your paper that you can choose from. Below we have compiled some of the most popular nursing research topics for students to help in writing your paper:

• Advantages of selecting a nursing career.
• Dangers associated with chemotherapy exposure.
• Night shifts impacts on caregivers' mental health.
• Preventing malnutrition in children.
• Negative impacts of caregiving as a career.
• Benefits of home health nursing.
• How caregivers contribute to the medical industry.
• Reasons why occupational therapy has increased in popularity.
• Key roles that can be played by caregivers in rehabilitation.
• Effective measures employed to reduce infant injuries during delivery.
• Assessing the evolution of newborn care over the past ten years.
• Best ways used to improve working conditions for caregivers.
• Analyzing the measures employed in reducing obesity.
• Causes of child mortality .
• Challenges involved in trying to find the major causes of cancer.

Current Nursing Research Topics

If you want to write about recent affairs, you can select current topics in nursing. Trendy topics are essential in tackling issues that have affected the healthcare industry in recent years. Below is a list of contemporary nursing research paper topic ideas:

• Analyzing rising cases of cancer among children.
• Measures that bridge existing gender gaps in nursing.
• Importance of vaccines during pregnancy.
• Causes and impacts of increased use of online caregiving programs.
• Does online medical education affect the quality of caregiving?
• What positive effects did nurses have during the pandemic?
• How computer tomography scans have impacted treatment methods.
• Negative effects of poor pain management techniques.
• Challenges faced by advanced innovations in clinical cardiology.
• Are caregivers supposed to practice specialization in their education?
• Best measures employed in protecting nurses during the pandemic.
• Parental roles in ensuring healthy lifestyles for their children.
• Challenges associated with Telemedicine.
• Criteria used to improve the popularity of healthcare professions.
• Benefits of community caregiving.

Interesting Nursing Research Topics

Selecting interesting nursing topics is also a great way to ensure the success of your paper. Below is a catalog of interesting nursing research paper topics that will help you: 

• Shortcomings associated with medical contracts.
• Fundamental causes of anxiety in patients.
• Strategies for reducing stress.
• The importance of diversity in medical health.
• What are the moral aspects brought by euthanasia?
• Key causes of hypersensitive diseases.
• Methods used in managing low blood pressure.
• Reasons for universal medical care.
• Practical steps for treating severe headaches.
• Major causes of bipolar disorder .
• Key roles that can be performed by healthcare providers during an El Nino weather phenomenon.
• How can caregivers assist patients dealing with anxiety?
• Have technological advancements enhanced healthcare quality?
• Techniques for handling elderly individuals who won't eat.
• The main causes of death in children.

Good Topics in Nursing

You can get a research topic for nursing students from various lists of ideas online. However, if you are looking for good research paper topics for nursing, you are in the right place. Below we have presented a list of titles that can help you begin your paper:

• Key disadvantages associated with Medicare.
• How can more men be encouraged to take up caregiving courses?
• Methods used for treating osteoporosis in women.
• The success of the chlamydia treatment regimen.
• The best method for improving patient care standards.
• Reasons why caregivers should be tested for drug use.
• Efficient methods utilized in treating acne among teenagers.
• Advantages of specialization for healthcare providers.
• Importance of caregivers being internet savvy.
• How nursing roles have changed in modern times.
• Factors contributing to the rise in male infertility.
• Why should caregivers be subjected to psychological therapy?
• Best care for women who have miscarried.
• Should caregivers be allowed to provide futile medical care?
• Importance of low carbohydrate diet.

Any nursing student is constantly busy with assignments and clinic hours. Research paper writing help from academic experts is very needed from time to time. Get in touch with StudyCrumb if you require any writing assistance.

Easy Nursing Research Topics

Sometimes complicated themes are challenging for students. If you feel like that is your case, consider choosing easy nurse topics. Below is a catalog of a variety of easy nursing topics for research: 

• Critical roles played by caregivers in medical care.
• Analyzing the roles of nutrition in managing obesity.
• How does cyberbullying affect children’s mental health?
• What benefits do children get from being vaccinated?
• Every patient's medical history should remain confidential.
• Ways in which caregivers can improve their service quality.
• Reasons why the demand for home medical services is rising.
• Should all medical records be automated?
• How has the quality of medical service improved over the years?
• Effective ways for preventing sexually transmitted diseases.
• Effective ways to lose weight for women.
• Reasons for decreased child mortality during labor in recent times.
• Common ways to manage hypertension.
• Signs that a patient has experienced physical abuse .
• Efficient methods used in managing stress levels among adults.

Hot Nursing Topics

There is no better way to amaze your professor with your essay than to select hot topics in nursing research. Choosing one of these nursing hot topics provided below will likely guarantee you high grades:

• Challenges facing medicine in 2023.
• How does unhealthy eating affect athletes?
• Effective methods used in protecting healthcare providers during the pandemic.
• The COVID-19 epidemic saw nurses play crucial roles.
• Technological advancements have greatly enhanced medical care.
• People should be taught how to practice preventive care.
• Challenges encountered when trying to quit smoking.
• Advantages of having caregivers on the school premises.
• Significant benefits associated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• Effective methods employed in managing headaches.
• Strategies that can enhance caregivers’ productivity.
• Is massage therapy effective in relieving pain?
• Challenges faced in managing chronic diseases.
• The most effective strategies for treating eating disorders.
• Efficient ways utilized in improving online caregiving education.

Nursing Research Topics for Students in Healthcare

If you are a healthcare student, you can count yourself lucky because you will not encounter the challenges of selecting a title for your essay. The section below has provided different research paper topics for nursing students to choose from. They are classified into different groups to provide various research ideas for nursing students. Go through them and pick the category that interests you.

Pediatric Nursing Research Topics

Pediatric caregivers are the ones who take care of children, neonates, and adolescents. There are many pediatric nursing topics for writing a research paper found online. Below are pediatric nursing paper topics to jump-start your mind: 

• Reasons why misdiagnoses cases in the pediatric wards are rising.
• Major emotional issues among children below ten years.
• What ways can be used to manage seizures in kids?
• Reasons why children develop resistance to antibiotics.
• What is the connection between autism and vaccination?
• Should there be specialized training for caregivers who manage pediatric wards?
• Reasons for the rising cases of obese children.
• How should caregivers deal with pain and injuries in toddlers?
• Steps involved in controlling allergic reactions in pediatric wards.
• Major health issues that threaten the development of children.
• Ethical considerations for nurses working in pediatric wards.
• Factors contributing to the rise in childhood eating disorders.
• Psychological impacts on parents with kids diagnosed with cancer.
• Best management practice for children with heart diseases .
• Early life exposure to air pollution and health impacts.

Adult Nursing Research Topic Ideas

You can also write your paper based on adult nursing ideas. These will mainly focus on providing healthcare intervention to adults. We have many nursing research ideas below for you to get you going:

• Health implications brought by abortion.
• Home remedies for people with high blood pressure.
• How should caregivers handle patients in prison?
• The proficiency of cognitive therapy in managing pain.
• Effective ways to manage alcohol addiction.
• Dangers associated with living a sedentary life.
• Physical exercises that prevent risks brought by heart complications.
• Efficient methods used to manage work-related stress.
• How to handle migraines at home.
• Reasons why obesity cases are rising among men above 35 years.
• Common causes of sleep disorders among adults.
• Best ways to reduce dependence on pain medicine.
• How can yoga be used as a pain management activity.
• Techniques for treating acute coronary syndrome in persons older than 35.
• How is the body affected by consuming too much carbohydrates?

Midwifery Nursing Topics

Midwifery care providers are specialists in childbirth and women's reproductive health. Students specializing in this should look at nursing research paper topics. For that, we have provided a list of the best midwifery nursing research topics below to assist you in your essay: 

• Management methods for autistic women giving birth.
• Evolution of midwifery in the last decade.
• Feeding problems associated with newborns and infants.
• Techniques for enhancing mother-child ties during postpartum care.
• History and development of midwifery.
• Best practices utilized in managing pain during labor.
• How to deal with postnatal depression among women?
• Advantages of maintaining high standards of skin hygiene for newborns.
• Managing women with disabilities during childbirth.
• Effective ways used in treating pregnancy-induced hypertension.
• Best ways to assist during prenatal and postnatal stages for fathers.
• Technological advancements in midwifery and their impacts.
• Reasons why mothers should ensure vaccinations for newborns children.
• Why has the childbirth mortality rate reduced over the last decade?
• Explanations for the increased number of women choosing to deliver at home instead of the hospital.

Elderly Care Nursing Research Paper Topics

Elderly care nursing topics are also prevalent among scholars. You can choose any elderly care nursing research paper topic from the catalog provided below:

• Techniques for avoiding delirium in older people.
• Methods for improving pain treatment in elderly individuals.
• Should the elderly be subjected to vaccinations?
• Managing cases of Alzheimer’s disease.
• Physical exercises that are not strenuous.
• Age-related changes to the immune system .
• How to shield senior patients from injuries and slips and falls.
• Caregivers should get specialized education to deal with geriatric patients.
• Preventing risk associated with cardiovascular ailments.
• Biological mechanism of Alzheimer’s disease and to prevent it in geriatric patients.
• Nursing approaches to providing ophthalmic care to elderly individuals.
• Interventions strategies to prevent adverse drug effects in senior patients.
• Regular exercises that help maintain joint movements.
• Should older patients be subjected to chemotherapy?
• How is sepsis managed in critically ill older patients?

Women's Health Nursing Research Topics

Women’s health topics in nursing are some of the most trending and relevant titles you can use for your essay. The following are some of the best women’s health nursing research paper topics that you pick from:

• Evaluation of why women experience sleep disorders.
• Ways used in treating menopause.
• Diseases that affect female sexual health.
• Managing infertility cases in women.
• Addressing cultural variations in women's health.
• Techniques for preventing sexually transmitted diseases.
• Symptoms associated with breast cancer.
• Factors that contribute to high numbers of infertilities.
• Best ways employed in treating acne.
• Factors that increase fertility.
• Approaches employed in dealing with postnatal depression.
• Preventive measures for vaginal atrophy.
• Efficient methods of detecting breast cancer.
• Best pregnancy prevention practices.
• How can nurses help prevent sepsis that comes after labor?

Need more ideas? Browse  psychology research topics  and choose something special.

Mental Health Nursing Research Topics

Mental disease is a serious health problem that has recently gained global attention. Therefore, studies focusing on mental health nursing topics are among the most searched. These are some  prevalent mental health nursing projects topics for you:  

• Evaluating caregivers’ mental health.
• Reason why there is an increase in stress cases after the pandemic.
• Are there effective methods to treat schizophrenia?
• Evaluating the significant causes of depression.
• How has social media contributed to the rise in mental incidents?
• The symptoms associated with chronic anxiety.
• Is it advisable to use medication in treating mental health issues?
• Advantages of using antipsychotics in treating mental problems.
• Best methods used in managing dementia effects.
• Causes of mental health issues among medical practitioners.
• How to prevent aggression acts among teenagers caused by playing violent video games.
• Causes of PTSD among war veterans.
• Treatment strategies for patients with cognitive impairment.
• Major causes of bipolar disorder.
• Practical steps that are taken in treating panic attacks.

>> View more: Mental Health Research Topics

Pain Management Nursing Research Topics

The most crucial nursing research problem is pain management. Some students will likely provide interventions for patients dealing with pain. If this is your area of concern, you should look at various pain management nurse topics to get your inspiration. The following is a narrowed-down list of pain management topics for you: 

• Major roles played by caregivers in treating pain.
• Assessing the efficacy of non-pharmacological pain management techniques.
• Successful modern pain management medications.
• Efficient methods used in remedying chronic pain.
• Managing pain in hemophilia.
• Steps involved in treating headaches.
• Best pain managing exercises for women in labor.
• How can caregivers relieve pain in cancer patients?
• Methods used in treating spinal cord nerve injuries.
• Advantages of therapeutic injections.
• Can Benson’s relaxation therapy be used to relieve pain?
• Applying cognitive hypnotherapy in relieving body discomforts.
• How may rheumatoid arthritis be treated with opioids?
• The ideal use of myofascial pain rehabilitation.
• Treating children's stomach pain.

Health Care Management Nursing Research Topics

There are many healthcare research problems in nursing that you can base your essay on. Some of the best healthcare nursing project topics that you can choose from include: 

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of Medicare?
• Should the healthcare industry seek to have more diversity?
• Does gender play a role in caregiving?
• What steps should be taken to encourage more people to take caregiving courses?
• How has technological advancement affected the quality of healthcare services?
• Should remote care be explored as a way of enhancing the service?
• How can caregivers rise to become physicians?
• Approaches taken to improve staff relations in the hospital?
• Leadership styles that are effective in caregiving.
• Best training methods for healthcare providers to keep them up to date.
• Importance of caregivers adhering to the uniform codes and rules.
• How can healthcare providers take leadership positions in the hospital?
• The procedures for establishing a private medical practice.
• Methods used in improving record keeping.
• Ethical considerations that caregivers should know when dealing with patients.

>> Read more: Healthcare Research Topics

Primary Healthcare Nursing Research Topics

For those students seeking primary healthcare nursing concept topics, there are various topics you can find on the internet. However, to make your work easier, below we have provided a catalog of primary healthcare nursing related research topics that you can pick from:

• Economic implications associated with enhanced primary healthcare.
• Best ways to treat chronic medical problems.
• Primary care for diabetic patients.
• Advantages of antenatal treatment.
• Methods employed in assessing medical care quality.
• Should pharmacists perform roles meant for physicians?
• Key considerations made in primary healthcare.
• Efficient methods of treating stroke.
• Advantages of the private sector's involvement in creating mental health services.
• Challenges faced in financing quality primary healthcare.
• How data collected during primary healthcare can be used in research.
• Technologically advanced methods used in cardiology.
• Common techniques used in evaluating patients’ health.
• Key responsibilities played by social workers in providing direct healthcare.
• Is preventive medicine effective among elderly patients?

>> Read more: Public Health Topics to Research

Nursing Research Paper Topics on Obstetrics

Obstetrics is a field of caregiving that focuses on providing care during pregnancy, childbirth, and after birth. There are many nursing research problems that you can write on obstetrics. You can choose the following nursing related research topics for your essay: 

• Dangers associated with hypertensive disorders.
• Causes and prevention of hypertension during childbirth.
• Best management practices for labor and delivery.
• Steps employed in resuscitating newborns.
• Dangers related to consuming foods rich in unsaturated fatty acids for pregnant women.
• Disadvantages of water birth.
• Best antenatal care plans.
• Challenges involved in saving mother and child during delivery.
• Methods of dealing with pre-term labor.
• Advantages of incorporating music therapy during lactation.
• Key dangers associated with early pregnancies.
• Best methods to manage post-delivery stress.
• Nutrition that helps mothers recover better after delivery.
• Unhealthy habits during pregnancy that might be dangerous.
• Best foods that increase fertility among women.

Health Promotion Nursing Research Topics

Health promotion aims at encouraging communities and individuals to choose healthy behavior, which reduces the risks of diseases. Selecting a healthy lifestyle is a research problem in nursing that needs addressing. As a scholar, there are many health-promoting issues you can analyze as your clinical nursing problems for research. The following topics are an excellent way to start:

• Nutrition misinformation that is spread on the internet.
• Best practices of educating parents to ensure their children grow up healthy.
• Causes of increased dependency on Telemedicine.
• Ways of promoting healthy living among older patients.
• Dangers related to leading an inactive lifestyle among the youths.
• Methods used in preventing medical misinformation on the internet.
• Dangers associated with fake news on health.
• Impacts of short staffing on patients’ outcomes.
• Modern and safe methods employed in cancer screening.
• How can social media be employed to promote healthy lifestyles?
• Steps that are taken to discourage inactivity behaviors among the youths.
• Dangers related to cigarette smoking.
• Methods used in reversing the adverse effects of diabetes.
• Raising awareness on the causes and risks of heart diseases.
• Is secondhand smoking dangerous to people’s health?

Biology research topics may be helpful as well. Look through additional ideas and come up with something unique.

Nursing Careers Research Paper Topics

You can also investigate medical careers by examining nursing education topics as a scholar. Caregiving is a career that still has plenty of room for growth. This can be achieved by evaluating various nursing problems for research. These are titles that you can look at to get you off: 

• How will caregiving be affected in the future with more technological advancements?
• Challenges that affect the process of diversifying the healthcare industry.
• What leadership skills should caregivers have to be effective in their roles?
• How do nurses who work during the night deal with stress?
• Steps that are taken in dealing with anxiety.
• Critical functions played by clinical health providers.
• Primary ethical considerations for caregivers.
• Practices that ensure safe prescription of medication.
• Role played by nurses in critical care services.
• Career paths for caregivers.
• Methods used in preventing infections in the line of duty.
• Dangers associated with the nursing profession.
• Coping mechanism for caregivers during the pandemic.
• Benefits and drawbacks of a mobile intensive care unit.
• Tactics employed to deal with an elder who refuses to eat.

Topics for Nursing Research: Qualitative & Quantitative

When choosing your nursing research topics, you should consider the research design you want. The research questions you come up with will direct the type of design that will conclusively answer them. As a result, your research topic choices can be either qualitative or quantitative. To make it easier for you, below we have further explained the two types of nursing research examples.

Qualitative Research Topics in Nursing

Qualitative nursing research topics deal with caregivers’ personal experiences with their patients that are derived through observation and interviews. It uses induction to gain evidence that will support a particular theory without generalizing obtained results. The following are examples of qualitative research questions in nursing:

• Challenges in dealing with caregiving stereotypes.
• Problems associated with systematic racism in healthcare systems.
• The evolution of the nursing profession since the 20th century.
• Main accreditation issues in medical school for caregivers.
• How technology has improved the process of caregiving.
• Importance of healthcare staff in primary care.
• How does music affect the psychological conditions of patients?
• Importance of robotics in the healthcare industry .
• Method of preventing harmful effects of obesity.
• How to treat victims of sexual harassment.
• Major physical activities that elderly patients can participate in.
• Efficient methods utilized in managing depression.
• Chief causes of dyslexia in children.
• Managing patients who have PTSD.
• Making older patients' cancer therapy more effective.

Nursing Quantitative Research Topics

On the other hand, quantitative nursing research topics deal with obtaining empirical evidence through generalization and deduction. Below are examples of quantitative research topics in nursing: 

• Benefits of healthy diets.
• Efficacy of Telemedicine.
• Causes and symptoms of heart complications.
• How are cardiovascular problems treated?
• Dangers associated with information overload in medicine.
• Development of Telehealth.
• Ethical considerations of assisted suicide.
• How effective is primary health care for the patients?
• What roles do caregivers play during an operation?
• Leading causes of mental illnesses in adolescents.
• Unconventional methods that may be used in treating diabetes.
• Disadvantages of using probiotics in treating diarrhea.
• Efficient strategies that can be used to assist patients who try to commit suicide.
• How statistics are used to analyze the benefits of changing your diet.
• Effective methods for assessing pain in critical patients.

Bonus Ideas on Nursing Research Paper Topics

You should now be able to select a topic for your essay because we have given you a variety of research topics related to nursing to choose from. The above titles are obtained from different areas of nursing. However, modern times call for different approaches to caregiving. Browse  chemistry topics for research  to come up with some new and interesting ideas for your paper. If you want to focus on more recent evidence-based practice nursing research topics, we have different varieties for you to choose from below.

Nursing Topics for Discussion

Many research questions for nursing aim at triggering deeper conversations on issues from different health stakeholders. If you want to generate a discussion around a particular subject, you should come up with a suitable nursing research topic. The following are examples of such titles:

• Is child health insurance a human right?
• How can the gender gap that exists in healthcare be reduced?
• Compare and contrast complementary and alternative therapies.
• Are video games responsible for increased teen aggression?
• Should elderly patients be allowed to use alcohol?
• Should a caregiver force food on elderly patients who refuse to eat?
• Should all hospitals adopt the usage of Telemedicine?
• Is online education a competent program for nurses?
• Should caregivers be allowed to prescribe medicine to patients?
• Are nurses given the same respect as that offered to doctors?

Nursing Topics for Presentation

Consider nursing presentation topics if you are required to write an essay to present to a class or other medical practitioners. The following are examples of presentation research topics related to nursing: 

• Key disadvantages associated with Telemedicine .
• What is the connection between mental stability and obesity?
• The best non-medical techniques for recuperating from physical trauma.
• Factors contributing to the rise in teenage alcohol misuse.
• The main signs of bipolar disorder in children under the age of 14.
• Health issues related to menopause and how to prevent them.
• Best ways to treat bone injuries at home.
• Effective ways used in managing obesity in women above 35 years.
• Reasons why Telecare is essential to caregivers.
• Is pet therapy an effective method that should be used in managing autism?

Literature Review Nursing Topics

Analyzing previously written nursing research projects provides the best source of information for you to seek answers to different medical issues. If this is what you are aiming at, we have a variety of different nursing literature review topics below:

• How effective is the caregiving education program?
• Challenges facing caregivers in using modern treatment.
• Effects of family therapy on the mental well-being of adolescents.
• How can caregivers improve pregnancy care outcomes?
• Laughter therapy and its positive impacts on patients.
• Social repercussions of HIV.
• Problems associated with teenage alcohol addictions.
• How do caregivers manage drunk patients?
• Recognizing the signs of patients who have been abused.
• Ways in which gardening therapy is used to reduce anxiety among the elderly.

Check out literature topics for research papers , you may find something interesting for you.

Nursing Thesis Topics

You need a suitable thesis to find an appropriate title for your nursing research project. The thesis you choose will guide your research question, which you seek to answer with your findings. Below are examples of nursing thesis topic ideas for your paper: 

• Consequences of avoiding regular checkups.
• Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on pupils' mental health.
• Ways of preventing racism in the healthcare industry.
• Importance of treating cancer using bacterial injection.
• Ethical considerations for organ transplants.
• Best methods that should be used in administering vaccines.
• Steps in managing alcohol addiction among adults.
• Confidential ways used in helping patients of domestic violence seek justice.
• Disadvantages associated with using excessive antibiotics in children.
• Effects of alcohol consumption on pregnant women.

Nursing Research Question Examples

Many nursing research questions examples can help you develop suitable evidence-based practice titles for your essay. These will guide your ideas, making it easy to create a suitable topic. The following are examples of research questions in nursing to get you going: 

• How can caregivers assist patients who are abused domestically?
• What effective methods are used in resuscitating newborns?
• What are the main symptoms of dyslexia ?
• What advice should caregivers give to parents who have children with eating disorders?
• How to treat patients who are in prison.
• What is the connection between teenage drug abuse and popular pop culture?
• Methods used to treat seizures in young adolescents.
• Should caregivers adhere to medical uniform code principles?
• What therapies are effective in treating speech disorders?
• What are the advantages of Telemedicine?

Bottom Line on Nursing Research Topics

We understand the stress that comes with writing a nursing research paper. One of those challenges is difficulty in choosing suitable topics for nursing research. However, we have provided you with more than 350 nursing student research topics to inspire you to write your essay. These topics are derived from the different areas of nursing. Others are evidence based practice nursing research topics. Select one that will add more knowledge to the healthcare industry and write about it. 

Our nursing writing services are remedies on their own. Our writers do their best to deliver high-quality result on time. Receive original  papers that can be completed within one click, and we’ll be happy to see you.

Joe Eckel is an expert on Dissertations writing. He makes sure that each student gets precious insights on composing A-grade academic writing.

You may also like